Top Ten Eighteen Books on My 2019 TBR (First Half of the Year)
I know everyone else already did this topic last week, but I… didn’t. And I felt like doing it now. I’m also not featuring ten, but instead I’m featuring three from each month. Because I want to. And there are no rules to blogging. So, yeah.
January
1. Slayer by Kiersten White
I’m such a HUGE Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan that I’m both excited and terrified to read this book. This is the only January pick I don’t already own, even though it’s already out. But I did request the graphic novels from my library so I can catch up on Season 8 and then read this.
2. Firestarter by Tara Sim
I can’t begin to explain the love I have for the first book in this series. I really enjoyed the second one too, but the first is seared into my memory as an absolute favorite. I can’t wait for book three!
3. A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
All I can say is that I was a Kemmerer fan first (since her little-known Elemental Series days). So, na-na-na-na-boo-boo. (Yep, I’m the adult here. Remember that.)
February
4. On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Angie Thomas has a new book, so I must read it.
5. Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
Everything about this book makes me happy. Literally just looking at the cover sparks joy (yep, I’m Marie Kondoing over here).
6. Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers
LaFevers is a favorite author. This book is pre-ordered. And she’s coming to Anderson’s Bookshop, so I’ll probably end up going and getting another copy of the book so I can do the signing line. I have no regrets.
March
7. To Best the Boys by Mary Weber
Mary Weber is another favorite author. I just love her writing style. I got denied on NetGalley for this book, but I’m not bitter or anything (at least not much).
8. The Revenge of Magic by James Riley
My kids and I loved Riley’s Half Upon a Time Series, so I’m excited for this one. Plus, that title—how awesome is the concept of magic seeking revenge?
9. Bloodleaf by Crystal Smith
Okay, I’ll confess that my excitement for this book started because HMH sent it to me in a pretty box with an (awesome) enamel pin. I’m shallow like that. But just read the description on Goodreads and I think you’ll agree this sounds pretty darn amazing!
April
10. Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
I mean, this book just sounds incredible. Do I need to say anything else?
11. The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews
Cait’s newest book is coming!!! (I’m hoping for a cover reveal SOON!)
12. Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi
I cannot sing the first book’s praises enough. Book 2, here I come!!
May
13. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
What sort of sorcery is this? An adult book on my list? I really enjoyed the first book, so I’m looking forward to this one.
14. Somewhere Only We Know by Maureen Goo
Goo is one of those feelgood authors whose books always make me happy.
15. Birthday by Meredith Russo
I have to confess that I haven’t read Russo’s first book yet (though I own a copy), but I really need to fix that. A trans book by an #OwnVoices author, this one is a must-read.
June
15. War of the Bastards by Andrew Shvarts
I adore this series, so I can’t wait for the third (final?) book in the series to come out!
15. Rage by Cora Carmack
Another sequel I’m excited about! Apparently June is the month for series.
16. Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca
This is a middle grade retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and it sounds adorable!
What books have you been overlooking for far too long? Are there any of these that I absolutely MUST read? I want to know!
Yes to the Bride Test! I’m definitely interested in the new Brigid Kemmerer.
I love Kemmerer, so her new one is high on my list!
I’m a huge Buffy fan as well. Slayer is going to be such an exciting read!
This is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
I was absolutely devoted to Buffy when it was on all those years ago, and I never stopped loving it. I just got all the Season 8 graphic novels from the library to reread so I can jump into Slayer.
I’m excited for A Curse So Dark and Lonely. I’ve only read Kemmerer’s contemporaries but this one has definitely caught my eye. And I need The Bride Test in my hands now! 🙂
I started reading it, and I’m really enjoying it so far!
glad to see you have goodies for all these months. I have not done this, as I had other things to post on Tuesdays. I have a few, but they are not in your genre
I hadn’t done a Top Ten Tuesday in quite a while, but now I’ve done two in a row. I tend to just do them when they strike my fancy. 🙂
Nice! Seeing some good ones here! LOVED Slayer! Can’t wait to read Bloodleaf either! Great picks! Hope you enjoy all of these this year!
Here’s my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
I just picked up the Buffy graphic novels and Slayer from my library. Can’t wait to dive in!
So many exciting releases coming! I’m really excited for Slayer. 🙂
I picked it up from the library the other day (along with the graphic novels), and I can’t wait to jump in!
A lot of new release books! Some of them I do know but then again, there are a lot of books that are unfamiliar to me… I am looking forward to seeing what you think of them and how they go for you 🙂 Happy reading x
Thanks! I’ll let you know.
I want to read your whole May shelf.
That does seem like the perfect shelf for you. 🙂
Wow I am surprised that we have so few in common, actually! I am super excited for War of the Bastards, The Boy Who Steals Houses, On the Come Up, and To Best the Boys. Like SO much. A few of these I *might* be excited for but I am going to wait until you tell me about them hahah. Because if you like them… well I probably will too! 😀
Several of the books on your list would have been on mine if I hadn’t limited it to 3 per month. The early months were packed with books I know I want to read and then the later ones had a lot less—I’m sure that will change as we get closer to mid-year. I haven’t been keeping up with what’s coming out in the future unless it’s part of a series.
I can’t wait for The Bride Test! I’ve enjoyed Robin LeFevers books so I hope her newest is good! I’m also a HUGE Buffy fan! I’ve probably watched the whole series about 4 times through, maybe more. I miss Buffy! Hope the book is good.
I just picked up all of the Buffy Season 8 graphic novels at the library so that I can read them again (I never read them all, but I did read a lot of them), and then read Slayer.
Super excited for Slayer, and nervous too, just as you said. Also looking forward to On the Come Up and The Boy Who Steals Houses. I really liked Robin Lafevers’s His Fair Assassin trilogy but haven’t read anything else by her, so I’ll have to look for Courting Darkness. And I just bought my fourth copy of Meredith Russo’s If I Was Your Girl, because each of the previous three have mysteriously disappeared from my classroom library.
How funny that Russo’s book keeps disappearing. I guess that’s a sign that the kids like it—hopefully it’s getting into the hands of some kids who need it!
we have many books in common this year as usual 🙂 I’m very excited about A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Courting Darkness (I have the ARC) and the Descendant of the Crane!
There are always so many books I’m looking forward to!
Song For A Whale made my list, too! The cover and synopsis are awesome. I hope the insides are good.
Me too. I seriously get a little ping of happiness every time I see the cover.
Slayer really stand out to me. Have to check out some of the others.
Lots of people are looking forward to that one!
I am really excited for Firestarter, but I still need to read the second book. I own it, so I’m getting there! LOL I’m also really excited for The Boy Who Steals Houses. That was on my list!
-Lauren
I didn’t love the second book QUITE as much as the first, but that’s probably only because I adored the first one so much. I need to pick up book three now!
I was recently approved for A Curse So Dark and Lonely, and I cannot wait to dive in! To Best the Boys, The Bride Test, On the Come Up — ahhh! SO many good books! I hope you enjoy these. <3
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ?
I know! I wish I could just have an extra side-life in which I had no responsibilities and could spend all my time reading. 🙂
That would be lovely!
🙂
My Pre-Order of Firestarter still isn’t here. I am sad. ._.
Great list!
Ugh! That’s so frustrating!
These all sound like great books! I, honestly, haven’t heard of most of them. Enjoy your reads 🙂
Thank you!
Yay, Nicole gets bolshy!!
Song For A Whale looks beautiful and I’m intrigued by the idea of a boy stealing houses
Ha! Yes. I’ve been blogging long enough that I don’t stress over this type of thing anymore.
Love that you did 18 instead of 10 because yeah, no rules! I’ve only heard of a couple of these, but added several to my wishlist. I love discovering new books!
Glad I could help expand your TBR. 😉
Our lists are very similar. So many great books are coming out this year!
Great minds think alike. 😉
Lists like this is so interesting to me, on this particular one I had only heard of maybe 2-3books beforehand ! So it’s definately a good place to hear more about some less-hyped books out there.
im really excited for the blood price by josie jaffrey !!! I’ve reviewed the other two in the trilogy and just cannot wait to start reading it !!
I agree that it’s nice to find some books that weren’t already on your radar. Sometimes certain books seem to get ALL the buzz. I haven’t heard of Josie Jaffrey—I’ll definitely have to check her out!
This is such a good list! I am so excited to read A Curse So Dark and Lonely, it sounds so good! Also very, very excited about The Boy Who Steals Houses, I really liked Cait’s debut and can’t wait to read more from her 🙂
I was super excited to see the cover for The Boy Who Steals Houses revealed last week!
I have loved every single Brigid Kemmerer book in the last few years but I still need to read her Elemental Series. I bought that first book years ago, I’m pretty sure JLA recommended it, and hopefully I can binge read it this summer. Here’s hoping we both love her newest release!
I adored her Elemental Series, and I was always surprised that more people didn’t talk about it. They actually read a lot like her contemporaries because even though they’re paranormal stories, they’re more about the heart of the characters.