20 Books That You Should Totally Look Forward To In 2016

2015 saw some brilliant novels by authors all over the world, with genres ranging from sci-fi to contemporary historical romance. 2016 will be no less, with hundreds of brilliant books slated for release throughout the year. Brilliant debuts, exciting continuations, and beginnings of amazing series are up for grabs.

So, clean up your shelves because these books are worth making space for.

1. The Winds of Winter (Sixth in A Song of Ice and Fire series) by George R. R. Martin

After missing his deadline twice in 2015 now, the master of heartbreaks has promised that the sixth iteration in his famous A Song Of Ice And Fire series will be in line to release either around or after the airing of the sixth season of its television franchise. Martin has been increasingly cryptic about the information regarding the plotlines but has confessed to cover hanging character threads and larger events (“At least two battles,” in his words) that he left out in his previous book.
Expected release date: not specified

 

2. Lady Midnight (First in The Dark Artifices series) by Cassandra Clare

Favourite Young Adult Fantasy author Cassandra Clare returns with a new series, in the same universe as The Mortal Instruments series. Lady Midnight takes place some years after the events of The Mortal Instruments and is narrated from the point of view of Shadowhunter Emma Carstairs. The series intends to touch upon the Shadowhunters of the universe that Clare has magnificently created.
Expected release date: 8th of March, 2016

 

3. A Court of Mist and Fury (Second in A Court of Thorns and Roses series) by Sarah J. Maas

The New York Times Bestselling Author Sarah J. Maas sold over a million copies of her acclaimed first novel, which blended parts of Beauty and The Beast with ancient Faerie lore. And now, she continues the story of Feyre, as she returns to the Spring Court after the events of A Court of Thorns and Roses. Brilliantly paced storytelling combined with breathtaking folklore, Maas returns in 2016 with the follow-up to her acclaimed first book.
Expected release date: 3rd of May, 2016

 

4. A Torch Against The Night (Second in the An Ember in The Ashes series) by Sabaa Tahir

Sabaa Tahir shot to the second spot of The New York Times Best Young Adult Authors list with her enchanting first novel, which was about a girl and a reluctant soldier who join the rebellion against the Empire. Its hype and success led her to draft a sequel, which takes the leads Laia and Elias as they travel north to escape the clutches of the Empire and it’s armies, which has been rumored to be sold in six figures.
Expected release date: 30th of August, 2016

 

5. Glass Sword (Second in the Red Queen series) by Victoria Aveyard

When Red Queen came out, it wasn’t much time before the story of Mare Barrow – the protagonist with the red blood of the common folk who shows silver blooded abilities – became a rapid favorite of Young Adult Fantasy fans across the globe. Booktubers took to their channels to rave about how the book is an off-handed jab at modern society. With her second book, Victoria Aveyard continues the story of Barrow as she escapes the prince and ventures on a perilous path.
Expected release date: 9th of February, 2016

 

6. The Winner’s Kiss (Third in The Winner’s Trilogy) by Marie Rutkowski

In The Winner’s Curse and The Winner’s Crime, Kestrel and Amin’s lives coil and create havoc as she falls in love with him, a slave she bought at an auction. In the final chapter of her acclaimed trilogy, Marie Rutkowski explores how betrayal and love intertwine in a world laced with politics, and how people who love you find you inner demons as you struggle to oust them.
Expected release date: 29th of March, 2016

 

7. A Gathering of Shadows (Second in the A Darker Shade of Magic series) by V. E. Schwab

Schwab impressed readers with her intriguing tale about Kell, who is a traveler of parallel universes, and Delilah, who he meets on his journey, and how they delve headlong into an adventure of a lifetime with disastrous consequences. In her latest, British author (who goes by the real name of Victoria) Schwab explores the tumultuous world of Kell, as Red London prepares for a competition of magic to keep the peace between parallel worlds.
Expected release date: 23rd of February, 2016

 

8. The Hammer of Thor (Second in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series) by Rick Riordan

Fan favorite Rick Riordan, who rose to international fame with his Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series, combining modern world fiction with ancient mythology, brought us Magnus Chase last year, introducing Norse mythology. When Magnus finds out that Ragnarok is imminent, he is forced to make a deadly decision. Riordan brings us the continuation of Chase’s life in his second installment.
Expected release date: 4th of October, 2016

 

9. End of Watch (Third in the Bill Hodges Trilogy) by Stephen King

Stephen King, master of suspense and terrifying storylines, brings to his readers the drastic conclusion to his Bill Hodges trilogy, after Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers. Brady Hartsfield, accused of the Mercedes Massacre, is back and he’s planning to unleash his wrath on an entire city. Retired Police Detective Bill Hodges, in partnership with Holly Gibney, race through time whilst risking their lives in the gripping end to this nightmare.
Expected release date: 7th of June, 2016

 

10. Summer Days & Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories by Stephenie Perkins

Stephenie Perkins is best known for her previous short story holiday anthology My True Love Gave To Me, which boasted stories by some of the best YA writers. In 2016, we’re treated with yet another anthology, where Perkins invites eminent writers like Lev Grossman, Cassandra Clare, Veronica Roth, and others, containing twelve love stories that will touch your heart.
Expected release date: 14th of June, 2016

 

11. The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

In this beautiful tale of mixed Indian and Greek roots, Indian-Filipina writer Roshani Chokshi explores what it was like for a woman to pursue her dreams in a world ripe with patriarchal rule and conservative views. Maya, daughter of a Raja, is betrothed to marry for political interests. Her marriage goes awry as death and destruction rend through her life and she ends up as the Queen of her kingdom.
Expected release date: 3rd of May, 2016

 

12. Into White by Randi Pink

Debutante author Randi Pink brings a touching novel about what it’s like to live in a world full of discrimination based on the colour of your skin. Her book tells the story of a black child, who attends a school with mostly white-skinned students. Out of despair, she wishes for her race to be changed, and wakes up next day as white-skinned. Initially titled ‘Toya,’ this was meant to be an assignment for Children’s Literature.
Expected release date: 13th of September, 2016

 

13. The Way Back to You by Michelle Andreani and Mindi Scott

This heart-tugging story takes readers on a winter road trip through Northern America. Two friends, mourning the loss of their best friend, find out that her organs were donated. In a spur of the moment decision, they decide to embark upon a journey to meet the three recipients, and finally, achieve closure on their grief.
Expected release date: 3rd of May, 2016

 

14. The Way I Used To Be by Amber Smith

Amber Smith’s debut novel is at once both gripping and motivating. Eden, who was a perfect girl, has her life flipped over for her when she is raped one night by her brother’s best friend. What follows is a heart-rending account of how a traumatized woman tries, fails, then tries again to cope with such an assault, told in four parts over four phases of her school life.
Expected release date: 22nd of March, 2016

 

15. This is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

Image source

The entire novel covers 54 agonizing minutes, as a gun-toting student breaks loose in a school. Told from four different vantage points, this story of survival and a single person’s want for revenge highlights the leniency of weapons that has become an outrage in American culture.
Release date: 5th of January, 2016

 

16. The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury

This beautiful reimagining of the timeless Arabain Night tale of Alladin and his magic lamp brings out a female jinni, Zahra, as she is thrust into a world devoid of magic and surrealism. As her King grants her the opportunity to be free, she realizes her love for Alladin. What ensues is a struggle inside her own self as she meanders between her freedom and her love.
Expected release date: 23rd of February, 2016

 

17. The Passenger by Lisa Lutz

Reminiscent of Gone Girl, the latest by Lisa Lutz is the story of a harrowed woman who winds through the country to escape and leave behind her past. Tanya/Amelia/Debra, going by her many changing aliases, meets Blue, a female bartender, who gives her asylum and helps her on her mission. What unwinds is a twisted story of love and betrayal and a thrilling suspense of a woman’s resolve.
Expected release date: 1st of March, 2016

 

18. What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi

British author Oyeyemi, who is critically acclaimed for her previous works Boy, Snow, Bird and Mr. Fox, brings a compilation of interwoven stories which all focus around the idea of keys. Be it literal, or metaphorical, keys are the solutions to a lot of life’s problems. Exquisitely imagined, What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours is a touching mulling of life’s answers.
Expected release date: 8th of March, 2016

 

19. The Last Illusion by Porochista Khakpour

Iranian-American novelist Porochista Khakpour brings to us a terrifying legend straight from the Iranian epic of lore, The Shahnameh, Book of Kings. A boy, Zal, is imprisoned for ten years in bird cage because of being born fair skinned, and then he’s taken to his new life in New York. This feral bird-child, unknown to the rules of human society, struggles to fit in, as America rushes to the 9/11 calamity.
Expected release date: 13th of March, 2016

 

20. Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta

Many African authors are emerging with genre-defying stories in recent times. Nigerian-American author Chinelo Okparanta narrates a coming-of-age story of a young girl, Ijeoma, as civil war disrupts Nigeria. In a safe community, she finds another girl from a different ethnic background, and they fall in love. Okparanta’s novel reveals more about Nigeria’s disturbing strife while gently reciting a tale of same-sex love.
Expected release date: 22nd of September, 2016

A lot more books are going to be released which have all the potential of becoming bestsellers. Which ones are you excited about?

Read on! 😀

Cover image sources: 1 & 2