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!
Luster by Raven Leilani
Earlier this year, I interviewed Raven Leilani to learn more about the inspiration behind her debut novel and her publishing journey. Luster follows 23-year-old Edie, who is living in Bushwick and trying to make her way as an artist. Her world is upended when she enters into a relationship with Eric, a digital archivist and father from New Jersey who is in an open marriage. Edie finds herself questioning what she really wants as she joins Eric’s world and begins to bond with his wife and adopted daughter. One of the most-anticipated releases of 2020, Luster is a book you won’t want to miss out on.
The Silent Wife by Karin Slaughter
Karin Slaughter returns this summer with a new installment in the Will Trent series. Investigators come up empty when trying to find the culprit behind a recent attack on a young woman, but Will Trent and Faith Mitchell find a lead on a visit to the state penitentiary. It turns out the attack is oddly similar to the one Daryl Nesbitt was convicted for, a crime he claims he didn’t commit. Will and Faith must work quickly to investigate both Daryl’s case and the present-day one if they hope to uncover the truth.
Cry of Metal & Bone by L. Penelope
Prepare to return to the world of the Earthsinger Chronicles. Cry of Metal & Bone is the third in the series and it picks up six weeks after the events of book two. The kingdoms of Elisara and Lagrimar are no longer at war, but the peace between them is still tenuous. Kyara ul-Lagrimar is being held captive in a prison by those who seek to take her powers, while Earthsinger Darvyn ol-Tahlyro is investigating a group who attacked a local temple. Returning fans will love learning more about the kingdoms and people of this fantasy world, while new fans can feel comfortable diving into this book as a standalone.
Darius the Great Deserves Better by Adib Khorram
Readers fell in love with Darius Kellner in Adib Khorram’s YA debut Darius the Great Is Not Okay, and this summer they’ll have a chance to reunite with him and his family in the sequel. Darius’ life looks a lot different now that he’s back from Iran: He’s closer with his dad, he’s video chatting with Sohrab, and he’s finally feeling like he knows who he is. At least, he thinks he does. When he finds his heart torn between two guys, Darius starts to wonder what he really wants.
Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting
Craving a sweet read? Look no further: Helena Hunting’s latest finds neighborhood shop owners battling it out and falling in love along the way. Blaire Calloway has been looking forward to the launch of her cupcake and cocktail shop for ages. Unfortunately, she didn’t expect a sports bar to be opening next door on the same day. Ronan and Blaire are not only competing for customers, they’re both up for Best Bar in the Pacific Northwest, and neither wants to lose.
Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar
If you’re looking to dive into a YA fantasy, Shveta Thakrar has you covered. Sixteen-year-old Sheetal is part star, on her mother’s side. Nine years ago, her mother returned to the heavens while Sheetal and her human father remained in their Edison, New Jersey home. Sheetal’s always been told to hide her celestial heritage, but that grows harder with every year—and when she accidentally hurts her father, she must ascend to find a way to heal him.
The Night Swim by Megan Goldin
Readers looking to get lost in an unsettling tale will want to snatch up Megan Goldin’s latest, which NetGalley members are already raving about. The Night Swim follows a true crime podcast host who is invited to the town of Neapolis to cover a local rape trial. As she begins investigating, Rachel Krall finds herself drawn to a different case from 25 years ago. The official report says that Jenny Stills drowned, but a mysterious letter delivered to Rachel says she was murdered. Digging deeper, Rachel uncovers strange connections between the two cases that could change the outcome of the trial.
The Tyrant Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson
Fantasy readers have been eagerly awaiting the third entry in Seth Dickinson’s Masquerade series. The saga began with Baru wanting to destroy the Imperial Republic of Falcrest, a plot which has led to an official government position where she can control the Throne. But Baru finds herself torn between using the weaponized plague she’s discovered to take down the empire and the fact that it would kill the innocent as well as the guilty. Those new to the series should begin with book one, while old fans can dive right in!
Like Lovers Do by Tracey Livesay
Tracey Livesay’s Girls Trip series continues this summer with the second installment. Dr. Nicole Allen is one of her hospital’s top surgeons, but her fellowship at Duke is threatened after she disciplines a well-connected intern. She needs help and offers her friend Benjamin Reed Van Mont, whose family runs a medical business, a deal: If he’ll use his family connections to help her get her fellowship back, she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend during an upcoming vacation where his ex will be in attendance. But fake dating leads to real feelings and soon these friends must decide if they’re ready to go all in on each other.
Summer by Ali Smith
Ali Smith’s highly-praised Seasonal quartet comes to a close this month with Summer. New readers will want to start at the beginning of the series, and those already familiar will be thrilled to reunite with the cast of characters from previous volumes. As in the other Seasonal books, Smith creates parallels between history and the present day. In Summer, readers will find flashbacks to World War II held up against present-day detention centers, in addition to explorations of injustice, activism, and what happens when people fail to stand up for what is right.
