July falls in the middle of the year and in the middle of the summer, bringing long, hot days that can seem to stretch on forever. Whether you’re out enjoying the sun or chillin’ in the air conditioning, there are some great books coming out this month for you to read. And don’t forget to sign up for the library’s summer reading program! Get credit for every day you read and win great prizes such as free books and Nats tickets!
The following information is provided courtesy of the Arlington Public Library.
Fiction
Silver Nitrate
By Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Montserrat is a talented but overlooked sound editor who loves horror movies. When Tristán (her childhood best friend and former soap opera star) discovers that cult film director Abel Urueta lives in his building, the two set out to help Urueta finish his final film, which will also help undo a Nazi occult curse. As they dive deeper into the project, Montserrat and Tristán discover a world of horror that isn’t confined to film in this gripping and atmospheric thriller that seamlessly blends history and magic. // Available July 18. Library catalog link here.
Block Party
By Jamie Day
Memorial Day heralds the annual block party on the exclusive Alton Road cul-de-sac, but this year, someone dies. Comparing notes, three women on the block find a slew of possible perpetrators and motives as the perspective shifts from their current circumstances to a flashback of last year’s party. Comments from the users of an online community page contribute to the storytelling in this twisty, suspenseful thriller, full of juicy secrets and a sharp sense of humor about what really happens behind well-manicured lawns. // Available July 18. Library catalog link here.
The Mistress of Bhatia House
By Sujata Masey
The fourth installment of author Sujata Masey’s Perveen Mistry series finds Perveen, Bombay’s only female solicitor, taking on the case of a young servant wrongly accused of inducing her own abortion. As Perveen investigates, she uncovers corruption, fraud and a potential murder tied to a women’s hospital fundraiser. Meanwhile, she’s contending with her own secret relationship with a former civil servant, and the addition of her brother’s baby in the household. Toggling between Perveen’s personal life and the issues surrounding the case, Massey explores deep issues of sexism and class divisions in colonial India. // Available July 11. Library catalog link here.
Charming
By Jade Linwood
Every fairy tale princess gets her Prince Charming. What if they all had the same prince, and his charm was fleeting? For years, Jean-Marc Arundel has been traveling to different kingdoms, rescuing princesses, marrying them and then looting their treasuries and disappearing by dawn. But now Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Rapunzel have compared notes and are joining forces to get their revenge. Author Jade Linwood’s delightful romp offers a fresh and entertaining twist on some well-loved fairy tales. // Available July 18. Library catalog link here.
Nonfiction
Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future
By Gloria Dickie
There are only eight species of bears left in the world, and almost all are threatened with extinction. Journalist Gloria Dickie travels the world to learn more about the bears that remain and the efforts underway to save them. Weaving together ecology, history and mythology with a call to action, this is an illuminating and thought-provoking read. Library catalog link here.
Muscle: The Gripping Story of Strength and Movement
By Roy A. Meals
From historical misconceptions about human anatomy to current fitness trends, physician Roy A. Meals explains the body’s different muscle groups, how they work and how our understanding and appreciation of them has changed through time. Delving into topics ranging from animals to sports cheating, this wide-ranging read is cure to captivate fitness enthusiasts, science buffs and those who are simply curious about the human body. // Available July 25. Library catalog link here.
Private Gardens of the Potomac and Chesapeake: Washington, DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia
By Claudia Kousoulas
Tour 15 private gardens from the D.C. area to the Eastern Shore in this gorgeous book, which illustrates how well-known landscape architects have transformed everything from urban rooftops to sprawling estates into plant-filled oases. Gardeners who want to act on the inspiration in these pages will find great information on the design principles and practices used to get the most out of our local landscapes, as well as complete plant lists. // Available July 5. Library catalog link here.
The Red Hotel: Moscow 1941, the Metropol Hotel, and the Untold Story of Stalin’s Propaganda War
By Alan Philips
During World War II, journalists from the U.S., Britain, and Australia were allowed to stay at Moscow’s historic Metropol Hotel, but only if their coverage favored Stalin’s regime. Author Alan Philips, a former Moscow correspondent himself, delves into the experiences of these journalists, the censorship they faced and the complicity of efforts to suppress negative press coverage. He also draws thought-provoking parallels to current disinformation campaigns and the consequences of silence. // Available July 4. Library catalog link here.
Middle Grade
Light Comes to Shadow Mountain
By Toni Buzzeo
In 1937, more than three decades after Times Square got its first electrified billboard, electricity may finally be coming to Cora’s Appalachian community. She’s excited by the possibilities of lightbulbs to read at night, a radio to hear news of the world and a machine that will keep food cold. She hopes to rally enough of her neighbors to join the co-op, but opposition is surprisingly fierce–especially from Cora’s own mother, who fears the effect on the natural landscape. Undaunted, Cora finds a way to unite the community in this moving historical fiction novel that adds layers and nuance to historical events that are rarely covered in middle-grade fiction. // Available July 11. Library catalog link here.
Teen
The King is Dead
By Benjamin Dean
When his father dies, James becomes England’s first Black king at 17. Knowing that his country already judges him for his race and age, he keeps his sexuality secret. But when his boyfriend, Jonathan, goes missing, all of the royal secrets start appearing in the press and James doesn’t know who he can trust. The leaks are coming from inside the palace, his approval rating is plummeting, and Jonathan is still missing. Author Benjamin Dean’s social commentary will feel fresh and relevant to royal watchers, but the real thrill is in the twists and turns of this fast-paced mystery. // Available July 18. Library catalog link here.