August 2025 Reading Wrap-Up
August was all over the place in terms of genre and subject matter. Everything landed somewhere between “good” and “better” (but nothing truly great. There was only one disappointment and I think it was just because I had my expectations set too high. It was a well-rounded reading list kept things interesting.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin – ★★★★☆
Gabrielle Zevin’s novel lived up to much of the hype. While it’s often described as a story about video games, it’s really about creativity, friendship, ambition, and the complicated relationships that develop over a lifetime.
The characters felt authentic, even when they were frustrating, and the emotional highs and lows never felt forced. The gaming backdrop gave the story a unique identity without requiring any prior knowledge of the industry.
It wasn’t quite a five-star read for me, but it was an engaging literary novel that stayed with me long after I finished.
Sell It Like Serhant by Ryan Serhant – ★★★★☆
Ryan Serhant delivers exactly what you’d expect: high energy, confidence, and practical sales advice.
Some of the concepts are familiar if you’ve read other sales books, but Serhant’s enthusiasm makes the material approachable and actionable. His emphasis on consistency, confidence, and building relationships makes this useful whether you’re in real estate, business, or simply trying to become a better communicator.
A solid motivational read that offers plenty of practical takeaways.
Foreign Agents by Casey Michel – ★★★★☆
This was one of the more eye-opening books of the month.
Casey Michel explores how foreign governments and wealthy interests influence American politics and institutions, often in ways that remain largely invisible to the public. Rather than focusing solely on espionage, the book examines lobbying, financial influence, and the legal loopholes that allow foreign actors to shape policy.
It’s a fascinating and unsettling look at modern political influence that left me thinking about how interconnected money and power have become.
Tower of Basel by Adam LeBor – ★★★★☆
If you’ve ever wondered how central banks coordinate behind the scenes, Tower of Basel offers an intriguing look at one of the least-known institutions in global finance.
Adam LeBor traces the history of the Bank for International Settlements while exploring its influence during wars, financial crises, and the evolution of the modern banking system.
It’s certainly more history than economics textbook and history fans will find plenty to appreciate here.
Hitler’s American Friends by Bradley W. Hart – ★★★★☆
This book examines the surprising level of pro-Nazi sympathy that existed in the United States before World War II.
Bradley W. Hart avoids sensationalism and instead relies on historical documentation to show how isolationism, antisemitism, propaganda, and political movements intersected during a turbulent period in American history.
It’s an important reminder that history is rarely as straightforward as we remember it, and that extremist ideas can find support in unexpected places.
The Hero by Lee Child – ★★★☆☆
This was a very short and somewhat disappointing book.
I have read better books on the archetype of the “hero” and the “hero’s journey.” This may be worth your time because it is so short, but I just didn’t live up to what I expected from an A-list novelist.
Multi-Family Millions by David Lindahl – ★★★★☆
As someone interested in real estate investing, this was an easy book to appreciate.
David Lindahl focuses on scaling through multifamily properties while explaining concepts like deal analysis, financing, management, and value creation. While parts of the book reflect the market conditions of its era, the broader principles remain relevant.
It’s one of those books that reinforces the importance of thinking beyond single-family investing if your long-term goal is building wealth through real estate. This is a real estate classic that should be in every investor’s library.
Final Thoughts
August leaned heavily into learning. Whether it was exploring the hidden mechanics of international finance, uncovering overlooked corners of American history, improving sales skills, or thinking bigger about real estate investing, nearly every book added a new perspective.
Education and enjoyable, but nothing that truly wowed me…
Books Read: 7
Average Rating: ★ 3.9/5
