It's truly hard to believe July is almost here. It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating New Year's. However, there is one great thing about a new month: new book releases! While there are plenty of summer reads that are coming out in July, here are the five I'm most excited to read:
1. Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell
Jessica Jones is a character I have always been fascinated by. She's one of the few superhero characters who explores the trauma they would get from that kind of life. I appreciate this book is specifically looking into her private investigation business. I also am looking forward to seeing this mystery play out: the suddenly perfect twins and the potentially otherwordly influence sounds like it'll be a supernatural thriller worth reading - with characters we already know we love.
Breaking the Dark is available for preorder through Penguin Random House and will be released on July 2nd.
2. The Night of Baba Yaga by Akira Otani
Two Women vs. the Yakuza. Specifically, two women who all of the press for this book have the vibe of Thelma and Louise. I'm all for kick-butt women, and this is giving me John Wick vibes. I am hoping for plenty of feminine rage, violence, and a crime thriller I won't be able to put down.
The Night of Baba Yaga is available for preorder through Penguin Random House and will be released on July 2nd.
3. The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee
After selling a million copies in Korea, I am so excited to see this novel translated into English so we can experience this story! The premise sets up an inspiring tale: where these dreams are sold to give people hope - especially in a world where that's hard to find. I also love magical realism as a genre - to the point I had taken a class on it in grad school - so I am excited to see how this Department Store fits into the reality of a very harsh world. I see this novel being an escape from our reality. And I can't wait to explore the aisles of this department store.
The Dallergut Dream Department Store is available for preorder through HarperCollins Publishers and will be released on July 9th.
4. The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman
I love The Magicians and I love the King Arthur legends - so when I found out Lev Grossman wrote a book about King Arthur, I immediately pushed the preorder button. I found the premise is what intrigues me the most. Between it starting two weeks after Arthur's death, and its using the Knights of the Round Table who aren't as prominent in lore, I'm expecting an interesting tale of a band of misfits saving the world. And I can't wait to go on that adventure.
The Bright Sword is available for preorder through Penguin Random House and will be released on July 16th.
5. Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus
I loved One of Us Is Lying - it's a fantastic mystery that I felt turned a ton of high school tropes on their head. So Karen M. McManus writing a book about the children of a jewel thief and a con man? I was immediately sold on the concept. Heist novels are a favorite of mine, and I am excited to see how McManus plays around with these tropes through Kat and Liam.
Such Charming Liars is available for preorder through Penguin Random House and will be released on July 30th.