I turn 67 years old this July, and I will celebrate with a family barbecue around our pool. Family time has become more precious than presents to me. I also will spend time reading by that pool this month, and there are plenty of new offerings in the historical fiction genre. Here are my picks for July 2024.

BEST COVER

The Modern Fairies by Clare Pollard (July 23)

“Why don’t they tell you it is the beautiful princess who becomes the evil queen; that they are just the same person at different points in their story?.” — book description

I love the bright blue and green of the first two covers, and the variegated greens of the last two. For most unique cover, though, I have to choose The Modern Fairies. Set in the court of Louis XIV, this novel is full of rumors, paranoia, and danger, but also intelligence and companionship.

Into the Starlight by Amanda Cabot (19th century Texas, July 16)

Murder at Cleve College by Merryn Allingham (1958 Sussex, July 24)

Her Own War by Debra Borchert (French Revolution, July 14)

The Curse of the Flores Women by Angelique Lopez and Zoe Perry (Brazil, July 1)

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston (1881 England, July 23)

 

BEST TITLE

Meet Me at Rainbow Corner by Celia Imrie (July 4)

“A beautiful book about friendship, romance and courage set against a background of war and peril. I loved it’”- Sue Cleaver

The idea of an American social club in World War II London is very interesting. This one follows the lives of Dot, Lily, and their friends. They meet while dancing at the club and are scattered by their daytime activities with the war. Pregnancy, espionage, and love replace the donuts and chewing gum at the club as each girl lives her life. Years later, they are reunited.

The Caricaturist by Norman Lock (19th century Philadelphia, July 2)

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali (1950s Tehran, July 2)

The Goddess of Weaver Street by Joy Ross Davis (1950s America, July 2)

A Song of Courage by Rachel Wesson (WWII Europe, July 4)

A Lethal Lady by Nekesa Afia (1920s Paris, July 30)

MOST ANTICIPATED

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn (July 9)

“Compulsively readable, The Briar Club will find eager readers in those who love woman-led historical fiction with rich, appealing characters.” — Booklist (starred review)

All of these are novels I’m looking forward to, but none of them had a chance against Kate Quinn’s newest one. Besides, it comes out on my birthday. How great is that? This one is set in the McCarthy era (1950s) Washington D. C. It centers on a boarding house full of interesting characters, and it is full of secrets and female friendships.

Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles (1840 England, July 2)

The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander by Denny S. Bryce (1924 New York, July 23)

Maria: a novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran (1950s America, July 30)

Salome by Joanna Courtney (Biblical era, July 11)

Daughters of Olympus by Hannah Lynn (ancient Greece, July 9)

 

See Paper Lantern Writers’ weekly round up in the Facebook group Paper Lantern Readers.

Need more books on your TBR? See more new release titles at Historical Novel Society.

 

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