Browns Best New Books for July 2025
1st July 2025
Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer. July! Exams are over and school holidays are nearly upon us (or have already started if you are in Scotland), Wimbledon has started and the build up to the Women’s Euros in Switzerland is well underway, we will definitely be cheering on the Lionesses whose first match against France is played on July 5th. More notable dates in July include Disability Awareness Day on July 14th and World Friendship Day on July 30th. Whether your plans for the month are enjoying sporting competitions, looking forward to or taking a holiday or finding some time to relax there are some great books for you to enjoy and we hope our picks of the best new books help if you are looking for inspiration for your next read. Check back next month for our picks of the new books August has to offer.
Adult Non-Fiction
An African History of Africa
Badawi, Zeinab
Paperback / softback
We are all originally from Africa and therefore the history of this fascinating continent is ultimately a history for us all. The phrase ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’ may be particularly fitting for African history, a subject which in the west has been dominated by narratives of colonialism and slavery or simply not been covered at all.
This fantastic book, now in paperback and shortlisted for the Nero Book Awards, covers African history from the origins of humanity (the oldest known human ancestor was found in Ethiopia), through ancient civilisations and medieval empires and onto the devastating effects of conquest and colonisation and the joy of independence. This is an ambitious book that covers the whole history of an entire continent but Zeinab Badawi has managed to create a fascinating, varied and gripping narrative which introduces readers to countless interesting ideas, events and people. Badawi visited more than 30 African countries and interviewed anthropologists, archaeologists, storytellers and historians when researching this book and the result is a brilliant introduction to a history that many of us may have very limited knowledge of. A great and highly recommended book that will inspire readers to learn more about this captivating continent and its history.
More DetailsAdult Fiction
Not Quite Dead Yet
Jackson, Holly
Hardback
Jet Mason always thinks she has time. 27 years old and the daughter of a wealthy family, she is waiting for her life to begin but figures she can always do things later. But on Halloween, Jet is attacked by an unseen assailant and left with a terrible brain injury that doctors assure her will lead to a deadly aneurysm within a week. So now Jet is determined to use those seven days to find her attacker and solve her own murder…
Holly Jackson is a hugely popular and award-winning YA author, probably best known for her brilliant A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series. Not Quite Dead Yet is her adult debut novel and features all the elements that have made her YA writing so popular. With an unusual and intriguing premise, this book sees the central protagonist try to solve the mystery of who attacked her and left her with a fatal injury. Holly Jackson’s characters are always a highlight of her writing and this book is no exception; Jet is a wonderful, authentic protagonist that readers will relate to and root for. Add a great, twisty mystery and the added pressure of a literal deadline and this is a great read that will thrill Holly Jackson’s many fans and new readers alike. An adult fiction debut from a brilliant YA author that really delivers and is the perfect gripping thriller to enjoy this summer.
More DetailsChildren’s Non-Fiction
AI for Beginners
Hall, Rose
Hardback
AI is a big topic of discussion at the moment. But what exactly is AI and what are the benefits and problems with asking computers and other machines to think like humans? What can AI already do and what might it be able to do in the future? If machines can think like people do we need to treat them like people? And what is the point of going to school and learning if computers can do it all for us?
This book attempts to look at and answer (where possible) some of the biggest questions we have about AI and its role in the future. The Usborne For Beginners books are a fantastic series that explain some complex and often heavy topics (including politics, philosophy, law and economics) with an accessible and appealing style. With lots of information laid out in an engaging way and with informative illustrations, this latest addition to the series is a great way to introduce children to the concepts of AI and examine some of the questions, both technical and philosophical, that they may have. A great new addition to a really brilliant series and a must-have for Upper KS2 and KS3 classrooms.
More DetailsChildren’s Fiction
Lottie Brooks vs The Ultra Mean Girls
Kirby, Katie
Hardback
Lottie Brooks is back! If Lottie thought things were going to be nice and normal now she couldn’t be more wrong! Her friend Amber is hanging out with the Ultra Mean Girl Gang at school and Lottie and the rest of the Queens of Eight Green must come up with a plan to win her back. Add to that Mum going back to work and expecting Lottie to help out more at home and Pot Noodle the Cockapoo sniffing all the other dog’s bums and Lottie is set for even more crazy and hilarious antics…
Katie Kirby’s Lottie Brooks books are wildly popular with readers for very good reason – they are utterly hilarious, feature relatable characters and deal with the familiar embarrassments and dilemmas of pre-teen life. Written in an accessible diary style with extremely funny illustrations this series is perfect for fans of Dork Diaries and Wimpy Kid and each new book is eagerly devoured by fans. This newest book deals with more relatable (and often cringy!) situations – friendships, mean girls and school injections (as well as seriously embarrassing pets!) and with strong messages of staying true to yourself and the importance of friends underpinning all the hilarity, this will be another huge hit with fans and new readers alike. A great series for Upper Key Stage 2 readers, in particular those who are getting ready to transition to Secondary school, and a brilliant summer read.
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