The long, sunny days of midsummer are perfect for getting lost in a good book. From the beach to the metro, whether you’re reading on your vacation escape or reading to escape, there are several great books to choose from this month!
Fiction
The Intrigue by Siliva Garcia-Moreno
In 1940s Mexico, Ulises scrapes by running lonely heart schemes. Desperate for a big score, he targets 40-year-old Perla. What he didn’t count on is Perla’s niece Inés, who quickly figures out Ulises’s angle and wants in on the action. Told in alternating chapters of the three main characters, Perla’s a much more formidable opponent than the others assumed in this atmospheric noir full of morally complex characters that will appeal to fans Raymond Chandler. Available July 14. Library catalog link here.
The Dragon Has Some Complaints by John Wiswell
Garrodigh was a four-headed dragon, but one of his heads, Lefty, has died and the other three are quarreling. Upperhead thinks he’s human, Centerhead wants revenge on the humans who killed Lefty, and Bottomhead is just feral (and hungry). They can’t agree on anything, but when they sneak into a dragon-riding academy for free food and shelter, they meet Rania, who tends to their injuries. When the academy is threatened by the same invaders who killed Lefty, all three heads start to think that maybe not all humans are bad and some may be worth protecting in this witty cozy fantasy. Available July 14. Library catalog link here.
Mother of Sorrows by Jurica Pavičić translated from Croatian by Matt Robinson
When the teenage daughter of a prominent doctor and politician is found murdered, police detective Zvone is assigned the case and told to wrap it up quickly. His boss has a suspect in mind, but Zvone is convinced someone else is responsible. As he closes in on Mario, Mario’s sister and mother begin to suspect his guilt as well. Set in Split, Croatia, this psychological neo-noir blends an intimate family tragedy with a sharp examination of Croatian society. Available July 21. Library catalog link here.
Harbour of Hungry Ghosts by Eliza Chan
Kiamling and her family are yiugwai hunters, tasked with keeping Hong Kong safe from supernatural threats. But with the growing British presence due to the opium trade, British spirits are starting to meld with Cantonese ones, creating new monsters Kiamling doesn’t know how to fight. Aided by her sister, a childhood friend-turned-pirate, and a well-meaning British clerk, she must find a way to save her city. This action-packed historical fantasy is the first in a new series, full of vivid atmosphere and clashing mythologies. Available July 28. Library catalog link here.
Nonfiction
Scavenging Beauty: A Memoir in Walks by Angelica Glass
Wanting to move more and alleviate her stress, Glass decided to walk every street in California’s Santa Cruz County. She took photographs and notes of what she saw along the way, but the long walks also gave her time to think and reflect on abusive childhood. Part memoir, part nature journal, it’s a compelling and striking read and a look at the healing power of exercise, nature, and curiosity. Available July 7. Library catalog link here.
Tryhard: A Cautionary Tale of Clocking In and Spinning Out by Laura Mayer
Laura Mayer traces her rise from an ambitious child obsessed with climbing the corporate ladder to becoming Executive Producer of Podcasts at ABC News, where she helped create hit shows including Revisionist History and Happier with Gretchen Rubin. Along the way, she examines how growing up with an alcoholic mother fueled her relentless drive to succeed. Blending memoir, career advice, and humor, Mayer delivers a candid look at workaholism, burnout, and the pursuit of perfection that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to separate their identity from their job. Available July 7. Library catalog link here.
Fierce Country: The Untold Story of Three Women Who Ignited America’s Love for the Wild by Heather Hansman
Weaving biography with her own travels through the Grand Canyon, the Adirondacks, and the Colorado backcountry, Hansman paints a nuanced portrait of complex pioneers whose lives were defined less by conquest than by a deep connection to nature. Through their passion for wild places Georgie White, Anne LaBastille, and Dolores LaChapelle helped shape America’s outdoor recreation and conservation movements. An engaging blend of history, memoir, and environmental writing. Available July 14. Library catalog link here.
Up All Night: A World History of Nightlife by Imogen Willetts
From 17th century Edo’s pleasure quarter to 90s raves in Detroit, from speakeasies to Studio 54, Willets looks at three and a half centuries of nightlife around the world. Often the leading edge of both popular and counter cultures, nightlife has long offered escape and liberation, especially for marginalized groups. This immersive history shows the importance of nightlife and how it has shaped history and culture. Available July 14. Library catalog link here.
Middle Grade
Raven Rising by Christine Hartman Derr
After the death of her parents, 12-year-old Raven Miller moves to a new town with her Aunt Coral and hopes to leave her grief behind. Instead, she finds herself the target of bullies, rumors that she’s a witch, and a vice principal who seems determined to enforce unfair rules. As Raven befriends two girls with magical gifts of their own, she begins to reconnect with her love of baking and her Cherokee heritage. This heartfelt debut blends gentle fantasy with themes of grief, identity, and activism. Available July 7. Library catalog link here.
Young Adult
Corpse de Ballet by Megan Kearney
Rosamund Hammond transfers to the prestigious Saint Anselmus Academy of Dance only to discover she’s replacing a student who vanished under mysterious circumstances. As she and her roommate investigate the disappearance while rehearsing for a production of Coppélia, Rosamund becomes entangled with the school’s enigmatic headmistress and begins to question her own grip on reality. With haunting monochromatic artwork and an atmosphere steeped in dark academia, this psychological horror graphic novel will appeal to fans of Black Swan and eerie boarding school mysteries. Available July 7. Library catalog link here.
Jennie Rothschild is a collection engagement librarian for Arlington Public Library.
