Plus, yesterday was the 40th day in a row above 100º.
 
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Today’s Forecast

69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.
 

Take a look, it’s in a book 📚

Read local: Books written by authors from Austin
ATX_book woman
Book Woman is a female-owned store showcasing national reads, books by Austin women, and banned books. | Photo via @bookwomanaustin
What’s better than a good book? A good book written by your neighbor.

Whether you’re a voracious reader or just dipping your toes into locally written reads, we’ve got 21 books from authors in the Capital City to add to your list.

Fiction
  • “The Splendid Ticket” by Bill Cotter | Release date: December 6, 2022 | Set in the Hill Country, this story follows Angie after she wins the lottery, and shows how she decides to spend the money.
  • “The Husbands” by Chandler Baker | Release date: June 30, 2021 | This thriller centers around Nora Spangler, a successful attorney uncovering the secret to having it all and a mystery that is worth killing for.
  • “The Hero of This Book” by Elizabeth McCracken | Release date: October 4, 2022 | Take a journey alongside the Hero of This Book, who takes a trip to London to reflect on her late mother’s life.
For the family
  • “Just Because” by Matthew McConaughey | Release date: Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 | In this book, the acclaimed actor distills his life lessons to empower little ones.
  • “Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou” by Bethany Hegedus and Tonya Engel | Release date: Aug. 13, 2019 | Introduce children to the work of writer, activist, trolley car conductor, and mother Maya Angelou in this picture book biography.
Part of a series
  • “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” by Jacqueline Kelly | Release date: May 12, 2009 | This award-winning historical young adult fiction is part of a long series following 11-year-old Callie Vee.
  • “Destruction” by Sharon Bayliss | Release date: April 14, 2014 | The first in a four-part series follows dark wizard David Vandergraff after his secret second family goes missing.
Need more recommendations? Stop by BookPeople, BookWoman, Half Price Books, or Black Pearl Books to get expert advice from Austin’s local booksellers.
14 more local reads
Events
Thursday, Aug. 17
  • The Lorax: Who Speaks for the Trees Now? | Now-Sunday, Sept. 24 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St., Austin | $4-$13 | This collection of original Dr. Seuss sketches explores the importance of caring for our environment + runs until Sunday, Sept. 24.
  • Yin & Gin | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 6-8 p.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | $25-$30 | Enjoy yoga in the Rose Garden followed by gin tasting for a blissful summer evening.
Friday, Aug. 18
  • Collecting Black Visual Culture | Friday, Aug. 18 | 6 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave., Austin | $9-$13 | Join curator and art professional Halima Taha for an enlightening exploration of how art collectors impact the marketplace, plus tips on collecting art.
  • Friday Flicks at Waterloo Park | Friday, Aug. 18 | Moody Amphitheater, 1401 Trinity St., Austin | Free | Grab the family for a screening of “DC League of Super-Pets,” plus live music and audience contests.
Saturday, Aug. 19
  • Fred Armisen: Comedy for Musicians, But Everyone is Welcome | Saturday, Aug. 19 | 8 p.m. | Empire Control Room & Garage, 606 E. 7th St., Austin | $40 | The comedian will showcase music-themed trivia as part of this series commemorating a decade of Empire.
  • Lord Friday the 13th | Saturday, Aug. 19 | 9 p.m. | The ABGB, 1305 W. Oltorf St., Austin | $8 | See this glam rock band live alongside Grocery Bag.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Civic
Weather
  • Yesterday was the was the 40th day in a row above 100º — 13 days higher than the previous record set in 2011. Meteorologists say summer 2023 may go down as the hottest in Austin’s history. (KUT)
Opening
  • A new bookstore, cafe, and bar hybrid called First Light Books will open this Saturday, Aug. 19 at 4300 Speedway. The Hyde Park spot will have a vast cookbook collection, pastries from Texas French Bread, coffee drinks from Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors, plus St. Elmo + Hi Sign beers. (Eater Austin)
Edu
  • Amid the ongoing teacher shortage, Round Rock ISD is offering a $3,000 stipend to ~80 new hires. The district is in need of special education teachers, high school math teachers, and high school Spanish teachers. (KVUE)
Sports
  • Adidas, No Comply, and Austin FC just dropped a footwear and clothing collection inspired by ‘90s soccer kits and skater style. You can buy the pieces at both Verde Stores and online — peruse the capsule for yourself.
Announced
  • Houston-based clothing boutique Francesca’s will open a new Austin location this Friday, Aug. 18. The store, located at 11010 Domain Dr., will be twice the size of the average Francesca’s store and feature a mini version of its tween brand, Franki, inside. (Community Impact Austin)
    Ranked
    • If you attend (or attended) either the University of Texas at Austin or Texas State University, allow us to say congratulations. Both schools made The Princeton Review’s Best 389 Colleges 2024 list, so hook ‘em horns and go cats go.
    Food

    Snacks on snacks 🌮

    Top 100 Places to Eat in Texas list names 21 Austin-area restaurants
    biscuit sandwich
    The “Bird Bird Bacon” will have you oinkin’ for more. | Photo by ATXtoday team
    Yelp’s 2023 Top 100 Places to Eat in Texas list is here, and 21 Austin restaurants made the cut.

    The list is ranked using the total volume and ratings of reviews between January 1, 2021 and May 1, 2023. With that said, let’s dine in.
    We want to know from you — is your favorite restaurant on this list?
    Asked

    How many of those restaurants have you been to?
    Everyone's gotta eat
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    The Wrap
     
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    Today’s edition by:
    Figi
    From the editor
    I love listening to podcasts, but I didn’t start listening to them until about two years ago. Plus, none of my regular rotations are recorded in Austin.

    Do you listen to any Austin-based podcasts? I would love to hear your recommendations.
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