Happy New Year, everyone! I know the general consensus is to say “GOOD RIDDANCE” to 2016, but in terms of reading I had a GREAT year. I read so many fantastic books, visited so many awesome blogs and continued to interact with many fellow bloggers. While the world around us falls apart, speculative fiction is alive and well! And 2017 promises to be even better. My TBR is FULL of upcoming releases, and I’m going to do everything I can to read as many of them as possible.
2017 is going to be the year my son graduates from high school and starts college! So big things are ahead for my family, and my daughter isn’t far behind, since she’ll be a senior next year:-)
I also want to take a moment to congratulate my Sci-Fi Month winners, who got to choose any of the books I featured during Sci-Fi Month:
Christy L. chose The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi and Cat S. chose Dream Fall by Amy Plum
And now for my January books! I’m happy to say my plans for December were semi-successful: I tried to read and pre-schedule some of my January review titles, and I was able to read three of them, which isn’t too bad. I’m hoping to continue that “read ahead” trend all year if I can. I’m also hoping (as I do every year) to restrain myself from requesting too many review books. I seem to fail at this every year, and yet I set this as a goal anyway. I’m not doing very well so far, especially since NetGalley is offering some of my most anticipated releases, and I’m helpless against clicking that “request” button, lol.
Here are the books I’m hoping to read this month:
First, please feel free to appreciate these first three books, which all feature corn fields/crows on the covers!
Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire is a new Tor.com novella, completely separate from her Wayward Children series!
The Last Harvest by Kim Liggett was recently pitched to me by Tor. I wasn’t crazy about Kim’s first book, Blood and Salt, but I’m definitely willing to try another of her books. This looks creepy!
Haven, Kansas by Alethea Kontis. I’ve already read this and written my review, which goes up tomorrow. Kontis is a traditionally published author who decided to go the self-publishing route with this book, and I was really impressed with the quality.
Metronome by Oliver Langmead. I read Langmead’s Dark Star a couple of years ago and couldn’t stop raving about it, so I’m pretty darned excited to read his next book.
Heartstone by Elle Katharine White. I’ve already seen some glowing reviews for this fantasy take on Pride and Prejudice, so I’m very excited to see if it lives up to the hype!
Department Zero by Paul Crilley. My first Lovecraft-inspired book of the year!
Caraval by Stephanie Garber. One of the most super-hyped YAs of 2017, my review will be up near the end of the month. My feelings are a bit mixed on this one, and I’m afraid my review won’t be too popular with readers who have been gushing over this and giving it five stars…
Home (Binti #2) by Nnedi Okorafor. This is the second Tor.com novella I have planned for this month, and I’m so curious to see how Okorafor continues her very strange story!
Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty. Trippy resurrection space story! I’m very excited to read this.
Events & Giveaways
I won’t be having my Book Review Giveaway this month—mostly because I didn’t get very many reviews up in December (but stay tuned, we’re back on in February!). Instead, I’ve joined the Best of 2016 Giveaway Hop, hosted by Bookhounds. One winner will get to pick one of my favorite books of the year. Check back here on January 19th!
Other than that, I don’t have any author interviews or events scheduled. My goal is to concentrate on reviews this month.
Congratulations, Christy and Cat. Nice choices!
I’ve pre-ordered Home, and I’ll read anything by Seanan McGuire.
Yes! I’m the same, ANYTHING by Seanan McGuire!
Happy New Year to you too! Hope it’s a good reading year.
As for the ones on your post, I’ve marked Six Wakes as to read. But I’m hazy as to when it comes out, I think it hasn’t come out yet?
Also, which titles are you waiting for the most on NetGalley? I also have the same ARC “problem” xD but the truth is, if you knew what to request, you could always just read books from there, cause some are ridiculously good. Reading Faithful by Alice Hoffman now (from NetGalley) and it’s so brilliant that I’m drowning in blogger shame for letting it sit there for so long.
Evelina recently posted…Bout of Books readathon and the results of BICothon!
I think Six Wakes comes out on January 31, so about a month to go. I want to read Faithful SO BAD. I’m a huge Alice Hoffman fan! I must try to get to it. As for NetGalley, I can’t even begin to list my most anticipated books, there are so many!
Faithful is so worth it! You must read it. I was so lucky to get if off NetGalley!
I’ll be tracking your ‘waiting on’ posts to see those NetGalley anticipated titles then 🙂
AvalinahsBooks recently posted…Bout of Books readathon and the results of BICothon!
A good and interesting plan for this month 🙂
I’m looking forward to your review on McGuire and Okorafor: I recently read Binti and loved it, although I would have wanted more, so the news about the continuation of Binti’s journey is a very welcome one!
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Review: BABYLON’S ASHES, by James S.A. Corey (The Expanse #6)
Yes, Binti was very short, so I’m glad as well that we’ll get more of her story.
Happy New Year! I had a great reading year but I still hope to improve and break the magic 300! Most books I read are around 200 pages so if I can avoid reading slumps, I’m hopeful! There are some great covers on your list-loving The Last Harvest, Heartstone and Department Zero. I’ll be interested to see your review of Caraval as I’m still not sure if I want to read it. I want to check out lots of different reviews first!
I really liked Caraval but didn’t LOVE it. I had some issues with it.
Happy New Year, I have only heard of one of those books, so I hope you enjoy them all! 🙂
Happy reading!
Stormi
Thanks Stormi, Happy New Year to you too:-)
I already pre-ordered Home so I will be reading that very soon. I also plan on reading Six Wakes and the new Seanan McGuire novella! 🙂
I have soooo many books on my 2017 anticipated releases list and a ton of titles that are going to come in the later half of 2017 aren’t even announced yet, I don’t know how I am going to choose what to read each months! 😛
I know what you mean, it’s always a struggle for me, knowing how many books I can read in a year, and then looking at how many I WANT to read. Ugh!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAY HEARTSTONE! I hope you love it, Tammy! Gosh I will be so sad if you don’t! And Caraval too; I was apprehensive about that one too, because of the hype, but it turned out to be AWESOME. I hope the same for you.
Happy New Year, Tammy!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!) recently posted…What I Am Looking Forward to Reading in 2017
I’m starting Heartstone tonight! I’ll let you know how I like it:-)
Happy 2017! You have some big things coming up! Hope it’s a great year. Heartstone and Six Wakes are on my list as well…
Greg recently posted…Sunday Post #175
Thanks Greg, Happy New Year! 2017 is lookin’ good so far…
I can’t wait to read Heartstone and The Last Harvest, plus I’m curious about Caraval but will probably try to grab it from my library as it is really hyped and typically I don’t have the best luck with them. You know how I feel about the Seanan McQuire book and I’m hoping to read the next book to Every Heart a Doorway soon. I really need to plan my January reading but it’s only the 2nd and I already feel behind. And oh, Department Zero, can’t wait to hear your thoughts. I should finish Certain Dark Things tonight and am LOVING it. In fact, thought they aren’t very similar, it’s giving me “Suicide Motor Club” feels. Good luck with you goals!
Barb (boxermommyreads) recently posted…December 2016 Wrap Up (Challenges Wrap Up Included)
I LOVED Dusk or Dark!! I’m writing my review for it now, so it should be up later this week. She’s so imaginative and quirky, I just can’t get enough of her! I’m so glad you love Certain Dark Things! Yes, I can see why it would remind you of Suicide Motor Club, they are both very gritty and dark. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it!
December and 2016 went by quick! I didn’t do as much catching up as I would’ve liked, instead jumping into January releases because as you’ve highlighted here, it’s a big month for new books. I just finished Department Zero and am starting The Last Harvest now!
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…Book Review: Snuff by Terry Pratchett
Department Zero is coming up soon for me, I just started Heartstone and I’m really loving it!
I loved Binti, so am really looking forward to Home! 🙂
Lisa @TenaciousReader recently posted…Review: Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier
Ha! I do love your unintended cover theme you’ve got going. 🙂 I’m especially looking forward to reading your thoughts on Six Wakes.. not sure why but I keep feeling reluctant about requesting this one.
Bonnie @ For the Love of Words recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Highly Anticipated 2017 Debuts
I will definitely be reading Heartstone at some point – look forward to reading your thoughts on that.
Lynn 😀
A fantasy retelling of Pride and Prejudice?? Sign me up!
It was really good, Rinn:-)
I’m hoping Caravel will live up to the hype…! 🙂
Check out my TTT.