Anticipated releases

MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK RELEASES OF 2020 // hello new decade ft. pretty covers & queer books

January 1, 2020 / 23 Comments

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This post could’ve gone up earlier if I had planned it properly. But I’ve been busy so only managed to get it up in 2020. Oh well.

Next year is such a weird year for book releases oh my. There are only really a ton of debuts, which is cool. But I also don’t know what to expect of them. So this could either be the best or worst year for new books?

And I can’t find ANY December releases to put on here. Welp. Go publishing??

Enough rambling though, let us just get on with it.

JANUARY

Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen (7 January 2020): this cover is just WOW. And I honestly can’t gather much from the synopsis apart from travelling and underground clubs?? Either way, it is very intriguing. And definitely one I’d like to read asap.

One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus (7 January 2020): tbh I don’t have high hopes for this one. But I have at least fairly enjoyed this author’s previous books so I hope this one is good. But we’re always nervous when sequels come out to what is supposedly standalone?? We’ll see how this one goes.

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord (21 January 2020): I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. LOVE LOVE LOVE. And you need to read it!! So excited for it to come out. All you need to know is that this a modern You’ve Got Mail and also a perfect YA contemporary.

How To Build A Heart by Maria Padian (28 January 2020): I received an eARC of this one and it sounded really good. It’s by a POC author and is about a girl trying to find her place in the world. It could be a fantastic contemporary.

FEBRUARY

Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman (6 February 2020): look at these children THRIVING!! YELLOW!! FLOWERS!! I’m ready for the cutest book ever that will be this volume *insert all the heart eyes*

Rebelwing by Andrea Tang (25 February 2020): dystopia is coming back and I AM READY!! This book sounds so cool omg. Plus YAY for more Asian rep.

MARCH

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzalez (3 March 2020): my body is ready for this GAY GREASE REIMAGINING!! OH MY!! I’m living for all these modern movie retellings. This sounds so brilliant and I CAN’T WAIT!

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare (3 March 2020): is this like the only book I truly care about this year? I’m afraid so. My heart is not prepared BUT IT ALSO IS OMG!! My children ARE COMING BACK. AS PARENTS. Ahhhhh *screeches in pterodactyl* SOMEBODY SEDATE ME

The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu (3 March 2020): Mozart has a sister?? I NEED THIS BACKSTORY. I also love Marie Lu. And this cover. ALSO STUNNING. YOU ROCK 2020.

Every Reason We Shouldn’t by Sara Fujimura (3 March 2020): THIS BOOK HAS BAKING!! That’s it. I’m already sold.

Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry (24 March 2020): I was browsing NetGalley one day and saw this title (THAT COVER!! AGAIN!!) and it seemed interesting. So I got approved for the eARC and I’d love to get to it before it comes out. It’s magical realism with ghosts. I don’t need to know anymore. Also, the author previous release was longlisted for the National Book Award?!?!?

Imagine Me by Tahereh Mafi (31 March 2020): tbh I feel quite lukewarm about this series right now BUT I still do want to read this last book. But they’re like?? Okay?? eh. I hope this final book is good.

APRIL

Meet Me At Midnight by Jessica Pennington (7 April 2020): also got approved for an eARC and I’m SO excited. This title really intrigued me and it seems like just a fun contemporary. It’s about these two rivals who are forced to vacation at the same lake every summer so they hold PRANK WARS!! But then obviously other drama ensues. Did I mention romance?  Plus I wanted to know what these characters were doing on the cover hehe. The book sounds really fun okay.

 

MAY

Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally (5 May 2020): I have no idea if this book is going to be any good but the premise HOOKED me: a love story set on one day every year for four years (!!)

The Fascinators by Andrew Eliopulous (12 May 2020): this book is gay AND has magic. I was sold yesterday.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (19 May 2020): MY BODY IS SO READY FOR THIS BOOK OMG!! I don’t even care if it’s going to be bad. Nor am I even sure if it’s about Mags or not (begging the book gods though). I NEED THIS BOOK! Hi, I love The Hunger Games. And I’m ready for its return.

I Kissed Alice by Anna Birch (26 May 2020): this book better be as cute AS THE ILLUSTRATIONS. Apparently we’ve got f/f romance between real-life art school rivals that are anonymously working on a graphic novel online together. I hope that made sense and I’m HOPING to love this because for some reason I’ve haven’t read any good f/f books (psssttt if you have any recs HIT ME UP).

The Paper Girls of Paris by Jordyn Taylor (26 May 2020): I’m lowkey obsessed with historical fiction at the moment, it’s become a favourite genre. From what I gather this is a dual timeline story set between WWII and the present. Tis about a girl who’s grandmother left her an apartment and obviously set in Paris. I’M DOWN!

JUNE

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (9 June 2020): this book sounds SO GOOD OH MY. So we’ve got trans and Latinx rep, and a boy who summons a ghost who is also the school bay boy. I NEED THIS!! Again, let’s pray to the book gods that it’s as good as it seems.

Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee (23 June 2020): Ngl I don’t know how this will turn out either and I’m super hesitant about all these new YA debut fantasies these days (they all sound very similar okay). BUT can we just take a second to admire that cover? Plus ROYAL SPIES AND OTHER CREEPY STUFF *crosses all fingers and toes*

JULY

Loveless by Alice Oseman (9 July 2020): I’ve loved all of the Alice Oseman books I’ve read so far and also following her on Instagram whilst writing this book so I DEFINITELY need to read this one. If I’m not mistaken this book will have an ace main character?? I think?? I’m 99.9% sure.

AUGUST

Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar (11 August 2020): now this one SOUNDS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! The cover. THE TITLE. It tells you everything. I’m SOOOOO excited to read this. I already know it’s gonna be brilliant.

Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend (17 August 2020): I read the first book last year (finally!!) and shall be getting to book two very soon. This book was actually supposed to come out earlier, but it’s been pushed back till August so I have some more time to get up to date. But I found the first book so delightful and can’t wait to continue the series. Very excited about this one.

SEPTEMBER

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff (3 September 2020): I read Illuminae last year, co-written by this author, and although I haven’t gotten to his solo works yet (planning on doing it this year), I saw this and was like WHAT?? I’m here for this vampire revival so…

OCTOBER

Medusa by Jessie Burton (October 2020): I have no expectations because I don’t exactly know what this is about but I’m SO fascinated by the Medusa myth and am so ready for an actual YA retelling AHHHH!!

The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue by V.E. Schwab (6 October 2020): I just adore V.E. Schwab and she’s been talking about this book for ages. This is adult fantasy (which I particularly love from her) and is a love story between a French girl and a 300-year old devil. WHAT??

NOVEMBER

Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer (November 2020): why haven’t I even heard of this book?? It sounds really good! Plus it’s a CONTEMPORARY which is new for Marissa Meyer. I’m SUPER intrigued, it sounds so good??

Okay, I tried to keep this list to a minimal. I don’t like adding tons of books just because they sound so good, and that I know I’ll never really get to.

But yeah there are some good books out this year. Not as many as last year and not from many big authors either. Only a few sequels. But I haven’t even read the first book so I didn’t add them.

Trying to control my huge TBR okay.

Anyways, I hope your 2020 is AMAZING!! And that you read all the great books.

WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU EXCITED TO READ THIS YEAR? WHAT IS YOUR MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE? ARE ANY OF THESE ON YOUR LIST? OR DID YOU DISCOVER SOME NEW BOOKS? HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THEM YET LET ME KNOW!

xo

Hi, I'm Ruby: chaotic mood reader, aspiring writer and lover of movies. If you want to know more, feel free to peruse xx

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23 Comments

  • Christina Reid

    January 1, 2020 at 8:48 pm Reply

    Thanks for this list – there were quite a few here that I hadn’t heard of, but have now added to my to-be-read list! I am looking forward to Rebelwing, The Kingdom of Back and Tigers, Not Daughter, none of which I had heard of before reading this post.

  • ~Kerys

    January 2, 2020 at 12:12 am Reply

    I have heard so much about Tweet Cute and it is definitely high up on my TBR. the romance sounds SO GOOD!! enemies-to-lovers is legit my favourite trope! Heartstopper is absolutely brilliant and Nick and Charlie are so cute! Honestly all of these books look brilliant!

    I am super conflicted about The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The Hunger Games is literally perfection and it just feels so right and complete? i really hope this doesn’t let the series down because i have high high HIGH hopes :))

    Star Daughter has Asian mythology?!?! I am so into that and I cannot wait!

    This is a brilliant list and i’m really excited for all the new books this year! I agree that there’s a lot less hyped up books compared to last year (or i’m really out of the loop :))

    I’m really looking forward to All Your Twisted Secrets and Harley in the Sky!

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      January 2, 2020 at 6:58 am Reply

      Ahh you’ll LOVE Tweet Cute! I just know it *jazz hands*

      Also yes Nick and Charlie just,,, so adorable.

      Feel exactly the same way but I think bc its a sequel it’ll be easier to like?? If that makes sense idk…

      Star Daughter just sounds SO PHENOMENAL. Can’t wait either eeekkk!!!

      I mean we may be out of the loop but also I did look hard and didn’t find many so…

      I’ve heard of Harley In The Sky ~ I simply MUST read Starfish this year ahhh!! But not the other one, who wrote All Your Twisted Secrets?

  • Caitlin @ Caitlin Althea

    January 3, 2020 at 5:15 pm Reply

    YESSSS, i loved this list!! haha, i will never get over Loveboat, Taipei’s cover!! also, i read an early copy, and it’s basically about this group of Asian Americans that go to Taiwan in order to learn Mandarin. (but there’s a lot more partying, scandal, and romance involved.) the book has a love triangle, but i actually think it was done right??? which is wild, but i’m very excited for you to read it—just like i’m excited to read Tweet Cute!! all of the early praise is making me so excited for it, and books about two people who hate each other in real life but anonymously start interacting are my new lifeblood!

    omg, yeah. not to knock on forest of souls (i’m sure it’s amazing), but the synopsis was super underwhelming? it sounded like every other fantasy out there. AND OMG I FORGOT THAT ADDIE LA RUE WAS COMING OUT THIS YEAR. v.e. schwab is one of my favorite authors—i will literally read anything by her. also, its premise sounds like classic v.e. schwab, and I know that she’ll nail it!!

    i hope we enjoy all of these

  • Ruby Rae Reads

    January 3, 2020 at 6:18 pm Reply

    Wait wait wait HOLD UP. Okay I didn’t know you’d read Loveboat, how?? I’m apparently stupid sometimes. It’s fine. But now that I know you loved it WELL I AM EVEN MORE EXCITED!! Also I do requite Tweet Cute reading updates. It is required of you cAitLin!!

    Feel exactly the same. Like we don’t want to bash the book but the synopsis? Eh a bit underwhelming and same as about like 6 books that have come to mind.

    I also forgot and tbh didn’t really know what Addie was about. I just heard her talk about. But ahhh it sounds so good?? Can’t wait to read more adult from her, I find that her best work.

    WE SHALL LOVE THEM OR I WILL SCREAM!

  • Veronika @ Wordy and Whimsical

    January 5, 2020 at 6:02 pm Reply

    I’m so damn excited for Tweet Cute by Emma Lord! It wasn’t really on my radar originally, but then I saw lots of bloggers say it’s excellent – and now you too! – and added it to my wishlist. I’m so darn excited for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, even though the cover and title are.. less than ideal, haha. I Kissed Alice is another one I can’t freaking wait for – it sounds so damn CUTE, and yes! Those illustrations are gorgeous and adorable. Thanks for the heads up about Instant Karma – I’ve not heard of it yet, but it sounds wonderful.

    As for F/F recs, I loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Read, as well as Dating Sarah Cooper by Siera Maley; the latter is #OwnVoices. 🙂 Oh yes, and I also enjoyed Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde and The Summer of Jordi Pérez by Amy Spalding, though less so than the other two. Hope that helps a bit!

    I think my most anticipated release is the final Diviners book by Libba Bray – I adore this series, and I can’t wait to see how it all ends. 🙂

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      January 5, 2020 at 6:10 pm Reply

      Oh PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read Tweet Cute ahhh!!

      THE HUNGER GAMES IS COMING BACK!!!

      Glad I could inform you of Marissa’s new book, I didn’t know even know about it hehe

      I’ve read Evelyn, was really good. But I didn’t love it for the romance ya know? Ooohhh yeah almost forgot about Queens of Geek. And omg Summer of Jordi Perez SOUNDS BRILLIANT!!!

      Dude I’ve been wanting to get to The Diviners series FOR AGES!! SO SOON!!

  • Sophie @ Me and Ink

    January 6, 2020 at 4:19 pm Reply

    Happy New Year to you!! I hope you have an amazing 2020!!
    I am very excited about all the new books coming out this year even if I don’t get chance to read them all!! 😂

    Honestly YES to so many of these books!! I’m so excited for Cemetery Boys and The Fascinators as the plots both involve really cool magic!! (and romance so yay!)

    I agree the cover for The Kingdom of Back is insane– it is so detailed I love it!!

    I hadn’t heard of Meet Me at Midnight but a prank war sounds so intriguing!! gimme!! 😂

    I’m also really excited for Loveless as I think it has an ace MC too and I love Alice Oseman, I still have a few of her backlist books to read but I’m very excited!

    I didn’t know about Marissa Meyer’s new books at all but I’m excited!!

    Great post and I really do need all these books. I hope you love them all!! <3

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      January 6, 2020 at 10:06 pm Reply

      Hehe story of our sad book blogging lives tbh. SO MANY NEW BOOKS

      Those two books sound so good, I’m always down for more LGBTQIAP+ fantasy and I love when special abilities and weird shiz is happening 😂

      also PRAISE TO THE BOOK COVER DESIGNERS!! Just how???

      Ahah I KNOW!! I hope that one lives up, I want to love Meet Me At Midnight. Need to get to the ARC asap

      And again same, I still have some of Alice’s backlist to get to but I want to read all of her works.

      Hope you love all the books too 😍❤️

  • dbsguidetothegalaxy

    January 9, 2020 at 7:53 am Reply

    THERE’S SO MANY GOOD BOOKS OUT.
    I’ve yet to read One of Us is Lying but it looks interesting. Rebelwing looks good! If I don’t get an acceptance via Netgalley I’ll try through Edelweiss – which I’ll be totally fine if I get a rejection from both sites, right? Not a problem.
    All you had to say for Only Mostly Devastated was ‘Gay Grease’ and I’m very here for it.
    The Fascinators!!! I’M SO READY FOR CEMETERY BOYS.

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      January 9, 2020 at 9:33 am Reply

      One of Us Is Lying is fun, I’ll give it that. I liked the characters and the romance. And her writing is okay. They’re purely entertainment for me.

      Hahah yes! Used to that rejection *wink wink*

      I KNOW OMG I’M HERE FOR THAT COMPARISON. Just all the gay books this year

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