#WOYBS? – What I’ve been reading in August

It’s time for the monthly What’s On your Bookshelf? link up .

My reading during August was a mixed bag. There were even a couple of DNF because they just didn’t grab me. I used to struggle through to finish all books that I read but these days I’m more discerning and protective of my time. If I can’t get into a book after a couple of chapters I put it aside. Perhaps I’ll read it another time or I perhaps I won’t.

I’m looking forward to you sharing what you’ve read at our monthly link up co-hosted with my friends Deb from Deb’s World, Donna from Retirement Reflections and Joanne Tracey – Author. Remember to check out what has been on their bookshelves as well.

Book Reviews What’s On Your Bookshelf? – August 2025

My book of the month

The Secret Ingredient – Sue Heath

Sometimes a book just draws you in and The Secret Ingredient by Sue Heath did just that to me. I had downloaded the copy without reading the blurb so I wasn’t sure what to expect, although I did think cooking might be involved.

The Secret Ingredient is one of those books that once you start you just can’t put down.

For Kate Shaw, the main character in The Secret Ingredient, life stopped three years ago. She counts the time since in years, weeks, and days—but also in things she hasn’t done. She hasn’t cooked. She hasn’t really laughed. She hasn’t felt alive.

But on this particular day, Kate steps back into the kitchen and decides to make pancakes.

It’s a small act. But it changes everything.

What unfolds is a beautiful, moving story of a woman rediscovering herself, one recipe at a time. As she reconnects with her past through the handwritten recipes of her gran, Kate finds joy in creating again. Through baking, Kate slowly brings life back—not just to herself, but to her neighbours as well.

She meets Charles, an elderly man. He shares memories of his courtship with the love of his life, Mary. Their courtship started in the tearoom which Kate’s house once was. Della, a kind woman with green thumbs and a nurturing heart starting life over after her husband leaves. And Jack, a former celebrity chef who, much like Kate, has lost his spark but is looking to rediscover it.

Together, these friendships develop and become Kate’s ‘family’, her lifeline, and her mirror—reflecting back the possibility that even in our loneliest moments, we are not alone.

For me, Mary is the star of the story. Her courage and selflessness are inspiring. Her love for others, especially Charles, shines through. She shares her wisdom to help Kate and others find their way back home.

These characters felt so real, I found myself wanting to sit down with them over a meal and hear their stories.

The Secret Ingredient, is joyful and uplifting despite the loss and sadness experienced by the characters. Heart warming, beautifully written, with depth & sensitivity. I thoroughly enjoyed The Secret Ingredient and it is a 5 stars from me.

This book is a celebration of food, memory, grief, friendship, and second chances—and it offers a quiet message of hope for any woman who’s ever wondered, Can I really begin again?

Other Reading

Untrue Blue – Lord & Lady Hetheridge Mysteries (Book 7) – Emma Jameson – 4 stars

When I’m not sure what to read, I reach for a British crime mystery and the Lord & Lady Hetherington Mysteries, by Emma Jameson is one that I discovered in August.

This cozy mystery series follows Chief Superintendent Lord Anthony Hetheridge of Scotland Yard and Detective Sergeant Kate Wakefield, his younger colleague and eventual wife. Along with DS Paul Bhar, they navigate high-society crimes and London’s upper crust. The tone blends wit, light procedural elements, and romance against a backdrop of murder mysteries.

If you enjoy a cozy, British crime then this series is for you.

The Borrowed Life of Fredick Fife – Anna Johnston – 3 stars

I had mixed feelings about this book and it only rated a 3 star from me. My problem was not being able to get past the plot which to me was not plausible. One reader mentioned feeling pulled out of the story, noting unrealistic shifts in tone. Yet on the flipside another reviewer from The Bookish Bulletin even noted that, despite the implausible premise, they willingly immersed themselves in the world Anna Johnston created—and were delighted all the way through

Despite the plot and at times frustration with ageism, I found Frederick (Fred) to be delightful, warm and kind – hearted won me over and I kept reading. Humanity and kindness shone through and that’s always a good thing isn’t it?

The Simply Stunning Classic Book Club & Podcast

The Awakening was my selection for our Simply Stunning Classic Book Club and Podcast.

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Book Review — The Awakening by Kate Chopin

The Awakening is a bold, ahead-of-its-time novel exploring female identity, self-discovery, and the conflict between societal expectations and personal freedom.

When first published, readers were shocked by the portrayal of a woman feeling stifled and oppressed with a lack of maternal feelings for her children who seeks passion and physical love outside of her marriage. Some libraries even banned the book as it insulted the societal expectations of the Victorian era.

Set in late 19th-century Louisiana, it follows Edna Pontellier, a wife and mother who begins to question her conventional life after experiencing a stirring romantic and emotional awakening. Through encounters with love, art, and the sea, Edna seeks independence—but her defiance of norms comes at a great personal cost.

Chopin’s lush prose and symbolism—especially the recurring imagery of the sea—create a rich portrait of a woman torn between passion and propriety. While the ending shocked contemporary readers, modern audiences often view it as a poignant and powerful conclusion to a story about autonomy and choice.

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Interesting facts:

1. Not Widely Appreciated in Her Lifetime – The controversy damaged Kate Chopin’s literary career, and the book faded from public view until feminist scholars revived it in the 1969, when Norwegian scholar Per Seyersted published The Complete Works of Kate Chopin along with a full-length biography, sparking a revival of scholarly interest.
2. The Sea as Symbol – The sea in the novel represents freedom, sensuality, and self-discovery. Chopin herself was an accomplished swimmer—rare for women at the time—and used her personal love of the water in the story.
3. A Pioneer of Feminist Fiction – Chopin is often considered one of the first American authors to write openly about female sexual desire and autonomy.
4. Based on Real Places – Grand Isle, the summer setting in the book, is a real barrier island in Louisiana where Chopin vacationed.
5. Short Career, Lasting Legacy – Chopin died just five years after The Awakening was published, but the novel is now taught widely in literature and women’s studies courses.

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You can listen to my review and also what my fellow Classic Book Club members thought in our latest podcast episode which you can find HERE. Subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Join us – virtually, that is. Our next book for August is Debbie’s selection, – Farenheit 451. Dystopia is not my usual genre but I’m ready to push out of my comfort zone. I’m looking forward to discussing it with the Book Club members. We’ll be recording our Zoom sessions and publishing it as a podcast on Substack. We’d love for you to join us… you can subscribe here.

Your Turn – What have you been reading lately?

Donna, Deb, Jo and I would love you to share what you’ve been reading … you’ll find the link up here

Happy reading and remember to pop over to read what books have been on my co-hosts shelves.

 Deb from Deb’s World, 
Donna from Retirement Reflections  – (Donna is currently taking a break and will return next month)
Joanne Tracey – Author

Dates for the Diary 2025

The What’s On Your Bookshelf? Link Up dates for 2025 are listed below. Make a note in your diary as a reminder as we would love to have you join us.

The link for What’s On Your Bookshelf (WOYBS) is open on the third Friday of each month at 8 am (AEST) – that makes it sometime on the third Thursday of each month if you’re in the northern hemisphere…

August 14/15
September 18/19
October 16/17
November 20/21
December 18/19

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