What's on my stack: August 2023

Books I can't wait to read being published in August 2023

Welcome to all the new subscribers! I am thrilled that you’re here and cannot wait to chat about books with you all. As some of you know, I’m preparing for an out-of-state move, which is so hard for a book lover, but I’m determined to keep chugging along and get all my books from Point A to Point B.

Since so many people are new here, the August issue of What’s On My Stack is free for all to read so you can get an idea of what paid subscribers are seeing once a month. I hope you enjoy! PS: There’s a surprise at the end that may earn you a chance to win a copy of one of these books!

This is a monthly post I send out highlighting books being published this month that I’m particularly excited about and think you should add to your TBR. Weekly book recommendations will always be free, but this post is typically for paid-only readers. Become a paid subscriber today to see all past months’ recommendations and ensure you can see upcoming TBR lists. There will be buy and preorder links (preorders are incredibly helpful for authors) for all books featured.

August New Releases

Under the Influence by Noelle Crooks: Another day, another book with cult vibes and taking down #girlboss culture — I’m here for it! This one follows a young publishing professional who is tired of the low paychecks and lack of promotions (#relatable) and takes a chance on a new job with an influencer, where she’s pulled into a strange and glamorous world.

Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo: It’s Elizabeth Acevedo, what else can I say? This is her adult debut, and it’s a family saga where one sister has a gift: the ability to predict the day people will die. So when she throws a living wake, her family is concerned — did she see someone’s death, or her own?

Swim Home to the Vanished by Brendan Shay Basham: This magical realist novel by an Indigenous author caught my eye (a) because of the beautiful cover and (b) because it seems like an incredible story of love, grief, and trying to find your place.

My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine: A romance concept that’s typically tackled in dark books (vampires) is totally turned upside down (lol, see what I did there?) in this rom-com about a woman who discovers her new roommate is pretty bizarre, and also seems to be a vampire. This seems like such a fun twist on the supernatural tropes!

Time’s Mouth by Edan Lepucki: California by Lepucki is a book I read years ago and still think about regularly (and now that I mention it, may even feature in its own weekly recommendation!), so her newest novel definitely has my interest. This one is about a woman who can revisit her memories in her past and sounds like a moving journey through one woman’s life.

Bellies by Nicola Dinan: A queer coming-of-age story of a young couple trying to map their life out together. This seems like a beautiful story that addresses challenges any relationship can have, along with more specific difficulties for this couple as one announces their intention to transition, which comes as a surprise to their partner.

The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonie Swann: Sunset Hall is a house share for the elderly in the quiet English countryside, so when the police arrive to investigate a body that is found next door, the residents of Sunset Hall are shocked. But mostly, they’re relieved, because the police haven’t discovered their secret: the body they’re hiding inside their shed. (What a pitch, right!?) You can win a copy of this book by reading to the end!

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim: Miracle Creek remains one of the best books I’ve ever read (I even recommended it on the newsletter!), and I cannot wait to read Kim’s sophomore novel. Another family drama mystery, this one begins with a husband and son going for a walk, but only the son returns home, bloody. But he has a rare condition and cannot speak, so it’s a race against time to find the husband before it’s too late.

Terrace Story by Hilary Leichter: After a family discovers a secret terrace in the back of their closet door (that definitely wasn’t there before), their lives change, both in good and bad ways, and they’ll learn that everything comes with consequence.

Board to Death by CJ Connor: A queer cozy mystery set in a board game shop? Yes, please! This sounds both delightful and like it has incredible character development, following Ben, who is divorced, taking care of his ill father, and trying to keep his business afloat. All he needs is to be accused of murder on top of that, which is exactly what happens. (Full disclosure, CJ Connor is a writer with me at Book Riot, but this book would have been on my list regardless! I can’t wait to read it!)

The Great Transition by Nick Fuller Googins: This is a post-climate-change speculative fiction, and that’s something I can’t get enough of right now. How many true crime readers say it helps to ease their anxiety, this is how I feel about climate-focused books. For whatever reason, reading about the collapse of society due to climate disasters helps ease my anxiety about the current wildfires and rising tides and other issues that keep me up at night. (In the meantime, keep recycling!)

Bridge by Lauren Beukes: Beukes is one of those authors who’s incredibly prolific yet not read enough. She’s known for unique and strange realistic speculative fiction, veering into sci-fi, but always in a way that seems totally possible, so it’s terrifying. Her newest, Bridge, follows a world in which everyone has parallel lives and selves in other universes. When Bridge’s mom dies young, she becomes obsessed with finding another life in which she can have another chance with her mom.

Which books have you the most excited this month?

Giveaway!

The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp, which publishes on August 29, can be yours in an early copy! I have an ARC copy to give away to one lucky reader, and all you have to do is leave a comment letting me know you’d like to win. (Other rules: must have a US shipping address, must be a subscriber, must be 13+ years. Not affiliated with Substack or publisher. Winner will be randomly chosen 1 week later, 8/18.)

More Books

Can’t get enough, or looking for more recommendations? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations: 

• An enchanting mystery full of magic, murder, and misdirection

• Read about a woman who turned a passion project into a book

• A mystical and haunted island starts to turn against its visitors

I also love hearing from readers! Let me know what kinds of books you’re looking for that you’d like to see featured, or send in your most recent five-star read (or two) and get a recommendation just for you. You might be featured in an upcoming newsletter! Reply to this email to get in touch!

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