11 must-read YA book releases to read by the pool this July
By Lacy Baugher
It’s summer – and not just any summer, but a summer arriving after a year of hellish fear, isolation, loss, and loneliness. Where COVID restrictions are easing (at least in large parts of America), vaccination rates are rising, and it actually feels like this July we’ll have something to celebrate at our Independence Day picnics and ball games.
No, the pandemic isn’t over – and there are plenty of people who are still suffering its ill effects both physically and financially – but it’s hard not to view the return of hot days and pool weather as something that’s actually worth getting excited about this year.
Plus, you know, pool weather means books! You need something to read while you’re lounging, right?
Thankfully, there are a bunch of great titles headed our way this month that can help with that problem, from the highly anticipated conclusions to both Rainbow Rowell’s Simon Snow trilogy and Shelby Mahurin’s Serpent and Dove series, a new fantasy from the author of the hit Spin the Dawn duology, the sequel to last summer’s must-read The Princess Will Save You and the buzzy YA debut of author Lexi Ryan, whose These Hollow Vows is scorching enough to rival the summer temps outside.
There’s truly something for every kind of YA fan hitting shelves this July. Here are our picks for 11 YA releases that are worth your time this month.