June’s Most-Anticipated Books

A collage of the covers included in this article

Look no further for your next read. The amount of great new books hitting shelves each month can be overwhelming but we’ve rounded up ten of the buzziest books coming out this June—no matter what genre you’re interested in. Have you read any of these new releases? If not, you’ll want them on your TBR!

Filthy Animals by Brandon Taylor

Brandon Taylor’s follow-up to his Booker Prize finalist Real Life is a collection of eleven linked stories. In “Pot Luck,” mathematician Lionel is drawn to a dancer named Charles at a dinner party. In “Flesh,” Charles shows up for his dance class the following morning to meet his partner, Sophie. With most of the tales taking place within the same 24-hours in Madison, Wisconsin, Taylor is able to explore the complexities of new and old relationships, the changing dynamics of friendships, and more.

Survive the Night by Riley Sager

The best way to cool down during the hot summer months? Thrills and chills! Riley Sager is delivering both in his new novel set in 1991. Charlie Jordan and Josh Baxter met through their campus’ ride board. But as they make the long drive to Ohio, Charlie begins to worry that she’s trapped in a car with the infamous Campus Killer.

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

A new novel from beloved YA author Nicola Yoon? Music to our ears! After the divorce of her parents causes her to give up on love, Evie Thomas starts having visions of how couples’ relationships will end when she sees them kiss. When she finds herself getting swept up by X, her new dance partner, she starts to wonder what makes taking a risk on love worthwhile.

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

Is that the summer sun or is Katee Robert’s Neon Gods heating things up in here? The first in the Dark Olympus series, Neon Gods is a modern Hades and Persephone retelling. Persephone Dimitriou will do anything to escape her engagement to Zeus, even make a bargain with Hades. When Persephone comes to him, Hades recognizes it as the perfect opportunity to finally get revenge against Zeus. But what starts as a simple agreement soon becomes more complicated than either could ever imagine.

The Tangleroot Palace by Marjorie Liu

Fans of Marjorie Liu’s comics and new readers alike are sure to be enchanted by this collection of six short stories and a novella. The stories touch on a variety of genres (everything from westerns to fairytales) but the connecting thread is the strong women at the heart of each story fighting for freedom and agency.

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

Author Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray teamed up to tell the story of Belle da Costa Greene, J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian. Belle is hired to curate the collection at the Pierpont Morgan Library. She carefully hand-selects which manuscripts, books, and artwork the library will display and soon is widely admired in New York society. But Belle keeps the world at a distance, afraid that if it’s revealed that she’s passing as white, she may lose the job that’s providing necessary financial support for her family.

Runner by Tracy Clark

Tracy Clark returns this month with the fourth installment in the Chicago Mystery series. Private investigator Cass Raines is searching Chicago for Ramona Titus, a 15-year-old who ran away from her foster home. Both Ramona’s foster mother and biological mother are doing what they can to help Cass. But as she begins to piece together a picture of Ramona’s life, Cass realizes that Ramona is hiding secrets that could get her killed.

Satisfaction Guaranteed by Karelia Stetz-Waters

Cade Elgin’s trip to Portland takes an unexpected turn when she inherits her late aunt’s failing sex toy shop. With the help of her new business partner, the infuriating and attractive Selena Mathis, Cade hopes to save the store from foreclosure before heading back to her life in New York City. As they put their heads together to figure out how to help Share the Love, sparks fly between Cade and Selena.

Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury

Young adult fans won’t want to miss out on this urban fantasy debut. Every witch must pass their Calling to come into their powers, but when Voya fails she’s given a second chance at a steep price: kill her first love. If she can’t complete the task, every witch in her family will lose their magic. There isn’t anything Voya wouldn’t do for her family, and the only thing standing between her and completing the Calling is the fact that she’s never been in love. Enter Luc.

For the Wolf by Hannah F. Whitten

Hannah F. Whitten’s debut novel blends “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Beauty and the Beast,” making it perfect for readers craving a fairytale-inspired fantasy. According to legend, the path to restoring the Five Kings to power requires the sacrifice of the second daughter of Valleyda’s queen. On her 20th birthday, Red enters the Wilderwood, prepared to accept her fate and shocked to discover that the legends were lies.

Kelly Gallucci

Kelly Gallucci is the Executive Editor of We Are Bookish, where she oversees the editorial content, offers book recommendations, and interviews authors and NetGalley members. When she's not working, Kelly can be found color coordinating her bookshelves, eating Chipotle, and watching way too many baking shows.

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