August 2025 brings a standout selection of fiction and nonfiction titles—from richly imagined historical fiction and gripping literary novels to incisive political nonfiction and investigative narratives. Whether you crave immersive period storytelling or insightful explorations of democracy, power, and public life, this list has the best new releases August 2025 covered. These top fiction August 2025 and top nonfiction August 2025 picks reflect current critical buzz and reader attention, giving you fresh and essential additions to your reading list.
Katabasis by R. F. Kuang (Aug 26)
Two doctoral candidates descend into Hell to rescue their advisor in a genre‑bending academic fantasy of grief, rivalry, and scholarly ambition set in a richly imagined underworld.
The Book of Lost Hours by Hayley Gelfuso (Aug 26)
A time‑travel romance across postwar America and Cold War eras, exploring memory and identity through women who navigate a peculiar living recollections library.
Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham (Aug 26)
Claire takes a job at the vineyard where her sister disappeared—and uncovers a hidden journal that may reveal dangerous secrets and shocking connections.
L. A. Women by Ella Berman (Aug 5)
A bitter fallout between two ambitious writers in 1960s Hollywood, triggered when one publishes a memoir based on the other’s life, fracturing their friendship.
People Like Us by Jason Mott (Aug 5)
Two Black authors—one on a glittering book tour, the other at a school shattered by gun violence—converge in a haunting narrative about love, memory, trauma, and literary destiny.
Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer (Aug 5)
A witty fantasy‑romance with TikTok vibes, where an assistant to an Evil Villain navigates magical prophecy, office politics, and possible romantic complications.
The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin (Aug 26)
Set in 1895 London, three women join a forbidden book club disguised as polite tea meetings—exploring secrecy, courage, and friendship under societal constraints.
Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs (Aug 19)
A deeply researched biography revealing James Baldwin’s intimate relationships and creative life through archival sources, interviews, and radical insight.
Strangers in the Land by Michael Luo (Apr 29)
A sweeping history of Chinese American exclusion and belonging from the 19th century to today, weaving cultural context with personal narrative.
107 Days by Kamala Harris (preorder release Sept 23 2025)
In this candid political memoir, Harris reflects on her historic and turbulent 107‑day presidential campaign, offering a behind‑the‑scenes portrait of modern American politics.
We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter (Aug 12)
A gripping crime thriller debut set in a small town when two teenage girls vanish during fireworks night, uncovering dark community secrets.
The Devil Reached Toward the Sky by Garrett M. Graff (Aug 5)
A panoramic oral history of the making and unleashing of the atomic bomb—recounting the Manhattan Project with survivor interviews, secret documents, and global perspectives.
Money, Lies, and God by Katherine Stewart (2025)
A political nonfiction exposé on how ultra‑wealthy conservative donors, disinformation networks, and religious nationalism are working to undermine American democracy.
Frankly by Nicola Sturgeon (Aug 14 2025 UK)
The former First Minister offers a candid memoir of her rise—from working‑class Ayrshire childhood to leading Scotland—reflecting on Brexit, pandemic, and personal cost of public service.
Carceral Apartheid by Brittany Friedman (Jan 2025)
A critical nonfiction investigation into how systemic racism and deception have shaped the U.S. prison system, using California’s example to reveal broader strategies of suppression and control.
This curated August 2025 book guide highlights 15 must‑read titles, blending gripping fiction and vital nonfiction. With historical fiction like The Secret Book Society and bold political nonfiction including Money, Lies, and God, this is your definitive best books to buy August 2025 list—fresh, diverse, and deeply engaging.