WSS Bookclub: August New Releases

I don’t say this lightly, but August might be the best month of new releases we’ve had all year. There’s something for absolutely everyone on this list, whether you’re after a domestic thriller with real bite, a rom-com you can devour in a weekend, or the kind of literary fiction that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. I’ve been slowly working my way through proof copies and previews for weeks now, and I genuinely can’t remember the last time I felt this spoiled for choice. Grab a cup of tea, add these to your list, and thank me later.

If you’ve been waiting for one of Australia’s finest storytellers to return with something big, this is it. Moriarty’s first ever sequel takes us back into the world of Big Little Lies, delivering the same suburban mysteries, complicated female friendships and simmering family secrets that made the original impossible to put down. Fans of domestic thrillers, this one’s for you.

Released on August 11, this one follows Leslie, a 43-year-old divorcee whose life has quietly ground to a halt. When she wins a prize trip to Las Vegas, it kicks off a journey that’s less about the destination and more about reclaiming her own life. A genuinely moving read for anyone who’s felt stuck.

Sometimes you just want a book that makes you laugh out loud, and this is exactly that. Set in New York, it’s full of witty banter and relationship dynamics you’ll recognise, with all the charm romance readers come for. Perfect poolside or beach reading, even in the depths of our winter.

One of the month’s most anticipated literary releases, this sharp novel explores identity, art and public perception through a story loosely inspired by a famous Hollywood film star. If you love fiction that makes you think as much as it entertains, this belongs on your list.

The first full book featuring social media sensation Mr. Skelly, with over 5 million global followers, a skeleton who teaches us that life is a gift to be treasured, reminding us how lucky we all are to live in this present moment.

A deeply emotional crossover between historical and contemporary fiction, perfect for book club discussion. Set in post-war America, it follows a seventeen-year-old girl coerced into a choice that exiles her from her family, and traces themes of first love, class prejudice and resilience across generations.

If you love an atmospheric locked-room mystery, clear your schedule for this one. A struggling actress lands a role in a film shooting on a remote Vermont island, once home to a commune of spiritual mediums who vanished exactly a century ago, in 1926. History has an unsettling way of repeating itself here.

A sharp, intoxicating read following a university lecturer who fantasises about the literary stardom of an iconic female author. When she’s drawn into that author’s glamorous but volatile inner circle, a dark deal blurs the lines between ambition, loyalty and desire.

Which one are you adding to your pile first? I’d love to know what you’re currently reading, and what’s next on your list.

Under an eternal night, the world has been ravaged by ten years of war between humans and vampires. Kyrene scrapes by as a bounty hunter, bearing a blessed sword from the goddess of justice. But in the wake of a devastating loss, Kyrene commits a crime that makes her a target for mortals and gods alike – and she is still desperate for vengeance.

A sardonic yet deeply compassionate novel tracking disaffected millennials seeking personal and collective agency in south-west Sydney

Which book are you keen to add to your reading pile? Let us know.