20 Best Books To Read in August

by Regina Porter

This restless, intentionally unsettling novel establishes Porter as a distinctive, confident literary voice. Full review >

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by Frances Mayes

The pleasure of this book is in its rare combination of eloquent writing, human insights, and page-turning storytelling. Full review >

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by Ruben Reyes Jr.

Haunting, tender, and profound meditations on the experiences of Central American migrants and their families. Full review >

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by Fiona McFarlane

Addictively engaging, profoundly serious fiction from an underappreciated master. Full review >

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by Pol Guasch ; translated by Mara Faye Lethem

An extraordinarily beautiful depiction of an extraordinarily ugly—and wholly credible—world in the making. Full review >

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by Yoko Ogawa ; translated by Stephen Snyder

A charming yet guileless exploration of childhood’s ephemeral pleasures and reflexive poignancy. Full review >

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by Helen Phillips

A perceptive page-turner with a generous perspective on motherhood, identity, and the pitfalls of “progress.” Full review >

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by Gayl Jones

Even when she dials down the intensity, Jones is capable of quiet astonishment. Full review >

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by Andrey Kurkov ; translated by Reuben Woolley

Kurkov gives us a rich cast of endearing characters and a glimpse of life in an old city on the eastern edge of Europe. Full review >

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by Abi Daré

Part old-fashioned adventure yarn, part feminist manifesto, and completely captivating. Full review >

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by Anthony E. Kaye & Gregory P. Downs

A profoundly insightful analysis of a controversial figure and the rebellion he led. Full review >

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by Anthony Abraham Jack

A stunning analysis of the effects of Covid-era campus closings on diverse student populations. Full review >

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by Nathalie A. Cabrol

Combining enthusiasm and knowledge, Cabrol gives a lovely guided tour of the possibilities of the cosmos. Full review >

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by Theodore H. Schwartz

Mixing expertise with storytelling, Schwartz provides a remarkable account of a crucial but misunderstood field. Full review >

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by Rollo Romig

A sharp, captivating, penetrating inquiry that evolves into something more profound than just a true-crime book. Full review >

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