Book Mail: A Roundup of the Book Mail I Received Last Week

Mid-July has that carefree, sun-drenched feeling where afternoons seem to last forever, and this week’s book mail arrived like the happiest kind of surprise. My TBR pile has grown into a wonderfully optimistic stack, thanks to a cheerful book haul filled with new book releases that practically beg to be tucked into a beach bag or opened on a shaded porch. Each package brought thoughtful book recommendations, the kind that make you smile before you've even turned the first page. And as I add them to the pile, I can't help but wonder which of these stories will earn a place among the best books of 2026—the books we'll be recommending to friends for years to come, just as eagerly as they found their way to my doorstep.

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I want to note that I do not get paid to do these posts, I just love authors and the book industry. However, they do take time and energy to create. If you want to donate a few dollars to my coffee fund, which keeps this blog going, you can do so here: https://venmo.com/AshleyHasty or here: http://paypal.me/hastybooklist.

This Week’s Book Mail Includes:

Joan of the Arcane by Alexandra Fleder – A conspiracy-obsessed suburban housewife embarks on a surreal spiritual quest that blurs the line between paranoia and enlightenment.
The Only Way Out Is Through by Tara Weinstein – A young woman abducted as a child must piece together her fractured past to discover who she truly is.
Be Well by Sarah Flocken – A struggling college graduate reinvents herself inside an alluring wellness collective where ambition, deception, and self-discovery collide.
The Forgotten Briefcase by Joseph T. Perrulli – A forgotten briefcase unlocks an intimate memoir of the author's secret relationship with Nicole Brown Simpson and the lingering grief left in its wake.
The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly – A young woman trades her freedom to save her sister and is thrust into a deadly magical battle for a kingdom's future.
Summer of Freedom by Oliver Hilmes – Experience the turbulent months after World War II through the lives of world leaders and ordinary people rebuilding a shattered world.
Summer of Love by Kerri Maher – Spanning generations, this sweeping novel explores family secrets, California wine country, and the lasting impact of one unforgettable summer in 1967.
Odette Rising by Julianne Edwards – After years of hiding from the world, a reclusive heiress must confront family secrets and embrace the extraordinary life waiting beyond her front door.
Because I Deserve It: What Chronic Illness Taught Me About Finding My Voice in the Healthcare System by Kenitra W. Dominguez – A powerful memoir and practical guide that empowers readers to confidently advocate for themselves throughout their healthcare journey.
Weirdos Welcome by Cynthia Baseman – Two neurodivergent teens discover first love while finding the courage to embrace exactly who they are.
Who Got Game? Football by Derrick Barnes – Packed with legendary players, unforgettable moments, and fascinating trivia, this lively history celebrates the biggest stars and stories in football.
The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley – A forbidden romance between an assassin and a healer threatens to unravel the fragile balance between love, duty, and war.
Single Girls by John Searles – Inspired by Helen Gurley Brown's groundbreaking career, this vibrant novel celebrates the fearless women who helped redefine Cosmopolitan magazine.
The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance by Chiara Bullen – A determined scholar uncovers long-buried secrets while researching a legendary inn where adventurers never seem to complete their quests.
Female Indigenous Heroes by Katrina M. Phillips – Discover the inspiring stories of 51 remarkable Indigenous women whose achievements have shaped history, culture, and the world.
The Boy and His Higher Self by Ricardo Santa Cruz – A heartwarming picture book that encourages children to trust their inner voice and embrace the confidence that has always lived within them.
My First Day of School by Ricardo Santa Cruz – A gentle story that helps young readers overcome first-day jitters by celebrating the courage to be their authentic selves.
Milton Makes A Move by Jonathan Graziano – A lovable little pug discovers that the biggest adventures begin with the courage to embrace a new home and a new friend.
Pocket Portraits: Agatha Christie by Nancy West – Explore the fascinating life and enduring legacy of the Queen of Crime in this beautifully illustrated literary biography.
Fun to Find! Toddlers on the Move by Krissy Bonning-Gould – Little explorers will delight in searching every colorful page for hidden objects while discovering exciting places to visit.
Matcha on Monday by Michiko Aoyama – A cozy Tokyo café becomes the backdrop for a series of touching stories about connection, healing, and the quiet magic of everyday life.
A Twist in the River by Stig Abell – A retired detective is drawn back into a chilling investigation when women begin disappearing from an otherwise peaceful English village.
The Final Score by Lana Ferguson – A hockey star facing the end of his career and a woman rebuilding her life discover that love sometimes begins when everything else falls apart.
In Every Possible Way by Alicia Thompson – After a blow to the head transports her to Ireland, one hopeless romantic embarks on a magical journey that could change her life forever.
Thief by Tarryn Fisher – A man haunted by the love he lost must decide how much he is willing to sacrifice for one final chance at redemption.
Dirty Red by Tarryn Fisher – A fiercely determined woman will stop at nothing to protect the life—and the man—she believes she fought to win.
The Enigmatic Madam Ingram by Meihan Boey – A mysterious curse draws Miss Cassidy into another spellbinding supernatural mystery steeped in the folklore of colonial Singapore.
I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell by Mackenzie Reed – An office receptionist discovers her charming boss is a demon hunter in this wildly entertaining blend of horror, fantasy, romance, and workplace comedy.
Saviour Machine by Mike Poliwoda – This unsettling collection of dystopian stories explores the dangerous intersection of artificial intelligence, politics, technology, and human nature.
The Twelve Loves of Christmas by Alexandria Bellefleur, Elise Bryant, Olivia Dade, Alexis Daria, Sarah Hogle, Zakiya N. Jamal, Rebecca Jenshak, Jessica Joyce, Susan Lee, Joss Richard, M. A. Wardell, and Rebekah Weatherspoon – Unwrap twelve heartwarming holiday romances, one story at a time, in this festive countdown to Christmas.
Mistletoe All the Way by Lauren Blakely – A Christmas-loving optimist and a grumpy small-town veterinarian discover that holiday magic might be exactly what they both need.
The Wash-Ashores by Hannah McKinnon – One unforgettable Cape Cod summer forces a woman to fight for her family's beloved inn while confronting old heartbreak and new possibilities.
Pretty as a Peach by Grace Helena Walz – A conflict-averse preschool teacher finds the courage to expose a deceptive beauty company threatening her friendships and hometown.