As always, time flies! It’s time to talk about the best books of the year so far now that we are halfway through 2024. (Even though it feels like I just wrote about my most anticipated books of the year.) You’ll find a nice mix of crowd-pleasers below plus some backlist favorites, so let’s get literary!

The Absolute Best Books of the Year (So Far!) 2024

If you learned it at school, it’s natural to assume it’s true. But if you ask historians, you might be surprised to learn the stuff your teacher stated as facts in history lessons is often riddled with inaccuracies. Things we assume are real, like Columbus discovering America or...

19 History Facts Taught in School That Are Actually Wrong

At present, I have an alarming number of tabs open. I’m absolutely not going to tell you how many, or how many are open on my phone. There are 15 pages of notes in my now-finished notebook that are about the same subject that led to all these tabs. A lot of these tabs concern the history of a country I don’t live in. Some are mythology. It’s a real cornucopia of delights, and it’s also very distracting. There are so many rich and fascinating rabbit holes a person might fall down.

The Joy of Reading Books You Don’t Entirely Understand

Unputdownable books, B&N makes a shocking move, Pride reads for 2024: just a few of the offerings today at Book Riot:. 9 Unputdownable Books that Will Grip You Till the Last Page. We’ve all read books that we just can’t put down — the ones we stay up reading till...

9 Unputdownable Books that Will Grip You Till the Last Page

What makes a leader truly evil? Is it their ruthless ambition, their disregard for human life, or the sheer scale of their atrocities? History has seen its fair share of leaders whose actions have left indelible marks of horror and suffering. From ancient tyrants to modern dictators, these figures have wielded power with devastating consequences. This list delves into the lives and deeds of 24 of the most malevolent leaders ever to have walked the earth. Prepare to be both fascinated and horrified as we explore the dark legacies of these infamous individuals.

24 Most Evil Leaders In History

Raymond, WA

Gregg Olsen's "If You Tell" is a terrifying real-crime tale examining the Knotek family's dark and twisted background. This book chronicles Shelly Knotek's terrible mistreatment of her three children, Nikki, Sami, and Tori, as well as their path from victims to survivors. Olsen, a #1 New York Times and Amazon...

'If You Tell' by Gregg Olsen Book Review: A Harrowing True Crime Tale

I regret to inform you that the below list of the most read books on Goodreads this week is identical to last week’s, but I’ve added some of the most read books from different countries to shake things up a bit. We recently also made note of the The Most Popular New Books on Goodreads in 2024 (So Far), and if you’ve been keeping up with this feature, you’ll definitely notice some familiar names. The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden only came out in June, but it’s already in the top ten of the most popular books on Goodreads of the year so far!

The Most Read Books on Goodreads This Week

Fox News

We've got romance, thrillers and philosophical book options for a long day at the beach.

10 fast-paced books to read on the beach

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Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

How can Astrology tell you about your worst friends? Astrology is the concept of using the placement of the planets and their related astrological signs, or the Signs of the Zodiac, to determine the course of a life. These placements based on your birth date, time, and location can give you a wealth of information about your personality traits and character and predict events throughout your life based on your sign and current placements. Of course, this is a quick overview, and doing actual natal charts and horoscopes is much more complicated. But now you have a basic idea of what astrology is.

5 Zodiac Signs That Could Be Your Worst Friend

Another week, another batch of books for your TBR pile. Happy reading, folks. “Ace Atkins’s killing honesty sets a new standard for Southern crime fiction.”. “As in his spy novels, Kanon demonstrates a mastery of closed-in drama. Such is the jabbing understatement of the dialogue—what’s withheld matters more than what’s said—that it holds you in suspense as much as any action scene. The contrast between his impeccable control and the nightmarish chaos of this time and place gives things a powerful edge. Kanon goes to China with stirring results.”

10 New Books Coming Out This Week

It’s no secret that history is full of fascinating stories, but some of the most captivating ones involve stolen artifacts and their dramatic recoveries. From stolen paintings created by renowned artists that mysteriously re-appeared, to ancient relics that were found in the most unsuspected places. All of these objects carry stories of their own, but what ties them together is how they disappeared into the shadows before being miraculously found. And oh boy, have we prepared some fascinating stories for you about stolen historic artifacts. So, buckle up, and let’s get started right away.

Fascinating Stories of Stolen Historic Artifacts, and How They Were Found

True Crime culture has permeated society in unexpected ways. If you’re into this genre, you might spend hours upon hours reading books and articles, listening to podcasts, or watching documentaries. But have you ever read a fiction novel that feels like a true crime book? Today we’re looking at the genre-blend of true crime and fiction, as well as several novels that fit this category.

True Crime Vibes: Brilliant Fiction Books That Capture the Thrill

Rachel Cusk’s Parade, Francine Prose’s 1974, and Andrew O’Hagan’s Caledonian Road all feature among the best reviewed books of the week. Brought to you by Book Marks, Lit Hub’s home for book reviews. *. 1. Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan. (W. W. Norton) 5...

What Should You Read Next? Here Are the Best Reviewed Books of the Week

PureWow

Need a new summer read? Reese Witherspoon just announced her July Book Club pick on Instagram, and it sounds like a mystery-filled page-turner.

Reese Witherspoon’s July Book Club Pick Is a Fascinating Mystery (& It Involves Ghosts)

Since Hillbilly Elegy came out in 2016, I’ve experienced countless people claiming to now “understand” where I come from and what Appalachian people are like. But they don’t think of my childhood watching my dad lose himself while arranging music on his piano or my grandfather tenderly nurturing plants in his ridiculously large garden. Instead, they imagine the stereotypes of J.D. Vance’s version of Appalachia, where the entire region is made up of poor rural white people consumed with violence who have no one to blame but themselves for their life circumstances.

“15 Books About Appalachia to Read Instead of Hillbilly Elegy”

Early 20th-century portraits by Edward S. Curtis played a crucial role in preserving the heritage of Native Americans during a period of rapid American expansion and government intervention. Curtis, motivated by a belief that Native American cultures were disappearing, dedicated over 30 years to documenting their customs and traditions. Through the financial backing of patrons like J.P. Morgan, Curtis embarked on an ambitious project to produce a series of 20 volumes containing 1,500 photographs. His journey took him across the American West and into various Indian territories, where he photographed prominent Native Americans such as Geronimo, Red Cloud, and Chief Joseph. Beyond photography, Curtis aimed to provide a comprehensive view of Native American culture by recording their languages and music, ultimately producing 10,000 wax cylinder recordings. Despite facing financial difficulties and the impact of World War I, which diminished public interest in his work, Curtis’s efforts resulted in a vast archive that remains a valuable cultural resource.

Early 20th-Century Portraits Preserve the Heritage of Native Americans

Emily Standley Allard

We often run across people in our lives who either have a natural healing and calming energy to them and those who seem bent on ruining everything you set out to do whether they mean to or not. Astrology offers a complex and nuanced understanding of personality traits associated with each zodiac sign, attributing both positive and negative aspects to individuals' characters. Among these characteristics, some signs are often hailed for their healing abilities, bringing comfort, peace, and rejuvenation to those around them. Conversely, other signs may possess more destructive tendencies, challenging relationships and personal growth. This article explores the zodiac signs that are traditionally considered the most healing and the most destructive, offering insights into the dual nature of certain astrological influences.

The 6 Zodiac Signs That Can Either Heal or Destroy You

Virginia State

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Cheryl E Preston

Virginia Wendy Williams fans, this is your July 2024 update on the former talk show host. Her best friend of 44 years, Regina Schell, has shared recent concerns with TV Show Aces and says she has not seen or talked to Wendy in more than a year.

Wendy Williams fans are worried after her best friend claims not to have heard from her in a year

Bryce Gruber

The color yellow is gorgeous, eye-catching, and downright happy for most people. So much so that it's the main hue in the world-famous happy face—but science says it's not the best color to wear on a date.

You Shouldn't Wear Yellow on First Dates, Here's Why

Woman's World

From romance to thriller to women's fiction and more, these books will be hard to put down.

10 Must-Read Backlist Books From Authors With New Releases in 2024

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5 Recently Published Books to Add to Your TBR List

Looking for recently published books to add to your TBR list? Here are five new books to consider adding to your reading list. Each offers a...

5 Recently Published Books to Add to Your TBR List

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