Happy New Year, and welcome back to New Release Radar!
There are a lot of new books coming out every week. With New Release Radar, I’ll help you narrow down the week’s new book releases into the titles you should get excited about. For the first installment of the year, I have eight great books to share with you. Read on.
The Last Bookstore on Earth by Lily Braun-Arnold
17-year-old Liz Flannery has found refuge in an abandoned bookstore after a devastating Storm, but the safety of her haven is threatened by news of another disaster. When Maeve, a resourceful but secretive stranger, seeks shelter, the two form a reluctant partnership to prepare for the coming chaos. As their bond deepens amidst rising dangers, they must confront their pasts and fight for survival in a world on the brink of collapse.
The Last Bookstore on Earth is a YA debut written by an actual bookseller. Lily Braun-Arnold’s dystopian novel is a moving story of finding meaning and purpose in our lives, even after the world has ended.
RELATED: New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on December 31
Mother of Rome by Lauren J.A. Bear
Rhea Silvia, mother of Romulus and Remus, reclaims her story as more than a prelude to legend. A royal princess turned Vestal Virgin, Rhea defies mortal schemes and divine intervention when she becomes pregnant, facing exile and condemnation. To protect her sons and restore their legacy, she forges a perilous divine pact, proving that Rome’s beginnings were shaped by the unyielding power of a mother’s love.
Lauren J.A. Bear is one of the rising masters of feminist Greek mythology retellings, so I’m excited for her new book release. Mother of Rome takes on another beautiful and tragic untold tale.
Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff
Lila Crayne, America’s sweetheart, seems to have it all until her therapy sessions with the enigmatic Jonah Gabriel expose the cracks in her perfect life. As she prepares for a career-defining role, hidden traumas and buried secrets threaten to unravel her carefully constructed world. In this web of deception, no one is who they appear to be.
Perfect for fans of Fates and Furies and The Silent Patient, Sweet Fury deeply examines the lies we tell ourselves. Sash Bischoff’s debut is an enticing psychological thriller full of juicy twists and turns.
RELATED: Book Review: While We Were Burning
All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall
In a post-glacial New York City, Nonie and her family live atop the American Museum of Natural History. There, they preserve human history while surviving off Central Park’s resources. When a superstorm forces them to flee north, they encounter diverse and often perilous communities along the Hudson while carrying a vital record of the lost collections. Their journey becomes a fight to build a future that respects the past they’ve worked so hard to save.
It’s a great time for anyone looking for books like Station Eleven. Drawing on stories of the curators in Iraq and Leningrad who worked to protect their collections from war, Eiren Caffall’s All the Water in the World is a contemplative and important work of climate fiction.
The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan
Cate Kay, the reclusive author behind a blockbuster trilogy, has kept her true identity a secret—until now. Once a young dreamer with plans to escape a troubled past, a tragedy forced her to abandon everything and reinvent herself. Now, a startling revelation compels Cate to return home, confront her past, and seek the closure she needs to heal.
Sports reporter Kate Fagan’s first novel is a story with well-developed characters and a unique narrative rhythm. The Three Lives of Cate Kay is full of suspense, drama and Hollywood glamour, all told through compelling, intertwining voices.
RELATED: GGA’s 10 Bets Debut Books of 2024
Voice Like a Hyacinth by Mallory Pearson
When art student Jo Kozak and her friends turn to the occult in a desperate bid for inspiration, they unknowingly unleash dark consequences. As their work grows unsettling and their bond begins to fracture, Jo is haunted by an inexplicable force. To undo their mistake, the group must confront their obsession, risking everything as they spiral toward a point of no return.
With elements of Mona Awad’s Bunny and films like The Craft, Voice Like a Hyacinth centers on sisterhood, ritual and tragedy. Mallory Pearson’s new book release is a witchy queer horror novel perfect for dark academia enthusiasts.
Bemused by Farrah Rochon
Teen sisters Calliope, Clio, Melpomene, Terpsichore, and Thalia live quietly in a seaside village, unaware of their divine heritage until Hades kidnaps their mother, Mnemosyne, Goddess of Memory. Under Calli’s leadership, the sisters set out on a perilous quest to rescue her and uncover their own origins. Facing mythical trials, they must harness their talents and sisterly bond to embrace their destiny and rise as heroines.
Did you know you needed the origin story of the Muses from Disney’s Hercules? Bemused by Farrah Rochon is just that, resulting in a joyous, magical adventure meant for fans and newcomers alike.
RELATED: 5 Retellings of Classic Stories You Need to Read
Single Player by Tara Tai
Cat Li was thrilled when she landed her dream job writing love storylines for a hit video game. However, her romance-filled ideas clash with her boss, Andi Zhang, a guarded, no-nonsense narrative director scarred by past online harassment. Despite their differences, sparks fly as they work together to save the game and Andi’s career from a behind-the-scenes sabotage plot. To win, they’ll have to embrace teamwork — and maybe even a little love.
Single Players is an enemies-to-lovers rom-com meant for gamers and fans of workplace romances. Tara Tai may be a debut author, but she’s definitely one to watch out for.
You can check out these new book releases at Bookshop.org or your local bookstore. What January 7 new release are you most excited to read? Let us know below, and tune in next week to grow your TBR.
Book Review: THE ELDER SCROLLS: TASTES AND TALES FROM TAMRIEL
- New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on February 18 - February 17, 2025
- Book Review: UPON A STARLIT TIDE - February 16, 2025
- THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO Has Found a New Director - February 12, 2025