Your Personal Release Report

Some great new releases are here to close out the month of August. Picking new books up is always a risk, but I hope my recommendations increase your chances of falling in love with a book before anyone else has even heard of it. That’s what the Release Report is all about!

Before we jump in, I do want to share something with you that has brought me a lot of joy this morning. When you become a paid subscriber, Substack asks why and sends me your answers. When I’m feeling like this whole thing is a waste of time, I read these and they keep me going. Here are a few of my recent favorites:

“To be perfectly honest, I thought this was nonsense. I read what catches my attention. No specific reason. I will read almost anything. I took your quiz and now I must eat my words. I’m a COLOR! This is so much fun. Thank you!”
—Melissa

“I just wanted to say that you’ve massively changed my last 12 months. Before I would try and read whatever I was recommended or what was popular or the classics, but I have brought 80% of your RED recommendations in the past 6 months, it’s been a revelation. They have all been so perfect for me. Even the ones I didn’t love, they still kept me enthralled and obsessed. Thank you so much, don’t stop!”
—George

“...my whole extended family has taken the Read Your Color test and not only has it been insanely accurate, it’s allowed us to be more aware of how our family members see the world. It’s started a lot of discussion and it’s been a great shorthand to our inner lives!”
—Sarah

“I’ve been in a months long reading slump, bouncing off of books I thought I would like and not understanding why. Your lists and the quiz have finally given me some clarity!”
—K

I could keep going, but you get the idea.

I put these in front of you just to say thank you. For real. When I started sorting books by what readers want to feel instead of what shelf they sit on, I had no idea it would become a shared language for families, or the thing that ends a reading slump. We’re just getting started! The best stuff is still ahead, and I’m so glad you’re here for it.

Okay. Now to the part that matters, which is your Release Report.

My Release Report disclaimer: I cannot read every new release the week it comes out. I skim previews and ARC copies where I can get them. I also read early reviews and talk to friends that I really trust. That’s the best I can do short of neglecting my job and family and reading 24/7.

(Knopf, August 11)

This is a unique opportunity because it’s a Pulitzer winner writing a pseudo-thriller. Usually you don’t get that kind of literary heavyweight writing something with this much pace. There is crime, a small town, suspense, and a mystery sitting at the front of the book. You’ll love it!

(Ballantine, August 25)

Sweeping historical epics are perfect for yellow readers, but what I have found is that yellow readers just don’t connect with them as often as I think they should. So whenever I see a good historical epic with love, loss, rich dialogue, and organic feeling characters — I have to recommend it! I really hope you enjoy this one and have your heart broken AND warmed by it.

(Tor, August 4)

This is a super interesting concept — I won’t try and re-hash it here, just go to the page where you would buy it and read the description. All you need to know is that it’s fascism in space and democracy is trying to fight back a bit. Orange readers love to inhabit that new and exciting world, and this really does the job.

(Henry Holt, from earlier this year)

I cheated because this came out like 4 months ago but I don’t care. This book is all about information. Siegel tracks how governments have ruled through information, from Louis XIV’s record-keeping prime minister to the post-9/11 alliance between Washington and Silicon Valley. It’s a contested book from what I understand, and reviewers disagree about where the argument holds. But that’s for you to decide!

(Knopf, August 25)

This is a heavy book. Someone survives a mass shooting and doesn’t inform her loved ones that she was there. It’s all aboutt trauma and what it does to people and relationships. Would ONLY recommend this to blue readers because of the deep, often horrifying, questions. But that’s what a blue reader wants most.

(Graywolf, August 18)

An astrophysicist goes to rural Denmark to study gamma-ray bursts. Weird. Which means it’s a purple book through and through. Nors was shortlisted for the International Booker, so there’s some legitimate literary appeal here too. Something that might get really big around awards season, so read it now!

That’s the report. Six books, five of them hitting shelves this month. I hope you like it if you pick it up!

P.S. — Not sure which color you are? Take the free assessment at ReadYourColor.com. It’s what this whole thing is based on.