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Readers� Most Anticipated Books for January
At the beginning of each calendar month, Ĺ·±¦ÓéŔÖâ€� crack editorial squad assembles a list of the hottest and most popular new books hitting shelves, actual and virtual. The list is generated by evaluating readersâ€� early reviews and tracking which titles are being added toĚýWant to ReadĚýshelves by Ĺ·±¦ÓéŔÖ regulars.
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Each month’s curated preview features new books from across the genre spectrum: contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mysteries and thrillers, sci-fi and fantasy, romance, horror, young adult, nonfiction, and more. Think of it as a literary smorgasbord, and check out whatever looks delicious.
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New in January: Nobel Prize winner Han Kang returns with a dark dream of Korean history in We Do Not Part. Horror veteran Grady Hendrix gets his hex on with Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. And sci-fi author Nnedi Okorafor tinkers with reality itself in Death of the Author.
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Also on tap this month: Angry pharaohs in Egypt, magical pawnshops in Tokyo, and the latest installment of The EmpyreanĚýseries from Rebecca Yarros.
Add the books that catch your eye to yourĚýWant to ReadĚýshelf, and let us know what you’re reading and recommending in the comments section.
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Author Rebecca Yarros went supernova with her 2023 novel Fourth Wing, which won a Ĺ·±¦ÓéŔÖ Choice Award and sent the termĚýromantasy mainstream. Onyx Storm is the third book in her flagship franchise, The Empyrean series, which presents a military-academia vibe crossed with sexy romance and the enduring mystique of dragons. With her enemies closing in, heroine Violet Sorrengail is forced to seek allies from afar in hopes of saving her home, her man, and her dragons.
The latest adventure from historical fiction specialist Fiona Davis (The Magnolia Palace) starts out in Egypt, circa 1936, as a tragedy befalls a young anthropologist in the famous Valley of the Kings. Fast-forward to NYC’s posh Met Gala in 1978: It seems an artifact is missing from the Met’s collection, and an immortal female pharaoh may be, well, mad about that. Curses! No, literally—curses are involved. An aging scholar and the new intern are about to discover the lethal side of Egyptology.
Billed as aĚýliterary page-turner, this sprawling suspense story from Kristin Koval spans several decades, from Colorado ski country to post-9/11 New York City. Angie and David Sheehan are thrust into crisis when a murder occurs at their home. The event triggers memories of a long-ago tragedy as Koval’s characters confront issues of forgiveness, childhood trauma, and the cold realities of the justice system. Bonus trivia: Author Koval is a former attorney and alum of Columbia Law School.
South Korean writer Han Kang comes armed with a pretty sterling rĂ©sumĂ©. Her debut,ĚýThe Vegetarian, was the first Korean-language novel to win the International Booker Prize, and just last year she became the firstĚýAsian womanĚýto receiveĚýthe Nobel Prize in Literature. Her newly translated novel probes some extremely dark episodes of South Korean history with a story that drifts between a dream country and the waking world. Check the Ĺ·±¦ÓéŔÖ community reviews for some already deep discussion, plus details on the translation.
The question posed in the title doesn’t have a very happy answer, it seems. Kyle and Casey McCray split up two years ago, when Kyle abruptly left town—and his wife of 16 years. Back again to tend to his ailing father, Kyle must confront the wreckage he has left behind. Oregon author Tracey Lange, nominated for two Ĺ·±¦ÓéŔÖ Choice Awards for her 2021 debut novel,ĚýWe Are the Brennans, returns to her themes of transgression, redemption, and the dynamics of broken families.
Author and practicing physician Freida McFadden (The Housemaid series) furthers the noble tradition of the snowbound thriller with this story of dubious choices in unfortunate weather. Eight months pregnant and fleeing from her fast-collapsing life, Tegan’s day can’t get any worse. Until it does. Now she’s stranded in a savage Maine blizzard with a broken ankle. When she accepts help from a mysterious couple, things get worse still. Ěý
The latest domestic thriller from British author Alice Feeney (Rock Paper Scissors) comes with a devastating tagline: “Wives think their husbands will change but they don’t. Husbands think their wives won’t change but they do.� It’s a notion so uncomfortable it has to be true. Feeney’s new story features a baffling disappearance, a devastated husband, a tiny Scottish island, and an even more baffling reappearance. Author Feeney is noted for her deft hand with plot twists, so stay frosty.
A-list horror author Grady Hendrix (The Final Girl Support Group) has covered a lot of bases in his career�vampires, demons, haunted houses, Ikea. Hendrix turns his eye for evil to witchcraft with this new novel, which follows a group of pregnant teenagers in an abusive Florida group home for “wayward� girls. When a librarian gives the girls a book on the occult, the teens tap their own innate powers and turn the tables on their oppressors.
Nigerian American sci-fi author Nnedi Okorafor has won multiple industry awards for her novels (the Binti series) and her innovative contributions to speculative fiction—including coining the termĚý. Her new book promises an interesting twist on the metafiction adventure. The premise: A well-known author starts work on a new science fiction novel—concerning AI and human extinction—that begins to alter reality itself. Uh-oh.
Set in the same world as her Celestial Kingdom books, this standalone romantic fantasy from author Sue Lynn Tan introduces a compelling new heroine—the courageous young ruler known as Liyen. Pledged to serve the immortals who protect her kingdom of Tianxia, Liyen runs into trouble when she gets the feels for the legendary God of War. Author Tan brings a new kind of energy to the epic fantasy arena, inspired by Chinese mythology and old-school adventure yarns.
Manila-based author Samantha Sotto Yambao (Love and Gravity) offers one of the new year’s more intriguing story premises: InĚýWater Moon, visitors can sell off their life regrets and bad choices in an obscure Tokyo pawnshop.ĚýIt’s a promising business idea, clearly. Alas, new owner Hana Ishikawa has just awoken to find the shop robbed and her father missing. Cosmic adventures ensue. Think of it as cozy fantasy with a mystery center.
Twin siblings James and Johnny Golden share a troubled past and a deep connection that might be termed magical. When Johnny dies in a tragic accident, James feels it in her bones. Traveling to California to settle her brother’s affairs, James soon discovers that Johnny was keeping some dark secrets. Adrienne Young (The Unmaking of June Farrow) delivers an atmospheric, slow-boil mystery about the hard and painful work of facing up to the past. Ěý
Emily Walker and Jackson Bennett have a lot in common. They’re both grade-school teachers in small-town Kentucky. They’re both secretly writing novels at night (she’s into romance, he’s into mystery). And they both hate each other with the fire of a thousand suns. Ah, but the fires of passion can blow in any direction! Find out what happens in this latest enemies-to-lovers story from Southern romance ace Sarah Adams (The Cheat Sheet).
Sarah Linwood is what you call an indoorsy type. So when she joins Caleb, her husband of 17 years,Ěýon a couples-therapy wilderness hike, there’s no guarantee of success on any level. Things between them aren’t bad, but they’re not what you call good, either—and Sarah is starting to worry. Canadian author Hannah Bonam-Young (Out on a Limb) follows two devoted partners (and high school sweethearts) as they try relationship enhancement via outdoor adventure, with rough patches both literal and figurative.
If you’re in the market for a good argument, ask a group of historians which mode of transport actually made it to the North Pole first—dog sled, airplane, or dirigible? It’s a point of contention, apparently. Researcher Buddy Levy (Conquistador) argues his position in this carefully researched book on polar exploration, featuring familiar names like Robert Peary, Frederick Cook, and Roald Amundsen. At the center of it all is Umberto Nobile’s ill-fated 1928 expedition via dirigible—and the incredible rescue operation that followed.
You may think you know about the JFK assassination plot, but it turns out there was more than one. According to this nonfiction thriller, the first attempt on John F. Kennedy’s life took place in 1960—about a month before he was sworn in as the 35th U.S. president—and involved a sociopathic postal worker, an old Buick, and an alarming amount of dynamite. The authors of The Nazi Conspiracy and The Lincoln Conspiracy return with another in-depth historical investigation.
Which new releases are you looking forward to reading? Let’s talk books in the comments!
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Violet
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Dec 31, 2024 04:03AM
I was really lucky to get ARCs for We Do not Part, and Death of the Author, through Netgalley, and I can't wait to get to them!
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Onyx Storm better be good! The previous two instalments in the Empyrean series disappointed me. I might get it in the future, though.
Death of the Author is of course the most anticipated release of January.
Beg, borrow or steal and Out of the Woods both sound great to me.
I have The Crash on my TBR and I think that Penitence, Beautiful Ugly and Witchcraft for Wayward Girls look interesting!
Can’t wait to read “The Crash�
Eekkkk! I am ready for Onyx Storm. My mother pre-ordered the special edition with painted edges for me and also my niece! It is 100% my most anticipated book of 2025.
I LOVED what happened to the McCrays and the witchcraft for wayward girls kept me up at night! Trying to get some last minute galleys for pertinence and we do not part.
I can't wait to read Onyx Storm! Comes out the a few days after my birthday. So excited.
Anticipating some of the best reads this year! Can’t wait to get my hands on beautiful ugly, thé crash, “thé death of the author.
Isn’t there a new release in the US by Costanza Casati this month?!
So incredibly excited for onyx storm!!!
Great Reeds for a start of the new year
I was lucky enough to get ARCs for “Water Moon� and “Immortal� - highly recommend!
20 more days until ONYX STORM! I’m foaming at the mouth waiting for my most anticipated read of the YEAR !!!!
The crash better be good!! (I’m not worried though bc my girl freida always eats)
I’m really looking forward to the third book, “Revved Up & Ready� in the series Heartbeats in the Heat by Jasmine Grace. The books are spicy rom-coms with intelligent, fun banter and lovable characters. I can’t wait to read Cam and Sadie’s love journey!
Cannot wait for Onyx Storm. fourth Eing and Iron Flame have been the best books I have read in quite awhile. I pray Xaden gets through his “dilemma�
Thank You, but i will choose my own books that i will read.
Penitence, What Happened to the McCray, Crash, Beautiful Ugly have peeked my interest.
I was so disappointed in Beautiful Ugly! Hoping to enjoy some of the other books on this list though!
Looking forward to witchcraft for wayward girls and a sea of unspoken things.
Right now I am reading Verity by Collen Hoover.
Two more: The Capital of Dreams by Heather O’Neill and We Lived on the Horizon by Erika Swyler.
I loved the Celestial Kingdom duology, I did even know that she was coming out with a new book! I can’t wait to get my hands on Immortal ❤️
booksta_lana wrote: "Death of the Author is of course the most anticipated release of January."Next to Onyx Storm. Ever since Yarros announced the title of the 3rd installment of the Empereon Series, everyone has been going crazy
I read two of hannah's book and i love them , i will be adding Out of the Woods into my TBR
Beautiful Ugly was a great book! It had so many twists and turns, it kept me on the edge of my seat! If you love a good mystery novel then that is a good one!!
Of course anything Freida McFadden ( The Crash ) sounds good to me! , she never misses � this time I’m more interested in � A Sea Of UnSpoken Thing - Adrienne Young � , I’ve never read any of her books but something tells me I won’t be disappointed. What is everyone else interested in reading ?! .
Beautiful Ugly was really good. I’ll give Onyx Storm a shot, but I’m out if Violet continues to behave like a 13 year old. Looking forward most to Witchcraft for Wayward Girls and Nat Cassidy’s When the Wolf Comes Home, but that doesn’t drop until April. Will probably also read We Do Not Part simply because H Kang is an exemplary writer. What Happened to the McCrays sounds intriguing, too.
I’m looking forward to reading A Sea of Unspoken Things, The Crash, Penitence, and What Happened to the Mc Crays?
Law wrote: "Onyx Storm better be good! The previous two instalments in the Empyrean series disappointed me. I might get it in the future, though."You mean the entire series has disappointed you? You can just not read it, it's okay.
Kirsti wrote: "Law wrote: "Onyx Storm better be good! The previous two instalments in the Empyrean series disappointed me. I might get it in the future, though."You mean the entire series has disappointed you? ..."
I have just finished Heart of a Hero by Maryann Jordan this is another fabulous story with a great storyline. I love the different ways it went keeping you on your toes as to what happened next. It warmed my heart to see how the story played out between Mark and Karen with the turns in the book. Im glad the ending was a happy one for everyone involved can say I’m eagerly waiting for the next one to come out. Thank you for letting me read this book
This is a great list of books for January but I think I am most excited about Water Moon & Freida or course . Also will def. read Adrienne Young because I enjoy the atmosphere she usually creates in her books.
Out of the woods looks interesting.I can't wait to read it!!
I actually enjoy megan’s books I’m gonna read that and “the crash�, “what happened to the McCrays
Violet wrote: "I was really lucky to get ARCs for We Do not Part, and Death of the Author, through Netgalley, and I can't wait to get to them!"How do you get those?
