12 non-romance books being released in August 2023

Love makes the world go round but sometimes, it just doesn’t. That’s why it’s nice to find some non-romance books to get excited about.

As I mentioned before, I’m a huge romance reader. I almost exclusively read romance but I will dip my toe into other genres or read some non-romantic stories from time to time.

Regardless if you’re looking to branch out from a favorite genre, want to read something new, or just need a beach read, we’ve got you covered. August is a huge month for book releases so I’m going to be featuring 12 in this round-up.

Of course, I can’t feature every single book coming out in August so I’d love to know some of your most anticipated book releases.

These 12 books are all coming in August and are all non-romance reads.

Starting off in August, I wanted to highlight some spooky reads for readers of all ages. First up is Field of Screams by Wendy Parris which is middle-grade horror releasing August 1st. It’s following Rebecca as she tries to solve a mystery while staying with her mother at her aunt and uncle’s house in Iowa. Keeping with the spooky theme, The Last Girls Standing is Jennifer Dugan’s horror debut and follows survivors of a massacre. This one comes out on August 15th.

Another horror coming out on August 1st is Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine which is touted as a “feminist update to Rosemary’s Baby.” It’s also the inspiration for the upcoming season of American Horror Story which makes me even more excited for this season. Rounding out the horror reads is another YA and it’s Holly Horror by Michelle Jabes Corpora and it’s a new and fresh take on Holly Hobbie with thrills, chills, and mysteries to keep you captivated on August 15th.

Keeping with the thrills, you won’t be able to put down The Coworker by Freida McFadden. It comes out on August 29th and will captivate you from page one. The other August 29th release I wanted to highlight is The Hike by Lucy Clarke. This is a thriller following four women as they embark on a Norwegian hike but not everyone makes it out alive.

Since half of the list is slightly spooky, let’s talk about something a bit lighter like the President’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood. This comes out on August 15th and is a sweeping retelling of Woodrow Wilson and his wife, Edith. It has a gorgeous cover so I know a lot of people will be snagging this one.

Next up is Forty Words For Love by Aisha Saeed. This one comes out on August 22nd. Set in the magical Moonlight Bay, this is the story of two teens as they grow in an ever-changing world. This one took the author 7 years to write so you know she put her heart and soul into it.

Let’s talk about something fun such as Make A Move, Sunny Park! by Jessica Kim which comes out on August 15th. This is an adorable middle-grade story about Sunny Park as she deals with friendship, fandom, and lots of dancing. Honestly, it sounds like a big departure from the others on the list which is always good.

Another YA book making my list is My Father, The Panda Killer by Jamie Jo Hoang which is coming out on August 29th. This is a coming-of-age tale about Jane in 1999 and her father, Phuc in 1975 but war is the main catalyst of the story as it reverberates through the entire thing.

Very rarely do nonfiction titles make the list, but I wanted to include Falling Back in Love With Being Human: Letters to Lost Souls by Kai Cheng. This comes out on August 1st and is a collection focusing on topics of all kinds including people, pop culture, and much more.

Last but not least, I’m including another thriller/horror which is Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt. This one comes out on August 29th and it focuses on two teens as they’re trying to unravel a mystery and help each other along the way. Those are just 12 non-romance books to get excited about but be sure to check out your favorite bookish website for a full list.

What are some non-romance books you’re looking forward to in August? Share with us!