Welcome to Over-Booked, where I share my latest and greatest book acquisitions! There is a new blog hosting Stacking the Shelves, so do check out Reading Reality for more information!
The 2026 ARCs are coming in, and I’ve been approved for some highly anticipated books on NetGalley as well. Here are the books I received in November for review:
Books in the mail for review:
Huge thanks to Del Rey for the first two books! I’m very happy to have a copy of Heather Fawcett’s upcoming book, Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter. Cozy fantasy with shelter cats is such a fun combination, and I can’t wait to read it:-)
Del Rey also sent me a copy of A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson, which is another cozy fantasy, this time with a historical twist. I also love that there’s a necromancer character who becomes a love interest.
I’m thrilled to have a copy of Strange Animals by Jarod K. Anderson, with thanks to Ballantine Books, and I love the idea of a fantasy involving cryptids.
File Wife Shaped Bodies by Laura Cranehill under “weird horror,” and I am here for it! Big thanks to Saga Press for the review copy.
I’m a huge Lindy Ryan fan, so I was so excited to be offered a copy of her next book, Dollface. Huge thanks to Kaye Publicity and Minotaur Books! Although I see a bunch of mixed reviews, I’m still very much looking forward to this one.
Nowhere Burning by Catriona Ward is one of my most anticipated books of 2026, so I couldn’t be more excited for this review copy, courtesy of the wonderful Tor Nightfire:-)
Thank you to Angry Robot for a copy of The Sound of the Dark by Daniel Church, which I’ve already read and reviewed. This was very creepy and atmospheric, and I’m glad I had the chance to read it.
Finally in the physical pile, huge thanks to Tor Books for a couple of highly anticipated fantasies. The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan is “the story of the first werewolf.” Although this is fantasy, not horror, how can I resist?
And I was very excited to receive a copy of The Blackfire Blade by James Logan, which I’m embarrassed to admit I’m still reading. Hopefully I’ll finish and get a review up soon!
Digital books for review:
I’m choosing NetGalley books very carefully these days, and I’m very happy to have been approved for a few highly anticipated 2025 releases:
Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker. Baker’s 2025 release Bat Eater and Other Names For Cora Zeng has been getting lots of buzz since its release, and I even bought a copy because I plan to read it at some point. So of course I need to read her next book!
I loved Sunyi Dean’s last book, The Book Eaters, and I’m so glad she finally has a new book coming out next year. The Girl With a Thousand Faces sounds just as good, I can’t wait:-)
House of Splinters by Laura Purcell was released earlier in the year in the UK, and it comes out in the US in January. I’m excited to dive in, it’s set in the same world as The Companions.
I’m a huge Josh Winning fan, and his next book sounds like so much fun! Be Still My Unbeating Heart takes place in Italy and the main characters are vampires!
Last but not least, I’m thrilled to have a copy of The Children by Melissa Albert. This sounds weird and magical and I can’t wait!
Big thanks to Hanover Square Press, Tor Books, Blackstone Publishing, G.P. Putnam’s Sons and William Morrow:-D
Strange Animals is on my list! I did an authenticity read of Be Still My Unbeating Heart for the Italian setting – I don’t know how much of it has changed in the meantime. The Children is on my list, too.
It will be interesting to see the final version of Josh’s book:-)
Wow, you’ve got so many great books to read! I have been extra selective about NetGalley too, I owe them a few reviews already. Be Still my Unbeating Heart and Strange Animals both caught my eye. Happy reading!
It’s hard not to request everything since so many 2026 releases are popping up:-)
Looks like you have a lot of good ones! I’m really looking forward to Japanese Gothic and The Children. Happy reading!
Thanks Lauren!
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on A Widow’s Charm!
It sounds good, right?
The books you read always have interesting covers…lol. Enjoy!
I do love all of these covers:-)
These sound interesting. I have the new Heather Fawcett waiting on my Netgalley shelf!
Have a great weekend!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/11/29/stacking-the-shelves-130/
Thanks Emily! I hope we both love it.
I don’t know any of these so I look forward to learning which ones you like.
I will let you know:-)
I’m intrigued by Strange Animals and The Children. Though I hope all of these are great. Happy reading! 😀
Thanks Lark!
Omg you got the new Heather Fawcett!!! That’s one I have on preorder.
I was shocked, I rarely get physical books from Del Rey.
How many interesting books!! We share a couple of them, but on your list there are a lot of titles that sound promising! Especially Be Still My Unbeating Heart and The Red Winter! I am curious to see what you will think about them!!
I feel like next year is going to be great for new books:-)
So many great books! I loved Agnes Aubert!
I cannot wait for Agnes Aubert!
Most of these are new to me, which means they hadn’t been on my radar. But now that I know about them… 🙂
Some great books. I’m curious to see what you make of Blackfire Blade – I’m reading it but only about 10% in so far.
Lynn 😀
I brought a few of these on my mini vacation this past week. Wish I had more time to get to them all!