Shuffling of the Shelves: August Part One

By Lucy Shardlow, Sana Khalid and Anais Aguilera

From thrillers to educational non-fiction and rom-coms, the August book charts for 2023 have it all. Take a look at the assortment of books trending this week.

Amazon

At number one is Sunday Times’ Best Book to Read This Summer; Chris Van Tulleken’s Ultra-Processed People. This book is an eye-opening investigation into the science, economics, history and production of ultra-processed food. Chris’ book focuses on the right to know what we eat, what it does to our bodies and the right to good, affordable food. The perfect read for fitness freaks, those still trying to achieve their summer bodies and mums wondering what to feed their kids during the six-week holiday. Further down the Amazon Charts is Serena Terry’s The Secret Life of an Uncool Mum. This Sunday Times bestseller is a hilarious warts-and-all novel about modern motherhood. Tara Gallagher is knackered. She undergoes a Mammy makeover to show her teenage daughter, husband and colleagues that she’s still a Boss Bish. But most importantly, she’s going to prove to herself that she can still be a mum, work full-time and be Beyoncé. This laugh-out-loud book is the perfect summer read for mums everywhere.

Waterstones

Hitting the top spot is Georgie Tilney’s Beach Rivals. This fantastic enemies-to-lovers debut comes from a fresh new voice in romantic comedy. Set on a beautiful Bali beach, Clare jumps at the opportunity of starting up her dream job as a bookseller. But this job comes with one infuriatingly handsome condition: Jack. Two bitter rivals spend the whole summer in paradise…what could possibly go wrong? If romantic comedy isn’t your top choice for the summer, then you may be interested in this reimagining of H.G. Wells’ classic: The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Mexico, three stories become intertwined. Carlota Moreau, the only daughter of either a genius or a madman. Montgomery Laughton, an overseer with a tragic past. The hybrids, the fruits of the Doctor’s labour. This is a historical novel that takes its reader on a daring sci-fi journey.

WHSmith

Richard Osman comes in high on the WHSmith bestsellers chart with the third instalment in The Thursday Murder Club series, The Bullet That Missed. We meet our familiar cast of characters again as they grasp for answers surrounding a cold or not-so cold-case. But, this time, Elizabeth finds herself at the centre of this dangerous mystery. Will she make the right choice or will she jeopardise her friendship with the others? This is the perfect book to devour in one sitting in preparation for the highly anticipated fourth novel, releasing in September 2023. This month is shaping up to be a month of nail-biters with our next read The Woman Who Lied by Claire Douglas. Emilia Ward finds her picture-perfect life turned upside down when the events of her novels start jumping into her real life. When something straight out of her unreleased work occurs, she starts to question who she can really trust. This book will have you sweating more than the late summer heat.

Social Media

The latest book on every book blogger and influencer’s radar is May Cobb’s latest novel A Likeable Woman. Kira’s back in her affluent hometown for the first time in years and determined to unravel the secrets of her mother’s death. A mysterious death, caddy women behaving badly, old money and small-town gossip is what one can find when they open the pages of this twisty novel. It’s no wonder it’s been named as the “most anticipated thriller of Summer 2023” by Oprah Daily (Amazon). Summer is the perfect time to escape into a silly rom-com and Katherine Center’s Hello Stranger is a perfect contender. Sadie, who is an aspiring artist, experiences her life change for the worse when she suffers an accident before entering a prestigious art competition. As Sadie tries to save her career, confront her past and handle falling in love with two different guys, she realises that happiness can be found in the places - and people - you least expect.

Noteworthy Author

Part of the shortlist for Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2023, we have named Colin Walsh as our Noteworthy Author this month with his latest novel Kala. Although this is his first novel, Walsh has not been short of recognition in his writing career. Many of his short stories have won several awards including the Hennessy Literary Award. Set in the Irish town of Kinlough, this gripping page-turner sees three friends thrown back together in the place they once called home. As chilling secrets start to unravel, this group of friends are now forced to confront their own complicity of the events that took place all those years ago. But can they stop violent patterns from repeating themselves? Utterly chilling and suspenseful, Walsh brings us an atmospheric thriller that examines the brutal cost of belonging. This is bound to be an instant international bestseller!