Dear Book Friends,
We’ve made it around to Monday again, which means it’s time for another Book Radar. Summer is officially here, by the way, which means it’s officially time for me to retreat into my cave and read books until the weather gets normal again. I hate hot weather. Thankfully, I’ve brought my laptop into my cave with me, so I can still bring you all the book news.
Book Deals and Reveals
Paste Magazine has shared the cover of Costanza Casati’s Babylonia. This novel retells the story of Semiramis, the Assyrian Empire’s only female ruler. It’s out on January 14, 2025.
Here’s an an excerpt from The Get Off by Christa Faust, and a cover reveal! It’s out from Hard Case Crime on March 18, 2025.
And here’s the cover of Embodied Exegesis: Transfeminine Cyberpunk Futures, a new anthology edited by Ann LeBlanc. It’s out from Neon Hemlock on August 27.
Apple TV+ has shared the trailer for the upcoming limited series The Lady in the Lake, based on the Laura Lippman book of the same name. The seven-part series, starring Natalie Portman, will air on Apple TV+ starting on July 19.
Cassandra Clare shared the cover of The Ragpicker King with Entertainment Weekly. The sequel to Clare’s 2023 novel Sword Catcher will be out on March 3, 2025.
John Mulaney will narrate the upcoming audiobook Glory Days by former SNL writer Simon Rich. The audiobook will be published this July by Hachette Audio.
Here are Libro.fm’s bestselling audiobooks of all time. Which ones have you listened to?
Good news: print sales were up in May! These were the bestselling books of May 2024.
Book Riot Recommends
Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!
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Prepare Your Shelves!
Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles (Amistad Press, July 2)
Next week, this chilling gothic historical novel is hitting shelves, and while that might not seem like the perfect summer beach read, it is the perfect read if (like me) you’re more of a dark cave dweller during the hotter months. So make some space on your bookshelf right away, I say. This one is going to be a good time.
Midnight Rooms has been compared to books like Catherine House and movies like Crimson Peak, which is a whole vibe. It’s England in 1840. Orabella Mumthrope is the orphaned daughter of a white man and a Black woman. She has zero prospects and no connections, so when a strange man appears and declares his interest in marrying her, Orabella is surprised. She didn’t think she would ever get married, but with her uncle’s debts, she has to consider the offer seriously, especially because the man claims to be from a ridiculously wealthy family.
And so Orabella allows Elias Blakersby to sweep her away to his family estate, Korringhill Manor. The home is not what she expected. Everything is falling apart, and the servants seem nervous. There is some strange hidden darkness in this house. Rooms are locked up, and every corner seems to hide secrets. What’s more, Orabella starts to have vivid nightmares that begin to leak into her days, and in the morning she wakes up with strange bruises. What is real and what is imagined? And is Orabella slipping into madness?
What I’m Reading This Week
Sacrificial Animals by Kailee Pedersen
A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon
Here for the Wrong Reasons by Annabel Paulson and Lydia Wang
Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones
The Astrology House by Carinn Jade
Monday Memes
It’s Chappell Roan summer, so here are some Chappell Roan bookish memes for you. I hope you enjoy!
And Here’s A Cat Picture!
The sun is still out, and Cersei is enjoying her window again. I love how she’s got both beds stacked under her, because she is a queen. I’ve never seen a more relaxed kitty!
Well, friends, I hope you have a lovely week. I’ll catch you on Thursday. <3