July Book Releases

I hope you have all been enjoying some summer sun or shade (to combat summer book glare)! July is a very exciting month for me. My partner of 4 years is graduating from university, as a mature student, with a 1st class BA (Hons) in English and Creative Writing! I am so proud of all that he has achieved. Hopefully his final creative writing piece will be turning into a full-length book. I can say, obviously being completely unbiased, that it is a fantastic story and I am super desperate to be able to share it. Being totally cheesy, he is my favourite author right now… BUT onto July releases, which includes my most anticipated release of this year!

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

Published: 24th July

From the ground, we stand. From our ship, we live. By the stars, we hope.

I am desperately in love the Wayfarers series. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet and A Closed and Common Orbit are two of my favourite books of all time. Looking at the reviews from those extremely lucky people that received an ARC, book three is set to the best book yet. I am SO excited to read this book. I have had it pre-ordered since before it was officially announced. There are special end pages in the 1st edition Hardbacks that are beautiful so I definitely recommend pre-ordering your copy! Especially as you can get a signed edition for only £14.99 from Waterstones.

Record of a Spaceborn Few is set in the same universe as the first two books and has a loose connection to one of the characters. If you haven’t read the series so far then I would always recommend you read it, I love it so much, but you don’t have to have read books 1 & 2 to read book 3.

“Centuries after the last humans left Earth, the Exodus Fleet is a living relic, a place many are from but few outsiders have seen. Humanity has finally been accepted into the galactic community, but while this has opened doors for many, those who have not yet left for alien cities fear that their carefully cultivated way of life is under threat.

Tessa chose to stay home when her brother Ashby left for the stars, but has to question that decision when her position in the Fleet is threatened.

Kip, a reluctant young apprentice, itches for change but doesn’t know where to find it.

Sawyer, a lost and lonely newcomer, is just looking for a place to belong.

When a disaster rocks this already fragile community, these Exodans who still call the Fleet their home can no longer avoid the inescapable question: What is the purpose of a ship that has reached its destination?”

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Published: 12th July

Uprooted fans will be thrilled to know that Naomi Novik’s latest book is going to be with us very soon! Spinning Silver is a fairy tale-inspired novel based on Rumpelstiltskin. If you’ve spent far too much time watching Once Upon a Time then this one may be for you. Just looking at the 4.5 stars rating on Goodreads, with just under 600 reviews, it is definitely a must-read for fantasy fans this month. I have had Spinning Silver on pre-order for a while but have also been lucky enough to receive a PR copy in the last few days! It’s fantastic so far and I will be getting a full review out as soon as possible. The cover is beautiful!

“Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her father’s too kind-hearted to collect his debts. They face poverty, until Miryem hardens her own heart and takes up his work in their village.

Her success creates rumours she can turn silver into gold, which attract the fairy king of winter himself. He sets her an impossible challenge – and if she fails, she’ll die. Yet if she triumphs, it may mean a fate worse than death. And in her desperate efforts to succeed, Miryem unwittingly spins a web which draws in the unhappy daughter of a lord.

Irina’s father schemes to wed her to the tsar – he will pay any price to achieve this goal. However, the dashing tsar is not what he seems. And the secret he hides threatens to consume the lands of mortals and winter alike. Torn between deadly choices, Miryem and Irina embark on a quest that will take them to the limits of sacrifice, power and love.”

Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

Published: 31st July

At the end of July, we have another re-telling of The Little Mermaid to look forward to. I have been hearing about this book for such a long time that I had to add it to my reading list. The twist to the retelling is that it is told from the viewpoint of the Sea Witch from when she was 12 years old, which sounds pretty cool. I have high hopes for this novel and, fingers-crossed, it doesn’t fall into the trap of using the same old tropes.

“Evie has been wracked with guilt ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned. So when a girl appears on shore with an uncanny resemblance to Anna, Evie befriends her in an effort to make amends. And as the two girls catch the eyes – and hearts – of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at happy ever after. But is Evie’s new friend really who she says she is?

A gripping story of friendship, betrayal and the power of hope…”

What are your reading plans this month?