The Best Books of August 2026

 

August is here, which is also known as the Sunday of Summer: the perfect month to kick back, relax and read the books you’ve been saving for summer, before the fall chaos creeps up. This month, we have exciting new releases from Riley Sager, Jill Lepore, Chang-rae Lee and more, so you’re sure to find something you’ll love.

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Liane Moriarty returns to the addictive world of scandal and secrets in her upcoming novel, Big Little Truths. This story picks up a decade after we first met the unforgettable group of mothers in Big Little Lies. Now, they raise their teenage children while grappling with difficult choices from their past.

 

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Calling all Pokémon Trainers! This is your must-have guide to every Pokémon from every region. From Kanto to Kalos, celebrate Pokémon and explore the immersive world with this definitive guide that features a ribbon bookmark, premium gold gilded edges, fun Pikachu endpapers and an extensive index.

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Reya is a cunning thief. Caelan is an honorable warrior. They couldn’t be more different, but their survival depends on each other in this glittering enemies-to-lovers romantasy, filled with secrets, magic and dangerous desires.

 

 

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As AI reaches into government institutions, Jill Lepore delivers an inspiring wake-up call. She explores technology’s impact on human community and self-government, and what the future holds.

 

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Set over a hundred years after Wings of Starlight, this tale follows two fairies who embark on a magical quest to save their home from a terrible fate.

 

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The Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Empire Falls pens a thrilling tale of friendship, secrets and betrayal in a tight-knit mountain town plagued by the sins of the past. After successful musician Tyler returns to his hometown, memories from the past resurface and a tragedy strikes, leaving his future in question.

 

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Are you a foodie with limited time and energy? Discover amazing recipes you can make in thirty minutes or less for when you want delicious food but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

 

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Chang-rae Lee explores complex family dynamics, masculinity and the search for the American dream in this coming-of-age story. Tethered between his Korean parents’ expectations and a world that feels like a playground, Jeon-Gi’s journey unfolds, revealing the realities of growing up and the lasting consequences of the mistakes that haunt us.

 

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From world-renowned scientist Kulbhushansingh Suryawanshi comes a fascinating and deeply informed look at the lives of snow leopards and the threats facing their habitat in our rapidly changing world.

 

 

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After the death of her fiancé, a young woman is lured to his estranged family’s estate, where unthinkable secrets begin to surface.

 

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One hundred years after a group of women vanished from an island on Lake Faraday, actress Marin Keane is prepping to star in a movie about the harrowing mystery. But as the cast arrives on the remote island, more disappearances occur, and Marin discovers the haunting truth about Lake Faraday in Riley Sager's latest.

 

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Get to know Americans, one little-known place at a time. Peter Santenello shares heartfelt reflections on the people and communities that exist beyond the headlines.

 

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Told from the perspective of Greek Muses, this is an enlightening examination of the relationship between art and humans, tracing how humans have left their mark on culture through time.

 

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Three timelines, one unsolved mystery. Written in Téa Obreht’s signature tone, this intriguing tale about a Wyoming ghost town, one woman’s survival and a past that refuses to stay quiet delves into the myths and legends of the American West.

 

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Barbie steps out of the box and into the unexpected. After graduating from Swancrest Academy, Barbie’s destiny is tested when she finds a mysterious necklace that takes her on a daring journey in this lush tale from Alex Aster.

 

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The Dr. Wren Muller series continues in a new story from Alaina Urquhart. This time, Wren and Leroux investigate a string of disappearances that could indicate someone sinister is watching… and waiting.

 

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Part true crime, part cult story, part cultural history, Kimon de Greef dives into the weird and wild world of psychedelics and the lengths humans go to reach cosmic understanding.

 

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After newlyweds Raquel and Theo begin a new chapter in a remote New Hampshire town, they quickly learn that their perfect home comes with a dark, deadly secret.

 

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Her kiss is her greatest weapon, until she meets the man who can withstand her power. In this enemies-to-lovers dark romantasy, desire may be more dangerous than her curse.

 

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When four friends cook up an unorthodox scheme to make money, they soon find themselves caught in a dark underworld catering to the rich and their shady fantasies.

 

 

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Known for their funny and heartfelt reflections on life and food, the Pasinis share authentic Italian recipes crafted with love alongside insider tips, from choosing quality olive oil to making homemade pasta.

 

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After a dark family secret threatens the once-powerful politician Seth Preamundo, he takes matters into his own hands and hatches a revenge plan in this meditation on legacy, myth and masculinity.

 

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Odette has always felt like she doesn’t quite fit into her tight-knit Creole community. Determined to forge her own path, she finds life has other plans in this sweeping family saga of love, friendship and desire.

 

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Meet the Mayne Family. They might be half-demon wielders of dark magic, but Mourning Mayne has his own destiny to forge as he embarks on a mission to find a path out of the shadows in book one of The Fiends series.

 

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Witty, insightful and highly accessible, this is an art guide unlike any other. Delving into diverse art forms, from unconventional creations to classical paintings, Daisy Dixon explores the history and meaning of depraved art through a fresh lens.

 

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The author of Everything Inside pens an introspective novel about grief, trauma and the power of unseverable family ties. After witnessing a shooting, Magnolia sees life from a new perspective and rethinks her path.

 

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Odette has always felt like she doesn’t quite fit into her tight-knit Creole community. Determined to forge her own path, she finds life has other plans in this sweeping family saga of love, friendship and desire.

 

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Cyprin has spent her whole life trying to get a job in the Divine Gardens, led by the brilliant but unbearable head gardener Purcell. As chaos spreads through the city and secrets unravel, the two are forced to work together in this heartfelt and unhinged dystopian adventure.

 

 

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After her partner was brutally attacked just steps from their home, Virginia Eubanks dove into a caretaking position, penning a powerful, heart-wrenching memoir of rescue, survival and resilience.

 

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A young woman is torn between the pull of the land and the call of the ocean after meeting a mysterious stranger who changes everything in this melodic story of love, fate and future

 

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The Cork O’Connor series continues with an action-packed thriller. After his friend goes missing, Cork finds himself negotiating with criminals, and things escalate beyond his control.

 

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The Bobiverse expands with the fifth book in the beloved series that follows the Bobs on their wildest journey yet. Confronting the universe’s deepest secrets comes at a high price when the Bobs learn of an existential threat that could destroy everything.

 

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Return to the cozy fantasy world of Swordheart in a new adventure where humor and danger meet romance, and an enchanted sword is much more than a weapon.

 

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Flipping the script on the root causes of brain disease, Dr. David Perlmutter delivers a hopeful, science-backed look at how our immune cells could transform the future of brain health.

 

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Reconnect with the joy, wisdom and curiosity of your inner child with this thoughtful guide, offering helpful advice for rediscovering the things you love.

 

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Adulting may be hard, but befriending her boyfriend’s cat isn’t. When Katie and Silver form an unexpected bond, her sense of self begins to unravel in this darkly funny modern love story.

 

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Shedding light on how ordinary people can defend democracy, this empowering guide to reclaiming your voice no matter the political climate provides actionable advice for building community and making a difference.

 

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Return to North Falls for another gripping tale where blood flows and secrets hide everywhere. What if the rumors about the Vickery family were true all along?

 

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A magical perfume, a mysterious death and a slow-burn romance. In Immortal Rose, a young woman strikes up a deal in exchange for her magical fragrance, but she learns that every bargain has its price, and every kingdom has its secrets.