A new month means a whole new list of my most exciting and anticipated releases! Like always, I picked this list based off of the hook of the synopsis, the cover design, the author, and the general vibes I’m getting from all of these things combined. What’s another 19 books added to my never-ending TBR?

Since I tend to read Fantasy, Young Adult, and Romance, that’s what a majority of this list will contain. But other genres tend to sneak in from time-to-time, especially Mystery, Literary Fiction, Horror, and Nonfiction

Let’s get into these amazing books and see what August has in store!

BANANPANTS

by Penny Reid

Estranged childhood friends unexpectedly reunite under bizarre circumstances and bicker their way to love in this bonkers romantic comedy.

Bananapants is a full-length, contemporary romantic comedy filled with hijinks and shenanigans. It can be read as a standalone, but the parents of the main characters will be familiar to anyone who has read the Knitting in the City series.

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

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Genre: Contemporary Romance | Adult

Why this pick?: I’m all for hijinks and shenanigans! Throw in some banter and I’m sold. From the quirky name to the good reviews this author’s other books have received, this looks like an absolute blast. (P.S. I was definitely singing Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani while typing out this book title … we all have our spelling tricks!)

THE BOOKSHOP: A HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN BOOKSTORE

by Evan Friss

An affectionate and engaging history of the American bookstore and its central place in American cultural life … The Bookshop is a love letter to bookstores, a charming chronicle for anyone who cherishes these sanctuaries of literature, and essential reading to understand how these vital institutions have shaped American life—and why we still need them.

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

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Genre: Nonfiction

Why this pick?: As a lifelong reader who has always secretly dreamed of opening a Hallmark-esque bookstore, learning more about the history of these magical spaces makes my heart giddy. Despite being an August publication, I might save this for colder months and curl up with a coffee as I read.

THE DARK WE KNOW

by Wen-Yi Lee

Art student Isadora Chang swore never to return to Slater. Isa never felt at ease in the former mining town, even before she realized she was bisexual—but after the deaths of two childhood friends, Slater went from feeling claustrophobic to suffocating. When Isa’s father kicks the bucket, she comes back just long enough to collect the inheritance. When Isa begins to hear strange songs on the wind, and eerie artwork fills her sketchbook that she can’t recall drawing, she’s forced to stop running and confront her past.

Publication Date: August 13, 2024

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Genre: Paranormal Horror | Young Adult

Why this pick?: This concept sounds a lot like Your Blood, My Bones by Kelly Andrew, and that premise alone makes me excited! Even more, it’s been comped to The Haunting of Hill House, which is an incredible book and is one of my FAVORITE television adaptations (thank you, Mike Flanagan). Count me in!

DAYDREAM

by Hannah Grace

The third in the New York Times bestselling Maple Hills series follows fan-favorite Henry and a bookish fellow student who come up with a plan to help them both overcome their respective challenges in a difficult year.

Publication Date: August 27, 2024

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Genre: Contemporary Romance | Adult

Why this pick?: This is a series continuation pick! I’ve already read Icebreaker and intend to read Wildfire, so I have to pick up Daydream as well!

THE DEAD CAT TAIL ASSASSINS

by P. Djèlí Clark

Eveen the Eviscerator is skilled, discreet, professional, and here for your most pressing needs in the ancient city of Tal Abisi. Her guild is strong, her blades are sharp, and her rules are simple. Those sworn to the Matron of Assassins―resurrected, deadly, wiped of their memories―have only three unbreakable vows. When the Festival of the Clockwork King turns the city upside down, Eveen’s newest mission brings her face-to-face with a past she isn’t supposed to remember and a vow she can’t forget.

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

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Genre: Fantasy | Young Adult

Why this pick?: I’ve seen this novel all over the place. In other blogs. On Goodreads. While perusing the Kirkus Reviews magazine we get in the library. Add on that this is about goddess-serving assassins who have been resurrected? The marketing worked … I’m intrigued!

GHOSTSMITH

by Nicki Pau Preto

Wren is still reeling from the revelation that the mother she thought was dead is actually the Corpse Queen, a ghostsmith with the power to control the undead. It was Wren’s mother who created the iron revenants—an army of undead soldiers. When Wren’s long-lost twin brother vows to help her destroy the iron revenants, she must decide if trusting him is worth potentially playing into their mother’s hands. After all, the dead might be dangerous, but it’s the living who can betray you.

Publication Date: August 13, 2024

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Genre: Fantasy | Young Adult

Why this pick?: I’m thrilled to see the epic conclusion to Bonesmith is finally here! I thought the first installment (which I received in my FairyLoot subscription) was a phenomenal YA fantasy. Now, I get to complete the story!

THE GIRL WITH NO REFLECTION

by Keshe Chow

Ying Yue believes in love. So when the royal matchmaker selects her to wed the crown prince, Ying hopes love awaits her. But her husband-to-be is cold, stoic, and infuriating. When Ying discovers a parallel world accessible through the palace mirrors, she thinks she’s found the way to escape her nuptials. But there is darkness in this new world, too. It turns out, Ying was chosen as the prince’s bride for a reason—but not the reason she thinks.

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

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Genre: Fantasy | Young Adult

Why this pick?: I mean, look at this cover. It’s stunning! Not to mention the concept sounds absolutely spectacular. If I wasn’t getting this in my book box subscription, I don’t think it would have been on my radar. But I’m so happy it is!

HERA

by Jennifer Saint

Traditionally portrayed as a jealous wife, a wicked stepmother, and a victim-blaming instrument of the patriarchy, Hera is ripe for a retelling that shows her as a powerful queen―ruthless when she needs to be, but also compassionate, strategic, and ambitious. With Hera, beloved and bestselling author Jennifer Saint delivers another epic and enthralling reimagining of a Greek heroine we only thought we knew.

Publication Date: August 13, 2024

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Genre: Retelling | Adult

Why this pick?: I’ve been meaning to read a Jennifer Saint book for forever. And now, this lovely launch has caught my attention. I’m here for a feminist retelling that subverts patriarchal views which have been passed down through the years. If it’s anything like Costanza Casati’s Clytemnestra, this will be a winner for me!

THE LAST WITCH IN EDINBURGH

by Marielle Thompson

This lush, atmospheric novel blends witchcraft, queer love, a vibrant Edinburgh setting, and Scottish folklore for a propulsive and emotional story exploring what it means to resist the patriarchy and find your voice.

When heart-breaking disaster strikes, Nellie flees the Rae’s Women’s Apothecary and spends the next two centuries hiding from the world—until love gives her the courage to return. Nellie’s past waits for her, and hanging witches is no longer the means of oppression.

Publication Date: August 20, 2024

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Genre: Historical Fiction | Fantasy | Adult

Why this pick?: Everything about this appeals to me. Sapphic romance, Scottish folklore, witches, magic, and fighting the patriarchy. I was entranced by the cover, but I’ll pick this up for the story!

MEET ME IN THE ETHER

by Iris Lake

Neira Aroya is a liar and a thief. Ignorant of her true identity, she relies on her mortal gifts to survive a world ruled by vicious faeries and cunning gods. But as she gets swept up by the peculiar power she holds over the ether, she finds herself torn between an unnamed etherman and the merciless Prince of Fae.

Here, every hero is a villain, and every villain bears a great tragedy. And love is the most dangerous and unreliable path to follow.

Publication Date: August 1, 2024

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Genre: Romantasy | Adult

Why this pick?: I’m in need of a good romantasy with some morally gray characters. What caught my attention here was the inclusion of the realm of dreams via the ether. It sounds interesting. Plus, this cover is giving astrology vibes!

THE PHOENIX KEEPER

by S.A. Maclean

As head phoenix keeper at a zoo for magical creatures, Aila's dream of conserving endangered firebirds seems closer than ever. There's just one glaring caveat: her zoo's breeding program hasn't functioned for a decade. She needs help from the hotshot griffin keeper (who happens to be her arch-rival from college). With the world watching and the threat of poachers looming, Aila's success is no longer merely a matter of keeping her job. The future of a species now rests on her shoulders.

Publication Date: August 13, 2024

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Genre: Fantasy | Adult

Why this pick? Rivals to-lovers. Phoenix preservation. A zoo full of magical creatures. What’s not to love? I happen to be getting an exclusive edition of this novel in my book box subscription. And I can't wait!

PRACTICAL RULES FOR CURSED WITCHES

by Kayla Cottingham

Magic is in Delilah Bea’s blood. When she graduates and must complete her Calling, she has the perfect task in mind—break her family curse. But Delilah’s Calling is hijacked by Kieran Pelumbra, a member of the most powerful family in the country. As Delilah and the twins set out on their quest, they realize that breaking the Pelumbra curse won’t be simple.

Publication Date: August 27, 2024

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Genre: Fantasy | Young Adult

Why this pick? I've been intrigued by Kayla Cottingham's My Dearest Darkest for years now. So, when I saw this author had published another novel, it had to go on my list! I love a good curse-breaking plot (like Garden of the Cursed) with high stakes!

THE SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME

by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

1950s Hollywood: Every actress wants to play Salome, the star-making role in a big-budget movie. So when the film’s director casts Vera Larios, an unknown Mexican ingenue, she becomes the talk of the town. Vera also becomes an object of envy for Nancy Hartley, a bit player whose career has stalled. Before the curtain comes down, there will be tears and tragedy aplenty in this sexy Technicolor saga.

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

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Genre: Historical Fiction | Adult

Why this pick?: After Mexican Gothic, I'll grab anything published by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. That book had me wondering if I was the one hallucinating. I can only imagine the scandal and drama this new tale will hold!

A SORCERESS COMES TO CALL

by T. Kingfisher

A dark retelling of the Brothers Grimm's Goose Girl, rife with secrets, murder, and forbidden magic. After a suspicious death in their small town, Cordelia’s sorceress mother insists they leave. They arrive at the remote manor of a wealthy man, the Squire, and his unwed sister, Hester. Hester sees the way Cordelia shrinks away from her mother and knows that to save her brother from bewitchment, and to rescue the terrified Cordelia, she will have to face down a wicked witch of the worst kind.

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

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Genre: Retelling | Adult

Why this pick?: It's T. Kingfisher. More than that, it's T. Kingfisher with a retelling of a Grimm tale. Need I say more?

THE THIRD WIFE OF FARADAY HOUSE

by B.R. Myers

November 1816: Emeline Fitzpatrick is desperate to escape her life in Halifax. Her guardian is lining up suitors, but Emeline has her eyes set on a handsome lieutenant. When her hopes end in scandal, only one suitor remains: the wealthy widower, Captain Graves. But upon her arrival at Faraday House, she finds the second Mrs. Graves, Georgina, has not yet died. Emeline must rely on her own courage, her burgeoning bond with Georgina, and a reverend to unravel the secrets at the heart of the manor.

Publication Date: August 20, 2024

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Genre: Mystery | Adult

Why this pick?: I absolutely HAVE to know what's going on here. It's giving both gothic and shenanigans, which is an odd combo, but made me eager to read! Especially since it seems that Emeline and Georgina will be working together in this. Let's go, ladies!

THE TRUTH ACCORDING TO EMBER

by Danica Nava

Ember Lee Cardinal hasn’t always been a liar. But she gets creative on the ethnicity question on applications. No one wanted Native American Ember, but white Ember has landed her dream job. Add to that, Danuwoa Colson, the IT guy and fellow Native, seems interested in her. When they’re caught in a compromising position, a colleague blackmails Ember, threatening to expose their relationship. As the manipulation continues, so do Ember’s lies.

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

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Genre: Contemporary Romance | Adult

Why this pick?: The cover drew me in, but after reading the full synopsis, I think I’m going to fall for Ember’s voice. She seems like a perfectly fallible heroine who readers can grow with!

THE UNMOTHERS

by Leslie J. Anderson

After the death of her husband, Marshall’s editor sends her to the small, backwards town of Raeford to investigate a rumor: a horse gave birth to a human baby boy. When Marshall arrives, she finds an insular town that is kinder to the horses they breed than to their own people. But when two mangled bodies are discovered in a field—one a horse, one a human—she realizes that there might be a real story here.

Tense and gripping, this atmospheric tale of female rage, bodily autonomy, and generational trauma hails the arrival of a masterful storyteller.

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

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Genre: Horror | Adult

Why this pick?: This sounds trippy as all get out. I feel like it’s a novel I’m either going to love or despise. I anticipate loving it, so I’m going for the gamble!

WICKED SERVE

by Grace Reilly

Nikolai: Hockey is my life, and I need to make this last season count. But when I’m forced to transfer to McKee University, I risk pissing off the captain, older brother of Isabelle Callahan: the gorgeous beam of sunshine I messed around with in secret this summer.

Izzy: I have two goals for sophomore year: win back my old volleyball position, and forget I ever knew Nikolai Abney-Volkov. As the youngest and only daughter in a family of athletes, failure isn’t an option.

Publication Date: August 13, 2024

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Genre: Contemporary Romance | Adult

Why this pick?: Does this seem like a Wattpad novel that reads like fanfiction. Yes. Am I a sucker for a college-aged sports romance? Also yes! And as a former volleyball coach, I’m excited to see the sport featured here!

WISTERIA

by Adalyn Grace

Blythe Hawthorn has never let anyone tell her what to do—not society, not her overprotective father, and certainly not the man she’s bound herself to, no matter how rude and insufferable he is. In fact, she’s determined to be a thorn in his side for the rest of her days, even as he ensures that her life in his palace is anything but a fairytale. But as Blythe discovers a new side of herself linked to his past, she’ll have to decide if she’s willing to let an unexpected spark ignite…and to discover the truth about who she really is.

Publication Date: August 20, 2024

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Genre: Fantasy | Young Adult

Why this pick?: I tore through both Belladonna and Foxglove in a few days and LOVED them. I’m sure I’m going to fly through this in a single day. I HIGHLY recommend picking up this series if you haven’t already. It’s YA gothic fantasy-romance at its best!

Books by Publication Date

August 1, 2024

August 6, 2024

August 13, 2024

August 20, 2024

August 27, 2024

Time to brew some coffee and add even more novels to your infinite TBR! Which one are you most excited to read?

By Title or Author

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