Literary fiction readers are in for a treat. This week’s latest releases list is full of intriguing reads you won’t want to miss! The new releases list includes so many bestselling authors like Stephen G Hardy, La Shun L. Carroll, Laurie Frankel, and many more. Enjoy your new literary fiction books. Happy reading!
Set off on an adventure to new worlds this week! This selection of new science fiction and fantasy books will surely please! Science Fiction fans should be excited about the latest from bestselling authors Hannah D. State, Emmanuel K. Okunola, Rafael Guerra, and more. If Fantasy is what your library needs, you’ll be able to pick up the latest from C.A. Hollister, G.C. Glaucus, C. L. Murray, and more. Enjoy your new science fiction and fantasy books. Happy reading!
Are you an avid reader of Young Adult books? This week you are in luck! With all of these new novels, you’re bound to find a new favorite book to add to your reading list. This week includes new novels from bestselling authors C.L. Lauder, Emma Lord, Brigid Kemmerer, and many more. Enjoy your new young adult books. Happy reading!
Looking for some new biography and memoir books for your library? There are so many new releases this week that you’re bound to find a new favorite. You can pick up new books from Keren Blankfeld, Kate Kennedy, Simon Shuster, and many more. Enjoy your new biography and memoir books. Happy reading!
From epic tales of sorcery to futuristic adventures beyond the stars, this curated list will immerse you in the kind of rich storytelling that echoes the brilliance of V. E. Schwab. Get ready to lose yourself in the pages of these six new books.
Release Date: November 13, 2023
A Fantastical Sci-Fi/Dystopian Adventure with a new bent on characters straight out of a heroic quest encyclopedia. As a devastated world recovers from war and plight, an unlikely heroine emerges and attempts to rescue distressed rebels protecting the only known honeybees.
Release Date: January 15, 2024
Indiana Jones meets Teen Titans in the thrilling conclusion to the award-winning series, The Dream Rider Saga, a fast-paced urban fantasy trilogy from “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction” (Library Journal).
Release Date: January 16, 2024
Neil Gaiman’s American Gods meets Jennifer Mason-Black’s Devil and the Bluebird in this modern adaptation of the Greek legend The Twelve Labors of Hercules for young adult fantasy readers. When Valentine Cash dies in an accidental collision she caused on the cusp of musical fame, she is offered a deal: Complete a series of difficult tasks to get her life back.
Release Date: November 6, 2023
Struggling students. Secretive professors. And a deadly threat from beyond… When they enrolled at Cambridge, Nick and Annabel never thought they’d be researching monsters. But when their tutor is attacked by a winged nightmare, they join forces with the night-climbing Giles as the university’s last line of defence against an otherworldly attack.
Release Date: January 9, 2024
On a routine border patrol, pilot Zane Lucas encounters a mysterious cluster of drones. When he reports it to the Scorpius head office, they quickly sweep it under the intergalactic rug and place him on leave. That same night, Zane is contacted by an estate lawyer from the distant planet Earth and learns he’s the sole beneficiary of a person he’s never met. Determined to get answers, he finds himself thrust into a dead man’s quest, along with a resourceful colleague, Julia Rossi.
Release Date: December 25, 2023
Scientist James Lockwood has made a groundbreaking discovery in the realm of quantum physics. A discovery that could revolutionize travel and trade, and disrupt entire industries to the tune of tens of trillions of dollars. A discovery simple enough to replicate and understand, but in the wrong hands, could destroy the world. Before James can even finish his academic paper on the subject, let alone publish it, he and his sister Isabel have their lives upended.
As you eagerly await the release of Sarah J Maas' "House of Flame and Shadow," immerse yourself in a curated collection of romance books that will kindle your heart and prepare you for the enchanting journey that lies ahead. From tales of passionate love affairs to gripping romantic adventures, these books promise to ignite the flames of anticipation and shroud you in the captivating shadows of love's mysteries.
Release Date: January 16, 2024
"See this beauty? It may seem innocent, but this invasive species is a killer." When a rising social media star with a passion for plants seeks business advice from a charming Hollywood attorney, a forbidden attraction blooms. As their connection deepens, so do the roots of a deadly plan.
Release Date: January 16, 2024
The Porn Star's Daughter is a steamy, laugh-out-loud story about self-acceptance and sexual empowerment. Tali Hunter dives into college life away from her parents and their porn empire for better or worse. She faces a roommate who has no regard for social norms, a sleazy dean that wants to capitalize on her family money, and an attraction to the one person who knows her secret.
Release Date: January 8, 2024
Perfect for fans of The Plated Prisoner, Crystal Bloom, Game of Thrones (tv show), or anyone who wanted to see trauma addressed in ACOTAR.
Release Date: February 9, 2018
Aiden Kilbourn doesn't do long-term relationships. He's busy ruling the business world, and has yet to find a woman he can tolerate for longer than a month, two at the outside, anyway. Conquering the unconquerable is basically his bread and butter. And he hasn't met a challenge that he can't win. But Franchesca Baranski? This smart-mouthed girl from Brooklyn may just be his downfall.
Release Date: January 16, 2024
Eurydice Dimitriou has always been the innocent sister, but she's finally ready to step out of the long shadow cast by her powerful family... and the ex who shattered her heart. Perhaps rough hands on soft skin are exactly what she needs to forget her heartbreak once and for all?
Release Date: January 8, 2024
Miss Charlotte Benning has lived a charmed life as the daughter of a wealthy, eccentric industrialist. Her only aim in attending the house party at Nedworth Hall is to find a nice man to marry and have a family with. She certainly doesn’t think she’s witty or clever enough to engage in all the excitement about Lord Carshalton’s mysterious heir. But there are things about Charlotte’s father, and her origins, that even she doesn't know...
What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Critical Habitat?
The story was gestating for five years and I finally started to write it the day after I met my wife. And then it took another six years after several editors--and a publisher picking it up before dropping it as they reorganized--to publish it. But I became more motivated and better through the process.
I love fantastical adventure stories and the best sci-fi offers -- I wanted to bend some of the constructs of the genre but fulfill the genre's expectations, so to be a worthy addition to the genre. It was challenging and rewarding, and Book 2 is in its sixth draft edit now.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Critical Habitat, what would they be?
It would absolutely be classical symphony, inspiring and dramatic, but not melodramatic. Let's have a little fun.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
Sci-Fi, Thrillers, and Horror - a mashup!
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Rabbits by Terry Miles and Robert Jackson Bennet's Foundryside. Can't wait, honestly.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
There's a scene that fulfilled a very important part of Critical Habitat, demonstrating how ruthless General Speer was to the rebels. I had the epiphany during a Counting Crows concert, of all places, of this important scene that demonstrates what a monster he is beyond his troops. I got up in the night to write it.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I have to go back to the prior day's work and review it before I can move forward. Ridiculous.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Make life happen or it happens to you.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Meaningfulness.
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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Porn Star’s Daughter?
The Porn Star’s Daughter is the first book in a series of books that embraces the sex-work industry. But let me back up a bit, because the story behind this porn story begins in the stuffy world of US tax. When I started writing this book, I was working in corporate tax law, dominating a traditionally male-dominated industry, and laughing off my requisite daily dose of sexual harassment. But as I moved up the corporate ladder, I started to see my younger colleagues were being subject to the same workplace harassment I had so casually laughed off for the benefit of career progression. And I was, in large part, to blame for it.
John F. Kennedy once said “A rising tide lifts all boats” and I believe the opposite is also true—a falling tide sinks all ships. Through my workplace struggles, I realized that if I silently consented to my own harassers, I wasn’t just consenting on my own behalf. I was, rather, normalizing their behavior and thereby consenting on behalf of every woman. I was a ship sinker. And I had some repairs to make. So I created a universe that revolves around powerful female sex workers. The book is still fun, wild, and silly, but it also attempts to raise a sense of sexual empowerment for all women, one tide at a time.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Porn Star’s Daughter, what would they be?
Tali, my main character who is setting out in a brave new world – “Get Free” by Lana Del Rey.
James, my messy, combat-veteran love interest - “Hero of the Day” by Metallica.
Coventry, Tali’s roommate who controls their little dorm-room world with an iron will but no pants – “My Own Dance” by Kesha.
Seth, James’s roommate who excels only at making major life mistakes – “I Hate College” by Sam Adams.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I have two favorite genres that I flip between. First romance, obviously, because it is objectively the best genre with the best readers and the best community. I love the optimism inherent in romance novels and I love being part of a group that searches out others’ Happily Ever Afters. It’s why I chose to write in this genre!
But I have a hard rule that for every romance novel I read, I must next read one nonfiction book that discuses the science behind self-improvement. And some of these books have pivoted my life in new, positive directions. Examples include Hidden Potential by Adam Grant, Feeling Great by Dr. David D. Burns, and Cues by Vanessa Van Edwards.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
My TBR list is long enough to break the internet but it is also, by some grace of the universe, very organized. So I will limit myself to my next four reads in the order I will read them: The Last Train Home by Elle Cook, High Performance Habits by Brandon Burchard, Before You Say I Do by Clare Lydon, and Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
My favorite scene to write was the first scene where all of the main characters came together for the first time. I could so clearly remember falling into freshman year of college and the desperate feeling of trying to make friends out of a group of strangers. It’s terrifying but there’s something magical about it—like a sudden realization you’ve jumped out of the nest with no safety net.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I have one quirky writing habit that I always hoped no one would ask about. Even during the hottest days of the summer, I must wear my favorite writing sweatshirt. It’s hot pink, three sizes too big, and rocks the Circus Circus logo across the chest. Yes, the Vegas casino that looks like the set of a 1980s gameshow. But I’m always cold, I refuse to be uncomfortable, and if I’m being completely honest with myself...I love Circus Circus. So it’s a win for everyone except my husband who would probably burn it if he didn’t think it would lead to certain divorce.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
“It actually doesn’t take much to be considered a difficult woman. That’s why there are so many of us.” – Jane Goodall
I have been considered a difficult woman since birth. But now that I’m writing romance novels about the sex-work industry from my cozy little nook in the US Bible Belt, my difficulty scores are measuring off the charts. It’s nice to remember I’m in good and plentiful company.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
There are eight billion people on this Earth with eight billion voices and opinions. And one of them is always going to be judging you. You’re too proper, you’re too trashy, you’re too loud, you’re too quiet. You take up too much space....
You get to choose every day whether to waste your time attempting to appease eight billion people. Or, alternatively, you can live according to your own standards, find your people, and laugh back at society’s ever-conflicting expectations of you. Like the characters in my book, I’ve tried it both ways, and I highly recommend the latter.
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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Lost Expedition?
The Lost Expedition is the final book in my Dream Rider Saga trilogy. I’d written one novel (The Wolf at the End of the World), which had been well received, so I figured, “How hard can a trilogy be?” Yeah, right. I wrote the entire trilogy before publishing the first book, The Hollow Boys, taking advice that Charles de Lint had given me. The Dream Rider Saga is one long mystery told over three books. When you’re writing that type of trilogy, it’s wonderful to be able to change the earlier books as you’re writing the later ones. Plus, readers don’t have to worry when (or if) the final book will come out.
The inspiration for the Dream Rider came from my love as a kid of comics, superheroes, and stories of lost cities. I call the series “Indiana Jones meets Teen Titans.” I’d wanted to write a YA series for a while, so when I got this idea for an orphaned teenager who can travel through our dreams but can never leave home, I figured it would fit perfectly. Then I asked myself questions. Where did his power come from? Why is he an orphan? So I gave him a backstory, purposely sketchy at first: Will's parents, shady dealers in ancient artifacts, disappear on a jungle expedition. Will, the only survivor, returns home with no memory of what happened, with his strange power to walk in our dreams…and severe agoraphobia. He uses the money his Dream Rider comic creation brings to make a skyscraper home with everything he needs—everything but the freedom to go outside. But it’s YA, so I needed a romance. Enter Case, an orphan Will's age, who survives on the streets with her young brother, Fader, because they have their own gifts. Case hears voices warning her of danger. And Fader? Well, he fades. People just don’t notice him.
Book 1, The Hollow Boys, throws Will and Case together, and into danger and an unlikely romance, as they join forces to defeat a centuries-old body swapper preying on street kids. In book 2, The Crystal Key, dark secrets lead Will, Case, and Fader to a mysterious world, trapping them between warring cults willing to kill for a dangerous artifact from Will’s past. In the last book, The Lost Expedition, Will’s search for his lost parents propels the three friends deep into the jungles of Peru, where they battle an ancient evil to save all of reality.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Lost Expedition, what would they be?
Interesting question, since I use modern rock and pop songs for the chapters titles in these books. For Will, my 17-year-old agoraphobic superhero, I think I’d go with Bowie’s “Starman.” It’s about a visitor from outer space, so it fits Will’s weirdness with his Dream powers. But it’s also a song that has always made me smile, which fits Will as well.
For Case, my life-hardened street kid and big sister to Fader, I’d pick Billy Eilish’s “Tough Guy” or maybe Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” I use both in the books for titles of Case’s chapters.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I enjoy reading urban fantasy, especially Charles de Lint. Lately though, I’m reading mysteries, detective, action / adventure, and non-fiction. When it comes to writing, my short fiction has been a balance between fantasy and SF, with horror elements in many of them. My novels (The Wolf at the End of the World and the three Dream Rider books) are urban fantasy, and my next planned novel will be the sequel to The Wolf. But after that, I have a near future SF novel planned, expanding on my short story, “Memories of the Dead Man.”
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
My TBR “pile” is on my Kobo, as I do almost all my reading via ebooks. I just finished Babel by RF Kuang and the wonderful Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. I’m reading City of Mirrors, the final book in Justin Cronin's excellent The Passage trilogy, then I'll move on to the latest in Ian Hamilton’s excellent Ava Lee series, The Fury of Beijing.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Ever so many. It was fun to be able to write a Morrigan scene again, after her departure at the end of The Hollow Boys, but I probably enjoyed the Indiana Jones-esque scenes where Will, Case and crew are discovering and navigating the weird world that leads to the Crossing. And it was fun to finally dole out the answers to the many mysteries from the first two books.
But overall, I enjoyed the Case POV scenes most. I’d have to say she was the easiest character for me to write, to be inside her head, since she became in many ways the conscience of the books.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
Coffee. In a favorite mug. A mug that I just had to replace after using the same one for a couple of decades. A lot of words written with that one. My new mug and I are slowly getting to know each other. Hey, don’t judge. It’s an important relationship for a writer.
Music. I listen to music, via headphones, when I write. Despite my love of rock, I listen to orchestral pieces that are more cerebral than emotional. Bach and Corelli, but Vivaldi is my go-to. I think I have over 17 hours of Vivaldi on my player.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Chase your dreams. Never give up, never surrender (although that one may be taken).
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
The characters.
I’m a character-driven writer. I can’t start a story unless I know my characters. Characters drive plot. I always try to start with an interesting character with a problem. Plot twists and turns come from choices my characters make as they struggle to solve their problem. To make those choices believable to the reader, I need to understand my characters so well that their choices are true to each of them. “Love the characters!” is a common comment in reviews of these books, and I think readers will come to love Will, Case, and Fader, and the bonds that form between them.
Douglas Smith is the author of the new book The Lost Expedition: The Dream Rider Saga Book 3
Connect with Douglas Smith
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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Manchineel?
Oddly enough, the gardening accounts that I follow on social media sparked the idea. These are influencers who talk about plants, delving into not just the science but also the lessons learned from nature. There are many valuable lessons to be learned, but I started thinking: what if we explored a darker side? What about the brutal and heartless realities of nature?
I’m also intrigued by the concept of things not being as they appear, much like what we often encounter on social media. The person we’re watching isn’t necessarily who they truly are; it’s a persona. Who are they, really? What are they capable of?
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Manchineel, what would they be?
For Elyse, it would be "Look What You Made Me Do" by Taylor Swift because it’s about reinvention out of necessity with a sense of revenge. Elyse ended up the way she is in response to past traumas.
For Ben, I think “Love the Way You Lie,” by Eminem featuring Rhianna fits based on its focus on a toxic relationship. The lyrics resonate with elements of his situation.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I love contemporary fiction, romance, and psychological thrillers. My reading tastes are pretty well aligned to what I like to write.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
So many! I’ve heard amazing things about Yellowface by R. F. Kuang, I’m actually embarrassed I haven’t read it yet. I’m also excited to read Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The caramel scenes! Making them, “delivering” them. Early in the book, we get hints of the female main character’s capabilities, but it's in the caramel scenes where readers are given their first direct glimpse into her state of mind, the lengths she's willing to go to, and her philosophy on justice. These scenes have elicited mixed reactions from early readers, ranging from enthusiastic cheers to utter horror.
Personally, I find it intriguing when books and films present horrific events in an ironic or humorous light, while still acknowledging the intensity and severity of the situations. That was the perspective I had in mind while writing these scenes, infusing them with a bit of dark humor.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
My quirk is my ADHD, which often takes me down various paths, requiring me to rein myself in. I believe this aspect of my personality contributes to the unexpected twists and turns in my writing. However, it also means there were many iterations of this book, including characters that will never see the light of day and storylines that didn't make the final cut.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Do it scared. There’s a lot of opportunity outside of our comfort zones and some people don’t take risks because the fear of the unknown holds them back. Everyone feels that. So, do it scared. A year ago I was terrified to share my work with others, even my husband. But forcing myself out of my comfort zone, little by little, now I’m sharing my work with the world. I’m opening it up to criticism. It’s a scary thing, but it’s exciting too.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Ben and Elyse’s methods are not recommended. Nor do I necessarily agree with Elyse’s world view and philosophy on right and wrong, though I do think it raises questions that will make readers think about the nature of morality and justice.
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