Carry the summer into fall with the 10 best books of August
As August leans into September, the book satchel may not travel to the beach, but it doesn鈥檛 need to hang in the closet. These novels, memoirs, and works of history are well worth carrying into fall.听
1.聽Emily鈥檚 House聽by Amy Belding Brown
Irish immigrant Margaret Maher works as the maid in the family home of poet Emily Dickinson, cleaning, cooking, and defending her mistress from prying eyes. Margaret鈥檚 Tipperary-tinged voice brings this captivating novel to life; it鈥檚 a perspective rife with honesty, humor, and clever observations. Upon discovering Emily鈥檚 verses, Margaret breathes, 鈥淟ike sparks they were 鈥� tiny scraps of light.鈥�
Why We Wrote This
Books can provide a change in perspective, a different angle on a subject we think we know well. Whether the topic is poet Emily Dickinson or the patriarch of the Kennedy clan, the titles this month explore alternative viewpoints.
2.聽The Human Zoo聽by Sabina Murray聽
A Filipino American writer named Ting flees to Manila, where her extended family lives in fading, upper-class ease. As she researches a native tribe for a book on human zoos, Ting witnesses the human and political damage inflicted by the country鈥檚 strongman leader. Sabina Murray鈥檚 smart, idea-packed story grapples with corruption, identity, and loyalty, building to a searing climax.
3.聽Agatha of Little Neon聽by Claire Luchette
鈥淲hen people saw our habits, they ceased to see our faces,鈥� muses Agatha, one of four young nuns tending to the residents of Little Neon, a lime green-colored halfway house in Rhode Island. The relationship between individuality and faith underpins Claire Luchette鈥檚 spare, deeply sympathetic debut. Sharp dialogue and fresh observations bring the characters鈥� quirks and doubts to life.
4.聽The Madness of Crowds聽by Louise Penny
Louise Penny鈥檚 17th mystery in her 鈥淐hief Inspector Gamache鈥� series deals with hot-button issues, from free speech and academic freedom to euthanasia. Set in a post-pandemic world (Penny wrote the novel during the coronavirus lockdown), this riveting murder mystery explores moral quandaries with her trademark incisiveness.听
5.聽The Husbands聽by Chandler Baker
This feminist noir mystery is a gender-flipped 鈥淪tepford Wives鈥� in which high-powered working women attain their dream careers while their men handle the domestic duties. With satirical wit and insightful compassion, author Chandler Baker gives voice to the frustrations borne of society鈥檚 expectations of women. The book鈥檚 thriller undertones make for propulsive reading.
6.聽The Long-Lost Jules聽by Jane Elizabeth Hughes
When a suspiciously charming Oxford professor begins traipsing after a shy London banker, insisting she is the long lost heir of Henry VIII鈥檚 last queen (Katherine Parr), an enthralling contemporary romantic mystery heats up. Add in secret agendas, family drama, international money-laundering rings, and European locations, and this is a terrific romp for history buffs and adventure lovers.
7.聽All In聽by Billie Jean King
The tennis champion writes about her life with self-awareness and humility, while not underplaying her role as a trailblazer for women鈥檚 rights. She gently criticizes her younger self for feeling a need to hide her sexual identity to safeguard her career, and touches on the toll that secret exacted. Find the full review here.
8.聽Pastoral Song聽by James Rebanks
English sheep farmer and writer James Rebanks offers a sustainable method for raising animals, preserving habitat, caring for the environment, and nurturing small farmers all at the same time. Find the full review here.听
9.聽The Ambassador聽by Susan Ronald
Susan Ronald, who wrote a thought-provoking biography of Cond茅 Nast, turns to a different name-brand plutocrat: Joseph Kennedy, the patriarch of the Kennedy family, concentrating on his disastrous turn as ambassador to England. Ronald respects her readers by not trying to rehabilitate Kennedy; instead, she presents a three-dimensional portrait of a flawed but fascinating man.
10.聽All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days聽by Rebecca Donner
Rebecca Donner鈥檚 harrowing book tells the story of American-born Mildred Harnack, a bright, unassuming young woman who played a central role in organizing German resistance to the Nazis 鈥� planning sabotage and helping Jewish people escape. 聽
