Books of the Month August 2024

With so many choices, it can be hard to find your next favorite page-turner, but fortunately, our readers have made it clear which books they enjoyed the most this month. From edge-of-your-seat thrillers to heartwarming romances, thought-provoking science fiction, captivating fantasy, and everything in between, here are the books of the month for August 2024. Best RomanceTaming the TroublemakerBy Kadie ScottTaming the Troublemaker is the third book in The Hills of Texas series by Kadie Scott. This standalone romance novel features a cowboy named Autry Hill, who has earned a reputation as a charmer and a playboy. However, he agrees to the challenge of no women or scandal for six months to prove to his parents that he is ready to take the reins of the family's prosperous Texas ranch. This challenge becomes a little more complicated with the arrival of he crosses paths with Beth Cooper, an elementary school teacher who sweeps him off his feet. Meanwhile, Beth believes that she's too practical to fall for someone like Autry, who has been breaking hearts since middle school, but after seeing a different side to him, her resistance begins to crumble.  Best Action & AdventureRed Canyon ReckoningBy Jason B. BakerRed Canyon Reckoning is the first book in Jason B. Baker's The Vengeance of Reed Caine series. It is set in the unforgiving Old West, where a former deputy U.S. Marshal named Reed Caine is on a mission of vengeance to track down a ruthless outlaw named Billy Rogers. Caine's arrival in Red Canyon, a frontier town terrorized by Rogers and his gang, provides the townsfolk with hope. However, the deadly showdown between them will forever change the town. Best Mystery & ThrillerThe Granite KeyBy N. S. WikarskiThe Granite Key is the first book in the Arkana Archaeology Thrillers series by N. S. Wikarski. When Cassie's murdered, she's stunned to discover that he wasn't just an antique dealer but also lived a double life as an agent for a secret society called Arkana. She's even more surprised when Arkana enlists her aid to recover a collection of ancient artifacts the murderer is hunting for. Aided by two field agents, Cassie makes her way to Crete, but with ruthless foes on their heels and a dangerous crypt full of buried secrets, she has her work cut out for her. Best Children's BookJuko & JengoBy Evin MaherJuko & Jengo by Evin Maher is the charming tale of an elephant named Juko and his best friend, Jengo the lion. It is aimed at children aged 3-6 and sees Juko go off on an adventure in pursuit of a dream. In addition to Jengo, Juko is aided along the way by several other colorful characters, all brought to life through the beautiful illustrations. Best Young AdultStrands of TimeBy Kris RuhlerStrand of Time is the first title in Kris Ruhler's Aeterna Chronicles series of young adult urban fantasy novels. It stars Kallum, a seventeen-year-old who had his whole life planned out, but fate had a different plan. Instead of snapping up a job on the upper rung, he is reassigned to a hermit who tells him that an energy stone called the aetherium is failing. This stone was gifted by an alien race called the Aeternas and is used to power the dome shield that keeps out the Reavers and beasts roaming outside the city. Even worse, the hermit believes it's all Kallum's fault and that he has to save the city before it is too late.  Best FantasyMissy the WerecatBy P. G. AllisonMissy the Werecat is the first novel in the series of the same name, by P. G. Allison. The protagonist, Missy, experiences her shift into a werecat during puberty, which causes her to go into the mountains for two years to learn how to control her change from human to mountain lion. Since there is no pack, no pride of other werecats, and no alpha, she has to rely on her instincts to guide her. However, her raging hormones and enhanced senses require a lot of control. Best Historical FictionThe Wideawake HatBy Amanda GiorgisThe Wideawake Hat is the first book in Amanda Giorgis's The Applecross Saga. The story follows a woman named Sophia, who, on Boxing Day 1848, steps ashore in New Zealand with the hopes of raising her unborn child in a house she and her husband, George, built together. Things go well in this land of promise initially, but the enigmatic James Mackenzie steps in to help when tragedy strikes. Mackenzie is an actual historical figure, and The Wideawake Hat offers a glimpse into what his motivations might have been. Best Literary FictionOff the Record: Journalism, Politics & Other StoriesBy Irmi AmirOff the Record by Irmi Amir is a collection of journalism, politics, and other stories. These stories feature media figures, leaders, and cultural heroes who have no qualms about doing whatever it takes to succeed. Theirs is a world full of passion, intrigue, betrayals, lies, scandals, and temptation, which are all explored in this book. Off the Records is an insightful look filled with observations on what goes on behind the scenes in politics and journalism.  Best Science FictionBlue SunriseBy Gregg R. OvermanBlue Sunrise is part of Gregg Overman's Blue Sun Space Opera series of character-driven hard science fiction adventure titles. The story features a genocidally paranoid race of aliens on a mission to destroy all other sentient life in the universe. When they find Earth, it is up to the crew of the first crewed mission to Mars to lure them away and save everyone back home. Best ParanormalFledglingBy Natasha BrownFledgling is the first novel in Natasha Brown's The Shapeshifter Chronicles series. It stars Ana Hughes, a teenager with a life-threatening heart condition that prevents her from being like other teens. With a fresh start in a new town, she's determined to pretend she's like everybody else, but then she meets Chance Morgan, who makes her suspect she's not the only one hiding secrets. Best Non-FictionA Complete Kid's Guide to Wilderness SurvivalBy A. CoxA Complete Kid's Guide to Wilderness Survival by A. Cox is aimed at middle-grade readers aged 8-12. This book can help them safely spend more time outdoors as a family. It is filled with all the basics, such as building shelters, starting fires, and exploring. The author is an outdoor enthusiast and briefly covers a broad range of topics perfect for getting children to take a break from their screens and spend more time outdoors.