December TBR list - some great titles you might enjoy
Every month I share books I've discovered that, for one reason or another, pique my interest and make it to my growing, no, exploding TBR list. This month is especially dangerous because there are "best of" lists EVERYWHERE and I have to look at them all - and I inevitably find at least one book that I need to read! Now, it's your turn.....which of these are making YOUR TBR list????
Her Last Flight by Beatriz Williams
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published June 2020, 400 pages
Added because: recommended by Ann at #ModernMrsDarcy
Synopsis: in 1947 a woman reporter goes to Kuaui to research forgotten aviator Sam Mallory and discovers the woman who was his flying partner and learns of their lives
The First Woman by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
Genre: General Fiction
Published Oct 2020, 400 pages
Added because: recommended by author Tayari Jones in The Guardian
Synopsis: a powerful feminist rendition of Ugandan origin tales with the main character similar to Eve in Ugandan tales; a coming of age story told contrasting modern with traditional.
The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published April 2020, 388 pages
Added because: found it on GR top historical fiction list
Synopsis: inspired by true events, past & present timelines of 3 women in search of family in post civil war and a modern teacher who finds their stories and a connection to her students; I like that it's in an era not often written about (need a break from WWII books)
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
Genre: Horror
Published June 2020, 416 pages
Added because: Goodreads top mystery list and several GR friends gave it good reviews
Synopsis: woman who's a historical home restorer returns to her childhood home at father's death not believing its haunted; then she starts experiencing weird things
A Deadly Education #1 by Naomi Novik
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Published Sept 2020, 336 pages
Added because: I enjoyed Spinning Silver and it made GR top 10 fantasy books for 2020
Synopsis: about a school for magically gifted kids where failure means death; no teachers, no rules except surviving, one girl has strong dark powers that can kill the monsters that roam the school, but will it also kill the other students?
**ED: read 10/21 - 3.5 stars
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
Genre: Fantasy
Published October 2020, 528 pages
Added because: I liked 10,000 Doors of January
Synopsis: in 1893 there's no such thing as witches; they're nothing more than charms and nursery rhymes - until 3 sisters join the suffragists and revive the words and spells.
Zo by Xander Miller
Genre: General Fiction
Published August 2020, 368 pages
Added because: I found it on a "best covers" list on #LitHub and I like a retelling
Synopsis: a debut novel retelling of Romeo and Juliet set on Haiti before and after the 2010 earthquake, evocative of the place
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
Genre: General Fiction
Published January 2020, 352 pages
Added because: on the GR top 10 fiction list
Synopsis: a little boy is the lone survivor of a plane crash and the nation is intrigued by him (media!) but he struggles to figure out life without his family
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Genre: Fantasy
Published September 2020, 245 pages
Added because: on many 'best of' lists
Synopsis: an alternate reality story of a man exploring a house with infinite rooms and thousands of statues and then he discovers signs of another person and a terrible truth begins to unravel
**ED: review here
Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
Genre: Fantasy
Published September 2020, 416 pages
Added because: from a list of highest reviewed books of 2020
Synopsis: are the caped superheroes that walk the earth good or evil? is it really all about their online marketing? a woman discovers the value of having online power to craft the story and then ends up as the valued henchwoman for one of the worst villains - can she help save the world from here?
When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
Genre: Thriller
Published September 2020, 351 pages
Added because: recommended by CrimeReads.com top 2020
Synopsis: when neighbors start leaving an area in Harlem due to gentrification, a woman and her new friend get suspicious and in learning the history of the neighborhood, find more than they expected; institutional racism and results of societal gentrification skillfully wound into the thriller
The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron
Genre; Historical Fiction
Published March 2020, 400 pages
Added because: Reese's December bookclub pick that sounds up my alley
Synopsis: based on the true story of a 17 year old Polish girl who hid 13 Jewish people in her attic during WWII
Bloodline by Jess Lourey
Genre: Thriller
Publish date January 2021, 348 pages
Added because: Amazon Prime freebie and I'm game for a new thriller
Synopsis: inspired by true events, a journalist moves to a small town with her fiance, ready to enjoy the slower pace, but finds something 'off' about the town; is everyone TOO friendly, is she being watched all the time?
The Last Duel by Eric Jager
Genre: Nonfiction
Published 2004, 256 pages
Added because: starting to fill in 2021 reading challenges
Synopsis: true story of medieval duel over a woman's honor set in France in 1300s.
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
Genre: General Fiction
Published August 2020, 256 pages
Added because: recommended by my sister in law, Pat
Synopsis: woman goes to Greenland to track what might be final migration of Arctic terns but also has to deal troubling issues from her past
Fifty Words For Rain by Asha Lemmie
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published September 2020, 464 pages
Added because: recommended by a book blogger I enjoy, #BooklistQueen
Synopsis: debut novel set in Japan about a girl whose mother abandons her to her grandparents care because she was illegitimate; the grandparents confined her to an attic room until she meets her brother and learns more of the world; an epic story spanning decades and continents
16 books is a lot to add in one month.....but, it's end-of-year so I'm sure this month and next month (as I catch up on the 'best of' lists I missed in December) my TBR will explode. I'm just so worried some great book is going to get by me. :) How is your TBR list looking at the end of this year???
