August Reading Round-Up
Robots, regency drama, and the coziest adventures I read this month
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Dear Cozy Reader,
It’s time for my monthly reading round-up—a peek at what I’ve been reading lately and an invitation for you to share the cozy reads you’ve been loving, too!
This month, my reading leaned heavily into sci-fi—robots, reflections on sentience and sapience, and plenty of musings on what it means to be human (or not). I also devoured Claudia Gray’s newest installment in the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mysteries, a Jane Austen–inspired cozy mystery series I absolutely adore.
Here are the books I’m featuring this month:
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (Charming Sci-Fi)
The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray (Cozy Mystery)
Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Charming Sci-Fi)
Without further ado, here are my thoughts. And of course—I’d love to hear what you read in August. Share your cozy reads in the comments!
Warmly,
Emma 🌿
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
Charming Sci-Fi
I continued my journey through the Murderbot novellas with book #3. This time, Murderbot ends up on an abandoned terraforming station with yet another group of pesky humans who, of course, put themselves in danger and need protecting.
What I loved:
This one flirts with horror tropes (an abandoned station in space with monsters who definitely want to kill everyone), but Martha Wells balances the tension beautifully. As a sensitive reader, I wasn’t overwhelmed—just delightfully gripped.
Murderbot’s inner voice continues to shine. The more we get to know its thoughts and feelings, the funnier and more endearing it becomes.
A solid adventure story—classic in the best way.
What didn’t work for me:
No notes! A near-perfect charming sci-fi read.
What made it cozy:
Murderbot itself. Spending time with its voice feels like being reunited with an oddly comforting friend.
Content warnings:
Some violence and a bit of gore, but never overly detailed. Keep your imagination in check and you’ll be fine.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray
Cozy Mystery
Claudia Gray is one of my favorite writers—her Star Wars novels are fantastic, and I’m completely hooked on her Austen-inspired mystery series. The Rushworth Family Plot is book four, but if you’re new, start with The Murder of Mr. Wickham.
The series takes place after Austen’s novels end, bringing beloved characters together in a web of murder mysteries. Our sleuths are Jonathan Darcy (son of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet) and Juliette Tilney (daughter of Henry Tilney and Catherine Morland). Each book highlights one of Austen’s worlds—this time, it’s Mansfield Park.
What I loved:
Gray’s Austen-inspired voice. She mirrors the language and cadence so well that you feel rooted in Regency England.
This series balances a satisfying standalone mystery with a developing long-arc story—Darcy and Tilney’s slow-burn romance.
Her character work is excellent. This book, in particular, offers thoughtful imaginings of what happened to Mansfield Park characters after Austen’s happy ending.
What didn’t work for me:
Fanny Price. She’s just not my kind of heroine—too quiet, too good. Still, this isn’t a flaw in the writing. If anything, it shows how well Gray captures Austen’s characters!
What made it cozy:
The London setting—fireplaces, townhomes, endless social rules. There’s comfort in a world where the etiquette is clear, and delight when characters break those rules.
Content warnings:
Murder with references to the violence that occurred, plus references to infidelity and miscarriage.
Verdict: Highly recommend! I’m eagerly awaiting book five next summer.
Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Charming Sci-Fi
This one had been sitting in my Kobo library for ages—I’d grabbed it on sale without even reading the description. When I finally picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Part of the joy was going in blind, so I won’t spoil it here.
What I’ll say:
There’s a charming robot valet at the heart of it all.
The book is mysterious, sometimes bonkers, sometimes sad, and contemplative with emotional highs and lows throughout.
Like Murderbot, the coziness doesn’t come from the world (which is not cozy) but from seeing it through the unique and delightful perception of the robot narrator.
Content warnings:
This one isn’t strictly cozy—expect some darker themes, a few sad turns, and occasional scenes with blood.
Verdict: Read it without spoilers if you can—it’s a treat.
A couple of bonus reads
This month, I also read…
The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz (Charming Sci-Fi) — I shared my thoughts on this tea-inspired novella in an earlier post.
The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd — Not strictly cozy, but a solid, not-too-violent mystery with art history, Egyptian archaeology, and academia. If you enjoy “rich people behaving badly” mysteries, this one’s for you.
📚 Currently Reading
After a month of robot sci-fi (Rogue Protocol, Service Model, and Cybernetic Tea Shop), I’m craving something softer. Right now, I’m reading Lessons in Magic and Disaster by Charlie Jane Anders and loving it.
Have you read any of the books mentioned here? What cozy books did you curl up with in August? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear all about your reading life.
Happy reading,
Emma 🌿
Hi there! I’m Emma Veritas, your cozy reading enthusiast. I delight in escaping to small towns filled with endearing characters—and just a touch of mystery, dragons, or aliens. When I’m not sharing bookish musings here, you’ll find me reading at the beach, wandering the tiled alleys of my new hometown in Portugal, or sipping a delicious cup of hot chocolate.
You might also enjoy my other bookish newsletters:
🔮Mystics Reading Society—a welcoming space where books, personal growth, and magic intertwine, nurturing your soul one chapter at a time. Read the most recent post: Hopelessness and Death
🌊Curious about life abroad? Check out Reading in Portugal to follow my adventures. Read the most recent post: 3 Weeks in Portugal
I just picked up a brand new cozy that seems to be flying under the radar, but it shouldn't! Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman. It is really fun!!!