I am a reader who likes variety. I started reading romance but then started reading mystery then eventually branched out into SF/F and urban fantasy and YA adult. Too much of one thing is well…eh, boring. Put it like this, it keeps things interesting and fresh for me. So I mix it up and these are the titles that I am looking forward to reading. Check it out.
Mystery/Suspense
Undone by Karin Slaughter (Hardcover) (Grant County) – I learned recently that Slaughter might be folding her Grant County series into the new Will Trent series (Fractured). Smart move on her part. I love the Will Trent series and it seems that Undone features both Will Trent and Sara Linton, working together in Atlanta. What does this mean for the Grant County series? Release date: July 21.
The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly (Hardcover) – this looks to be a sequel to The Poet featuring crime reporter, Jack McEvoy. I look forward to each and every Michael Connelly book because he has been consistently strong and he is no doubt, a solid writer. My favorite series by this author is the Harry Bosch series. I think fans who enjoy romance and mystery would enjoy this series, too. The first book in the Harry Bosch series is The Black Echo. Release date for The Scarecrow: May 26.
One Was a Soldier (Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne Mystery) by Julia Spencer-Fleming. This series has gotten a lot of notice recently. I’ve been reading her for years and I’m happy that she’s getting the recognition that she deserves. Her writing is excellent as are the characters, the town of Millers Kill, the subject matter, ah, the subject matter is always a hot bed of push button topics. The last book, I Shall Not Want, kind of left things somewhat up in the air and the characters at a crossroads. Release date: Oct 27.
I didn’t see anything listed for Alafair Burke or Jodi Compton (where are you?). I’ve bought like a ton of mystery titles within the last two months that I need to read so, moving on.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Urban Fantasy
Hunting Ground (Alpha and Omega Book 2) by Patricia Briggs. The first book in this series, Cry Wolf, which is an off-shoot of the Mercy Thompson series (Bone Crossed), features the son the of the Marrok, Charles Cornick and his mate and Omega, Anna Latham. This series rocks and the novella that introduced this couple, On The Prowl (which was an solid A read for me) is a good place to start. Release date: August 25.
Diamond Star by Catherine Asaro is the nth title in the long running and excellent Skolia novels. Most of these books are loosely connected and stand alones. If a reader were interested and wanted to know where to start with Asaro, I’d recommend Primary Inversion, the first book in the Skolia series or you can read Catch The Lightning, The Quantum Rose or any of her stand alones like The Phoenix Code. I haven’t read The Veiled Web yet. Release date: May 5.
Corambis by Sarah Monette is ALREADY OUT! I don’t know how I missed this but I bought the ebook version as soon as I looked it up. Corambis is the conclusion of this awesome and well written fantasy trilogy that started with Melusine. The stories are written in first person and features the dual narratives of Felix Harrowgate who is a wizard of the Mirador and his half-brother Mildmay, former assassin and cat burger. This is dark fantasy at its best. Available in ebook, all three books.
Moonburn by Alisa Sheckly – werewolves. As tired of the concept as I am, this writer managed to make it tolerable. I like her approach to the werewolf mythology. The first book, The Better To Hold You was a strong start to this series so I am definitely looking forward to the sequel. This is another author who has a rich character writing style that continues to amaze me. Release date: May 19.
YA novels
Along For the Ride by Sarah Dessen. To be honest, I’ve only read one book by this author and was swept away by it: The Truth About Forever. Her backlist recently became available in digital format. I love her voice and plan to catch up. Release date: June 16.
Nothing yet listed for Megan Whalen Turner (The King of Attolia) and I am always checking. Any news on her please leave in the comments below. A lot of us are waiting for another Eugenides adventure! Romances, ah, most of my favorite authors have left the field (Laura Kinsale, Judith Ivory). I am excited about Meredith Duran as she has not one but two books coming out this summer.
Anyway, I’m sure there are A LOT of new books coming out that are worth a look but my pocketbook only expands so far and my favorites list only has so many names on it. But if there are books that are coming out by your favorite author or you’re reading a new series that no one is talking about and you just love, drop me a comment. I think it’s safe to say that we all are looking for the next, undiscovered, great read.
avidbookreader (inactive) 
Is the Karin Slaughter book the same as ‘Genesis’? I have ‘Genesis’ on my TBB list for July and Slaughter’s website lists it as a Grant County book. Perhaps they’ve changed the title, or they’re using a different one for the UK edition. I loved the Will Trent books. I actually enjoyed them more than the Grant County series, but perhaps that’s because I never warmed to Lena. Slaughter’s style reminds me of the Scottish author Val McDermid, whose books I love.
I’m also waiting impatiently for the next book by Julia Spencer-Fleming. As I’m new to her series, I’m waiting for ‘I Shall Not Want’ to be released later this month.
Other books I’m really looking forward to are:
‘Among the Mad’ by Jacqueline Winspear (HB Feb 2009, but waiting for PB)
‘Hard & Fast’ by Erin McCarthy (May 2009)
‘The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie’ by Jennifer Ashley (May 2009)
‘Kill for Me’ by Karin Rose (Mass Market Ed. July 2009)
‘Evil at Heart’ by Chelsea Cain (September 2009)
‘Lover Avenged’ J.R. Ward (May 2009)
Covet by J.R. Ward (October 2009)
Looking at your list, SarahT, I realized I forgot Chelsea Cain’s book. Argh. Thanks for the heads up. re: Karin Slaughter, I think “Genesis” is now “Undone” . The title changed. Maybe the UK edition is Genesis? Like you, I never warmed to Lena either. She was an emotional drain.
I have a couple of Val McDermid’s ebooks so I am looking forward to reading them. Karen Rose I got just never read and Jacqueline Winspear is another writer I am looking into reading as I already have Massie Dobbs. Thanks!
I finished Corambis yesterday. Loved it. It was an incredibly satisfying end to the series.
I can’t wait for the new Patricia Briggs! *big sigh*
@avidbookreader: Actually, I discovered Chelsea Cain on your site, so thank you for that!
I’m a big fan of Val McDermid’s thrillers, especially her standalones. ‘A Place of Execution’ is particularly good.
I loved ‘Maisie Dobbs’. It’s well-researched, well-written and tells an interesting story. There’s plenty of period detail without detracting from the story. The other books in the series are also worth reading.
Patricia Briggs is one author I really must try. I have ‘Moon Called’ on my TBR shelf. The werewolf element has been putting me off. I like some paranormal but not across the board.
EVERLASTING
Selling Planet Earth in Exchange for a Utopia? What’s the Catch?
Humans sold planet Earth for peace, but little did they know peace would come at such a high cost.
A long time ago, Humanity sold planet Earth to a group called the Evers in order to gain peace and a virtual utopia for themselves and for future generations. However, the cost of this paradise turns out to be too much for some to deal with and the humans soon find themselves ruled cruelly by the very beings who offered them salvation and at one point given them so much hope.
Humans that were originally treated with high regards, made to feels special, are now being treated as animals, some humiliated and shipped away to some unknown fate…each being told what they could or could not do, under the guise of it being in humanities best interest.
With a feeling of dread, a small group declares war on the more advanced Evers in hopes of returning things to the way they should be…to the way they had been. John and his make-shift crew of humans and hybrids (half human/half Ever) must not only find a way to break free of the mistakes of the past and find out the disturbing secrets that the Evers have hidden away, but they must also deal with their own personal issues and learn to live, grow, and deal with each others’ emotional issues of love, regret and fear.
Will man give up youth and perfect health to live in the past? And will John take the chance of restoring Earth to its former state even though there’s a good chance his life-threatening disease can return?
Publisher’s Web site: http://www.eloquentbooks.com/Everlasting.html
Avid Reader quote: I love the Will Trent series and it seems that Undone features both Will Trent and Sara Linton, working together in Atlanta. What does this mean for the Grant County series?
I’ve heard Slaughter is discontinuing entirely the Grant County series and blending it, as you said, into the Will Trent series. Good move, I think. Time will tell. I’m glad you’re back on the backwagon for even attempting another peek at Sara and company following “Beyond Reach.” Time will also tell on that move; although, in reality, it’s a done deal. Also, as you are a reader who appreciates great writing, I figured it would only be a short matter of time in your thinking of staying away from Slaughter’s next adventure involving the Grant County crew.
OH yes you must try her. Like you, I am sick of all the werewolves, weres and other weird creatures but Patricia Briggs is the exception to the rule.
Hey, Tee, so it is true then? No more Grant County? No more Lena? My least favorite character, btw.
Well, what I’ve read is that Slaughter is planning to merge the characters from both series, but how she will do that remains a mystery just now. I’m guessing that Will and Sara will be collaborators on a case and then morph from there. But that doesn’t mean Lena can’t be in the picture somehow. Lena is such a tortured person. I don’t dislike her character, but she’s made some very stupid decisions. Remember, Keishon, we are dealing with Karin Slaughter. Anything is possible in her fiction world!
I know! I know. I know. Maybe she should just phase her out. *g*
On my TBB/TBR list:
Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre
Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan
Butterfly Tattoo by Diedre Knight
A Most Lamentable Comedy by Janet Mullany
Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas (She’s my crit partner — I’ve already read this but can’t wait to own a paper copy)
Moonburn by Alisa Sheckley
Bound by Your Touch by Meredith Duran (Also a crit partner — I’ve already read this but really want a paper copy)
Don’t Tempt Me by Loretta Chase
Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh
Deeper by Megan Hart (although I couldn’t finish her last one, I still look forward to this one)
Written on Your Skin by Meredith Duran (See my comment on Bound by Your Touch)
Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
Great list Janine and a few of those are on my TBB list as well. Really looking forward to Sheckley’s book as I’m curious to know how the story will pick up from the last book. Sherry Thomas, I must read and I have two of her books in my virtual library. I’ll get to them.
I believe Megan Whalen Turner’s next Eugenides book will be published next year. Haven’t seen a firm pub. date, but I’ve read in several places that it’s coming in 2010.