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Books on My Radar: January and February 2016

Woo, new books! Although I’m not as on top of upcoming new releases as I’ve been in year’s past, I’ve still been keeping a short list of titles I’m excited about as I come across them. The list is a mix — books I’ve pre-ordered, books I’ve requested for review consideration, and books I’ve just made a note to look for at the library after the publication date.

Since I know others are interested in what’s coming out in the next few months, I thought I’d try to do a semi-monthly feature on some of the books that have caught my eye. As you’ll see, it’s a pretty eclectic list. 

January

january books on my radar

Poor Your Soul by Mira Ptacin – A memoir about Ptacin’s unexpected pregnancy and unexpected medical diagnosis paralleled with her mother’s story of losing a son to a drunk driver. (January 12, Soho Books)

American Housewife: Stories by Helen Ellis – “A sharp, funny, delightfully unhinged collection of stories set in the dark world of domesticity” sounds right up my alley. (January 12, Doubleday)

The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry – A trusted reader friend, I honestly can’t remember who, gushed about this book. When I saw it described as “Friday Night Lights meets The Time Traveler’s Wife” I was sold. (January 26 from Razorbill)

Why We Write About Ourselves edited by Meredith Maran – A collection of essays by popular memoirists about the origins of their memoirs. I love stories behind stories, so I think this could be cool. (January 26 from Plume)

Girl Through Glass: A Novel by Sari Wilson – “An enthralling literary debut that tells the story of a young girl’s coming of age in the cutthroat world of New York City ballet – a story of obsession and the quest for perfection, trust and betrayal, beauty and lost innocence.” Sold. (January 26 from Harper)

February

february books on my radar

The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee – A sensation of the Paris Opera is offered the role of a lifetime, only to discover it’s based on a secret she’s been hiding. (February 2, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Stars Above: A Lunar Chronicles Collection by Marissa Meyer – Short stories set in the world of the Lunar Chronicles, some previously published and some new. (February 2, Feiwel & Friends)

While the City Slept by Eli Sanders – “A Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter’s gripping account of one young man’s path to murder—and a wake-up call for mental health care in America.” Yes, please. (February 2, Viking)

In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri – A memoir about the author’s challenge learning a different language by immersing herself in the language. (February 9, Knopf)

The Good Death: An Exploration of Dying in America by Ann Neumann – A journalist and hospice volunteer examines what dying well means in America. After Being Mortal, I’m curious to read more on this question. (February 16, Beacon Press).

So there you are, 10 books coming out in the next two months that have me curious. What titles would you add to the list?

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links through Amazon. If you make a purchase through any of those links, I will receive a small commission.

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Sarah's Book Shelves January 7, 2016, 6:44 am

    Friday Night Lights, what?!!! I need to check that one out for sure! I’m reading American Housewife right now…not sure what I think about it yet. And I’ve got While the City Slept on my radar too!

    • Kim January 17, 2016, 9:13 am

      I’ll try pretty much anything that has a comparison to FNL… I’m so predictable that way!

  • Justice @ manuscripts & marginalia January 7, 2016, 7:04 am

    I am so excited for Girl Through Glass, mainly because I adored Brandy Colbert’s Pointe and I desperately want another great ballet/coming of age book for 2016. Great list, Kim!

  • Julie Merilatt January 7, 2016, 9:01 am

    I am so on the fence about Queen of the Night. I could request a copy, but it’s a chunker at over 500 pages. Hand wringing ensues!

    • Kim January 17, 2016, 9:16 am

      It’s a tough call! I have an egalley, but I’m not sure if I’ll get to it with all the other chunky books I’ve got on my plate right now.

  • Amanda January 7, 2016, 10:37 am

    I think the Love that Split the World sounds so good! I have the Good Death to read soon as well, I hope it inspires good discussion.

  • BermudaOnion (Kathy) January 7, 2016, 11:41 am

    I’ve been doing a terrible job of keeping up with upcoming releases. A lot of these look good!

  • Andi January 7, 2016, 2:29 pm

    “Unhinged” is exactly the right word for American Housewife. I have a review coming up on Monday! I also can’t wait to get to Lahiri’s new book.

  • Kay January 7, 2016, 6:53 pm

    I saw something recently about GIRL THROUGH GLASS and thought it looked like one I would like to try. And I keep loving that cover on AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE. Also, WHILE THE CITY SLEPT looks interesting.

  • Kailana January 7, 2016, 7:07 pm

    Not blog-hopping is so much better for my pocket book than blog-hopping… lol

  • Hillary Roberts January 8, 2016, 4:49 am

    ohhhh a lot of these look right up my alley!

  • susan January 8, 2016, 6:47 pm

    Oh crap, Lahiri is coming out with a new book? I’ll have to drop everything then. Thanks for the warning! That’s major.

    • Kim January 17, 2016, 9:17 am

      I was so surprised when I saw it while digging around — I feel like it should have so much more buzz, but I’ve only seen it on one “anticipated books” list so far.

  • Heather January 9, 2016, 7:22 am

    I’m making a serious effort to #readmyowndamnbooks this year so I haven’t been keeping an eye on new releases at all. That being said, many of these look amazing! I am particularly excited about the Lahiri memoir. I love her fiction and definitely can see her being an incredible nonfiction writer, too.

    • Kim January 17, 2016, 9:18 am

      That’s the tricky part — I love knowing what books are coming, but since I’m trying to read my shelves I can’t really buy any of them 🙂

  • Jenny @ Reading the End January 9, 2016, 12:57 pm

    Oh I am excited for the Alexander Chee book. I didn’t love his first book soooo much? but a lot of writers and people I like did, so I’m hoping that his second novel will be more of my thing. It sounds closer to my thing! With all the intrigue and deception!

    • Kim January 17, 2016, 9:18 am

      Intrigue and deception are right up my alley!

  • iliana January 9, 2016, 6:10 pm

    Oh A Good Death sounds fascinating and like you said, a good complement to Being Mortal. Will have to keep that one on my radar. Lots of great books to look forward to!

  • Kelly Massry January 10, 2016, 12:15 pm

    I went to graduate school with Mira! We were in an M.F.A. program at Sarah Lawrence together so I know the backstory behind the book. She’s an incredibly gifted writer and I’m so glad her debut has made its way to the blogging community!

  • Athira January 10, 2016, 5:15 pm

    The Love That Split the World sounds fascinating! I am going to add that to my list. Some of the others are also on my list of books to check out.

  • Michelle January 13, 2016, 10:18 am

    Whoa. Girl in Glass sounds amazing! Such a great list!

  • emma February 2, 2016, 7:18 pm

    super super disappointed with The Queen of the Night. I will post my review this week hopefully, maybe on Thurs

    • Kim February 7, 2016, 2:30 pm

      Oh no! I am bummed to hear that — I’ll be looking for your review.