booklists

My Most Anticipated 2023 Books

by anngperez
Photo by Bade Saba on Pexels

It’s a new year (half way through the first month), and there are so many books that are upcoming or have already been released that are set to make waves. I, for one, am excited to see more diverse reads and new exciting adventures for everyone to enjoy. I can only hope that each year we get to see more and more diverse books because they are so needed. But for now here’s an admittedly small list of my most anticipated books from 2023. Buckle up for a lot of fantasy. 

Unseelie – Ivelisse Housman 

This one is already out! It was released January 3, 2023. Unfortunately, I still don’t have a copy, but I have faith that I’ll get it soon because everything about this story sounds incredible. 

Taken from Goodreads* 

“Twin sisters, both on the run, but different as day and night. One, a professional rogue, searches for a fabled treasure; the other, a changeling, searches for the truth behind her origins, trying to find a place to fit in with the realm of fae who made her and the humans who shun her.” 

Immediate intrigue. Twin sisters on an adventure, changelings, fae, and an autistic main character. I’ve seen so many great reviews surrounding this book, and I just know this will become a favorite for me. I can’t wait to get this book soon! 

Read more about the book here!  

Spice Road – Maiya Ibrahim 

I learned about this book through social media, and honestly I’m so glad the marketing and outreach worked. Everything about this book sounds like everything I love in a book–magic, monsters, and betrayal. What more can you ask for? 

Taken from Goodreads* 

“The first book in an epic fantasy series for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Hafsah Faizal and Elizabeth Lim, set in an Arabian-inspired land. Raised to protect her nation from the monsters lurking in the sands, seventeen-year-old Imani must fight to find her brother whose betrayal is now their greatest threat.” 

Releasing January 24, 2023. Keep your eyes peeled for this new exciting fantasy! 

Read more about the book here!  

Last Sunrise in Eterna – Amparo Ortiz 

Puerto Rican elves. Need I say more? 

Taken from Goodreads* 

“Seventeen-year-old goth Sevim Burgos would love to spend all day watching music videos, but to help support the family she has to scavenge and sell elf corpses to a sketchy university professor. On one of her hunts, Sevim captures the elf prince, Aro, wounded in a Burger King. But it turns out that the elves have been watching Sevim too, and this chance encounter sets their revenge in motion.” […] 

Not only do we get a sense that Sevim is one fun character (I’m sensing some snark in there already), but it feels like we’re gonna get fun moments (how does one find an elf prince in a Burger King?) and exciting high stakes! Releasing March 28, 2023. 

Read more about the book here! 

Always Isn’t Forever – J. C. Cervantes 

Ever since I read Flirting With Fate by J. C. Cervantes, I knew I would be reading anything she writes. I’m convinced her words are filled with magic, and it’s light and airy and a breath of fresh air. Of course, I’m expecting to feel that magic touch in this upcoming book. 

Taken from Goodreads* 

“Best friends and soul mates since they were kids, Hart Augusto and Ruby Armenta were poised to take on senior year together when Hart tragically drowns in a boating accident. Absolutely shattered, Ruby struggles to move on from the person she knows was her forever love. Hart can’t let go of Ruby either…. Due to some divine intervention, he’s offered a second chance. Only it won’t be as simple as bringing him back to life—instead, Hart’s soul is transferred to the body of a local bad boy.” […]

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get my heart shattered by this book. Releasing June 6, 2023. 

Read more about this book here! 

Immortal Longings – Chloe Gong 

After reading the These Violent Delights duology, I will now be reading everything Chloe Gong puts out. (I still have to get Foul Lady Fortune and I’m expecting Last Violent Call too, but let’s focus on her adult debut!) Gong just writes exactly what I like: high stakes adventures, relationships you want to cheer for (platonic or romantic), and just ideas and concepts I didn’t know I needed. 

Taken from Goodreads* 

“#1 New York Times bestselling YA author Chloe Gong’s adult epic fantasy debut, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games. Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches.” […]

After reading this small snippet of the blurb, I already need this book in my life. A retelling, deadly games, and romance. I know this will be the adventure of a lifetime! Releasing July 25, 2023. 

Read more about the book here! 

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride – Roshani Chokshi 

I’ve only had the opportunity to read one of Roshani Chokshi’s works (The Gilded Wolves), but I already know I can trust that any book she writes is going to be incredible. (And yes, I hope to finish The Gilded Wolves trilogy soon…) 

Taken from Goodreads* 

“A sumptuous, gothic-infused story about a marriage that is unraveled by dark secrets, a friendship cursed to end in tragedy, and the danger of believing in fairy tales–the breathtaking adult debut from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi.” 

This sounds like a gothic dark fairy tale, and I cannot wait to read this! Releasing February 14, 2023. 

Read more about the book here! 

Vampires of El Norte – Isabel Cañas 

Last year, I had the honor of reading the incredible book The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas, and it was in my top three favorite books of 2022. As you can imagine, I’m obviously going to want to read her newest book about vampires set in 1840s Mexico. 

Taken from Goodreads* 

“As the daughter of a rancher in 1840s Mexico, Nena knows a thing or two about monsters—her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that drains men of their blood and leaves them for dead. Something that once attacked Nena nine years ago.” […] 

There’s so much tension in just the blurb! I’m so excited for this book and crossing my fingers to be able to get it as soon as it comes out. Releasing August 29, 2023. 

Read more about the book here! 

Yellowface – R. F. Kuang 

Yes, I read Babel. Yes, I’ll also read anything R. F. Kuang writes. (I still need to read The Poppy War though…) After I read the blurb for Yellowface though, I knew I had to read it. 

Taken from Goodreads* 

“What’s the harm in a pseudonym? New York Times bestselling sensation Juniper Song is not who she says she is, she didn’t write the book she claims she wrote, and she is most certainly not Asian American–in this chilling and hilariously cutting novel from R. F. Kuang in the vein of White Ivy and The Other Black Girl.” 

I have the sense that this book is not going to be like Babel and what I’ve heard about The Poppy War in terms of writing style. This feels more like a grim satire. (I could be proven wrong of course, this is just my first impression of the blurb). I’m really excited to see how R. F. Kuang executes this concept. Releasing May 16, 2023. 

Read more about the book here! 

The Foxglove King – Hannah Whitten 

I’ve yet to read anything by Hannah Whitten (I have the For the Wolf duology in my TBR), but something about this book in particular feels like something I’ll really enjoy! 

Taken from Goodreads* 

“In this lush, romantic new epic fantasy series from New York Times bestselling author Hannah Whitten, a young woman’s secret power to raise the dead plunges her into the dangerous and glamorous world of the Sainted King’s royal court. When Lore was thirteen, she escaped a cult in the catacombs beneath the city of Dellaire. And in the ten years since, she’s lived by one rule: don’t let them find you. Easier said than done, when her death magic ties her to the city.” […] 

Anything that is described as lush or romantic is immediately a book I’ll want to read. Add in a sprinkle of royalty, and this book is everything I love. (…I love a lot of things in books, but can you blame me when all of these concepts sound amazing?) Releasing March 7, 2023. 

Read more about the book here! 

After curating this small list, I can see clearly how much I love the fantasy genre. I do apologize if fantasy isn’t your thing because this list will not be for you. Regardless, maybe you’ll find something that’ll speak to you! I’m super excited for this year in books and I can’t wait to meet so many new characters and go on new adventures.

Latinx Books by Latinx Authors in my TBR List

by anngperez
Photo by Caio on Pexels

September 15 marked the first day of Latinx Heritage Month, and of course everyone is celebrating all these histories and heritages! As a bookworm, I focused a lot of my attention towards books written by incredible Latinx authors this month, so I decided to compile a small list of the books I’m most excited to read in the next few days, weeks, and months. (Because obviously, Latinx books don’t disappear after October 15). 

Here are a few books I can’t wait to read, and hopefully you feel the same way. 

Big Chicas Don’t Cry – Annette Chavez Macias 

“Four cousins navigate love, loss, and the meaning of family over the course of one memorable year in this heartfelt family drama.” 

This adult contemporary novel feels like it’ll break my heart and mend it at the same time. The concept of following the lives of these four cousins and their family crises is enough for me to be on board, but to know that they used to be inseparable, got separated for fifteen years, only to come back into each other’s lives as everything unravels promises to be a heart-wrenching read of family and love. 

This one is easily one of my most anticipated reads from this list. 

Learn more about the book! 

Velorio – Xavier Navarro Aquino 

“Set in the wake of Hurricane Maria, Xavier Navarro Aquino’s unforgettable debut novel follows a remarkable group of survivors searching for hope on an island torn apart by both natural disaster and human violence.” 

When I learned that this book existed, I knew I had to keep an eye out for it. I did not go through Hurricane Maria, I escaped it by a month because I moved away for college, but I have a feeling that this book will help me further understand what my family and the rest of Puerto Rico went through in 2017 while also providing gritty, horror vibes from a religious cult situation. Reading the blurb makes me think of complete disaster and how far chaos can go, so I’m excited to read this one soon enough. 

Learn more about the book! 

Ballad & Dagger (Outlaw Saints, #1) – Daniel José Older 

“Best-selling author Rick Riordan Presents Daniel Jose Older’s extraordinary YA urban fantasy about two teens who discover each other while fighting for their diaspora community.” 

Ever since the news about this book came out, I’ve been waiting to get my hands on it. (Spoiler alert: I already have a copy. I just need to read it). Who doesn’t love a good magical fantasy story with islands, oceans, and evil? The adventure starts when the evil that sank San Madrigal to the bottom of the ocean comes back for the survivors that settled in New York. Those immediate high stakes and the promise of lots of magic have me excited to crack open this book. (Plus, that map is to die for). 

Learn more about this book! 

Blazewrath Games – Amparo Ortiz 

“A fantasy, set in an alternate contemporary world, in which dragons and their riders compete in an international sports tournament.” 

I found out about this book through a tweet, and I’ve never been more in love with an idea since. The fact that it’s dragon riding and Puerto Rico mixed together had me jumping for excitement. However, dragon riding isn’t just it. There’s also an international conspiracy surrounding this dragon riding tournament, and it might just be jeopardizing the whole thing. It sounds like a fun ride with Puerto Rican representation. I know this book will be a great one. 

Learn more about this book! 

Never Look Back – Lilliam Rivera 

A retelling of the Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus. 

This is another book that features the effects of Hurricane Maria on the main character, but with the added element of fantasy and magical realism. The fact that the main character is haunted by both Hurricane Maria and an evil spirit is enough to throw me for a loop. Add in that this is a romance and a retelling already makes me feel like this book is going to be a favorite read of mine. 

Learn more about this book! 

Dear Haiti, Love Alaine – Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite 

“Co-written by sisters Maika and Maritza Moulite, and told in epistolary style through letters, articles, emails, and diary entries, this exceptional debut novel captures a sparkling new voice and irrepressible heroine in a celebration of storytelling sure to thrill fans of Nicola Yoon, Ibi Zoboi and Jenna Evans Welch!” 

It’s so cool when a book is told through different means and not just the usual prose, so when I heard about this particular story, I was so intrigued. Not only that, but the concept screams so much heart, soul, and drama. I can tell this is a book of discovering one’s roots with a family curse twist weaved into it. You can imagine I’m excited to read this one. 

Learn more about this book! 

Furia – Yamile Saied Méndez 

“An #ownvoices contemporary YA set in Argentina, about a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line—even her blooming love story—to follow her dreams.” 

I don’t know why I haven’t read this one yet when it sounds so good and so heart-wrenching. This is a young adult contemporary novel that centers around feminism, soccer, and romance. Reading the blurb gets me all worked up because I can tell it’s also going to be frustrating for the main character. A lot of the conflict seems to come through the fact that she’s a girl, and a girl shouldn’t do certain things according to her family, so already there’s a lot of tension. 

Learn more about this book! 

The Hacienda – Isabel Cañas 

“Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca in this debut supernatural suspense novel, set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, about a remote house, a sinister haunting, and the woman pulled into their clutches…” 

This one I just know will also be a favorite. A mix of horror, suspense, and paranormal, this story really looks like it’ll pack a punch. This is the kind of book I’ll want to read this October. It sounds so chilling and dark, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. 

Learn more about the book! 

And there you have it! This is a tiny glimpse at my Latinx book TBR list. As of right now, there are 125 titles on the list, and it’ll only keep growing. I’m so excited to discover more amazing Latinx authors and their wonderful Latinx books, and hopefully you are too. 

Happy Latinx Heritage Month!