I don’t know if I’m just more aware of it since I’ve been blogging, but there are so many good books coming out this year! Every time I go to Instagram or Pinterest, I find more books that go into my Must Read pile and onto my library holds list.
You may not yet know this about me, but my library holds list is always out of control. There are so many great books on there that I am waiting for…and it is super frustrating if there is a book that I am dying to read and I end up #123 on the list. That’s a long time to wait!
Fortunately, there are book-a-likes that can compensate for the long wait. Here are some new release titles that you, like me, might be waiting patiently (or not so patiently) for, and some engaging alternatives that will keep you happy and reading until your long wait is finally over.
Happy waiting!
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If you are waiting for Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid…
You should try…
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: This book by the same author is sure to please! Evelyn Hugo is a big-time movie star from the 1950s, beautiful and sensual, she was an icon of her time. She was also known for her long string of husbands (7 to be exact) that she accumulated throughout the course of her life. Evelyn is now 79 years old and she wants to tell her story, all of it, to Monique Grant, a new writer with Vivant magazine. She offers Monique the exclusive rights to her story – but why? What connection is there between Evelyn and Monique? And will Monique forgive her once she finds out? I loved reading about Hollywood’s Golden Age from an insider. It was an interesting story of love, loss, and redemption.
Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams: It’s 1951. Miranda comes to summer on Winthrop because her gorgeous mother is going to marry the handsome and wealthy Hugh Fisher. Her new step-sister Isobel introduces Miranda to Joseph Vargas, the lighthouse keeper’s son. She falls instantly in love and soon she realizes that he feels the same way. But when he is accused of murder, Miranda must make a choice between family and love.
If you are waiting for The Invited by Jennifer McMahon…
You should try…
The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon: One of McMahon’s earlier books, The Winter People is also set in Vermont, and also alternates between time periods. In 1908, Sarah’s daughter disappears from her farmhouse never to be heard from again. Flash forward to today, Ruthie now lives in the house with her younger sister and mother. When her mother also disappears, Ruthie must find out what happened to her, and use the past to guide her. This book is very similar to The Invited in that it tells a story of long ago and how that story intertwines with life today.
The Forgotten Girls by Sara Blaedel: This Danish murder mystery also involves a look into the past, a very sad past. Detective Louise Rick is investigating the murder of a patient from a state mental institution. Upon further investigation, Louise realizes that she and her twin sister were issued death certificates over 30 years ago. Where has Lisemette been for the past 30 years? And is her sister still alive? This was my first book by Sara Blaedel, but definitely not my last!
If you are waiting for The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
You should try…
The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton: This book had such an interesting premise, I couldn’t put it down! Aiden Bishop wakes up every morning in the body of another person, specifically, in a body of another guest a Blackheath Hall. Each day, he has to put together the puzzle pieces of a murder that will take place at precisely 11:00 P.M. He has exactly 8 days to figure out the mystery, or he is doomed to repeat the process over and over again for the rest of his life! Evelyn Hardcastle is murdered 7 ½ times. Will he figure it out in time? This book is worth the read just because of its inventiveness. (Reader-to-Reader Hint: It may help to keep a character map close at hand!)
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena: This fun, Agatha-Christie type mystery is about a group of people that vacation in the Catskill mountains. The hotel is charming and quaint and the guests enjoy the cozy atmosphere. Until an ice storm hits, knocking out the power and closing all the roads. The situation worsens when one guest winds up dead. And then two more. Who among them is a killer?
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz: Another fun and unique premise! Susan Ryeland is a book editor, working on another one of Alan Conway’s mysteries. But the more she reads, the more she wonders if Alan is trying to tell her something through the story. The whole first half of the book is actually Conway’s mystery. The rest is Ryeland trying to figure out the real-life implications. A fun read for sure!
If you are waiting for The Peacock Emporium by Jojo Moyes
You should try…
Paris for One by Jojo Moyes: Paris for One starts off at a train station, where 26-year-old Nell is waiting for her boyfriend to meet her so they can go on a weekend holiday to Paris. He never shows up, which, we find out later, is not much of a surprise. Nell, who has never been to Paris, or anywhere else for that matter, decides to go on her own. Unfortunately, even with this uncharacteristic burst of independence, Nell encounters problem after problem and decides to return home the next day. Until she meets Fabien. This sweet story chronicles Nell’s transformation from shy and unsure to confident and happy. And the new Nell finally finds love in the City of Lights.
One Day in December by Josie Silver: Laurie sees the love of her life at a bus stop. They exchange looks, a smile and then lightning strikes. The bus pulls away leaving him at the curb and her on the bus. Laurie spends an entire year looking for her mystery man, certain that they are destined to be together. And destiny does bring Jack back into her life, although not in the way either of them thought.
This sweet love story takes a different path than a lot of the stories I read in the past. There are twists and turns along the way and circumstances that make even the reader contemplate and question which is the right path for the couple to take. This book will have you rooting for the characters and turning pages quickly to find out what happens next!
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld: If you love Pride and Prejudice, (and who doesn’t?) you have to read this contemporary retelling of the Bennet sisters. Liz is a writer for Mascara Magazine, Jane is a yoga instructor, Kitty and Lydia don’t do much of anything (surprise, surprise) and Mary is an online scholar.
Liz and Jane fly home to Cincinnati when Mr. Bennet is struck with a heart attack, and they stay to help take care of him. Mrs. Bennet, ever the realist, insists they all attend Mrs. Lucas’ barbecue because she heard that a new ER doctor would be there, Chip Bingley. And who better to marry one of her 5 girls than a doctor? This story is so fun because it follows the original as closely as modern times will allow.
That’s all for today. Until next time, happy reading!
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