Barnes & Noble Presents Their July Favorites National Book Club Selection: The Letter Carrier by Francesca Giannone

The bookseller also highlights their Game of the Month and four new Albums of the Month

New York, NY – June 30, 2025 – Barnes & Noble is thrilled to announce the newest books, games and music to be featured in Barnes & Noble bookstores nationwide.

The Letter Carrier by Francesca Giannone, a must-read for fans of Elena Ferrante and Ariana Trigiani, is the Barnes & Noble Book Club pick for July. Readers are encouraged to check their local Barnes & Noble for live, in-store discussions hosted towards the end of July.

Get swept away by the inspiring story of Anna, the first female letter carrier in a town stuck in its traditional ways. Set against the backdrop of the small Italian village of Lizzanello in the midst of WWII, Anna is determined to make a life for herself — a life bigger than being a docile wife and mother while the world passes her by. Becoming the integral link between friends, lovers, families and foes, Anna delivers letters that can change lives — or break them. Tender and poignant, this is a big-hearted historical fiction story you won’t want to miss.  

The Barnes & Noble Book Club showcases a newly published work of fiction each month, chosen by their booksellers to provoke, engage and enthrall book lovers. Leading up to the event, readers can share their thoughts and engage in conversation on social media using the hashtag #BNBookClub.

The Barnes & Noble Game of the Month for July is Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game, a fast-paced, cooperative card game based on the first book in J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy series.

Blending classic trick-taking mechanics with Tolkien’s timeless storytelling, The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game transports players to Middle-earth, where they must work together to overcome various perils on their way to Mordor. Quick to set up and easy to learn, gameplay unfolds over the course of eighteen chapters, where each round challenges players to strategically win or lose tricks based on evolving objectives — success depends on communication, timing and a bit of courage. 

Featuring over 140 beautifully illustrated cards, multiple game modes and dozens of familiar playable characters like Gandalf, Galadriel and Tom Bombadil, this card-based adventure offers countless hours of entertainment and is a must-have for Lord of the Rings enthusiasts.

Barnes & Noble is also pleased to announce its July selections for Albums of the Month in the following categories: Alternative, Rap, Artist to Watch, and Soundtrack. The Album of the Month program celebrates the full spectrum of the music industry, highlighting both fresh and classic albums across an array of genres.  

Death Cab for Cutie’s Transatlanticism has been tapped as the Alternative Pick for July. After collaborating with Jenny Lewis and electronic musician Dntel under the monicker The Postal Service, lyricist and singer Ben Gibbard regrouped with the rest of Death Cab to write the songs for this, their fourth studio album, which soon went Platinum.

In the Rap category the bookseller is spotlighting the classic hip hop album Licensed to Ill, the first album from the iconic trio known as the Beastie Boys. Licensed to Ill includes the now legendary tracks “Fight for Your Right,” “Brass Monkey,” and “No Sleep till Brooklyn,” and went on to become the fastest selling rap debut and the second rap record to be certified Platinum by the RIAA.

The bookseller has named Role Model as the Artist to Watch for July for his sophomore album, Kansas Anymore. Drawing from American folk and country music, a departure from his previous album’s alt-pop influences, Role Model is poised to break into the mainstream with this record — aided by opening for Gracie Abrams on her recent tour.

The Soundtrack Monthly Pick goes to Scott Pilgrim vs the World, a film adaptation of a graphic novel that was uniquely positioned for an out-of-this-world soundtrack — one that began production years prior to the film’s 2010 release. Featuring classic tracks from famous bands like The Rolling Stones, T. Rex, and Broken Social Scene, this album also features original songs penned by Beck and performed by the fictional bands within the film.

 

###