Top 15 Book Releases We’re Looking Forward To This Year!

January 9, 2018 by Aila J. | Books, Chatterbox, Features

Hello everyone!

Hope you all are having a fine start to the new year. I admit, I haven’t been very caught up with upcoming releases (I blame college!), but thankfully book Twitter is great at promoting awesome-sounding new releases. 😀 I personally cannot wait for the debuts, and all the new voices, stories, perspectives, and representation that it comes with. Since starting college, it’s been a struggle to keep up with reading for pleasure rather than reading for class. But I do have a subconscious list of novels to prioritize when I should be studying, hehe. 😉 Here are some of the books that we can’t wait to get our hands on this year!

AILA’S PICKS

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1. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Okay, how can this not be on a reader’s list? Forget the praise from acclaimed authors, all the awesome marketing, and that GORGEOUS cover… this synopsis is enough for me to be lured (I admit, I’m weak for heroines ready to save the world). And can we just talk about how blessed we are with these Nigerian-inspired fantasies? (See: Beasts Made of Night)

2. Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles

AKA THE BOOK BABY BORN OF THE COVER GODS. Like seriously, how much more delightful can that cover get? It was love at first sight, this book and I. Tyler Johnson explores police brutality and abuse towards African-Americans, and the racism steeped in society. A star is born every time a social justice novel for Young Adults is released.

3. The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan

I’m actually quite proud of this list so far, because all the covers are A+++. This book follows the grief and hope of a half-white, half-Taiwanese girl Leigh whose mother commits suicide. It sounds very raw, and aching, and gripping, and I cannot wait to follow this contemporary book raveled in magic.

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4. The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

So do I even have to explain why this book is on my list? The author is amazing, the blurb sounds tantalizing, the message seems resonating… yeah, the list goes on and on. AND ALSO LOOK AT THE CHEEKBONES OF THE COVER MODEL SHEESH THIS GIRL IS GOALS.

5. My So-Called Bollywood Life by Nisha Sharma

Okay that title alone got me curious. My first introduction to Bollywood was the gorgeous Deepika Padukone starring in the gorgeous Rasleela Ram-leela (THAT DIRECTOR’S MOVIES WILL MAKE YOU C R Y, OKAY), and I’ve never looked back. And then expanded to Tollywood! This book sounds soo right up my alley, as Winnie is trying to act her life out like a Bollywood movie (girl, same), even if it means falling for the wrong guy (ugh this trope gives me LIFE, I tell you). I NEED TO SEE MAH GIRL GET HER PERFECT ENDING OKAY.

Books that need to be mentioned as well:

JEANN’S PICKS

 

1. Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

If you’ve been paying attention at all, you’d know that I’m a massive fangirl of the Illuminae series. I’ve just finished re-reading Illuminae and Gemina (the latter 4 times) and I’m ready for more spacey goodtimes, pew pews, aliens and crazy, out there A.I. that threatens to kill us all. I need this book so badly in my life right now. By the way, the audiobooks are literally the best things I’ve ever listened to so you should get it!

2. Thunderhead by Neal Schusterman

Scythe was one of my favourite books last year, covering a futuristic dystopian world where the only way people can die are from the hand of scythes. It’s been a while since I’ve read such an intelligent, scarily plausible dystopian that is so well thought out, and I can’t wait to read the next one!

3. Iron Gold by Pierce Brown

I’m both terrified and excited to read Iron Gold, especially after that epic ending in Morning Star. You’ve got an epic space opera, Greco-Roman war tactics and some brutal and seriously lovable characters. If you haven’t read the Red Rising series, what are you waiting for?

 

4. From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon

We adored When Dimple Met Rishi last year, featuring Indian-American characters with Bollywood, arranged marriages and a coding convention. I’m looking forward to this edition, also with Indian characters and the film-making industry. It sounds completely adorable and I love the insta-worthy cover.

5. A Thousand Perfect Notes by C.G. Drews

What better reason do I have to read this that it’s written by Paper Fury, one of my favourite bloggers (and friends) of all time? Revolving around music and parental abuse, the story sounds completely haunting. AND I CAN’T WAIT TO READ IT (and to see the cover).

JENNA’S PICKS

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1. Save the Date by Morgan Matson

I have loved all of Morgan Matson’s books, especially Second Chance Summer. I am extremely excited for Save the Date because of its cute premise and the fact that Morgan Matson didn’t have a release in 2017.

2. American Panda by Gloria Chao

This book just speaks to my heart. First of all, I look a lot like the cover model so I already feel really related to the main character. The second thing that just speaks to my heart is that there are dumplings on the spine of the book, and I love dumplings more than anything. I just feel like this is going to be one of my favourite books of the year.

3. Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare

It’s no secret that I love the Shadowhunter world and all of the books. Queen of Air and Darkness is the final book in The Dark Artifices trilogy and I am so keen to see how it all ends. Too bad I’ll have to wait until December.

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4. My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows and Ashton Brodi

I really, really, really loved My Lady Jane when I read it last year. I thought it was funny and clever, and I loved so many of the characters. I’m keen to see what our trio of authors brings with My Plain Jane, which is about Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte.

5. I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman

Gayle Forman’s Just One Day duology (plus the sequel novella) are some of my all-time favourite YA contemporaries. I really enjoy her stories, characters and writing, so I am very excited for a new YA novel from Forman. Her last release was general fiction, which I did not pick up, so I’m really excited for the release of I Have Lost My Way.

 

Although we all picked 5 books each, (and I cheated a little) we’re excited for so many more! I love the huge range of books that we’re all looking forward to. Cheers to a new year full of wholesome and diverse books!

What are some of your most-anticipated books? Do any of them coincide with ours?

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Aila J.

Co-Blogger at Happy Indulgence Books
Aila is a young adult reader who loves to transport herself to new dimensions through reading. She's currently an undergraduate student at university in the US. Let's talk about our obsessions on Twitter @aila_1woaa!

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35 responses to “Top 15 Book Releases We’re Looking Forward To This Year!”

  5. Valerie

    Lovely list you guys! I definitely can say that my most anticipated release is The Astonishing Color of After! And I’m actually also intrigued by My So Called Bollywood Life. I know next to nothing about Bollywood, but it still sounds interesting!

    I also can’t wait to read Thunderhead! I’ll have to get to it at some point. And Obsidio.
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  6. Rochelle

    Thank you for sharing this list. I had no idea most of these were coming out in 2018, but thanks for the links to goodreads, my to-read list just grew a bit bigger, not that it needs to but who can resist such great sounding books? I did know that Cait’s book was coming out though and I cannot wait for it, I am sure it is going to be amazing.
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  8. Sunny @ A Sunny Spot

    I couldn’t agree more with all of your picks! Especially ‘Children of Blood and Bone’, ‘Tyler Johnson was Here’, ‘The Belles’, and ‘From Twinkle With Love’. I’m adding a bunch of these to my wishlist now. Looks like 2018 is going to be a great year for YA. Woohoo!
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  11. Kelly

    I think most of these are on my list for this year too, so many wonderfully diverse narratives from a multitude own voices authors! I just came across The Astonishing Color of After the other day on Goodreads and immediately added it too, it’s quickly risen to the top of the pile along with Children of Blood and Bone which I’m lucky enough to have a copy of. Cait’s book is a given but reading The Belles at the moment and brace yourself, It’s amazing! The writing is absolutely beautiful and among the best I’ve had the privilege of reading in young adult. A brilliant list ladies and thank you so much for the recommendations <3
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  13. Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight

    We have so many in common! Aila, The Belles was quite good! And I definitely want to read the others, especialy Children of Blood and Bone! Oooh Jeann, I loved Thunderhead! And I feel you with Obsidio, and obviously Cait’s book! I like to tell myself I was like, one of the first people to pre-order it, and Idk if that is true, but I mean, I was FAST Jenna, Save the Date, American Panda, and I Have Lost My Way all look really great! Hope you all end up loving your picks!!
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  16. Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books

    You have AMAZING picks here, all three of you, I don’t even know where to start ahah. So many of these are on my TBR as well: Children of Blood and Bone, The Astonishing Color of After, American Panda, Obsidio, A Thousand Perfect Notes, Save the Date… I think the book I am the MOST impatient to read, though, has to be The Belles! 😀
    Great post! 🙂
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  17. Cait @ Paper Fury

    *sneaks up and tackle hugs Jeann* YOU’RE TOO NICE TO ME I’M FLAILING. Also going to lowkey die when it comes out and people can actually read it. Ahem.

    Anyway! I have so many of these on my list too!! Children of Blood and Bone is going to be AMAZING I just know it and Queen of Air And Darkness is probably my #1 anticipated. I’m so nervous though. Everything bad is going to happen isn’t it?! And Obsidio = yes bring it. Also Tyler Johnson is the most freaking perfect cover in existence and I can’t wait to read it!
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