Browns Best New Books for July 2024
1st July 2024
Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer. Wimbledon! The Olympic Games! Euro 2024! A UK General Election! The start of the school holidays! July 2024 really is a packed month. You may be planning a month of watching sport, relaxing after exams, planning what to do with your school holidays (or already on holiday if you are in Scotland), wanting to escape from all the political focus of recent weeks or just hoping to enjoy some sunshine. Whatever you are hoping to do in July, there are some great new books published to keep you entertained; here are our picks for this month.
Check back next month for our picks of the new books August has to offer.
Adult Non-Fiction
Material World
Conway, Ed
Paperback / softback
Sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and lithium – these six substances are some of the most crucial in human history, having built and transformed our world. They have been a vital part of our lives for centuries and help to power and build our homes and workspaces and create life-saving medicine. However, most of us take these materials for granted and never consider the huge role they play in our lives, how they are mined and used or the massive impact on global politics they have.
This fascinating and eye-opening book traces the journeys of these raw resources, looks at the history of them and how humans have used them and explains the social and environmental impact that they have. Whilst a study of sand and other substances could be a ‘dry’ subject matter, Ed Conway’s writing is engaging and accessible and will have readers considering the huge importance these materials have had throughout history and continue to have on our modern way of life. At times sobering and even shocking this book is also hopeful for the future as we wrestle with climate change and our dependency on finite resources. An important and illuminating read.
More DetailsAdult Fiction
The Cracked Mirror
Brookmyre, Chris
Hardback
Johnny Hawke – hard bitten, LAPD homicide detective always battling for the truth no matter what his partners or captain may think. Penny Coyne – sweet little old lady who has solved multiple murders in her sleepy Perthshire community. Crime readers are familiar with both of these - very different - types of detective who often have little (other than murder!) in common but following the death of a writer and a mysterious wedding invite, the worlds of Johnny and Penny are about to collide…
Chris Brookmyre is a brilliant writer; his books are always extremely clever, very, very funny and often have completely unexpected twists and turns. The premise of this book – a classic cosy-crime detective and a crime-noir detective teaming up – is really intriguing and the relationship between the two is wonderfully portrayed. A hugely fun and clever book and one where readers should expect the unexpected.
More DetailsChildren’s Non-Fiction
Myths of China
Wang, Xiaobing
Hardback
Delve into the world of Ancient Chinese mythology and civilisation in this fantastic compendium of 20 exciting tales. These gripping stories cover famous classics and lesser-known tales as well as introducing powerful gods and mischievous creatures. Discover the beginnings of the Chinese Zodiac, learn why Chinese New Year is celebrated with lots of noise and meet Yi the Archer who shot down nine suns from the sky. Packed full of information with handy reference sections that cover the ancient Chinese people themselves, profiles of the gods, creatures and heroes of Chinese myth and even a pronunciation guide, this book is perfect for children who are interested in history and mythology.
This is the latest in DK’s beautifully illustrated Ancient Myths series which are the perfect introduction to mythologies and ancient civilisations for KS2 children. With stunning artwork, lots of factual information alongside the thrilling myths and an accessible format, Myths of China is a great addition to this brilliant series that will fascinate, captivate and inform readers.
More DetailsChildren’s Fiction
Yours From the Tower
Nicholls, Sally
Paperback / softback
It is 1896 and best friends Tirzah, Sophia and Polly have left boarding school and are leading very different lives. Tirzah is stuck in Scotland acting as an unpaid companion to her grandmother, Sophia is taking part in the glamourous London Season to try and find a rich husband and Polly is teaching in an orphanage. In a series of letters, the friends share their hopes, dreams, frustrations and dramas as they navigate their new circumstances.
This is a fabulous look at the wonders of female friendship, growing up and the lives of girls and women in Victorian society. Packed with wit and gossip, it is a heartwarming celebration of friendship as Tirzah, Sophia and Polly support each other through whatever life has in store for them. Perfect for fans of Jane Austen and Bridgerton, new in paperback and recently shortlisted for the YA Book Prize, this is a warm hug of a book that touches on some of the more serious aspects of growing up in Victorian Britain whilst being humorous and uplifting. A wonderful read from a gifted writer, highly recommended.
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