Half the year has passed, and a new quarter has started, but books? Books are fire. There are so many great releases coming out in July – from bestselling award winners to highly anticipated debuts – and it was really hard to narrow things down for each genre below. For example, I very much wanted to add Jacqueline Harpman we were forbidden after the moment I who have never known menas well as Heartstopper #6 By Alice Osman, one of the most popular graphic novel series currently being published. hustle, baby Meanwhile, by Priya Gans, Have a Good Time, While I’m Sure Rene Denfeld’s talking bone Will take me there emotionally. and then there’s middle grade maroon witches airrail by Sumaiya Beck, which has a tagline that would make me buy anything (it is described as “Kiki’s Delivery Service meeting of black panther“).
The books I included need to be added to your TBR ASAP. In them, Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead concludes his Harlem Trilogy, a highly anticipated romance takes us through Chinese mythology into the demon realm, an indigenous chef shares his personal journey, and much more.
literary story
great machine by Colson Whitehead
I don’t usually list sequels in new release round-ups because they often require reading the previous books, but any release by the two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is worth a shout. Also, according to some reviews I read great machineYou don’t actually need to read the first two books of The Harlem Trilogy. It looks at the explosion of New York City and its real estate development in the 80s, which is associated with increased homelessness. We follow Ray Carney as he tries to play it straight (he’s been named Furniture Dealer of the Month at his job), but gets pulled back into doing so just another robbery. The credit for this goes to him, because his wife was wrongly denied loan by the bank. In any case, Ray and his colleagues find themselves navigating a new New York City that is struggling to take on a shiny new external appearance, while its inner workings maintain the same levels of inequality and violence. -Erica Ezefedi
romanticism
Dominion By Jean Kwok
The first in a new series, Dominion Introduces us to Ruby, a young woman who has little to say about magic in a world where magic is the greatest currency. When she catches the eye of a powerful leader in a different dominion after she hurts one of their faction, he sends her on a brutal trial that involves some being paired with tigers and some being killed. When she emerges as the chosen one, the world changes for her overnight, and becomes even darker than she knew. -Jessica Pride
new books
Subscribe to new books! Newsletter to get weekly updates about new releases.
science fiction
not with a bang by tammy oh
It is a first-contact family drama about the Minton family, which faces many crises. The father has become a doomsday planner; A daughter, Briar, is obsessed with a UFO cult and her missing classmate; And the other daughter, Chantelle, is having terrible nightmares. And this is all before the aliens arrive on Chantelle’s wedding day and cause chaos and destruction! -Liberty Hardy
non-fiction
Our Knives Will Save Us: The Dispatches of a White Mountain Apache Chef by nephi craig
When Nephi Craig was facing felony charges at age 18, the judge gave him probation. Demand? He could either work or go to school. Craig chose school and enrolled in the culinary arts program. There, he discovered a passion for cooking and realized that European-inspired cuisine required ingredients native to America. From there, she found a lifelong love of studying indigenous cuisine and ingredients. -Centre Winchester
romance
die for me By Sharleen Obuobi
Sharleen Obuobi’s first paranormal romance continues her practice of bringing us complex black medical professionals who are solid in their professional lives but are still looking for the personal lives they deserve, but… well, this time we also have potentially supernatural creatures. Shawn is a cardiologist who is still struggling with the trauma of a past abusive relationship, and she doesn’t have time or much interest in pursuing a relationship, especially with a younger man. But when she meets Julian at a wedding, her fall becomes immediate and unstoppable. -Jessica Pride
graphic novel/manga
memories of giselle By Katia Vecchio
As she progresses into adolescence, Giselle begins to feel inferior. Maybe it’s no surprise, given her difficult family situation, but there’s something else going on, something that Gisele doesn’t really remember. She’s going to have to find out what that thing is if she really hopes to move on. -Eileen Gonzalez
Mystery, thriller, or true crime
conspiracy By Silvia Moreno-Garcia
For fans of noir, historical fiction and thugs!
It’s not easy being a swindler when your partner in crime dies, you realize that the looks you rely on will fade one day and the economy isn’t good either. This is Ulysses’ present-day problem in 1940s Mexico. He needs a big fish to catch, which he thinks he got from Perla. crisis? Perla has a niece who wants to join the con. Big problem? Perla has secrets of her own… -Jamie Canaves
Imagination
Memory Bookshop By Song Yu-jeong, translated by Shanna Tan
Magical establishments have been a hot topic in novels for the past few years, but nothing beats a magical bookstore, amirite? In this Korean bestseller, the Memory Bookshop appears for those who need it most, its shelves filled with books of their own memories. Patrons can go back three chapters of their lives to correct past mistakes…but they must spend time in their future as payment. -Liberty Hardy
historical fiction
with her child on her back By Suzette D. Harrison
Zinni’s newborn baby strapped to her back, her daughters’ hands in hers as she sets out on a two-thousand-mile journey she has no choice but to do. As a slave midwife, she saves people’s lives, even though her own life is controlled by others. But when she crosses state lines, her determination to protect her children may prove to be the spark she needs to fight for their freedom. -Rachel Brittain
horror
magnificent body By Chuck Tingle
Chuck Tingle is back with another hair-raising camp-horror novel. Thinking Beetle Juice With the thrill and bloodshed of To drive. By day, Poppy Stringer is just your average mom and aspiring fashion influencer. But since Fashion isn’t paying the bills, Poppy earns money by robbing graves at night. When rock star Eddie Michaels dies unexpectedly, Poppy is sent to retrieve the body. He hopes that capturing the remains of a strange icon will give him enough money to get out of this business forever. She didn’t expect to come back into Eddie’s life. -Emily Martin
young adult
funerals are for the living by Sami Ellis
Two words: racist cult.
Junie Daniels was a victim of a car accident a month ago. His sister died, and his mother has since been so deeply immersed in her grief that she has withdrawn from life most of the time. She is unable to plan her daughter’s funeral, so Junni decides she has to do it.
The cheapest place where Juni can find a grave for her sister is in the next town. But Williamsville has a sinister history and legacy, including that its namesake was a slave who practiced black magic. There’s only so much Jenny can worry about, since she lives in North Carolina, where such historical stories aren’t exactly rare.
But things seem strange in the cemetery. Jenny recruits her best friend Omari to help her investigate what is happening. Then, both girls are taken away. Looks like Williamsville’s legacy isn’t a rumor…nor is it over. -Kelly Jensen
Children/Middle Grade
leroy has something to say By Emily Rosenthal and Mai Phuong Thai
Leroy is a lonely ghost who keeps terrorizing families, even though he really just wants a friend. Then a new family moves into his house and he meets their daughter, Tara, who cannot speak and uses a tablet to talk. Fortunately, she is not afraid of him. Ultimately, this is a sweet story about friendship that features a disabled main character and represents different methods of communication. -Rachel Rosenberg
Other Book Riot New Release Resources:
- all booksOur weekly new book release podcast, where Liberty and a cast of co-hosts talk about that week’s eight books we read and loved.
- The New Books Newsletter, where we send you an email of the books being published this week that are trending.
- Finally, if you want the real inside scoop on new releases, you need to check out Book Riot’s New Release Index! This is where I find 90% of new releases, and you can filter by trending books, rioters’ picks, and even LGBTQ new releases!
This content contains affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
