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Must-Read Books August 2026 |
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| Every Version of You by Natalie MessierGiven another chance at life after dying in a car accident, unfulfilled 32-year-old lawyer Josephina "Joey" Vasquez, who's been in love with her best friend Elijah for over a decade, chooses to re-live her college years in hopes of getting things right the second time. But when a jerk from her past resurfaces and shows her a different side of himself, she wonders if she and Elijah are truly meant to be. Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid's Maybe in Another Life will enjoy Natalie Messier's moving debut. |
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| The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-GarciaIn 1940s Mexico, handsome Ulises charms lonely women to get their money. He newest mark, middle-aged Perla, is the owner of a small-town boardinghouse in picturesque Veracruz. But things don't go as Ulises planned: Perla has a niece who wants in on his scheme. The two team up, but there's still trouble since Perla isn't the needy spinster Ulises thought. For fans of: atmospheric, pulp-inspired historical noirs with multiple points of view. |
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Bronze Faces
by Shobo
Soho, London. Childhood friends Timi, Sango, and Gbonka reunite on the eve of the British Museum's historic purchase of the works of Timi's father, the seminal Nigerian artist Adewale Balogun.Timi has been invited as a guest of honor, but what the Museum is heralding as a triumphant acquisition, the trio see as nothing short of brazen cultural theft. Emboldened by a night of drinking and shared outrage, they concoct a bold scheme... to steal back the artwork themselves!Celebrated authors Shobo & Shof (New Masters) draw from their Nigerian heritage for the heist of a lifetime, joined by acclaimed artist Alexandre Tefenkgi.
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Destination Funeral
by Paige Harbison
When Babe--the complicated, magnetic matriarch of their teenage summers--dies, four estranged friends return to sleepy Mercy Island, a storm-swept stretch of coastal Georgia, summoned by the reading of her will. Didion arrives at the timeworn pink house to find the friends she never thought she'd see again--along with the tensions, attractions, and unfinished business that once bound them together and broke them apart. What should be a brief weekend of small talk quickly unravels when they wake up and discover...it's Saturday. Again. And again. And again. Trapped in a time loop with no end and no instructions, they're forced to confront the betrayals, breakups, and buried truths that shattered them all those years ago. Because maybe, just maybe, an endless weekend is exactly what they all need to save their own lives.
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Tenderness
by Rowan Beaird
On a remote island off the coast of Virginia, family and friends gather to celebrate the wedding of Shay O'Connor and Andrew Pruitt. From the moment the guests arrive, all they can whisper about is the bride, who recently left the headline-making cult Synanon. Why would someone like Shay, an Ivy League graduate with a wealthy, doting fianc e, join Synanon? And has she really escaped their grasp? Told from the interwoven perspectives of Shay's brother William, her longtime friend Joel, and Shay herself, Tenderness is a slow-burn mystery that excavates dark family histories and romantic regrets. As the wedding day approaches, Joel and William pull at the loose threads of Shay's story, and it becomes clear there is an even greater threat on the island than the secrets each character is keeping from one another. Set in the tinderbox of the 1970s, Tenderness is a lit match, bringing hidden truths to light and asking if we can ever see ourselves or the people we love for who they truly are.
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Make Nice
by Ryan Effgen
When the Pickford siblings arrive at The Grand Hotel--a nostalgic tourist paradise of horse-drawn carriages, muddled cocktails, and white sweaters on the tennis court--they have every intention of spending the long weekend making nice. Pete, the nation's foremost expert on gastropods (mollusks), is keen to wade around the lake in search of a rare and exciting Carthusian snail. Viv, reeling from the secret revelation that her husband is gay, is determined to put on a brave face for her daughter. And Corey, a charming, handsome grifter, has lucked into five pounds of cocaine he plans to sell to the first dumb rich guy he can find. But when Pete falls for the alluring mother of a local kid, when Viv's daughter gets up to teenage trouble, and when Corey finds the wealthy guests less interested in party drugs than golf clubs and waffle cones, the long weekend of family bonding veers into disaster. Why did their father bring them to this cushy island resort in the first place? And why does Corey, the biggest screw-up of them all, seem to be the only one who knows the truth? As secrets spill, old flames are fanned, and an innocent snail is crushed beneath the unrelenting heel of a hiking boot. In a story that is as sneakily wise as it is absurdly funny, Ryan Effgen's debut shows how sometimes the people who bring out your worst--your family--can also be the ones to bring you out of your shell.
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Habits of the Sea
by Shea Ernshaw
The night Clay Lockhart's wife dies, a violent storm tears their home--and the eight hectares of land beneath it--away from the Scottish coast, sending it adrift into the Atlantic. Thirty years later, twelve-year-old Ellie Mills discovers the fabled floating island off the coast of Nova Scotia and finds Clay still living in the weatherworn farmhouse perched on its highest hill. When the island vanishes overnight, Ellie is left questioning whether it ever existed at all. But decades later, the island resurfaces--and Ellie, now in her thirties, returns, determined to uncover the truth. What she finds is even stranger: Clay hasn't aged a single day. Faced with the impossible, Ellie learns that some mysteries aren't meant to be solved--and that a life shaped by wonder may hold more promise than one bound by certainty. Spanning centuries and coastlines, Habits of the Sea is a haunting, romantic journey through time, memory, and the invisible tides that pull us home.
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When Lemons Give You Life
by Anna Johnston
Retired Michelin-star chef Griff Barlow has lost his appetite. He's done with grief, guilt, and the beige slop they call food at Sunny Glen Aged Care Facility, where he resides. Six decades of life have handed him all the lemons he can handle, so he breaks into the nursing home kitchen to bake one last tart as his final meal. But the act of cooking stirs a dormant joy, and soon he's sneaking in after dark to serve up flavor and comfort to fellow residents, who come alive with each bite--all while hiding a lie big enough to destroy the one thing he has left to protect.Lisa, Griff's younger sister and sole visitor, is navigating a midlife ADHD diagnosis, a new romance, and unexpected news that could change everything. Despite their fractured relationship, she keeps showing up, even with hope for reconciliation long buried in the silence between them. But the truth has a way of boiling over, and when secrets, souffles, and second chances collide, Griff and Lisa may discover a recipe for forgiveness.Heartfelt and inspiring, When Lemons Give You Life is a deeply human novel about love, forgiveness, redemption, and rediscovering joy when life has lost its flavor.
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| Moss'd in Space by Rebecca ThorneCargo handler Torian Razner gets more than she bargained for when she discovers that the dilapidated spaceship she just bought is covered in sentient moss. Running afoul of Moss' previous owner (who has also accused Torian of stealing the ship), the unlikely pair enlist the help of Amelia Perrosk, Torian's former captain and would-be lover. This action-packed 1st in a new series is perfect for fans of Julie Leong. |
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| Dead But Dreaming of Electric Sheep by Paul TremblayAgreeing to remotely pilot a comatose man (whom she nicknames "Bernie") to Rhode Island, where assisted suicide is legal, disaffected Californian pro-gamer Julia begins to question the intentions of the tech corporation who hired her for the gig. Meanwhile, "Bernie" struggles to fight back against his programming and remember who he was. Fans of Philip K. Dick (whose Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? inspired this novel's title) and the theatrical dialouge of Coen Brothers films will want to check this out. |
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| Wisdom Corner by David Heska Wanbli WeidenThough he's hoping to escape his past as a hired vigilante on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, Virgil Wounded Horse gets pulled back in when a legendary figure from the reservation is murdered. Complicating things, a street gang from a neighboring reservation wants to expand into Rosebud in this gritty follow-up to the award-winning Winter Counts. For fans of: S.A. Cosby; Craig Johnson. |
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The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos Library Edition Volume 1
by James Tynion IV
Meet teenage mad scientist Christopher Chaos. For all his life he knew he was different. His brilliant mind works in ways that defy logic and enable him to do things that push him beyond his peers. Unfortunately, these abilities have also caused great pain in his personal life--leading others to fear him and leaving Christopher with profound loneliness and guilt. Then one day something cracked. When the cute boy at high school turns out to be a deadly creature, Christopher finds himself in a world of monsters, heroes, and a cult of hunters out to kill them all. As Christopher discovers the history of Monsterkind, he learns isn't so alone in the world after all. As he makes friends and enemies, he uncovers secrets that lead him deeper into his own unknown past...secrets that keep the mad scientist inside of him questioning everything around him!
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| The Death Row Club by V. A. VazquezFollowing the public unmasking of her father as a serial killer, Nicola Fischer is isolated, disgraced, and struggling to rebuild her life. An invitation to an exclusive retreat for the children of killers offers a chance at understanding and belonging -- until a newcomer’s disappearance and a sudden death turn the group’s fragile trust into suspicion and fear.
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Etna
by Paul Yoon
Set in a fictional country in the present day, this is a story told through the eyes of an ex-military dog, Etna. After surviving years of a devastating war, Etna decides one night to leave the men he has fought alongside for years and return home--to the place where he was taken from when he was young, in the thin but persistent hope that if a home exists for him, it might be there. Thus begins an exhilarating odyssey told through the eyes of a dog as he traverses across ruined landscapes and fights to survive in a world that, even in peacetime, proves to be just as precarious. Along the way, he encounters other animals and humans who are attempting to figure out how to start again. What makes a life when there is no home to go back to? How do we begin to trust each other again after such profound loss? This is a novel about the power of an idea, about never giving up, and ultimately a novel about finding hope in the most dire of times.
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The Wild Beneath: Reese's Book Club Pick (a Novel)
by Kelly Anderson
Annie MacLeod always knew she was different, growing up on a sailboat in the Pacific Northwest, navigating by stars and swimming with sea creatures alongside her parents and best friend Evan. But when a tsunami shatters her world, Annie is stranded on land and forced to confront how eccentric she is. In the wreckage, she rescues a wordless man named Walker, who emits a hum only she can hear.Their connection is instant, electric. Walker's touch gives Annie visions of the ocean's hidden world, a life she's never known but feels inexplicably drawn to. Yet even as she is pulled toward him, Evan--the steadfast love who has always been there--remains on dry land, offering the stability she may have to leave behind. Annie is torn between Evan's grounding presence and Walker's magnetic secrets. But then, Walker vanishes, along with the answers she needs about who she really is.Six years later, Annie has left the sea and buried the past--until Walker's otherworldly sound returns, pulling her back toward the ocean and the life she abandoned. The truth under the water is more ancient than she ever could have known, and Annie must confront a choice that will test her heart and determine her future.
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Coffee Shop at Home: The Ultimate Guide to Making Your Favorite Coffee Drinks
by Katerina Diaz
Fed up with the subpar coffee she'd make when trying to break the expensive habit of going to a coffee shop every morning, content creator Katerina Diaz began sharing videos online documenting her journey to perfecting her daily brew. She has since become an at-home coffee expert, and she's here to teach you how to make your own coffee exactly the way you like it. Making coffee yourself is easier on your wallet, better for the planet, and with the right guidance, much more satisfying than opting for store-bought drinks. The world of coffee may seem intimidating, but Coffee Shop at Home begins with an approachable primer on coffee basics, breaking down coffee lingo, brewing methods, shopping for beans, and buying equipment before providing 60 recipes for delicious and doable drinks and syrups. You don't need to shell out hundreds of dollars on a fancy espresso machine to use this book--it meets you where you are, helping you make the most of the equipment you already have. You'll learn how to make a perfect Honey Lavender Latte or Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso, recreate seasonal favorites like a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Peppermint Mocha, and treat yourself to blended drinks like a Salted Caramel Frappe. All of the syrups and sauces can be made ahead and stored in the fridge, making it easy to enjoy cafe-quality drinks in minutes. Whether you're sick of feeling dependent on coffee chains or simply want to level up your coffee game, Coffee Shop at Home will give you the tools you need enjoy a perfectly personalized cup every single day. After just a few lessons from Kat, you'll be making expert-level coffee for a fraction of the cost in no time.
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The Crochet Book: A Step-By-Step Guide to Stitching Garments and Projects for the Home
by DK
Everything you need to know to crochet your own accessories, clothes, toys, and homeware. From granny squares and amigurumi to Tunisian and corner-to-corner crochet, discover everything you need to crochet with confidence with The Crochet Book. This new edition of the bestselling guide features over 170 fully illustrated step-by-step techniques, along with a brand-new stitch directory of over 150 crochet stitches. Discover the essential yarns and hooks for any crochet creation and test out your newfound skills with 25 projects covering a range of skills and styles. Whether you are picking up a crochet hook for the first time or are looking to develop your skills further, this is the ultimate guide for crocheters of all abilities.
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The Feather Wars: And the Great Crusade to Save America's Birds
by James H. McCommons
From the time the country was founded, early Americans assumed that the land's natural resources were infinite, including its birds, which were zealously hunted for food, game, and fashion. With the rapid extinction of the passenger pigeon--a bird once so numerous that its flocks darkened the sky in flight--many realized actions needed to be taken if other birds were to be saved. What followed was both a spiritual awakening and a great crusade to save birds and their habitat. The campaign took place on many battlefields: society teas in Boston, hunt clubs on the East Coast, the mangroves in the Everglades, and in the editorial pages of newspapers and periodicals. From many corners of the country the bird protection movement was born and brought together a remarkable coalition of people and organizations to save America's birds. The Feather Wars is an entertaining and expansive work of American history, an incredible story about how disparate characters--progressive politicians, free-thinking society belles, nature writers and artists, bird-loving U.S. presidents, gunmakers, business titans, and brave game wardens--came together to save hundreds of species of birds. Heroes, martyrs, villains, and conflicted do-gooders--the early bird conservation movement had them all. Together they transformed how Americans thought and cared about birds, forever altering the American landscape.
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| I Eat the Stars: How to Live Fully and Beautifully in a Collapsing World by Sarah WilsonIn her bracing follow-up to This One Wild and Precious Life: A Hopeful Path Forward in a Fractured World, bestselling author Sarah Wilson draws upon conversations with philosophers, poets, futurists, scientists, and more, offering insights on how to find joy amid humanity's uncertain future. Try this next: Goliath's Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse by Luke Kemp. |
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| Story Rug by Sophie Blackall; illustrated by Phoebe WahlWhen a "braiding CRAZE" takes hold of classroom 203, the whole class begins contributing fabric scraps to plait and sew while Ms. Morena reads out loud. But what can they do with the epic braid they create? Find out in this gentle story about the joy and comfort of community crafting. |
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Yarn Is Everything!
by Aaron Reynolds
Jasper Rabbit tells the tale of Winona Mole, a crochet enthusiast whose life begins to unravel after a cursed crochet hook increases her talent overnight, winning her a spot on the television show Yarn Is Everything!
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Sleepless
by Gordon Korman
From the #1 bestselling author of RESTART, the story of five kids who are up all night every night... and desperate to find out why. There's not enough time in the day. How often have Mickey, Skye, Levi, Cyrus, and Thea thought that? Well, now they have plenty of extra time... because they no longer need to sleep. None of them knows why this is happening to them. All they know is that they have to keep it a secret from their families and their friends. And while they keep it a secret, they can use their extra hours to become better than everyone else. Each of them thinks they're alone in their sleeplessness. But once they find each other, they know it can't be just an accident. Suddenly they're forced to ask: What's keeping them awake at night?
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| Thornbird by E. KennedyRyan Mayfair’s assumed name separates her from her father, serial killer Gabriel Thorn. She’s back in her hometown, where Thorn’s crimes loom large. As his execution draws near, the search for his victims intensifies, pulling Ryan in. Read-alikes: April Henry’s In the Blood; Sami Ellis’ Dead Girls Walking. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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