Broke and Bookish does a wonderful link-up of Top Ten topics and this week it’s Top Ten Books I’m Looking Forward to for the First Half of 2017. A bit wordy, but you get the idea, right? Given that my reading at the end of 2016 has been as depressing and bad as the year itself I thought why not look forward to the new year in books? Thankfully, there are a number of titles coming out from authors I love, so here’s hoping there’s great reading ahead in 2017.
4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster (January): This is Auster’s first novel in seven years. I’m nervously excited.
The Chosen Maiden by Eva Stachniak (January): I loved her books about Catherine the Great so to see that she’s still writing about Russia and that it’s ballet, makes this exciting. I know very little about Nijinsky, but always prefer to read about the women in the lives of the men.
Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller (February): CLAIRE. FULLER. This might be a case of my expectations setting the bar too high. I adored her debut Our Endless Numbered Days so I’m hoping for something just as amazing.
All Grown Up by Jami Attenberg (March): I’ve not read Attenberg before, but between the description and the cover (with it’s hint of Manhattan skyline) I’m intrigued.
The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon (March): Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Book 3 in The Bone Season series. Honestly, the only problem with these books is she can’t write them fast enough. I am so ready for protagonist Paige to kick some arrogant male ass. A good example of why you should ignore book trends and wait until the series is complete so you can book binge.
In the Name of the Family by Sarah Dunant (March): The Borgias?! Are you kidding me? Enough said, I’m in. Dunant is to Italian historical fiction as Gregory is to the Tudors. I’m always interested.
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See (March): I’ve read all of her books and while I haven’t loved them each equally, they’re all compelling historical Chinese fiction.
Confessions of the Young Nero by Margaret George (March): C’mon, admit it- who doesn’t want to know more about this hedonist, narcissistic, slightly insane ruler of Rome? Think of it as a primer for understanding the behavior of the president-elect.
The Music of Ghosts by Vaddey Ratner (April): I absolutely loved In the Shadow of the Banyon so am ready and willing to read whatever this Cambodian author has coming up next. Gorgeous prose is a given.
The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova (April): Kostova’s debut, The Historian, was one of those could-not-put-down chunkster books. Overwhelmingly rich in detail and about vampires to boot. I don’t much about this one except that she is back in eastern Europe. Given her talent for immersive fiction I’m ready to be swept away.
I just saw that Lisa See on someone else’s list and it reminded me that I need to read her. Maybe I’ll let you very this one for me 🙂
Thank you for doing all the work for me. Now I just have to add these to my list.
I’m really hoping familiar authors and lots of historical fiction can help me deal better with the present and still escape it when I need to!
Well, it looks like you and I (and Sarah, too!) will both be reading Swimming Lessons; I’m looking forward to that one. I’m also looking forward to The Fall of Lisa Bellow (March 2017) by Susan Perabo and, guilty pleasure, My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella (February, so not quite spring – ha!). I’m hoping we have a good reading start to the new year, Catherine!
Tara, I’m looking forward to The Fall as well, but could only pick ten so had to stop.
Love guilty pleasure AND Sophie Kinsella. (pssst: I already read My Not So Perfect Life and it’s solid Kinsella fiction)
Oooh, I’m so excited to hear this!! Thank you, Catherine!
Hi lady!!!! I’m excited for Swimming Lessons as well. Now I just have to squeeze in a few more before the year ends and then I can get excited for 2017. xo
Swimming Lessons, yesss!! Can’t wait for that one.
I’m a little scared, Monika. How can it be as good? And yet…I hope.
Historical fiction for the win! I love the first Catherine the Great book from Eva Stachniak but didn’t love the second one. Ballet though? Here for it. I just picked up a non-fiction title about all the intrigue and scandal at the….I think it’s the Bolshoi.
Now, unpopular opinion warning: I didn’t like The Historian or Our Endless Numbered Days or what I’ve tried to read by Sarah Dunant! I’m only willing to try again with Dunant because you mentioned the Borgias.
So ready for 2017.
WHAT?! Didn’t like The Historian?! Oh boy. Or Endless Days? You heathen.
I remember thinking, with The Historian, that’s it? Come ON. But it was a long time ago and I was young so maybe it was too nuanced or subtle for me to appreciate at the time. Still wary of any of her other work though.
And Our Endless Numbered Days just bored me. And a book about an abduction probably shouldn’t bore me.
All of your opinions are valid! The “heathen” was completely in jest. I loved The Historian because it covered so much territory with detail. I didn’t like her second book anywhere near as much. This one will be the decider.
I didn’t know that Elizabeth Kostova has a new novel coming out. I loved The Historian, so will definitely want to check out her new book. Swimming lessons looks great (somehow I missed Our Endless Numbered Days) and now you have me curious about All Grown Up, too.
You should read Our Endless Numbered Days. It’s a small novel, but packs a punch. Fuller is so gracious. I was part of an online book discussion site (The Socratic Salon) and she joined in the discussion and responded to readers’ questions. A real delight. (If you decide to read the book- don’t go to the site until after you finish- we discuss spoilers.)
Thanks for your list…..I’ve added a few! Personally, I can’t wait for the new book by J. Courtney Sullivan, Saints for all Occasions!
Oh, I missed that one! I generally like her books. Thanks, I’ll add it to my list.
Oh great list. Thx for compiling this. Ahh yes Paul Auster, quirky good. It looks like I’ll have to read Claire Fuller’s first one in January before her 2nd one. Thx for the tip.
4 3 2 1, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, and Confessions of a Young Nero both stood out to me too! I was disappointed to see that Young Nero is part of a duology though, because I’m not great at remembering to finish series.
I didn’t even notice that! Hhmmmm…something to look forward to?