Stellar Books that Published in July

July was another big month for great books, and I want to mention five that are truly entertaining. While I highlight the month’s best books for my Buzz Reads column, I find it much harder to narrow down some months like this one when so many fabulous titles are publishing. So this week as July ended, I am covering some of my favorites from the month.

These are the five books that I have read and recommend:

The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood (July 2) - A recently deceased woman meets “the one” in the afterlife waiting room, scoring a second chance at life (and love!) if she can find him on Earth before 10 days are up. The premise and implementation of this one are so entertaining as is the London setting, and the shoutouts to other romance authors and novels added to my enjoyment. For fans of stories with a little magical realism and a clever plot.

The Family Experiment by John Marrs (July 9th) - The Family Experiment is a reality TV competition where the public weighs in on contestants who agree to raise a virtual child in the hope of winning enough money to raise and support a real baby. Marrs’ use of short chapters that frequently end with cliff hangers propels the story along, and his premise feels all too real. He also addresses society’s obsession with reality TV. For fans of technology-based stories as well as unique plot lines.

All This & More by Peng Shepherd (July 9, 2024) - This inventive novel is about a woman who wins the chance to rewrite every mistake she’s ever made. But there’s a twist: The reader gets to decide what she does next to change her fate. I loved Choose Your Adventure books as a child, and this ode to them is so well done. Shepherd’s exploration of regret and looking backward with rose-colored glasses is a delight. For fans of choose your-own-adventure stories and reality TV as well as The Midnight Library.

The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu (July 23) - This adult debut is an ode to educators, a timely glimpse at today’s pressing school issues, and a tender character study, following a sprawling cast of teachers, administrators, and staff at a Texas high school. I really enjoyed the format of The Faculty Lounge; each chapter is told from the point of view of someone working at the school. It was a delight to see how their lives connected as the story unfolds. For readers who like stories infused with humor and heart as well as those who like current events. (Read a Q&A with the author here.)

The Wedding People by Alison Espach (July 30) - Phoebe Stone shows up at a hotel and mistakenly gets swept up into wedding festivities right when she is at her lowest. This book is so engaging, heartwarming, and hilarious. I loved everything about it - the characters, the plot, the intergenerational friendship, and the book’s resolution. For fans of well-written books with a lot of humor and heart.

For more book recommendations and bookish thoughts, see Cindy’s monthly Buzz Reads column, her Thoughts from a Page Podcast or follow @ThoughtsFromaPage on Instagram. Find upcoming Conversations from a Page events here.