Looking for the latest summer reads? This July 2014 new releases calendar covers the books that are expected to be popular -- from debuts to thrillers to domestic fiction. Pick the genre that appeals to you and enjoy your summer vacation!
The City is a novel that jumps back and forth through time and is told by a talented musician. He relates that events that happened in his city starting in 1967, when he was ten. Good and evil and events "terrible and wonderful" all take place in this city, with a host of characters for readers to enjoy.
The Hundred Year House is Makkai's second novel, although she is well known for her short stories, which have been featured in The Best American Short Stories for several years. The Hundred Year House is about an old money family and their estate, which used to be an arts colony.
Vollman's first published fiction book in 10 years is a collection of "ghost stories." Adult campfire reading? These stories are about love, death and sex, and explore the ways in which memories and relationships haunt people, using supernatural stories to draw out this theme. I always like how short story collections allow for quick gratification -- I can read a story and be done or pick up the next story immediately. This might be a good choice for those looking for some literary summer reading.
Deborah Harkness made it big with her debut novel, A Discovery of Witches, which came out in 2011. Discovery of Witches was the first book in a supernatural suspense and romance trilogy. Book of Life brings that trilogy to a conclusion. If you have not read the first two books, start there. If you have, this is the book you've been waiting for.
Amy Bloom's second novel is a part family drama, part coming of age story that takes place in Ohio, California and New York during the 1940s.
When Nick Harkaway burst onto the scene in 2008, we said of his debut novel, The Gone Away World, "I’m all for zany sci-fi with a sharp wit and things like ninjas and mimes thrown in. But some readers will rightfully not want to take the time to get lost in such a kaleidoscope of ideas." That still sums up Harkaway. Tigerman is described in ways that sound both domestic and absurd. The writer who described his work as existential pulp hit it on the head. You have to decide whether that's more intriguing or frustrating for you.
Australian author Liane Moriarty excels at women's fiction. She creates stories that are funny, touching and page turners at the same time. Big Little Lies revolves around a school and a murder at a kindergarten fundraiser. It just might be her best book yet!
•'One Plus One' by Jojo Moyes - July 1
One Plus One is the sort of zany love story that is perfect for the middle of summer. A single mother has a son who is being bullied and a math whiz daughter who has the chance to compete in a major contest that the family can't afford. Enter the nerdy millionaire whose house the mom is employed to clean. He decides to help the daughter get to the competition, and the rest is romantic comedy history.
•'The City' by Dean Koontz - July 1
The City is a novel that jumps back and forth through time and is told by a talented musician. He relates that events that happened in his city starting in 1967, when he was ten. Good and evil and events "terrible and wonderful" all take place in this city, with a host of characters for readers to enjoy.
•'The Great Glass Sea' by Josh Weil - July 2
Josh Weil's second novel is a science fiction story with a focus on two brothers in a dysfunctional family. The premise of The Great Glass Sea is that the Russian government has put mirrors in space that reflect sunlight back to earth at night, creating perpetual daylight for a sub-Arctic community in Russia that contains huge greenhouses. The science fiction part of the story explores how this perpetual sunlight affects people. The domestic part of the story explores the relationship between two brothers.
•'California' by Edan Lepucki - July 8
Edan Lepucki is a staffer at Millions and published a novella, If You're Not Yet Like Me, in 2010. In her first full length novel, Lepucki combines apocalyptic literature and domestic fiction. California is the story of a married couple living in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles on their own. As they try to survive the new world, they face a new challenge -- the wife finds out she is pregnant. Is there anyone who can help them raise the baby? They must navigate their existence and decide who to trust.
•'The Girls from Corona Del Mar' by Rufi Thorpe - July 8
The Girls from Corona Del Mar is a literary debut about friendship between women and how childhood relationships evolve over time. The story is not primarily about youth or coming of age. It is told from adulthood and is primarily about the life of one of the girls, as told by her best friend. Advance praise has made this a book to watch.
•'The Hundred Year House' by Rebecca Makkai - July 10
The Hundred Year House is Makkai's second novel, although she is well known for her short stories, which have been featured in The Best American Short Stories for several years. The Hundred Year House is about an old money family and their estate, which used to be an arts colony.
•'Last Stories and Other Stories' by William T. Vollman - July 10
Vollman's first published fiction book in 10 years is a collection of "ghost stories." Adult campfire reading? These stories are about love, death and sex, and explore the ways in which memories and relationships haunt people, using supernatural stories to draw out this theme. I always like how short story collections allow for quick gratification -- I can read a story and be done or pick up the next story immediately. This might be a good choice for those looking for some literary summer reading.
•'The Book of Life' by Deborah Harkness - July 15
Deborah Harkness made it big with her debut novel, A Discovery of Witches, which came out in 2011. Discovery of Witches was the first book in a supernatural suspense and romance trilogy. Book of Life brings that trilogy to a conclusion. If you have not read the first two books, start there. If you have, this is the book you've been waiting for.
•'Lucky Us' by Amy Bloom - July 29
Amy Bloom's second novel is a part family drama, part coming of age story that takes place in Ohio, California and New York during the 1940s.
- Read a complete review of Lucky Us
- Lucky Us Book Club Questions
•'Tigerman' by Nick Harkaway - July 29
When Nick Harkaway burst onto the scene in 2008, we said of his debut novel, The Gone Away World, "I’m all for zany sci-fi with a sharp wit and things like ninjas and mimes thrown in. But some readers will rightfully not want to take the time to get lost in such a kaleidoscope of ideas." That still sums up Harkaway. Tigerman is described in ways that sound both domestic and absurd. The writer who described his work as existential pulp hit it on the head. You have to decide whether that's more intriguing or frustrating for you.
•'Big Little Lies' by Liane Moriarty
Australian author Liane Moriarty excels at women's fiction. She creates stories that are funny, touching and page turners at the same time. Big Little Lies revolves around a school and a murder at a kindergarten fundraiser. It just might be her best book yet!
- Read a complete review of Big Little Lies
- Big Little Lies Book Club Questions
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