August new titles

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A FICTIONAL LIBRARY FOR AN ACADEMIC EXERCISE!

This month our trolleys are groaning with new items, a result of the end-of-financial-year spend. Those of us on the review team have been gorging ourselves like they're cakes, but it's probably time we shared. Lynette was seen in the corner last week, crooning "My preciousss" to a DVD of Parade's End. Good thing they're really not cakes, or I think we'd be dead.

So here are our picks for the best new books for August. For your safety, don't read them all at once!

Adult fiction

Countdown City - Ben H. Winters

A fantastic sequel to The Last Policeman, featuring Hank Winters of Concord, New Hampshire. What happens when everyone on Earth knows the world is going to end in a few months' time, when a big asteroid hits? People kill themselves, go "bucket list", and civilisation crumbles. Countdown City begins only 77 days from impact. Newly laid-off detective Hank is enlisted by his old babysitter to find her missing husband. Is it just a typical case of abandonment by someone who wants to live out his dreams in his final days? Or is it something a lot more sinister? And could Hank's crazy little sister really be right about a weapon that could neutralise the asteroid? So well written, it'll have you turning pages all night.

Children's fiction 

The Screaming Staircase - Jonathan Stroud

The latest by Amulet of Samarkand funnyman Jonathan Stroud. This book is every bit as good, with great dialogue and humour that will appeal to adults as well as kids. Ghosts are popping up all over an alternate London, which only kids can see. Psychic Detection Agencies with child agents are set up to get rid of them. Lucy teams up with Anthony, the leader of Lockwood & Co, a small agency run entirely by children. They and their wise-cracking colleague, George, are pulled into an investigation of one of the most haunted houses in England: Combe Carey Hall. Will Lockwood & Co. survive the Hall's legendary Screaming Staircase and Red Room to see another day? Gripping and fun! Film rights have already been sold.

Teen fiction

Cursed - Emma Benedict

Features everything a reader could want: romance, comedy, swordfights, magic, tragedy and fairy tale. If you liked Stardust or The Princess Bride you're going to love this. As a child, Princess Alyse is turned into a hag by a sorceress, and cursed to remain that way forever unless a knight should fall in love with her - without knowing who she is. Spending her days in a lonely forest, all seems lost, until an old friend returns. Florent is next on the sorceress's list, unless Alyse can manage to save him. And possibly save herself into the bargain. Some truly hilarious moments, and scenes that will make you go "awww" - plus a villain you'll love to hate. Once you've finished, give it to your mum.