The 55 Best Books You'll Absolutely Lose Yourself in This August

Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So is a vibrant short-story collection focusing on the Cambodian American community in California. From a beautiful queer love story between a jaded teacher and an up-and-coming tech developer to a hilarious tale of two brothers on a mission to prove their uncle snubbed a bride and groom at their wedding, each story in this incredible collection is a must read.

Out Aug. 3

An alcohol-fuelled game of truth or dare leads to an unexpected dating pact in Jayci Lee's sweet and sexy The Dating Dare. Despite swearing off serious relationships for good, Tara Park accepts Seth Kim's proposal that they go out on four no-pressure dates before he leaves for Paris. Unfortunately for them both, keeping their hearts from getting involved won't be nearly as easy as they imagined.

Out Aug. 3

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould is an eerie supernatural tale of a small town plagued by strange events. After several teens disappear and reports of ghosts begin to spread, Logan Ortiz-Woodley and her dads — who are both paranormal TV hosts — show up in Snakebite, OR, to investigate. However, they quickly become embroiled in a darkness they never could have imagined.

Out Aug. 3

Margot Wood's Fresh captures every cringeworthy, hilarious, and heartwarming moment of freshman life in college. As told through the eyes of the wonderfully imperfect Elliot McHugh, the college experience comes to life, and so do the numerous trials of self-discovery that are wrapped inside keggers, all-night study sessions, and ill-advised crushes.

Out Aug. 3

A wedding weekend turns deadly in Sandie Jones's atmospheric thriller The Guilt Trip. Old friends Rachel, Jack, Paige, and Noah are all invited to their pal Will's wedding in Portugal. However, Rachel uncovers a dark secret about Will's fiancée, Ali, that threatens the safety of everyone on the trip.

Out Aug. 3

The Husbands by Chandler Baker is the gender-swapped take on The Stepford Wives the world has been waiting for. Like so many women, Nora Spangler is fighting burnout as she balances her career as a lawyer with the never-ending domestic tasks that come with being a wife and a mother. So imagine her surprise when she moves to a seemingly perfect neighbourhood where all of the husbands pitch in with the day-to-day running of their households without a single word of complaint.

Out Aug. 3

Cinderella gets a 21st-century update in If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy. When her new design degree doesn't lead to job opportunities, plus-size fashionista Cindy moves back into her stepmother's house just in time to join the cast of her stepmom's reality TV show, Before Midnight. Overnight, Cindy becomes an icon, but now she'll have to navigate haters, the other contestants, and her growing feelings for the show's prince charming if she wants to make it out of the season with her heart intact.

Out Aug. 3

Ashley Nelson Levy's debut, Immediate Family, is a beautifully raw ode to the bond between siblings. Just hours before her little brother is set to get married, the book's narrator is still struggling to figure out what to say in her toast. To help get her thoughts in order, she focuses on a letter to her brother in which she pours out all of the things she could never say out loud. From her thoughts on their childhood to her ongoing struggle with infertility, the narrator reveals everything she's not quite ready to share with her family.

Out Aug. 3

A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee is the dark queer academia novel fans of the genre have been waiting for. Set in Dalloway, a boarding school plagued by rumours of witchcraft, the story follows a student named Felicity who returns to the school after the death of her girlfriend. Despite her grieving heart, she can't help but be attracted to a young novelist after they both decide to do a deep dive into the school's haunted past.

Out Aug. 3

Chandra Prasad's Mercury Boys is an inventive take on the time-travel novel. Saskia Brown feels out of place in her new, predominantly white school until she accidentally discovers an old vial of mercury that allows her to communicate with boys from the past. Other girls follow Saskia's lead, but what begins as a sisterhood quickly devolves into jealousy and violence that threaten to expose everyone's secrets to the rest of the school.

Out Aug. 3

The power of literature is on full display in Sara Nisha Adams's heartfelt debut, The Reading List. Anxious teen Aleisha is spending her summer working at the library when she discovers a handwritten list of books and decides to read them all in order. Eager to share her discovery with someone else, she passes along the list to widower Mukesh, who is desperately looking for a way to connect with his reclusive granddaughter.

Out Aug. 3

Savage Tongues by Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi is a searing examination of trauma. Arezu, an Iranian American, inherits her father's apartment after having an affair with her 40-year-old step-nephew, Omar. Now, 20 years later, she's finally ready to face the truth about the devastating summer that changed her life.

Out Aug. 3

Sisters in Arms by Kaia Alderson is a World War II novel that shines the spotlight on the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the Women's Army Corps' only all-Black battalion. This beautifully crafted historical-fiction debut focuses on Grace Steele and Eliza Jones, two women from completely different backgrounds who must put aside their differences to help ensure the soldiers' mail makes it from the front lines to their families back home.

Out Aug. 3

So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park is a mood booster in book form. After Jessie Kim is laid off from her job as an investment banker, she moves back to her parents' home in Tennessee. Though the move isn't ideal, it does lead Jessie to restart her YouTube cooking channel and reconnect with her childhood nemesis, who isn't quite as terrible as she remembers.

Out Aug. 3

In Sugar Town Queens by Malla Nunn, 15-year-old Amandla sets out to find answers about her mother's past, including who her mysterious father is and why no one seems to remember much from before the time she was born. And while she may not like the answers she finds, she will at least have the support of her best friends throughout her journey.

Out Aug. 3

Fans of Black Swan are in for a deliciously dark treat with The Turnout by Megan Abbott. Set in a dance studio run by Dara, her sister Marie, and her husband, Charlie, the story follows the trio as they begin to unravel thanks to a disastrous performance of The Nutcracker.

Out Aug. 3

How well do you really know your friends? That's the question at the heart of Andrea Bartz's chilling We Were Never Here. After two trips with her friend Kristen end with Emily helping her pal dispose of a dead body, Emily begins to wonder what secrets Kristen is keeping from her and whether or not their holiday indiscretions will end up ruining her life.

Out Aug. 3

The Wild Ones by Nafiza Azad is a lyrical fantasy about a group of girls with magical gifts who band together to save a boy who once helped them all. Now the girls will have to stave off the dark forces that threaten them and their old friends.

Out Aug. 3

POPSUGAR's latest book, You've Got This! by Jessica MacLeish, is the perfect gift to give to any young person struggling as they embark on a new school year. The book is filled with writing prompts, inspirational quotes, and mindfulness techniques to help the reader stay focussed and channel their creativity in positive ways.

Out Aug. 3

Julia Klam delved into her own past to write The Almost Legendary Morris Sisters, which turned out to be a memoir of sorts as she uncovered the truth about her distant cousins' life stories. For years, Klam and the rest of her family were told about the Morris sisters, a quartet of young girls who were abandoned at an orphanage while their father went to California in hopes of becoming a director. According to family lore, the girls grew up and became successful women — but the truth is far more complicated.

Out Aug. 10

The Eternal Audience of One by Rémy Ngamije follows Séraphin, a self-professed cool guy growing up in a time of war. The story's setting moves from Rwanda, Cape Town, and beyond as this epic coming-of-age novel explores various moments of Séraphin's past, present, and future.

Out Aug. 10

Anyone who has ever felt like an ugly duckling in a sea full of beautiful influencers will relate to Moon Fuentez. The young protagonist in How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland is spending her summer on a tour bus full of beautiful people, which only confirms her belief that she's doomed to always go unnoticed. At least it feels that way until she begins a flirtation with a guy named Santiago and slowly begins to realise her future will be what she makes it.

Out Aug. 10

Bridgerton fans will love Suzanne Allain's slyly funny Regency comedy of errors Miss Lattimore's Letter. As her cousin's chaperone in the social scene, Sophronia Lattimore sees everything — including when a gentleman is about to make a bad match. Still, she never imagined one letter would turn her into the talk of the town and put her on the path toward finding her own true love at long last.

Out Aug. 10

Soon to be a movie starring Elisabeth Moss, Mrs. March by Virginia Feito is a psychological thriller with shades of Hitchcock. Always the devoted wife, Mrs. March is nothing but supportive of her writer husband — at least she is until a local shopkeeper suggests she was the inspiration for the loathsome character in his latest book. Now Mrs. March is questioning everything she thought she knew about her spouse, including whether or not her husband might be capable of murder.

Out Aug. 10

The Other Me by Sarah Zachrich Jeng will make you question everything as the protagonist, Kelly, spirals down a Black Mirror-esque rabbit hole. One minute, Kelly is celebrating her birthday in Chicago, and the next, she opens a door to a different life, one where she's married to a man she barely knows. In order to get back to the life she loves, she'll first have to unravel how she ended up in this different reality in the first place.

Out Aug. 10

Beginning in New Orleans in 1999, Ramadan Ramsey by Louis Edwards is a sweeping story of one young man's journey to find the father he has never met. In the aftermath of Katrina, Ramadan's life is left in tatters, so at the young age of 12 he sets out on a globetrotting journey to find Mustafa Totah, his Syrian father who has no idea he exists.

Out Aug. 10

Nicole Harrison brings the exciting world of 1927 New York City to life in The Show Girl. Olive's only goal in life has always been to join the Ziegfeld Follies theatre troupe, and thanks to her hard work, her dream has finally come true. However, when she meets Archie, a seemingly perfect man, their relationship threatens her beautiful new life.

Out Aug. 10

You are not prepared for the twists The Sister-in-Law by Pamela Crane has in store for you. This domestic thriller centres around Candace, a woman who marries her dream guy, only to discover his live-in sister will do anything to get rid of her. The schemes that Candace's sister-in-law concocts are sure to have you at the edge of your seat.

Out Aug. 10

Wait For It by Jenn McKinlay is a warm, moving story about new beginnings. When her dream job takes her to Arizona, Annabelle Martin is excited to have a fresh start, though she's curious about her new grumpy landlord. She's entirely unprepared to discover the landlord in question, Nick, is actually the same age as she is. Nick is in a wheelchair after a stroke, and although there's no medical reason he can't walk, he simply isn't ready to reenter the world. And although she knows she shouldn't get involved, Annabelle can't help but feel that she and Nick might just be perfect for each other if they can only process their respective baggage.

Out Aug. 10

56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard is one the first novels set during the pandemic, but don't let the novel's setting put you off. Howard uses lockdown as an excuse to force two virtual strangers to quarantine together in Dublin, Ireland. But while Ciara and Oliver happily enter lockdown together, one of them will be dead by the time the book ends.

Out Aug. 17

Attorney and political philosopher Rafia Zakaria proposes a total reconstruction of feminism in Against White Feminism. Her powerful exploration of the movement's past, which has traditionally been shaped by white women, aims to inform readers, while also illustrating why it is past time to centre Black and Brown voices as feminism moves forward.

Out Aug. 17

Missing The Great British Baking Show? Then Battle Royal by Lucy Parker is a must-read. Four years ago, Sylvie became a star thanks to the reality competition series Operation Cake, where she charmed everyone except for the cranky judge Dominic De Vere. Now, Operation Cake wants her back on the show to compete for a chance to bake a cake for Princess Rose's wedding, but in order to win, she'll have to beat Dominic.

Out Aug. 17

Centre Centre by James Whiteside is a memoir told in essays that will leave you feeling inspired and laughing out loud. Whiteside is a principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre, and his journey to the stage is full of dance camp stories, tales of how he broke down barriers, and odes to the many pets he lost along the way. This witty and compelling memoir is a celebration of self-expression, queerness, and chasing your dreams.

Out Aug. 17

The Boyfriend Project author Farrah Rochon is back with The Dating Playbook, a steamy fake dating story that will leave you grinning. Taylor Powell is an excellent personal trainer, but she's still strapped for cash. That's why she simply can't say no when a former football player enlists her help to get him back in the NFL, and pose as his girlfriend so no one will suspect what he's up to.

Out Aug. 17

A true crime obsessed family is forced to unravel a murder that hits close to home in The Family Plot by Megan Collins. Years after she left her eccentric family of true crime devotees behind, Dahlia returns home after her father dies. However, things take an unexpected turn when the body of her long-missing twin brother shows up in her father's grave.

Out Aug. 17

Zoje Stage, the author of Baby Teeth, returns with another chilling thriller that will definitely make you lose sleep at night. In Getaway, three friends leave the world behind as they set off on a hike through the Grand Canyon. But they don't get very far before secrets and long-simmering animosities bubble to the surface.

Out Aug. 17

Nina Dean does the impossible in Ghosts by Dolly Alderton: she finds her perfect match on a dating app. At first, Nina's new relationship is everything she could possibly want. But when her dream guy ghosts her, she's forced to confront all of the things in her life she's been trying to ignore, including her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis and her childhood best friend's disappearing act.

Out Aug. 17

Utterly unnerving and completely engrossing, How to Kill Your Best Friend by Lexie Elliott traps a group of funeral attendees on an island during a storm. Among them are Georgie and Bronwyn who can't quite figure out how their friend Lissa, who was a gifted swimmer, drowned while swimming in Kanu Cove. With the storm coming in and questions swirling, both women are certain there is more to the story.

Out Aug. 17

Sinclair Prep is rocked by the death of one the school's brightest students in How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao. But as shocking as Jamie Ruan's death is, nothing can prepare Nancy Luo for what comes next. Shortly after Jamie's body is discovered, an anonymous student implicates Nancy and her friends Krystal, Akil, and Alexander in his death. Now, it's up to Nancy to unravel the truth before she loses everything.

Out Aug. 17

Inspired by the real theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911, The Last Mona Lisa by Jonathan Santlofer is a thrilling mystery set against the backdrop of the world of fine art. Art professor Luke Perrone is in a unique position to discover what happened to the Mona Lisa during the two years the painting was missing. This is because he happens to be a descendant of the man who stole it! With the help of a detective, Luke is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means putting himself in danger.

Out Aug. 17

Nichole Perkins's collection of essays Sometimes I Trip On How Happy We Could Be examines her life as a Black southern woman through the prism of pop culture. From watching Frasier while processing her own experience with mental illness, to the role Prince played in helping her understand desire, Perkins has a gift for crafting funny and insightful essays.

Out Aug. 17

Mexican Gothic author Silvia Moreno-Garcia proves she's just as adept at writing thrilling noir novels as she is gothic horrors in Velvet Was the Night. When her neighbour disappears, romance-obsessed Maite launches her own investigation, completely unaware that her neighbour has some very dangerous people looking for her as well.

Out Aug. 17

Both Sides Now by Peyton Thomas is the story of trans teen Finch Kelly who is determined to win the the National Speech and Debate Tournament. A win could mean a scholarship to his top choice school in Washington D.C., and the start of his political career. However, this year's topic happens to be transgender rights, which could force Finch to argue against his very existence.

Out Aug. 24

Burden Falls by Kat Ellis reads like a horror blockbuster in the best way possible. Set in a town plagued by rumours of ghosts, Ava Thorn knows all too well the dangers of the falls. But when someone Ava knows is murdered, she begins to wonder if she should be worried about the supernatural, or an actual killer.

Out Aug. 24

Edie in Between by Laura Sibson is a story about mothers and daughters, growing up, and owning your power. One year after her mother's death, Edie is grapples with her family's legacy as witches after her mom's old journal shows up and begins showing her memories from the past. As she gains a better understanding of her mother, Edie needs to control her magical gifts in order to deal with a dark secret her family buried.

Out Aug. 24

Let The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn whisk you away on an adventure in Scotland. After being fired from three jobs in a row, Bonnie St. James and her best friend apply to run a small-town coffee shop. When they land the jobs, Bonnie quickly discovers she loves everything about the town . . . except for the gorgeous but perpetually grumpy handyman.

Out Aug. 24

Both a love story and an examination of the tech industry, Riding High in April by Jackie Townsend is a remarkable tale of the cost of innovation. When a man moves to Asia to fulfil his dreams of creating the ultimate open-source network platform, the woman he loves follows him, only to realise her life is entirely different on the other side of the world.

Out Aug. 24

Helen Hoang fans, rejoice! The Heart Principle is finally coming your way this month. In the book, Anna Sun is hit with a double whammy: she's dealing with serious burnout, and her boyfriend isn't sure he wants to commit solely to her. But if her boyfriend isn't ready to settle down, Anna isn't just going to wait around. Instead, she embarks on a series of one-night stands which leads her to Quan Diep, the last guy she ever expected to steal her heart.

Out Aug. 31

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson is a warm tale of a 30-year-old, shy librarian who finds the strength to break out of her reclusive existence in hopes of saving the library she loves so much. With the help of an eclectic group of patrons and a charming lawyer, June is ready to face the world if it means keeping the library's doors open.

Out Aug. 31

Prepare to get goosebumps when you read The Last Guests by J.P. Pomare. When a newlywed couple decides to rent out their lake house for extra income, the last thing they expect is for someone to be watching their every move — which is especially inconvenient since Lina and Cain have secrets they're desperate to keep.

Out Aug. 31

Stephen Graham Jones continues his reign as a horror maestro with My Heart Is a Chainsaw. This brutal homage to slasher films focuses on Jade, a young half-Indian woman who finds comfort in horror movies after feeling abandoned by her family and her town.

Out Aug. 31

A wilderness adventure leads to hilarity and heartfelt moments in The Name Curse by Brooke Burroughs. Since her father died, Bernie hasn't been sure what to do with herself, which leads her friends to suggest she go on an adventure in the wilds of Alaska. She agrees, and ends up paired with a screenwriter who loves the idea of roughing it way more than she does.

Out Aug. 31

If you've ever fantasized about living next door to the royal family, then prepare to fall hard for The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle. Piper leads a quiet life until actual royalty rent the house next to hers. When her new neighbours cause a stir, Piper has a run-in with their handsome bodyguard, ensuring her life won't be quiet for much longer.

Out Aug. 31

Bestselling author Paula Hawkins's latest thriller, A Slow Fire Burning takes place during the aftermath of a man's death on his London houseboat. Three disparate women are all suspects, and they all have their own reasons for wanting the man dead. But would one of them really commit murder?

Out Aug. 31

The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith is a dazzling historical fantasy novel about a school for witches in 1911 New York City. The follows Frances, a seventeen-year-old girl who is taken away to a magical school after a man who attacks her ends up dead at her feet. At first, her new life seems too good to be true, and she discovers soon enough that it is. Although she's found a place to call home, Frances winds up getting involved in a war between witches and wizards.

Out Aug. 31