Preview of Summer 2025's Exciting Book Releases

Summer Reads to Ignite Your Imagination

If you're considering your next summer escapade, look no further than the pages of a book. Whether lounging at the beach, basking poolside, or enjoying the fresh air at your local park, any of these reads can transform your summer into something memorable. This season, over 100 titles are hitting the shelves, offering a variety of themes and insights that intrigued our team at The Millions. Some of these selections we've had the privilege to explore in advance, while others have caught our attention based on their promising authors or engaging topics. It's true that The Millions is currently taking a step back, but we're fully committed to keeping you updated with our Most Anticipated book previews. Though they may come slightly after the fact, our excitement for these upcoming releases hasn’t waned. —Sophia Stewart, Editor

July Releases to Watch

I Want to Burn This Place Down by Maris Kreizman (Ecco) Kreizman’s debut essay collection promises to channel the discontent of millennials with both humor and insight. Her command of literary criticism, combined with her personal narrative, makes this book one to anticipate. —Sophia M. Stewart Hot Girls with Balls by Benedict Nguyễn (Catapult) Nguyễn’s debut offers a daring blend of satire and romantic adventure. It follows two Asian American trans women as they devise a scheme to infiltrate a men’s professional volleyball league. —SMS Vera, or Faith by Gary Shteyngart (Random House) This latest work from Shteyngart centers on a little girl’s search for connection amidst her chaotic family life. It’s a tale of hope and love that explores the complexities of human relationships. —Eva M. Baron Long Distance by Ayşegül Savaş (Bloomsbury) Following her acclaimed novel The Anthropologists, Savaş returns with a thought-provoking collection of stories that unravel the fabric of contemporary existence through lenses of desire, loss, and intimacy. —SMS This summer’s offerings are rich with a variety of voices and perspectives. Each title presents a unique exploration of the human experience, serving up stories that may resonate deeply or provoke thought. If you're diving into any of these reads, they could illuminate your summer in unexpected ways.

My Clavicle and Other Massive Misalignments by Marta Sanz, translated by Katie King (Unnamed)

Sanz's first foray into English-language autofiction dives deep into themes of illness, mortality, and the very act of writing. This poetic exploration promises to resonate with both fans of memoirs and mystery enthusiasts alike. —SLS

Love Forms by Claire Adam (Hogarth)

This poignant narrative follows an older woman on her quest to reconnect with the daughter she placed for adoption at age 16. Adam, renowned for her earlier work, Golden Child, skillfully examines the multifaceted nature of love and its impact on our journeys. —SLS

August

Solitaria by Eliana Alves Cruz, translated by Benjamin Brooks (Astra House)

Cruz's gripping novel sheds light on the lives of a mother and daughter employed as live-in maids in Brazil's most affluent building. Their story addresses feelings of invisibility and discontent while confronting the historical backdrop of colonial violence and inequality in Brazilian society. —EMB

He Rolled Me Up Like a Grilled Squid by Yoshiharu Tsuge, translated by Ryan Holmberg (D&Q)

Acclaimed manga artist Yoshiharu Tsuge makes a return with this collection, highlighting his artistic journey during his short-lived but impactful career from 1965 to 1987. The compilation reveals the intricate balance between personal struggles and surreal narrative elements, a hallmark of his style. —NodB

People Like Us by Jason Mott (Dutton)

Mott, riding high after his National Book Award win for Hell of a Book, offers a poignant exploration of the lives of two Black writers as they navigate themes of grief, desire, and the specter of gun violence. It’s a profound look at personal and community struggles in an increasingly precarious world. —EMB

Blessings and Disasters by Alexis Okeowo (Holt)

Okeowo, a writer for the New Yorker, draws on her deep understanding of Alabama to craft a nuanced narrative exploring complex racial divides. Her approach goes beyond journalism, delving into the emotional landscapes of her home state in a way that captivates and informs. —SLS

Conclusion: More Than Just Stories

This collection of literary works charts a curious intersection: the nuanced narratives woven from identity, culture, and memory. As Beyoncé and other cultural influencers challenge traditional cowboy archetypes, Kalli's insights remind us that Black identity, nationhood, and the history of horses are far more entangled than we might presume. The fabric of American folklore is often richer when explored through different lenses, prompting a reevaluation of who gets to tell these stories and how they're received. Tom Comitta's *Patchwork* takes literary collage to an engaging new level, merging classic texts with original storytelling. It’s a creative invitation for readers to think beyond conventional narratives while offering sensory surprises along the way. The melding of various texts reflects broader conversations within literature about authorship and collective memory—an expansion that many readers may find refreshing and vital. Natalie Bakopoulos’s *Archipelago* stands out not only for its atmospheric richness but also for its sharp critique of authorship. It forces us to examine creative identity within the confines of an artistic residency. Similarly, Nicholas Boggs's exhaustive biography of James Baldwin serves as a reminder of how personal relationships can profoundly shape artistic voices. Miriam Toews’s memoir, featuring a raw reflection on loss and creativity, presents a stark but necessary exploration of the limits of memory. In a way, it resonates deeply amidst discussion around identity in Comitta’s and Kalli's works, drawing parallels between personal narrative and collective heritage. As we turn our attention to new releases like Austyn Wohlers's *Hothouse Bloom* and other contemporary narratives, we see that storytelling is not merely about the surface plot; it’s about everything that lies beneath: the struggles, the longings, and the untold histories that shape who we are. If you’re navigating these themes in your work, consider how these books provoke deeper connections with legacy, identity, and memory. The conversations inspired by these literary explorations are vital to understanding and advancing our cultural discourse. Each book here is a stepping stone towards reexamining not just the narratives we consume but the stories we choose to tell for generations to come.