December Book Releases to be Excited About

December book releases

Happy holidays!

Is it too early to say that?

Somehow we’ve made it here, looking at the December book releases coming out. DECEMBER!

I’m actually surprised by how very little ‘Christmassy’ novels seem to be appearing this year. And not only does there seem to be a lack of festive spirit, but the books that are coming out seem to be particularly dark and murder-y. Who scheduled those for December release?!

I guess if the holiday season does your head in, you have options for crawling into a dark book to ease your angst!

That being said, some of the books coming out in December sound really awesome – here are just some of the new releases I’m looking forward to next month:

A History of Wild Places

A History of Wild Places – Shea Ernshaw 

Disappearing people, a place many believed to be a legend, family secrets, an isolated community – all put together, these elements sound like an intoxicating recipe, so I’m really excited to pick this one up.

“Hauntingly beautiful, hypnotic, and bewitching, A History of Wild Places is a story about fairy tales, our fear of the dark, and losing yourself within the wilderness of your mind.” All three of those things are so me – seriously, I’m so exited about this one!

You'll Be the Death of Me

You’ll be the Death of Me – Karen McManus

Three old high-school friends skip school only to witness a classmate’s murder, and each of them has a secret and a connection to the dead kid. 

Described as ‘Ferris Beuller’s Day Off’ with murder, I am so here for this. Firstly, I love stories about old friends being thrown back together again (the history and the angst!). And secrets and murder always ramp the stakes up to interesting as hell.

Could totally see myself reading this Christmas Day!

Smile and Look Pretty

Smile and Look Pretty – Amanda Pellegrino

Four assistants to some of the most powerful men in the entertainment industry start an anonymous blog detailing their toxic work experiences which ends up going viral.

I have high hopes for this. It’s got the necessary undercurrents to make some powerful statements, while also being seriously entertaining (I love books with new-found fame, especially if it’s done via online writing)! Whistleblowing, especially by millennial women against powerful men, has that compelling mix of relevance, importance, and intrigue (and setting it in the entertainment industry racks that up another notch!), so I’m really looking forward to this one too!

No Beauties or Monsters

No Beauties or Monsters – Tara Goedjen

A girl returns to her old hometown (nothing new here) only to discover her old friend has disappeared. On top of that, there’s whispers of a killer on the loose, and our protagonist begins having visions of strange monsters stalking the night.

What starts as a pretty cliche start, the summary has me hooked by the end. Old mysteries mixed with new ones, and all potentially involving our main character herself, it sounds like something I can get into. Especially since it’s being aimed at fans of ‘Veronica Mars’ (my role model growing up!) and looks like it might have some small supernatural twists in there.

Fools In Love: Fresh Twists on Romantic Tales

Fools In Love: Fresh Twists on Romantic Tales – a collection

Is it Christmas without a romance anthology?

This is a book of short stories by fifteen authors reimagining some of the popular tropes in the romance genre – YES. If there’s anything I can get on board with, it’s the twisting of tropes and cliches, so this sounds exciting!

And snuggling up on a winter’s night, especially around the holidays, with some romantic short stories is such a gift. Though this could even tide you over to February, as it could make a great Valentine’s read!


Those are a few of the new December book releases I’m looking forward to. What about you? Are you going to pick any of these up? Are there any books you’re excited about that I left off my list? Let me know!

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