If you are looking forward to some fresh books to read, check out new releases that are coming out this year! Lots of books by great authors are scheduled to be released, and you might find a new title to look forward to!
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor (Published in January!)
If you are looking for a book you can read already, this sci-fi novel is a great start to the new-year for anyone who also loves writing. What happens when the story takes on a life of its own? For Zelu, a disabled writer grappling with rejection, that question becomes terrifyingly literal. Her science fiction novel, a daring exploration of androids and humanity, skyrockets to success. But as its themes blur into Zelu’s reality, she begins to question her identity and her control over her own narrative. Nnedi Okorafor’s Death of the Author is a provocative meditation on creativity, power, and the unpredictable nature of art.
The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict (February 11)
If you like Agatha Christie or even just the idea of murder mysteries in the 1930s, this book could be your perfect mystery read for this year. Five legendary women crime writers step into the spotlight in The Queens of Crime. Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy are no strangers to crafting mysteries, but now they’re solving one. In 1930s London, a real-life strangling sends shockwaves through high society—and the literary world. Inspired by true events, this novel captures the determination of these trailblazing women as they unravel a case that challenges their wits, reputations, and courage. Based on a true story that happened in Dorothy Sayer’s life, it will be an interesting read for anyone who loves a classic mystery novel.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (March 18)
If you are a fan of the Hunger Games series, this prequel is a must-read. The Quarter Quell is supposed to be a celebration. For Haymitch Abernathy, it’s a nightmare. Thrust into the arena with three fellow tributes from District 12, he faces betrayal, bloodshed, and the chilling grip of Capitol control. Yet, amidst the horrors, Haymitch discovers a spark of defiance. Suzanne Collins’ Sunrise on the Reaping takes readers deep into the heart of Panem’s brutality, revealing how one man’s courage set the stage for rebellion.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (April 22)
Hope College graduate Emily Henry has a new novel coming out this year! Alice Scott is sunny, determined, and wildly out of her depth. Hayden Anderson, Pulitzer winner, is aloof, cynical, and thoroughly unimpressed. Tasked with writing the biography of Margaret Ives, an enigmatic heiress with a scandalous past, these two rivals clash—and spark. As the truth about Margaret’s life unravels, so do the carefully guarded walls around Alice and Hayden’s hearts. Emily Henry’s Great Big Beautiful Life is equal parts laugh-out-loud comedy and heartfelt exploration of love, legacy, and the stories we leave behind.
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (May 13)
Hai is nineteen, drowning in despair, and ready to end it all. Grazina, a widow lost in the haze of dementia, unexpectedly saves him. What begins as an accident turns into an extraordinary relationship that redefines both lives. In The Emperor of Gladness, Ocean Vuong weaves a tender and transformative narrative, reminding us that even broken people can mend each other. With lyrical prose and poignant insights, the story breathes life into themes of memory, survival, and unexpected salvation. If you liked On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, this book will be a good second read by Vuong.
My Friends by Fredrik Backman (May 20)
I first read Backman in high school when I read A Man Called Ove, and I fell in love with his way of writing domestic scenes in such beautiful ways. This new novel focuses on four people who form a friendship in their teenage years. Joar, Ted, Ali, and an unnamed artist spend countless hours together, sharing dreams, struggles, and secrets. Years later, their friendship is immortalized in a painting that falls into the hands of Louisa, a struggling artist. Driven to uncover its origins, Louisa embarks on a journey of self-discovery, unlocking stories of resilience and the healing power of art.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (June 3)
Ambition propels Joan Goodwin into the stars. In the competitive, high-stakes world of NASA’s Space Shuttle program, Joan joins the first cohort of female astronaut trainees. Grueling physical tests, emotional strain, and unexpected friendships push her to the edge. But when a mission goes catastrophically wrong in 1984, Joan faces a choice: stay grounded in grief or honor the dream that took her so far. The NASA program in 1980 and aerospace engineering are new worlds for TJR, but it sounds like another great novel!
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang (August 26)
R.F. Kuang, the author of The Poppy War trilogy and Babel, takes a new twist in fantasy and myth with this “Orpheus in the Underworld” type story with a bit of enemies to lovers. A descent into Hell is no place for the faint of heart—or the unprepared. Alice Law, a graduate student in magick, knows this all too well. After a professor’s fatal accident, she’s tasked with retrieving his soul from the underworld. The journey is perilous, the stakes high. Teaming up with her academic rival, Alice faces not just physical dangers but emotional demons. Kuang said it was one of the most emotionally difficult books she has written yet, which means it will definitely be a hard-hitter.
If you are interested in a certain genre, this list by Goodreads is a great resource to find the perfect fit!