Hi everyone! I love doing an annual round up of all of the books that I'm looking forward to in the year ahead and I love reading them on other peoples blogs too. I noticed this year that in every post I read the same books keep coming up over and over again, they're the releases by the big gun authors that we all know and love and of course are anticipating. So I decided that this year I'd change it up a bit and share with you some books that I'm anticipating in 2016 that are less obvious and that some of you may not have heard of yet. I hope this post may add a few new books to your wishlist to countdown to alongside those big 2016 releases that we're all looking forward to!
Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor
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Coming March 1st 2016
Synopsis: "“Seventy-two hours, then we have to be back at the clearing. Sunrise on the third day.”
Being “the homeschooled girl,” in a small town, Hope Walton’s crippling phobias and photographic memory don’t help her fit in with her adoptive dad’s perfectly blonde Southern family. But when her mother is killed in a natural disaster thousands of miles from home, Hope’s secluded world crumbles. After an aunt she’s never met invites her to spend the summer in Scotland, Hope discovers that her mother was more than a brilliant academic. She’s a member of a secret society of time travelers, and is actually trapped in the twelfth century in the age of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Now Hope must conquer her numerous fears and travel back in time to help rescue her mother before she’s lost for good. Along the way, she’ll discover more family secrets, and a mysterious boy who could be vital to setting her mother free… or the key to Hope’s undoing.
Addictive, romantic, and rich with historical detail, Into the Dim is an Outlander for teens."
Why I Want to Read it – This is a book where the synopsis really sucked me in! This is being pitched as "Outlander for teens" and even is blurbed by Diana Gabaldon herself. I love Scotland and I love rich historical fiction so I think this book will be up my street!
The Land of 10,000 Madonnas by Kate Hattemer
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Coming April 19th 2016
Synopsis:
"Five teens backpack through Europe to fulfill the mysterious dying wish of their friend in this heartwarming novel from the author of The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy.
Jesse lives with his history professor dad in a house covered with postcards of images of the Madonna from all over the world. They’re gotten used to this life: two motherless dudes living among thousands of Madonnas. But Jesse has a heart condition that will ultimately cut his life tragically short. Before he dies, he arranges a mysterious trip to Europe for his three cousins, his best friend, and his girlfriend to take after he passes away. It’s a trip that will forever change the lives of these young teens and one that will help them come to terms with Jesse’s death.
With vivid writing, poignant themes, and abundant doses of humor throughout, Kate Hattemer’s second novel is a satisfying journey about looking for someone else’s answers only to find yourself."
Why I Want to Read it – It's not often that a synopsis gets me teary eyed but this one did! Road trip books are my jam and this one sounds full of emotion, love and adventure as well as taking place across Europe!
Sofia Khan is Not Obliged by Ayisha Malik
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Coming January 14th 2016
Synopsis:
""Brilliant idea! Excellent! Muslim dating? Well, I had no idea you were allowed to date.' Then he leaned towards me and looked at me sympathetically. 'Are your parents quite disappointed?'
Unlucky in love once again after her possible-marriage-partner-to-be proves a little too close to his parents, Sofia Khan is ready to renounce men for good. Or at least she was, until her boss persuades her to write a tell-all expose about the Muslim dating scene.
As her woes become her work, Sofia must lean on the support of her brilliant friends, baffled colleagues and baffling parents as she goes in search of stories for her book. In amongst the marriage-crazy relatives, racist tube passengers and decidedly odd online daters, could there be a a lingering possibility that she might just be falling in love . . . ?"
Why I Want to Read it – This sounds absolutely hilarious! Despite all of the Women's Fiction I've read over the years I've never read one that has a Muslim women as the main character and I think that's really sad. I'm so looking forward to reading about Sofia's adventures!
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
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Coming February 11th 2016
Synopsis:
"Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace.
He has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You might not want to like them, but you do. Though, you’d like to get to know Grace better.
But it’s difficult, because you realise Jack and Grace are never apart.
Some might call this true love. Others might ask why Grace never answers the phone. Or how she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn’t work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. And why there are bars on one of the bedroom windows.
Sometimes, the perfect marriage is the perfect lie."
Why I Want to Read it – The early reviews for this have been incredible so far! I love a good Thriller and this looks set to be one of the biggest ones of 2016. Perfect for an anti-valentines day read!
The Impostor Queen by Sarah Fine
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Coming January 5th 2016 (Out now!)
Synopsis:
"Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by magical priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.
But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.
Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side—before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed."
Why I Want to Read it – I haven't heard anybody talk about this so far but I think the synopsis sounds fascinating! I love Fantasy books about prophecies and this is about a prophecy foretold wrong. Sign me up!
Underwater by Marisa Reichardt
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Coming April 7th 2016
Synopsis:
"Morgan didn’t mean to do anything wrong that day. Actually, she meant to do something right. But her kind act inadvertently played a role in a deadly tragedy. In order to move on, Morgan must learn to forgive—first someone who did something that might be unforgivable, and then, herself.
But Morgan can’t move on. She can’t even move beyond the front door of the apartment she shares with her mother and little brother. Morgan feels like she’s underwater, unable to surface. Unable to see her friends. Unable to go to school.
When it seems Morgan can’t hold her breath any longer, a new boy moves in next door. Evan reminds her of the salty ocean air and the rush she used to get from swimming. He might be just what she needs to help her reconnect with the world outside.
Underwater is a powerful, hopeful debut novel about redemption, recovery, and finding the strength it takes to face your past and move on."
Why I Want to Read it – I think that Underwater will be a very personal read for me. I connected with the synopsis for this straight away and hope that it lives up to my expectations!
Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman
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Coming May 5th 2016
Synopsis:
"Girls on Fire tells the story of Hannah and Lacey and their obsessive teenage female friendship so passionately violent it bloodies the very sunset its protagonists insist on riding into, together, at any cost. Opening with a suicide whose aftermath brings good girl Hannah together with the town's bad girl, Lacey, the two bring their combined wills to bear on the community in which they live; unconcerned by the mounting discomfort that their lust for chaos and rebellion causes the inhabitants of their parochial small town, they think they are invulnerable.
But Lacey has a secret, about life before her better half, and it's a secret that will change everything..."
Why I Want to Read it – I love reading books about toxic friendships and this sounds like exactly that!
Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill
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Coming December 27th 2016
Synopsis:
"Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.
However, it’s not so simple.
The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force."
Why I Want to Read it – I think if I had to pick the number one book I'm anticipating on this list it would be this one and I'm so sad we have to wait until December for it! This book sounds like it has it all and I'm in love with the beautiful cover.
Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky
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Coming February 23rd 2016
Synopsis:
"From debut author Goldy Moldavsky, the story of four superfan friends whose devotion to their favorite boy band has darkly comical and murderous results.
Okay, so just know from the start that it wasn't supposed to go like this. All we wanted was to get near The Ruperts, our favorite boy band.
We didn't mean to kidnap one of the guys. It kind of, sort of happened that way. But now he's tied up in our hotel room. And the worst part of all, it's Rupert P. All four members of The Ruperts might have the same first name, but they couldn't be more different. And Rupert P. is the biggest flop out of the whole group.
We didn't mean to hold hostage a member of The Ruperts, I swear. At least, I didn't. We are fans. Okay, superfans who spend all of our free time tweeting about the boys and updating our fan tumblrs. But so what, that's what you do when you love a group so much it hurts.
How did it get this far? Who knows. I mean midterms are coming up. I really do not have time to go to hell. "
Why I Want to Read it – I love, love, love the sound of this! I love books that explore superfans and fandom culture and the fact that this has a murderous edge just makes me want to read it more.
The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig
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Coming March 3rd 2016
Synopsis:
"It was the kind of August day that hinted at monsoons, and the year was 1774, though not for very much longer.
Sixteen-year-old Nix Song is a time-traveller. She, her father and their crew of time refugees travel the world aboard The Temptation, a glorious pirate ship stuffed with treasures both typical and mythical. Old maps allow Nix and her father to navigate not just to distant lands, but distant times - although a map will only take you somewhere once. And Nix's father is only interested in one time, and one place: Honolulu 1868. A time before Nix was born, and her mother was alive. Something that puts Nix's existence rather dangerously in question...
Nix has grown used to her father's obsession, but only because she's convinced it can't work. But then a map falls into her father's lap that changes everything. And when Nix refuses to help, her father threatens to maroon Kashmir, her only friend (and perhaps, only love) in a time where Nix will never be able to find him. And if Nix has learned one thing, it's that losing the person you love is a torment that no one can withstand. Nix must work out what she wants, who she is, and where she really belongs before time runs out on her forever."
Why I Want to Read it – Please can I have this now? Pirates and time travel seem to be the big new trends in 2016 and this book combines both in what sounds like an epic adventure. I'm so in love with our UK cover!
I can't wait to get my hands on these little gems in 2016!
What books are you anticipating this year?
