July means sunshine with watermelon slices and things cooked on the grill. There are electric bugs, bubble machines and long walks on the beach. This is the peak of the American summer. We may be in a bit of a lull before peak book season begins again in the fall, but there are still plenty of must-read nonfiction releases coming out every Tuesday.
But there are so many—where do you start?! You might start with an Appalachian memoir about rediscovering yourself after losing yourself in a church that doesn’t have your best interests in mind. Or you can join a discussion about grief and its important role in our communities. You can read the memoir of an influential fashion icon. Or maybe you could check out Memoirs of a White Mountain Apache Chef. Or if you’re a nature lover, you could spend some time with a book that explains how wildlife has adapted to living in cities.
In celebration of true stories, I’ve collected some of the most exciting non-fiction titles hitting shelves in July. You may be new to nonfiction or true stories, but whatever the case, there’s bound to be something on this list that catches your attention.
All publication dates are subject to change.
Our Knives Will Save Us: The Dispatches of a White Mountain Apache Chef By Nephi Craig (July 14)
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.
true story
Sign up for True Story to receive nonfiction news, new releases, and must-read upcoming titles.
Every Inch a Woman: My Amazing Journey from Dear Harlem to Haute Couture and Beyond By Audrey Smaltz with Elena Mitchell (July 14)
Fashion icon Audrey Smaltz has done it all: model, Wall Street broker, editor, and entrepreneur. Her eclectic resume of unique experiences gave her unique qualities that made her successful in the world of fashion. Now she’s pulling back the curtain so we can see what her childhood was like and what inspired her to strive for the best. From her childhood in Harlem to her rise to international cultural powerhouse, Smaltz’s story is unique.
Staying Together: Reimagining Community in an Age of Disconnection Edited by Samantha Paige Rosen (July 14)
When Samantha Paige Rosen moved back in with her parents at age 29, she realized that she really enjoyed living with her parents. This made him wonder what other types of community ties people have got? living together We form different types of relationships throughout our lives, whether it’s multi-generational living, established families, or mutual aid groups. The anthology includes essays by writers such as Kristen Arnett, Sarah Thankam Matthews, Kim Stanley Robinson, and Adam Witcavage.
Our wild acquaintances: how animals are adapting to cities and reshaping the natural world By Dan Verb (July 14)
When it comes to wild animals, we like to imagine them out in the open, away from humans, enjoying forests and grasslands. But wild animals live in cities too, and Dan Verb made it his mission to learn more about them. In Our wild family, The Verb tells us more about these wild animals and how they have adapted to living alongside humans in some of the most unique ways.
Lost in Curiosity: Field Notes from Scientists’ Adventures into the Unknown By Roberta Kwok (July 21)
When we imagine scientific discoveries in our minds, we often imagine a singular light bulb moment that unintentionally changed the course of science as we know it. But Roberta Kwok wants us to understand that it’s more complicated than that. Scientific advancements require years of planning, research, and often fundraising to make learning even more possible. As we learn more about these tenacious researchers, Kwok highlights the resilience and perseverance of scientists to learn more about the world, despite all odds.
All My Dead Cats and Other Losses: Practicing Good Grief in a Grief-Afraid Culture From Smith (July 28)
Why are so many people afraid to discuss grief? Smith asks this very question in his new book. All My Dead Cats and Other Losses. Sure, there’s the discussion of pet harm, but Smith wants us to examine the bigger picture. If we all experience grief, wouldn’t we all benefit from open discussion about how to overcome it?
All That Is Unseen: An Appalachian Memoir By Emily Hackney (July 28)
Emily Hackney grew up in the hills and coal fields of West Virginia. In the Appalachian Mountains, Hackney found herself immersed in Pentecostalism and became engaged to a man when she was just 19 years old. But Sam isn’t telling the truth about who he is. In All That Is UnseenHackney tells how she began to separate her life from her partner and her church, gradually finding herself again and eventually leaving Virginia to attend Harvard.
There are so many good books – I don’t know where to start! If you’re looking for even more nonfiction book recommendations, check out some of May’s best new nonfiction releases And June.
This content contains affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
