Author: Emily Martin

2024 is Already a Good Year for Horror Reading

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date January 12, 2024

Sponsored by

It’s Monday, which means I’m back, horror fans! It’s time to chat about everything going on in horror at the moment. And I just have to say I’ve already read some really exceptional horror books this year. Which ones, you ask? I will tell you, but first, let’s chat new releases and things.

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!

Bookish Goods

4 Pack Horror Character Knife Bookmarks by BxmbshellCreations

Is your year of reading also off to a great start? You know what thing that could make it better? This 4-pack of horror-themed bookmarks featuring famous slashers in the shape of knives. What’s not to love? $18.

New Releases

A Place for Vanishing by Ann Fraistat

If you love gothic horror, this YA novel is going to be for you. After Libby is diagnosed with bipolar III, she and her family are looking for a fresh start and a little normalcy in their lives. But when they move to their new home, it turns out to be anything but normal. Between the rumors about the disappearances connected to the house and the strange boy who lives next door, Libby knows something is wrong. But her mother refuses to accept anything that would thwart their dreams of a new beginning.

This Wretched Valley by Jenny Kiefer

Wilderness horror fans will want to pick up a copy of Jenny Kiefer’s This Wretched Valley. Dylan, Clay, Sylvia, and Luke are determined to be the first people to climb a newly discovered cliff in the Kentucky wilderness. Seven months later, the climbers’ bodies are discovered. Only Dylan is still missing. What happened to the four friends?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

Black Paradox by Junji Ito

In the first few weeks of 2024, I’ve already read some amazing backlist horror books, including the manga Black Paradox by Junji Ito. In this book, a group of people meet online and make plans to end their lives together. Instead, they open up a portal to another world, and their lives are changed forever.

This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno

Here’s another incredible backlist title you should definitely check out if you haven’t already! This cosmic horror story is a poignant meditation on grief and depression. And it all starts when Thiago and Vera get a strange Alexa-like technology called Itza. At first, the Itza just does weird things, like ordering dildos for the house. But then there are weird scratching sounds in the wall. And Thiago starts having strange nightmares about a door.

I hope your January has been going as well as mine. Enjoy your reading this week, and I’ll see you next Monday. Until then, you can follow me (and message me) on Instagram at emandhercat. Sweet dreams, horror fans!

Book Radar

Keanu Reeves Teams Up with China Miéville for Sci-Fi Novel and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date January 12, 2024

Sponsored by

Dear Book Friends,

Hello, and welcome to another Monday edition of Book Radar. I’m here to bring you all the buzz on all the books. I know I mentioned it in the last newsletter, but wow. It’s really cold here right now. I made a giant pot of soup and have been surviving off of it for the past several days. You want the recipe? Here you go. Enjoy. And now books.

Book Deals and Reveals

Did you see this coming? Keanu Reeves has written a sci-fi novel with China Miéville. “I’m very excited for the opportunity to announce that I’ve partnered with one of my favorite authors, China Miéville, on the novel The Book of Elsewhere,” Reeves shared with GMA in a video announcement. “The series tells the story of an immortal warrior’s fight through the ages, and I love the world of BRZRKR so much that I wanted to explore it further, and I thought one of the best ways to do that is through a novel.” The book comes out in July.

Here’s the cover reveal of The Boy from Two Worlds, Jason Offutt’s sequel to The Girl in the Corn. It’s out from Camcat Books this June.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Netflix is releasing a 14-episode series adaptation of One Day by David Nicholls. One Day premieres February 8.

Random House will publish Lisa Marie Presley’s posthumous memoir in collaboration with Presley’s daughter, actress Riley Keough. The book will be out this October.

Simon & Schuster has acquired the world rights to Bill Maher’s What This Comedian Said Will Shock You. It’s set for a June release.

Here are the most popular books on Goodreads in the last decade, including all sorts of genres and authors.

Zadie Smith, Paul Murray, and Naomi Klein are among the authors who have been shortlisted for the Writers’ Prize, which was formerly known as the Rathbones Folio Prize.

Here it is! Book Riot’s most anticipated books of 2024! Be sure to look for mine in the list. 😉

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!

Prepare Your Shelves!

The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka (Berkley, January 23)

Raise your hand if you love a good second-chance romance! We’ve got a good one coming very soon, so prepare your shelves. Also, I have to shout out this cover because it is a vibe.

Anyway! Singer-songwriter Riley Wynn became an overnight sensation after she released a breakup album featuring a hit single no one can get enough of. But when her ex-husband claims the song is about him, Riley is determined to set the record straight. And so she contacts her old college flame, Max Harcourt, the guy the song is really about.

When Riley asks Max to go public as the real inspiration for the song, he will only agree under one condition. He wants to go on tour with her. As the two travel the country together, they begin to wonder if what was in the past shouldn’t stay in the past. And, well, you know how these things go! Lots of chemistry and fireworks, etc.

What I’m Reading This Week

You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight cover

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron

Out There Screaming, edited by Jordan Peele

Biography of X by Catherine Lacey

Where You End by Abbott Kahler

Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin

Bookish Memes

The Golden Globes memes are hitting, and these bookish ones are really, really hitting.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

an orange cat curled up on a blue blanket with a book nearby

My goal this week is to cuddle up with a blanket and a book and a cat, and well…dreams are coming true!

Hopefully, you got some book and cat cuddle time over the weekend as well. If not, hey, it’s Monday, but take a break! You’re allowed!

Emily

Book Radar

Akwaeke Emezi Reveals New Book Cover and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date January 10, 2024

Sponsored by

Book Radar Friends!

It’s Thursday, and the weather is freaking wild this week! It’s cold outside, and it’s supposed to snow all weekend. I’m excited to maybe cuddle up with a kitty, some books, and a warm cuppa tea. But before we do all of that, we gotta talk book news.

Book Deals and Reveals

Akwaeke Emezi has a new novel coming out later this year, and a few days ago, they revealed the beautiful cover of their eighth book! Emezi writes, “Little Rot is an absolutely unhinged story set in the underbelly of a Nigerian city.” It’s out on June 18.

Rainbow Rowell is releasing her first adult novel since Landline. Slow Dance is coming in July.

Tor.com has revealed the cover of Paolo Bacigalupi’s new sweeping literary fantasy Navola. It’s out from Knopf on July 9.

Here’s the cover reveal of Wendy Chen’s debut novel Their Divine Fires, which is described as “a gorgeously poetic family saga that begins at the dawn of the Chinese Revolution and spans 100 years to trace the intricate lives of four generations of Chinese and Chinese American women grappling with history, obligations, betrayal, and love in order to come into their own power and learn not just how to survive but flourish.” It’s out on May 7.

Little Golden Book is making a children’s book version of Alien. A is for Alien: An ABC Book will teach children their ABCs using illustrations from the sci-fi horror movie. The book is set to release on July 9, 2024.

Andrew Garfield and Cynthia Erivo have signed on to lead Audible’s audio adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984. Andrew Scott and Tom Hardy will also star. The audio drama is set to release in April.

Speaking of Andrew Garfield, the actor has left Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein adaptation due to scheduling conflicts. Instead, Jacob Elordi will take on the role of Frankenstein’s monster.

Skydance has bought the adaptation rights to the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan in the hopes of turning it into a franchise.

Connect with book lovers all over the world by following 17 of the best bookstores and libraries on TikTok.

Based on trends and data, and including everything from fantasy to romance, these are the next big TikTok books.

Book Riot Recommends

Can’t Wait for This One!

One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon (Knopf, June 11)

Nicola Yoon is one of those YA authors that never misses. Everything, Everything? Great. The Sun is Also A Star? I’m not ashamed to say I cried my eyes out. And this is wild, but I only realized a few years back that she’s married to David Yoon. Nicola and David launched a YA romance imprint by and about people of color in 2020. Talk about a power couple!

But Nicola Yoon isn’t going to stop there, because this year, she’s releasing her debut adult novel One of Our Kind. Not only is the cover absolutely gorgeous, but this book sounds incredible. I mean, it’s described as The Stepford Wives meets Get Out. Sign me up.

The story begins with Jasmyn and King Williams moving their family to Liberty, California. In this Black utopia, the Williamses hope to find a community of like-minded people who care just as much as they do about social justice and making the world a better place. Instead, Jasmyn is dismayed to discover that everyone in the community seems more intent on ignoring the outside world.

Words of Literary Wisdom

“Women got that feeling about him, that funny one we all get when we know something isn’t right, but we don’t know how to politely extricate ourselves from the situation without escalating the threat of violence or harassment. That is not a skill women are taught, the same way men are not taught that it is okay to leave a woman alone if what she wants is to be left alone.”
— Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

a photo of an orange cat that looks like they're smiling being held

I hate that I’ve had to work so much this week because all I really want to do is cuddle with this cutie! Just look at his little happy face! Maybe this weekend, with the cold weather, I’ll get more cat cuddle time. I hope you get some, too, if you have a cat this cute in your life.

And…that’s it! Stay warm this weekend, friends. January is Januarying!

Emily

The Fright Stuff

New Year, Same You. But New Frights!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date January 5, 2024

Sponsored by

Horror fans, it’s been ages, and I’ve missed you over the holidays. Now 2024 has begun, and while it’s a new year, The Fright Stuff will remain the same newsletter you’ve come to know and love. Get ready for another year of thrills, chills, etc. I know I am!

Bookish Goods

The Black Cat Candle by EPluribusLtd

As you set your reading goals for the year and settle in for your next read-a-thon, why not light your way with this eerie candle, inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat?” And if you want more candles for your Poe-inspired collection, this Etsy store also makes candles inspired by “The Tell Tale Heart,” “The Raven,” “The Gold Bug,” “Annabel Lee,” and “The Masque of the Red Death.” Each handmade candle is $26.

New Releases

Rabbit Hole by Kate Brody

Rabbit Hole is a debut horror thriller that looks at the dark side of true crime. Theodora “Teddy” Angstrom’s older sister, Angie, went missing 10 years ago, and the case remains unsolved. Now, Teddy finds herself falling down the Reddit rabbit hole, trying to uncover the truth behind what happened to her sister. But will she be able to find Angie? Or will she self-destruct?

The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years by Shubnum Khan

This horror fantasy novel takes place in a haunted mansion by the sea, Akbar Manzil. After a painful loss, Sana and her father move into the estate, hoping for a fresh start. But in Akbar Manzil, there is a room that’s been locked for decades, and behind that locked door is a room frozen in time, marred by tragedy.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

cover image of Fever Dream by Samantha Schweblin

Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowell

Looking for some quick horror reads to get your reading goals off to a good start? Here are some amazing horror novels in translation that are right around 200 pages. Fever Dream is a mind-bending novel that starts with a woman waking up sick in a hospital bed. A young boy sits at her bedside, and she speaks with him, trying to make sense of what happened to her.

The Hole by Hye-Young Pyun, translated by Sora Kim-Russell

The Hole is another novel of psychological horror. Ogi wakes up from a coma following a car accident that killed his wife and left him paralyzed and disfigured. Now, his mother-in-law is in charge of his care. But as she mourns the loss of her only child, she often neglects to care for Ogi and leaves him alone in his bed. The only thing Ogi has left to remember his wife is her garden in their front yard. So when Ogi sees his mother-in-law digging up the garden his wife had spent so much time cultivating, he is confused. And his mother-in-law, digging bigger and bigger holes in the garden, insists she’s simply finishing what her daughter started.

Happy New Year, everyone! I am excited to share more scary reads with you all year long. Until then, you can follow me (and message me) on Instagram at emandhercat. Sweet dreams, horror fans!

Book Radar

Sapphic Astrological Romance Incoming and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date January 5, 2024

Sponsored by

Hi Book Friends!

It’s Monday, which means it’s Book Radar time. I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you’re ready to dive into books. I’ve got a lot of stuff to share with you today. Let’s gooooo!

Book Deals and Reveals

Here’s the cover reveal for Susie Dumond’s sophomore novel Looking for A Sign, perfect for lovers of romance and astrology. This queer romance follows Gray, who’s on a mission to date one person of each zodiac sign to find her perfect match. It’s out on June 11.

And here’s the cover reveal of What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould, featuring an illustration by Peter Strain. It’s out on December 10.

Here’s another exciting cover reveal: Before & After You & Me by Dallas Woodburn. This contemporary YA novel is coming on May 7th from Owl Hollow Press.

Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst will become a published author two years after her death. Kryst’s mom, April Simpkins, said that one of her daughter’s dying wishes was getting her book — By the Time You Read This: The Space Between Cheslie’s Smile and Mental Illness — published. It will be released on April 23.

Alice Hoffman has announced a new book for young readers. When We Flew Away explores the life of Anne Frank before the diary. It’s out in September.

Here’s an excerpt from The Waters by Bonnie Jo Campbell. This book was just announced as the January 2024 pick for The Today Show‘s “Read With Jenna” book club.

Attention horror lovers! Start your new year off right with a fright and check out these scary reads for January of 2024.

Start your new year with a bang with Book Riot’s January 2024 horoscopes, paired with new books from Kiley Reid, Bora Chung, and more.

Book Riot Recommends

Prepare Your Shelves!

Kinning by Nisi Shawl (Tor Books, January 23)

Nisi Shawl’s acclaimed debut novel Everfair came out in 2016. I think we can all agree that 2016 seems like a gazillion years ago. But the wait for the sequel to Everfair is almost over. Kinning will be out later this month!

Kinning is an alternate history novel that picks up where Everfair left off. The Great War is over, and Everfair has found peace. Now, our heroes are looking to spread the revolutionary message of Everfair to the rest of the world. Everfair is a symbol of hope, equality, and anticolonialism, but can they keep the dream alive? Or will outside forces prevail?

Kinning imagines a utopian Afrofuturistic world and digs deeper into the realm of sci-fi and fantasy than its predecessor. This imaginative novel will definitely have people talking just as much as Everfair did, so make sure to add it to your TBR ASAP!

What I’m Reading This Week

This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno

Black Paradox by Junji Ito

Out There Screaming, ed Jordan Peele

A Winter in New York by Josie Silver

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

Biography of X by Catherine Lacey

Bookish Memes

We all know Ben Affleck loves his Dunkin. Sometimes, too much. Here are some excellent bookish memes featuring Ben Affleck struggling while drinking Dunkin Donuts.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

Murray, an orange cat sitting under a Christmas tree and looking up at the camera

The Christmas tree is still up, friends. And I think it has to be until I finish viewing all of my Christmas movies. Still, I think Murray might be judging me a little bit? Also, hey, check it out; we got an Echo for Christmas.

And that’s all I have for you this Monday! I hope you have a wonderful week, and I hope your reading year is off to a good start. Happy New Year!

Emily

Book Radar

Rebel Wilson’s Memoir Coming Soon and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date January 3, 2024

Sponsored by

Happy New Year, friends!

This is such an exciting time of year. A time to set new goals and start fresh, yes. But more importantly, it’s a time to look forward to all new book releases and the unforgettable reads that will define our upcoming year. What will be the best reads of 2024? Only time will tell. But for now, let’s talk books.

Book Deals and Reveals

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, actor and comedian Rebel Wilson told the publication that writing her new memoir Rebel Rising was a “gut-wrenching” and “emotional” experience. The book is out from Simon & Schuster on April 2.

Reese Witherspoon’s first book club pick of the year is First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston. Witherspoon says, “This fast-paced read has everything you could want in a thriller: secret identities, a mysterious boss and a cat & mouse game that kept me guessing the whole way through.”

Good Morning America‘s first book club pick for 2024 is The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan. Read along and join the conversation all month long on GMA’s Instagram account.

Get your TBR list ready. Here’s BookBub’s most anticipated books of 2024.

Vulture has also released their list of most-anticipated 2024 books.

Paste has a list of their most anticipated fantasy releases of 2024.

Here are the new fantasy, science fiction, and horror books out in 2024 that Goodreads users are most excited to read!

Book Riot Recommends

Can’t Wait for This One!

children of anguish and anarchy book cover

Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi (Henry Holt and Co, June 25)

It’s almost time! The last book in Tomi Adeyemi’s YA fantasy series is coming out later this year. And dang, this might be my favorite cover of the three. It’s very eerie and mysterious, and I can’t wait to get my hands on this one!

In this third and final book in the Legacy of Orisha series, the monarchy has finally fallen and the maji have risen once more. But that doesn’t mean Zélie’s troubles are over. King Baldyr, the ruler of the Skulls, now aims to harness her powers for his own gain.

If you’ve been following this trilogy, then you know how exciting, thrilling, and truly magical it is. And if you have yet to read these books, then now’s your chance to catch up before the final one comes out in June. Even if you normally aren’t a YA fan (or a fantasy reader), this is the kind of series that will appeal to a wide variety of readers. And the first book in the series, Children of Blood and Bone is set to be adapted into a feature film.

Words of Literary Wisdom

“I always imagined that everyone’s Sunken Place would look different, a manifestation of our own personal horrors.”

— Jordan Peele, Out There Screaming

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.

I love checking out BookTube around this time of year because everyone’s posting their best-of lists and their most anticipated books of the year. Here are some of my favorites:

Enjoy!

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

a photo of a calico cat lying on a towel

If you are a cat parent, then you know that they just go wherever they want, whenever they want. Like, for instance, this morning Cersei decided to curl up next to the coffee maker. Maybe for maximum warmth? Who knows?

With that, our first Book Radar of 2024 comes to an end! Thank you for being here with me, and here’s to an amazing year ahead, friends!

Emily

Book Radar

2024 is Going to Be a Great Year and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date December 27, 2023

Sponsored by

Dear Book Friends,

Welcome to the final Book Radar newsletter of 2023. It’s been a fun year, and I thank you for being here with me for it. Last week, we looked at some of the best books of 2023. Now, as we get close to the New Year, it’s time to look at what we’re looking forward to in 2024. Are you ready?

Book Deals and Reveals

Electric Lit shared an exclusive cover reveal of Housemates by Emma Copley Eisenberg. The cover was designed by Lynn Buckley. The novel will be published by Hogarth on May 28th, 2024.

Hulu Japan has announced that it is producing a live-action adaptation of Yukito Ayatsuji’s The Decagon House Murders (Jukkakukan no Satsujin). It has not been revealed whether it will be a film or a series, but it will debut in March.

Here’s the cover reveal of Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid. This feminist retelling of Macbeth is set to be released on August 6, 2024.

Here are the biggest TikTok book recommendations of 2023. Surprise: Colleen Hoover didn’t make the cut this year.

From history books to award-winning literary fiction to memoirs, here are the books Barack Obama named as his favorites of 2023.

Surveying the data reported from 19 public libraries across the country, here are the top 10 most popular books in 2023.

New year, new audiobooks! With 2024 just around the corner, here are 10 of Libro.fm’s most pre-ordered books of winter 2024.

Book Riot Recommends

It’s happening, readers — we’re bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you’re on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we’ve got three different levels for gifting (to yourself or others) to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co.

Most Anticipated Books of 2024

The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim — This debut horror novel is at the very top of my TBR list for 2024. After the death of her father, Ji-Won is the one who has to keep her family together. But she can’t stop thinking about eating eyes.

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid — If you read Kiley Reid’s debut, Such A Fun Age, you’re probably excited for this January release just as much as I am. Millie Cousins is a college student just hoping to get by. So when visiting professor Agatha Paul offers Millie an interesting research opportunity that pays well, how can she refuse?

The Hunter by Tana French — Every Tana French novel is an absolute must-read for me. There’s no one out there consistently writing mysteries as good as hers. Period. In this sequel to The Searcher, former Chicago police officer Cal Hooper has moved to rural Ireland to retire and build a life with a local woman named Lena. He also forms a bond with teenager Trey Reddy. But then Trey’s father comes back into the picture. And along with him, he brings an English millionaire and a scheme to help the whole town get richer.

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay — I’m already expecting this Paul Tremblay novel to be one of my favorites of the year. Yes, expectations are high, but this premise sounds so good. Back in 1993, a group of young filmmakers spent four weeks making an art-house horror film that would become a cult classic despite the fact that it was never released. Now, three decades later, there are talks of a major Hollywood reboot.

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé — Here’s a YA novel I can’t wait to read in 2024. Sade Hussein is a high school student who just transferred to the elite and prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school for her junior year. But when Sade’s roommate goes missing, everyone suspects the new girl has something to do with it.

Can’t Wait to Watch in 2024

Here are some book adaptations that I’m super excited to see in 2024!

American Fiction — This one is technically already out, but it gets a wide release in January, which means most of us will get to see it in 2024. This is an adaptation of the novel Erasure by Percival Everett, so if you haven’t read this novel, check it out now before you see the movie!

Heartstopper: Season 3 — This one is self-explanatory, yes? Heartstopper seasons 1 and 2 were absolute delights, and I can’t wait for the third season, which just wrapped filming.

Wicked – Okay, so I haven’t actually read the novel Wicked, but I’m a big musical theater nerd, and I love this musical. Wicked, Part 1 is out in November 2024. It’s a while from now, but I’m marking my calendar all the same.

Bridgerton: Season 3 —The third season of Bridgerton will explore the long-awaited romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton. Part 1 premiers on Netflix on May 16th, and Part 2 on June 13th.

A Gentleman in Moscow — Here’s another novel I need to read before the adaptation comes out! But I love anything Ewan McGregor does, so I’m totally on board with this one. The series will be available on Showtime at some point in 2024.

And Here’s A Dog Picture!

Here’s something a little bit different. I was dogsitting this week, and I got a cute little pic of these two together. The tall guy is Monty, and the little guy is Sammy.

And yeah, you might notice I was reading Heartstopper: Vol. 5 with the guys. 2023 has been the year of complete Heartstopper obsession for me!

Anyway, that’s all for 2023, friends. See you next year!

Emily

Book Radar

All of the Best Things of 2023 and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date December 20, 2023

Sponsored by

Hi Book Friends!

Well, this is it. We’ve reached the final two Book Radar newsletters of 2023. So with that in mind, I’m taking this newsletter to focus on my favorite books of 2023. And for the next one, we’ll look ahead to my most highly anticipated books of 2024. Sound fun? Let’s end this year on a good note. Are you ready?

But first, a quick reminder: The holidays have arrived, and so has our new paperback level at TBR! If you (or a reader you know) are just over-carrying around bulky hardcovers or are looking for a more budget-friendly option, we’ve got you. Check out all the offerings at mybtro.com/gift, and give personalized reading recommendations customized for any and every reader.

Book Deals and Reveals

Here’s the cover of Sanctuary by Valentina Cano Repetto, coming April 2024 from CamCat Books. This one is going to be great for fans of The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas, The Stroke of Winter by Wendy Webb, The House in the Orchard by Elizabeth Brooks, and The Winter Guest by W. C. Ryan.

A new novel from Alexander Chee is coming in 2025: Other People’s Husbands, a novel about a “queer Korean American novelist who returns to his alma mater as a visiting writer,” will be out from Mariner Books.

Alice Feeney has also announced a new novel. The thriller author’s seventh novel, Beautiful Ugly, out from Flatiron Books, is coming soon!

And here’s the cover of upcoming memoir Pretty by KB Brookins. “This book is unlike any other project I’ve attempted,” Brookins told Electric Lit. The cover was designed by Chip Kidd, with artwork by Anita Kunz.

If you’re excited about the new Mr. and Mrs. Smith series, then here’s a rom com novel you should check out in 2024: Jewel Me Twice by Charish Reid. The cover features art from Monika Roe. It’s out in July!

Aria Fiction has revealed the cover of The Big Day by Aliya Ali-Afzal. This “funny, heartwarming novel about a British-Asian mother and daughter who clash over plans for the bride’s Big Day” is out on June 6.

The Book Saves Lives Act has been introduced to US Congress. The Books Save Lives Act would ensure trained librarians in every school and classify book bans as federal civil rights violations.

Romance fans, have you read the best romance novels of 2023? Check out Entertainment Weekly‘s top 10 romance novels of the year to see if there are any you missed.

Book Riot Recommends

Best Books of 2023

cover of Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah — This is the best dystopian fiction I’ve read in some time and one of the most important books to come out in 2023. If you only read one book on this list, make sure it’s this one. I read this book around the 4th of July this year, and considering all of the messed up stuff going on in the world and in our country right now, a pointed attack on American violence and the prison industrial complex was the perfect seasonal read.

Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez — This one wins for best cover of 2023, in my book. At 608 pages, Our Share of Night was quite the time investment, but this dark horror novel/family saga was so worth it. I will never be able to get these characters out of my head.

What Kind of Mother by Clay McLeod Chapman — Clay McLeod Chapman’s horror fiction is always wildly inventive, with imagery that will give you nightmares. There’s something beguiling and terrifying about water and the things that live within. It’s something that has always scared me, and this book really taps into those fears.

Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward — Catriona Ward is another all-time favorite of mine. Ward specializes in psychological horror that will leave your brain in knots, and Looking Glass Sound is her mind-bendiest novel yet. In fact, I’m still unraveling what really happened in this twisty novel, but I loved every word of it.

Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling by Elise Bryant — And now for something entirely different. Sometimes the most healing read for the soul is a sweet, heartwarming contemporary YA rom-com. It’s one of my favorite genres, and Elise Bryant’s Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling was the best I read all year. Reggie and Delilah are such fun characters, and I loved that their love story was about so much more than falling for each other. It was about learning to fall for yourself.

What I Loved Watching in 2023

Yes, I read a lot in 2023, but I also watched a lot of movies and TV. Here are some of my favorite things I watched in 2023.

The Last of Us — Have you heard of a lil HBO show called The Last of Us, starring the Internet’s boyfriend Pedro Pascal? No? Crawl out from under that rock and watch it now. I cried watching pretty much every episode. No big deal.

May December — Someone give Charles Melton the Oscar right now! We don’t have to wait for the awards ceremonies. I loved this movie, and it’s now streaming on Netflix!

Heartstopper — I can’t get enough Heartstopper. Season 2 was wonderful. I just picked up my copy of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper: Volume 5. And… season 3 just wrapped! Will Heartstopper also be one of my favorite things of 2024? Probably.

Priscilla — Sofia Coppola’s adaptation of Priscilla Presley’s memoir Elvis and Me was visually stunning from start to finish. And again, A+ acting. It’s now available to rent, but I’m probably going to have to buy this one.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse — Everyone saw this, right? RIGHT?

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

You know it’s winter because Remy has decided the dryer is a fun place to sleep. Dangerous, but fun. And is life worth living if you’re not living on the edge? (Disclaimer: yes, yes it is worth living.)

Alright, friends! That’s it for looking back on 2023. It’s all looking forward from here on out. What were your favorite things of 2023? Let me know!

Emily

The Fright Stuff

All the Best Horror of 2023

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date December 15, 2023

Sponsored by

Hi, horror fans! Somehow, we’ve made it to the last The Fright Stuff newsletter of the year, so I thought this week would be a good chance to look back at all the wonderful horror of 2023…and everything we can look forward to in 2024! I love a new year. Let’s do this.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for that bookish special someone in your life this holiday season? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! Here at TBR, we pair our customers with a professional book nerd (aka bibliologist) who just gets them. They fill out a survey and then sit back and relax as we pick books just for them. We’ve got three levels — recs-only, paperback, and hardcover — and you can gift a full year or one time, so there are options for every budget! Get all the details at mybtro.com/gift.

Bookish Goods

Horror Movie Logbook by ArtfulPixels

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to watch more horror movies in 2024? Grab yourself a copy of this horror movie logbook. You can mark details about the movie, when you watched it, how scary the movie was, and more. Each page provides sections to rate two different movies. $26.

Best Horror of 2023

What Kind of Mother by Clay McLeod Chapman

There were so many good horror novels in 2023. Here are just a few of my favorites I read this year! What Kind of Mother is a Southern Gothic horror novel that follows Madi Price, who has reluctantly returned to her hometown of Brandywine, Virginia, with her 17-year-old daughter. Madi scrapes by working as a palm reader, which is how she encounters Henry McCabe, whose son went missing five years ago. Everyone assumes Henry’s son is dead, but when Madi reads his palm, she sees something different. This book is so unique and disturbing in the best way. And you will never look at crabs the same way again. Trust me!

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones

This is the second book in Stephen Graham Jones’ Indian Lake Trilogy, and we can look forward to the third book in the series, The Angel of Indian Lake, in 2024. Don’t Fear the Reaper sees Jade Daniels return to the rural lake town of Proofrock on the same day serial killer Dark Mill South escapes to exact his revenge. A lot has changed since Jade’s senior year, but after Dark Mill South’s 36-hour rampage and 20 dead bodies, many of the horrors of that year come flooding back.

Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang

Natural Beauty combines horror and humor to tell the story of an unnamed narrator who quits her job as a pianist to care for her parents in New York City. There, she takes up a job at a high-end beauty and wellness store called Holistik and grows close to the owner’s niece, Helen. The two form a friendship that slowly becomes more, and the narrator becomes deeply wrapped up in the products and ideology of Holistik. But underneath its glossy surface, Holistik hides something sinister.

Horror to Look Out for in 2024

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay (June 25)

Paul Tremblay is always a must-read horror author every year, but this book looks especially good. Back in 1993, a group of young filmmakers spent four weeks making an art-house horror film that would become a cult classic…even though only a few scenes from the film were ever released to the public. And yet, somehow, the movie became a fascination for film fans everywhere. And now, three decades later, there are talks of creating a major Hollywood reboot. Only one member of the film’s original cast is still alive. The man who starred in the film as “The Thin Kid” has vivid memories of just how strange the filming process was. And just how dangerous. As he attempts to help the big-budget remake get underway, memories of the original filming and all of its mysteries and secrets come flooding back. And the past and the present begin to blur.

The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim (June 25)

This book cover is already haunting my nightmares. When her father leaves unexpectedly, Ji-Won is forced to keep the rest of her family together and care for her grieving mother. Then Ji-Won’s mother tells her eating fish eyes could bring them good luck, so Ji-Won tries it. Now, all she can think about is eating eyes. And not fish eyes this time. Human ones.

The Haunting of Velkwood by Gwendolyn Kiste (March 5)

This final book is being described as perfect for fans of Yellowjackets, and it comes from Gwendolyn Kiste, who won a Bram Stoker Award for The Rust Maidens and the Lambda Literary Award for Bisexual Fiction for Reluctant Immortals. This book follows the story of three childhood friends who are the lone survivors after everyone else in their town turns into ghosts.

Horror fans, I hope you have a great rest of your holiday season and a happy new year! I’ll see you on the other side! Until then, you can follow me (and message me) on Instagram at emandhercat. Sweet dreams, horror fans!

Book Radar

MURDERBOT Series Starring Alexander Skarsgård Coming to Apple TV+ and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date December 15, 2023

Sponsored by

Happy Monday, Book Friends!

We’re nearing the end of the year, and I’m so ready to sit back for a few days, wrap up some reading, watch more bad Christmas movies, and live my best December life. What are you up to for the holidays? Are you reading 5,000 Christmas rom-com books like I am? Let me know!

Book Deals and Reveals

Crime Reads has shared the cover and an excerpt from Elise Bryant’s It’s Elementary. It’s out from Berkley in August 2024.

And here’s the cover of Sarah Pearse’s The Wilds. It’s out on July 16, 2024.

Nicola Yoon’s first adult novel, One of Our Kind, is coming out on June 11, 2024. Check out the cover here.

Alexander Skarsgård will star in the upcoming 10-episode series adaptation of Martha Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries. Murderbot will be available to stream on Apple TV+.

Paddington is set to get a musical theater adaptation! The newly announced show — which has the working title Paddington: The Musical — will open in the UK in 2025.

Here’s Autostraddle’s list of the best queer books of 2023, including everything from horror to nonfiction, graphic novels to poetry.

These are the 2024 YA book-to-film adaptations you’ll want on your to-be-seen list, as well as some possible upcoming adaptations.

Here are the highest-rated celebrity memoirs of the last few years.

Book Riot Recommends

Prepare Your Shelves!

Family Family by Laurie Frankel (Henry Holt and Co., January 23)

It’s time to get excited and prepare your shelves for January 2024 releases. Remember when January 2024 seemed super far away? Well. Here we are. And this is one of the January books you’re going to want to read, especially if you love literary fiction and family dramas.

India Allwood’s dreams are coming true. Sort of. She’s always wanted to be an actress, and now she’s starring in a prestige feature film about adoption. But India hates that the film’s story is the same old adoption tragedy story. Not every story of adoption is a sad story. What about all of the happy adoption stories? Why are those never told?

As someone who is an adoptive mom in real life, she wants the world to know the truth about adoption. And so when she’s asked by a journalist, she tells the truth about the movie. She thinks it’s bad. Almost as soon as the words are out of her mouth, India finds herself under fire in the media. With people coming at her from every direction, India knows it’s time to turn to her family for help.