School starts at the end of the month, so we’re hanging onto these last days of summer as tight as we can. Squeeze in one more summer read before backpacks come out and routines return. Whether you’re at the beach or on the couch, these new releases are perfect for savoring the last bit of summer.
Fiction
Plant Lady by Minyoung Kim, translated from Korean by Shanna Tan
Yoohee has finally created the life she’s always wanted: a quiet plant shop filled with lush greenery and customers seeking her expert gardening advice. But her shop offers another, much darker service. When women come to Yoohee desperate to escape abusive men, she helps make those men disappear. As a detective begins connecting a string of missing persons to the popular shop, Yoohee finds herself in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Atmospheric, twisty, and darkly humorous, this South Korean import is a chilling tale of feminist revenge. Available August 4. Library catalog link here.
Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriarty
What if you could revisit any moment in the past without worrying about changing the present? That’s the promise of a mysterious Time Travel Agency in Sydney, where single mom Anna lands a new job and meets clients hoping to untangle the mistakes and heartbreaks of their pasts. As Anna, abandoned husband Teddy, and reluctant writer Jade become connected through the agency, they’re forced to consider whether looking backward is really the best way forward. Whimsical, witty, and heartfelt, this charming novel blends time travel, family drama, romance, and a little magic while exploring the moments that shape our lives. Available August 11. Library catalog link here.
Big & Lily by Lisa Roe
When Lily’s marriage falls apart, she decides the best way to recover is to escape to Alaska and convinces her older sister, Bridget “Big,” to come along. Unfortunately for Big, the wilderness trek is a lot less cruise-like than Lily promised, complete with lost luggage, freezing rivers, close encounters with wildlife, and plenty of sisterly bickering. As the sisters navigate the Alaskan wilderness, they’re also forced to confront the complicated history, resentment, and assumptions that have shaped their relationship. This funny, heartfelt, and warm story about sisterhood, second chances, and finding yourself when you’re completely lost is full of charm and adventure. Available August 11. Library catalog link here.
The Queen of Florida by Jeff Bercuson
After a lifetime of putting her four children first, retired widow June heads to Boca Raton for a little peace and quiet. But when her troubled son Jimmy follows her—and then disappears after another relapse—June’s search for him leads her deep into Florida’s criminal underworld. Soon she’s dealing with drug dealers, crooked cops, a shady private investigator, and plenty of opportunities for a woman on a fixed income to get creative. Retirement is starting to look a lot less like paradise in this darkly funny, sun-drenched noir. Available August 18. Library catalog link here.
Nonfiction
Three Rivers: The Extraordinary Waterways That Created Europe by Robert Winder
What if three rivers could tell the story of Europe? Beginning high in the Swiss Alps, the Rhine, Rhône, and Po flow in different directions, shaping the German, French, and Italian cultures along their paths. Robert Winder follows these waterways through centuries of history, exploring their influence on agriculture, trade, religion, art, politics, war, and industry. From Roman civilization and the Renaissance to modern environmental concerns, these rivers have connected and divided the continent in fascinating ways. Engaging and full of surprising connections, this unique blend of geography and history reveals how three waterways helped shape Western Europe and how they might still bring it together. Available August 4. Library catalog link here.
On the Mark: From Periods to Interrobangs, How Punctuation Remade the World by Florence Hazrat
Punctuation may be small, but it has had a surprisingly big impact on how we communicate. From the first triangular mark pressed into clay in ancient Mesopotamia to the exclamation points and emojis of today, Florence Hazrat explores the fascinating history behind the marks we use every day. Along the way, she introduces forgotten symbols, explains why spaces between words took centuries to catch on, and reveals how a tiny dot or dash can change the meaning of an entire message to the point it can change elections, move the market, or decide the fate of a someone on death row. Witty, clever, and packed with unexpected history, this book will make you look at punctuation in a whole new way. Available August 11. Library catalog link here.
Are They Dead Yet?: The Art of the Obit by Sam Roberts
What does it take to sum up an entire life in just a few hundred words? After nearly a decade on the New York Times obituary desk, journalist Sam Roberts has written more than a thousand obituaries and discovered that the best ones are about much more than death. With wit and behind-the-scenes stories, Roberts explores who gets an obituary, how writers capture the essence of a life, and the surprising details that can bring a person’s story to life. A fascinating, funny, and unexpectedly thoughtful, look at the art of remembering the dead and what obituaries can teach us about living. Available August 11. Library catalog link here.
The Everest Mystery: Sandy Irvine, George Mallory, and the Truth Still Buried on Everest by Julie Summers and Jochen Hemmleb
More than a century after George Mallory and Sandy Irvine disappeared near the summit of Mount Everest, one question remains: did they reach the top? Historians Julie Summers, Irvine’s great-niece, and Jochen Hemmleb revisit the legendary 1924 expedition, examining letters, diaries, photographs, artifacts, and the many theories surrounding the climbers’ fate. The discovery of Irvine’s partial remains in 2024 has added a new piece to the puzzle, but the biggest mystery remains—where is the camera that might hold proof of their achievement? Fascinating and meticulously researched, this is a gripping story of exploration, ambition, and a mystery still buried on Everest. Available August 25. Library catalog link here.
Middle Grade
Boo!: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Fear (But Were Afraid to Ask) by Clive Gifford, illustrated by Rohan Eason
Why do we get scared and why do some of us actually enjoy it? Clive Gifford explores the science, history, and psychology of fear, from how the brain and body react to danger to the origins of superstitions, ghost stories, monsters, and Halloween traditions. Along the way, readers will discover famous hauntings, phobias, scary games, horror writers, and the surprisingly big business of “scare-tainment.” Rohan Eason’s eerie black-and-red illustrations add just the right amount of creepiness. Informative, entertaining, and packed with fascinating facts, this is a perfect pick for curious readers who like their nonfiction with a spooky twist. Available August 4. Library catalog link here.
Young Adult
Nest of Tongues by Randy Ribay
Filipino American siblings Lily and Caleb have a secret: they’re manananggal, vampirelike creatures from Filipino folklore who transform into winged beings and hunt at night. They’ve learned that hiding their identities is the safest way to survive, until a legendary monster hunter arrives in their California community and marks Caleb as his next victim. Now the siblings must decide whether to keep hiding or fight back against the hunter threatening their family and their entire community. Fast-paced, suspenseful, and steeped in Filipino mythology and culture, this gripping teen horror combines a paranormal mystery with a moving story about family, identity, and the fierce bond between siblings. Available August 11. Library catalog link here.
Jennie Rothschild is a collection engagement librarian for Arlington Public Library.
