Most Anticipated Reads for 2025

Summary

Podcast Summary: "I'll Read What She's Reading"

Episode Title: Most Anticipated Reads for 2025
Release Date: January 8, 2025
Hosts: Kennedy, Reggie, & Michaela

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Introduction and Overview

In the inaugural regular episode of the new year, hosts Kennedy, Reggie, and Michaela delve into the most anticipated book releases for 2025. They express enthusiasm about the plethora of upcoming titles, particularly from their favorite authors, setting the stage for a month filled with exciting literary events.

Michaela [00:14]: "Happy New Year, you guys. This is our first regular episode starting the new year, and today we're going to be sharing our most anticipated releases for 2025."

Onyx Storm: The Upcoming Readathon

The discussion begins with "Onyx Storm", a highly anticipated series expected to launch its next installment in January 2025. The hosts speculate about the series' progression, especially regarding cliffhangers from previous books.

Kennedy [01:03]: "If I had. I don't know. I can't even make a prediction because I'm not sure."

They express excitement about potential midnight release parties and the possibility of turning each book release into a celebratory event, including activities like cupcake taste tests.

Michaela [03:02]: "Midnight release party would be fun."

Abby Jimenez’s "Say You’ll Remember Me"

Next, they explore Abby Jimenez's "Say You’ll Remember Me," anticipated for an April release. The hosts highlight Jimenez's consistent ability to deliver compelling romance narratives, noting the book’s connection to her previous work, "Just for the Summer."

Kennedy [03:23]: "Her romance book books always hit for me."

They discuss the possibility of celebrating the release with themed cupcakes from Jimenez's bakery, emphasizing the personal touch Jimenez brings to her work.

Reggie [04:20]: "We order the cupcakes."

Emily Henry’s "Great Big Beautiful Life"

The conversation shifts to Emily Henry’s "Great Big Beautiful Life," another April release. The hosts express anticipation not only for the book but also for its potential Netflix adaptation, speculating on its release timeframe.

Reggie [05:22]: "I'm curious to know when her movie's coming out. Is it coming out next year?"

They note the strategic timing of April releases for romance novels, aligning with spring’s uplifting vibe.

Lauren Roberts’s "Fearless"

Continuing with April's lineup, Lauren Roberts's "Fearless" is discussed. The hosts anticipate the culmination of the trilogy and the possibility of additional novellas or duologies, blending genres like horror and fantasy with romance.

Reggie [07:14]: "I just always enjoy her. Her books, so I'm excited to see what this one's going to be about."

V. E. Schwab’s "Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil"

V. E. Schwab’s "Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil" is introduced as a standalone release in October. The hosts express curiosity about the book's plot and Schwab's signature whimsical yet dangerous writing style.

Reggie [30:09]: "So that sounds cool."

Suzanne Collins’s "Sunrise on the Reaping"

The hosts discuss Suzanne Collins’s "Sunrise on the Reaping," highlighting their mixed feelings about revisiting the Hunger Games universe. They debate the merits of releasing books and movies simultaneously, expressing concerns about narrative depth.

Reggie [31:27]: "I'm excited about this book because of the story of Haymitch."

Holly Jackson’s Upcoming Works

Holly Jackson’s new release, "Not Quite Dead Yet," slated for July, is another focal point. The hosts appreciate Jackson’s ability to craft intricate mysteries and express eagerness for the sequel to "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder."

Reggie [23:03]: "Jet is a girl. She is the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Woodstock, Vermont."

Sarah Adams’s "Big Borrow and Steal"

Sarah Adams's "Big Borrow and Steal," the third book in the "One in Rome" series, is warmly received. The hosts praise Adams's wholesome storytelling and interconnected romance series, which offer fresh characters yet maintain a cohesive narrative thread.

Michaela [25:59]: "It's the third book in a romance series."

Alex Aster’s "Summer in the City"

Alex Aster’s "Summer in the City" is highlighted as a promising romance novel set in New York City during the summer. Despite previously declining the "Light Lark" series, Aster's transition from fantasy to romance is met with enthusiasm.

Kennedy [26:52]: "I also love that she went from writing a fantasy series to a romance series."

Pierce Brown’s "Red God"

Pierce Brown’s forthcoming "Red God" is a topic of keen interest. The hosts discuss the author’s slow publication pace and the anticipation surrounding the book, which promises to be an epic continuation of his acclaimed series.

Kennedy [17:10]: "She's either taking her time because she doesn't want to disappoint people, or she's taking her time because she is weaving and gonna make this epic thing."

Publishing Trends: April as a Prime Release Month

A significant portion of the episode examines why April is a dominant month for book releases. Using insights from an AI overview, the hosts suggest that spring’s arrival coincides with increased leisure time and a desire for uplifting content, making it an optimal period for publishers.

Reggie [10:22]: "Many books are released in April because it marks the start of spring, a time when people are generally more inclined to read."

They also discuss financial factors post-tax season and the strategic advantage for authors to reach a broader audience during this time.

Influence of BookTok and Future Trends

The hosts ponder the impact of platforms like BookTok on the publishing industry, anticipating which new authors might emerge as favorites in 2025. They emphasize the role of social media in popularizing books and shaping reading trends.

Michaela [37:27]: "I'm curious what books are going to become popular on BookTok because I feel like all of the books that we just talked about are already like popular authors."

Reading Goals for 2025

Concluding the episode, Kennedy, Reggie, and Michaela share their personal reading goals for the year, hinting at a future episode dedicated to discussing these objectives. They encourage listeners to set their own reading resolutions to make 2025 a fulfilling year for book lovers.

Michaela [39:00]: "I hope you guys set some great reading goals. I know we have some and we'll be doing an episode for our goals."

Notable Quotes

• Michaela [00:14]: “Happy New Year, you guys. This is our first regular episode starting the new year...”
• Kennedy [03:23]: “Her romance book books always hit for me.”
• Reggie [10:22]: “Many books are released in April because it marks the start of spring...”
• Kennedy [17:10]: “She's either taking her time because she doesn't want to disappoint people...”
• Michaela [37:27]: “I'm curious what books are going to become popular on BookTok...”

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Conclusion

The episode "Most Anticipated Reads for 2025" provides a comprehensive overview of forthcoming books that have captured the hosts' excitement. From romance to fantasy and mystery, Kennedy, Reggie, and Michaela offer insightful previews and personal perspectives, making this episode a valuable guide for readers looking to curate their 2025 reading lists.

Transcript

[Kennedy]

Foreign.

[Michaela]

Hi, guys, and welcome back to. I'll Read what She's reading. I'm Michaela.

[Reggie]

I'm Reggie.

[Kennedy]

And I'm Kennedy.

[Michaela]

And happy New Year, you guys. This is our first regular episode starting the new year, and today we're going to be sharing our most anticipated releases for 2025. I have a feeling most of them are going to be similar, but nonetheless, I think it'll be fun to talk about all the books we're really excited to read together.

[Reggie]

There's so many.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, I think it's going to be a good year. There's a lot of big releases coming out. A lot of. At least my favorite authors are coming out with books in 2025, so I cannot wait.

[Michaela]

Yeah, same. I think. Let's just hop right into it. Let's talk about, you know, actually. Okay. I think this is the closest one, so maybe we should talk about it first. Onyx Storm.

[Reggie]

Yep. Are we doing a readathon?

[Kennedy]

Yes, we sure are.

[Michaela]

Yes.

[Reggie]

Yes. We need to.

[Kennedy]

Yes. Well, wait, by the time this episode comes out, we'll have been released.

[Michaela]

No, it comes out at the end of January, right?

[Reggie]

Yeah, it's like January 21st or something like that.

[Michaela]

So I am just excited because. Okay. Is there rumored to be five books in the series?

[Kennedy]

I believe so.

[Michaela]

Okay. I'm curious to know if the thing that happens at the end of the second book will be resolved or if it will continue into the fourth book.

[Kennedy]

I guess we'll find out.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

If I had. I don't know. I can't even make a prediction because I'm not sure.

[Michaela]

Yeah, I'm curious, because that seems like.

[Kennedy]

A pretty big undertaking.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

I'm just. I just want to know how everything goes down, so.

[Kennedy]

And I think, honestly, a lot of you who are probably listening to this podcast, maybe that's one of your most anticipated reads for 2025 as well. I mean, it's a pretty popular series, and the cliffhanger of book two had, I think, everybody in a chokehold.

[Michaela]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, she left it. That's a. That's a good cliffhanger, for sure.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. I have high expectations, and I hope it kind of goes back to more of the tone that it was for Fourth Wing rather than Iron Flame.

[Reggie]

Yeah, same.

[Michaela]

I agree. Yeah. Because I feel like I've reread Fourth Wing. I'll reread Iron Flame before, but fourth thing, just the pace of it is just, like, so fun. And you. You're just, like, wanting to continue. It feels like a very quick Read. I mean, it's not a very long book comparatively to some other books, but it's just a quick read, in my opinion.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Feeling really excited to jump into that.

[Kennedy]

I actually need to pre order it. I haven't pre ordered it yet. I haven't either.

[Reggie]

I've got it pre ordered. I'm excited.

[Michaela]

Midnight release party would be fun.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

We gotta figure it out.

[Kennedy]

If we can. If we can attend a midnight release. We'll let you guys know. We. Which one we're attending. Because that would be really fun.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I'd love that.

[Michaela]

All right.

[Kennedy]

Should I go next?

[Michaela]

Sure.

[Kennedy]

Okay. Are we getting all the ones out of the way that we all are going to say?

[Michaela]

Probably.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Let's start with those.

[Kennedy]

All right, we'll start off with say you remember me. Say you'll remember me by Abby Jimenez. You know, she releases a book every April.

[Michaela]

I need to be more.

[Kennedy]

And you want. Honestly, yes. But also it's always around my birthday, so I feel like it's a little birthday gift from Abby Jimenez to me.

[Reggie]

That's, you know.

[Michaela]

You know, I love that.

[Kennedy]

And there. It's gonna slap. I already know it. Hers are always. Her romance book books always hit for me. And I do love that it's. I do love that the main female character had a little bit of a cameo in Just for the Summer.

[Reggie]

Yeah. And it's the start of a new.

[Kennedy]

Yes. Yeah. Yes. So I'm really excited about that. Her books just feel like coming home. As cheesy as it sounds, they're just the best romance books.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

On planet Earth.

[Reggie]

For reals.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And maybe. Maybe for her release. We'll do. Maybe she'll do.

[Reggie]

We order the cupcakes.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. That's what I was gonna say. So. Yeah. Yeah. So Abby Jimenez, for those of you guys who don't know, was on Cupcake wars or some type of cupcake baking show. She has her. She has a bakery. Yeah. A bakery with cupcakes. And for. Just for the summer, she had exclusive cupcakes that you purchase online and also in store. We are nowhere near her bakery.

[Michaela]

No.

[Kennedy]

So maybe we'll purchase some cupcakes.

[Michaela]

Do a taste test.

[Kennedy]

Do a taste test. Have a little fun party.

[Reggie]

That's fun.

[Michaela]

I'm down too.

[Reggie]

Let's do it.

[Kennedy]

It's on the podcast.

[Reggie]

Like, we're just making a party out of every book release that is coming this year.

[Kennedy]

It makes things more fun. It really does.

[Reggie]

It does.

[Michaela]

All right, cool. Do you have another one? I have a bunch.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. I've Got lots.

[Reggie]

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry.

[Kennedy]

Yep.

[Michaela]

Yep.

[Reggie]

Another great romance author anticipated read. I don't know if we. I haven't read the synopsis for this one yet, and I don't know. I never do if I want to.

[Michaela]

It's an automatic buy. No matter what they're writing. I'm going to get it.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Yeah. I also. I'm curious to know when her movie's coming out. Is it coming out next year for people we meet on vacation?

[Michaela]

I don't think they have a release date.

[Kennedy]

I could see it coming out next year. End of next year.

[Reggie]

Especially because it's a Netflix.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And also there, they've already been filming for a few months, right?

[Michaela]

Yeah, I think so.

[Reggie]

I just wonder if, like, show if that will be released or not, because it comes out in. I think this comes out in April as well.

[Michaela]

Yeah. I feel like Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry always release books really close to each other. I feel like April is, for some reason, a really big release month for romance books.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, I think so, too. I think it's a smart time of the year to release romance books because.

[Michaela]

Cozy.

[Kennedy]

Spring. Yes, Spring. They get it for the summer.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

But I think it is something specifically with publishing about April.

[Kennedy]

I swear, there's like a. They call it something like something in April.

[Michaela]

Yes.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

I don't know, because when is the release of. What's her name? Lauren Roberts. Third book?

[Kennedy]

I think it's in April. It's in April.

[Reggie]

Right.

[Kennedy]

Which we might as well talk about that one as well. April. Crap. What is it called? I forgot.

[Michaela]

I can't remember what it's called.

[Reggie]

Fearless.

[Michaela]

Reckless.

[Reggie]

Fearless. Fearless. Yeah.

[Michaela]

Fearless. It is. Fearless. Let's.

[Reggie]

Man, April's gonna be a big month. I'm April Ape.

[Kennedy]

Oh.

[Reggie]

I. My calendar.

[Kennedy]

I'm put.

[Reggie]

Not putting anything on my calendar for April except read.

[Michaela]

Books. Books. Books. More books.

[Reggie]

Oh, my gosh. I can't wait.

[Kennedy]

Happy birthday to me.

[Michaela]

I'm really excited that it's the end of the trilogy.

[Reggie]

Same. And we're not gonna have to, like, wait.

[Kennedy]

Yes.

[Michaela]

Like, it's. It's gonna be complete. And after we finish it. I know she was thinking about doing another novella.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Which is that gonna get. That's got to be released before.

[Kennedy]

I don't know. It could be a powerless situation where she releases a novella after. After.

[Michaela]

Yeah. I don't know. I'm just very excited for that.

[Reggie]

And then hopefully she's working on. If you guys saw our interview with her, she wants to do a duology that is a horror fantasy.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, that would be so good.

[Reggie]

But then it's also gotta probably have romance in it because she writes the best banter, so. I can't wait for that.

[Kennedy]

Maybe she'll take a break. I don't want her to.

[Reggie]

The girl's gonna but busy gal. She's got to work on the.

[Michaela]

Maybe not because she's, you know, she's at the prime right now.

[Kennedy]

Very true.

[Michaela]

Yeah, she probably got deadlines.

[Kennedy]

Very true.

[Reggie]

Yeah, she might TV series though too.

[Michaela]

Oh yeah.

[Kennedy]

She's got a lot on her plate.

[Reggie]

Yeah, she does.

[Michaela]

I love that.

[Kennedy]

Wow.

[Reggie]

April. Everyone just mark your calendars for April. All the books we've talked about so far are April. Yeah.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Wait, really? No, but besides Onyx Storm.

[Reggie]

Oh, besides Onyx Storm.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

My bad.

[Michaela]

When does the Conditions of Will.

[Kennedy]

We're talking about that one next.

[Michaela]

Okay, when does that one come out?

[Kennedy]

If it says April.

[Michaela]

April.

[Kennedy]

Shut up. You're lying.

[Reggie]

April 1st. April 1st. April's Day.

[Kennedy]

So you're telling me we have Fearless, the Conditions of Will. Great Big Beautiful Life. Say you'll remember me.

[Michaela]

Yes.

[Reggie]

That is all that 4 of probably my 10 most come out in like the same week.

[Kennedy]

Well, Conditions of will is April 1st. Say you'll remember me is April 5th. Fearless is April 8th.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And what is Great Big Beautiful Life? Oh, I think it's April.

[Reggie]

April 22nd.

[Kennedy]

Oh, okay. Emily, Henry gave us a few weeks.

[Reggie]

Oh my gosh, my anticipation. Killing me.

[Kennedy]

No joke. Out of my top 10 most anticipated reads for next year, those are probably four. Four of the 10 are being released in April.

[Michaela]

Yeah. That's crazy.

[Reggie]

It's insane.

[Kennedy]

You're right. There must be something in publishing with April.

[Michaela]

I swear I heard someone say something. Well, actually, I think it was in a book. Like she was an author and she was talking about April being a big month for like a release date.

[Kennedy]

And here's the thing about the Conditions of Will. I'm really interested to see the tone and the vibe of it. Yes. Because I think it's a standalone.

[Michaela]

Is it? I. I have no idea what it's about and I kind of want to keep it that way.

[Reggie]

Conditions of Will?

[Michaela]

Yeah, it's about a detective.

[Reggie]

I know what it's about. From what I've. Like, I gathered a few things about it's about, but I still don't know what it's about.

[Kennedy]

I'm just gonna go in blind, you know?

[Reggie]

Okay, but listen to this. I googled why are there so many books released in April? This is the AI overview Okay.

[Michaela]

Okay.

[Reggie]

So just take it with a grain of salt. It says many books are released in April because it marks the start of spring, a time when people are generally more inclined to read. With warmer weather approaching, often leading to increased leisure time, vacation plans, and a desire for lighter, uplifting content, making it a prime publishing window for authors to reach a wider audience.

[Michaela]

That makes sense. Yeah.

[Reggie]

Also for post tax season, people may feel more financially comfortable to purchase new books.

[Michaela]

Yeah, yeah.

[Reggie]

There's got to be some sort of book con type thing we can go to in April. The list, the events. The list does not end.

[Kennedy]

So we've got to prepare a little bit better for the 20 for this year. We gotta go to some events, meet some authors in person. That is my goal.

[Reggie]

We're just going hard on.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, we're going to go hard. Dang. I'm so excited for April now, literally, you guys, let's take all of April off.

[Michaela]

Okay?

[Kennedy]

No work. No work.

[Michaela]

No work.

[Kennedy]

No weddings.

[Reggie]

Maybe we don't even take a girls trip. We literally just.

[Michaela]

We girls trip.

[Reggie]

Lock ourselves in while reading those books.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Wow. O. I love April.

[Reggie]

We have so many ideas over here.

[Michaela]

We're all going to talk about this. The Night in Moth.

[Reggie]

Oh, yeah, that's in February.

[Kennedy]

Rachel Gillig. Right.

[Michaela]

In May.

[Kennedy]

You're talking Rachel Gillig's new book. Yes.

[Reggie]

Oh, oh, sorry. I was thinking the Rebel Witch. Rebel Witch.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

My bad.

[Kennedy]

I don't know what it's about.

[Michaela]

I don't either, but I like to keep it out.

[Kennedy]

But here's the thing. After One Dark Window.

[Michaela]

Oh yeah.

[Kennedy]

I. She has solidified herself as an auto by author for me. And also I feel like she's been circulating a lot more on TikTok as of late. Kind of just, you know, know as an author. And I really think she's awesome.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Yeah. I'm really excited.

[Kennedy]

I hope it's a duology.

[Michaela]

The COVID is beautiful.

[Kennedy]

Her covers are amazing.

[Michaela]

I. It makes it just like. It's very eye catching. Yeah. It makes it. I don't know. I'm like so curious.

[Reggie]

Okay, let me read. This isn't about the book.

[Kennedy]

Okay.

[Reggie]

This is just the cult on the book.

[Michaela]

Okay. Okay.

[Reggie]

It says as dangerous as it is whimsical and entirely unput downable.

[Kennedy]

Oh, yeah.

[Reggie]

Oh my heck.

[Kennedy]

Keep up. That's a perfect way to describe her writing. Yes. Dangerous yet whimsical. Yes. Whoever wrote that blurb for that book hit it right on the nose.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Allison Saft. I don't know who that is. Should I know who that is.

[Kennedy]

I don't know who that is. But you know what? She hit it right on the nail. I'm very excited for that one.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Yep.

[Kennedy]

And you said it releases May. May, May 8th. Is that what you said?

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Oh, this says May 20th.

[Michaela]

Oh, May 20th. Sorry, I may be getting confused with all the dates we've been shouting out.

[Kennedy]

Honestly, I did look at that one.

[Michaela]

Because I was wondering if that one was coming in April, too.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

But I did say that may need.

[Reggie]

To be a book club book.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Not to like.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Plan it ahead. It probably.

[Reggie]

What's our April book club book gonna be?

[Kennedy]

Okay. But here's the thing. I need something good in February. February. I need. Oh, I need a release in February.

[Reggie]

I got you one.

[Michaela]

Because you might not like it. What?

[Reggie]

Because I like the February one.

[Michaela]

Rebel Witch.

[Kennedy]

Oh, hey, hey, hey, hey. I am excited for it. Is it on my top 10? No. But am I still gonna read it? Am I excited for it? Yes, because it's gonna be good. Yeah. I feel like I will like it more than Crimson Moth.

[Michaela]

What is it actually called?

[Kennedy]

There's two names for it.

[Reggie]

Heartless Hunter.

[Michaela]

Heartless Hunter.

[Kennedy]

Both. I think I will like it more than Heartless Hunter.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

So if you haven't read Heartless Hunter, you can go read that one before the book comes out next month. Book number two, Rebel Witch.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I'm excited. Is there only going to be two books? It's a duology.

[Michaela]

I think it is. I love duologies.

[Reggie]

Same. Give me more.

[Michaela]

There needs to be more of them. Or at least a trilogy.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Nothing more.

[Kennedy]

But sometimes I feel like with trilogies, they could cut the middle book.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And put it at the end of the first and the beginning of the second.

[Reggie]

Yeah, that's fair.

[Kennedy]

Or the third. I mean. But yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah, I'm looking forward to that one. I've seen one person get an arc for it that has read it. Jordan Fisher. Oh, he's already read it. He read it like two months ago.

[Michaela]

I'm so upset.

[Reggie]

So I'm looking forward.

[Michaela]

Just kidding. I'm. That's awesome.

[Kennedy]

For him, I mean. But Jordan Fisher is Jordan Fisher, so.

[Michaela]

That's true.

[Reggie]

I actually might subscribe. He has, like, exclusive book content on his tick tock. You can subscribe to him. I'm actually tempted because he hasn't been posting very many tick tocks recently. I'm like, that's kind of frustrating, to be honest.

[Kennedy]

I think. I think that'll be. Wait, what's it called? What's the second one? Rebel Witch.

[Michaela]

Rebel Witch.

[Kennedy]

I think that'll be a very good end to the duology.

[Michaela]

I'm the. The title kind of bugs me, but I. It will still be good. Like, I understand why they titled that, but it seems like.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, very, like Rebel Witch. Yeah.

[Michaela]

I don't know. Can we not use any other verbiage for it? Okay. Anyways, I think that was all that you guys might have. Okay. Also, I. This isn't a book release. I just want an update from SJM on anything. Yeah, I know she's not going to release a book in 2025, but I @ least just want an update or a release date for something. Yeah, that was on my list.

[Reggie]

We've got to have at least an update next year.

[Michaela]

But if you think about it, we got House of Flame and Shadow. January. Or is it February?

[Reggie]

It was January last year.

[Michaela]

January. And we haven't heard anything since.

[Kennedy]

Maybe she's really trying to cook something up because she saw the reaction to House and Flame and Shadow and she's like, I'm gonna really cook with this book. I'm gonna let it marinate, get all the juices, you know, I don't know. Feed her readers.

[Reggie]

I'm actually so terrified, you guys. Like, I'm so scared about it.

[Kennedy]

It's either that or she's creating this epic. She's either taking her time because she doesn't want to disappoint people, or she's taking her time because she is weaving and gonna make this epic thing.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

And that's all I want to say because I don't want to, like, spoil anything for anyone.

[Michaela]

I just at least want an update, you know?

[Reggie]

Yeah. If anyone has any, like, connections, can, like, slip us some info.

[Kennedy]

You know, her agent, if you know her address, I will fly in.

[Michaela]

Knock on.

[Kennedy]

I'm just kidding.

[Michaela]

I'm just kidding. Yeah, that's a. That's a. Not a book release that I'm excited for. It's just a must have in 2025 for me. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Which I guess I can speak my piece about something that I'm gonna say. These two aren't gonna say anything, but I need an update from Pierce Brown. Yeah, he does on Goodreads, say that Red God is being released in 2025. Here's the crazy thing, you guys. So I'm sorry. I'm gonna nerd out for two seconds. Pierce Brown wrote in between Dark Age and Lightbringer. It took him four years. Four years to publish the book. And on his press tour for Lightbringer, he Promised that it was not going to take as long. Lightbringer was published in 2022, I believe. So it's been two years. Let me just double check. Three. Yeah, in 2025, it will have been three years. Let me just double check. So I'm making sure I'm not making things up.

[Reggie]

I also need Pen Cole to give a really safer freaking.

[Kennedy]

Okay, so Lightbringer was published in 2023, so it will have been two years probably once we get Red God. But he has given nothing. No updates, nothing. He's a ghost on social media. All his bio says is BRB with book seven. Sir, that's not enough for me. I need it right now, so. But I'm. I'm. I am optimistic that it will come out in 2025.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Maybe like, later.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, Yeah, I would be fine. I would be fine with like the end of the year, end of 2025. And I'm gonna work my tail off to get an ARC of that book.

[Reggie]

So once again, if anyone has any connections.

[Kennedy]

If anyone has any connections, knows his.

[Michaela]

Mom, his grandma, sister, please, friends let us know. Acquaintances. Has his phone number, was his school.

[Kennedy]

Teacher in first grade.

[Michaela]

I'm curious if you guys know the answer to this. You guys might not. We might have to do some research. When do people usually announce the release of their books? Like, how far in advance? Because House of Flame and Shadow. When did she announce when that was coming out?

[Kennedy]

I feel like I knew about it.

[Michaela]

A year in advance.

[Kennedy]

It probably also just depends on, like, deadlines of the publisher for when they have their. When their drafts are due, I would assume, but I'm not sure. This is why we need.

[Reggie]

We.

[Kennedy]

We need to. We need to interview someone and just ask. We need to interview, like, a publisher or an agent and just ask them all these questions.

[Michaela]

Okay, so House of Flaming Shadow was announced in March 2023 by our publisher.

[Kennedy]

So about eight months. No, seven. Six.

[Michaela]

Ten. Ten. Because it came out January 2024. Right. Am I doing the maths right on that?

[Kennedy]

About.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Nine or ten months.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Because March is the third month of the year.

[Michaela]

Twelve months later. Well, so ten. Ten. Ish. Yeah. Ten. Nine.

[Reggie]

So that means that we better be getting a announcement for Actar 6 within the next three months if we're on.

[Michaela]

The same do in January. Because I feel like a lot of fantasy books do January.

[Reggie]

So help me if it's January 2026. I mean, it must be. But, like, I don't know.

[Michaela]

That's crazy.

[Kennedy]

Not that you guys care, but I guess Pierce Brown is a July guy.

[Michaela]

So. He's a July guy.

[Kennedy]

Well, just kidding. That one was January. Last one was July. He doesn't care. He doesn't give a rep. He just publishes when he does it, when he wants.

[Reggie]

Jasper's gonna kill it in his books out of a hat. So, I mean, he's probably just gonna pull out a piece of paper that's like, when am I gonna release Red? God, we're gonna wait another seven months.

[Michaela]

Okay, okay. What else is on your guys list?

[Kennedy]

Let's see. I have some of these are maybe not ones like I'm like, foaming at the mouth for. Cause I think I've settled the ones I'm foaming at the mouth for. They're just books that I think I'm going to really enjoy for next year and ones that maybe these two wouldn't mention just so we can diversify our recommendations or what we talk about. One that I am pretty excited for is Gifted and Talented by Olivie Blake. I've read one for My Enemy and Masters of Death by her. And I just really. I have to be in the mood for her writing. But there's just something really unique and different about her stories. And I love that she has these really flowery. She has a really flowery writing style, but there's fantasy. I want to say that when I was kind of reading the description for this book, it's about a telekinetic, so there's some telekinesis. I could be wrong. I don't really remember, but I think it'll be good. I don't know what month or what day it's being released, but if you're an Olive V. Blake fan, you are being fed this year.

[Michaela]

Being absolutely fed.

[Reggie]

Nice, I'm gonna say, because this is an auto by author for me, Holly Jackson.

[Michaela]

Oh.

[Reggie]

She has a new book coming out in July called Not Quite Dead Yet.

[Kennedy]

Does that have to do with A.

[Reggie]

Good Girl's Guide to Murder?

[Kennedy]

I.

[Reggie]

Wait, I don't think it does.

[Kennedy]

That's interesting because it's literally. Yeah.

[Reggie]

Because like, the last book's as good as dead.

[Michaela]

Yeah, that one's not quite Dead.

[Reggie]

It doesn't say. It's in a series. So. Yeah, it's about a totally new character, Jet Mason.

[Michaela]

Jet.

[Kennedy]

You want to know what? I honestly wouldn't mind a little novella of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder after the third book. Yeah, just like a tiny little novella, you know?

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I just always enjoy her. Her books, so I'm excited to see what this one's going to be about? Yeah. Yeah, that's fun, but, yeah, it's not.

[Michaela]

Is it a male main character?

[Reggie]

I'm guessing no.

[Michaela]

Jet is a girl.

[Reggie]

Jet is a girl. She is the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Woodstock, Vermont.

[Michaela]

Oh, that's kind of a cool name.

[Reggie]

I wonder if. And the girl in the story is 27 years old, so it's not like a younger girl.

[Kennedy]

Is it an adult thriller?

[Michaela]

It has to be because she's an adult. Yeah, because they do it by age of characters in books. Does it matter about the content in it? Oh, that's why binding 13 is young adults.

[Reggie]

And it sounds really interesting.

[Kennedy]

Oh, I didn't know that. That's silly.

[Michaela]

Isn't that funny?

[Reggie]

Basically, this girl's trying to solve her own murder, so that's all I'll say about it. Okay.

[Kennedy]

I'm now intrigued. Maybe.

[Michaela]

Oh, so maybe the murderer thought she was dead, but she's not quite dead.

[Kennedy]

She's not quite dead yet. Yeah.

[Reggie]

So I always enjoy her books, so I'm excited about that one.

[Michaela]

Okay, that sounds.

[Reggie]

And we'll also be getting season two of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, which. Can we also just. Can. Can we just put this out there? Okay. Our apologies. Okay. When we talked about Girls Girl's Guide to Murder TV series in one of our episodes, I think it was our TV adaptation one, we were, like, feeling disappointed that in this season one, and this is not a spoiler, there was no mention of, like, the podcast she starts. Apparently that's in book two and not in book one. And we had just. It had been a long time since we had read the book, and we should have gotten our facts straight beforehand. But our sincerest apologies.

[Michaela]

I swear it started in book one.

[Reggie]

I swear it did, too.

[Kennedy]

So.

[Reggie]

But, you know, it had been such a long time since I read the book and.

[Michaela]

Yeah, I apologize. We were wrong. Yeah, we're not afraid to admit when we were wrong.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

So I'm a tad embarrassed.

[Reggie]

But, yeah. So our apologies. But looking forward to watching season two and reading a new book by Holly Jackson.

[Michaela]

So I love that. For one that I am very excited about is Big Borrow and Steal by Sarah Adams.

[Kennedy]

Oh, I saw that.

[Michaela]

It's a third book in a romance series.

[Kennedy]

Which series is it?

[Michaela]

One in Rome.

[Kennedy]

Oh, I still need to read that.

[Michaela]

And I'm very excited about it. So.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

You know, I actually really enjoy Sarah Adams.

[Kennedy]

She's just so wholesome.

[Michaela]

I think I've read almost all of her books.

[Reggie]

I Want to read more? I've only read she's the Cheat Sheet.

[Kennedy]

She's got good banter. It's just sweet. It's wholesome. They're mostly closed door. I think the last one I read had one scene.

[Michaela]

Yeah. Yeah. She's a great author, so I'm excited about that one. I just love interconnected romance series. They're just so fun because you get completely new characters, but you've seen them in the other books and just.

[Kennedy]

You just feel like, you know.

[Michaela]

Yes, I love so.

[Kennedy]

Me too. Me too. Keeping on the romance train. Summer in the City by Alex Aster. Now hear me out. I DNF'd the light lark series, but Alex really writes great banter. I really enjoyed the banter. I enjoyed the interactions between her female main character and the male main characters. So I feel like she could write a really great romance novel. Also, it's based. I'm pretty sure it's based in New York in the summer. Love that setting. Yeah, I'm here for that.

[Michaela]

I love it.

[Kennedy]

I also love that she went from writing a fantasy series to a romance series. You don't really see that a lot, I feel like. And so it'll be interesting just to see how her writing is in a romance novel. I would love to see some of, like, our most favorite fantasy authors write romance and our romance authors write fantasy. Do a little genre switch up. I think that would be fun.

[Michaela]

Would be so interesting.

[Kennedy]

Imagine an Abby Jimenez fantasy book.

[Michaela]

I tried, like, I don't know how.

[Kennedy]

It would work, but. Yeah.

[Reggie]

Or like Lauren Roberts. Right. Just a romance, you know.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Reggie]

I don't know. Well, speaking of. Well, sorry, we were. A fantasy book. Let's talk about a fantasy book coming out that we haven't talked about yet. And it's coming out in October. The Ballad of Falling Dragons. Oh, number two. When the Moon Hatched. And let me tell you, I forgot about that one. I really did enjoy when the Moon Hatched. But when I tell you that, like, I'm gonna need. I don't really want to reread the book, but I'm gonna need someone to put out YouTube video going over everything that happened in the first book because I'm looking forward to the second one. But yeah, I don't know if I can read. And the Moon Hatched Again, because it just was really.

[Michaela]

I'm hoping that she has callbacks.

[Reggie]

Meaning, like, reminds us.

[Michaela]

Reminds you a little bit. Because I feel like there's some authors that are really good at blah, blah, blah. The Prince of Something, you know, like.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

Like, it reminds you of, like, who the character is or, like, you know, I don't know. I'm hoping there's a little bit of, like, information again, since it has been so long. Yeah. Or.

[Kennedy]

Part of me wonders why more fantasy authors don't do one of two things. One, give us, like, a quick one, like an epilogue or something of just kind of summarizing the things we need to know in the book or even on a website. Or two, I feel like she might do this because I feel like she's the type of author have a glossary at the beginning with all of the characters and the things we need to remember about them. I've had a few books that I've.

[Michaela]

Read where, like, adding on to the character.

[Kennedy]

Yes. Like, you say their name and then you say a few facts that we need to know where they're from.

[Reggie]

What's power.

[Kennedy]

Yes. That kind of stuff. I feel like that really helps. And also to be able to flip back and forth in the book when a name comes that you don't remember to be like, who is this person? Again, you flip and you're like, oh, yeah, that's right. I just find that extremely helpful. So maybe she'll do that. She did have a big freaking glossary, so, yeah, it would surprise me if she doesn't.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

That was a lot. That's a good one. I'm excited about that one.

[Reggie]

Me, too.

[Kennedy]

I forgot about it. Give us another one.

[Reggie]

Here's one that I thought you guys would talk about because you've read most of the books by this author. I feel like Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil. Do you know who's putting that out? V. E. Schwab.

[Kennedy]

Oh, yeah.

[Reggie]

Yeah. I don't know what it's about, but, yeah, it looks like it's a standalone.

[Kennedy]

Okay. I could get down with a standalone by V. Schwab.

[Reggie]

I like the title. Based off the title, I want to read it. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil. So that sounds cool.

[Kennedy]

Who's our problem?

[Reggie]

We're also.

[Kennedy]

Does it say who her publisher is?

[Reggie]

Oh, I just deleted the screenshot. I don't know, but we should look into who it is. Did you guys have any more?

[Michaela]

No.

[Reggie]

I could rapid fire these or. I don't know how to talk about them. One book I actually do want to bring up. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.

[Michaela]

See, I wasn't excited about that.

[Reggie]

Here's the thing, though. I didn't. I feel bad that I didn't read A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

[Kennedy]

Don't.

[Michaela]

Oh, that was rude.

[Reggie]

I'm sorry. I really loved the Hunger Games when those first came out, like, so much. I didn't have much of a desire to read Songbird and Snakes, so I didn't. However, I'm actually really excited about this book because of the story of Haymitch. And even though I kind of like, we already know what kind of happens a little bit in his season of the Hunger Games, his story is so epic. Like, it is so epic that I'm like, really looking forward to seeing what it's about. However, I have, like, conflicting feelings about it because it also kind of feels like it's just a cash grab. Yeah, that's how I got the movie coming out. So that's the thing is I'm like, I'm looking forward to putting myself back in that, like, world. And I like Haymitch's character a lot and his whole background and everything. So I'm intrigued by it. But I'm also like, is it going to disappoint me? Because it kind of feels like because they already. The book hasn't even come out and they already have casted.

[Kennedy]

Here.

[Reggie]

Mike Vice.

[Michaela]

Mike Vice.

[Reggie]

I'm excited.

[Michaela]

I actually didn't picture him at all as Haymitch.

[Kennedy]

I don't know who I pictured at all as Haymitch. Here's what I kind of wish. Maybe this is a weird take. I just wish they would have done movies and not done books. Because my thought, I still have not seen the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. I read the book. The book was very.

[Michaela]

Eh.

[Kennedy]

But I've heard a lot of people really like Michaela. Did you enjoy the movie more than the book?

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I wish they would just would have made them books still had Suzanne, you know, be the writer of the movies and being very heavily involved in the project. I just don't think it needs to be a book and a movie that's released literally within weeks, a month of each other.

[Michaela]

I think, like, the same.

[Kennedy]

I just genuinely wish, like I said, they just did movies, not books.

[Reggie]

Well, it's also that's coming out in 2026. The movie November.

[Michaela]

Okay. I just have a hard time when, like, they've already had a cast and like. Yeah, it's just hard when they have a cast release date for the movie. It just shows that it was written for the movie first.

[Kennedy]

So it's going to translate a lot better for a movie than it will book.

[Michaela]

Yes.

[Reggie]

I think.

[Michaela]

Yeah. I don't know. I Think. I think it will still be good. It just wasn't necessarily one I was very excited for.

[Kennedy]

I'm excited for the movie, the book.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

I heard her writing does feel very young.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. But yet, like, because it is.

[Michaela]

It is like, young adult, so.

[Reggie]

Yeah, it's like one of those things where it's like, you wish that the book would have just come out along.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Reggie]

And then be getting the movies. It would feel a little more exciting.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

But I don't know, maybe it's because I just kind of feel bad that I missed out on those Ballad of Songbirds. And I know people are saying, like, oh, you didn't miss out on much, but, like, I truly love those books so much. When I was a teenager, a kid, whenever those came out. And so I think I'm more just like, not, like, super excited about it. I'm just really intrigued by it. Imagine it's going to be talked about a lot. So.

[Michaela]

Yeah, definitely.

[Kennedy]

Imagine being able to introduce your kids to the Hunger Games, but then they also get to have those books. I think that will be a cool experience for, like, our kids to be able to have them.

[Michaela]

You know, actually I'm curious how you feel about those. Having the kids. Having kids. Because my parents did not want me to go see those books. I mean, like, the movies. Yeah.

[Reggie]

I was in. Hold on, Alexa, what year did the Hunger Games book come out?

[Michaela]

I think it was 2012. Oh, the book. The movie came out in 2012.

[Reggie]

Yeah, but I read. Yeah, yeah. So I remember going to see it, but I feel like I had read the books, like, before then, so 2012. I was. Hold. Was I in 2012?

[Kennedy]

You were a sophomore?

[Reggie]

I was a sophomore in high school, so, yeah, I read them in, like, junior high.

[Michaela]

I read them when I was 10 or 11.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Like, I was, like, 13, 14 when I read them. What's funny is that, like, I was really nervous to read them based off what they were about. Like, I was like, this is weird. But I knew it was for kids in a sense. I read it, loved it. Then my mom read it. She was like, what are you reading? And then my mom actually really liked it and went to the release movie with me.

[Kennedy]

My parents didn't read it, but they.

[Michaela]

The concept is. Oh, the concept is so, you know, like.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, but you gotta think you were 10. Yeah, we were, like, 14, 15.

[Michaela]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So that is such a huge jump. Yeah. By the time the movies came out, my mom was like, yeah, sure, go see hunger games. You're 15 years old. Yeah, yeah. But a 10 year old, that's a big reading.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Michaela]

My dad took me to the midnight release party.

[Kennedy]

Stop it. Yeah, you want to take your dad to the midnight release party of Haymitch's movie?

[Michaela]

He would fall asleep. He would not stay away.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Anyways, I mean there's more books we can talk about. Like we're getting more Taylor Jenkins Reid, more Carly Fortune, Riley Sager, Ashley Poston.

[Kennedy]

Yes, there's lots. Yeah.

[Reggie]

It's going to be a good year for books if you can't already tell April specifically. Yeah. Everyone just request all your time off this year for April. Yeah, just kidding. But yeah, we're looking forward to it and it's great. I just don't know where to begin.

[Michaela]

I am really also excited for all of the books that we're going to hear about in 2025 and also I'm curious what books are going to become popular on BookTok because I feel like all of the books that we just talked about are already like popular authors. Auto buy authors for so many people. So I'm curious what books are going to like pop up on TikTok that are going to kind of like. Because I feel like for this week.

[Reggie]

Talk going to get banned though there might not be books.

[Michaela]

I highly, honestly doubt it, honestly.

[Kennedy]

But this, I mean we don't have to talk about this but think about just the impact on the publishing industry it would have because think about how many authors and books you've heard about because of Tick Tock.

[Michaela]

Well, it was. I feel like a lot of people don't know who Rebecca yaris was until 4th wing and it like blew up. So I'm curious what books we're gonna like.

[Kennedy]

Who's gonna be the next up and coming author for 2025. Yeah. Yeah.

[Michaela]

Cuz there was Lauren Roberts, you know, the spark of the penol, Rachel Gillig, you know, so many. So many. So I'm excited and I hope that there's a lot of really successful. It's really successful for a lot of authors because I think reading is just such a big phenomenon right now, which is so fun. I truly. It just makes life so fun.

[Reggie]

It does.

[Michaela]

Awesome. Well, I hope you guys had the best new year and I hope you guys set some great reading goals. I know we have some and we'll be doing an episode for our goals.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, right.

[Reggie]

Are we sure?

[Michaela]

I think we should.

[Kennedy]

Our goals, our resolutions.

[Michaela]

Yes. So we will see you guys next week.

[Kennedy]

Bye.