July Aardvark predictions are here and I think this might be one of the more interesting months to try to predict. Aardvark has been on a really solid streak lately with their picks and July’s release calendar gives them a lot to work with. There’s a strong mix of horror, literary fiction, thriller, and some titles that are hard to pin down, which is honestly peak Aardvark energy. I went through the upcoming releases and landed on the books I think could realistically end up in the box, including a few repeat authors who have been Aardvark picks before. As always, these are just predictions and books I’m hoping get chosen. I could be completely off but that’s what makes this fun right?!
Unlike some other book clubs, I feel that Aardvark is a bit more of a wildcard when it comes to their picks. I don’t feel that they ever have a set formula for the genres they pick, but I have noticed the books all tend to have similar ‘vibes’ or similar themes and tones. While they’re also featured some well-known authors, I find that their books tend to be more on the edgy or experimental side and showcase more less known authors. Because of this, I’ve listed my predictions all together instead of breaking them out by genre. They’ve also already hinted that July will be a heavier Science Fiction month, so I’m interested to see what actually pops up as picks!
I should have a confirmed spoiler next week so, if you’re interested in finding out what it is, DM me then on Instagram @speakingof.books.
Whether or not these are actually picks, only time will tell. Even if they are not, all or most of these are on my July Most Anticipated New Release list and my Summer Most Anticipated.
JUNE MOST ANTICIPATED
July MOST ANTICIPATED
SUMMER MOST ANTICIPATED
Second half of 2026 Most Anticipated
When the picks are announced and you find you have space in your box still, make sure to also check reviews of all past Aardvark Books that I’ve read HERE.
Keep in mind that these are simply predictions and books I hope get chosen. I could get these completely wrong, but the anticipation and guessing is part of the fun right?!
July Predictions
This month I’m leaning heavily into Aardvark’s love of dark fiction and genre-bending picks. Country People by Daniel Mason feels like exactly the kind of literary fiction Aardvark gravitates toward: beautifully written with depth and weight. On the horror side, Carry Me to My Grave by Christopher Golden is a repeat Aardvark author which always boosts the odds, and The Seance Garden by Juliet Blackwell and Mazywood by Tananarive Due (also a repeat author) both have that atmospheric, creepy quality Aardvark loves to feature. Due especially feels like a strong pick given her track record with Reformatory.
For thrillers, The Last Time We Saw Her by Jaclyn Goldis is another repeat author and one I’ve already read (review is up), Cross My Heart I Hope You Die by Mallory Arnold, and The Dahlia Suite by Carinn Jade both have the kind of twisty, conversation-starting energy that does well with Aardvark subscribers. Henry Tudor Must Die by Jillian Laine is a wildcard that I could see fitting their more unexpected slot.
I’m also watching a few titles that lean more literary and speculative. The Devoted by Catherine Cho and Not with a Bang by Temi Oh both have that smart, thought-provoking quality Aardvark tends to pick up when they want something outside the mainstream. Glow Job by Kristen Bailey and There Used to Be People Here by Kennedy Cole round out my list as books that feel like they could go either way but would be great additions to the box.
Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle rounds out my predictions!
Aardvark usually picks five so narrowing down which of these twelve actually make the cut is the hard part. If I had to bet, I’d say Due, Goldis, and Mason feel like the safest calls, with the horror and wildcard slots being the trickiest to predict this month.
Do you think any of these will be picks? Just a few days left before the Aardvark team starts putting out hints for their picks!
I hope you found a book that you are truly excited about in this post. Let me know which other new releases you are excited for this month or that you’re hoping are Aardvark picks, by commenting below or by messaging me on Instagram @speakingof.books or TikTok @speakingof.books. Don’t forget to follow me to get weekly updates and new reviews!
Happy Reading!
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