Anthem
By: Noah Hawley
Release Date | January 4
Genre | Thriller
Located in a small Chicago suburb is the Float Anxiety Abatement Centre and it is where Simon is currently stuck as he recovers from his sister's passing. The Centre Simon has come to realise is not what he needs to heal and he breaks out to join Louise and The Prophet on a quest to find what lies at the end of the road.
And what does lie there? The Wizard, whose past crosses with Louise's and whose choices caused her stay at the Centre. Soon, their quest to find what lies at the end transforms into a rescue mission when their band of three turns to four, with the newest inductee's sister being held captive by The Wizard. Together, they venture onwards transforming their initial quest into an unforgettable journey.
Anthem sounds like a take on The Wizard of Oz, but with no fantasy elements and I am here for this. All I anticipate in this novel is a yellow-brick road and hopefully some catharsis for the characters.
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Fiona and Jane
By: Jean Chen Ho
Release Date | January 4
Genre | Fiction
Told through two alternating viewpoints, Fiona and Jane is a collection of short stories revolving around female friendship and the multitude of layers it can encapsulate.
Fiona and Jane follows Fiona and Jane, friends since grade school, as they grow through life both with and without each other. This novel is an open account of what friendship between two Asian women can mean within the confines of America and how joy, can transform that meaning.
In Fiona and Jane, I anticipate a raw story that will make me cry. I am expecting a portrayal of the difficulty of friendship but also its deep joy and introspection on how identity, location, past, future and more all influence the layers of friendship.
Find the review | HERE | for Fiona and Jane
The Last House on the Street
By: Diane Chamberlain
Release Date | January 11
Genre | Historical Fiction
This was meant to be their dream house, the home they lived with their four-year-old daughter creating memories and forming a wonderful life together - a life that never happened. Kayla's husband experiences a fatal accident whilst building their home and in his now gaping absence, she knows she must stay strong for their child except, their dream home is no longer one of dreams but one of tragic memories. It is why when a random elderly woman informs her not to move in, Kayla is on the verge of agreeing.
It is clear to her the woman has a connection to the area and potentially even Kayla herself. The woman is Kayla's new neighbour who is more than welcoming to the grieving family but is also hiding secrets that seem to span fifty-years or more and Kayla has to wonder if Ellis's friendliness is an attempt to right the wrongs of her past and more importantly, if her house is the key to that journey.
In The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain, I anticipate a wonderful novel that connects two time periods and stories seamlessly. Chamberlain wrote one of my favourite novels of 2019, Big Lies in a Small Town, and although I should keep my expectations low as low expectations means I cannot be disappointed, I can't help but have high hopes.
These Deadly Games
By: Diana Urban
Release Date | February 1
Genre | Young Adult
When Crystal Donavan receives a cryptic message asking if she wants to play a game, her immediate response is to delete the message until the video attached catches her eye; it's her sister bound and gagged and to ensure her safety, she has to play the game.
Initially the requests are simple - bake a batch of brownies, shove a stolen test into a locker, and make a prank call but soon, Crystal realises the tasks aren't simple but perfectly formulated to kill her friends, one by one. But if she refuses, then the kidnapper will kill her sister. Who is the masked perpetrator and why are they making her play this deadly game?
In These Deadly Games, I anticipate the novel being either really intense to keep you on the edge of your seat or a cheesy YA with improbable decision making. As the premise is similar to One of Us Is Next, I am fine with either avenue the novel takes as a cheesy YA like One of Us Is Next is still just as fun a read as an intense thriller.
Find the review | HERE | for These Deadly Games
The Moth Girl
By: Heather Kamins
Release Date | March 8
Genre | Young Adult
Anna is a regular teenager. She runs track, makes decent grades, and on occasion might drink beer at a party. Her life is typical until one unsuspecting afternoon at track practice when she collapses but instead of falling on the ground, she falls upwards defying gravity and presenting the first symptom of a mysterious disease soon diagnosed as lepidopsy.
Lepidopsy is a rare condition that causes humans to exhibit moth-like symptoms such as floating, attraction to light, and for an unlucky few, dangerous physical changes. The news of the diagnosis turns Anna's regular world upside down and as she learns to live with the disease she starts to drift away from her life pre-diagnosis. Her friends don't understand, running seems pointless, and the other kids afflicted with the disease she sees during her weekly clinic visit are only a cruel reminder of the life she lost and that nothing will ever be the same.
The Moth Girl by Heather Kamins is giving me Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka vibes. As this novel also falls into the magical realism genre, I have no clue what to anticipate as this genre can portray anything in a truly unique way. I am thinking of physical descriptions regarding moth transformations and potentially inner dialogue of how the changes are impacting Anna? I don't know! I liked Metamorphosis, so I think I'll enjoy this too.
The Book of Cold Cases
By: Simone St. James
Release Date | March 15
Genre | Mystery
1997 - Claire has been shaken by the vicious Lady Killer who murdered two men and left behind mysterious notes. Beth Greer was the perfect suspect having been seen fleeing the scene except with her acquittal, Beth has been found not guilty and has since retreated into the comfort and isolation of her mansion.
2017 - Shea Collins is a night-time true crime blogger, host of the Book of Cold Cases, who accidentally runs into Beth. The opportunity is too good to pass up and Shea asks for an interview, an interview Beth surprisingly agrees too. They meet at Beth's mansion regularly to discuss the events surrounding the Lady Killer and her involvement but Shea is never comfortable within the grounds.
There are things that move, whispers of a girl hiding in the shadows, and with the allure of Beth, it's hard to resist returning despite her fear. But as they grow closer, Shea begins to realise that something is not right and with each meeting, she takes one step closer to befriending a murderer or succumbing to the unknown dangers within the Greer walls.
Like Diane Chamberlain, Simone St. James does a wonderful job presenting a story from two narratives and time periods. The Sun Down Motel is a great example of how well James can switch between periods to tell an engaging story. I am hoping that The Book of Cold Cases lives up to her previous works and in this novel I anticipate the girl in the shadows being Beth's granddaughter and that she was intertwined with either the murderer or the victims but did not commit them herself. Eek, I am stoked to read this!
Find the review | HERE | for The Book of Cold Cases
The Cartographers
By: Peng Shepard
Release Date | March 15
Genre | Fantasy
Nell's passion is cartography. Her father, Dr. Daniel Young, is a legend in the field and Nell's personal hero but since an argument over a cheap gas station map, she hasn't seen him in years. When her father is found dead in his office with the same worthless map, Nell can't help but investigate and to her surprise, finds that the map is more valuable than it seems. In fact, the map is a rarity and she may be the owner of the only copy in existence. But why is there only one left? To find the answers, Nell embarks on a journey encountering danger, uncovering secrets, and discovering truth along the way.
In The Cartographers, I anticipate a beautiful map illustration and potentially a map to treasure (how awesome would that be) or an insane secret preserved within the drawing that Nell must uncover. I feel secrets upon secrets in this novel and I hope they are hidden in the map.
Under Lock & Skeleton Key
By: Gigi Pandian
Release Date | March 15
Genre | Mystery
Under Lock & Key is the first of the Secret Staircase mystery series posed to contain engaging and enigmatic characters worth reading multiple novels about especially Tempest, the protagonist of the first story whom I assume we will follow throughout the series.
A disastrous accident derails Tempest's life causing her to shift gears and head home to California for the comfort of her grandfather's Indian cooking and stability of her surrounding family knowing that each day at home brings her one step closer to working for her father at his company, Secret Staircase Construction. The company specialises in transforming client's homes into ones that preserve the magic of childhood by building hidden staircases, backyard treehouses, and reading nooks.
When Tempest visits the newest project, it is only to make a startling discovery inside a wall that has apparently been sealed for more than a century - inside is the rotting body of her former stage double. Fearing she herself may have been the intended victim, Tempest knows it is up to her to solve the crime but as she delves further into the mystery, all she can wonder is if the Raj family curse, something she swore was a work of fiction, had finally come to take her too.
In Under Lock & Key, I anticipate a strong fictitious start to a cozy mystery series. I want Tempest to be a strong individual that is fun to root for and that by solving this mystery, finds out she has a knack for it and sets up shop solving crimes.
Delphine Jones Takes a Chance
By: Beth Morrey
Release Date | April 5
Genre | Fiction
Delphine Jones is a single mother who lives life by putting her head down and taking one step at a time. It's been that way since her pregnancy at sixteen and since then, her inner circle has slowly dwindled to now include only her eleven-year-old daughter and best friend, Em, and her father. When Delphine is presented with an opportunity to finish school, she decides to lift her head up and take a chance on herself.
As Delphine rediscovers and blossoms through life, her circle begins to expand leading her to love, laughter, and lingering questions - particularly the deeply buried ones, the ones regarding Em's father. Has her decision to take a chance on herself made Delphine brave enough to seek the answers?
In this novel, I anticipate a heartfelt journey of a mother finding her sense of self again. I am intrigued to find out where this story goes.
Hotel Magnifique
By: Emily J. Taylor
Release Date | April 5
Genre | Fantasy
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor is a presented as a must-read for lovers of The Night Circus and Caraval (that's me!). With the backdrop of a Belle Époque inspired hotel, you as a reader follow Jani and her discoveries of and within the legendary Hotel Magnifique.
When Hotel Magnifique comes to town, Jani sees the glittering lights as a way for her and her younger sister to escape and the only way to do so is to join the staff. But soon they realise that underneath the glamour lies dangerous secrets and upon discovering that their contracts are unbreakable, Jani embarks on a mission to save her sister and free all from the Hotel Magnifique even if it means having to risk everything she loves.
I don't know what to anticipate in Hotel Magnifique. What I want is a magical world coated in sugar but sour on the inside. I hope for breathtaking world building and an unexpected ending but like the majority of novels on this list, I am stoked to read the story regardless of if what I anticipate occurs or not.
Find the review | HERE | for Hotel Magnifique
Blood Sugar
By: Sascha Rothchild
Release Date | April 19
Genre | Thriller
Ruby has killed, three times to be exact, but she is not a sociopath. She is a respected veterinarian with a thriving practice, has long-lasting and meaningful friendships, and is married to a husband she adores but the Miami Beach PD are not confident of their steadfast marriage and believe her to be Jason's killer.
Except, Ruby may have killed before but she did not kill her husband and as she is interrogated, Ruby's life flashes before her creating a story of how she was led to this exact moment. Through altering between Ruby's present in the interrogation room to her past, Blood Sugar transforms into a thrilling read that makes you question who killed her husband and how a killer can be such a likeable and rootable protagonist.
In Blood Sugar, I anticipate an intriguing introspective narrative in which we, as a reader, learn how Ruby came to kill three people and what that means for her in this exact scenario. I think this is a unique take and I am excited to read this thriller! Can you tell I am excited to read these novels?
Find the review | HERE | for Blood Sugar
Siren Queen
By: Nghi Vo
Release Date | May 10
Genre | Historical Fiction
Siren Queen by Nghi Vo combines fantasy and historical fiction to follow Luli Wei and her journey to become a star in Hollywood despite the roles for Chinese Americans being heavily limited but she doesn't care - she'd rather play a monster, not a maid.
But the worst monsters in Hollywood are not the ones on screen. The studio wants to own Luli and everything she loves and for any part to be owned, a bargain must be made in blood in magic. These bargains are powered by those like Luli, those who will do anything it takes to become a star even it means going from playing a monster to being one.
In Siren Queen, I don't know what to anticipate. I feel this could either be a metaphorical story and we see Luli transform into a cruel and vindictive woman whose fame has made her a monster or Luli's rise to fame is her literal transformation into a monster due to the bargains. I am ready to find out what happens.
Find the review | HERE | for Siren Queen
Hide
By: Kiersten White
Release Date | May 24
Genre | Horror
Fourteen competitors competing against one another for a grand cash prize that would transform their life. Mack is one of the competitors fighting for the money and to win, all she has to do is not be found in an abandoned amusement park for seven days and nights.
Despite the other competitors aching for the prize, Mack is confident she will win as the only requirement is to not be found and Mack is great at hiding. But as each competitor begins to vanish, Mack realises the game is more dangerous than it seems and that to survive, she may have to team up with the others. There is no where to run in the amusement park but everywhere to hide.
I anticipate Hide to contain some paranormal entity that eats each competitor they find. I adore the cover and the premise, so let's find out together what this novel holds!
Find the review | HERE | for Hide
The Woman in the Library
By: Sulari Gentill
Release Date | June 7
Genre | Mystery
The tranquility of the Boston Public Library's reading room is shattered by a woman's terrified scream. The security quickly take charge requesting all those present in the library to stay seated until the threat is contained. Whilst the inhabitants of the library wait, four strangers who happened to sit at the same table pass the time in conversation. They all have reasons for being in the reading room, it just happens that for one, the reason was murder.
I am hoping that The Woman in the Library is told from four viewpoints allowing for introspection between the characters and for a mystery enjoyable to read. Plus, hopefully some gorgeous library descriptions!
Never Coming Home
By: Kate Williams
Release Date | June 21
Genre | Young Adult
Never Coming Home by Kate Williams is presented to be the perfect summer read revolving around the Unknown Island and ten elite influencers invited to help market the resort. The ten influencers have been intentionally chosen as the first to experience everything the luxury accomodations and beautiful landscapes have to offer but what they don't know is that their invitation wasn't based off their influence, it was based off their secrets.
Deadly secrets that each one is hiding and it seems that whoever invited them, has determined it's time for payback. This isn't a vacation, it's a trap and it seems no influencer will return from the Unknown Island.
In Never Coming Home, I anticipate an easy read that will either be told from the viewpoint of the invitee or by two or three influencers. I feel the characters will unravel the longer they stay on the island and the realisation of the danger they are in comes to light.
