Let’s Chat About Books (Especially Anticipated Reads)

Hey all, Sam here.

I’ve realized that since I don’t do TBR posts anymore–which makes sense considering the fact that I very rarely stick to a TBR–I don’t really talk much about books I’m excited about reading. Sure, I had my Jan-June Anticipated Releases post (and there’s a July-Dec one coming next month), but aside from that, you only know what I’m reading if it pops up as a completed book for WIP Wednesday, or if you follow me on Goodreads or Instagram/Twitter (@SamRushingBooks).

So for today, I thought it might be fun to talk about some books I’m really excited about reading, and I hope to get around to reading soon. Some of these might be books that are already out in the world, some might be coming out soon, and some might just be ones I’ve been approved for on NetGalley.

All right, let’s go ahead and get started with…already released or soon-to-be-released books…

The First Binding by R.R. Virdi, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, Out of Character by Jenna Miller, The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake, Crush by Tracy Wolff, The Study of Poisons by Maria V. Snyder, A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire LeGrand, and The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

Obviously this is not even close to all of the books I’m excited about reading, because I’m excited about pretty much every book I buy or pick up. But these are the ones calling out to me right now, and I’m really looking forward to finally reading them. A few of these books are pretty big ones too, like 500+ pages, and I am so ready for it.

Looking at this list, it also seems like I’m really into a fantasy mood, particularly with good worldbuilding and magic systems and interesting characters…or at least that’s what I’m hoping for with these books. Obviously I’ve read the other Chronicles of Ixia books by Maria V. Snyder, so I know what I’m in for with that one, but I also really like that this is the first book, Poison Study, but from the viewpoint of Valek, so that’s going to be rather interesting, especially all these years later.

And the Tracy Wolff book is the second in the series, so again, I sort of know what to expect…but at the same time the first book was fairly ridiculous (and I don’t necessarily mean in a bad way). It takes so much of 2000s YA tropes and concepts and in a way satirizes them, and honestly that’s what makes it so much fun to read. I read the first book in June 2021, and it’s about time I get back to the series, especially since the final book is out very soon.

Actually, I’m thinking a few of these might end up being read for my Memorial Day Long Weekend Reading Challenge. If so, expect reviews soon.

Okay, now moving on to books that aren’t out yet, but that I’ve been approved for through NetGalley…

Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto, The Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero Lacruz, The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon, The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem, Poisoned Empire by Elyse Thomson, Dark Water Daughter by H.M. Long, Gods of the Wyrdwood by R.J. Barker, and The Grimoire of Grave Fates created by Hannah Alkaf and Margaret Owen

Look at all of these gorgeous covers! Again, most of these seem like wonderful and hopefully lush fantasy adventures. I’m expecting fascinating lore and worldbuilding, interesting inter-character relationships, and intriguing magic systems. Oh, and the anthology by Hannah Alkaf and Margaret Owen is basically magic school stories for those of us who need a less hateful bigoted magic school/author in our lives.

I’m just really excited about the premises for these books, and the covers feel so appealing. I can’t wait to open up those files and get reading…because I’d rather get these read sooner instead of later, even though later would mean having physical copies. It’s the one thing I don’t like about only getting e-ARCs…I prefer reading physical books, because I tend to read so much at any given time that I drain the battery of e-readers. Did you know that they’re pretty much designed for only reading a half-hour or so at a time. That’s why most say they have a battery life of a month; it’s based on an average of 30 minutes a day reading. So when I get that low battery warning after 4-6 hours of reading, I have to worry about plugging the device in to recharge, and then grabbing something else to read while I wait (because, of course, it charges faster when you’re not using it while it’s charging). Okay, sorry, mini-complaint/rant done.

I really need to get caught up on some of my anticipated NetGalley books, because I have so many downloaded on my NOOK (via NetGalley Shelf or the Kindle app) and my approval/review percentage feels like absolute garbage, and I’d love to improve it. And if I can get myself into a more consistent reading schedule, I really feel like I can get that improved.

That is especially true right now, when I’m finding myself a bit tight on funds (thanks taxes and job layoff). I have been job hunting, and I’m hoping something works out soon…because I need a good book shopping trip, and that requires having the extra money after paying bills. Until then…I guess I have my book backlog, my public library, and my NetGalley. It’ll be fine.

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Well, I do believe that is all from me for today. What are some books you’re excited to read in the near future? Let me know in the comments, because I’d love to know if there’s some more books I need to add to my never-ending TBR! Thanks so much for stopping by, and I’ll be back soon with more geeky content.