Highlights: August 2024

In the midst of mid-summer, we’re both doing what we seem to do every year. Serena has fled West to the lovely dry heat of Washington and northern Idaho, and Kate’s has holed up inside dreaming of fall. Of course, regardless of location, we’re always on the lookout for the next great read! Here’s what we’re looking forward to this August.

Serena’s Picks

Book: “A Sorceress Comes to Call” by T. Kingfisher

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

Why I’m Interested: This is probably the least surprising pick of the year from me. Kingfisher has quickly become one of my all-time favorite authors, so I’m always thrilled when she comes out with a new book. And this one sounds like another fantastic blend of horror and fairytale re-telling, this time tackling a loose re-imaging of “The Goose Girl.” I’ve had my pre-order placed for this one for months now, and I can’t wait to check it out!

Book: “Ghostsmith” by Nicki Pau Preto

Publication Date: August 13, 2024

Why I’m Interested: Last summer, I read “Bonesmith” very much on a whim. I’d read YA book by this author that I didn’t hate, but I also didn’t wildly love, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from her new duology. Turns out, I absolutely loved this new series and it was a good reminder never to write off an author, even if the first experience was a hit. There was a fairly significant cliffhanger at the end of the first book, so I’ve been counting down the days until I could check this one out! The stakes are sky-high, so I can’t wait to find out how it all gets resolved!

Book: “Asunder” by Kerstin Hall

Publication Date: August 20, 2024

Why I’m Interested: While the first two picks were either from beloved authors of mine or part of on-going series, this one is a completely new book for me! While Kerstin Hall has published other fantasy novels, I have yet to read any, so this upcoming title seemed like a great chance to check out her work! And based on the description alone, this sounds like a wild ride! A woman who has made a compact with some sort of demon now on a quest to not only save herself but also the a stranger who contains secrets of his own. I really have no idea what to expect from this, but I can’t wait to see what’s in store!

Kate’s Picks

Book: “Practical Rules for Cursed Witches” by Kayla Cottingham

Publication Date: August 27, 2024

Why I’m Interested: I have enjoyed Cottingham’s other two novels, and now that she is tackling one of my favorite horror sub-genres (WITCHES!) I am fully amped and ready to see what she does with it. Delilah is an aspiring young witch from a well known magical lineage, her father a known cursebreaker and her mother from a long line of cursed-in-the-romance-department witches. She is hoping to break her family curse as her Calling… but is told that she is instead supposed to break the family curse of a more powerful and elite family, the Pelumbras, as every generation twins are born and one succumbs to weakness as the other succumbs to becoming a monster. So Delilah teams up with Kieran and Briar to try and help them with their curse…. only to find herself drawn to Briar. This sounds more fantasy than horror this time around, but I’m definitely interested to see what Cottingham does with it!

Book: “House of Bone and Rain” by Gabino Iglesias

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

Why I’m Interested: I really loved Iglesias’s previous book “The Devil Takes You Home” so it stands to reason that his newest thriller novel would be a high priority for me. And seeing as it is being compared to “Stand By Me” I feel like that makes it all the more intriguing. Best friends Xavier, Gabe, Bimbo, Paul, and Tavo live in Puerto Rico and are thick as thieves, existing in a violent reality but leaning on each other. But when Bimbo’s mother is murdered in the street, the friends all promise that they will avenge her and kill her murderers, no matter what. But when it turns out that those behind her death are involved with a dangerous kingpin, they know they have to plan and be careful if they want to survive. To make matters worse, a hurricane is headed straight for the island as they go on their quest for revenge. I am sure this is going to be devastating, but I’m ready to be devastated.

Book: “Through the Midnight Door” by Katrina Monroe

Publication Date: August 13, 2024

Why I’m Interested: If you are sensing a pattern in my Highlights picks this month in that they are all authors I’ve enjoyed and therefore I am looking forward to their follow ups, you would be correct! But once again, I really loved Monroe’s previous novel so of course her new one was on the list of must reads! Three sisters were so close when they were young, always looking to explore abandoned houses and buildings in their hometown for a fun adventure. But when they found a house that had impossible features and terrible things within they gave up on their adventures, and tried to rebuild their lives. But when the youngest sister is found dead in that house years later, the ones left behind want to find out the truth of what happened to her… and to try and stop whatever it was that has been haunting all of them. Monroe’s stories are always scary as well as very emotional, so I am very ready for this.

What books are you looking forward to this month? Let us know in the comments!