Most Anticipated Books, Vol. 2: Summer/Fall 2024

Jul 3

Jul 3 Most Anticipated Books, Vol. 2: Summer/Fall 2024

In the world of bookselling, one must stay ahead of the game. At Books Are Magic, we’re always reading books ahead of their release dates, much to the envy of our reader friends and family. We have to know what’s hot, so that you, reader, will know what’s hot. So, after much researching and deliberation, here are the books to look out for in second half of the year.

More, Please by Emma Specter (July 9)

This is a deeply researched, intertextual piece of nonfiction from Vogue culture writer, Emma Specter. In More, Please we follow Specter as she traces her history–a years-long struggle with disordered eating, bingeing, and her journey into fat, queer acceptance. I want to give this to everyone.

— Aatia

Long Island Compromise, Taffy Brodesser-Akner (July 9)

This novel starts with a kidnapping and gets crazier from there. Taffy dissects these rich people on Long Island with surgical precision, drawing this family in such rich detail you forget they’re not yours.

– Emma

The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons (July 9)

The Sky on Fire is everything you love about a series as epic as Game of Thrones or Dragonriders of Pern all in one perfectly executed and thrilling novel. There are dragons of every size, color, and terrifying power, along with an Ocean's Eleven-style crew of thieves and misfits who are planning the heist of a lifetime. There's so much to love about this book -- it's filled with drama, intrigue, sexy glances, captivating duels, magic, and even some laughs. More than that, it will have you thinking deeply about the effort required of a power few to cultivate a fair and balanced society. It explores themes around building a community that cares for those without innate or obvious power and forces readers to ponder an important question: Is our survival rooted in the understanding that we really do need each other?

— Katelyn

The Coin by Yasmin Zaher (July 9)

This bewilderingly funny and surreal novel had me hooked from the start! Zaher has created something truly exceptional—a grimy, gritty story of wealth, obsession, and beauty, that deftly explores issues of class consciousness, Palestinian personhood, and global violence. Told through an enticing narrative voice with deliciously vivid descriptions, this is a book I’ll be talking about for the rest of the year!

— Amali

The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington (July 30)

I freaking love this book. I’m saying it now, this is the book of the summer! It is such a love letter to Brooklyn and felt extra special to me because it was dripping with classic horror movie tropes(including one of my fav’s the Scream franchise). Being a horror movie and book lover, this book is what dreams are made of and I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on this!!

Being born and raised in Brooklyn, all the references to neighborhoods were chefs kiss and I found myself highlighting so many great moments. Not only do you get a perfectly executed supernatural horror book but this tackles social class, gentrification, micro aggressions and so much more. This gaggle of friends felt so familiar and you’ll catch yourself connecting to each one! This book is horror, slasher, supernatural, and queer all wrapped up in Brooklyn.

— Tiffany

Don’t miss our author event with Joelle Wellington, July 30th. RSVP!

The Horse: A Novel by Willy Vlautin (July 30)

I have loved every book that Willy has written. Each and every book Willy fills with the most amazing characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. When I tell you Willy has outdone himself with Al Ward it is the biggest understatement that I can make. This is a heartbreaking, heartwarming, story of the life of Al who late in a storied life is visited by a blind horse. Then Al’s life unfolds for us. I want to always be reading Willy Vlautin but I especially want to always be reading The Horse.

— Nick

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell (July 30)

I sobbed throughout this novel, truly from start to finish. I love when Rainbow writes for grown-ups, about grown-ups. It’s a woozily romantic story of old friends, who could have been something more. Were they? Are they? If you’re not made of stone, you will sob. In a good way.

– Emma

There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven by Ruben Reyes Jr. (August 6)

Just a bunch of surreal, funky, touching, and fun short stories! As a short story lover I grabbed this quickly and cannot wait for it to come out. Also, the cover! Need I say more?

— Jules

Colored Television by Danzy Senna (August 6)

This riveting, explosively funny examination of artist identity while parenting, race and the shallowness of Hollywood is the perfect book to gobble up anywhere. You won't be able to put it down.

— Mike

Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (September 9)

A hilarious, page-turning spy novel from the great Rachel Kushner is exactly the surprise I needed this year. This fast moving tale tracks "Sadie", an American spy infiltrating a mysterious cult-like group in France. Told in quick chapters, you'll fly through this electric novel written by one of our finest living writers.

— Mike

The Singer Sisters by Sarah Seltzer (August 6)

I love a book that investigates the relationship between women, and Seltzer does just that in such a fun and messy way. We're mostly focused on Judie, a 60s folk singer who left the spotlight, and her daughter, Emma, who is now a rising star in the 90s alternative scene. But it's not just a look at mothers and daughters, it's also digging deep into sisters, lovers, and friends. Such a fun and engaging debut!

— Katelyn

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison (September 10)

This edgy vampire novel not only has some wicked cool vampires and some awesome gore but explores transitioning into another phase of your life. How we age and are sometimes too comfortable to make necessary changes. This book made me cry on more than one occasion because it’s simply too spot on with letting go of fear of the unknown for the possibility of something greater. This book also explores the depth of fierce friendship and is quite frankly, easily one of my favorite reads of the year!

— Tiffany

Adam and Evie’s Matchmaking Tour by Nora Ngyuen (September 24)

I love vacation and I love romance, so my favorite types of books are ones where these two things are combined. This book is about Evie and Adam, two people who are definitely going through it, going on a matchmaking tour through Vietnam. It sounds like such a fun, romantic adventure in a place I’ve never been. I’m super excited!

— Camryn

A Muzzle For Witches by Dubravka Ugrešić (September 24)

Dubravka’s last work is a conversation with the Yugoslavian literary critic Merima Omeragić. But it is much more than that. Though a short book, it covers so much: war, "Women and the Male Perspective," "The Culture of (Self)Harm," and "The Melancholy of Vanishing." It is so deeply thoughtful and mind blowing. She was truly a genius and is sorely missed.

The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister (October 1)

Chronister’s debut, Desert Creatures, was a lush and spooky tale about a young girl making her way through the haunted Sonora Desert. Her follow-up relocates us to Appalachia – how much spookier and lush can you get? I’m thrilled for her blend of literary fiction and light horror that is just the perfect amount of unsettling for a wimp like me. For fans of Monstrilio and Shirley Jackson.

— Bex

Salvage: Readings from the Wreck by Dionne Brand (October 1)

Brand is an irrefutable icon, inspiration, genius, legend, and one of the many gendered mothers of my heart. Her newest book, which is about books, promises to be yet another magnum opus-worthy feat of this unparalleled star.

— Bex

Ottolenghi: Comfort by Yotam Ottolenghi, Helen Goh (October 8)

Ottolenghi—you know him, you love him. Every time Yotam Ottolenghi comes out with a cookbook, I breathe a sigh of relief. Our kitchens are saved!

— Aatia

Still Life With Remorse by Maira Kalman (October 15)

There’s something about Maira Kalman’s delicate artwork and intimate writing that never fails to make me burst into tears, and this newest collection is full to the brim with vulnerability, history, and the universal truths hidden within generational stories. I can’t wait to read this again and again and again.

— Amali

Didion & Babitz by Lili Anolik (November 12)

“When two queens link up to discuss their joint slay.”

Well, sort of. Apparently the relationship between literary superstars Eve Babitz and Joan Didion was much more contentious. Think Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. I can’t wait.

— Aatia

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent (November 19)

The first duology had me glued to every. single. page. If you loved Vampire Academy this series is PERFECT for you. There's romance, action, vampires, dark magic, and politics. I hope you have a glass of milk ready cause these books have a spicy kick to them. Carissa Broadbent will have you on the edge of your seat, daring you to quit your job and cut off all your friends and family JUST so that you can get back to reading. You don't want to miss this!

— Arianna