Judy Blume- In the Unlikely Event
Blume, the author of many beloved books for children and adults, was thought to be finished writing until this novel was announced. Set in the 1950s, this novel explores a tragic period for a small New Jersey town where three commercial airplanes crash in the space of about 60 days. Instead of solely focusing on the story of this tragic event, Blume pulls the reader in with a human exploration of the ways these events affect generations and families, making it a must-read.
Milan Kundera- The Festival of Insignificance
Kundera, the world-famous author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, shocked the literary world when he announced The Festival of Insignificance. Set in Paris, this short novel is at once playful and powerful as it examines the interactions and conversations between four friends. Many are calling this novel the “fitting bookend” to Kundera’s career; if that’s the case, then it is a book you can’t afford to miss.
Vendela Vida- The Diver’s Clothes Lie Empty
In Vida’s newest novel, a woman traveling to Casablanca, Morocco for mysterious reasons is robbed almost as soon as she arrives in the country. Left with no possessions and no identification, she is asked by a producer to be a body-double for a celebrity filming in the city—and accepts. The premise sounds superficial, but The Diver’s Clothes Lie Empty is a thoughtful examination of what freedom and identity really mean.
Jonathan Galassi- Muse: a Novel
Galassi’s debut novel Muse centers around a rivalry between two Manhattan publishing houses and the ensuing war over an iconic author. Written with stunning satire and a knowledgeable hand, this is a necessary book for those who love reading and love reading about reading.
Harper Lee- Go Set a Watchman
Saving the most anticipated book for last, Go Set a Watchman is arguably the most anticipated book of the last American decade. Lee thought that Go Set A Watchman, written in the mid-50’s, had been lost, but decided to publish after the manuscript was discovered late last year. Written before To Kill A Mockingbird, the Pulitzer-Prize winning book that has become a classic, Go Set a Watchman involves many of the same, beloved characters, but is set 20 years later. The book will be available for purchase by the public on July 14.
