Best New Books to Read in August 2026

August 2026 promises to be a month filled with captivating new releases across various genres. From gripping thrillers to spine-tingling horror, there's something for every reader to enjoy. Here are some standout books to look out for this August.

1. The Unknown by Riley Sager, a bestselling thriller author, releases his latest novel on August 4. Spanning two timelines - 1926 and 2026, this mystery-thriller follows a struggling actress named Marin who is cast in a movie based on the unsolved disappearance of five women on an island called New Avalon. As she and her fellow actresses visit the island, strange occurrences and eerie parallels to the past threaten to derail their film and uncover a possible supernatural force.

2. Max Doty's The House That Eats The Dead arrives on August 13 in the UK and August 18 in the US. This fresh take on the haunted house genre sees Claire and her family moving into a seemingly perfect home. However, strange happenings soon reveal that their new residence has a sinister appetite for anything once alive. With elements of psychological thriller and supernatural elements, this story will keep readers on edge.

3. Richard Swan's The Infinite State is scheduled to be released on August 4 in the US and August 6 in the UK. Set in a fascist, galaxy-spanning empire, this novel follows Katherine, the widow of a revered member of the governing party, who is presented with a rare opportunity. She can use her inheritance to buy an untouched world and create a fairer society. However, those in power will not let that happen, and Katherine must navigate a web of secrets and danger to achieve her goal.

4. W.H. Chizmar's debut novel, Them: A Novel, is set to release on August 11. Based on his work in Widow s Point: The Complete Haunting, this novel dives into a top-secret government initiative that transports matter across the universe. When an extraterrestrial matter crashes in New England, an unidentified man embarks on a quest to find fellow survivors amidst a landscape overrun by monsters. As he confronts the true nature of humanity, he questions who the real monsters are.

5. Olivie Blake's Dreamland, a haunting contemporary mystery, is released on August 11 in the US and August 13 in the UK. Set in the glamorous world of Hollywood, aspiring actress Anya grapples with her big break slipping through her fingers. When renowned actor William de Witt offers her a strange deal, Anya must decide whether to spend time with his son, Jude, who faces mysterious health issues.

As Anya delves deeper into the world of Hollywood, she must confront whether the de Witt home is cursed or haunted by occult forces.