There’s so many good books coming out this month, especially if you’re into fantasy or thriller. I compiled a list of the 10 best books coming out in August so that you can find them all in one place. Let me know which books you’re most looking forward to reading!
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Family Lore
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
Release Date: August 1st, 2023
Genre: Magical Realism
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When you can predict, to the day, when someone will die, requesting a living wake is a bit suspicious. That’s why Flor’s sisters are confused when she requests one for herself. This book, which takes place over the three days prior to the wake, delves into the family’s generational secrets and the power of family ties.
The Connellys of County Down
Author: Tracey Lange
Release Date: August 1st, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
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It can be hard to land on your feet after getting out of prison. That’s something Tara Connelly, who just served 18 months on a drug charge, is learning first hand. She moves in with her siblings and quickly has to balance her own problems, their secrets, and the cop who’s lurking around far too often.
The Freedom Clause
Author: Hannah Sloane
Release Date: August 1st, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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In Hannah Sloane’s debut novel, married couple Dominic and Daphne agree to open up their marriage—with conditions. One night a year, for the next five years, they can sleep with one other person. This shift inspires Daphne to find herself in ways that she’d never previously considered. She starts blogging her journey of self-discovery, and by the end the couple has to make a decision as to whether they even want to stay together at all.
The Keeper of Hidden Books
Author: Madeline Martin
Release Date: August 1st, 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction
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The Keeper of Hidden Books is a WWII novel about a woman, Zofia, who takes comfort in books. When her home in Nazi occuped Warsaw is bombed, she does her best to save whatever books she can, starting a book club in the process. Through literature, Zofia and her best friend fight to save their culture, and themselves.
Good Bad Girl
Author: Alice Feeney
Release Date: August 3rd, 2023
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
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I’ve read this book’s description multiple times and I still don’t understand what is going on. Two crimes—a kidnapping and a murder in a care home—are somehow connected, and that leads to three women doing their best to solve them. Between 80 year old Edith, care home worker Patience, and Edith’s daughter Clio, someone is certain to figure out the truth. Or something like that.
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store
Author: James McBride
Release Date: August 8th, 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction
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This historical fiction novel focuses on what it’s like to live on the margins of society, and how the people that are marginalized often come together in order to survive. Following the residents of Chicken Hill, this book takes on love, community, and the secrets kept by people who might not have any other choice. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store seems like an incredibly heavy but worthwhile read.
Shark Heart
Author: Emily Habeck
Release Date: August 8th, 2023
Genre: Magical Realism
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In this ambitious debut novel, Emily Habeck takes on motherhood, marriage, and heartbreak in the form of magical realism and fantasy. Wren is forced to confront her life when her husband, Lewis, receives a diagnosis—he is going to turn into a great white shark. In this quite literal take on “would you still love me if I was a worm”, Wren deals with grief and the rising up of repressed childhood memories.
Under the Influence
Author: Noelle Crooks
Release Date: August 8th, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
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I am obsessed with the cover of this novel. Young Harper Cruz is a broke publishing assistant when she meets self-help guru Charlotte Green. The woman completely changes her life—and not all for the better. This reminds me of Orgasm, Inc, in a way. Girlbosses are not as cool and suave and perfect as they seem!
Happiness Falls
Author: Angie Kim
Release Date: August 29th, 2023
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
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I love thrillers that explore family dynamics in light of a mystery, and this book promises to do exactly that. After Mia’s father disappears, leaving only her bloodied little brother as witness, they launch a ticking-clock investigation. Unfortunately for the case, Mia’s brother has Angelman syndrome and cannot speak, resulting in a series of twists and family drama.
The Breakaway
Author: Jennifer Weiner
Release Date: August 29th, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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When Abby spots Sebastian, her one-night-stand, on a bike trip from New York City to Niagara Falls, she has the opportunity to decide if she’s really attracted to Mike. Mike, who she recently reconnected with after meeting at weight-loss camp 15 years ago, is madly in love with her, but Abby is unsure if she feels the same. I’m very curious to read fat people’s perspective on this book to see how the topic is handled, and excited to follow bad boy Sebastian as he wins Abby’s heart.
What books are you looking forward to reading this month?
