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10 Books To Put On Hold at the Library Right Now

Liberty Hardy

Senior Contributing Editor

Liberty Hardy is an unrepentant velocireader, writer, bitey mad lady, and tattoo canvas. Turn-ons include books, books and books. Her favorite exclamation is “Holy cats!” Liberty reads more than should be legal, sleeps very little, frequently writes on her belly with Sharpie markers, and when she dies, she’s leaving her body to library science. Until then, she lives with her three cats, Millay, Farrokh, and Zevon, in Maine. She is also right behind you. Just kidding! She’s too busy reading. Twitter: @MissLiberty

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There are so many great books being released, all the time. How to choose? And the lists! Library hold lists are so lonnnnnnng. As the late, great Tom Petty sang, “The waiting is the hardest part.” So here are ten great books coming out in the beginning of 2018 you should absolutely sign up for RIGHT THIS MINUTE.

the immortalistsThe Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin 

The four Gold children learn visit a psychic who claims to know when people will die. Readers follow along as we see how the information they are given shapes their lives. My spidey senses are telling me that this is going to be one of the biggest novels of 2018. (Jan. 9)

 

 

the woman in the windowThe Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

Finn tries his hand at Hitchcock in this thriller about a woman with agoraphobia who thinks she has witnessed a murder across the street. Set to be the big “Gone Girl from the Train with the Dragon Tattoo” of early 2018. (Jan. 23)

 

 

 

the wedding dateThe Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory 

If you are in the mood for something light and fun (and who isn’t these days) check out this utterly charming novel about a fake wedding date that turns into real sparks when Alexa and Drew actually hit it off. (Jan. 30)

 

 

 

this will be my undoing by morgan jerkinsThis Will Be My Undoing: Living at the Intersection of Black, Female, and Feminist in (White) America by Morgan Jerkins 

Jerkins is one of the smartest young writers of her generation, and this insightful, revelatory collection of personal essays about a variety of today’s important issues is fantastic. (Jan. 30)

 

 

the hazel woodThe Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Seventeen-year-old Alice must discover who has kidnapped her mother. Well, scratch that – she knows who took her mother, but it seems impossible, since the man claims to be from the imaginary land Alice’s late grandmother wrote about in a book. This is going to be a huge young adult title for 2018. (Jan. 30)

 

 

feel freeFeel Free: Essays by Zadie Smith

A new essay collection! I was a big fan of Smith’s last novel, Swing Time, but I am so ready to her some truths from Queen Zadie. (Also, it has been said that her next novel, coming in 2019, is her first try at historical fiction. YES PLEASE.) (Feb. 6)

 

 

 

the belles dhonielle claytonThe Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

Camellia is a Belle in Orleans, where beauty is a commodity. But Camellia wants more: She wants to be the Queen’s favorite Belle. But as she will learn, dreams have a price. I have been anticipating this book for so long, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it! (Feb. 6)

 

 

the world only spins forwardThe World Only Spins Forward: The Ascent of Angels in America by Isaac Butler and Dan Kois

An oral history about the importance of Angels in America, from the artists involved with its Broadway creation to the people involved in the film adaptation. Timed to be released with the 2018 Broadway revival.  (Feb. 13)

 

 

sunburnSunburn by Laura Lippman

Lippman’s latest is racking up starred reviews left and right. It’s about two strangers who meet at a bar and become dangerously ensnared in each others lives. But who is the cat and who is the mouse? (Feb. 20)

 

 

 

I'll be gone in the darkI’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara

True crime fans, raise your hand! This is a painstakingly researched book about the Golden State Killer, by the woman who gave him that nickname. Sadly, it will be as sought after for its subject as it will for the fact that McNamara passed away right before its completion. (Feb. 27)