On any given week, hundreds of books are released! There’s no way to find every possible book that looks interesting, but I’ve put together a list of the ones that I am anticipating. Most of these are based off of the author’s past books, my interest in the subject matter, and just bookish serendipity as I scroll #bookstagram or research on the internet. I specifically tried to highlight books that aren’t everywhere (for the most part) and ones that are flying under the radar.
I hope to get to most of these this year even though I am less focused on ARCs/new books and more focused on reading my shelves. I’ll update with my Instagram reviews when I do read them.
Books are listed in order of release date. All links are Amazon affiliate links. If you’d like to support independent bookstores and creators, check out my Bookshop.org affiliate link.
- Historical Fiction
- Middle Grade/YA
- History Nonfiction
- Presidential and First Lady Books
- Contemporary Fiction
Historical Fiction
Unsinkable by Jenni L. Walsh (January 9)
I love any book related to the Titanic, and this one looks fascinating! From the author of The Call of the Wrens (also on my TBR!) and spanning two world wars, this seems like an epic story of two women who endure tragedy and the worst of humanity. Read my final review here.
When the Jessamine Grows by Donna Everhart (January 23)
I am so excited about this book! My local indie, The Little Bookshop, is hosting the author in February, so I have preordered my copy. I can’t wait to learn more about my home state of North Carolina during my favorite time period to study, the Civil War! Read my final review here.
The Foxhole Victory Tour by Amy Lynn Green (January 23)
This Christian historical fiction novel about two women on a USO tour of WWII bases in North Africa looks like it will bring to life a little known part of the war. After getting a glimpse of this front on the PBS show, World on Fire, this is something I’d like to learn more about. Read my final review here.
The Queen of Sugar Hill: A Novel of Hattie McDaniel by ReShonda Tate (January 30)
Gone with the Wind is my favorite book and movie, so I have to read this novel about the incomparable Hattie McDaniel. I know there is a complicated history behind her role as Mammy, and I am excited to delve deeper. I think it will pair nicely with a book on my unread shelves, Ruth’s Journey: The Authorized Novel of Mammy from Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind.
The Women by Kristin Hannah (February 6)
This is the behemoth that every historical fiction fan is excited to read! Hannah is the author of my second favorite book of all time, The Nightingale, and I’ve read several of her other historical novels that are heart wrenching yet gripping. This new one about the Vietnam War is getting rave reviews, so I can’t wait to get to my ARC! Read my final review here.
All My Secrets by Lynn Austin (February 6)
I’ve heard amazing things about Austin’s Christian historical fiction, so I have an ARC of her latest set in the Gilded Age. I love reading about this time period! Read my review here.
The Turtle House by Amanda Churchill (February 20)
I’m excited to read this novel about a Japanese war bride and the story she tells about her first love. Set in Texas and dealing with a beloved connection between grandmother and granddaughter, I think it will be special. I got an ARC as a patron of the Thoughts from a Page podcast and can’t wait to hear from the author! And just look at that gorgeous cover! Read my final review here.
The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay (March 5)
I loved Reay’s 2023 book (A Shadow in Moscow), so I know I want to read her newest book about the Cold War set in Berlin. I just love her writing and meticulous research! Read my review here.
The Woman with No Name by Audrey Blake (March 12)
I love books about women Resistance fighters in France during WWII. I can’t wait to see how this one differs from the others I’ve loved. I hope to get to my ARC soon.
In the Shadow of the Greenbrier by Emily Matchar (March 12)
I love visiting the Greenbrier (see my review here) and learning about its history (check out Joy Callaway’s book, The Grand Design, to learn about the hotel’s designer!). This novel centers around the time the Greenbrier was commandeered to be a prison during WWII. Read my review here.
Middle Grade/YA
The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival by Estelle Nadel (January 23)
This is a heartbreaking graphic novel memoir about a young Jewish girl who survived the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Poland. It’s got great reviews on Goodreads and tells a horrific story from the perspective of a child who lived through the worst evil. It’s recommended for older middle grade/YA due to some violent scenes. Read my review here.
Uprising by Jennifer A. Nielsen (March 5)
Nielsen is my go-to historical fiction writer for middle grade, and her latest novel is about a young girl standing up against the Nazis in the Warsaw ghetto. Kids and adults love her books!
History Nonfiction
Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth by Natalie Haynes (January 2 US release date)
I am not a huge fan of Greek mythology, but since our family has a vacation planned to Greece this summer, I need to brush up! This engaging look at the women in Greek myths is written by Natalie Haynes, author of the popular A Thousand Ships (also on my TBR!) and a well-regarded British historian.
Normal Women: Nine Hundred Years of Making History by Philippa Gregory (February 27 US release date)
The prolific historical fiction novelist turns to nonfiction as she puts women back into the narrative of England’s history, combing through thousands of primary sources and materials. I love her historical fiction, and this looks so interesting!
Presidential and First Lady Books
Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women by Diana B. Carlin, Anita B. McBride, and Nancy Kegan Smith (January 5)
I am so excited about this book written by three outstanding First Lady historians. It is a companion book to their groundbreaking nonfiction book for the classroom. I have already ordered my copy and can’t wait for it to get here. It will be the perfect companion for my Booking It Through History: First Ladies project!
American Woman: The Transformation of the Modern First Lady, from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden by by Katie Rogers (February 27)
I love anything related to the first ladies, so I know this book about modern-day first ladies will be high on my must-read list!
Royal Audience: 70 Years, 13 Presidents–One Queen’s Special Relationship with America by David Charter (March 5)
This looks like the PERFECT book for me – Queen Elizabeth AND presidential history!?! I have already preordered my copy!
Contemporary Fiction
Olivia Strauss Is Running Out of Time by Angela Brown (January 1)
I got this book as an Amazon First Read, and it was a fun read! A harried mom in the middle of life gets a gift of a genetic test that will tell her when she will die. Only time will tell if she can accomplish all she wants before her expiration date. I love books about women in midlife and just finished this last night. It was delightfully poignant and real. Read my review here.
Sun Seekers by Rachel McRady (January 9)
I love supporting fellow Richmond writers, and this debut about a young girl and her grandfather with dementia looks like it will pack an emotional punch. My parents both had Alzheimer’s, so any book about dementia is something I feel called to read. Plus I’m excited to attend her launch party in Richmond at a local indie, Book People. Read my review here.
Love, Me by Jessica Saunders (January 16)
This novel about a midlife mom thrust into the spotlight after photos and love letters from her teenage boyfriend-turned-Hollywood-heartthrob are discovered looks fun. Books full of nostalgia are usually big wins for me, and this one looks to have tons of it! Plus it meets my criteria of only reading romances with more mature protagonists.
Blank by Zibby Owens (March 1)
Zibby’s first fiction novel is about a forty-something author with writer’s block on her second novel. As a middle age aspiring author balancing kids and life, I know this book will be hilariously relatable.
The Memory of Lavender and Sage by Aimie K. Runyan (March 5)
I loved Aimie’s part in the historical romance, The Castle Keepers, last year, so I want to read her first contemporary novel. After inheriting a home in Provence from her mother, Tempèsta travels to France and uncovers her mother’s hidden past. I’ve always wanted to go to Provence so this sounds lovely!
Sylvia’s Second Act by Hillary Yablon (March 12)
This book about a sixty-something reinventing herself looks hilarious and affirming! I have an ARC and can’t wait to read.
What book are you most looking forward to in the first three months of the year?
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