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Big Books of the Week

The It Girl by Ruth Ware (Scout; LJ starred review) leads holds this week.

Other titles in demand include:

The 6:20 Man by David Baldacci (Grand Central)

The Best Is Yet to Come by Debbie Macomber (Ballantine)

Upgrade by Blake Crouch (Ballantine)

Remember Love by Mary Balogh (Berkley)

These books and others publishing the week of July 11 are listed in a downloadable spreadsheet.

July Book Picks

Book Club Picks for July include:

Read with Jenna: The Measure by Nikki Erlick (Morrow)

Reese Witherspoon: Honey and Spice by Bolu Babalola (Morrow; LJ starred review)

B&N book club: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Knopf; LJ starred review)

GMA: The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston (Berkley).

July’s Costco Connection is out featuring an interview with Ruth Ware, whose new book, The It Girl (Scout; LJ starred review), is out this week. The buyers’ pick is Rising Tiger by Brad Thor (Atria: Emily Bestler Books), and the suggested book club read is Shari Lapena’s Not a Happy Family (Penguin), which was released in paperback July 5.

The July 2022 Earphones Award Winners are posted at Audiofile.

Bustle has the most anticipated books of July.

Librarians and Booksellers Suggest

Seven LibraryReads and six Indie Next picks publish this week:

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher (Tor Nightmare)

“A retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher, Kingfisher's latest adds the creepiest of flesh to the bare-bones tale by Poe. Complete with a scary, isolated mansion and eerie behaviors of the residents, this version not only makes perfect sense within the original narrative, but adds a depth of understanding that suddenly makes all the pieces fall into place. For fans of Mexican Gothic, The Haunting of Hill House, and The Night Stranger. —Sheri Stanley, Gulfport Library, Gulfport, FL

It is also an Indie Next pick:

“Rarely do I come across horror novels with such witty and delightful characters. The dialogue made me want to sit down to tea with each person, but the creepy gothic atmosphere made me want to forgo the tea and run away screaming instead.”—Anna Hersh, Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, MN

Upgrade by Blake Crouch (Ballantine)

"In Crouch's newest sci-fi thriller Logan Ramsay works for the Gene Protection Agency and is exposed to an unknown compound. After he's released from the hospital, Logan's mind is working faster than ever before, his memory continues to improve, and he’s faster and stronger too. But who could have caused these genetic upgrades in Logan and why? For fans of The Paradox Hotel, Six Wakes, and Altered Carbon.”—Dan Brooks, Wake County Public Libraries, Raleigh, NC

It is also an Indie Next pick:

“Blake Crouch is one of my desert-island authors. I had high expectations for this book, and he absolutely smashed all of them. Upgrade is fast paced — but most importantly, brilliantly written.”—Kailey Fox, Kingfisher Bookstore, Coupeville, WA

The It Girl by Ruth Ware (Scout; LJ starred review)

"Four college friends must revisit the murder of their friend/ roommate after the convicted murderer dies claiming his innocence. Hannah, the victim’s roommate, searches to find what really happened. The multiple time periods keep a high level of suspense. There is an Agatha Christie feel with several suspects and a brilliant ending. Ware has given readers of psychological fiction a real treat!”—Cyndi Larsen, Avon Free Public Library, Avon, CT

It is also an Indie Next pick:

“This is the perfect summer read, it grabs you from the first few pages and engrosses you in its murder mystery. Problems and worries slip away as you delve deeper and deeper into the story. Isn’t that what we all need from time to time?”—BJ Hegedus, Postalworks Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers (Tordotcom; LJ starred review)

“The second volume of this series returns to a world which is both post- apocalyptic and hopepunk, focusing on the ways that both the Monk and Robot have to deal with other people now that they’ve re-entered society after their travels together. For those who enjoyed The Murderbot Diaries and the more hopeful aspects of Station Eleven.”—Monica Shin, Boston Public Library, Boston, MA

It is also an Indie Next pick:

“Just as wonderful and as tender as A Psalm for the Wild-Built. A sweet and earthy cup of tea to warm the soul. New and old characters to giggle with, cry with, and just flat out fall in love with. A book that I will return to again and again.”—Allie Bisset, Third Street Books, McMinnville, OR

A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin (Pamela Dorman Books)

“In Regency London, recently orphaned Kitty Talbot is intent on finding a wealthy husband who will settle the family’s debts and allow her sisters to remain in their home. Kitty is nuanced and layered, a well- developed heroine amid a cast of riveting characters. This enthralling novel is a must-read for Bridgerton and Jane Austen fans.—Janet Schneider, Peninsula Public Library, Lawrence, NY

Big Girl by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan (Liveright: Norton)

“For eight-year-old Malaya who must attend weekly Weight Watchers meetings with her mother, enough of anything... especially food...is never enough. This beautifully written, heart-breaking, hopeful story follows Malaya as she navigates middle and high school, her family, and her burgeoning sexuality, told with compassion and honesty. For fans of Queenie and Dominicana.”—Jennifer Winberry, Hunterdon County Library, Flemington, NJ

Bet on It by Jodie Slaughter (St. Martin’s Griffin)

“Aja meets a handsome stranger while having a panic attack. Walker’s not looking for a relationship, especially in his hometown, the source of his PTSD and anxiety. But Aja is beautiful, understands him, and kisses like a dream. The bingo hall setting, the senior characters, the body-positive and steamy sex scenes–so much to love in this fun, interracial romance. For fans of Talia Hibbert and Gail Honeyman.”—Elizabeth Gabriel, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, WI

Two additional Indie Next picks publish this week:

The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey (Knopf)

“Tragedy displaces pain after a curse born of a thousand-year-old jealousy exiles the beautiful Aycayia to a life in the sea. The Mermaid of Black Conch is a modern-day embodiment of our longing for community. Ruthless and beautiful.”—Kayleen Rohrer, InkLink Books, East Troy, WI

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield (Flatiron)

“A haunting meditation on relationships in all their messy glory. The descriptive language is beautiful and unforgettable. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while.”—David Vogel, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI

In the Media

The People "Picks" book of the week is Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark (Scribner/Marysue Rucci Books). Also getting attention are A Gracious Neighbor by Chris Cander (Little A), and The Catch by Alison Fairbrother (Random). A “Star Picks" section highlights Why Fish Don’t Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller (S. & S.), Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli: The Epic Story of the Making of The Godfather by Mark Seal (Gallery; LJ starred review), and Rabbits by Terry Miles (Del Rey: Ballantine).

The “Picks” section spotlights Apple TV’s Black Bird, based on In with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption by James Keene and Hillel Levin (St. Martin’s Griffin), Amazon’s The Terminal List, based on the book by Jack Carr, and Mr. Malcolm’s List, based on the book by Suzanne Allain. Plus, there is a feature on Andy Gibb and a preview of the new book, Arrow Through the Heart: The Biography of Andy Gibb by Matthew Hill (BearManor Media).

Reviews

NYT reviews Hollywood Ending: Harvey Weinstein and the Culture of Silence by Ken Auletta (Penguin Pr.): “Going along for the ride of Weinstein’s slow rise and fall, even with the able Auletta at one’s side, can feel even more dispiriting, like getting on one of those creaky roller coasters at a faded municipal playland.” And, Bad Thoughts: Stories by Nada Alic (Vintage): “Alic depicts contemporary womanhood with a wry, uncensored voice reminiscent of those in Miranda July’s off-kilter SoCal tales.” Also, The Great Man Theory by Teddy Wayne (Bloomsbury): “what readers will find at the conclusion of The Great Man Theory is that its author has been laughing at them and his characters the entire time. An enraging end to an almost great but ultimately crude novel.” And, Roll Red Roll: Rape, Power, and Football in the American Heartland by Nancy Schwartzman, written with Nora Zelevansky (Hachette): “The book makes an effort to stress that the Steubenville case was made up of individuals, and though we learn virtually nothing about the victim — anonymized as 'Jane Doe' — the attackers, townspeople, police officers, parents and school officials transcend archetypes to become textured, tangible individuals, all of them navigating cultural myths, conflicted loyalties and the potent pull of denial.” Plus, paired reviews of two memoirs: Why Didn't You Tell Me? by Carmen Rita Wong (Crown), and Normal Family: On Truth, Love, and How I Met My 35 Siblings by Chrysta Bilton (Little, Brown; LJ starred review): “Hovering over both books is the centuries-old question popularized by Francis Galton: Which matters more — nature or nurture?”

NPR reviews Thank You for Your Servitude: Donald Trump's Washington and the Price of Submission by Mark Leibovich (Penguin Pr.): “Thank You should not be mistaken for a 'fun read' — as This Town was often described. Leibovich's earlier work was often sharply critical and belittling, but Thank You is on another plane of warning and foreboding. There are many laughs, to be sure, but with bitter aftertaste. And the message here, the final word, is anything but fun.”

USA Today reviews Acts of Violet by Margarita Montimore (Flatiron), giving it 3 out of 4 stars: “The book's depth is revealed by what at first feels like a shallow dive into each woman's life. What the definitive story of an individual is – is hard to say. Is it what we say our story is or is it a culmination of experiences told by others?” Plus, the best-reviewed rom-coms of July.

Briefly Noted

The 2022 Arthur C. Clarke Award shortlist is announced. Tor has coverage.

NYT writes about librarians “under attack” over book bans.

Ken Auletta, Hollywood Ending: Harvey Weinstein and the Culture of Silence (Penguin Pr.), discusses his long pursuit of Harvey Weinstein with Vanity Fair.

Time talks with Blake Crouch about writing and researching his newest book, Upgrade (Ballantine), and “how he finds hope when the future looks increasingly bleak.”

USA Today has an interview with Erika L. Sánchez about her memoir, Crying in the Bathroom (Viking). 

CrimeReads has a conversation with Denise Mina about her new book, Confidence (Mulholland Books).

EW shares an update from George R. R. Martin about his forthcoming sixth book in the ‘Song of Ice and Fire’ series, and how it may diverge from GOT.

Ada Calhoun, Also a Poet: Frank O’Hara, My Father, and Me (Grove; LJ starred review), writes about the tension between biographers and literary estates in 7 books, for The Atlantic.

The Washington Post suggests 3 mysteries with vacation settings.

NYT recommends old and new books.

USA Today picks five books for the week.

CrimeReads suggests 10 books out this week.

Authors On Air

Jay Wellons talks about his memoir, All That Moves Us: A Pediatric Neurosurgeon, His Young Patients, and Their Stories of Grace and Resilience (Random), on NPR’s Fresh Air Weekend. Also, Chris Blackwell discusses his new book, The Islander: My Life in Music and Beyond, written with Paul Morley (Gallery; LJ starred review).

CBS Sunday Morning talks with Ken Auletta, Hollywood Ending: Harvey Weinstein and the Culture of Silence (Penguin Pr.), about the rise and fall of Harvey Weinstein, and shares an excerpt. Plus, Washington Post critic Ron Charles recommends summer fiction and nonfiction on “The Book Report.”

Authors speak out on the trend of reading and returning e-books on NPR's Morning Edition. 

Anthony Ryan’s ‘A Raven’s Shadow’ series will be adapted for TV as Queen of Fire. Deadline reports.

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