If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to read more, or you found a brand-new e-reader under the Christmas tree, then you’re in luck. A bevy of good books is coming out this month. From thrillers with you’ll-never-guess endings to memoirs that you just may relate to a little too much, all 14 of these books are guaranteed to be addictive reads.
1.Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty ($19): Vogue deemed this U.K. best-seller “one of the season’s best suspense novels,” so if you’re in the mood for some drama, this one is for you. The novel follows an overachieving woman who finally has everything she ever wanted: a successful career, a magazine-worthy home and the seemingly perfect family. But she puts it all at risk when she begins an affair with a stranger. The twists and turns in this book will keep you guessing and frantically turning the pages. (out January 13)
2. The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins ($16): This emotional thriller is definitely the buzziest book of the month. It’s so cinematic, Dreamworks has already bought the film rights. In it, Rachel takes the train to work every day, always seeing the same fellow commuters. One day she witnesses something so shocking that she goes to the police, only to accidentally get everyone on the train involved too. (out January 13)
3. In Some Other World, Maybe by Shari Goldhagen ($19): This novel starts in 1992, when three different groups of teenagers go to the movies. Over the course of a decade, several members of the groups cross paths with each other. You’ll relate to Adam, who longs for something bigger than his hometown; Sharon, who skips school in favor of exciting adventures; and Phoebe, who wonders if her cute yet slightly dorky boyfriend fits into her new LA life. (out January 13)
4. Resilience: Two Sisters and a Story of Mental Illness by Jessie Close with Pete Earley ($18): When mental illness goes undiagnosed and untreated, it can have devastating effects. Glenn Close’s sister Jessie tells her story of growing up with bipolar disorder, but not being diagnosed until she was 50 years old. Her memoir highlights the immense challenges that people with mental illness can face. (out January 13)
5. Russian Tattoo by Elena Gorokhova ($19): A sort-of sequel to Gorokhova’s first book about growing up in Soviet Russia during the ’60s and ’70s, in her new memoir, Gorokhova recounts life as a new Russian immigrant in the U.S. Her small, everyday mistakes will make you chuckle in sympathy. Just when she’s starting to get the hang of things, her mom comes for an extended visit. The cultural clash makes for an epic read. (out January 6)
6. A Fine Summer’s Dayby Charles Todd ($20): R.L. Stine raved about Charles Todd’s first book, so you know he’s pretty darn good. In this novel, set in 1914, Detective Ian Rutledge is living a peaceful life and about to propose to the woman he loves. But war looms on the horizon, confusing everything. This is a story about love, secrets and duty. (out January 6)
7. It Was Me All Along by Andie Mitchell ($16): Like many of us, Andie Mitchell loves food yet struggles to accept her body. When she found herself 20 years old and 268 pounds, she wanted to change, but it seemed impossible. Her true story shows it wasn’t. Read this for some extra inspiration for your New Year’s resolution of loving your body. (out January 6)
8. West of Sunset by Stewart O’Nan ($19): Great Gatsby author F. Scott Fitzgerald painted a glamourous picture of the 1920s, but it turns out his own life story is just as interesting as Jay Gatsby’s. This historical novel chronicles Scott and Zelda’s fall from the heights of fame and Scott’s struggle with poverty and alcoholism. O’Nan’s extensive research and artful writing are a winning combination. (out January 13)
9. The Carrier by Sophie Hannah ($21): British writer Sophie Hannah has won awards for her psychological thrillers, so she definitely has it down. Her latest release is about two women, Lauren and Gaby, who are forced to share a hotel room when their flight is delayed. It doesn’t take Lauren long to realize this is far from a coincidence. (out January 8)
10. The Martini Shot by George Pelecanos ($17): The Wire may not be available on Netflix yet, but the show’s writer/producer George Pelecanos can quench your thirst for a good crime story with his new novella and short stories. These are life-or-death vignettes featuring richly created characters. You might not want to read this one right before bedtime! (out January 6)
11. The Internet Is Not The Answerby Andrew Keen ($17): If you’ve been feeling social media fatigue lately, you might agree with Andrew Keen, who argues that the Internet has done more harm than good in this new book. He argues that the Internet has made the gap between the rich and poor wider and is slowly making everyone poorer. No word yet on if there is a digital edition of this book. (out January 6)
12. X by Ilyasah with Kekla Magoon ($13): Malcom X’s daughter keeps her father’s legacy alive by penning the first novel based on Malcom X’s young adulthood. Written for both teens and adults, definitely recommend it to your favorite niece, nephew or cousin. (out January 6)
13. Hold Tight Don’t Let Go: A Novel Of Haitiby Laura Rose Wagner ($14): Another great Young Adult book out this month, this novel follows a 15-year-old Haitian girl named Magdalie, whose entire life changes forever after the 2010 earthquake. Magdalie and her cousin Nadine learn how to take care of themselves for the first time under devastating circumstances. Even in the middle of terrible loss, they are still teens. This is as much a story about friendship and love as it is about survival. (out January 6)
14. The Hangman’s Song by James Oswald ($11): People go crazy for James Oswald’s mysteries, so this book is sure to develop a cult following. In it, Detective McLean is called to the scene of what looks to be an obvious suicide: a body is found hanging in an empty house. But the detective senses something is off and there is more to the story. See if you can guess the real story before you get to the end of the book. (out January 6)
What’s on your reading list? Share it in the comments!
