Top new literary-fiction books in August 2023
Last updated:
August 31, 2023
August 2023 featuring new releases by Tracey Lange, Ann Patchett, Jacqueline O'Mahony, Angie Kim, Claire Keegan, Ann Garvin, James McBride, Jennifer Weiner, Elizabeth Acevedo, Alice Hoffman and many more.
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The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange
When Tara Connelly is released from prison after serving eighteen months on a drug charge, she knows rebuilding her life at thirty years old won’t be easy. With no money and no prospects, she returns home to live with her siblings, who are both busy with their own problems...romance · fiction · contemporary · literary-fiction · family · audiobook · drama · womens-fiction · realistic · siblings -
![Tom Lake by Ann Patchett]()
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
In the spring of 2020, Lara’s three daughters return to the family's orchard in Northern Michigan. While picking cherries, they beg their mother to tell them the story of Peter Duke, a famous actor with whom she shared both a stage and a romance years before at a theater company called Tom Lake... -
![Sing, Wild Bird, Sing by Jacqueline O'Mahony]()
Sing, Wild Bird, Sing by Jacqueline O'Mahony
A courageous woman journeys from nineteenth-century Ireland to the American West in a powerful novel about the indomitable will to survive—and to flourish—against nearly impossible odds.It’s 1849 on the west coast of Ireland. Resilient Honora O’Donoghue is accustomed to fending for herself and to reading the language of the natural world...europe · british-isles · ireland · urban · new-york-state · historical-fiction · fiction · historical · audiobook · female-author -
![Happiness Falls by Angie Kim]()
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
When a father goes missing, his family's desperate search leads them to question everything they know about him and one another--both a riveting page-turner and a deeply moving portrait of a family in crisis from the award-winning author of Miracle Creek."We didn't call the police right away...mystery · fiction · contemporary · literary-fiction · family · suspense · thriller · disability · audiobook · amateur-sleuth -
![So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan]()
So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan
Librarian's Note: This is the entry for the short story. To check out the short story collection by the same name, click So Late in the Day: Stories of Men and Women. After an uneventful Friday at the Dublin office, Cathal faces into the long weekend and takes the bus home. There, his mind agitates over a woman named Sabrine, with whom he could have spent his life, had he acted differently...fiction · contemporary · literary-fiction · audiobook · feminism · 21st-century · female-author · romantic-love · book · adult -
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![There's No Coming Back from This by Ann Garvin]()
There's No Coming Back from This by Ann Garvin
“The show must go on” takes on a whole new meaning for one single mom in a witty and emotional novel by the USA Today bestselling author of I Thought You Said This Would Work.It seems lately that Poppy Lively is invisible to everyone but the IRS...romance · fiction · womens-fiction · humor · contemporary · audiobook · family · realistic · mystery · literary-fiction -
![The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride]()
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
The new novel from the bestselling, National Book Award-winning, Oprah Book Club-picked, Barack Obama favourite James McBride.In 1972, when workers in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, were digging the foundations for a new development, the last thing they expected to find was a skeleton at the bottom of a well...north-america · usa · pennsylvania · fiction · historical-fiction · literary-fiction · mystery · audiobook · historical · racism -
![The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner]()
The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner comes a warmhearted and empowering new novel about love, family, friendship, secrets, and a life-changing journey.Thirty-three-year-old Abby Stern has made it to a happy place. True, she still has gig jobs instead of a career, and the apartment where she’s lived since college still looks like she’s just moved in...romance · fiction · womens-fiction · contemporary · audiobook · female-author · realistic · feminism · family · female-mc -
![Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo]()
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
From bestselling, National Book Award-winning author Elizabeth Acevedo comes her first novel for adults, the story of one Dominican-American family told through the voices of its women as they await a gathering that will forever change their lives.Flor has a gift: she can predict, to the day, when someone will die...contemporary · fiction · magical-realism · fantasy · young-adult · literary-fiction · family · latinx-mc · poc-author · poc-mc -
![The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman]()
The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
From the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Marriage of Opposites and the Practical Magic series comes an enchanting novel about love, heartbreak, self-discovery, and the enduring magic of books. One brilliant June day when Mia Jacob can no longer see a way to survive, the power of words saves her... -
![Finders Keepers by Natalie Barelli]()
Finders Keepers by Natalie Barelli
"You’re not going to murder me in the night, are you?" Emily asks."Haha. That’s funny," I say.Of course, I’m not going to murder her in the night. I need my laptop back first. That’s the whole point of making friends with Emily Harper, author of the hugely successful novel Diary of an Octopus . So I could get inside her apartment and take back what’s mine.Emily doesn’t know who I really am...audiobook · mystery · fiction · suspense · psychological · contemporary · crime · thriller · plot-twist · humor -
![The Bookbinder by Pip Williams]()
The Bookbinder by Pip Williams
A young British woman working in a book bindery gets a chance to pursue knowledge and love when World War I upends her life--an exquisite novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese's Book Club pick The Dictionary of Lost Words It is 1914, and as the war draws the young men of Britain away to fight, women must keep the nation running...historical-fiction · fiction · historical · war · ww1 · audiobook · 20th-century · literary-fiction · family · female-mc -
![California Golden by Melanie Benjamin]()
California Golden by Melanie Benjamin
Two sisters navigate the turbulent, euphoric early days of California surf culture in this dazzling saga of ambition, sacrifice, and longing for a family they never had, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator's WifeSouthern California, 1960s: endless sunny days surfing in Malibu, followed by glittering neon nights at Whisky A-Go-Go...historical-fiction · fiction · historical · racism · family · abuse · domestic-drama · literary-fiction · female-mc · book -
![The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson]()
The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson
The list he left had just one item on it. Or, at least, it did at first…Mabel Beaumont’s husband Arthur loved lists. He’d leave them for her everywhere. ‘Remember: eggs, butter, sugar’. ‘I love you: today, tomorrow, always’.But now Arthur is gone. He died: softly, gently, not making a fuss. But he’s still left her a list. This one has just one item on it though: ‘Find D’...romance · fiction · contemporary · audiobook · womens-fiction · death · friendship · aging · lgbtq · realistic -
![A Council of Dolls by Susan Power, Mona Susan Power]()
A Council of Dolls by Susan Power, Mona Susan Power
The long-awaited, profoundly moving, and unforgettable new novel from PEN Award–winning Native American author Mona Susan Power, spanning three generations of Yanktonai Dakota women from the 19th century to the present day...north-america · usa · illinois · urban · north-dakota · pennsylvania · historical-fiction · fiction · historical · literary-fiction -
![The Last Ranger by Peter Heller]()
The Last Ranger by Peter Heller
The best-selling author of The River returns with a lush and vivid mystery set in Yellowstone National Park where a skirmish between a local hunter and a wolf biologist turns violent, and a park ranger, facing his own personal demons, sets out to determine what really happened...fiction · mystery · outdoors · audiobook · literary-fiction · animals · suspense · contemporary · crime · action-adventure -
![All Good Things by Amanda Prowse]()
All Good Things by Amanda Prowse
In this captivating story from the bestselling author of Picking up the Pieces, Daisy has always envied the perfect family next door. But will a weekend of unexpected drama prove that the grass isn’t always greener? Daisy Harrop has always felt like she exists in the background, and since her mother stopped getting out of bed, her life has come to a complete standstill...romance · fiction · contemporary · audiobook · womens-fiction · family · secrets · domestic-drama · drama · mental-illness -
![Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue]()
Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue
A heartbreakingly gorgeous novel based on the true story of two girls who fall secretly, deeply, and dangerously in love at boarding school in 19th century York, from the bestselling author of Room and The Wonder...romance · historical-fiction · historical · fiction · lgbtq · wlw · literary-fiction · audiobook · dark-academia · drama -
![Terrace Story by Hilary Leichter]()
Terrace Story by Hilary Leichter
From the author of the acclaimed novel Temporary, an intimate exploration of time, a fable about love, an epic daydream for a broken-hearted worldAnnie, Edward, and their young daughter, Rose, live in a cramped apartment. One night, without warning, they find a beautiful terrace hidden in their closet. It wasn't there before, and it seems to only appear when their friend Stephanie visits...fiction · fantasy · magical-realism · contemporary · literary-fiction · audiobook · magic · space · season-spring · family -
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![The Continental Affair by Christine Mangan]()
The Continental Affair by Christine Mangan
With gorgeous prose, European glamour, and an expansive wanderlust, Christine Mangan's The Continental Affair is a daring literary caper that is quick on its feet and delightfully surprising.Meet Henri and Louise. Two strangers, traveling alone, on the train from Belgrade to Istanbul. Except this isn't the first time they have met.It's the 1960s and Louise is running...historical-fiction · fiction · mystery · historical · literary-fiction · audiobook · thriller · crime · heist · anti-hero -
![Mobility by Lydia Kiesling]()
Mobility by Lydia Kiesling
A propulsive novel about class, power, politics, and desire by the celebrated author of The Golden State.The year is 1998, the End of History. The Soviet Union is dissolved, the Cold War is over, and Bunny Glenn is an American teenager in Azerbaijan with her Foreign Service family... -
![The Proposal by Adriana Locke]()
The Proposal by Adriana Locke
Breaking News: Rugby’s bad boy marries his best friend’s little sister If Renn Brewer would’ve asked me to marry him, I would’ve said no. Why? One, his reputation precedes him. His name is in the headlines at least once a month. Two, he’s not just my brother’s best friend. They’re teammates. And three, I’m in my self-care era. Unfortunately, a version of me equates self-care with bad choices...athlete · new-adult · literary-fiction · billionaire · contemporary · sports · fiction · romance · book · adult -
![Under the Influence by Noelle Crooks]()
Under the Influence by Noelle Crooks
The Devil Wears Prada meets The Assistants in this compulsively readable debut following a young woman who takes a job working for an enigmatic influencer and quickly discovers there’s a dark side to being a #girlboss.After a series of go-nowhere jobs in the New York publishing world, Harper Cruz is broke, lonely, and desperate for a salary that won’t leave her scrambling to make rent each month...fiction · contemporary · womens-fiction · literary-fiction · audiobook · mystery · thriller · urban · friendship · coming-of-age -
![The Bewitching Hour by Ashley Poston]()
The Bewitching Hour by Ashley Poston
In this Buffy the Vampire Slayer prequel, fan-favorite and LGBTQIA+ icon Tara Maclay gets the main character treatment . . . whether she wants it or not. Tara Maclay isn’t thrilled to be in a new town for her senior year of high school. She misses her mom, her garden, her magic—and the way her dad treated her before her mom passed... -
![The Apology by Jimin Han]()
The Apology by Jimin Han
In South Korea, a 105-year-old woman receives a letter. Ten days later, she has been thrust into the afterlife, fighting to head off a curse that will otherwise devastate generations to come. Jeonga Cha has always shouldered the burden of upholding the family name...asia · east-asia · south-korea · historical-fiction · fiction · fantasy · contemporary · magical-realism · literary-fiction · audiobook -
![The President’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood]()
The President’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood
The incredible story of the First Lady who clandestinely assumed the presidency, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Engineer's Wife and The War Nurse.Socialite Edith Bolling has been in no hurry to find a new husband since she was widowed, preferring to fill her days with good friends and travel...historical-fiction · fiction · historical · ww1 · audiobook · female-mc · 20th-century · literary-fiction · book · adult -
![Time's Mouth by Edan Lepucki]()
Time's Mouth by Edan Lepucki
From New York Times bestselling author Edan Lepucki comes an enthralling saga about family secrets that grow more powerful with time, set against the magical, dangerous landscape of CaliforniaUrsa possesses a very special gift. She can travel through memory and revisit her past... -
![House of Odysseus by Claire North]()
House of Odysseus by Claire North
This "powerful, fresh, and unflinching" reimagining from the award-winning author of the Penelope trilogy breathes life into ancient myth and gives voice to the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men (Jennifer Saint). On the isle of Ithaca, queen Penelope maintains a delicate balance of power. Many years ago, her husband Odysseus sailed to war with Troy and never came home...myths · fantasy · historical-fiction · fiction · retellings · historical · feminism · audiobook · ancient-civilization · classics -
![Perish by LaToya Watkins]()
Perish by LaToya Watkins
Bear it or perish yourself . Those are the words Helen Jean hears that fateful night in her cousin’s outhouse that change the trajectory of her life. Spanning decades, Perish tracks the choices Helen Jean—the matriarch of the Turner family—makes and the way those choices have rippled across generations. We meet four members of the Black Texan Julie B...fiction · historical-fiction · contemporary · literary-fiction · family · audiobook · mystery · poc-author · poc-mc · realistic -
![The Other Profile by Irene Graziosi]()
The Other Profile by Irene Graziosi
A brilliant and darkly funny story of a friendship and its unraveling, and a powerful examination on the disruptive impact of social media on our livesOnce an ambitious and promising student at an elite university in Paris, Maia is now 26, living in Milan, and stuck in a dead-end job at a cafe and a dysfunctional relationship with an older man... -
![The Savage Rage of Fallen Gods by K.C. Cross, J.A. Huss]()
The Savage Rage of Fallen Gods by K.C. Cross, J.A. Huss
Love can ruin the best of men—even the God of Love himself.Love.When mutual, it’s Heaven on Earth.When one-sided, it can tear you apart.There is no greater weapon than the heartsick soul.That is the power I wield, for I am the God of Love.No one has power like me.No one can poison a heart and pollute a mind the way I can.That is why the gods kicked me out.That is why they made me fall...romance · fantasy · paranormal · magic · time-travel · revenge · myths · immortality · dragons · audiobook -
![Under the Tamarind Tree by Nigar Alam]()
Under the Tamarind Tree by Nigar Alam
A compellingly heartbreaking debut novel about the echoes of Partition and four friends whose dark secrets lead to a life-changing night that comes back to haunt them decades later.One night. Four friends. Countless secrets.1964. Karachi, Pakistan. Rozeena is running out of time...asia · south-asia · pakistan · historical-fiction · fiction · historical · mystery · family · audiobook · poc-mc -
![Where There Was Fire by John Manuel Arias]()
Where There Was Fire by John Manuel Arias
A lush and lyrical debut novel about a Costa Rican family wrestling with a deadly secret, from rising literary star John Manuel AriasCosta Rica, 1968. When a lethal fire erupts at the American Fruit Company’s most lucrative banana plantation burning all evidence of a massive cover-up, the future of Teresa Cepeda Valverde’s family is changed forever... -
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![TIED TO YOU by Syn Blackrose]()
TIED TO YOU by Syn Blackrose
SebI have nothing. I feel nothing. Nobody cares about me and I crave to feel something. To be wanted.When life can't get any worse, it suddenly drops a hot Russian bad boy in front of me whose orbit I have been thrust into.He won't let me go. He annoys me. He thrills me. I hate him. And I can't wait for him to catch me.DimaI'm obsessed as soon as my eyes land on Seb...romance · mlm · dark · lgbtq · contemporary · organized-crime · insta-love · forced-proximity · multi-pov · boss-employee -
![Who We Are Now by Lauryn Chamberlain]()
Who We Are Now by Lauryn Chamberlain
Four friends. Fifteen years. Who We Are Now is a story of Sliding Doors moments, those seemingly small choices of early adulthood that determine the course of our lives.It is 2006 and Rachel, Clarissa, Dev, and Nate are best friends, seniors on the eve of their college graduation. Their whole lives are before them, at once full of promise and anxiety...romance · fiction · contemporary · coming-of-age · womens-fiction · literary-fiction · lgbtq · friendship · audiobook · humor -
![Hangman by Maya Binyam]()
Hangman by Maya Binyam
An enthralling and original first novel about exile, diaspora, and the impossibility of Black refuge in America and beyond.In the morning, I received a phone call and was told to board a flight. The arrangements had been made on my behalf. I packed no clothes, because my clothes had been packed for me. A car arrived to pick me up...fiction · literary-fiction · contemporary · audiobook · family · female-author · mystery · poc-mc · satire · humor -
![Beyond the Badge: Rez by Jeanne St. James]()
Beyond the Badge: Rez by Jeanne St. James
Sometimes an opportunity comes along that you just can’t resist… As a member of the Tri-State Federal Drug Task Force, Antonio Alvarez seizes the opportunity to go undercover with the Deadly Demons MC when it unexpectedly arises...romance · biker · fiction · law-enforcement · action-adventure · poc-mc · literary-fiction · contemporary · book · adult -
![Dragon's Stand by Nora Phoenix]()
Dragon's Stand by Nora Phoenix
Fallon never wanted a fated mate. Now he has two.Dragon omega Fallon is recovering from the abuse he endured in his previous clan, and he’s grateful for the friendship he’s building with his roommates, beta Duer and pregnant omega Yitro.When Duer announces he thinks they’re fated mates, Fallon is furious. He doesn’t want fated mates. He wants to be able to make his own choices...romance · paranormal · shapeshifters · omegaverse · mlm · fantasy · dragons · magic · age-gap · friends-to-lovers -
![Tomb Sweeping by Alexandra Chang]()
Tomb Sweeping by Alexandra Chang
A playful and deeply affective short story collection about the histories, technologies, and generational divides that shape our relationships—from the award-winning writer of Days of DistractionCompelling and perceptive, Tomb Sweeping probes the loyalties we hold: to relatives, to strangers, and to ourselves... -
![Moments of Madness by T.L. Smith]()
Moments of Madness by T.L. Smith
We met at his ex’s wedding, where she uttered their safe word in her vows. Immediately his jaw clenched, and his hands balled into tight fists.Then moments later, he told her I was with him. When in reality, I had snuck into the wedding...romance · dark · contemporary · abuse · enemies-to-lovers · organized-crime · forced-proximity · age-gap · steamy · killer
