Next Up: Upcoming Travel Releases

As summer unfolds, there's no better time to immerse yourself in the world of travel literature. Whether you're lounging on a beach or planning your next adventure, our July Travel genre of the month brings you an exciting lineup of upcoming book releases that will transport you to new destinations. From thrilling fiction that takes you on unforgettable journeys to insightful nonfiction that offers deeper understandings of our world, these books promise to inspire and captivate. Here's a sneak peek at some of the most anticipated travel books hitting the shelves later this year.

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On The Horizon

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston Release Date: August 6, 2024 Theo and Kit, once childhood best friends turned lovers turned estranged exes, find themselves reunited on a European food and wine tour after a brutal breakup during their dream trip years ago. Time apart has transformed them: Theo is now a confident bartender and aspiring sommelier, while Kit excels as a pastry chef in Paris. Despite their determination to move on, they discover they've independently booked the same tour, leading to a competitive game of seduction with their Italian tour guide and beyond. However, amidst stunning scenery and culinary delights, old feelings resurface, reminding them that some desires never truly fade.

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The Cheesemaker's Daughter by Kristin Vuković Release Date: August 6, 2024 Marina Maržić returns to her Croatian island home amidst a failing marriage, seeking solace and purpose at her father's struggling cheese factory, Sirana. As she grapples with her dual Croatian-American identity and confronts past traumas from her refugee experiences, Marina becomes deeply involved in the life of Sirana and the island community. Tensions escalate when her history with the son of a rival cheesemaker threatens to disrupt the fragile peace on Pag. Against the backdrop of Croatia's impending EU membership, the novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and reconciliation with personal and historical legacies.

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The Volcano Daughters by Gina María Balibrera Release Date: August 20, 2024 In 1923 El Salvador, Graciela grows up among indigenous women on a volcano, indentured to wealthy coffee plantations. At nine, she's chosen to be an oracle for a ruthless dictator obsessed with the occult. In the Capital, she meets her long-lost sister Consuelo, stolen from their home before Graciela's birth. Together, they navigate the dictator's regime but are powerless against his brutality. As the country descends into chaos and genocide looms, Graciela realizes the dark future she has unwittingly foreseen. Escaping the horrors, each believing the other dead, they flee across continents, rebuilding their lives until fate reunites them in unexpected circumstances.

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Atlas Obscura: Wild Life by Cara Giaimo & Joshua Foer Release Date: September 17, 2024 An exhilarating exploration of the world's marvels, showcasing extraordinary plants, animals, and natural phenomena. From dung beetles navigating by the stars to trees communicating through their roots, and encounters with creatures like the powerful peacock mantis shrimp, the book celebrates nature's wonders across diverse landscapes. Readers delve into the secrets of a 44,000-year-old shrub, flying rivers, and unexpected habitats like a garbage dump inhabited by endangered storks. Through vivid illustrations, photographs, and firsthand accounts from adventurers, "Wild Life" sparks awe and fascination, offering a global journey from Antarctic deserts to bustling cities and ocean depths.

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The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay Release Date: September 24, 2024 When Holly's fiancé leaves her heartbroken and with a nonrefundable honeymoon ticket, she persuades Ivy to take her place in Hawaii while she hides away in Ivy's Hudson Valley cabin. As Holly navigates healing and holiday movies, she encounters her Airbnb host, a former high school rival turned attractive man. Meanwhile, Ivy's Hawaiian art retreat is disrupted when Holly's ex-fiancé arrives with a new partner, prompting unexpected connections with a helpful bartender. Amidst these twists, both women find unexpected sparks and a chance for a magical Christmas.

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Small Town Living by Erin Austen Abbott Release Date: September 24, 2024 Authored and photographed by Erin Austen Abbott, who has embraced this lifestyle herself, the book explores why more people are moving away from city centers to seek simplicity, community, and space. Through interviews and atmospheric images, Abbott showcases individuals and couples across the country—from rural Maine to Texas plains, Hudson Valley villages to the Pacific Northwest—who have chosen small-town living. Each regional chapter offers insights and practical advice, helping readers envision their own transitions and integrate into new communities.

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Coming Up

In the spirit of "Next Up," we're excited to remind you that our Official Review of the Busy Bee Book Club Book of the Month, The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward, will be released this Monday, July 29, 2024. Following that, join us on Friday, August 2, 2024, as we unveil our new genre and Book of the Month for August! Be sure to check back and stay tuned for more literary adventures.