August 2025 LibraryReads List

You voted, they counted, and AUTOMATIC NOODLE by Annalee Newitz, THE LOCKED WARD by Sarah Pekkanen, and LUCKY DAY by Chuck Tingle are LibraryReads picks for August 2025!

PLUS, T. Kingfisher (HEMLOCK & SILVER), Mazey Eddings (WELL, ACTUALLY), and Stacy Willingham (FORGET ME NOT) are in the Hall of Fame, and ROPE by Tim Queeney is the Notable Nonfiction pick!

#1 PICK: AUTOMATIC NOODLE BY ANNALEE NEWITZ | 9781250357465 | 8/5/25

“Newitz packs this tale with simmering action, endearing characters, and political savvy, topping it all off with generous dollops of humor and imagination. It’s delicious.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This is a feel-good hopepunk story that will appeal to readers of both robot and AI-centered science fiction and is highly recommended for those who loved novels such as Adrian Tchaikovsky’s SERVICE MODEL and Aimee Ogden’s EMERGENT PROPERTIES, as well as hopepunk stories such as Naomi Kritzer’s ‘The Year Without Sunshine’.”—Library Journal, starred review

“This sweet, heart (and stomach) warming novella is a certified cozy read, rich with meaning for queer readers, enjoyably familiar to San Francisco lovers. Perfect for fans both of Becky Chambers’ Monk & Robot series and Travis Baldree’s LEGENDS & LATTES (2022), this book is silly and poignant in turns, shifting from an octopuslike robot’s first hand-pulling attempts to an ex-military bot’s difficult past memories. Newitz (THE TERRAFORMERS, 2023) has gifted sf readers with a hopeful, postapocalyptic found-family tale.”—Booklist, starred review

THE LOCKED WARD BY SARAH PEKKANEN | 9781250349514 | 8/5/25

“A fascinating, detailed dive into psych ward indignities and dangers, along with a puzzle over whether Georgia is guilty or innocent. Riveting from start to shattering finish.”–Booklist, starred review

LUCKY DAY BY CHUCK TINGLE | 9781250398659 | 8/12/25

“The comedic carnage might overwhelm a lesser novel, but Tingle’s fast-paced plot makes it work, and his ability to effectively wield the many disparate elements at play here impresses. Combining irreverent moments of surreality with an earnest message about finding hope even in the face of brutality, this is Tingle’s best yet.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

HEMLOCK & SILVER BY T. KINGFISHER | 9781250342034 | 8/19/25

“The diagnostic mystery at the heart of this meticulously crafted secondary world fantasy makes for a refreshingly novel plot structure, and Kingfisher wows with her ability to effectively worldbuild using just a few choice details that then come together to create an almost dizzyingly satisfying climax. Meanwhile, the monstrous mirror-gelds are a Lovecraftian revelation and Anja’s feline sidekick, Grayling, will steal hearts. This is Kingfisher at her best.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

WELL, ACTUALLY BY MAZEY EDDINGS | 9781250333315 | 8/5/25

“Readers who enjoy remarkably strong women leads and crave emotionally redemptive story arcs will adore this radiantly hot enemies-to-lovers romance from Eddings (LATE BLOOMER).”–Library Journal

FORGET ME NOT BY STACY WILLINGHAM | 9781250887979 | 8/26/25

“Once again, Willingham (ONLY IF YOU’RE LUCKY) delivers a gripping thriller packed with twists that will keep readers on edge until the final page… Fans of Sally Hepworth and Kate Alice Marshall will enjoy the novel’s Southern heat, slow-burning tension, and suspense.”–Library Journal

ROPE: HOW A BUNDLE OF TWISTED FIBERS BECAME THE BACKBONE OF CIVILIZATION BY TIM QUEENEY | 9781250346452 | 8/12/25

“Growing up sailing with his father, Queeney (GEORGE IN LONDON) learned the importance of rope in that context. Encountering some old rope in his father’s belongings prompted the author (a novelist and former editor of Ocean Navigator magazine) to research the history of the rope. The result is this fascinating object history that spans from prehistoric times to the near future (with predictions of how rope might soon be used)… Highly recommended for anyone interested in world history or microhistories.”–Library Journal, starred review