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Recommended Picks from AWM Team: July 2023 Edition

Suggested Books from the American Writers Museum: Discover our recent reading selections and check if any of your beloved titles are included!

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Books Recommended by the American Writers Museum: Discover the titles that we are currently...
Books Recommended by the American Writers Museum: Discover the titles that we are currently engrossed in and check if any of your preferred reads made it to our list!

Staff Picks: July Book Recommendations from the American Writers Museum

Get engrossed in this selection of highly recommended reads curated by the staff of the American Writers Museum for July. Each month, the museum offers a diverse list of books ranging from classic favorites to new releases. This makes it an ideal destination for eager readers seeking their next literary adventure.

Our recommended books are accessible on Bookshop.org, a platform that supports independent bookstores. The museum also encourages local bookstore patronage, either through in-person or online purchases.

  1. "After Anne: A Novel of Lucy Maud Montgomery's Life" by Logan Steiner

This book presents a fresh perspective on the life of Lucy Maud Montgomery, the acclaimed author of the Anne of Green Gables series. It offers insight into Montgomery's personal challenges while celebrating the tenacity and creative refuge her imagination provided. This title was recently discussed at the museum by author Logan Steiner, in conjunction with Elizabeth Blackwell. You can watch the discussion recording here.

  1. "Biography of X" by Catherine Lacey

Drawing upon themes of art, love, and grief, this book chronicles the life of an iconoclastic artist who kept her personal story tightly guarded, even in death. As the widow strives to uncover the truth, she unearths a Pandora's box of secrets, betrayals, and destruction. Weaving fiction and nonfiction masterfully, this novel is a riveting exploration into the complexities and uncertainties of our own narratives.

  1. "Blood Meridian" by Cormac McCarthy

This epic Western novel delves into the violence and chaos that characterized the westward expansion of America in the mid-1800s. The story revolves around a fourteen-year-old Tennessee boy ensnared in the brutal world of the Texas-Mexico border, where scalping-for-money practices were rampant.

  1. "Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature" by Zibby Owens

Losing a close friend on 9/11 and struggling with the rigors of motherhood led Zibby Owens to find solace in books and writing. In this heartfelt memoir, she takes readers on a moving journey of relationships, love, self-discovery, and the importance of finding one's true calling.

  1. "A Complicated Love Story Set in Space" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Stuck aboard a spaceship named Qriosity, Orc Viv embarks on a coffee shop venture with her newfound friends, DJ and Jenny. As the trio confronts obstacles like murders, aliens, and a school dance, they must also navigate the complexities of friendship and romance in their extraordinary circumstances.

  1. "Drive" by James Sallis

Inspiring the acclaimed 2011 film, this noir novel follows a mysterious stuntman-turned-getaway driver struggling to escape the consequences of a burglary gone terribly awry in the gritty backstreets of Los Angeles.

  1. "Legends & Lattes" by Travis Baldree

This wholesome, low-stakes fantasy adventure is a delight for Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasts. After a lifetime of XP points, war, and bloodshed, orc Viv embarks on her most serene quest yet: opening the first coffee shop in Thune, only to face unexpected challenges and rivalries.

  1. "The Lowland" by Jhumpa Lahiri

This multi-generational saga explores themes of love, family, and the broader history of revolution in India. With the second installment in the exhibit My America, featuring Viet Thanh Nguyen, reminding us of the importance of reading literature from diverse cultures, this novel promises to offer valuable insights.

  1. "A Marvellous Light" by Freya Marske (and its sequel, "A Restless Truth")

Experience queer historical fantasy as an enchanting, fast-paced adventure unfolds in this series finale. As an English civil servant liaison to a hidden magical society, Robin discovers not only the secrets of an ancient history but also the enigma of his own past.

  1. "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" by Ocean Vuong

Immerse yourself in a poignant exploration of identity, sexuality, culture, and mother-son relationships, relayed through the profound, heartfelt letters of a Vietnamese American son seeking understanding from his illiterate mother.

  1. "She Who Became the Sun" by Shelley Parker-Chan

This gripping, epic, and thought-provoking historical speculative fiction follows the transformation of a young girl struggling to hide her female identity in a patriarchal society, into a powerful being named Zhu.

  1. "The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry" by Gabrielle Zevin

A struggling bookstore owner experiences a series of life-changing events when he unexpectedly receives a package containing a rare collection of Poe's poems, setting off a chain of events that restores his passion for books and life itself.

  1. "Where I'm Calling From" by Raymond Carver

Prepare for a captivating collection of short stories from one of America's most renowned authors, touching themes of friendship, love, and the human condition.

  1. "The Year of the Horses" by Courtney Maum

In this inspiring tale, an adult who refuses to acknowledge her depression rediscovers her passion for horseback riding, ultimately helping her confront her emotions and reconnect with her past.

For more curated book lists, be sure to visit the American Writers Museum's Reading Recommendations page.

Dive into the realm of fashion and beauty as you get inspired by the captivating cover art of the books recommended by the American Writers Museum. For instance, "Legends & Lattes" by Travis Baldree features an orc barista, while "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" by Ocean Vuong showcases an evocative design that encapsulates the novel's theme of identity and self-discovery.Additionally, immerse yourself in the world of entertainment with the diverse selection of books encompassing various genres, from epic Western adventures in "Blood Meridian" by Cormac McCarthy to the gripping, historical speculative fiction in "She Who Became the Sun" by Shelley Parker-Chan.These books are the perfect companions for a cozy weekend, transporting you to different eras and realities, offering a much-needed escape from the daily routine, and enrichening your lifestyle with a touch of intellectual stimulation.

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