13 new books in August will get you through the dog days of summer
NPR has rounded up 13 new book releases for August 2026, pitched as ideal reading for the "dog days of summer" and offering an escape from the heat with stories ranging from small towns to Hollywood glamour. The selection spans established literary names and covers a wide range of genres and themes, from historical fiction to political critique.
Notable titles include Paul Yoon's dog-narrated novel "Etna", Téa Obreht's multi-era saga "Sunrise", and Chang-rae Lee's coming-of-age story "A Tender Age". Other highlights are Richard Russo's "Under the Falls", Liane Moriarty's decade-later sequel "Big Little Truths", Rachel Cusk's "Life of M", Peter Rock's survival tale "Makeshift", Jill Lepore's non-fiction critique "The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State", and Edwidge Danticat's "Dèy", alongside further picks such as Claudia Rankine's "Triage" and Emil Wilson's graphic novel "The Nightingales".
In short
- NPR lists 13 recommended new books for August 2026.
- Selection spans fiction, memoir and political non-fiction.
- Authors include Téa Obreht, Liane Moriarty, Rachel Cusk and Jill Lepore.
Explained simply
August is a busy month for new book releases, and summer reading guides bring a selection of titles together for readers deciding what to pick up. The books in this selection range from novels and a graphic novel to non-fiction, with settings and subjects including small-town life, Hollywood, survival and politics.
The authors include established writers such as Paul Yoon, Téa Obreht, Chang-rae Lee and Edwidge Danticat, alongside non-fiction writer Jill Lepore. Their books offer different forms and themes, so the selection can suit readers looking for escapist fiction as well as those interested in family stories, history or political ideas.
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