But what I love most about shopping for books is preordering. Why do I love this the most? Oh, let me count the ways:
- Sometimes you forget that you actually ordered the book, so when it comes either in the mail or that beautiful message pops up on your eReader about your new download, it’s like a forgotten Christmas gift that you actually want. Of course, you’re Santa but that’s beside the point.
- Book releases are typically done at midnight on East Coast time. If you own an eReader like me and you live on the West (best) Coast, you don’t have to wait until midnight, Cinderella, to start reading that preorder: it’s in your Nook or Kindle by 9 pm. Suck it, time difference.
- There’s never that fear of “Oh, we don’t carry that book here” or “Sorry, just sold out.” That’s the stuff my nightmares are made of.
So, what’s on my reading horizon? What books will I deem POW (Preorder Worthy)? Here’s just a peek into my future bookshelf.
My Oxford Year
Author: Julia Whelan
Release Date: April 24th
What’s It About: An American student with political aspirations attends Oxford for a year but starts a passionate affair with her English professor, who is harboring a life-changing secret.
Why POW?: If this premise sounds vaguely familiar, you’re not imagining things – in 2015, Supergirl star Melissa Benoist and this Scottish actor we barely talk about here at TN by the name of Sam Heughan* were attached to star in the film version of this novel, entitled Oxford. Three years later, the movie is on an indefinite hold, but the novel is finally being released to the public, and you bet your sweet ass I’ll be picturing this Sam Heughan when reading it:
Yes, the storyline feels a little like a Jojo Moyes novel; in fact, the publisher is promoting that comparison. But this seems like one of those weekend reads that has all the feels and based on all the Goodreads reviews of the arc, it’s worth the time and possibly the tissues.
*JK, we have practically a whole section dedicated to Sam Heughan and Outlander.
Good Luck With That
Author: Kristan Higgins
Release Date: August 7th
What’s It About: Before her death, Emmerson asks her best friends Marley and Georgia for one final favor: to conquer their fears in both love and life.
Why POW?: Um, if I’m writing about books that I love or need to read immediately, you know I’m going to include Kristan Higgins on that list. Even if I’m writing about cookbooks, I’ll still find a way to work her into my post. For the past few years, Kristan Higgins’ work has been a staple on my bookshelves and an instant read upon release. Filled with both humor, warmth and sometimes heart break, her novels eschew formulaic romance plots and give you characters that you either identify with, know, or want to know/love/make babies with.
Becoming
Author: Former and Greatest First Lady (and who I hope will be future Ms. President) Michelle Obama
Release Date: November 13th
What’s It About: Life before, during, and after her husband’s presidency, as well as being her own person, being a mother, and half of the greatest team to ever be in the White House. Honestly, this could be her Target shopping list, and I’d still read it.
Why POW?: I’m sure there may be a person or two reading this and thinking that TN needs to stop covering politics and “stick to what we know,” whatever that means. First, we are “sticking to what we know,” which is a wide array of topics from entertainment to politics to real life because we’re brilliant women who don’t need to be confined to one single topic. Second, we love Michelle Obama and her fight for our nation, our children, and her ability to stand with her husband without being overshadowed by him. She’s the voice in our heads that we need, especially in a time of hatred, violence, and greed: “When they go low, we go high.” Pretty sure that by the time I finish this book, I’ll have memorized portions that will eventually become my mantras and that I will casually slip into everyday conversations.
Welcome back, Ms. Obama.
