Book Expo 2017 was a month ago. Now that some time has passed I finally feel like I’ve settled back into my every day life. It also means I have finally managed to sort through all of the books that I brought home.
Instead of the usual Top Ten Tuesday article (the tag is on hiatus anyway), I thought I would share ten of the books I brought home with my from Book Expo this year. I had a hard time narrowing down this list because there were just so many great books to choose from. But without further ado:
My Top Ten Favourite Books From Book Expo 2017
It Devours – Joseph Fink & Jeffery Cranor
Welcome to Night Vale was the first podcast that I listened to regularly. When the creators decided to release a Night Vale novel I was super excited. The first novel was a huge success and I expect the sequel It Devours will be as well.
Devours promises to be everything I love about Night Vale. This time the novel is following Nilanjana Sikdar, a scientist who works with Carlos. She is also new to Night Vale which will offer a fresh perspective on this weird little town. It will be fun to see someone rage against the absurdity at what the rest of Night Vale’s citizens view as just regular goings on.
It Devours also brings back some of my favourite nightmare fuel: The Smiling God. Because, honestly… who needs sleep? It Devours promises to be a creepy, weird and heartfelt ride back to my favourite unusual town.
Releases October 17, 2017
Jade City – Fonda Lee
Anything recommended by Scott Lynch sounds good to me. I trust his taste in books (almost
as much as I trust Pat Rothfuss’s). Jade City was something that wasn’t on either of Chelsey and my Book Expo lists. Instead we were handed a copy of Jade City by someone on the show floor.
jade City is marketed as a gangster fantasy, so in other words: sign me up! Overall, I know next to nothing about this novel, but I don’t want to do too much research. I figure it will be more fun to go into it blind.
Releases: November 7th 2017
All the Crooked Saints – Maggie Stiefvater
I loved Maggie Stiefvater’s Raven Cycle. Those books had this dreamlike, magic soaked style, something I had never experienced anything like before. When Steifvater announced she had a new book in the works I was super excited. All the Crooked Saints was one of my most anticipated books of Book Expo 2017 and I’m glad I managed to snag a copy (signed no less).
Steifvater describes this book as having “owls and rock n’ roll in it.” How that works into a story about saints and wishes, I don’t know but I trust her.
Releases: October 10th 2017
Cruel Prince – Holly Black
There will always be a soft spot in my hear for Holly Black’s fairy books. I originally read Tithe and Valiant back when I was in high school and loved them.
With Cruel Prince, Holly Black is starting a new trilogy called The Folk of the Air. Prince follows Jude a girl who was stolen by faeries when she was a child. Now a teenager all she wants is to feel like she belongs in the court she’s lived in her whole life. Cruel Prince will probably be full of court intrigue and dark secrets. Both things I have serious weaknesses for.
Releases: January 2nd 2018
Wonder Woman: Warbringer – Leigh Bardugo
It feels like the world is high on Wonder Woman. With the recent (and surprisingly good) film reuniting everyone’s interest in the DCU, it’s the perfect time for this new YA series.
Wonder Woman: Warbringer is the first book in the DC Legend series. The premise is simple and brilliant: famous YA authors take famous DC characters and tell stories about their teenage years. With Leigh Bardugo helming the Wonder Woman installment I am nothing but hopeful.
Releases: August 29th 2017
As You Wish – Chelsea Sedoti
I really loved Chelsea Sedoti’s debute novel The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett. When it was announced that her second book was going to be at Book Expo I knew I had to get it.
As You Wish takes place in the small town of Madison. A town in the middle of no where that has a secret: In Madison everyone gets one wish. According to the book’s blurb “some people wish for money, some people wish for love but Eldon (the main character) has seen how wishes have broken the people around him.”
As You Wish has such an interesting premise that gets darker the more I think about it. What are the rules for the wishes? How much control can you exert over other people’s lives through wishing? I’m excited to see how Sedoti explores this world and by extention the whole magical realism genre.
Releases: January 2nd 2017
Ten Dead Comedians: A Murder Mystery – Fred Van Lente
I love murder mysteries and I love standup comedy. I fell like this book was meant for me. In his debut novel, Fred Van Lente delivers a homage to the golden age of mystery with his clever adaptation of Agatha Christe’s And Then There Were None.
Interspersed with the main story are comedic monologues from all the characters on a range of subjects. I’m hoping this is where the characters will plead their innocence in an entertaining fashion. This book sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun and a nice break from all the science fiction and fantasy novels I picked up.
Released: July 11th, 2017
Reincarnation Blues – Michael Poore
This novel follows a man who is in love with death. By having the main character Milo reincarnated thousands of times, it gives author Michael Poore a lot to work with. I’m a sucker for novels that take place over a large stretch of time (I’m looking at you Cloud Atlas).
Reincarnation Blues is billed as being a cross between Neil Gaiman and Kurt Vonnegut. Two authors with distinct styles that I love.
The cover is also worth a mention as well The simple colour scheme pops nicely on the black background. It’s extremely eye catching. I’m interested to see how it ties into the novel.
Releases August 22nd 2017
Unearthed – Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner
Laura Croft meets Indiana Jones IN SPACE! Unearthed sounds like it’s will be fun. It gives me some Prometheus vibes, with its main characters exploring an ancient alien civilization. I trust that this book will take that premise and handle it better than Prometheus did.
I trust Amie Kaufman after her amazing work on the Illuminaetrilogy (which you should totally check out if you haven’t already). Her co-author for this project is Megan Spooner. I have never read anything by Spooner, but this seems like it would be a great place to start.
Releases: January 9th, 2018
When I Cast Your Shadow – Sarah Porter
Sarah Porter’s previous novel Vassa in the Night blew my mind. Now I have to read everything she’s ever written. Ever.
When I Cast Your Shadow follows Ruby, who manages to bringer her older brother back from the dead. I have a weakness for books that center around necromancy, so this book sounds right up my alley. If it’s anything like Vassa it promises to be dark and creepy in all the best possible ways.
This novel also has a cover worth mentioning because it manages to be both creepy and show case my favourite doc martens. Yes, I know I’m biased.
Releases: September 12, 2017
So there you have it, my top ten favourite books that I brought home from Book Expo 2017. Stay tuned for my favourites from Book Con, coming sometimes soon. I think. I hope. Maybe. Most likely.
I really suck at following schedules.
