Now that the damp squib of summer has turned into the heat haze of Olympic glory, we have been busily picking our own winners, in every category, for your Summer Reading. And, as if the promise of continued sunshine* and fabulous holiday books weren’t enough … we are also giving you the chance to win a brand new Amazon kindle. On your marks...*Lovereading, while providing great advice about books, can’t actually promise continued sunshine and accepts no responsibility for any further disappointing weather...

In august company - Books of the Month

Our August bookshelf is more crowded with potential gold-medalists than the inside lane of a steeplechase … and of particular podium note are: The Kingmaker’s Daughter by Philippa Gregory – Riveting and chilling, a personal tale of a dark time in England’s history. Also, put a reminder in your diary for 13 September when the great value paperback version of the fascinating companion volume to Philippa Gregory's bestselling Cousins' War series comes out. Habits of the House by Fay Weldon. First in a ‘Downtonesque’ trilogy exploring the lives of an English household in 1899 from fresh, new publisher: Head of Zeus. And don’t miss the chance to win a signed 1st Edition copy!
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  And lastly in our Books of Month category one especially for teenage readers. In 2011 Moira Young's debut book Blood Red Road was published and went on to win a Costa Book Award. Its riveting story of a futuristic fight for survival and the search for loved-ones was just sensational. Well now there is an equally good sequel Rebel Heart ... click here to find out more.

First time hits – Debuts of the Month

The weather may be inconsistent but our recommended debut novels are always guaranteed great reads. See the bookshelf below for the top picks for August. Talking of debuts have you read the atmospheric and stylish, Orange Prize shortlisted, thriller Black Water Rising by Attica Locke? If you have why not share your view on our Facebook community - and watch out for her second, equally good read, The Cutting Season - which you will find in our pre-publication section...
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Get an i-Full! – August eBooks of the Month

By now you surely must know that we are the ONLY place that you can see and buy ALL the popular formats of eBooks. Yes indeed The ONLY place! Did we mention that? Well, it’s true. Well anyway, click here to find out more. This month the eBooks we love are: The Thief by Fuminori Nakamura – Fast paced, character-led thriller from Japan’s hottest crime writer, translated into English for the first time. And The Statue of Three Lies - A thrilling, nostalgic and fascinating ‘locked room’ murder mystery from self published author David Cargill that is based on a real life incident.  

Lads’ Night! - Books for the Boys

Now, we do not pander to gender stereotyping here. Not us. Not a bit. No Sir. Books for the Boys is a thrill ride of a section, crammed with gadgets, spies, intrigue, high-octane crime and even higher stakes … and it is aimed at absolutely everybody. Open to all. Boys and girls. Everyone’s welcome. … Here’s a taster, lads:
Also, author of the extraordinary international espionage debut The Spycatcher, Matthew Dunn (a real-life former field officer!) has selected a few books for boys that he thinks are unmissible, to go along with our selections. We love them all so get clicking. PLUS...

Series of The Month – 007 adventures by John Gardner

Starting with Licence Renewed, this 14 book series by the great John Gardner picks up where Ian Fleming left off, giving Bond fans a wealth of gritty, witty and explosive spy-adventure. We have all 12 that have been re-published so far, in a special section. What are you waiting for... You only live once!  

The sequel to one of Sarah Broadhurst’s favourite books

Ferney, an evocative and emotional time shifting love story set in Cornwall, first published in 1998, is one of Sarah Broadhurst’s favourite books. Now 14 years on James Long has written a sequel, The Lives She Left Behind, and we are more than a little excited in the Lovereading office. On 30 August Ferney is re-published and the sequel 27 September, and we have exclusive pre-publication extracts from both of them. Sarah Broadhurst has seen early copies of the book and said ‘this masterful piece of story-telling has been well worth the wait!’ Find out more by entering the competition to win a limited edition hardback copy of Ferney and 10 runners up prizes of the paperback version. And if you’re already a fan of Ferney then get in touch – we’re looking for some readers to review The Lives She Left Behind – visit the book page today..  

Discover Jojo Moyes - we have 100 books to give away

Have you read any Jojo Moyes? She is an award-winning author and one of Sarah Broadhurst’s favourites who will make you laugh, cry and change your view of the world. It was said about her last book, Me Before You, ‘it will be destined to be the novel that friends press upon each other’ - and guess what, we have 100 to give away. So, if you have yet to read a novel by Jojo why not enter our free prize draw today - but be quick as it closes 15 August. And watch out for her next book, The Girl You Left Behind, which we have as a Pre-pub and is coming in September - we have the first two chapters available to download Free.

Claim your free iBook worth £7.99

If you like romantic reading then you can’t do much better than independent publisher Choc Lit. We have their latest Vampire State of Mind by RNA Award winner Jane Lovering and to celebrate we are giving Lovereading readers the chance to download her winning book Please Don’t Stop the Music, in iBook format, FREE for the next 72 hours!! - Visit the book page to collect your special code. Enjoy the sunshine and the sport and we’ll be back with more great reads for you later in the month and below you’ll find some hand-picked recommendations in the categories you have told us you like.