2021 has finally come to an end, and it was a good year for reading, if not for much else. I’m looking forward to the reading year ahead! There are several new books I want to check out and some favorite series I’ll be continuing. Here’s what I’ll be reading this year:
A Classic
Each year I read at least one “classic” novel. I’m starting my year with Paradise Lost by John Milton. This epic poem about the fall of man was written in the 1600s and has been inspiring authors and artists ever since. I picked this book because it has been so influential and oft-quoted. The fact that I haven’t read it feels like a gaping hole in my education. I hope it lives up to the hype.
Series I’m Continuing
I’ve tried out several new authors and series the last few years, but I only read the first book of some series because I was eager to read the next new thing. I think I got burnt out on long series and needed a break.
This year I’d like to go back and continue a few of the series that I liked the most. The two I have in mind right now are the Children of Time series by Adrian Tchaikovsky (read my review of the awesome first book) and The Poppy Wars series by R.F. Kuang. I’m also looking forward to reading the next installment of the Wayward Children Series, Where the Drowned Girls Go, by Seanan McGuire.
I may also pick up some of Adrian Tchaikovski’s other work since I enjoyed Children of Time so much.
New Releases by Authors I Haven’t Read
How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu
This science fiction book about the aftermath of a plague caused by microorganisms found in Antarctica has garnered a lot of attention. Many reviewers mentioned that even though it deals with a plague, it doesn’t feel like it’s exploiting the present moment. It sounds like a book that plays with format and style in unique ways. Maybe this book will be my “something fresh” for the year.
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
I loved Amazon’s TV version of The Expanse, so of course, I have to read the books. I must know what was up with Xan!
Violeta by Isabel Allende
A story about a woman who lived through the terrible upheaval of the early twentieth century and still managed to thrive. I love looking-back-on-life-from-old-age type stories, and this one sounds perfect for right now.
Multicultural SFF
I read Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia last fall and loved it. Her idea of vampire myth meets Aztec mythology in Mexico city felt fresh– not easy to do in the vampire genre. I’m going to check out at least one of her other books, either Mexican Gothic or Gods of Jade and Shadow.
Since my book in progress uses Incan history as inspiration for much of the world-building, I’m trying to read other SFF books that have used South American or Native mythologies or histories. I’ve heard good things about Rebecca Roanhorse’s work, especially her book Black Sun. The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera also looks intriguing.
I’d also love to read some speculative fiction stories from authors in other parts of the world. If you have any great Asian/African/Middle Eastern or Eastern European SFF recommendations, please leave them in the comments.
Recommended Books
My husband has been begging me to read the Eisenhorn series by Dan Abnett for years. Military Sci-fi is not usually my thing, but I told him I’d give it a shot.
A fellow writer recently recommended the Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole, so I’m going to be checking that out as well.
What books do you love? Let me know so I can add more recommended reads to my list.
The Written World 