How, exactly, is it June already? The passage of time is mysterious sometimes, but this year it’s especially so. And the June books we’re most excited about around these parts represent an intriguing cross-section of literary genres and styles. From speculative works to insightful nonfiction; from an influential road novel to a surreal and satirical work — these books cover a lot of territory. Maybe you’ll find your next favorite book on this list.

Sari Botton, And You May Find Yourself
(June 1, Heliotrope Books)

Over the last few years, Sari Botton has done crucial work as an editor, both in the realm of publications and anthologies. (If you haven’t seen what she’s doing at Oldster Magazine, we highly recommend it.) She’s also a talented writer, and her new book And You May Find Yourself is an impressive demonstration of that fact. Looking for smart, incisive, thought-provoking nonfiction? You’ll find it here.

Christopher Rowe, These Prisoning Hills
(June 1, Tor.com)

We quite enjoyed Christopher Rowe’s collection Telling the Map when it was released in 2017, and we’ve been eager to delve into this new book ever since it was first announced. Looking for a surreal post-apocalyptic narrative set in a transformed Appalachia? You’ll find it in these pages — a bizarre and haunting tale of conflict in an altered landscape.

Imogen Binnie, Nevada
(June 7, MCD x FSG Originals)

Do you like your road novels unpredictable, populated by memorable characters dealing with complex questions? Well then. Imogen Binnie’s Nevada, now out in a new edition, certainly fits that bill. Nevada is a novel that’s had a significant influence since its original publication; consider this the reissue edition as victory lap.

Kali Fajardo-Anstine, Woman of Light
(June 7, Oneworld)

We’re always up for a novel that spans generations, as Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s first novel Woman of Light does. Throw in surreal visions and a narrative that moves across time and we’re even more intrigued. Fajardo-Anstine’s debut collection offered an impressive display of her skills as a writer, and we’re excited to see what she does on a grander scale.

Jessi Jezewska Stevens, The Visitors
(June 7, And Other Stories)

I mean, if the idea of a novel that includes both Occupy Wall Street and an angry garden gnome as plot elements doesn’t intrigue you…

Amy Brady and Tajja Isen, editors, The World As We Knew It
(June 14, Catapult)

This new anthology from editors Amy Brady and Tajja Isen has an absolutely phenomenal lineup of writers addressing climate change. Omar El Akkad, Lidia Yuknavitch, Kim Stanley Robinson, and Melissa Febos are among the contributors — all of which suggests the range and depth of work on display here, to address one of the most enduring issues of our time.

Hal Hartley, Our Lady of the Highway
(June 14, Elboro Press)

Last month brought with it the debut novel from John Waters; this time, it’s Hal Hartley’s turn. Which cult filmmaker will release their debut in July? We’re not entirely sure, but we’re pretty certain that its plot won’t involve rogue nuns and psychic powers like this one.

James Bridle, Ways of Being
(June 21, Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

James Bridle’s previous book New Dark Age was an essential read for anyone concerned about the state of modern technology — and Bridle himself is one of the most insightful writers working today when it comes to questions of privacy, online behavior, and artificial intelligence. With his new book Ways of Being, Bridle ventures into even bigger questions — namely, those surrounding the concept of planetary intelligence.

Elle Nash, Gag Reflex
(June 21, CLASH Books)

Visceral, unsettling, and psychologically rich, Elle Nash’s fiction to date has grappled with an array of grand themes. Nash has accomplished this via haunting characterization and memorable language, and in Gag Reflex, she takes that even further, chronicling the novel’s protagonist’s struggles with an eating disorder and her immersion in online communities.

Lidia Yuknavitch, Thrust
(June 28, Riverhead)

Lidia Yuknavitch is no stranger to dystopian futures; her novel The Book of Joan memorably transported readers to one that also abounded with allusions to literature and history. For her new novel, she takes readers to another near future — one where climate change and authoritarianism have both made their mark, and where certain objects allow their bearers to travel through time. It’s a journey we’re looking forward to taking.

David Leo Rice and Chris Kelso, editors, Children of the New Flesh
(June 30, 11:11 Press)

Do you enjoy the unsettling onscreen work of David Cronenberg? The new anthology Children of the New Flesh offers a multifaceted look at his earliest films, with contributors including Blake Butler, Kathe Koja, and Michael Cisco. The result is a comprehensive and thought-provoking look at a wildly influential filmmaker — and one that might cause you to regard his work from a new angle.

Note: all release dates and cover artwork are subject to change.

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