The publishing world is kicking off 2024 with a bang! The sheer number of books on my TBR that release in January is ridiculous, and so many of them feel like they would make excellent BOTM picks. With so many interesting books coming out in January, I think we’ll see mostly January releases, though I wouldn’t be surprised if we see at least one February release. I would love to see a bunch of debuts to start the year but there are quite a few repeat authors with books coming out in January that may make an appearance as well.
I do have a few confirmed picks but have not denoted which ones those are below. If you’d like spoilers send me a DM on Instagram (@speakingof.books) or TikTok (@speakingof.books ) and I can share with you! I have also read a few of these already and have linked my reviews as well!
Whether or not these are actually picks, only time will tell. Even if they are not, all or most of these are on my January Most Anticipated New Releases list and my Winter 2024 Most Anticipated.
When the picks are announced and you find you have space in your box still, make sure to also check out my most recent version of BOTM Add-On recommendations HERE, because who couldn’t use even more books!
Keep in mind that these are simply predictions and books I hope get chosen. I could get these completely wrong but the anticipation and guessing is part of the fun right?!
Mystery & Thriller
There are a bunch of previous BOTM mystery and thriller authors with new releases coming out in January. I think it’s likely we’ll see at least one as a main pick or an add-on but I also wanted to include Rabbit Hole in my predictions. It’s a debut mystery and I’m very intrigued by the premise. I joined BOTM originally to find more debut authors, so I always enjoy when they’re featured.
I have read The Heiress, The Fury, and Only If You’re Lucky and have reviews up of all three. If I only could pick one Only If You’re Lucky would be my favorite.
The Heiress REview | The Fury Review
Only If you’re Lucky review
Contemporary & Literary Fiction
While Kiley Reid is a repeat author, I’m hoping Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame is our contemporary pick this month. BOTM has been featuring more ‘coming of old age’ stories recently and this one sound adorable! Mercury could also be a pick as BOTM tends to generally feature family dramas.
I’ve already read Interesting Facts About Space and it’s interesting to say the least. It’s a very character driven novel that reminds me of Goodbye, Vitamin which was a BOTM pick a few years ago.
Interesting Facts about space review
Historical Fiction
All four of my predictions this month are vastly different. I’d love to see Cold Victory be a pick, partly because I love a good artic setting in the winter months but seems like an interesting take Finland’s relationship with Russia. Wild and Distant Seas features a bit of magical realism and is a debut so I would love to see it as a pick as well.
Romance
My top romance pick this month is Red String Theory. I’m hoping to read it here shortly. Say You’ll Be Mine though is a debut so I’d also be happy seeing this one as a pick.
Science Fiction & Fantasy
My wish would be to see all three of these books as picks in January. While The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years falls more in the horror category, The Bullet Swallower is a western historical fiction mixed with magical realism, and both sounds amazing to me. So far, I only have a copy of The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years and I’m hoping to read it over my Christmas holiday. I mean what else screams Christmas than a horror book.
I hope you found a book that you are truly excited about in this post. Let me know which other new releases you are excited for this month or that you’re hoping are BOTM picks, by commenting below or by messaging me on Instagram @speakingof.books. Don’t forget to follow me to get weekly updates and new reviews!
Happy Reading!
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