These are among the new titles with local themes or released by local writers, listed in alphabetical order by author names:
“The Lie: A Novel” by Jude Berman
She Writes Press, 360 pages, $17.99, Aug. 4, 2026
Berkeley author Jude Berman tackles cybersecurity’s threat to autonomy in “The Lie,” a fast-moving thriller and sequel to 2024’s “The Die.” It follows the adventures of technological whiz Jedd and his friends Darah and political candidate June as they attempt to prevent a dictator from taking over California. Lori B. Duff, author of “Devil’s Defense,” calls “The Lie” a “suspenseful, prescient, intriguing page-turner” and says “Berman knows how to prey on her reader’s fear and love of technology, making the future feel immediate.” Berman, who followed a career in academic research with a longtime freelance editorial business, meets and greets readers at Copperfield’s Books in Napa from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 8.
“Thanks for Meeting Me Here” by Jill Bronfman
Raven Chronicles Press, 174 pages, $22.99, Aug. 5, 2026
Bay Area writer, poet and performer Jill Bronfman’s debut novel “Thanks for Meeting Me Here,” a futuristic look at kinship and resilience, won the 2026 Keepers of the Fire Award from Raven Chronicles Press, which recognizes forward-thinking literary arts. It details the journey of Miranda, who has a mix of real and artificial body parts, as she fights to secure a relationship with her daughter. Bronfman, who has performed at the Bay Area Book Festival, Poets in the Parks and Litquake, also is publishing “Second Cites,” a poetry chapbook on Finishing Line Press, in November. Bronfman discusses her novel at Green Apple Books on the Park in San Francisco at 7 p.m. Aug. 12.
“The Enigma Challenge: A Novel” by S.C. Godfrey
Pamela Dorman Books, 336 pages, $32, Aug. 11, 2026
Bay Area writer S.C. Godfrey’s “The Enigma Challenge” is a thriller that blasts readers across three countries for six days, and through five dangerous puzzles. It tells the story of Zoe Wilder, whose cipher-filled academic work takes her to a cryptology conference in Madrid, where she teams with a hacker to trigger the Enigma Challenge, a high-stakes puzzle competition. Andrea Bartz, author of “We Were Never Here,” says “The Enigma Challenge” has “pulse-pounding action, a fascinating cast of characters, evocative settings all across Europe” and is “the perfect poolside read.” Godfrey, who, as Sierra Godfrey penned the novels “A Very Typical Family” and “The Second Chance Hotel,” speaks about her new book with thriller writer Michelle Chouinard at Mrs. Dalloway’s in Berkeley at 7 p.m. Aug. 11.
“No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism” by Jared Huffman
W. W. Norton & Company, 240 pages, $28.99, Aug. 18, 2026
U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) peeks behind the scenes in “No Prophets” to reveal the extent of Christian nationalism’s effect on government policies and its role in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection. He argues that insurrectionists today are working in high government positions to shape domestic and foreign policy, undermine science and education and shift election results to promote authoritarian theocracy that enforces religious beliefs. A formerly devout Christian, Huffman is a Humanist who founded the Congressional Freethought Caucus with U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Takoma Park) of Maryland. Huffman discusses his book with actor Peter Coyote at a sold-out event presented by Copperfield’s Books at Finley Community Center in Santa Rosa on Aug. 22.
“A Tender Age: A Novel” by Chang-rae Lee
Riverhead Books, 368 pages, $30, Aug. 11, 2026
Stanford University Professor of Writing Chang-rae Lee explores American masculinity and family dynamics in “A Tender Age,” named a most anticipated book of the year by the New York Times, Boston Globe and Goodreads. Its protagonist, Huckleberry Finn-like character Jeon-Gi, age 11 and son of Korean immigrants, becomes embroiled in events that threaten both his family and his community and challenge his sense of culpability. “The Namesake” author Jhumpa Lahiri says Lee has “redefined not only what it means to be American but the fabric of the Great American Novel itself.” Lee, whose 1995 debut novel “Native Speaker” won the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award for first fiction, appears with “The Incendiaries” novelist R.O. Kwon at Green Apple Books on the Park at 7 p.m. Aug. 20, and with “Moderation” novelist Elaine Castillo at Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park at 6 p.m. Aug. 21.
“Sisters at an Exhibition: A Zara and Lilly Mystery” by Claudia Hagadus Long
Sibylline Press, 272 pages, $20, Aug. 18, 2026
Napa author Claudia Hagadus Long’s mature sleuth siblings investigate the disappearance of a museum curator and a Caravaggio sketch in “Sisters at an Exhibition,” the third book in her Zara and Lilly Mystery series, following “Nine Tenths of the Law” (its film right were optioned) and “Our Lying Kin.” In “Exhibition,” the characters travel from San Francisco to New York to Alsace, France in a story set in modern day that flashes back to the World War II era. Long, a lawyer who has written seven novels, launches her new title at Copperfield’s Books in Santa Rosa at 7 p.m. Aug. 21.
“Song for Another Home” by Bora Lee Reed
37 Ink (Simon & Schuster), 320 pages, $29, July 21, 2026
Berkeley resident Bora Lee Reed presents a story of separation and reunion as a family seeks refuge from war-torn 1950s South Korea in “Song for Another Home,” her debut novel. Inspired by her own family’s experiences, Reed’s saga follows the adventures of Oksoon and her family, who flee Pyongyang, journeying to ravaged streets to the north and south, while her cousin Junho encounters difficulties of love and war. Yangsze Choo, author of “The Fox Wife,” says “Song for Another Home” is “beautifully written and shimmering with love, sacrifice and betrayal.” Reed, communications director for University of California, Berkeley Public Policy School, is a 2023 Reese’s Book Club LitUp Fellow, part of promoting diverse and underrepresented voices. She speaks with “Queen Sugar” author Natalie Baszile at Kepler’s Books at 7 p.m. Aug. 20.
“Heir of Prophecy: A Novel” by Analeigh Sbrana
Harper Voyager, 448 pages, $32, Aug. 25, 2026
California romantasy writer Analeigh Sbrana, author of the best-selling “Lore of the Wilds,” about an enchanted library, launches “Heir of Prophecy,” the first in a two-part series covering the adventures of Audra, a young woman who is conscripted into a magical war college and finds herself the chosen one to two opposing prophecies. Rebecca Ross, author of “Wild Reverence,” calls “Heir of Prophecy” a “stunning epic” in which “the world building is vibrant, the magic gleams, the romance smolders and the characters are remarkable and endearing.” Sbrana appears with “Sinner’s Isle” author Angela Montoya at Copperfield’s Books in Napa at 7 p.m. Aug 28.
“The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium: A Novel” by Lexie Sharabianlou
Dell, 448 pages, $20, Aug. 18, 2026
East Bay writer Lexie Sharabianlou shares the adventures of barista Talula Smith, a sorceress-in-training, in her debut novel “The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium,” where the titular establishment serves as a safehouse for magical beings. Emily Krempholtz, author of “Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore,” says, “Cozy fantasy readers will fall in love with Talula’s magical mishaps, the top-notch sapphic yearning and the persnickety talking corgi in this delightful, magical story about love, community and acceptance.” Sharabianlou, whose day job is copywriting, appears with Maggie Tokuda-Hall at Mrs. Dalloway’s at 7 p.m. Aug. 22.