The Ultimate August Readin’ List

By Readin’ Team Members

Edited by Reilly Nelson

Welcome to the third and final month of the Summer Readin’ Program! This August, our challenge prompts highlight the middle grade and young adult stories that got us into reading.

Need inspiration for curating your August Summer Readin’ list? Below there are recommendations for each prompt, from the Readin’ team to you.

New-To-You Author: Celestial Alignments by Deja Walker

Recommended by Alyssa

Celestial Alignments is Deja Walker’s debut novel following Jupiter Rowe who strives to become an astronomer, like her late mother, who had an affinity for planets and galaxies and always wanted to be an astronomer. The only problem is that she’s failed astronomy twice and can’t afford to fail a third time. Because of that, she takes up her professor’s offer of setting her up with a tutor. Insert Arlo Prince, another aspiring astronomer who managed to get his dream internship, only for it to turn out differently than he imagined.

This is a college-aged romance book with the leads in different stages of their college experience. I really loved how astronomy and the universe and the stars come into play throughout the story. The details were intentional and the budding romance between the leads felt like their connection was more meant to be than random. They just made sense together and reading their moments together both made me smile and yell because of their stubbornness.

For lovers of Forever on Netflix, this tutor x student romance is a heartwarming read for back-to-school month!

Book That Was Adapted to TV/Film: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Recommended by Jadyn

Back to school season is among us! Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary is the feel-good, adventure-filled read to reintroduce yourself to school. Just like Ryland Grace, science teacher turned astronaut, you will feel inspired to turn the classroom into a thrilling adventure. Project Hail Mary encourages resilience, curiosity, and using the power of STEM to reignite your love of learning this fall.

Most Anticipated Release for August 2026: Embrace by Bal Khabra

Recommended by Sara Shahein

Get ready to get back in the rink with Embrace, Bal Khabra’s final book in the Off the Ice series. Set to release August 4, 2026, Embrace follows Dalton University’s resident party boy, and reader favorite Kian. In Khabra’s previous books, we have seen Kian interact with characters in the peripheral, often known as the comedic character but well loved by many due to his charm. In Embrace readers get a more well-rounded view of Kian as this book centers on his love story. He’s set to head off to the NHL before graduating but he’s making it his mission to honor his father and complete his degree. While piling on the credits he joins a study group led by tattooed Scarlett, who is trying to escape her player reputation. Khabra brings the tension with this forbidden romance when Kian realizes Scarlett is his coach’s daughter. This book holds more than heat within its pages, as characters struggle with anxiety, manage their grief, and work through familial bonds. Khabra is well known in the hockey romance community for bringing diversity to the genre, and Embrace is no exception as it features main characters with Asian and Filipino heritage. As we reach the conclusion of this beloved series, we’re sure Embrace will be a fantastic send off.

Book That Takes Place During Summer: Lemons by Melissa Savage

Recommended by Carly Zimmerman

In Melissa Savage’s Lemons, we follow Lemonade during the summer she moves in with her grandfather after her mother’s passing. Lemonade is not thrilled about living in Willow Creek, but when she meets Tobin Sky and joins him as his assistant at Bigfoot Detectives Inc., things start to change. In their effort to catch Bigfoot on film, they gain friendship, family, and understanding. Don’t count this out because it’s a middle grade book—I walked away from this with so much love for the characters and their journey navigating grief and finding joy. Melissa Savage describes complex emotions in a way that’s accessible for kids and adults. Since this was recommended to me by a third grade teacher after she read it to her class, it’s perfect for back to school season!

August 2026 Release: Better Than Revenge by EJ Blaise

Recommended by Reilly Nelson

Release Date: August 25

Coming in 2027: US & Germany release dates

Dani, Haven Cove University’s star swimmer and resident “heartless viper,” would live by the pool if it meant she could push her limits whenever she wanted. Cove College’s Heath Belfort—nonchalance personified as a buzzcut-loving, tatted surfer boy—would live at the pool as long as Dani was there. Quite literally, Better Than Revenge is the perfect poolside read.

EJ Blaise’s trad debut is a delicious concoction of banter, desire, and contemplation. If Olivia Rodrigo’s “get him back!” compels you to both dance it out with your friends and slash an every ex’s tires, Better Than Revenge is your next must-read.

If you want to learn more about EJ Blaise and Better Than Revenge—and see the most delectable commissioned art—you can check out my interview with EJ here on readinmag.com!

Book Released in 2026: The Grimlore Game by Kalyn Josephson

Recommended by Miny Readsalot

We should all be reading more KidLit and The Grimlore Games is for those who were obsessed with A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket or Escape From Mr. Limoncello’s Library by Chris Grabberstein (Who blurbed this book!), which makes it perfect for back to school.

The Grimlore Games follows orphan Kit Devlin whose family is cursed—a family member dies every three years. The curse has taken away her parents leaving her in custody of her extended family, who all have eyes on the Devlin fortune. When her grandfather dies, her family comes swarming to get their hands on their inheritance only for them to learn that they have to play his games even from beyond the grave.

If you like solving riddles, family curses and rooting for the underdog, make sure The Grimlore Games is on your TBR, available on September 22, 2026.

Nonfiction Book: Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas

Recommended by Ally Hendricks

Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in Americaby Firoozeh Dumas is quite possibly one of the only nonfiction books I read as a child that has stuck with me through adulthood. A shoutout to my parents for putting this book in front of me, because while it was truly engaging and a fun read, it also showed me a lot about subtle racism, and prejudice against immigrants.

The memoir follows Firoozeh across her life, starting as she moves from Iran to Southern California at age seven, in 1972. Humor is imbued throughout the story, which is possibly why it has stuck with me for so long; yet the humor does not minimize the reality of what it is like to be an immigrant to this country.

Snapshots of stories show us the culture shock of moving from Iran to America, especially since Firoozeh’s father gave her a fantasy version of the country. The book shows how as an Iranian she had to adapt to racism, both subtle and in-your-face. There are trips to Disneyland, translating for her mother who does not want to learn English, awkward holiday stories, talk of religion, and what it was like to marry a Frenchman and adapt to yet another mashing of cultures.

While it has been a while since I picked this book up, I’d love to read it again as an adult and see what still speaks to me from Firoozeh’s stories, and also to feel a little nostalgic for younger me learning about the wider world and how we all fit together in it.

Book That Takes Place at a School: Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

Recommended by Zee Perry

I finally get to talk about a book series that I fear does not get enough attention and that is Curious Tides! I found this book some time in early 2025 right after the second book in the trilogy was released. I immediately got sucked into the atmosphere of the book. A magical college with secret societies and a tragedy? COUNT ME IN!

This dark academic fantasy is based on Aldryn College, a college for those with powers influenced by the moon phase they were born under. We follow a few students, mostly Emory and Baz, and their journey navigating school, the loss of a friend, and their growing powers. Both Emory and Baz lost Romie in a tragedy where some students drowned in the sea near the compass. Romie was Emory’s best friend and Baz’s sister. When the students return to campus, the students start reappearing on the shore half-alive and Emory and Baz start investigating the reason for the students’ return and other university secrets that pop up along their journey.

This book deserves a cult following. Not only do you get this expansive world, you get multiple POVs, and so many other elements to keep you in the story. I love the aspect of the moon phase influencing their powers. There’s also (unfortunately) some discrimination against those born under the eclipse, but you find out just how those social norms were created and why. If it helps, the powers that manifest from those born under either type of eclipse are some of my favorites to explore! This book makes for an amazing back-to-school/end of summer read!

And I think I buried the lead. . . . The romance . . . totally worth the slow burn and twist!

Book Rec From a Library Worker: The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton

Recommended by Emily Sayre

The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton is the first book in The Conjureverse series and the author’s middle-grade debut. This fantasy adventure set in a sky-flying magic school follows 11-year-old Ella, who is the first Conjuror in attendance. Her magic gets a bad rep, and isn’t loved by everyone. She finds a group of misfit friends who stick with her through thick and thin. While battling seclusion and gossip from classmates, she’s also uncovering the mysteries surrounding her mentor’s sudden disappearance.

This book is great if you love talking animals, magic schools, and breaking systemic boundaries. The mysteries will keep you on your toes, and the fun-spirited Ella will surely be your new favorite middle-grade FMC!

A Book That Got You Into Reading: The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

Recommended by Rylee Chacon

The Name of This Book Is Secret as the title of a young adult book is genius, and ten-year-old me fell for it every step of the way. I’m not allowed to know the title of the book I’m reading? Or the author’s name? The back cover states “Stop! Leave now. This is a secret story about a dangerous secret I must not reveal.” As a nosey kid, I needed to see what this was all about, immediately. There are small mysteries interspersed throughout the entirety of this book; words are omitted, aliases are used, and Mr. Bosch himself frequently leaves us a footnote that makes you all too aware that you are not supposed to be reading any of this.

I read this book for the first time when a friend lent it to me, and I credit it for the love of the strange I developed as I got older. I read the entire Secret Series from the library as each book was coming out, and when I was reminded of it as an adult, I purchased all of them to have for myself. I am entirely too tempted to do a re-read now, in order to relive the mysterious (and quite dangerous, actually) adventures Cass and Max-Ernest go on in search of answers to questions they don’t even know they have. I also credit this series with being a Why You Should Not Trust the Government (or any other large corporations or systems) For Kids™, which I think everyone can appreciate.

I recommend that you go into this series completely blind . . . especially since you aren’t supposed to be reading it in the first place.

Let’s get readin’!

Join the August Storygraph Summer Readin’ Challenge he re and you can purchase our Digital Summer Readin’ Pack-et for some extra fun here! We’re so happy you’re readin’ with us.

All books are featured in our Bookshop.org list (affiliate link)!

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