I’m a child of the 1960s. When I was growing up, major national holidays in the US were something to look forward to. New Year’s in January; Valentine’s Day, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington’s birthdays in February (later condensed to one day, Presidents Day); St. Patrick’s Day in March; Easter usually in April; May Day, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day in May; Flag Day and Father’s Day in June; Independence Day in July; Labor Day in September; Columbus Day and Halloween in October; Veterans Day and Thanksgiving in November; Christmas in December.
Wait. What’s that you said? I skipped August?
No, I didn’t skip it. August was the one month without a national holiday. It was also my birthday month, and I felt gypped. Why did May have three holidays? May Day couldn’t be moved to August, but what about Mother’s Day?
There were cards and decorations and other fun things for the various months. In addition to holiday-themed items—hearts, shamrocks, flags, pumpkins, turkeys, and everything red and green—there were snowflakes for winter, leaves for fall, and flowers for spring. Back then, June was heralded as the prime wedding month.
Nothing else for August except the occasional watermelon or picture of a beach. I don’t like watermelon, sand, or heat and humidity. The flower for the month is the gladiolus. I always wanted something cool like Rose (June) or Carnation (January). I’m a real killjoy, aren’t I?
Various other widespread observances have been added to the “major holidays” roster in recent years to reflect America’s cultural diversity: Martin Luther King Day (January); International Women’s Day (March); Juneteenth (June); Grandparents’ Day (September); Jewish Holidays (various months); Administrative Professionals Day (October); Kwanzaa (December); and the list goes on…and on…and ON. Anything omitted was not intentional.
Again, August was shortchanged, so here are the “bones” thrown its way, so to speak:
- National Mountain Climbing Day (1st)
- National Watermelon Day (3rd)
- National S’mores Day (5th) (Hey—I can get with this one!)
- Left Hander’s Day (13th)
- Stuffed Green Bell Peppers Day (28th)
There is no lack of Contemporary Christian Romance books set in most of the aforementioned months and many of their holidays. What about August? I wondered. A cursory Amazon search for books with “August” turned up nothing (based on the first five pages, I didn’t continue with the remaining 70). On Christian Book Distributors’ website, there were a few hits:
- Cody Bay Inn: August Dreams in Nantucket, by Amy Rafferty (audiobook)
- Love on a Deadline: an August Wedding Story, by Kathryn Springer
- An August Bride, by Debra Clopton
There were other titles resulting from the search, but none that were overtly August-themed.
I am personally acquainted with the British Christian author, Clare Revell, and thought I recalled a 12-book series she published, one for each month of the year. Gladioli in August is #8 in her Flowers Can be Fatal series. If you like romantic suspense with a strong faith element, check out her 80+ books.
Author Valerie Comer told me, “I have books that START in August, but most of my stories take place over a longer period of time than one month. Memories of Mist and Kiss Me Like You Mean It, Cowboy are two that fit that bill starting with back-to-school.
That’s it. Poor August! So, to add to the dearth of CCR stories set in my birth month, I’m working on a novella, Under the August Sky. 
I hope to have it available as a giveaway before the month’s end. I would love to hear your thoughts about the cover in the comments.
In all seriousness, August likely holds good memories for many of us. My mom was born on August 26. She has been gone a long time, but that day still holds deep meaning for me. There are family milestones (birthdays, anniversaries), state and county fairs, lazy days at the pool or beach, and summer romances winding down (or taking root 😊). The last days of sleeping in before school resumes, and the inevitable back-to-school shopping ritual (which, by the way, is estimated at over $600 per child in 2023). I’d love to hear from our friends around the world and those “down under” who are looking forward to spring. Do you have any significant holidays in August?
Tell me what August means to you. Any other August birthdays out there? Mine is the 9th.
Erin has been writing faith-based romance novels for almost a decade. She is published in multiple formats and is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), where she has served as a judge, category coordinator, and was a 2021 Carol Award finalist. Grounding her novels in reality, Erin crafts characters who encounter events and hardships familiar to everyone. Her inspirational writing will take the reader down paths of both joy and pain, but always highlighting God’s faithfulness.
In South Africa, August is ‘ Women’s Month’, with August 9, being a public holiday celebrating women – Women’s Day. Because of that, my husband’s birthday is always a holiday. Throughout the month, there are events celebrating women and also highlighting gender based violence.
My birthday is August 2. August is the last month of summer!!
My dad’s birthday is on the first of August! In Chile, August is the month where you go back to school after the winter break in July.
Happy early Birthday Erin! For this retired teacher and Oma (grandma), YOU are MY KIND of GAL. I love celebrating, not just the US National Holiday, but all kinds of fun days year around . As an author celebrating an August 9th birthday – August 9 is National Book Lovers’ Day. Some of my favorite August days are: 7. National Lighthouse Day (Michigan has 125 lighthouses), 15. National Relaxation Day, 16. National Tell-a-Joke Day, and 26. Women’s Equality Day. It is also Family Fun Month and National Eye Exam Month. Every year I purchase the Highlights Almanac of Fun – it has a monthly calendar with unique days and world wide celebrations. For this Oma August is special because August 30th is my oldest grandchild’s birthday. Happy August enjoy the Family FUN month. Best wishes.
I’m another August birthday! In England we have a summer Bank Holiday the last month in August so it’s a long weekend before the schools start back in September which us nice.
Thanks for the recommendation for Clare Revell, I haven’t read any of her books yet and they look great.
I like the cover for Under The August Sky, the colours are beautiful.
I’m happy to hear this, Jeannette. I never knew that my birthday was a national holiday somewhere! Wish your hubby a happy day from me.
Happy birthday tomorrow, Kathleen! You’re right–for those of us who look forward to fall and cooler weather, the last month of summer is welcomed.
Happy birthday to your dad! I guess in Chile, students may not look forward to August, but parents will :)
Thank you, Oma Renate! I might never have discovered that my birthday is National Book Lovers’ Day. There are too many to keep track of! I love lighthouses and make it a point to see them when I can. I think we can all get on board with National Relaxation Day on the 16th :)
Thank you, Ruthie. Happy birthday to you as well! I’m glad England has an August holiday. I’m happy with this cover–anything with sunset colors catches my eye. Clare has a website and a blog. I hope you’ll check them out.
There are three birthdays in August in my family, school starts back this month, and August starts the peak of hurricane season in Florida. Since I don’t have children (and if I did, they’d be out of high school by now), I’m thrilled that I’m not buying back-to-school stuff, if they expect it to cost $600 a kid! I do like the cover of your novella, it looks great!!
Hi Trudy! My oldest son last year had 3 kids in school – grades 3, 9. and 12 – not sure who has this huge Back to School shopping ritual. I don’t think our SW Michigan community children spend $600 per student. Not even sure my son spent that on all 3 kids last year. Largest ticket item would be their shoes – then headphones and the 3. grader needed a recorder, but used brothers. The kids get clothes throughout the year as needed for birthdays, Easter, Christmas. Maybe one new outfit for school, but grandkids don’t care for big name brands. They don’t get new back packs yearly. Area stores have huge sales for crayons, pencils, folders, etc. Interesting just like I read this week retirees say they need $250, 000 a year salary. Mine is 1/5 and I enjoy retired life.
Hi, first of all your book cover is Stunning!! I love it! August is a pretty nice month, Happy early Birthday to you and Happy Birthday to all who celebrate their birthdays in August. My oldest brother has a birthday on August 19, and my first grandson has a birthday on August 22, he will be 15 yrs old. I have nieces and nephews who have birthdays in August also. Well school starts in August here, actually it will start on the 14th. I like August actually I like all the months. I like August because pretty much it is the last month of the very hot days. Have a great week, I really enjoyed reading your post.
I have a few August birthdays in my family both, immediate and extended, and my brother and sister-in-law’s aniversary. So there will be some celebrating going on for sure.
I raised four children and can’t imagine spending that much per child now. I’ve never lived in a hurricane zone, but I’m sure it’s important to get prepared in August.
I’m so glad you like the cover! Enjoy your family birthday celebrations.
I’m glad you have reasons to celebrate with family. Hope you make some great memories.
Thank you, Alicia. It just occurred to me that nine months before August is November, when it’s cold in many places and people tend to stay indoors and snuggle ;) Maybe that’s the reason for so many August birthdays!
School seems to start earlier all the time. Enjoy your celebrations with family. I’m so glad you love the cover; I do too! It seems swoony to me :)
I have nothing close to $250K annually for my retirement, and I’m enjoying it just fine!
I don’t make that much now, and know I won’t in retirement, and I do just fine, too!! Maybe if you have to buy the most expensive of everything, but as my Marketing/Advertising teacher in college said about me, I’m the person advertisers hate because I don’t buy all the latest and “greatest” when they come out! I finally have a DVD player because a friend gave me her old one! lol!!
I’m right there with you, Trudy. I’m not a good target for advertisers!
I LOVE the cover of your novella!! It is gorgeous. We have so, so many birthdays in August: 4th, a great nephew; 8th, my oldest granddaughter; 9th, a niece; 10th, my daughter; 11th, an aunt (now deceased); 18th, a nephew and my youngest granddaughter; 19th, another aunt (also deceased); 20th, my husband; 21st, another niece; 28th, another nephew (also deceased); and finally on the 23rd the 53rd anniversary of good friends. I was a bridesmaid at their wedding. August is a VERY special month even without national holidays.
Happy early birthday. August is a month of anniversaries of losing love ones as well as the anniversary of the beginning of my Mom’s major health decline. I try to concentration on the beauty all around me as well as the wonderful memories that no one can take away. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Our grandson’s birthday is Aug 2nd. He’ll be 5 tomorrow!
My birthday is Aug 23rd.
And I’m going to Storyfest starting Aug 24th!! Great month!!
August 13th is my sister’s August 23rd August 26th a cousins birthday August 24th would of been my aunts birthday that my sibblings and I never meet as she died a day before her second birthday.my dad’s and August 28th my oldest niece will turn 3.august 28th 2 cousins birthday.august 30th my sibblings start school.august 31st a few cousins birthdays. My cousin’s wife is due the end of August with a baby boy.
Happy Birthday. Mine is in December. August was a great time to start getting school supplies and clothes. We loved doing this. Than when our two littles were in college times changed. Now they are out of college but I still love getting supplies for myself August is also a time of canning. I love this part
Wow, Bonnie, your family has LOTS to celebrate in August! I hope you can make some new memories.
I’m so glad you love the cover. Every time I look at it, I love it a little more :)
I have certain times that are bittersweet for me as well, Debra. I pray that you’ll feel God’s arms of comfort around you as you remember your departed loved ones.
Grandkids’ birthdays are the best, aren’t they? Hope your birthday is wonderful as well.
I’ll be at ACFW (my first time). Perhaps our paths will cross. If you see me, come say hello!
August is a busy month for your family, Kendra. Enjoy the celebrations!
I admire your ability to do canning, Lori. It must feel great during the cold winter to have fresh veggies, etc. Thanks for commenting.
Erin,
First, happy birthday! And yes, we just returned from celebrating our grandson’s bday! Far beats ours, anymore!🤣
It would be fun to meet you!
For me, August means summer holidays, beach and sun. When I was young, we had also the national holiday on 23rd of August, and it meant a big parade, followed by picnics or other eating outside and playing outside things. (It changed in 1990 to 1st of December, as being more important holiday).
It was also (and big for me) the Marine Day (all ships and sailors being celebrated, not only military ones, both river and maritime ones) , until 1990 celebrated the first Sunday of August, then on 15-th, as Saint Mary is among the patron saints of sailors and Her Dormition is the biggest holiday. It involved, in the morning, a ships parade, then sailors games (running inside bags, running with a spoon and a cooked egg, rope pulling, then climbing a greased mast in order to win a piglet, and among those fallen and swimming ducks were thrown to catch as consolation prizes). In the evening there was a concert on the seaside or riverside, ending with fireworks and the sailors retreating with torches.
That’s really cool Jeannette – it must be a newer holiday since I grew up in South Africa and don’t remember it. My 2nd book (The Counting Tree) actually starts in South Africa, too – set around the period when I lived there:) And, my daughter’s birthday is August 18, which having her in the US meant I was pregnant during the hottest months!
This is all so interesting, Marina. Thanks for sharing!