You might have noticed in my blog post of Top 10 Books for 2024 that I only covered the first half of the year. Now that we are into August and fall book release season draws closer, I’ve started to put together my list for the back half of the year. This is just a small peek at a few of the books that are making it onto my late summer/early fall reading list.
1. The Pairing by Casey McQuiston (August 6)
I have read everything Casey McQuiston has written since they published Red, White and Royal Blue back in 2019. They’re an auto-buy author for me, which is funny because I’m not really a romance person, and that’s what McQuiston is writing. Turns out that I love a romance as long as it’s hella gay. The Pairing is a second-chance romance that throws exes Kit and Theo back together when they find themselves on the same European food and wine tour. Hijinks and hook-ups ensue as they eat and sleep their way through Western Europe. If it’s anything like McQuiston’s other books, it’s going to be a lot of fun.
2. The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (August 6)
We talked a bit about this one when we read The Daughter of Doctor Moreau in Episode 150. Silvia Moreno-Garcia has become one of those authors whose books automatically make it onto our TBR piles. (You might remember we also talked about Mexican Gothic back in Episode 59.) With The Seventh Veil of Salome, Moreno-Garcia takes us to 1950s Hollywood. Two actresses are vying for the role of the princess Salome (yes, the Biblical Salome), and intertwined with their story is the tale of Salome herself. This one promises the intrigue and scandal of Hollywood’s Golden Age alongside the historical drama of Salome and Herod. Moreno-Garcia has a talent for weaving history into her original stories, so you just know it will be a good one.
3. A Sunny Place for Shady People by Mariana Enriquez (September 17)
Enriquez is another author we’ve talked about on the podcast. For our first episode of 2024, we read her short story collection The Dangers of Smoking in Bed and now she’s back with a brand new collection. First of all, it’s impossible to argue with that title. Second of all, I cannot wait for more of her weird and wonderful work. This collection sounds like it’s going to be as strange and macabre as her others, and we all know that is how I like my short stories. Bring on the ghosts and the goblins and the family whose faces are melting away!
4. Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (September 24)
New Sally Rooney. Need I say more? I don’t need to. But I will. Her latest novel is about two brothers navigating love and grief in the wake of their father’s death, but as with any Sally Rooney book, saying what it’s about will only give you the most surface glimpse into the book. What Rooney does best is character and relationships. She digs deep into all the complexities of human behaviour and emotion, and manages to paint characters so real and flawed that it’s a bit uncomfortable at times. The simplicity of her language makes it all feel effortless, and while that style may not be to everyone’s taste, there is no doubt that she is a talented writer. If you’re a Rooney-head waiting with bated breath for this one to release, tide yourself over with our episode on Conversations With Friends in the meantime.
These Upcoming Book Releases Really Have Something for Everyone
A lot of times my book lists lean heavily in one direction (spooky gothic queer horror anyone?), but I think this list of upcoming book releases has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for romance, historical fiction, weird short stories, or a literary character study, there’s a book coming out soon that you’ll probably love. Or maybe this list will inspire you to branch out into a genre or don’t normally read. Which of these is making it onto your late summer TBR?
