Top Ten Tuesday 12/17 – Winter 2020 TBR

It’s been a while since I’ve written a TTT* post, for a variety of reasons (including vague prompts and my life being chaotic), but here we are with an easy one: my winter TBR this year. As you may recall from some posts a while ago, I won quite a few books recently, both from Goodreads giveaways and from other giveaways, so I have plenty of reading material for this winter. Plus, I have a KILLER range of genres. Seriously, I feel like I’ve outdone myself on this one 😉 This is a very tentative TBR, and a lot of these are ARCs, so I have split the list into ARCs and some books that are already out that I’m excited for. Let’s go.

* Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly themed post hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. 

Part 1: ARCs

Side note: it’s weird that I have so many ARCs these days? Sorry about that, since it means I will have fewer reviews of books already out–seriously, I won ALL of these as print copies through giveaways, and I have no idea how that happened, because I used to hardly ever win anything. Not complaining, but…yeah, it’s kind of strange to me. At least there’s lots of variety, so I’m not drowning in YA or anything.

1. A Long Petal of the Sea

Literary historical fiction, starting from the Spanish Civil War and going all the way to Chile in the 1990s. It looks beautiful. Also, this is the English translation of the book, which I believe was originally published in…Spanish? I’ve been struggling to locate that precise detail. If anyone knows, let me know so I can update this!

2. Followers

Not-too-distant-futuristic sci-fi about two ambitious friends, social media drama, nationwide consequences, and human connection. I’m intrigued, to say the least.

3. Foul is Fair

Contemporary YA, featuring ruthless rich/popular girls out for revenge and possibly some major Macbeth vibes? Count me in.

4. The Authenticity Project

Contemporary women’s fiction about a journal where strangers confess the honest truth about their lives. Sounds intriguing and (hopefully) kind of uplifting!

5. Saint X

A mix of thriller and portrait of more complex subjects like grief and sisterhood. It sounds both enthralling and possibly devastating. (Bonus: I haven’t taken a picture yet, but the ARC for this one came with a couple small props to pose the book with! A coaster, two little decorative palm tree stir sticks, and a couple cocktail recipes. I actually don’t drink, but you better believe I will make that picture look great anyway, with something more passe like cranberry pomegranate juice.)

6. Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line

Sounds like part thriller/mystery, part literary (but don’t quote me on that yet), about three friends in India who set out to find their missing classmate. Y’all know I have a soft spot for literature about India/by Indian authors, and this one is based on some real-world events as well.

7. Why We Swim

Literally what it sounds like: a nonfiction book on historical/scientific/other reasons why we as humans enjoy swimming. I used to swim competitively and have always loved the water, so I’m super curious what this one will hold.

8. The Antidote for Everything

Contemporary fiction about two doctors and the lengths they will go to protect their patients, and the conflicts between career, loyalty to your patient, and loyalty to your friends.

Part 2: New Releases and/or Backlist Titles

9. Beyond the Black Door

Dark YA fantasy with a demiromantic asexual protagonist (!!!). After the dumpster fire that was Let’s Talk About Love, I am desperately hoping this one will have better ace rep. Like, this is seriously so important to me, you have no idea.

10. Blood Heir

Ah, yes, the book that caused all the controversy on YA Twitter earlier this year (over something very stupid, as it wasn’t even an accurate assessment from what I’ve heard). It sounds like it’s actually really good, though. Plus, TBR and Beyond is doing a group read/discussion of it in their Facebook group this January, and I want in on that!

11. Backlist bonus title: Lincoln in the Bardo

Look, I feel super guilty, because I got this one for Christmas two years ago and haven’t read it yet. It isn’t even that I don’t want to read it–I just keep putting it off for some reason! Literary fiction with what sound like some cool mixed-narrator sorta-experimental-style elements? This is so my jam. And dammit, I’m going to get it done.

12. Graphic novel bonus title: Mooncakes

I put this one on hold at the library a while ago, and it will probably get in sometime in the next few weeks. It looks so dang cute!!

So, that’s all!

Yes, I know this is more than ten. I regret nothing.

Are any of these on your TBR or ones you’ve already read? Excited to see reviews of any of them? Want to possibly borrow/swap ARCs for any of those once I’m done? (That last one depends on how attached I get to them, I guess, but I’ll keep the offer open!)

As always,

Kathryn (“K-Specks”)