2020 Most Anticipated - Kim from Pingwing's Bookshelf

Today's post continues the posts where others share what books they are anticipating in 2020. My friend Kim, who blogs over at Pingwing's Bookshelf, shares her list today to close out this year's event.

I'm already excited about 2020! I love thinking ahead to a new year, planning the things I want to do on the blog, the books I want to read, and the feeling of possibility and optimism that, to me, the new year signifies.

When it comes to books, there are so many 2020 releases that I'm excited about! Here are 10 2020 releases that I can't wait to read:

1. Harrow the Ninth (The Locked Tomb #2), Tamsyn Muir (out June 2, 2020) - I've already preordered this book, which is the sequel to  my favourite read of 2019, Gideon the Ninth. This book promises more necromancers and skeletons and murder, and as it focuses on my favourite character from book one, you can be certain that I'll be reading this as soon as it shows up at my door!

2. Deathless Divide (Dread Nation #2), Justina Ireland (out February 4, 2020) - I loved Dread Nation, and I've been eagerly waiting for this sequel!

3. The Return, Rachel Harrison (out March 24, 2020) - I am a big mystery/thriller reader, and I've already been hearing great things about this one.

4. Bridge of Souls (Cassidy Blake #3), Victoria Schwab (out February 1, 2020) - Victoria Schwab is my favourite author, and I've been really enjoying this middle grade series about a young girl who can see ghosts - and who's best friend is a ghost.

5. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Victoria Schwab (out in 2020) - We will be blessed with two Victoria Schwab books in 2020, and I absolutely cannot wait to read this one! I've been following Victoria on social media for a long time and she has discussed this book and the writing of it over the years, and I can't believe it will be a real book in the world soon! I know Kathy has already written an entire post about this one, so go read that so you can get excited for it too!

6. Home Before Dark, Riley Sager (out July 7, 2020) - I've enjoyed each of Riley Sager's previous books to varying degrees, so I knew I was going to read whatever he put out next, but when I read this premise, the book jumped up on my most-anticipated list. I love scary stories and books about stories, so this definitely sounds like my kind of read. And it makes me think of Marisha Pessl's Night Film, which I loved.

7. Girls Save the World in This One, Ash Parsons (out April 14, 2020) - I was already drawn in by that title, but Shaun of the Dead meets Clueless?? Yes please!

8. We Are the Wildcats, Siobhan Vivian (March 31, 2020) - I really like Siobhan Vivian's books, and this one sounds so intriguing.

9. Blood Countess, Lana Popovic (out January 28, 2020) - "A historical YA horror novel based on the infamous real-life inspiration for Countess Dracula" OK that sounds awesome!

10. Chosen Ones, Veronica Roth (out April 7, 2020) - Veronica Roth's first adult novel sounds incredible. It follows a group of five people who, as teens, defeated an enemy called The Dark One, and became heroes. But years later, one of them dies and when the rest of them come together to mourn, it turns out The Dark One might not really be gone...I cannot wait to get my hands on this one!

So there you have it - ten of my most anticipated 2020 releases. I'm fortunate to have some of them in ARC format, so I'll be reading a few of these over my Christmas holidays.

It was so hard to keep this list to ten, but writing this has made me even more hyped up to read these books. Thank you Kathy for giving me the chance to flail with excitement about books!!!

A huge thank you to Kim for participating in this. There are so many amazing sounding books on her list as well. 

That's a wrap on my 2020 most anticipated event this year! Let me know what books you're looking forward to in the comments. 

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2020 Most Anticipated - Something To Talk About

The next book on my 2020 most anticipated list is one that seems poised to give romance readers something to talk about, and get a certain song stuck in their head.

Rumours start to fly when a moment between two women on a red carpet gets taken out of context. Rumours that kick off the slowest of slow burn romances.

I am excited to include Something To Talk About by Meryl Wilsner in this year's most anticipated event.

The Goodreads synopsis pretty much ensures that romance readers will be desperate to read it.

A showrunner and her assistant give the world something to talk about when they accidentally fuel a ridiculous rumor in this debut romance.

Hollywood powerhouse Jo is photographed making her assistant Emma laugh on the red carpet, and just like that, the tabloids declare them a couple. The so-called scandal couldn't come at a worse time—threatening Emma's promotion and Jo's new movie.

As the gossip spreads, it starts to affect all areas of their lives. Paparazzi are following them outside the office, coworkers are treating them differently, and a “source” is feeding information to the media. But their only comment is “no comment”.

With the launch of Jo’s film project fast approaching, the two women begin to spend even more time together, getting along famously. Emma seems to have a sixth sense for knowing what Jo needs. And Jo, known for being aloof and outwardly cold, opens up to Emma in a way neither of them expects. They begin to realize the rumor might not be so off base after all…but is acting on the spark between them worth fanning the gossip flames? 

Emma and Jo's story sounds swoon worthy and I am already eager to fan cast the movie I hope gets made for Netflix.

Meryl graciously took some time to answer my questions about the book and made me want to blast a little Bonnie Raitt and get my hands on this book immediately.

1. What gif do you think describes Something To Talk About?

I actually just joined some other 2020 debuts in describing our books with multiple gifs. You can find the post here. If I had to pick only one, it’d be this one:

2. If someone were to make a signature drink in honour of your book, what might be included?

A signature drink for Something to Talk About would have to be sweet (but not sickly sweet). It would have more alcohol in it than you could taste, so the effect would sneak up on the drinker—just like feelings sneak up on Jo and Emma! 

3. What is your favourite rom-com trope? 

In case you missed it with the gif to describe Something to Talk About, I’m a sucker for a slow burn.

4. I cannot be the only one who immediately starts signing Bonnie Raitt's song when I see the title of your book. Name a song you listed to for inspiration while writing this novel.

I definitely did listen to the Bonnie Raitt song while writing. But I think my top artist for this book was Hayley Kiyoko. I kept trying to pick what song of hers I’d want in a movie version of my book, and I think I eventually settled on Cliff’s Edge.

5. If you could travel to anywhere, in any time period, when and where would you want travel?

I really like the idea of being able to see the world when people had less of an effect on it. I don’t even care about any particular place or landscape, just lots of unspoiled wilderness.

6. What 2020 release are you most anticipating?

I always say The Roommate by Rosie Danan, because I’m lucky enough to have already read it, so I know exactly how good it is. But as for books I haven’t read, I’m really looking forward to Who I Was With Her by Nita Tyndall.

7. If not too spoilery, can you share the first line of Something To Talk About. 

I know there’s a big emphasis on great first sentences, but for me, first pages as a whole are such an experience. When you’re first being exposed to the world and characters—I love that too much to just share the first sentence!

I now want to read that first page even more than I did before. I am already thinking of a wine to pair with this when I get to read it.

Something To Talk About releases May 26, 2020 but you can pre-order it right now from any retailer so that it arrives in time for summer reading.

Chapters // Amazon // Barnes and Noble // BAM

You can find out more about Meryl by following them on Twitter and visiting their website. You can also find out more about Something To Talk About on the publisher website. 

Do you love romance novels as much as I do? How do you feel about books with really catchy titles that get a song stuck in your head? Let me know in the comments.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for the last post in this year's event.

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2020 Most Anticipated - More Than Maybe

The next book in my 2020 Most Anticipated event is one that incorporates both a character's love of music and blogging about something you love. It also happens to be written by an author whose debut novel I really enjoyed.

More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn seems poised to be one of 2020's must read young adult contemporary novels. It also happens to have an adorable cover.

The Goodreads synopsis seems to promise a fun, contemporary young adult read, but if Erin's first book is anything to go by we can also expect some angst. 

Growing up under his punk rocker dad’s spotlight, eighteen-year-old Luke Greenly knows fame and wants nothing to do with it. His real love isn’t in front of a crowd, it’s on the page. Hiding his gift and secretly hoarding songs in his bedroom at night, he prefers the anonymous comfort of the locally popular podcast he co-hosts with his outgoing and meddling, far-too-jealousy-inspiringly-happy-with-his-long-term-boyfriend twin brother, Cullen. But that’s not Luke’s only secret. He also has a major un-requited crush on music blogger, Vada Carsewell.

Vada’s got a five year plan: secure a job at the Loud Lizard to learn from local legend (and her mom’s boyfriend) Phil Josephs (check), take over Phil’s music blog (double check), get accepted into Berkeley’s prestigious music journalism program (check, check, check), manage Ann Arbor’s summer concert series and secure a Rolling Stone internship. Luke Greenly is most definitely NOT on the list. So what if his self-deprecating charm and out-of-this-world music knowledge makes her dizzy? Or his brother just released a bootleg recording of Luke singing about some mystery girl on their podcast and she really, really wishes it was her?

I cannot wait to see the music playlist for this, and what details get worked into the story. Does Vada get that Rolling Stone internship? Is the song really about her (of course it is!)? All things that make me want to read this as soon as I can.

My top three reasons for wanting to read More Than Maybe:

1. I really enjoyed You'd Be Mine and have been eagerly anticipating whatever Erin wrote next. 

2. Music. Music. Music. I hope there is an awesome playlist for this. I cannot wait to see all of the different ways music is incorporated into not only the plot but the romance that is sure to develop.

3. The characters are a blogger and a podcaster. I am looking forward to seeing how that manifests itself into their personalities and the overall plot of the story. I do hope it is a prominent part of who these characters are, and from the synopsis it certainly seems like it is.

More Than Maybe releases May 12, 2020 but you can pre-order it right now from any retailer (or get it with those holiday gift cards).

Chapters // Amazon // Barnes and Noble // BAM

You can find out more about Erin by following her on Twitter, and by visiting her her website. You can also find out more about her books on the publisher website.

Do you love books that incorporate music in some way into the plot? Let me know what you think in the comments.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow to for the next book on my 2020 most anticipated list. 

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2020 Most Anticipated - Darling

The next book on my 2020 most anticipated list is inspired by one of my favourite Disney movies, and one of my favourite children's books. I am, of course, talking about Peter Pan.

Darling by K. Ancrum is all about embracing the darker parts of the Peter Pan story .. particularly when it comes to the boy who wouldn't grow up.

Anyone who has read the book (and not just seen the Disney movie) will know how dark the book actually is. I am curious to read an adaptation that uses that darkness, and sets the story in modern times.

There isn't an official synopsis for this one yet. The  Goodreads blurb currently describes it as the following:

A retelling of Peter Pan in modern day Chicago, in which Wendy Darling follows Peter and his Lost Boys through the city's nightlife and underbelly, only to discover that Peter isn't what he seems...and the Lost Boys are in more trouble than they realize.

I cannot wait for a full synopsis and cover to be revealed. I am also really excited about the Chicago setting. I think it is going to be a great backdrop for this story.

Kayla kindly answered some of my questions and definitely made the wait for this book even harder in the process.

1. What gif do you think best describes Darling?

Wendy Darling, specifically lmao. 

The Lost Boys: 

Tinkerbelle at Peter:

"Tiger Lily" at Peter

2. If someone were to make a signature drink in honour of your book, what might be included?

Something that starts out sweet but has a very sour syrup at the bottom. So you think you're drinking one thing, but slowly the drink gets more and more bitter until its completely intollerable.

3. This sounds like it'll be a darker (and more modern) take on the classic Peter Pan tale. What about it inspired Darling to be the novel it is?

I was head over heels in love with the idea of taking everything that already existed within the book and just giving it modern context.  The original book is dark enough, I didn't need to embellish it much.  Most of it is just direct equivalencies. Captain Hook = Police Inspector Hook, Tinker Bell  "a fairy who mended pots and kettles"  = Tinkerbelle a whiz at engineering who Wendy suggests take a few classes at the local college. Peter Pan, a serial killer who is literally described as murdering lost boys when they got too old and well = Peter pan a serial killer who murders lost boys when they get too old.

I reread the original book when I was in college and its such a different experience from the Disney movie. I couldn't believe how many small nuances of terror they glossed over regarding Peter's character. They kept most of the plot but completely reworked everyone's feelings about Peter: he was magical and cunning and beautiful but he was also terrifying and had little to no humanity left.  I think, honestly, that keeping it so close to a direct translation of the text actually makes DARLING scarier because I can say things like "the only part of the book that isn't a direct translation is the justice for his actions at the very end."

4. Name a song you listed to for inspiration while writing this novel

I was really into songs that sound happy but are actually sad or threatening. My favorite was Hot Chip's  "The Warning". I really love the indie-dance-pop vibe accompanied by threatening lyrics like:  "Hot Chip with break your legs, snap off your head, Hot Chip will put you down, under the ground" .  

When I was writing some of the more romantic scenes I would listen to a lot of 6lack because its such an urban vibe during all the romantic scenes. Just really cool "one-night-only-romance" feelings to all of them, not mushy at all.

5. If you could travel to anywhere, in any time period, when and where would you want travel?

The future! or the moon during the space-race. Im a bit obsessed with space and love looking forward instead of back.

6. What 2020 release are you most anticipating?

CEMETARY BOYS i am O B S E S S E D with ghosts romances so Im head over heels for the concept of this. Also Aiden Thomas is such a darling, one of the coolest guys. Definitely follow him on twitter:  https://twitter.com/aidenschmaiden

7. If not too spoilery, can you share the first line of Darling:

The first line of DARLING is: “I said no.” but the first piece of text in the book is actually a quote from the original 1904 book and it is:

The boys on the island vary, of course, in numbers, according to as they get killed and so on;

 and when they seem to be growing up, which is against the rules, Peter thins them out

Darling does not have an official release date but it will be sometime in fall of 2020.  Preorder links are not available just yet, but I urge you to add it to your Goodreads to be read list so that you'll be updated when those become available.

You can find out more about Kayla by following her on Twitter or by visiting her website. You can also find out more about her books on the publisher website. 

Do you enjoy different/unique twists on beloved stories? Let me know in the comments.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow to for the next book on my 2020 most anticipated list. 

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2020 Most Anticipated - Mayhem

The next book on my 2020 most anticipated list has a lot of 80s inspiration and is a mix of some of my favourite movies with some true crime thrown in. It's pitch is that it is a mix of The Craft and The Lost Boys with some Manson family thrown in and is set in the 80s.

I already feel like I am going to love this book. It hits so many of my specific interest points that is basically made to appeal directly to me.

I am excited to feature Mayhem by Estelle Laure as part of the books I am looking foward to in 2020.

The Goodreads synopsis for this novel is pretty much tailor made to make you want to read this novel. It offers enough teases while still making you desperate to pick up the novel to find out more.

Mayhem Brayburn and her mother are on the run, not away from home, but back to it: Santa Maria, California, a beach town that looks like paradise, like carnival rides and street food and bikinis under the hot sun.

It’s where Mayhem has always wanted to be. It’s where generations of Brayburns have lived and thrived, and she has never understood what made her mother leave Santa Maria in favor of the arms of her abusive stepfather.

But when she befriends her aunt’s foster kids and they take her to their hideout, decades of secrets unravel, and Mayhem is thrust into a world of chaotic magic, a serial killer’s mind, and finally, even the answers to her own past.

Set in 1987, MAYHEM is a mashup of The Lost Boys and The Craft with a bit of the Manson family thrown in for good measure. It’s original, compelling, and a little bit rock-’n’-roll, and reading it will leave you feeling deliciously wicked.

The boardwalk vibe screams The Lost Boys to me and I am really looking forward to the California setting.

Estelle graciously took some time to answer my questions about her book, and made me want to rewatch both The Craft and The Lost Boys before the book comes out.

1. What gif do you feel represents Mayhem?

2. If someone were to make a signature cocktail in honour of your book, what might be included?

Jalapeños, vodka, lime, on the rocks, with smoke.

3. Your book is described as having a lot of 80s influence. Why do you think 80s nostalgia is so popular right now?

 The world was slower then, sillier in many ways (the fashion the fashion), filled with cliques,  and it was all sort of goofy with this undercurrent of the truly threatening. I’m nostalgic for the stories that were told then, like The Lost Boys and Stand by Me, but not for the actual time. Serial killers ran amok, misogyny and racism were so rampant they were accepted, not to mention homophobia, but it was still fun to go back because….FASHION!

4. Name a song you listed to for inspiration while writing this novel (if you didn't listen to music let me know and I can quickly send another question)

You Should See Me in a Crown by Billie Eilish. That was one I listened to before writing just to get me in the head space.

5. If you could travel to anywhere, in any time period, when and where would you want travel?

I would definitely go ahead ten years to see if we make it that far. I would never want to go back. Things have been bad for women, always. And I would definitely not want to be in any time period before plumbing, electricity, heating and medicine.

6. What 2019 release are you most anticipating?

I LOVED Wilder Girls by Rory Power. Died. It was so good. I’m about to start The Wicked King by Holly Black. I’m obsessed with her. And with fairies. But mostly her.

7. If not too spoilery, can you share the first line of Mayhem.

All I ever do anymore is swim. I like how the world is muffled underwater. I float.

The gif Estelle chose, while from The Craft, also has The Lost Boys vibes. It could be the way the girls walk reminds me of David and the rest of the 'lost boys' slinking around the merry-go-round. It could be the beach, and the secluded areas that are part of both movies. Either way, I am here for that being an indicator of the story and its setting.

Mayhem releases July 14, 2020 but you can pre-order it right now from any retailer so that it arrives to be perfectly timed for your summer reading.

Chapters // Amazon // Barnes and Noble // BAM

You can find out more about Estelle by following her on Twitter or by visiting her website. You can also find out more about her books on the publisher website. 

Do you enjoy books or other entertainment set in the 80s? Are you as excited about this book as I am? Let me know in the comments.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow to for the next book on my 2020 most anticipated list. 

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2020 Most Anticipated - Marisol from Harper Collins Canada

Today I have Marisol from Harper Collins Canada stopping by to take part in my 2019 Most Anticipated Event. Marisol shares the books coming from Harper Collins next year that she thinks should be on your radar! There are some incredible titles on this list so be prepared to add a bunch to your own 'to be read' lists. A huge thank you to Marisol for taking the time to write this post. You can talk about all of these books with the Harper Collins Canada team on Twitter at @hccfrenzy!

Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen – January 7, 2020

Who doesn’t love books that take us to new places? Loveboat, Taipei follows Chinese-American girl Ever Wong who is sent from Ohio to Taiwan to learn Mandarin for the summer. Expecting a strict, educational program, Ever is pleasantly surprised when she finds Loveboat in its place: an unchaperoned free-for-all where the fun (and romance) never stops. A charming #ownvoices novel that’s Sarah Dessen meets Crazy Rich Asians, this book is incredibly honest in its portrayal of family, friends, and teenage rebellion – and I am HERE FOR IT!

Infinity Son by Adam Silvera – January 14, 2020

I absolutely adored They Both Die at the End, so I was super excited when I found out that Adam had a new novel coming! This one is a gritty, fast-paced fantasy (yes, Adam is writing fantasy now and it’s amazing!) about a magical turf war generations in the making. I love that Adam is committed to writing LatinX and queer characters, and I cannot wait to see how he integrates them in what is sure to be one of this year’s biggest books!

Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles – January 21, 2020

No one is pure, and life is definitely not simple! I love this book for the questions it raises about masculinity, and what it means to be a “real” man. Incredibly nuanced in the way it approaches teen relationships, the diversity of this book made me an instant fan, but it was the story itself that won me over completely!

Almost American Girl by Robin Ha – January 28, 2020

Anyone who says they don’t like graphic novels NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK! In this graphic memoir, Robin Ha revisits what it was like moving from Seoul to Alabama as a teen. Unable to speak English and suffering from extreme culture shock, Robin struggled to fit in. Heartbreaking and honest, the story is made all the more poignant by Robin’s stunning illustrations and speaks to art’s capacity for bridging cultural divides – and even saving lives.

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed – February 4, 2020

Both Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed?! Sign me UP! I love the premise of this novel: two teens become unexpectedly involved in their town’s politics, only to become entangled in the cross-cultural romance of the century. This definitely sounds like something that would happen to me. I can’t wait to get my hands on this romcom!

Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold – February 25, 2020

A darkly feminist retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, I am OBSESSED with this book and can’t wait for it to hit shelves. I love adaptations of fairy tales and folklore, and this one really brings the drama. If you loved Elana’s last book, Damsel, do not miss Red Hood!

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel – February 26, 2020

The cover alone on this is so stunning I had to pick it up! Taking place in New York, British Columbia, and at sea, this beautifully written novel is about money, ghosts, morality, and a Ponzi scheme. The interweaving storylines and alternating points of view bring readers on a journey that haunts long after the book is finished. Add this one to your TBR immediately!

The Fire Never Goes Out by Novelle Stevenson – March 3, 2020

I’m a huge fan of both memoirs and comics, so this one is right up my alley! The Fire Never Goes Out is an illustrated memoir by the creator of Nimona and Lumberjanes that spans eight years of Noelle’s life, following her creative journey, coming out, and mental health struggles. Witty and full of wisdom, I literally have a space saved on my shelf for the finished book. I can’t wait to see Noelle’s incredible illustrations on paper!

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell – March 10, 2020

I was instantly hooked on this one! Exploring the psychological trauma of a relationship between a teenage girl and her magnetic and manipulative teacher, this  is propulsive, explosive, and thought-provoking, particularly in the age of #MeToo. Lots to dig into with a book club!

Imagine Me by Tahereh Mafi – March 31, 2020

If you haven’t gotten into the Shatter Me series yet, there’s still time before the final installment, Imagine Me, hits shelves this March! I love a good dystopian, and Imagine Me is no exception! Following Juliette Ferrars (now Ella) who is fueled by rage, justice, and love, the final book in the series may just bring down the Reestablishment – permanently!

Rules for Being a Girl by Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno – April 7, 2020

Smart and funny and heart wrenching, this novel has everything I want! Following one girl’s crusade to expose sexism at her school after a run-in with a predatory teacher, this #MeToo story is incredibly timely and manages to explore its more serious topics with grace, humour, and a healthy dose of feminism. The perfect book for starting an important discussion, Rules for Being a Girl is SO good – a must-read for today’s young women!

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo – May 5, 2020

The moment I found out Elizabeth Acevedo had a new book coming out, it was on my TBR! This is such a beautiful and bittersweet novel, it completely blew me away and I can’t wait for more people to pick it up! Clap When You Land follows two sisters, one in New York and the other, in the Dominican Republic, who must deal with the devastating loss of their father in a plane crash. But there’s an unexpected twist: neither of them knew the other one existed.

The Betrothed by Kiera Cass – May 5, 2020

Royalty, castles, and a mysterious stranger? Count me in! If the incredible cover for this book hasn’t already drawn you in, the world of courtly romance and intrigue that Hollis Brite inhabits definitely will! But with so much at stake and her marriage to the king on the line, Hollis begins to wonder, is there more to life outside the palace walls?

Parachutes by Kelly Yang – May 26, 2020

There is so much to love about this book, including that it gave me major Gossip Girl vibes! The title refers to parachute kids: wealthy Asian teenagers, whose parents send them to study in the US and stay with typical American families. Although Claire and her American host sister Dani feel like they couldn’t be more different, they come to discover they have more in common than anyone would’ve guessed. Touching on serious issues ranging from racism and assault to love and family, this book packs a punch!

Stay Gold by Tobly McSmith – May 26, 2020

This book is so incredible and I’m positive there’s nothing else out there like it! Written by a transgender author, this teen love story follows a transgender boy and cisgender girl and draws from the author’s own personal experiences. While there are more and more books featuring transgender characters, very few are actually written by transgender authors. Tobly’s characters feel wholly authentic, and it is literally impossible not to fall in love with them!

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown – June 2, 2020

Calling all fans of Children of Blood and Bone! Fantasies inspired by different cultures are among my absolute favourites, and A Song of Wraith and Ruin is no exception! This is an immersive fantasy based on West African folklore. If you love highly developed worlds and mythology, you NEED to add this book to your TBR! 

You Say it First by Katie Cotugno – June 16, 2020

Who knew I was such a romantic? You Say It First is about two teens from different sides of the political spectrum who fall in love after a voter registration call turns into a long-distance romance. I can’t wait for more people to read this book! It’s so cute, and the relationship between the characters feels so real. Although they come from completely different backgrounds, the candid conversations between them really highlight how sometimes all it takes is one special person to change us forever.

Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy – July 7, 2020

Julie Murphy is back with the first in a two-book series that tells the origin story of Faith, the first plus-sized superhero! I am so excited to see a book like this on the market. It has all Julie’s hallmarks (body positivity, complex relationships, a queer love story) and a TON of fast-paced, awesome action. I fell in love with this one the moment I saw the cover!

The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull – July 21, 2020

If you’re a fan of Netflix’s The Crown, this book is definitely for you! By now, chances are you’re familiar with Wallis Simpson, Prince Edward’s love interest and arguably one of the most notorious women in Britain’s history. This book goes back even further in their story and introduces the first American woman Edward loved: Thelma Furness, sister to the first Gloria Vanderbilt. Steeped in royalty, riches, and drama, this book totally raises the bar for historical fiction and definitely helped me get over my post-Crown malaise!

What books from this list are you most excited to read next year? Let me know in the comments.

Come back next week for more books on my 2020 most anticipated list.

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2020 Most Anticipated - The Falling In Love Montage

The next book on my 2020 most anticipated list is all about rom-coms ... well parts of them.

The book features dates that are inspired by the montages of couples falling in love that are in romantic comedies and it sound absolutely adorable and fun.

I am excited to feature The Falling In Love Montage by Ciara Smyth as part of this feature! 

The Goodreads synopsis for this novel sets up what sounds like one of the must read contemporaries releasing in 2020. 

Saoirse doesn’t believe in love at first sight or happy endings. If they were real, her mother would still be able to remember her name and not in a care home with early onset dementia. A condition that Saoirse may one day turn out to have inherited. So she’s not looking for a relationship. She doesn’t see the point in igniting any romantic sparks if she’s bound to burn out.

But after a chance encounter at an end-of-term house party, Saoirse is about to break her own rules. For a girl with one blue freckle, an irresistible sense of mischief, and a passion for rom-coms.

Unbothered by Saoirse’s no-relationships rulebook, Ruby proposes a loophole: They don’t need true love to have one summer of fun, complete with every cliché, rom-com montage-worthy date they can dream up—and a binding agreement to end their romance come fall. It would be the perfect plan, if they weren’t forgetting one thing about the Falling in Love Montage: when it’s over, the characters actually fall in love… for real.

Saoirse and Ruby are, of course, totally going to fall in love. I am excited to see what rom-coms will be featured, and the angst that will, inevitably, come from this sure to fail plan of not falling in love.

Ciara graciously took some time to answer my questions about her book, and made me want to watch a whole bunch of my favorite romantic comedies in the process.

1. What gif best describes The Falling In Love Montage?

2. If someone were to make a signature ice cream in honour of your book, what might be included?

The Falling in Love Montage is set by the beach so it would have to be a 99

3. Your book revolves around dates that are inspired by classic rom-com movie montages. Can you tease one of the movies included?

So many movies are included but the first one, the one that inspires the whole Montage plan is Four Weddings and a Funeral.

4. Name a song you listened to for inspiration while writing this novel?

I didn't listen to music but I did sometimes listen to beachy wave sounds while I was writing to get in me in the seaside mood!

5. If you could travel to anywhere, in any time period, when and where would you want travel?

I always want to know exactly what happens. I sometimes even look up the plot to a movie I'm watching to see what happens ahead of time. So I'd want to travel to 2060 or something like that so I could ask future Ciara to tell me how everything worked out.

6. What 2020 release are you most anticipating?

There are so many I am excited for and I would love to list them all but another Irish rom-com coming in 2020 is The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar and I can't wait to read it.

7 If not too spoilery, can you share the first line of The Falling In Love Montage.

I don’t believe in love at first sight or soul mates of any of that guff you see in the movies.

This sounds like a very cute, but also potentially emotional, read that will be exactly what young adult contemporary fans are looking for in the summer.

The Falling in Love Montage releases June 9, 2020 but you can pre-order it right now from any retailer so that it is delivered in time for your summer reading.

Chapters // Amazon // Barnes and Noble // BAM

You can find out more about Ciara by following her on Twitter. You can also find out more about her books on the publisher website. 

Do you enjoy young adult contemporary novels? What about watching romantic comedies? Let me know in the comments.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow to for the next book on my 2020 most anticipated list. 

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2020 Most Anticipated - In Five Years

The next book on my 2020 most anticipated list deals with one of the main questions people inevitably get asked at point in their life - where do you see yourself in five years?

What if you had a plan for what your life would look like in five years only to be shown a glimpse of a future that looks entirely different than what you anticipated?

What if you woke up five years into the future in a different apartment than the one you currently live in and engaged to a different man than the one you are currently set to marry? That is what happens to the heroine of Rebecca Serle's In Five Years! 

The Goodreads synopsis for this novel is perfection for those who love their contemporary fiction to have a bit of magic to them (in other words ... anyone who loved The Dinner List).

Perfect for fans of Me Before You and One Day—a striking, powerful, and moving love story following an ambitious lawyer who experiences an astonishing vision that could change her life forever.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

When Type-A Manhattan lawyer Dannie Cohan is asked this question at the most important interview of her career, she has a meticulously crafted answer at the ready. Later, after nailing her interview and accepting her boyfriend’s marriage proposal, Dannie goes to sleep knowing she is right on track to achieve her five-year plan.

But when she wakes up, she’s suddenly in a different apartment, with a different ring on her finger, and beside a very different man. The television news is on in the background, and she can just make out the scrolling date. It’s the same night—December 15—but 2025, five years in the future.

After a very intense, shocking hour, Dannie wakes again, at the brink of midnight, back in 2020. She can’t shake what has happened. It certainly felt much more than merely a dream, but she isn’t the kind of person who believes in visions. That nonsense is only charming coming from free-spirited types, like her lifelong best friend, Bella. Determined to ignore the odd experience, she files it away in the back of her mind.

That is, until four-and-a-half years later, when by chance Dannie meets the very same man from her long-ago vision.

Brimming with joy and heartbreak, In Five Years is an unforgettable love story that reminds us of the power of loyalty, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of destiny.

I am looking forward to Dannie's meet cute with the man from her vision. I also expect to feel conflicted between the two men who will be in her life. Rebecca can write a good triangle of sorts, and I am curious to see how this different dynamic plays out.

Rebecca has kindly taken the time to answer a few questions about the book, her inspiration, and provide the perfect drink to pair with the book.

1. Describe In Five Years using only five words or less.

Friendship. Heartbreak. New York. Love.

2. If someone were to make a signature drink for your book what would be included?

A glass of chilled Dom. Maybe the 2008?

3. Your last book tackled the question 'Which five poeple living or dead,  would you invite to have dinner' and this one tackles the "Where do you see yourself in five years" question. Both of these questions are ones that everyone gets asked at some point in their life. What about these questions do you feel make them such great jumping off points for a novel?

They are both questions we’ve all been asked at various points in our lives, and they’re both questions that I think our answers to CHANGE over the course of our lives- that’s interesting to me. I love taking an idea that seems obvious and turning it over and sort of laying it on its side and finding the trap door, so to speak. The way in. My first novel was a retelling of Romeo and Juliet— from Rosaline’s point of view. I’m always looking at the ways something known can become interesting, unexpected, personal.

4.  What differences did you discover in your process when writing adult novels versus YA novels?

My process is identical. I’m just at a different stage of my life now, so writing for adults seems natural. I was twenty-four when I sold my first book, I’m a decade older, now- life changes! And what I want to talk about and grapple with has changed.

5. Is there anything in particular that inspired In Five Years (ie: a song, movie, TV show)? Something you referred to for inspiration while writing?

This is kind of crazy but eight years ago I saw a psychic medium who told me very specific things about my life and future. All of it happened, and one thing in particular manifested right before I started writing. I think the thing that propelled me to the conceit was: “you can see what’s coming but you can’t see what it will mean.”

6. What 2020 book are you most anticipating?

It’s early yet- I’m not sure! I read a ton so there are a bunch of authors I’m hoping will give me new work in the next few years- Emma Straub, Adelle Waldman, Stéphanie Danler, to name a few! And Rachel Cusk. Obsessed with her. She’s a revelation.

7. If not too spoilery, what is the opening sentence of In Five Years

Twenty-Five.

That first sentence is such a tease. I love that it is going to be set in New York! I officially want to get my hands on this even more than I did before.

In Five Years releases March 3, 2020 but you can pre-order it right now from any retailer (and it will be the best belated holiday gift to yourself).

Chapters // Amazon // Barnes and Noble // BAM // Indiebound

You can find out more about Rebecca by following her on Twitter, and by visiting her her website. You can also find out more about her books on the publisher website. 

Let me know what you think of In Five Years in the comments. Is the 'where do you see yourself in five years' question one that you have been asked? Have found that your answer changed as you changed as Rebecca mentioned above? Excited to hear what you all think.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow to for the next book on my 2020 most anticipated list. 

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2020 Most Anticipated - The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue

The next book in my 2020 Most Anticipated event is one that doesn't have a lot revealed about it, but what has been revealed has basically made me want it immediately.

It has a deal with the devil, sounds pretty romantic, and is written by one of my favourite authors. It is, naturally, The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue by V. E. Schwab.

The Goodreads page doesn't have much of a synopsis yet because this book is not going to be out until sometime in late 2020. Victoria has, however, teased it a bit on her Instagram. Here is how she described it on there:

ADDIE is about a young French woman who is terrified of being buried in the same place she was born. She tries to make a deal with the devil—for freedom, for time, for eternal life—but the devil refuses, because he doesn’t get her soul until the deal is done, and if she lives forever, he’ll never get his reward. In a moment of reckless desperation, she says he can have her soul when she doesn’t want to live anymore. Sensing an opportunity, the devil agrees. He grants her the ability to live forever...and curses her to be forgotten by everyone she meets. ADDIE is about how you matter in a world where you can’t leave a mark, and follows their relationship over 300 years, and what happens when she meets a boy in 2014 NYC who somehow remembers her name.

I’ve been working on this book for 8 YEARS, and these days I’m pitching it as Interview with a Vampire meets Rebecca, and I couldn’t be more excited for you to finally read it next Fall :)

I am all sorts of intrigued by this one boy who can remember her name. That, to me, just seems really romantic, but Victoria has also teased that there may be a romance of sorts between the devil and Addie. I am also here for the Interview with a Vampire comparison.

My top three reasons for wanting to read The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue:

1. The author! V. E. Schwab's books are always incredible and I especially love the idea of her writing this particular story. It seems to fit her style perfectly.

2. The deal with the devil element. I have yet to experience this done really well in book format and I am pretty confident this is going to be the one to do it.

3. The characters! Addie already fascinates me. She is going to have this perspective that seems very unique to me. She'll almost have a very vampire like perspective but she, obviously, won't be drinking blood or biting people. Adding to this the aspect of everyone forgetting her and it must be a very lonely existence. There is also the character of the devil and I can only imagine how fascinating and compelling he will be. 

The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue releases autumn 2020 and is therefore not up for preorder just yet.  Please do follow Victoria on Twitter so that you find out more details about the book as they become available, and add it to your Goodreads to be read list as well so you won't forget to preorder when it does become available.

Do you need this book as much as I do? Is it also on your 2020 most anticipated list? Let me know in the comments.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow to for the next book on my 2020 most anticipated list. 

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2020 Most Anticipated - The Princess Will Save You

The next book on my 2020 most anticipated list turns the damsel in distress trope on its head in a really fun sounding way. It also happens to be inspired by a cult classic movie.

I am, of course, referring to The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning! It takes its inspiration from The Princess Bride except the princess is going to save her stable boy!

The Goodreads synopsis for this novel is pretty much made to make fans of The Princess Bride want to get their hands on this immediately.

A PRINCESS
A STABLE BOY
A QUEST

When her father dies, Princess Amarande is given an ultimatum: Marry the leader of one of the four neighboring kingdoms, or lose her crown—and possibly her life. And to force her hand, her beloved, the stable boy Luca, is kidnapped.

But Amarande was raised to be a warrior, not a sacrifice.

And nothing will stop her from saving her true love and rescuing her kingdom.

The acclaimed author of Sea Witch turns the classic damsel-in-distress tale on its head with this story of adventure, identity, and love.

I am entirely here for the princess saving her true love this time. It's something I want more of in novels and I am so glad Sarah Henning is giving us this story.

Sarah has very kindly agreed to answer some questions for me, and shares a little bit more about her book, and designs some pretty yummy sounding ice cream as well.

1. What gif do you think describes The Princess Will Save You?

A Princess Bride gif, of course!

2. If someone were to make a signature ice cream in honour of your book, what might be included?

Lemon cake is a nostalgic item for both my main character, Princess Amarande, and her best friend/true love, Luca. So maybe a vanilla ice cream with veins of lemon curd and swirls of buttercream-type frosting. Okay, now I’m hungry!

3. The Princess Will Save You has been compared to a gender swapped The Princess Bride. What about that classic story inspired you to write this novel?

That is exactly what it is! Honestly, I love, love, love The Princess Bride, but I was always frustrated that headstrong Buttercup didn’t actually do much to change her own fate. And the one time she does, she takes a dagger before the wedding and would’ve ended herself if not for Westley intervening. During that scene, I always wished that Buttercup would take that dagger and go get revenge on Humperdink. She obviously never does, so I decided I’d write the type of character who would. Amarande will do anything to get Luca back when he’s stolen away as blackmail for her to marry another, including hunting down the culprits, saving him (duh), and getting her final revenge. Of course, nothing goes as she planned.

4. Name a song you listed to for inspiration while writing this novel?

“That One Moment” by OK GO speaks to me so much when I think of this book.

The video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvW61K2s0tA

5. What 2020 release are you most anticipating?

There are soooo many! But I think two that I’m most excited for are debuts by longtime local writer friends of mine. By The Book by Amanda Sellet and Crownchasers by Rebecca Coffindaffer. I’m soooo thrilled readers will be able to check out these super talented writers in 2020!

6. If not too spoilery, can you share the first line of The Princess Will Save You

The whisper and clang of steel rang out over the foothills of Ardenia, a princess and a pauper meeting swords.

I can only hope the novel will have its own version of the iconic 'as you wish' line. I am also excited to see how Sarah makes this story her own. 

The Princess Will Save You releases July 7, 2020 but you can pre-order it right now from any retailer (and will be a perfect summer read).

Chapters // Amazon // Barnes and Noble // BAM

You can find out more about Sarah by following her on Twitter, and by visiting her her website. You can also find out more about her books on the publisher website. 

Do you love fantasy books? What about The Princess Bride? Let me know in the comments.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow to for the next book on my 2020 most anticipated list. 

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2020 Most Anticipated - Of Curses and Kisses

The next book in my 2020 Most Anticipated event is a fairytale retelling (which should surprise nobody). It also happens to be one of my favourite fairytales.

It is, of course, a Beauty and the Beast retelling! Sandhya Menon's Of Curses and Kisses offers up a modern twist on the classic tale.

The Goodreads synopsis is more than enough to make you want to read this. It teases a version of the classic tale that balances just enough from the original with the new.

From the New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi comes the first novel in a brand-new series set at an elite international boarding school, that’s a contemporary spin on Beauty and the Beast.

Will the princess save the beast?

For Princess Jaya Rao, nothing is more important than family. When the loathsome Emerson clan steps up their centuries-old feud to target Jaya’s little sister, nothing will keep Jaya from exacting her revenge. Then Jaya finds out she’ll be attending the same elite boarding school as Grey Emerson, and it feels like the opportunity of a lifetime. She knows what she must do: Make Grey fall in love with her and break his heart. But much to Jaya’s annoyance, Grey’s brooding demeanor and lupine blue eyes have drawn her in. There’s simply no way she and her sworn enemy could find their fairy-tale ending…right?

His Lordship Grey Emerson is a misanthrope. Thanks to an ancient curse by a Rao matriarch, Grey knows he’s doomed once he turns eighteen. Sequestered away in the mountains at St. Rosetta’s International Academy, he’s lived an isolated existence—until Jaya Rao bursts into his life, but he can't shake the feeling that she’s hiding something. Something that might just have to do with the rose-shaped ruby pendant around her neck…

As the stars conspire to keep them apart, Jaya and Grey grapple with questions of love, loyalty, and whether it’s possible to write your own happy ending. 

I am intrigued by that rose-shaped ruby pendant and how it is going to play into the Beauty and the Beast tale.

My top three reasons for wanting to read Of Curses and Kisses;

1. It is a fairytale retelling. I adore them and especially love ones based off of Beauty and the Beast. 

2. Sandhya writes incredible romances and I cannot wait to see what she does with that element of Beauty and the Beast. I predict it'll be pretty romantic.

3. The modern take on the story and the fact that it is set at a boarding school has me very intrigued. It is also the start of a series of books that are based around this boarding school They are each going to be a different fairytale retelling with the setting being the backdrop for all of them. I can only hope that the characters will appear as background characters in the other books.

Of Curses and Kisses releases February 18, 2020 but you can pre-order it right now from any retailer (and it'll make a perfect Valentine's Day gift).

Chapters // Amazon // Barnes and Noble // BAM

You can find out more about Sandhya by following her on Twitter, and by visiting her her website. You can also find out more about her books on the publisher website.

Do you love fairytale retellings? Which are your favourite to have retold? Let me know what you think in the comments.

Be sure to stop by Monday to for the next book on my 2020 most anticipated list. 

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