We thought we’d embrace technology this month in order to let you know about the terrific new books we have coming in for August.

Our local authors have been busy scribbling away – Roland Perry has produced Changi Brownlow, a fascinating look at football as played in the infamous prisoner of war camp, whilst on a cheerier note, Paul Carter recounts his tree change to country doctor in Hale and Hardy – fans of James Herriot will enjoy his humourous touch.

For those of a criminal bent, we have a new Harlen Coben called Play Dead, Val McDermid is in town for the Writers Festival with Trick of the Dark, and if you like your crime with a drop of wine and perhaps a black market truffle or two, Martin Walker has a new Bruno, Chief of Police mystery, Black Diamond. The thrills come fast and furious in Frederick Forsyth’s Cobra, whilst fans of Daniel Silva get ready to launch into The Rembrandt Affair. Finally, the fragrant queen of crime writing, Ruth Rendell, brings us Tigerlily’s Orchids.

In fiction , Emma Donoghue’s novel Room should be controversial – 5 year old Jack lives with his Ma in Room, which has a locked door and a skylight, and measures 11 feet by 11 feet - sound familiar? Jon Bauers’ Rocks in the Belly asks just how far can you push a child? It tells the story of a precocious eight-year-old boy and the volatile adult he becomes. Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes is a highly acclaimed war novel and well worth the climb.

Teenage yachtie Jessica Watson launches True Spirit, whilst the ABC’s Jon Faine recounts his epic journey From Here to There. Fellow media man Mike Carlton has written a bold history of the HMAS Perth, Cruiser.

If you need a laugh to lighten up your winter, may we suggest Charlie Pickering’s Impractical Jokes which examines the long running feud of Pickering Senior in his effort to out-practical joke a mate. Twitterer Justin Halpern has successfully expanded his range to write Sh*t My Dad Says which is, quite simply, hilarious. Meanwhile the author of I Was Told There’d by Cake, Sloane Crosley holds forth in How Did You Get this Number?

There’s lots for our junior shoppers too – a new Jeannie Baker called Mirror that is just gorgeous. Fans of Looking for Alibrandi should have a check out Good Oil by Laura Buzo, a talented new Australian author. Compatriot Sonya Hartnett has a young adult novel The Midnight Zoo that looks extremely promising. Legendary Eoin Colfer brings us Artemis Fowl & The Atlantic Complex. Lastly Linger by Maggie Stiefvater is the wolfish sequel to Shiver.

So that’s just some of the great August titles we have in store. But if you are keen to know what everyone else is reading, here’s a quick list in no particular order or genre, of our current best-sellers:

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Summer at Tiffanys by Marjorie Hart

Tony and Susan by Austin Wright

Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo

The Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell

One Day by David Nicholls

And of course, Stieg Larsson’s Millenium Trilogy continues to dominate crime.