July might have been a bit of a washout but we've been on hand to deliver bookish distractions perfect for a rainy day. Take a look at the books that have featured in our recommendations this month and continue to fine tune that to-be-read pile. You can add the books to your wishlist on-site or be prepared and add them straight to your basket. Every purchase donates up to 25% to UK schools while you get to save a cool 10%.

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Fiction Books of the Month

Our Fiction Book of the Month category this month is packed full of new and new-to-paperback stories from audacious adventures to to full-on spy thrillers, dark, velvety historical tales and lovely escapes to Yorkshire. Scroll on for snippets of our expert reviews.

Essex Dogs by Dan Jones - "Set during The Hundred Years’ War, this audacious band of brothers’ adventure is bold, bloody, and funny to boot."

The Weather Woman by Sally Gardner - "An extraordinary ability, hidden identities, love, treachery, and a remarkable woman born into the wrong age, this 18th-century-set triumph is an ingenious, theatrical, feminist-minded romp."

Death Comes to the Costa del Sol by M.H. Eccleston - "An internet troll runs amok in a British expat community in this amusing mystery novel you can really sink your crime-solving teeth into."

Young Women by Jessica Moor - "Reeling with #MeToo resonance, this powerful story explores coercion, abuse and the boundaries of sisterhood and betrayal through the experiences of, and relationship between, two young women."

Zero Kill by M.K. Hill - "If you love full-on pump-action reading entertainment in the form of a spy thriller then step this way."

The Girls of Heatherly Hall by Julie Houston - Part of our Series of the Month - "Readers get three stories for the price of one in this tale of triplets navigating life and love in Yorkshire."

The Blood of Others by Graham Hurley - "A masterful and fascinating historical thriller set around the catastrophic events of the Dieppe Raid in 1942."

It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover - "In true inimitable CoHo style, you are hungry for more."

Too Late by Colleen Hoover - "A dark psychological thriller that delves into what it means to be loved."

The Illusions by Liz Hyder - "Deeply dark velvety depths combined with a vibrantly challenging tone ensure a thrilling historical tale set within the world of illusions."

Clytemnestra's Bind by Susan C Wilson - "This penetrating and wise retelling of a Greek Myth is full of the strength, vitality, and perseverance of women."

Non-Fiction Books of the Month

These non-fiction books open up a whole new world of information about our oceans, the wonder of Terry Pratchett, the riveting heartbreaking story of Ukraine, fascinating and inspiring memoirs and a brilliant exploration of male friendships. Read on and click to read our full reviews and add to basket, or shop at the bottom of the page. 

Terry Pratchett: A Life With Footnotes by Rob Wilkins - "The wonder of Terry Pratchett is celebrated, just as it should be, in this fascinating and beautifully astute biography."

The War Came To Us Life and Death in Ukraine by Christopher Miller - "This is great journalism from a man who knows Ukraine intimately and isn’t afraid to report the reality of what is happening in a country he clearly loves. Riveting, informative and heartbreaking."

Billy No-Mates by Max Dickins - "Both hilarious and serious – a brilliant exploration of male friendship issues"

The Island House by Mary Considine - "Rugged beauty and resilience abound in this inspiring, poetic “new lives in the wild” memoir "

Century Sisters Our Hundred Years by Patricia Owtram, Jean Owtram - "Travel further into the fascinating lives of the Codebreaking Sisters as this moving new book looks at their childhood and post war years."

Blue Machine by Helen Czerski - "An absolutely beautiful book, exquisitely written and opening up a whole new world of information about our oceans."

Debuts of the Month

Our Debuts of the Month category for July is bursting with brand new talent. With new to paperback and new releases for debut authors this month's collection offers everything from feel-good, uplifting novels to clever debut thrillers. 

Sugar, Baby by Celine Saintclare - "Sugar baby lifestyles, complex family relationships, and coming-of-age epiphanies are explored with page-turning aplomb in this devastatingly gripping debut."

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - "Exploring loss, loneliness, community and the revolving cycles of life, and taking in the miraculous intelligence of a giant octopus, this extraordinary debut is an enchanting original."

Queuing for the Queen by Swéta Rana - "Beautifully sensitive, quietly reflective, this absorbing tale about a group of strangers brought together following the death of Queen Elizabeth II is an absolute triumph."

Every Shade of Happy by Phyllida Shrimpton - "Experience life in all its emotional glory with Algernon and Anna in this beautifully heartwarming and uplifting novel."

Small Miracles by Anne Booth - "Three nuns, small miracles, and love and friendship all come together to create the most fabulous of feel-good stories."

The Housekeepers by Alex Hay - "This superb heist story sees a street savvy sisterhood of Edwardian women exact delicious, audacious revenge — think the Ocean's movies meets TV classic Upstairs Downstairs."

The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon - "A debut psychological thriller that delivers one heck of a knockout punch, it’s oh-so clever and beautifully provocative."

Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month

The latest selection of Liz Robinson's picks of the month feature impressively unique and provocative crime fiction, brooding family drama, emotionally charged novels and a fabulously fierce fantasy debut.

The Ungrateful Dead by Adam Simcox - "An impressively unique and provocative novel that balances on the razor-sharp wire between believable and unimaginable."

Black Thorn by Sarah Hilary - "This darkly brooding and atmospheric family drama set in Cornwall walks among death, lies, secrets, and murder."

Brotherless Night by V. V. Ganeshananthan - "An unforgettably provocative and emotionally charged novel that delves deeply into a family torn apart by civil war."

Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton - "A fabulously fierce and thoughtful fantasy debut for older young adults, featuring murder, prejudice, friendship and romance."

Star Books

And last but by no means least our latest additions into our Star Books category. We're half way through the year and our selection of Star Books are already a magnificent sight to behold. We can't wait to see what else takes our breath away in the coming months.