It’s 2018 already! Take that, Mayans.
Assuming the world doesn’t end, it’d be a good idea to know what books are on the horizon, right? Or even if it does, that bunker had better have some reading material if you hope to keep your sanity and wait out the nuclear fallout.
2017 had some fantastic releases, but here’s what I’ll be looking forward to in 2018.
Young Adult
Everless by Sara Holland: The idea of buying and selling time poses so many ethical and moral dilemmas that I just can’t resist.
The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw: Witch hunts, revenge, and the potential drowning of teen boys. I’m not sure what else anyone could possibly want.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi: I’ve loved learning a bit about the Yoruba, so the concept of Orisha jumped out at me. A great way to get pulled into a different culture, with high a stakes plot.
When Light Left Us by Leah Thomas: I normally don’t go for books with aliens, but this sounds like a wonderful, heartwarming tale, and I’m really a sap for things that involve family ties. What can I say? I’m squishy.
Ink, Iron, and Glass by Gwendolyn Clare: As a writer, I feel like the idea of scriptology speaks for itself. Sign me up. Also, probably pray I never become a scriptologist. No, really, it won’t end well.
Onyx & Ivory by Mindee Arnett: Another book that I wouldn’t normally read, but, I mean, look at that cover! What? I never said I wasn’t shallow. I’m also a sucker for strong female protagonists, and anyone that can wield forbidden magic and take on drakes is A-OK in my book.
Cadaver Queen by Alisa Kwitney: A strong female protagonist breaking status quo. Plus, Frankenstein robot, murder, and a retelling of history. Enough said.
When My Heart Joins the Thousand by A. J. Steiger: Another book out of my “normal” culprits, but I love the representation of neuroatypical people. It promises to be a heart-wrenching story, and therefore, I will be stocked up on tissues.
The Unbinding of Mary Reade by Miriam McNamara: Pirates! Female pirates! Also, LGBT romance. Really, there’s nothing here I can say that would make its release any less exciting.
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland: A strong African American lead in a fantastic, dark reimagining of the Civil War. Honestly, at this point, I can’t imagine not reading it.
Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire: Confession: I haven’t read the previous two books in this series. Actually, I didn’t find them until December, and with this release being so close, I intend to binge read the three together, so I have to suffer slightly less instead of waiting for the next release. See? Sometimes I have good ideas.
Adult Fantasy/Science Fiction
Time Was by Ian McDonald: LGBT romance, time travel, and a quest to see if love will prevail?? Yes, please.
Child of a Mad God by R. A. Salvatore: To be fair, this is on hubby’s must-reads of 2018 more than mine. But let’s be honest, he’s already preordered it, and he’ll read it in one day, and then bug me for the next five decades until I read it. So for the sake of my marriage (and sanity), it’s on my list, too. Plus, I mean, it’s hard to go wrong with an R. A. Salvatore book.
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig: Okay, so, love messes everything up. As a married person, I feel like this is a universal truth. But, that being said, I love love, and I’m a sucker for some dangerous romance and also time travel.
Tomorrow by Damian Dibben: So, I read The Art of Racing in the Rain in 2017, and it ran the whole gambit of emotions. So this has big shoes to fill as far as the canine protagonist goes, but I am completely on board for giving it a read.
Smoke Eaters by Sean Grigsby: Well, it’s got dragons, for one. I’m a very simple woman. I come when someone says dragons. Or bacon. I also love the representation of firefighters, sometimes unsung heroes, and I look forward to reading about them saving the day. Against dragons. Did I mention that? How freaking cool is that?
Eye of the Moon by Ivan Obolensky: Well, it’s recommended as like Agatha Christie, and just the mention of that name sends me into an endless spiral of nostalgia. Beyond that, I love the overtones of Egyptian occultism and an almost Clue-like whodunnit, where everyone has secrets.
So what’s on your list of must-read books for 2018? Anything you’re particularly excited about? Drop some recommendations in the comments below.
A lot of these look really fantastic. I will have to add to my list. I’m anticipating The Poisoner’s Enemy which releases very soon. http://a.co/0tdGv6S
But most of my planned reads for this year are to finish out series that I’ve started. They aren’t new releases for the most part.
Yesss I’m so excited for these too!! Children of Blood And Bone looks like it’s going to be AMAZING and I’m reading Everless right now and it’s quite interesting. 🎉 I also really really hope that When My Heart Joins the Thousands is as good as it sounds!😍
I can’t wait to hear what you think of Everless! I wanted to add your book to the list, but, you know, soooomebody didn’t have a cover yet when I posted this. Not naming names or anything. But it was totally worth the wait, and needless to say, A Thousand Perfect Notes is on my 2018 list, as well. 😉
I’ve seen TONS of hype for about half of these books. ESPECIALLY EVERLESS! I also have a desire to read Ink and Bone which looks right up my alley. Good post!
That’s true, several of these have gotten tons of hype. It’ll be interesting to see if they live up to that or not. It’s hard not to get caught up in the hype sometimes. This year has a pretty great line-up of releases, though.