Like most avid readers, I spend the end and beginning of each year scouring through anticipated book lists to pre-order anything that piques my interest. Since the pandemic began, I have certainly amped up my reading, focusing more on escaping into the imagination and lives of others. My most anticipated book list of 2021 is more focused on new works from BIPOC authors, but I also look out for generally promising reads.
In 2021, I Am On A No-Buy
I really went in on my pre-order list because I decided to participate in a no-buy for the first six months of the year. Just this week, I actually visited a bookstore and did not walk away with any purchases ?. That has not happened in many years .
If I am honest, I needed to go on a no-buy especially in the area of book purchasing. I have over 100 unread books in my personal library, and I am constantly on the lookout for new editions of the books I already own, so I do have duplicates in my collection.
My plan is to move later this year, so reading my back log, plus putting a hault to purchasing will make moving my books much simpler.
Most anticipated ya books of 2021
I mostly read adult fiction or non-fiction, but there are always a few young adult reads or new adult reads that pique my interest:
- Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas (January 12, 2021): I really enjoyed The Hate U Give, and early on in the year, Thomas has blessed us all with a prequel focused on Maverick. Though I did not find Thomas’ debut novel flawless, her second release, On The Come Up, showed immense growth. With that in mind, I am very much looking forward to reading her take on Maverick’s story and how she will intermix hip hop and hood culture into another page-turner.
- The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna (February 9, 2021): It’s the cover for me! I was immediately captured by the beautiful imagery on the book mockup, but then I read the plot and knew I needed to order this work. Every year, I like to support an author’s debut, and I have great hope for this one!
Upcoming book releases 2021: Fiction
Every year I read a mix of romance, thriller or mystery, contemporary fiction, and literary fiction. In other words, I read all the things! My strategy is to buy what interests me and read as the mood strikes. The following list reflects my eclectic tastes:
- How The One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones (February 2, 2021): I mean, with a title like that and Barbados as the setting, how could I not add this one to my list? Then, I read the synopsis and was immediately drawn to the mystery elements. I’m really looking forward to diving into what seems to be a unique storyline.
- Wild Women and The Blues by Denny S Bryce (March 30, 2021): As a musician and lover of historical fiction, the cover and synopsis of this book immediately captured my attention. This book seems to be immersed in black culture with a mix of juicy musician secrets and a mystery element carried throughout the plot. I’m getting Seven Husband’s of Evelyn Hugo vibes, and that means it’s an automatic yes for my anticipated releases list!
- The Man Who Lived Underground by Richard Wright (April 6, 2021): When I saw that a lost novel by Richard Wright was being released, I immediately purchased it. I read the plot synopsis, but honestly, I purchased this one on the strength of Wright as a writer.
- Lady Joker Volume 1 by Kaoru Takamura (April 13, 2021): The only book in translation on my list has big hype that can only be ruined by a bad translation. This true-crime drama is widely popular in Japan, and I am very much looking forward to delving into volume 1 of this thriller.
- Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri (April 27, 2021): This is the first novel by Lahiri in 10 years! Though my 2021 list does not have much literary fiction, I could not push past a new work from Lahiri. Even in the synopsis, you are introduced to the complex and unique storytelling of Lahiri. If you are a literary fiction lover, this is an author you must read.
- While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams (May 11, 2021): Superwoman, Stacey Abrams is not only a political powerhouse, she is an accomplished author with a cult following. Though I am a romance novel lover, I have yet to read anything by Abrams. Therefore, when I saw this thriller on the 2021 new releases lists, I decided to give the author a try. As summer rolls in, I look forward to escaping into this legal thriller.
- How To Find A Princess by Alyssa Cole (May 25, 2021): This is the second book in the Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole. I enjoyed the first book in the series, and Cole tends to write unique, more realistic romance that I truly appreciate. In this new release, Cole remixes the Anastasia fairy tale with a gay love story that I am looking forward to devouring.
- Hamlet by Gillian Flynn (TBD): The release date for this Hamlet retelling has yet to be shared, but we have been alerted that it will be published this year. I am a Gillian Flynn stan, so I have alerts that will let me know the moment the publishing date is released. Flynn is a master in the thriller genre (i.e. Gone Girl), and I am super excited to read her take on classic Shakespeare.
- Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead (September 14, 2021): Another author I watch out for is Colson Whitehead. I have really enjoyed his last few releases (especially The Nickel Boys). Whitehead does not write books with similar plots to each other. Every book is a stand-alone with its own merits, and the synopsis for Harlem Shuffle is no exception. In this new release, we get a family saga and bank heist in one. Intrigued?
New Book Releases 2021: Non-Fiction
I have a pretty big backlog of non-fiction to get through this year, so I chose very few works for my 2021 new releases list. Plus, my desire to escape while in lockdown leaves little room for too many real-life stories:
- Just As I Am: A Memoir by Cicely Tyson (January 26, 2021): I am disappointed at the lack of marketing for Tyson’s autobiography. I really wanted to buy an audiobook version of this work, but it is not available as of yet. There wasn’t even a cover until late December 2020. Nonetheless, I am excited to read more about the life of this icon.
- Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 by Ibram X Kendi and Keisha N. Blain (February 2, 2021): One thing I do most years is read a book on Black American history by a Black American author. Growing up in the US education system, we spend so much time reading stories from a caucasian gaze, so I really enjoy learning about my history from the lens of people who have a deep connection to that history. I don’t anticipate enjoying this work, but instead learning about my ancestors and more about how we came to where we are today.
- Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could Be by Nichole Perkins (August 17, 2021): Anyone remembers Perkins from Fraiser? I don’t, but I am a fan of the Thirst Aid Kit podcast. I am very intrigued to read more about Perkins’s take on the role of pop culture on female lives in the social media age. I enjoy Perkins’s online voice and am hopeful that her writing style translates well into book format.
My 2021 Personal Reading Challenge
As stated above, my book buying has stopped for 2021. This list is it! However, I do have a few goals to accomplish:
- Read works by Zora Neale Hurston: As a native Floridian, I grew up with a steady bit of adoration for the works of Hurston. Over the years, I have collected my favorite editions of her works, but I haven’t read everything yet. In 2021, I hope to read one work by Hurston a month and to complete my collection.
- Read my backlog: As stated above, I have over 100 unread books, and I plan to acquire at least the 14 on this list this year. Therefore, my goal is to get through at least half of the books in my backlog by the end of the year (60 books). Last year I read over 100 books, so I am hopeful that I can make this goal happen fairly easily.
Escape Is The Goal
The pandemic does not seem to be going anywhere any time soon, and though I watch television, books are my first choice for entertainment. I have begun sharing short reviews of some of the books I read over on Instagram, and I keep track of ALL of the books I read on Goodreads. Every year I read lots of romance novels that I do not include on Goodreads, but I will do better this year.
If you care to share, please comment below with the books you are most looking forward to reading this year.
