Hi Book Friends!
I know we haven’t talked since last Monday, and it feels like FOREVER ago! How was your holiday break, if you had one? Did you get the chance to read and take some time for yourself? For me, the weekend was all about finishing up some books and cuddling with cats. Oh, and going full Christmas. Yep, it’s officially time. But before all that, let’s talk books.
Book Deals and Reveals
Yulin Kuang is a writer and director who has adapted multiple Emily Henry works, but now she’s published a romance novel that’s all her own. How to End A Love Story is out on April 9, but you can read an excerpt from the upcoming novel now.
Rebecca Yarros says it might be a minute before we get the third book in the Empyrean series. “I have a release date,” Yarros says. “I just can’t tell you yet.” The second novel in the series, Iron Flame, was released earlier this month.
Electric Lit has the exclusive cover reveal for Loose of Earth by Kathleen Dorothy Blackburn. The memoir will be published by University of Texas Press on April 16, 2024.
Cosmopolitan is sharing the cover and an excerpt from Karen McManus’ Such Charming Liars. The novel will be released on July 30, 2024.
And here’s an exclusive cover art reveal and preview of Amy Chu and Soo Lee’s graphic novel Carmilla: the Last Vampire Hunter. This second volume will be available in bookstores on July 9, 2024.
Tor.com is sharing the cover of In the Shadow of Their Dying by Anna Smith Spark and Michael R. Fletcher. This novella will be available from Grimdark Magazine March 19, 2024.
Here’s the cover reveal of Kelly Murashige’s debut novel The Lost Souls of Benzaiten. This is the story of one young girl’s desire to transform into a robot vacuum cleaner. I get it. I’m jealous of my Roomba every day. This one’s out on July 23, 2024.
NPR has released their massive list of the best books of the year, which features a unique interface for book recommendations.
Project Gutenberg’s AI audiobook project is yet another instance of AI encroaching on the book industry. But how do the audiobooks sound?
Who better to know the best books of the year than the librarians at the biggest library system in the country? Here are the best books of 2023, according to the New York Public Library.
Book Riot Recommends
Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!
Power up your reading life with thoughtful writing on books and publishing, courtesy of The Deep Dive. Over at our Substack publication, you’ll find timely stories, informed takes, and useful advice from our in-house experts. We’re here to share our expertise and perspective, drawing from our backgrounds as booksellers, librarians, educators, authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and then get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox. You can also upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.
Prepare Your Shelves!
Flores and Miss Paula by Melissa Rivero (Ecco Press, Dec 5)
I’m so excited about this book because when I was a child, I had a teacher named Miss Paula. And I loved her so much that I asked my mom to name my little brother Miss Paula. True story.
But really, there are so many reasons to prepare your shelves for Melissa Rivero’s Flores and Miss Paula. Maybe you read and loved Rivero’s debut novel The Affairs of the Falcóns. Maybe you love complicated mother/daughter stories. Maybe you want to read more immigrant stories. Or maybe witty and heart-warming contemporary fiction is your thing. For me, I’m checking all of the above.
Flores and her mother, Paula, live together in a tiny apartment in Brooklyn. But just because they live in close proximity to one another doesn’t mean they’re close. Martín, Flores’ father, and Paula’s husband, died three years ago, and the mother-and-daughter duo have never truly recovered from that loss. Then, one day, Flores discovers a hidden note her mother wrote to her father: “Perdóname si te falle. Recuerda que siempre te quise.” (translation: “ Forgive me if I failed you. Remember that I always loved you.”)
With this new discovery, the rift between Paula and Flores grows even larger as suspicions grow and memories come back to them. And on top of that, the two find out that they are going to be forced to move. With everything going on, this mother and daughter will have to learn to talk with each other and confront their complicated past if they ever hope to move forward.
What I’m Reading This Week
Codename: Sailor V by Naoko Takeuchi
Out There Screaming, ed. by Jordan Peele
This Spells Love by Kate Robb
Making it So by Patrick Stewart
Lone Women by Victor LaValle
The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman
Bookish Memes
This meme really resonated with me. I won’t tell you what book it was, but maybe if you know me, you can guess. And I know you probably all have a book (or several) in your past that this meme will remind you of. It’s okay.
And Here’s A Cat Picture!
Everyone! I did go to a cat cafe while I was in Leuven, but I haven’t shared pictures yet. So here you go!
This little sweetie is Bowie. He was so cute and fluffy and, as you can see, totally chill. If you ever find yourself in Leuven in Belgium, be sure to go check out Poescafé. Super cute little cat cafe. Friendly cats. Tasty drinks. Etc.
And with that, another Book Radar has ended. I’ll see you on Thursday! Have a wonderful week.