17 December Releases We're Excited About

And What You Can Read in the Meantime

Reading Ahead

No matter how tall our TBR piles get, we just keep browsing (and buying!) new books. From literary fiction to dystopian cli-fi to thrilling sequels, December's most anticipated list is packed with must-reads! Here are seventeen upcoming releases across a diverse mix of genres. These are available for preorder, but in the meantime, enjoy our recommendations for similar reads that you can get now.

Literary Fiction

Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy (Dec. 6)

In the sequel of a two-part series from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Road, twenty-year-old Alicia Western, a doctoral candidate, is diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Through her psychiatric transcripts, Alicia ponders life, while refusing to talk about her brother Bobby, the focus of book one.

What to read first: The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy

Roses in the Mouth of a Lion by Bushra Rehmen (Dec. 6)

Growing up in a close-knit Pakistani-American community in Queens, Razia is devastated when a family rift fractures her relationship with best friend Saima. For fans of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous and My Brilliant Friend, this an unforgettable coming-of-age story about female friendship and queer love.

What to read first: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader (Dec. 6)

Nursing school roommates BettyKay and Kitty don't have much in common, except a determination to prove themselves in a changing world. Against all odds, they forge a lasting bond. Fifty years later, two estranged sisters uncover shocking revelations when a famous movie star comes to their mother's funeral.

What to read first: The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season by Molly Fader

The Book of Everlasting Things by Aanchal Malhotra (Dec. 27)

When Samir and Firdaus lock eyes, they fall in love at first sight. But, as India struggles for independence and their beloved city is ravaged by Partition, the two find themselves on opposite sides: Samir, a Hindu, becomes Indian and Firdaus, a Muslim, becomes Pakistani—their love now forbidden.

What to read first: All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Mystery/Thriller

A Dangerous Business by Jane Smiley (Dec. 6)

From the beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Thousand Acres comes a rollicking murder mystery. Eliza and Jean are two young prostitutes in Gold Rush California. Inspired by their favorite books, particularly Edgar Allan Poe's detective Dupin, the two begin investigating a trail of murdered girls.

What to read first: Outlawed by Anna North

Tom Clancy Red Winter by Marc Cameron (Dec. 6)

As President of the United States, Jack Ryan wields unimaginable power, but there's one foe he can't hope to defeat, the shadows in his past. This new addition to Clancy's hit series delivers action-packed intrigue and invokes the authenticity and quality that the late great espionage novelist was known for.

What to read first: Patriot Games by Tom Clancy

Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson (Dec. 27)

Senior year at Ellingham Academy isn't going well for Stevie Bell. Having just solved the cold case of the century, she is adrift. Relief comes when she goes abroad to join boyfriend David in London. There, his new friend Izzy introduces her to a double-murder cold case for her to tackle.

What to read first: Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

All the Dark Places by Terri Parlato (Dec. 27)

A savage murder rocks a quiet Massachusetts suburb, revealing the dark secrets at the center of a group of friends and setting two women—one with a traumatic past, the other a Boston police detective—on a hunt for truth. This debut thriller is perfect for fans of Megan Miranda and Shari Lapena.

What to read first: The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

Sci-Fi/Fantasy

The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton (Dec. 6)

This dystopian novel traces the life of Wanda, an unusual girl born in a small storm-ravaged town on the Southeastern coast of Florida. As mounting natural disasters bring society to the brink of collapse, Wanda loses family, gains community, and seeks adventure, love, and purpose in a place remade by nature.

What to read first: Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy

A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross (Dec. 6)

In the stunning conclusion to the Elements of Cadence series, the Isle of Cadence has found a tenuous balance. But now Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, has unleashed a destructive campaign to claim dominion over all. Now humans and spirits alike will need to join together to fight his devastating power.

What to read first: A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

Twice in a Lifetime by Melissa Baron (Dec. 6)

The Time Traveler's Wife meets Oona Out of Order in this inventive debut. After a painful and exhausting year, the last thing Isla expects is romance. When she gets a text from a stranger who claims he's her husband, she tells him he has the wrong number. But then he sends back a picture. Of them—on their wedding day.

What to read first: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Historical Fiction

The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights by Kitty Zeldis (Dec. 6)

Moving from the bustling streets of jazz-age New York City to late nineteenth-century Russia and the lively quarters of New Orleans, this is a story of the families we are born into and the families we choose, and of the unbreakable bond formed between women.

What to read first: The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis

The Seamstress of Sardinia by Bianca Pitzorno (Dec. 6)

A bestselling Italian writer makes her American debut with this delightful dramedy of manners, family, romance, and fashion set on the island of Sardinia at the end of the nineteenth century. Described as a dazzling and original literary blend of Jane Austen and Adriana Trigiani.

What to read first: The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

All The Lost Places by Amanda Dykes (Dec. 13)

Venice 1807: a baby is discovered floating in a basket and a guild of Artisans takes him in and raises him, naming him Sebastian Trovato. 1904: Looking for a fresh start, Daniel Goodman takes a job procuring and translating an old book from Venice. What he discovers in its gilded pages is a gripping mystery.

What to read first: Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes

Romance

Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca (Dec. 6)

After her high-powered career is suddenly derailed, attorney Lulu escapes into the welcoming environment of turkey legs, taverns, and tarot readers: Renaissance Faires. The only drawback? She's paired up with Dex, an arrogant playboy. This is the fourth installment in the popular Ren Faire series.

What to read first: Well Met by Jen DeLuca

The Key to My Heart by Lia Louis (Dec. 6)

When composer Natalie Fincher's young husband dies, her world collapses. More than two years later, she's barely getting by playing piano in a London train station. When somebody starts leaving sheet music for her late husband's favorite songs at the station's piano, she starts to feel herself coming back to life.

What to read first: Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis

So, This is Love by Tracy Andreen (Dec. 20)

In this sequel to a winning YA rom-com, teens Finley and Arthur are back at boarding school and they're both wondering where they stand. Are they a couple? What does one magical Christmas Eve kiss in Oklahoma mean? This confusion isn't helped by their re-entry into life at school.

What to read first: So, This is Christmas by Tracy Andreen

Hopefully there's something here that catches your interest! Let us know which new books you're most excited about this month.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with a community of readers like you and get daily book recommendations, literary tidbits, and more.

Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon