So you resolved that 2021 would be the year you finally reach your reading goals [1], eh? How's it going? You've got plenty of time left, and the amount of great new books you could be cracking into is practically endless. If you find that fact more overwhelming than comforting, then allow us to narrow down the list a bit. We've compiled our 45 favourite new releases from January and February, and we'll be adding to it every month. (On that note, we have high hopes for these March releases [2]!) So whether you're into thrillers [3], romance [4], YA novels [5], or anything in between — you'll find something great in here.
And hey, if you don't see your favourite new book of 2021 in here, let us know! We're always in search of a good new title, too.
— Additional reporting by Sabienna Bowman
Better Luck Next Time by Julia Claiborne Johnson
Set at a 1930s dude ranch in the so-called "divorce capital of the world" — Reno, NV, Better Luck Next Time [6] by Julia Claiborne Johnson is a funny tale of friendship and second chances. In 1938, women seeking a quick divorce head to the ranch in Reno where they spend six weeks to fulfil Nevada's resident requirement before they can secure their independence, and while the ranch's resident cowboy thinks he knows exactly how all of the guests operate, two women are about to upturn all of his expectations.
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour
When 22-year-old Darren becomes the only Black person at a cult-like tech startup, he quickly rises through the ranks to become one of the most ruthless salesmen around. However, Black Buck [7] by Mateo Askaripour is anything but predictable, and it's not long before Darren is using his talents to help other young people of colour enter the upper echelons of corporate America.
Nick by Michael Farris Smith
The Great Gatsby narrator Nick Carraway finally becomes the star of his own story in Michael Farris Smith's Nick [8]. The book follows Nick as he avoids returning home in the wake of World War I and instead travels to Paris where he embarks on his own doomed love story.
Outlawed by Anna North
Outlawed [9] by Anna North is a new kind of western that puts women right at the centre of the narrative. At the age of 17, Ada flees her home in fear of being declared a witch after she's unable to become pregnant within her first year of marriage. Now on the run, she joins up with a group of women outcasts and outlaws who are hatching a wild plan that might end in bloodshed.
Persephone Station by Stina Leicht
Listen up The Mandalorian [10] fans, because Persephone Station [11] by Stina Leicht might just get you through the long wait for season three. Persephone Station isn't the kind of planet respectable folks inhabit, and its local watering hole, Monk's Bar, is even less hospitable. But it's there that the bar's owner, Rosie, hires ex-marine Angel to do a dangerous job for her that could kick off a deadly dispute with the Serrao-Orlov Corporation.
The Prophets by Robert Jones, Jr.
The Prophets [12] by Robert Jones, Jr. is a searing love story set against the backdrop of a southern plantation where two young slaves, Isaiah and Samuel, find love and comfort together. However, when one of their fellow slaves begins preaching on the plantation, the others begin to see Isaiah and Samuel's relationship as a sinful threat.
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
Jane Eyre gets a 21st Century update in The Wife Upstairs [13] by Rachel Hawkins. In this reimagining, Jane is a dog walker who falls in love with the broody and incredibly wealthy Eddie Rochester. The only trouble is Eddie's first wife died under mysterious circumstances, and no matter how hard Jane tries, she can't seem to escape the woman's shadow.
Aftershocks by Nadia Owusu
Nadia Owusu's memoir Aftershocks [14] is an exploration of the author's turbulent childhood, as well as her search to establish her own identity in New York City as a young adult. From the loss of her father to her struggle to care for her siblings, Owusu's book is a powerful tale of racial identity and finding her voice through writing.
Bravey by Alexi Pappas
Olympian, filmmaker, and actress Alexi Pappas shares everything from her struggle with depression to her drive to pursue a multitude of dreams in her stirring memoir Bravey [15]. Despite its sometimes heavy subject matter, Pappas's Bravey will make you laugh, while also inspiring readers to reject the limitations society seeks to impose on us.
The Charmed Wife by Olga Grushin
Ever wanted to read a book where Cinderella asks a witch to make a potion that will kill Prince Charming 13 years into their supposedly fairytale marriage? Then The Charmed Wife [16] by Olga Grushin is the wickedly inventive story you've been waiting for.
The Frozen Crown by Greta Kelly
The Frozen Crown [17] by Greta Kelly is the first book in an epic fantasy duology about a princess who heads to a foreign court to seek help for her country. But Askia's arrival in the opulent land of Vishir only highlights how ill-equipped she is to navigate a world of treacherous court politics and tenuous political alliances.
The House on Vesper Sands by Paraic O'Donnell
Victorian London roars to life in Paraic O'Donnell's The House on Vesper Sands [18]. This twisty mystery begins with a seamstress jumping out of a window, which in turn sparks an inspector, a journalist, and a lovelorn student to embark on an investigation that will take them into the city's darkest corners.
The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly
Spanning three eras and the stories of five different women, The Last Garden in England [19] by Julia Kelly tells the remarkable story of the gardens at Highbury House estate. Despite being separated by time itself, each woman in the story is connected to the others through the gardens and the secrets that lie within them.
The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner
Sharply funny and endlessly creative, The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry [20] by C.M. Waggoner is a fantasy romp with romance, adventure, and even a conspiracy to unravel. Dellaria Wells is a down-on-her-luck fire witch who takes on what she believes will be the easy job of protecting a wealthy client from assassins. However, her no-sweat gig quickly turns dangerous, but on the upside she finds herself smitten with one of her fellow protectors, Winn Cynallum.
Siri, Who Am I? by Sam Tschida
What would your life look like if you had to piece together your story using nothing but your social media accounts? That's the horrifying predicament Mia finds herself in after an accident leaves her suffering from amnesia in Sam Tschida's biting satire for the internet age Siri, Who Am I? [21].
Waiting For the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton
Forestry researcher Cadie Kessler is called home to face a long-buried secret in Waiting For the Night Song [22] by Julie Carrick Dalton. For decades, Cadie has been trying to forget the events of one night that left the innocence of her childhood shattered and brought her friendship with Daniela Garcia to an end. Now, she has no choice but to return home to save the land she loves and finally deal with the ghosts of her past.
The Divines by Ellie Eaton
The Divines [23] by Ellie Eaton explores the dark side of adolescence as a woman named Josephine delves into her past at an all-girls boarding school in England. Now in her 30s, Josephine hasn't spoken to any of her classmates since the school closed after a shocking act of violence. But after she returns to the school, she begins to remember the chain of events that led to it shutting its doors — and the role she played in the tragedy she would rather forget.
The Rib King by Ladee Hubbard
Ladee Hubbard's The Rib King [24] is a historical novel that boldly explores America's exploitation of Black culture and the use of Black stereotypes to sell products to white America. The story follows the Black servants of the Barclays, a white family whose wealth is fading fast. In an attempt to revive their fortunes, the family sells their talented cook's barbeque sauce to a local store with an exaggerated portrait of groundskeeper August Sitwell on the bottle. However, neither August nor the cook will see a dime of the money, a reality that sets in motion a tragic course of events.
Bride of the Sea by Eman Quotah
Eman Quotah's Bride of the Sea [25] is the story of a young woman caught between cultures and her parents. After her parents' divorce, Hanadi's mother disappears with her, leaving her father to search for his missing child for years. Once Hanadi is old enough to know the truth, she must reckon not only with the choices her parents made, but what they mean for her and her future.
Chatter by Ethan Kross
Through meticulous research, psychologist Ethan Kross has written Chatter [26], a book that tackles the science behind negative self-talk and teaches readers how to harness their inner voice for good. This nonfiction ode to not only listening to your inner voice, but also training it to stop being so hypercritical is the perfect read to kick off a new year.
Everybody Else Is Perfect by Gabrielle Korn
No topic is off limits in Gabrielle Korn's collection of essays Everybody Else Is Perfect [27]. From her experience coming out in the age of The L Word to her struggles with anorexia, the former editor-in-chief of Nylon's essays are an honest exploration of what it's like to be a successful woman in a world driven by the desire to attain social media perfection.
100 Boyfriends by Brontez Purnell
100 Boyfriends [28] by Brontez Purnell is an astonishing collection of short stories that explore the varied experiences of Black queer men with a unique mix of electrifying humour and aching humanity. Expect to devour this one in a single sitting — it's just that good.
Annie and the Wolves by Andromeda Romano-Lax
A historian's obsession with Annie Oakley could cost her everything in Andromeda Romano-Lax's Annie and the Wolves [29]. Ruth McClintock devotes her career to delving into the secrets of Oakley's past, but the deeper she digs, the more the line between her life and the sharpshooter's begins to blur.
Dear Kamala: Women Write to the New Vice President edited by Peggy Brooks-Bertram
As the first woman of colour elected as Vice President, Kamala Harris [30] has already made history, and in the process, she's inspiring women the world over. Now Peggy Brooks-Bertram has edited together Dear Kamala: Women Write to the New Vice President [31], a collection of letters from women congratulating Harris and sharing their own stories and struggles with the VP.
Do Better: Spiritual Activism for Fighting and Healing from White Supremacy by Rachel Ricketts
Rachel Ricketts's Do Better: Spiritual Activism for Fighting and Healing from White Supremacy [32] is an invaluable book for anyone looking to further their antiracist education. The author not only addresses the intersection between secular spiritualism and antiracism, she offers practical exercises designed to help readers do the soul-searching necessary to tackle internalized racism head on.
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
If you love thrillers, but wish the genre would lighten up a little then you absolutely must read Finlay Donovan Is Killing It [33] by Elle Cosimano. Finley is a single mother who is struggling to turn her latest book in on time when a misunderstanding leads to her being mistaken for a contract killer. Now, she has to balance her deadline with motherhood and her confusing new life of crime.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Bestselling author Kristin Hannah is back with a new emotional epic, The Four Winds [34]. This time, Hannah is transporting readers to the Dust Bowl era, where a woman named Elsa Wolcott struggles to keep her family afloat as the United States spirals into a devastating depression.
I am The Rage by Dr. Martina McGowan
Dr. Martina McGowan wrote the entirety of I Am The Rage [35] during 2020. As a result, her poems are a raw and searing examination of America's reckoning with racism. Each one of her poems challenges readers to reflect on the events of not only this past year, but on America's shameful and destructive legacy of white supremacy.
The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson
Racial tensions in a small Indiana town come to a head in Nancy Johnson's The Kindest Lie [36]. The story follows Ruth, a woman who can't fully move forward with her life until she confronts her past, as she returns home and befriends a young white boy who feels just as lost as she does. Read our full review of the book here [37].
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder
A 24-year-old woman named Ruth is following in her mother's dangerous calorie-counting footsteps at the start of Milk Fed [38] by Melissa Broder. But when Ruth's therapist suggests she take a break from communicating with her mother, she finds solace in a frozen yoghurt shop owner who wants to feed not only her body, but also her soul.
My Year Abroad by Chang-rae Lee
Chang-rae Lee's latest novel, My Year Abroad [39], may also be his best to date. The story follows Tiller, a young American with little ambition, whose entire life is changed by a Chinese American entrepreneur named Pong Lou. Not long after they meet, Pong and Tiller embark on a tour across Asia that opens Tiller's eyes to the world around him.
The Removed by Brandon Hobson
The Removed [40] by Brandon Hobson is a story grounded in Cherokee history that zeroes in on the emotional journey of a family left reeling after the death of their son, Ray-Ray. As the anniversary of Ray-Ray's death approaches, the family's matriarch Maria becomes determined to bring her family together once more, but as the day approaches, Ray-Ray's parents and siblings begin to feel torn between the real world and the spiritual one.
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Everina Maxwell's space opera Winter's Orbit [41] is as romantic as it is suspenseful. When Prince Kiem's grandfather forces him to marry Count Jainan, who recently lost his husband in a suspected political murder, he finds himself in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy with a man he can't help but fall for.
Ladies of the House by Lauren Edmondson
Lauren Edmondson's delightful debut Ladies of the House [42] is a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility that transports the action to Georgetown. After her father's unexpected death in the midst of a scandal, Daisy struggles to keep her family together even as her oldest friend prepares an exposé on her father's life.
The Love Proof by Madeleine Henry
Fans of The Time Traveller's Wife will be blown away by Madeleine Henry's The Love Proof [43]. Told across decades, the book tells the story of physicist Sophie Jones's quest to prove true love not only exists, but that soulmates will find each other in every iteration of reality.
Unfinished by Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Priyanka Chopra Jonas shares the remarkable story of her life so far in the aptly named memoir Unfinished [44]. From her childhood in India to her career as a Bollywood star, Chopra Jonas leaves no stone unturned in this moving examination of her personal life and the strange realities of being famous.
The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
Norse mythology gets a progressive update in Genevieve Gornichec's debut The Witch's Heart [45]. This grand tale focuses on a witch who angers the gods when she falls in love with Loki, only to discover that the fates of her three children are entangled with the future of the world itself.
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas's bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series continues with A Court of Silver Flames [46]. In the latest instalment in the fantasy series, High Fae Nesta Archeron is struggling to process her dark memories of the war when the hardened soldier Cassian inserts himself into her life and her heart. Now the two must learn to fight alongside each other in order to preserve the uneasy peace their world has found.
First Comes Like by Alisha Rai
If you read just one rom-com this February, make sure it's Alisha Rai's hilarious and warmhearted First Comes Like [47]. Influencer Jia Ahmed wants nothing more than to carve out a career in the beauty sphere, but when an actual superstar slides into her DMs, she can't help but be tempted. Unfortunately for Jia, Bollywood star Dev Dixit never actually sent her any messages, leading to them both becoming embroiled in tabloid drama that could lead to something real.
How to Order the Universe by María José Ferrada
Set during Chile's Pinochet era, How to Order the Universe [48] by María José Ferrada is a vivid story of a father and daughter who live life on the road. From an early age, M learns to speak the language of the salesman from her father, D, as they travel across the country selling their wares to the locals. But as Chile's situation becomes more unstable, so does their idyllic life.
No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood
Patricia Lockwood's No One Is Talking About This [49] is an intricate, unexpected story for the internet age. When a social media star finds herself sucked into the portal, a place of boundless voices and images, only texts from her mother can pull her back toward reality in this wonderfully strange novel that defies classification.
Serena Singh Flips the Script by Sonya Lalli
Serena Singh Flips the Script [50] by Sonya Lalli is a surprisingly emotional story about a woman who discovers that putting everything on hold in the name of her career isn't nearly as satisfying as she thought it would be. While Serena thinks her life is perfect thanks to her amazing job in DC, a new friendship shows her just how much she's been missing out on during her quest for success.
The Marriage Pass by Briana Cole
If you're looking for a read that's as thrilling as it is sexy then The Marriage Pass [51] by Briana Cole should be at the top of your list this month. When Dr. Dorian Graham's wife suggests they celebrate their wedding anniversary by spending the night with other people, he jumps at the chance to make a play for her sister. But when his dalliance turns into an unexpected game of cat and mouse, Dorian has no choice but to play along.
The Upstairs House by Julia Fine
The Upstairs House [52] by Julia Fine is at once a literary thriller and an examination of young motherhood. Shortly after the birth of her daughter, Megan Weiler discovers her house is haunted by the ghosts of famed children's book author Margaret Wise Brown and her lover. Now, Megan must try to calm these unpredictable spirits for the sake of her sanity and the safety of her child.
How to Not Die Alone: The Surprising Science That Will Help You Find Love by Logan Ury
Tied of seeing all your friends coupled up around you? Dive into How to Not Die Alone: The Surprising Science That Will Help You Find Love [53], the debut title from behavioural scientist Logan Ury. While you don't need someone to complete you, she'll provide some insight and tips on how to find a partner if you're looking.