Welcome back, library friends. I have a treasure trove of buzzy book resources that are useful whether you’re ordering for your library’s collections, recommending books to patrons, or just looking to build your own TBR. We have the best books of July (and the year so far), rapid readalikes for buzzy books, author and genre resources, and so much more!
Let’s dive in.
Best Books of July
- July picks from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Crime Reads, Kirkus, L.A. Times, New York Times, NPR, Reactor (sci-fi, fantasy, horror, romantasy), Time, and Vulture.
- Book Riot’s best books of July, plus picks for mysteries/thrillers, romance, SFF, horror, historical fiction, nonfiction, LGBTQ+ reads, and children’s books.
- The best new comics & graphic novels in July.
- The best audiobooks of July.
Best Books of the Year + Upcoming Releases
- Book Riot’s best books of 2026 (so far): overall picks, mystery/thriller/true crime, romance, SFF, historical fiction, nonfiction, Latine books, middle grade, and YA.
- The Millions has posted their Summer 2026 preview!
- The biggest books of Fall 2026 from Barnes & Noble and Publishers Weekly.
- Books by Latine authors to preorder now.
Check Your Shelf
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New Books You May Have Missed
- 40 new books you may have missed.
- The best new summer romance novels.
- New twisty YA dark academia novels.
- 7 new queer books for Disability Pride Month.
- New Regency romance novels.
- The best new dark romance books.
Readers Advisory Resources
- An overview of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and suggestions for what to read next!
- The Odyssey offers something for just about any reader.
- Plus: which version of The Odyssey should you read?
- Where to start with Isaac Asimov.
- A beginner’s guide to dark rom-coms.
- A beginner’s guide to all things litRPG.
Rapidfire Readalikes For Buzzy Books
We love a good readalike, and we love being able to hand a book to a reader itching to pick up the latest buzzy book by a new or beloved author. Here are some recommendations for what to pass along–or pick up yourself–while waiting on the wait list.
If you’re waiting for The Missed Connection by Tia Williams, try…
Maya’s Laws of Love by Alina Khawaja
A contemporary romance novel centered around a fateful international flight and an unexpected travel partner.
If you’re waiting for Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead, try…
Florida Palms by Joe Pan
A gritty crime novel featuring two high school graduates who try to balance honest work with unexpected criminal pursuits.
(And while you’re at it, you’ll want to make sure you have extra copies of Harlem Shuffle so you can entice new readers!)
If you’re waiting for Someone Else’s Husband by Kimberly McCreight, try…
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
A gripping psychological suspense novel about a complex marriage and a jealous ex-wife that will upend all of your assumptions.
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