The December Most Anticipated List

five books I can’t wait to read this month

I’m trying something different with sharing my TBR. While I did better in November than I usually do, reading 7 of the 17 books planned, I’m still not hitting the target.

I don’t want to share books that I don’t read. I have shiny object syndrome, especially when reading. I also can be quick to DNF books if I don’t get captured in the first 50 page. My TBR often changes during the course of a month.

So, instead I want to share five books that I’m highly anticipating reading each month. Keep in mind, I am usually a backlist reader. While an occasional new release or ARC sneaks in, I primarily read books published at least a year or two ago.

These are the five books I’m excited to get to this month:

Spelled by Betsy Schow

One of my greatest reading loves this year has been retellings. Spelled takes its cue from The Wizard of Oz. From the book blurb, I’m gathering an almost tale in reverse. We follow Dorthea who is the crown princess of Emerald and forced into a marriage. Trying to escape, she wishes upon a cursed star, sending her family to Kansas.

Sign Here by Claudia Lux

If you dislike Christmas (spoiler alert: I do), the holidays can feel like hell. So, why not read a debut book that features a being from hell that is trying to get their next sale on a soul, involving a complex family vacation and a lot of choas? I saw this one a lot in October (it was released 10/25) but haven’t heard much follow up. I’ve been itching to get to it.

P.S. I Love You by Cecilia Adhern

When I was a sophmore in college, the movie adaptation of P.S. I Love You came out and it was instant love for me. I cried every time I watched it, but it was good enough in my book to learn almost all of the lines by heart.

Last year, I found out that there was a book that inspired the movie. I’ve been simultaneously putting it off and wanting to read it. Christmas feels like a good time as I believe the first time I saw the movie was on Christmas break.

Crescent City II: House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas

I read the first of the Crescent City novels in July and purchased House of Sky and Breath in August. I haven’t gotten to it yet, but it’s on a very short list of books I feel I need to read before the end of the year.

When this book came out, there were a lot of mixed reviews. Some people thought it paled a lot in comparison to the first book. However, I often go against the popular opinion and want to see what I personally think about it.

Mistletoe and Mayhem by Carly Winter

First of all, thank you to BookSirens, Carly Winter, and the publisher for the free ARC.

I love a bit of murder, mayhem and coziness year-round. Kick it up a few notches when you throw in that the town’s Mrs. Clause has been murdered and the town’s police force is out with the flu. Stir in a former actress who saw her life go up in flames before coming to the small town and now is helping to solve the case. Sounds like a delicious recipe of cozy fun!

Of all the ARCs I plan to review, this is the one I’m looking most forward to. Spoiler alert: I’m already about 30% of the way through it and it has been wonderful thus far.