Wow, August is here.
Time flies when you have your nose stuck in a book. As heat indexes rise, curling up in a cool room with a beverage becomes even more of a pleasant summer activity.
I learned this summer that either indexes or indices is an accepted plural for index. If you want to split hairs, then The Grammarist can provide guidance on which one to use in your situation. The Grammar Police will not hunt you down if you just pick whichever you want to use.
What beverage have I chosen? It depends on the situation. My typical choice is plain ol’ water. Even in the summer, I prefer hot coffee in the morning. I confess that some evenings I like to have a glass of Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc while I read. It’s easy to pair a book with your beverage of choice, so go for it.
So, what to read? Here are four books that will be released in August and two others to keep on your radar.
Four For August
The Barrister and the Letter of Marque (available August 3)
Todd M. Johnson’s new historical fiction mystery presents a tangled web for Barrister William Snopes – and the readers – to sort through in The Barrister and the Letter of Marque. A Letter of Marque allows an authorized British vessel to seize trade items from vessels violating the East India Company’s exclusive tea trade deals. British ship The Padget seizes tea from a French ship, only to be accused ot piracy when docked in London. If they had a Letter of Marque, where is it now? It’s no easy answer, especially as more people – and their secrets – are brought into the story. Check out my 4-star review.
Gone for Good (available August 10) 
Joanna Schaffhausen puts the thrill in thriller when Detective Annalisa Vega investigates a serial killer’s sudden reappearance years after his murderous streak. It’s personal because the previous victims included her neighbor, the mother of Annalisa’s first love. The investigation only gets more complicated as new characters come into play, including her cop father and the other cops included in the previous investigation, Anna’s ex-husband detective, and an internet group of amateur sleuths.
In All Good Faith (available August 10)
Liza Nash Taylor uses the historical events of The Great Depression to tell the stories of two women. The historical fiction books I read usually address European monarchies or Asian cultural clashes, so it’s a welcome change to read a book set in early 20th century America. The story becomes richer with female protagonists from different parts of the country in different socioeconomic classes. My favorite historical fiction transports me to a place and time I haven’t experienced and unfolds it with the help of solid lead characters, and this book fits the bill.
How To Kill Your Best Friend (available August 17) 
Talk about an attention-grabbing title! In Lexie Elliott’s mystery, Former college swimmer Lissa drowns near the island resort owned by her and her husband. The funeral is held there, but Lissa’s former swimming teammates and other guests get trapped on the island because of bad weather and, well, things don’t go well. Since Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None is one of my favorite books, I’m all in for checking out another deadly island.
But That’s Not All!
Neither of these books will be published in August, but both can be on your radar. Or TBR. Or both.
The Timepiece and the Girl Who Went Astray (available July 30)
It makes sense to include O.R. Simmonds’s time-bending adventure on the list even though it’s technically being released in July, So what? It includes murder accusations, missing people, and a secret organization. I just finished watching Loki on streaming video, so Timepiece sounds right up my alley. Other books and TV shows featuring a character who gets a talisman but no operating manuals have been a wild ride, so expect nothing less from this one.
Bald is Beautiful: A letter for a fabulous girl (September 1) 
Pediatric Oncology Pharmacist and Carola Schmidt authored a letter for girls of all ages who are facing hair loss. Crayola is kicking off Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with a Facebook Live event including Schmidt and illustrator Dian Ovieta. The event will be recorded in case you’re unable to watch live. I’m honored to be part of the blog tour for this book, so keep an eye out for my review in September. Don’t forget to share this picture book with the girls in your life who have way too much medical info to process and just need love.
What August releases have caught your eye?
