August 2025 Reader of the Month

Check out Savannah’s favorite books .

C-SPL August Reader of the Month Q&A:

• What book are you currently reading?
  • I am currently reading The Stolen Heir, The Crash, and Uglies. I love to read a few books at a time to keep me on my toes, and read multiple genres at one time.
• What is the best book you have read within the last year?
  • My favorite books from this year have been Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, and The Martian by Andy Weir. “Sunrise on the Reaping” was a real tear-jerker and had me feeling emotions I didn’t know were possible from a book.
• What is your ideal reading environment?
  • My ideal reading environment is my comfy green rocking chair inside with the windows open. All that fresh air allows me to immerse myself in the book. Ideally, I have a Dr. Pepper in hand and a bowl of popcorn by my side. Now this is the most important part of my reading experience, my cat Nox (any Harry Potter fans know the reference?) is laying on my lap reading alongside me.
• What book are you most excited about reading next, and what about it is most exciting?
  • The book I am most excited to read next is The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez. I love her books and how they are all interconnected. It makes you develop deeper relationships with the characters, and her writing style is so addictive. I am also excited to read One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig. This is a book that has been hyped up by fellow readers, and I can’t wait to see what is in store.
• What format do you prefer and why?
  • I am definitely a physical book gal. The feel of flipping the pages and the satisfaction of watching your progress is unmatched. That being said, when I take long drives, I enjoy listening to the occasional audiobook to get me through the corn fields of Iowa. 
• Have you discovered any exciting new authors or genres?
  • This last year, I have explored more of the romance genre. I have found romance authors who are now a go-to. Including Abby Jimenez, Hannah Grace, Ali Hazelwood, and Emily Rath. Ali Hazelwood has been an amazing author to explore as she mixes science and romance all in one.
• What book has been the most challenging for you to read? How did it challenge you?
  • The most challenging book for me to read has been The Atlas Six. I was super excited to read this book, but it was one that was hard to visualize and follow along with the storyline. The ending got me more excited about the book, but due to how slow it was in the beginning, this was a challenging read for me. It challenged me to believe that I can push through and really finish something when I put my mind to it. 
• When do you decide to stop reading a book?
  • When I decide to stop reading a book, it must mean that the book is a total flop. Normally, I push through to the end and just “live and learn” from the book/writing style/author. I at least try to get through half of a book, and if I still can’t bear it, I know that is when to call it quits. 
• Do you remember when your love for reading began?
  • My love of reading has always been prominent throughout my childhood. I was always the kid who was checking out 10+ books from the library and reading them in just a day or two. My parents were no help in feeding my love (or addiction) for reading. They were always signing me up for library cards, summer reading programs, checking out the bookstore, and so much more that helped with my passion for reading. 

Thanks to Savannah for being our August Reader of the Month! We loved getting a peek into her bookish world – sharing her favorite reads, cozy reading rituals, and even introducing us to her purr-fect reading buddy, Nox. Check out the her full list of recommendations here.

Want to be our next Reader of the Month? We’d love to hear from you! Fill out the submission form on our site.