How goes it, Book Friends?
I’m doing pretty well. Got my hair done today. Got to cuddle some cats. Got to eat some pizza. Can’t complain. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about what really matters. Taylor Swift. Wait…no, it’s books. Of course I meant to say books. Let’s talk about books! (But also a little bit about Taylor Swift.)
Book Deals and Reveals
Elly Conway, author of the new novel Argylle, which has already been adapted into film, is an author shrouded in mystery. Who is Elly Conway, really? Some people are sure the novel was actually written by Taylor Swift. But Argylle director Matthew Vaughn says it’s not true: “There is an Elly Conway who wrote the book, but it’s not Taylor Swift.” Sorry, Swifties.
Paste revealed the cover and an excerpt from The Hunter’s Gambit, the latest novel from Ciel Pierlot. The novel is out on June 25 from Angry Robot Books.
Isabela Ferrer And Alex Neustaedter have been cast to play young Lily and young Atlas in Sony’s adaptation of It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. It Ends With Us is getting a theatrical release on June 21.
OMG, more news for Swifties?? Here’s the cover of Kat McKenna’s Look What You Made Me Do, a look at fandom culture. It’s out from Gallery YA on May 9.
Taiwanese American writer Gracie Marsden will publish Bones of Jade, Flesh Like Ice with Viking. The publisher described the book as a “dark, historical feminist fantasy novel immersed in Taiwanese mythology” that follows “a woman on a path of revenge and redemption.” A publication date has yet to be set.
Amy James will publish her debut adult romance novel with Avon has part of a two-book deal. A Five-Letter Word for Love is set for a December release.
Bindu Bansinath, staff writer at The Cut, will be publishing her first novel, Men Like Ours, with Bloomsbury. The book will be published in 2026.
These are the 23 most clicked-on books featured on Book Riot in 2023, from fantasy to literary fiction and more.
Here are the books that all the book clubs are reading for January 2024, plus how to join in the discussion.
Book Riot Recommends
Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!
2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!
Can’t Wait for This One!
Sacrificial Animals by Kailee Pedersen (St. Martin’s Press, August 20)
There’s nothing I love more than adding all the new horror novels to my TBR list at the beginning of the year. Especially when a horror novel’s premise sounds as promising as this one does.
This debut novel from Kailee Pederson draws heavily from the author’s own experiences of being adopted from Nanning, China, and growing up in Nebraska on a farm. Pederson’s novel also pulls from Chinese mythology. All of this adds up to one chilling tale of supernatural horror mixed with family drama.
Nick Morrow left his home in Nebraska in the hopes of putting all of his family trauma in the past. But when his abusive father, Carlyle, asks for Nick and his brother Joshua to return to the farm before he dies, neither son can say no. Nick has certain expectations for what returning to Nebraska will mean. But nothing could prepare him for what actually happens there.
Words of Literary Wisdom
“When you age, wrinkles don’t make you older. They make you look more like yourself…Everything comes to the surface eventually.”
— The Magical Language of Others by E.J. Koh
What’s Up in the Book Community?
My iPhone is constantly telling me I spend too much time staring at my screen, which is honestly so rude. But this means I spend a lot of time scrolling around the online book community: BookTube, Bookstagram, BookTok, BookLinkedIn (JK. That’s not a thing…I don’t think). You get the idea. Don’t have the time, energy, or the will to do all of that yourself? No problem. I got you. In this weekly section of Book Radar, we’ll take a look at something cool, interesting, and/or newsy that’s going on in the book community.
Are you ready for your first Read-A-Thon for 2024? For me, it will be Black-A-Thon, which is in its 5th year this February. Check out all of the details on this great Read-A-Thon, hosted by Jesse on YouTube. Will you be joining me? What are you planning on reading?
And Here’s A Cat Picture!
We’re ending today’s newsletter with this pic of Remy looking absolutely sassy on top of his favorite bed. This is basically where he lives at the moment. He’s there right now. He was there this morning. He will be there tomorrow. Is he ok? Who knows? He’s a cat.
And… that’s all, friends! See you Monday!