I can already tell that 2017 is going to be a great year for books. There’s already so many books I can’t wait to get my hands on. Here’s the 16 I’m most excited about, in order of release date.
1. The You I’ve Never Known by Ellen Hopkins (Jan. 24)
I’ve always been a fan of Ellen Hopkins writing and I can’t wait to dive into this new novel that tells the story about Ariel who finds out she wasn’t actually abandoned by her mother years ago, her father kidnapped her.
2. Wires & Nerve by Marissa Meyer (Jan. 31)
I loved The Lunar Chronicles so I’m excited to see the series continue in this new way. I don’t read graphic novels often but the ones I’ve read I’ve loved and I’m sure I’ll enjoy this one too. Especially since it’s about Iko, who’s my fave.
3. By Your Side by Kasie West (Jan. 31)
I’ve only read one of Kasie West’s novels so far but I’m really interested in reading this one. It’s sounds like The Breakfast Club but in the modern day and with just straight up romance. I’m here for it.
4. King’s Cage by Victoria Aveyard (Feb. 7)
Glass Sword ended on quite a cliffhanger and I need to know what’s happening with Mare. Is she okay? What’s Maven doing to her? Will Cal save her? I’m also under the impression that this novel will be told in various POVs and I can’t wait.
5. The Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro (Feb. 14)
I absolutely loved A Study in Charlotte and feel it’s highly underrated. I can’t wait to see what happens next with Charlotte and Watson and hopefully see their relationship develop even more.
6. The Valiant by Lesley Livingston (Feb. 14)
Thanks to First in Line I was given an ARC of The Valiant and it sounds really interesting. Semi-historical, the novel tells the story of Fallon who wants to be a warrior like her sister, Sorcha, who was killed by the armies of Julius Caesar. Fallon’s plans are thwarted, however, when she’s captured and sold to an elite training school that’s owned by Caesar.
7. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Feb. 28)
One of my goals of 2017 is to read more diverse books by diverse authors and The Hate U Give seems the perfect book to start with. The novel tells the story of Starr who witness her unarmed best friend Khalil be killed by a police officer. The book has already received a lot of buzz and a film is already set to be made.
8. The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli (April 11)
I still haven’t read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda but that didn’t make me any less excited to read this book. The book follows the story of 17-year-old Molly who fears rejection, which keeps her from finding love. Until now of course.
9. Literally by Lucy Keating (April 11)
Stranger than Fiction is one of my favorite movies and Literally is pretty much the YA book of that film. Annabelle’s life is perfect until Lucy Keating shows up at her school and tells Annabelle’s actually the heroine of Keating’s novel.
10. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas (May 2)
This is another book I’m hoping will me told in alternating point of views because I desperately need to know how Rhysand is handling life without Feyre by his side. I need this book yesterday, to be honest.
11. Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare (May 23)
I know some people don’t like love triangles but I love them. I can’t wait to see how Emma is going to handle this Mark/Julian situation. I ship her with both of them but I’m hoping Julian is endgame. This book can’t come fast enough.
12. Once and for All by Sarah Dessen (June 6)
When I was in high school I read almost every single one of Sarah Dessen’s books but then I stopped reading them because they all started to sound the same to me. However, when I read the synopsis of this book I figured I was ready to give Dessen another try.
13. Love Lies Beneath #2 by Ellen Hopkins (Aug. 1)
Love Lies Beneath is the first book Ellen Hopkins wrote in prose and I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was excited to see something new from her. The first book did not disappoint and I’m very interested to see what will happen next.
14. Warcross by Marie Lu
I love Marie Lu and she’s become a bit of an auto-buy author for me. I don’t really know much about this book but here’s the synopsis according to Goodreads: Two teenage bounty hunters are “hired by a young billionaire to catch a hacker in the world’s most phenomenally popular virtual reality video game.”
15. Thorne of Glass #6 by Sarah J. Maas
Empire of Storms ended on a terrible cliffhanger that had me crying my eyes out. I need to know that Aelin is okay and then I need her to kick Maeve’s ass. In that order.
16. Illuminae Files #3 by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
I loved the Illuminae trilogy thus far and I can’t wait to see how it ends. This last novel will involve a new couple as well as the old favorites and I cannot wait. But I must. *sigh*
What books are you most excited to read in the New Year? Let me know in the comments below!
Zakiya N. Jamal 