Yahoo Lifestyle PEOPLE's Best Books of July 2024: Keanu Reeves and China Miéville’s Genre-Bending Novel and More
Look no further for the some new, sizzling summer reads
The dog days of summer are upon us, along with some hot new books to pack with you on your next beach trip.
From fiction to nonfiction — as well as new celebrity memoirs and biographies — here are PEOPLE's picks for the best new books to read this July.
'The Book of Elsewhere' by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville
Miéville, an author, was surprised when he learned that The Matrix actor Keanu Reeves was a fan of his work and wanted to collaborate on a book. The result is this genre-defying novel about an immortal warrior.
“It’s a contemporary novel that deals with fantasy . . . how we make sense of the world through metaphor,” Reeves told PEOPLE. “It’s got something to say in terms of love and life and grief and death and who we are and what we do, fantastical or not.”
'The Wedding People' by Alison Espach
When Phoebe checks into the posh Cornwall Inn with plans to end it all, her day of doom is derailed when everyone mistakes her for part of the raucous wedding party that’s booked the rest of the hotel. Then she meets the über-controlling bride who has planned planned everything to the most minute detail — and soon conscripts Phoebe into her service. As the two become unlikely confidants, both of their plans slowly shift. A funny, heartwarming paean to the magic of chance meetings.
'The Black Bird Oracle' by Deborah Harkness
In this soaring return to the bewitching All Souls series, the vampirewitchling twins are turning 7, and the family’s heading abroad. But when the Congregation wants to test the children for magic and a mysterious summons arrives, it upends their plans. — Lisa Geissinger
'Liars' by Sarah Manguso
Jane is a successful writer; her husband, John, is envious and undermining — and yet she stays with him. “The reality I wanted didn’t include this event,” she says after one of his transgressions, “so I stepped around it and continued on.” A searing, brilliant look at the torments of a failing marriage. — Kim Hubbard
'The Bright Sword' by Lev Grossman
The Knights of the Round Table are ragtag oddballs in this fresh retelling of the King Arthur tale. With fairies, wizards and Excalibur, it’s part history, part fantasy and all fun.
'Someone Like Us' by Dinaw Mengetsu
After Mamush’s charismatic father is found dead, he travels to America to find answers to old family secrets. A propulsive read about addiction, loss and homecoming.
'The Lucky Ones' by Zara Chowdhary
This lyrical, resonant memoir traces the survival journey of the the author's family through a 2002 religious massacre and all that follows, with glimpses of grace, laughter and forgiveness.
'It's Elementary' by Elise Bryant
Mavis, working long hours and trying to be a perfect mom, doesn’t have time for sleuthing. But when she suspects the PTA president of murdering the school principal, she’s on the case — though it might spell her end. Witty suspense that just goes to prove: Moms can do it all. — Robin Micheli
'Catalina' by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
Harvard student Catalina has a complicated senior year ahead of her. As she explores new relationships and elite circles, Catalina must also reckon with what graduation will look like for her and her undocumented family in this sharp and original coming-of-age story.
'Glory Days' by Simon Rich
In this laugh-out-loud millennial-bait story collection, an aging Super Mario “takes-a-stock” of life, a cast-off participation trophy reflects on the good days, and more.
'Slow Dance' by Rainbow Rowell
Shiloh and Cary had big dreams for after graduation, but life got in the way. When they meet again 14 years later, they must reckon with their past and reconcile the people they were with those they've become. A heartfelt, smile-inducing story.
'The Love of My Afterlife' by Kirsty Greenwood
For Delphie, the shock of dying is softened by meeting her soulmate. When she’s sent back to Earth with a mission to make him love her, hilarious hijinks ensue.
'JFK Jr: An Intimate Oral Biography' by RoseMarie Terenzio and Liz McNeil
Simon & Schuster
'JFK Jr: An Intimate Oral Biography' by RoseMarie Terenzio and Liz McNeilTwenty-five years after his tragic death, John F. Kennedy Jr. is back in the spotlight in this intimate, first-of-its-kind oral biography. Including insight from his closest friends and confidantes, this comprehensive look at his life — written by his former assistant and close friend RoseMarie Terenzio and PEOPLE editor-at-large Liz McNeil and edited by Kim Hubbard — shows a new side of the beloved figure.
'Loud' by Drew Afualo
Courtesy of AUWA Books
'Loud' by Drew AfualoIn 2020, Drew Afualo, fed up with the sexist, racist and bigoted content she saw online, took to social media to voice her concerns. Now, the rising internet star, known as the "Crusader for Women," is sharing her message of inclusivity in her debut memoir. An empowering read.
'The Briar Club' by Kate Quinn
The diverse residents of an all-women boarding house in McCarthy-era Washington, D.C., are brought together by a mysterious newcomer, but she harbors a dangerous secret that a murder threatens to reveal. Quinn evocatively balances the outward cheerfulness of the 1950s with historical observations exploring racism, misogyny, homophobia and political persecution in this sharply drawn, gripping novel. — Robin Micheli
'Long Island Compromise' by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Carl and Ruth Fletcher’s grown children have everything money can buy, but each one is a hot mess — and now the family’s fortune is in peril. Could it be a blessing in disguise? A farcical, entertaining drama about generational trauma. — Kim Hubbard
'More, Please' by Emma Specter
“For as long as I can remember, my mother has been beautiful.” It’s an arresting opening sentence, and the pages that follow — exploring societal expectations about the female body and the author’s own struggles with diet culture and binge eating — don’t disappoint. Unflinching and insightful. — Kim Hubbard
'Ladykiller' by Katherine Wood
A shared tragedy when they were teenagers forever bonds heiress Gia and bookish Abby even through their lives diverge as they get older. Decades later, the glamorous Gia invites Abby on a trip to reconnect, then disappears, leaving only an unfinished manuscript detailing the days leading up to her disappearance. A glitzy mystery with shades of Gone Girl.
'The Coin' by Yasmin Zaher
When a wealthy, eccentric Palestinian woman moves to N.Y.C., starts teaching at a middle school and gets caught up in a bag-selling scheme, she starts to slowly unravel. Watching her get embroiled in fraud and all that follows is a page-turning delight.
'All This and More' by Peng Shepherd
'All This and More' by Peng Shepherd
'All This and More' by Peng ShepherdRemember “choose your own adventure” books? This fun, participatory novel is about a TV show that enables people to change their destiny, raising questions about technology and fate.
'The God of the Woods' by Liz Moore
In 1961 the disappearance of Bear Van Laar, 8, left his wealthy family shattered. Now, 14 years later, Bear’s teenage sister has gone missing from a summer camp near the family’s Adirondack estate. Intercutting past and present, Moore keeps the suspense at a fever pitch amid nuanced portraits of the out-of-touch Van Laars, their hangers-on and the locals who both depend on and resent them. A winner. — Kim Hubbard
'Masquerade' by O.O. Sangoyomi
This brilliant debut transports you to a reimagined West Africa in the 15th century. The vibrant prose tells the story of Òdòdó, a blacksmith kidnapped by a king to become his wife. As she navigates the politics of her new life, her journey is gripping — an immersive, one-of-a-kind story. — McKenzie Jean-Philippe
'Teddy' by Emily Dunlay
Teddy has always struggled under the thumbs of her powerful Dallas family and now, her controlling husband, an American embassy employee in Rome. Then a paparazzo photo threatens to destroy her. The glamour of La Dolce Vita and the repressive sexism of the 1960s pulse through this captivating exploration of the female psyche. — Robin Micheli
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