On August 3, 2025, People magazine released its highly anticipated list of the best new fiction releases for the month, offering readers a handpicked selection of novels that span genres, voices, and emotional landscapes. This mid-summer roundup not only highlights the literary excellence of established authors but also shines a light on fresh debuts that promise to leave a lasting mark.
Leading the list is Jason Mott’s People Like Us, a deeply layered and emotionally charged novel that follows the intertwined journeys of two Black authors. One character is catapulted into the glamorous world of literary stardom, navigating high-profile events and the intoxicating allure of Paris. The other is propelled into a far different spotlight, speaking at a college still reeling from a tragic act of gun violence. Mott balances searing grief with sharp humor, creating a narrative that resonates with both personal intimacy and social commentary.
Sharing the spotlight is Ella Berman’s L.A. Women, a richly atmospheric portrait of artistic rivalry and friendship set against the backdrop of late-1960s and early-1970s Los Angeles. The novel follows two aspiring writers whose lives and careers are bound by ambition, betrayal, and the search for creative identity. With echoes of real-life literary icons Joan Didion and Eve Babitz, Berman’s work immerses readers in a time and place where creativity thrived alongside personal upheaval.
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Adding a dose of psychological suspense is Sarah Pekkanen’s The Locked Ward. This tense, twist-laden mystery centers on Georgia, a young woman adopted into a wealthy Southern family, who finds herself confined to a psychiatric ward under suspicion of murdering her sister. As she plots her escape, the sudden reappearance of her long-lost twin, Amanda, throws the narrative into a web of uncertainty. Pekkanen’s knack for blending emotional stakes with page-turning tension makes this a standout in the thriller genre.
Among the debuts featured on the list is This Kind of Trouble by Tochi Eze. The novel tells the story of a Nigerian couple who, after decades apart, attempt to rebuild their marriage. Their reunion is shadowed by racial struggles, health battles, and unspoken secrets, making for a powerful exploration of love, resilience, and reconciliation. Eze’s storytelling brings fresh cultural and emotional perspectives to contemporary fiction.
For readers drawn to the eerie and otherworldly, Xenobe Purvis’s The Hounding offers a chilling blend of historical fiction and speculative horror. Set in an isolated 18th-century village, the story revolves around two sisters as whispers spread that locals are turning into dogs. The novel weaves together folklore, psychological tension, and social isolation, creating an unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the final page.
The list is rounded out by Louis Sachar’s The Magician of Tiger Castle, marking the beloved author’s first work of adult fiction. Known to generations of readers for Holes, Sachar ventures into a fantastical, romance-infused tale set in a richly imagined historical world. The novel delivers magic, intrigue, and high emotional stakes, proving Sachar’s talent extends well beyond the young adult shelves.
Collectively, these selections reflect a vibrant and diverse landscape in modern literature. They offer readers a choice between humor and heartbreak, intimate character studies and sweeping imaginative worlds, grounded realism and speculative wonder. As the summer reading season enters its final stretch, People magazine’s August list is an invitation to step into stories that challenge, entertain, and inspire—making it one of the year’s most exciting literary spotlights.
