Even if the summer heat keeps you from escaping to cooler destinations, you can still find solace in a good book. This July, a captivating selection of new releases awaits, featuring works from Kevin Barry, Lev Grossman, and Laura van den Berg, among others.
For those fascinated by the mysteries of the ocean, shark scientist Jasmin Graham’s debut memoir dives into her groundbreaking work with these misunderstood creatures. Meanwhile, Ayşegül Savaş’ latest novel explores the trials of a couple searching for a new home. And beauty writer Sable Yong offers a thought-provoking essay collection on vanity in contemporary culture.
Here are 12 new books to add to your reading list this July.
1. The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan (July 2)
A decade ago, best-selling author J. Courtney Sullivan became captivated by a purple Victorian mansion she discovered on a Maine vacation. Now, this unique home is the centerpiece of her haunting new novel, The Cliffs. After experiencing personal loss, archivist Jane Flanagan returns to her coastal Maine hometown to find the gothic house, once abandoned, has a new owner. Genevieve, a wealthy outsider, has renovated the home, awakening something sinister. Together, Jane and Genevieve must confront the house’s spirits and their own pasts in this provocative ghost story.
2. The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry (July 9)
The Heart in Winter, Kevin Barry’s first novel set in America, unfolds in 1891 Butte, Montana. A reckless poet, Tom Rourke, falls for Polly Gillespie, the devout wife of the local copper mine captain. The two lovers steal a horse and head towards San Francisco, pursued by a posse hired by Polly’s husband. This rip-roaring love story explores the choices they must make to survive.
3. State of Paradise by Laura van den Berg (July 9)
In State of Paradise, a ghostwriter heads to Florida during a pandemic to care for her aging mother. There, she finds her sister struggling with their father’s death, fixated on a virtual reality headset that connects her with the deceased. When her sister goes missing along with other Floridians, the protagonist investigates the tech company behind the headsets, leading to a gripping tale of letting go.
4. The Anthropologists by Ayşegül Savaş (July 9)
Ayşegül Savaş’ The Anthropologists follows Asya and Manu, a couple searching for a permanent home in a foreign city. As they navigate real estate listings, they grapple with societal expectations of adulthood. The novel, inspired by Savaş’ short story “Future Selves,” delves into their quest for a meaningful life.
5. Die Hot With a Vengeance by Sable Yong (July 9)
Sable Yong’s debut essay collection, Die Hot With a Vengeance, examines vanity in a beauty-obsessed culture. The former Allure editor discusses social media’s beauty standards, wellness trends, and her own complex relationship with self-image. With humor and honesty, Yong argues that beauty should be a means of self-expression, not self-hate.
6. The Lucky Ones by Zara Chowdhary (July 16)
Zara Chowdhary’s debut memoir, The Lucky Ones, chronicles her survival through decades of anti-Muslim violence in India. As a teenager, Chowdhary witnessed communal riots that divided Hindu and Muslim communities. Her account traces the ongoing political, economic, and social repercussions of the violence.
7. Sharks Don’t Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist by Jasmin Graham (July 16)
In Sharks Don’t Sink, Jasmin Graham compares her journey to the resilient sharks she studies. Despite challenges in the male-dominated field of marine biology, Graham’s memoir shares her experiences growing up, her academic struggles, and founding Minorities in Shark Sciences. She advocates for the protection of these misunderstood creatures.
8. The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman (July 16)
Lev Grossman’s The Bright Sword offers a new take on the King Arthur legend. Young knight Collum arrives in Camelot too late to join the Round Table, but joins a group of misfit knights to reclaim Excalibur and reunite the kingdom. This medieval epic is filled with adventure and intrigue.
9. Liars by Sarah Manguso (July 23)
In Sarah Manguso’s second novel, Liars, Jane, a writer, navigates her marriage to John, a visual artist. As Jane’s career flourishes, John’s ego threatens their relationship. Manguso’s protagonist makes poignant observations about marriage and identity as she examines her life.
10. Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio (July 23)
Karla Cornejo Villavicencio’s debut novel, Catalina, follows an undocumented Ecuadorian immigrant on the verge of graduating from Harvard. Faced with bleak prospects due to her immigration status, Catalina navigates personal and academic challenges, providing a sharp, semi-autobiographical narrative.
11. Someone Like Us by Dinaw Mengestu (July 30)
Dinaw Mengestu’s Someone Like Us explores love, loss, and belonging. War journalist Mamush returns to his Ethiopian community in Washington, D.C., after his marriage falters and discovers a family secret while tracing his father figure Samuel’s immigration journey.
12. They Dream in Gold by Mai Sennaar (July 30)
Mai Sennaar’s debut novel, They Dream in Gold, tells a tender romance spanning decades. In 1968 New York, Bonnie and Mansour bond over his music, blending Senegalese gospel and American jazz. When Mansour goes missing, a pregnant Bonnie, with his family’s help, seeks answers. Sennaar’s story highlights motherhood, the African diaspora, and the resilience of Black women.
Happy reading!
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