August’s Most-Anticipated Books

A collage of the covers included in this article

Look no further for your next read. The amount of great new books hitting shelves each month can be overwhelming but we’ve rounded up ten of the buzziest books coming out this August—no matter what genre you’re interested in. Have you read any of these new releases? If not, you’ll want them on your TBR!

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers

Honorée Fanonne Jeffers is a National Book Award-nominated poet, and her fiction debut is already generating series buzz. The novel explores ancestral trauma through the eyes of Ailey Pearl Garfield, the daughter of a physician and a teacher growing up in the 1980s and ’90s. Ailey dreams of becoming a historian, and her story is interwoven with the history of her family, painting a picture that shows how the past shapes her present.

Bombshell by Sarah MacLean

Sarah MacLean is heating up the summer with the first installment in the highly-anticipated Hell’s Belles series. Caleb Calhoun knows that Lady Sesily Talbot is pure trouble—so why can’t he manage to get his best friend’s sister out of his head? Caleb knows he should steer clear of Sesily and her scandals, but when he fears she’s wandering too close to danger he can’t help but step in. MacLean never fails to deliver a knockout romance, and fans of the genre will want to clear their schedules when publication day arrives.

Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s latest takes readers to Mexico City in the 1970s. Secretary Maite begins searching for Lenora, her missing neighbor, with the help of Rubén, Lenora’s former lover. The trail leads Maite to meet with political activists and attend student protests. But Maite isn’t the only one looking for Lenora, and soon she crosses paths with Elvis, who’s tasked with putting an end to the protests.

A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee

Readers who can’t resist ​​dark academia will want this standalone at the top of their August TBR list. Felicity Morrow returns to Dalloway School after a year away following the death of her girlfriend. In the past, she’d been interested in the legends of the Dalloway Five, rumored witches who died mysteriously on the grounds. Now she’s determined to keep her head down and graduate quietly, but the arrival of a new student pulls her back into the school’s dark history.

Requiem of Silence by L. Penelope

L. Penelope brings the Earthsinger Chronicles to a satisfying close in this fourth and final volume. There’s unrest in the kingdom of Elsira, and young Queen Jasminda is attempting to do everything she can to unite her people. Meanwhile, the True Father is back and attempting once again to take control of Elsira. New readers will want to return to book one to savor the entire series, while those long-enchanted by Penelope’s work will want to dive right in.

We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

Five years ago Sunday Brennan left West Manor, N.Y. without providing much explanation to her family or her fiancé. After a near-fatal accident lands her in the hospital, she leaves Los Angeles and makes her way back home. Once she arrives, secrets threaten to come out about what drove her away all those years ago. Readers looking for a novel packed with family drama and the bonds that tie us together won’t want to miss Tracey Lange’s debut.

The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon

We loved getting to know the friend group at the center of Farrah Rochon’s Boyfriend Project series last year. This August brings the second book, which follows personal trainer Taylor Powell and former NFL player Jamar Dixon. Jamar wants to get back into shape and onto the field after an injury and believes Taylor can help him get there. In need of a financial boost to grow her business, Taylor agrees and tries to fight her attraction to him as they get down to business.

In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead

Ashley Winstead’s In My Dreams I Hold a Knife is one of the many exciting debuts being released in 2021. A college reunion brings six friends back together, but one of them is determined to dig up long-buried secrets. Eric Shelby begins interrogating the group, determined to uncover who killed his sister 10 years ago, and is willing to do almost anything to find the truth.

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Moon Fuentez believes it’s her destiny to remain in the background, but a summer aboard a tour bus of influencers helps her to see herself in a new light. Moon works the camera for her twin sister Star’s social media content. When Star is invited on tour, Moon follows, planning to spend the summer working the merch table and trying to avoid her bunkmate Santiago Phillips, but fate has other plans.

The Devil You Know by Kit Rocha

You may recognize this book from when we named it as one of the 25 Summer Releases to Have on Your Radar. What can we say? We’ve been counting down the days until the second installment of Kit Rocha’s Mercenary Librarians series hits shelves. Maya and Gray join forces to stop a group trafficking genetically enhanced children in a post-apocalyptic United States.

Kelly Gallucci

Kelly Gallucci is the Executive Editor of We Are Bookish, where she oversees the editorial content, offers book recommendations, and interviews authors and NetGalley members. When she's not working, Kelly can be found color coordinating her bookshelves, eating Chipotle, and watching way too many baking shows.

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