Sign in with Facebook
Goodreads Blog
FOLLOW US
7 Great Books Hitting Shelves Today
Posted by Hayley on August 21, 2018
Posted by Hayley on August 21, 2018
Need another excuse to go to the bookstore this week? We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day.
To create our list, we focused on the top books Goodreads members can't wait to read, which we measure by how many times a book has been added to Want to Read shelves. All these highly anticipated titles are now available! Which ones catch your eye?
To create our list, we focused on the top books Goodreads members can't wait to read, which we measure by how many times a book has been added to Want to Read shelves. All these highly anticipated titles are now available! Which ones catch your eye?
You should read this book if you like: Dystopian fiction, diabolical government plots, theoretical linguistics, not using two words when one word will suffice
Check out our interview with Dalcher here.
Check out our interview with Dalcher here.
You should read this book if you like: Thrillers, Pretty Girls, small beachside towns, secret identities, breadcrumb trails, proving your family's innocence
You should read this book if you like: Nonfiction, sports history, Oklahoma City, apocalyptic weather, basketball, real-life folk heroes and scrappy underdogs
You should read this book if you like: Fiction, rust-belt towns, lyrical prose, former classmates haunted by lost love and regrets, murder mysteries, fateful reunions
Read our interview with Markley here.
Read our interview with Markley here.
You should read this book if you like: Historical fiction, 19th century America, fending off starvation, talented sharpshooters, myths, outlaws on the run
You should read this book if you like: Nonfiction, travelogues and memoirs, bicycle journeys, modern-day explorers, humans connection to the natural world
You should read this book if you like: Fantasy, secret wars and industrialized magic, rebellious thieves, spectacular transformations, unlikely allies and improbable heroes
What are you looking forward to reading? Let's talk books in the comments!
Check out more recent blogs:
Sci-Fi & Fantasy Week
Is Listening to Audiobooks 'Reading'?
20 Children's Books With Strong Female Characters
Check out more recent blogs:
Sci-Fi & Fantasy Week
Is Listening to Audiobooks 'Reading'?
20 Children's Books With Strong Female Characters
The Top 20 Books These Sci-Fi and Fantasy Experts Are Most Excited About
Posted by Marie on August 20, 2018
Goodreads: What draws you to science fiction and fantasy?
Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt: They’re so different, it’s kind of incredible to us that they’re always lumped together! Personally, we just love feeling like anything is possible.
With science fiction, you can think about all the ways our current technologies or policies can change our world, or look to the stars for things we could never even imagine. With fantasy, there's always the feeling that anyone can suddenly be "the chosen one"; you can find this great power inside of you that has the potential to completely change your life. Also, dragons are rad.
There’s also that escapism—we do love reading fiction and nonfiction, but honestly it just feels TOO REAL sometimes. We like being able to separate reality from what we're reading.
Goodreads: What trends are you noticing in these genres?
VB and TM: We honestly think the biggest trend is diversity! We're seeing it not just in the stories we’re reading (a more diverse cast of characters, new perspectives), but also in the writers who are receiving a ton of accolades. To us, this is the best possible news, even though there's still a long way to go. Many people have said this much more eloquently than we're about to, but it always struck us as odd that people can accept aliens who eat with their butts or incredibly weird magic systems, but can't "relate to" a lesbian relationship in a work of genre fiction.
Goodreads: Which sci-fi and fantasy books are you most excited to read this year?
Goodreads: What draws you to science fiction and fantasy?
Gertie: Potential, definitely. Fantasy, and particularly science fiction, have always appealed to me for the endless possibilities of something strange and exciting to occur. Every author explores it in their own way, but as a reader, it's a bit thrilling to know that anything can happen. The little bit of weirdness makes escapist fiction that much more enticing, and the fact that sometimes it is believable can be pretty fascinating. Aliens, superpowers, mutants—yes, please!
Goodreads: What trends are you noticing in these genres?
G: I read a lot of apocalyptic and dystopian fiction, and I've noticed a definite surge in the growth of the appeal of these topics for a lot of readers. The other trend I have noticed (for all genres, really) is self-publishing. Anyone who has ever wanted to write about flesh-eating zombie zebra slugs can do so now, with fewer obstacles. This means we are seeing a different variety of stories on the market now. Some need more attention before publication, and some are absolute gems, and more than a few have made it onto my favorites list.
Goodreads: Which sci-fi and fantasy books are you most excited to read this year?
Goodreads: What draws you to science fiction and fantasy?
Kristin Hackett: Ever since I was a child, I loved falling into stories involving worlds much different than my own. It takes a huge amount of creativity to invent an entirely new place and establish a set of rules for your universe, and I'm fascinated by seeing what others create.
I've always been particularly drawn to fantasy because I grew up reading fairy tales and watching Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. I love the structures of the stories, reading about brilliant heroines who defy the odds, and I would also credit Harry Potter with getting me invested in the good-versus-evil theme that's ever present.
Goodreads: What trends are you noticing in these genres?
KH: There's definitely been an increase in the number of stories with female main characters, and from what I've recently read, fantasy novel sales have doubled in the past two years. Fantasy has also become more mainstream and due to the wonders of the internet and shows like Game of Thrones. They've given people the confidence to embrace these stories and connect with other fans no matter how many miles apart they are physically.
Goodreads: Which sci-fi and fantasy books are you most excited to read this year?
Which of these sci-fi and fantasy picks will you be reading? Let us know in the comments!
Posted by Marie on August 20, 2018
When it comes to learning what's new in science fiction and fantasy, we turned to the experts. These are some of the genres' biggest superfans who have turned their passion into popular podcasts, must-watch YouTube channels, and even buzzing communities right here on Goodreads.
We asked these enthusiasts what they love most about these genres, what trends they've been noticing, and last but not least, what books they're most excited about reading this year. Don't forget to add your favorite picks to your Want to Read shelf!
We asked these enthusiasts what they love most about these genres, what trends they've been noticing, and last but not least, what books they're most excited about reading this year. Don't forget to add your favorite picks to your Want to Read shelf!
Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt are the co-creators of The Sword and Laser (S&L), a science fiction- and fantasy-themed book club with more than 23,000 members on Goodreads, a YouTube show with more than 5,900 subscribers, and a podcast that has released more than 300 episodes since 2007. They replied to us over email to discuss what's been noteworthy in these epic genres so far.
Goodreads: What draws you to science fiction and fantasy?
Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt: They’re so different, it’s kind of incredible to us that they’re always lumped together! Personally, we just love feeling like anything is possible.
With science fiction, you can think about all the ways our current technologies or policies can change our world, or look to the stars for things we could never even imagine. With fantasy, there's always the feeling that anyone can suddenly be "the chosen one"; you can find this great power inside of you that has the potential to completely change your life. Also, dragons are rad.
There’s also that escapism—we do love reading fiction and nonfiction, but honestly it just feels TOO REAL sometimes. We like being able to separate reality from what we're reading.
Goodreads: What trends are you noticing in these genres?
VB and TM: We honestly think the biggest trend is diversity! We're seeing it not just in the stories we’re reading (a more diverse cast of characters, new perspectives), but also in the writers who are receiving a ton of accolades. To us, this is the best possible news, even though there's still a long way to go. Many people have said this much more eloquently than we're about to, but it always struck us as odd that people can accept aliens who eat with their butts or incredibly weird magic systems, but can't "relate to" a lesbian relationship in a work of genre fiction.
Goodreads: Which sci-fi and fantasy books are you most excited to read this year?
VB: Myke is an all-around great guy, but he also happens to be a great author, too! I've been wanting to read this for a while, because there's nothing that I love more than epic fantasy with a badass female protagonist. I’m also looking forward to seeing how the rest of the series goes.
VB: Speaking of badass female protagonists, another one sitting on my shelf at home is The Poppy War. In some ways, it sounds like it might be a nice contrast to The Armored Saint, since there are some similar themes but very different cultural influences.
VB: AAAHHHHH! I can't believe this series is almost over! I've been reading the Kate Daniels series for years, and we're coming close to the end with Magic Triumphs. "All good things...," as they say.
Publication date: August 28
Publication date: August 28
TM: The release of a new Expanse book each year has become like a holiday for me that I look forward to. I cannot wait to catch up with the crew of the Rocinante and find out what's happened to them now.
Publication date: December 4
Publication date: December 4
TM: I know not everyone is thrilled about the reboot of the Star Wars universe novels, but one of the best decisions was to ask the man who invented Grand Admiral Thrawn to recanonize him with an origin story. His team-up with Darth Vader in this second of the new Thrawn series promises only to improve the legend.
TM: Rather than feeling like one novel broken up into multiple books, the Wayfarers series feels like a chance to view one amazing universe in different ways, each one as delightful as the last.
Members of Apocalypse Whenever know "Gertie" (her preferred moniker) as the moderator of "the most active Goodreads group for apocalyptic, postapocalyptic, and dystopic fiction." She moderates nearly 12,000 members and would also like to mention that no, she doesn't actually want an apocalypse.
Gertie: Potential, definitely. Fantasy, and particularly science fiction, have always appealed to me for the endless possibilities of something strange and exciting to occur. Every author explores it in their own way, but as a reader, it's a bit thrilling to know that anything can happen. The little bit of weirdness makes escapist fiction that much more enticing, and the fact that sometimes it is believable can be pretty fascinating. Aliens, superpowers, mutants—yes, please!
Goodreads: What trends are you noticing in these genres?
G: I read a lot of apocalyptic and dystopian fiction, and I've noticed a definite surge in the growth of the appeal of these topics for a lot of readers. The other trend I have noticed (for all genres, really) is self-publishing. Anyone who has ever wanted to write about flesh-eating zombie zebra slugs can do so now, with fewer obstacles. This means we are seeing a different variety of stories on the market now. Some need more attention before publication, and some are absolute gems, and more than a few have made it onto my favorites list.
Goodreads: Which sci-fi and fantasy books are you most excited to read this year?
G: A young adult book set in 2575, this book has been very highly rated by my friends, so I'm giving it a shot. Warring corporations threaten the people living on the planet, in addition to the dangers of a mutating plague and a potentially untrustworthy artificial intelligence. Uh oh...
G: This book by one of my favorite authors will be a buddy read with a Goodreads friend. Set in a world in which disease, war, misery, and even death have been eliminated, Scythes are the only ones who can end lives, whether they want to or not. I'm thinking maybe misery hasn't been eliminated after all.
G: This anthology has tales all relating to defying death—the ways in which people try to beat the odds and the (not all good) impacts an extended life can have.
G: I don't have much patience for long series, but this series about a magician living in Chicago (with the usual concerns like love and paying the bills) is worth following. He also has a cat named Mister and a dog named Mouse.
Publication date: Still to come
Publication date: Still to come
G: Set in the future, the marrow of unwilling indigenous North Americans is the only known cure for the inability to dream. One young man and his friends try to escape this fate and remain together.
G: The first book in this series about a body-hopping soul was so much fun that I wanted to check out book #2. Dan Jenkins hangs out in limbo before being tossed into a body and the life of a stranger. He stays until his work is done, then starts the process all over again. And again...
Kristin Hackett, also known as "SuperSpaceChick," is an avid BookTuber who has interned for Seventeen Magazine and worked on the Star Wars: Dressing a Galaxy fashion show during New York Fashion Week. Her YouTube channel has more than 19,000 subscribers, and she has a combined total of more than 18,000 followers on Twitter and Instagram.
Kristin Hackett: Ever since I was a child, I loved falling into stories involving worlds much different than my own. It takes a huge amount of creativity to invent an entirely new place and establish a set of rules for your universe, and I'm fascinated by seeing what others create.
I've always been particularly drawn to fantasy because I grew up reading fairy tales and watching Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. I love the structures of the stories, reading about brilliant heroines who defy the odds, and I would also credit Harry Potter with getting me invested in the good-versus-evil theme that's ever present.
Goodreads: What trends are you noticing in these genres?
KH: There's definitely been an increase in the number of stories with female main characters, and from what I've recently read, fantasy novel sales have doubled in the past two years. Fantasy has also become more mainstream and due to the wonders of the internet and shows like Game of Thrones. They've given people the confidence to embrace these stories and connect with other fans no matter how many miles apart they are physically.
Goodreads: Which sci-fi and fantasy books are you most excited to read this year?
KH: This is one of the most original series I've had the pleasure of reading. Each book is told in a series of case files chronicling the global events occurring after a giant metal hand surfaces within the United States. I highly recommend the audiobooks, which include a full cast that immediately draws you in, ups the levels of suspense, and has you completely invested in the characters and the mystery.
KH: I recently picked up a copy of Red Sister after hearing rave reviews about this fantasy series that checks off a ton of my boxes (school setting, assassin training, ruthless female main character). It follows a girl named Nona who attends the Convent of Sweet Mercy, where young girls are raised to be killers. The second book, Grey Sister, is already available, and I'm betting that I'll end up bingeing these!
KH: I'm horribly behind on this epic science fiction saga turned television series, but I loved being in James Holden and Detective Miller's minds in the first installment, Leviathan Wakes. I would love to catch up before the end of the year. I'm intrigued to find out who is attempting to break the peace of the Outer Planets Alliance and to learn more about the biological warfare present in the first book.
KH: Discworld is a vast universe of stories that poured out of Terry Pratchett's brain, and I've never quite known where to begin. After looking at the series page, I determined I'm most interested in the Witches series, and I promptly ordered a copy of Equal Rites. I'm told these novels are quite humorous while tackling relevant issues such as gender equality.
KH: I truly enjoyed Katherine Arden's first novel, The Bear and the Nightingale, and I cannot wait to read the next part of the story. The series is a very lush, slow-burn fantasy that's perfect to read on a cold night. The third book, The Winter of the Witch, was pushed back to January 2019, so I'm grateful for the extra months I now have to catch up on The Girl in the Tower.
KH: If there's one author who's been on my fantasy reads bucket list for ages, it's Juliet Marillier. I'm constantly told that I'll adore her writing, and the first trilogy within the Sevenwaters series is the place I should start. It follows a young girl named Sorcha whose father and brothers are bewitched, and only she can lift the spell and free her family.
KH: I've been slowly making my way through everything that is officially canon within the Star Wars universe, and the character I've been most looking forward to learning more about is Grand Admiral Thrawn. I'm particularly interested in Thrawn's story because, as we all know, the Empire is not very accepting or open-minded, and yet this blue-skinned and red-eyed alien managed to overcome their prejudice and climb their ranks with his ruthless military tactics.
Which of these sci-fi and fantasy picks will you be reading? Let us know in the comments!
Check out the complete coverage of Sci-Fi & Fantasy Week:
The Most Anticipated Fantasy & Sci-Fi Books
The Best Fantasy & Sci-Fi Books of the Year (So Far)
Top 50 Fantasy Books on Goodreads
The Most Anticipated Fantasy & Sci-Fi Books
The Best Fantasy & Sci-Fi Books of the Year (So Far)
Top 50 Fantasy Books on Goodreads
The Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books of 2018 (So Far)
Posted by Marie on August 20, 2018
If you're looking for a ticket into the far future or a faraway kingdom, science fiction and fantasy novels offer some of the best round-trip destinations. This year, our readers have found retreats in the Nikara Empire and along the edges of the Unknown Regions. But which of these travel spots can be considered 2018's best of the best (so far)? We've got the answer.
For this roundup, we focused on the most popular science fiction and fantasy books published from January to August. To measure this, we took a look at how many times a book has been added to Goodreads members' shelves. From there, we narrowed down our list to include only titles that have a minimum four-star rating.
How many of these books have you read? Don't forget to add your favorites to your Want to Read shelf!
Fantasy
Science Fiction
Posted by Marie on August 20, 2018
If you're looking for a ticket into the far future or a faraway kingdom, science fiction and fantasy novels offer some of the best round-trip destinations. This year, our readers have found retreats in the Nikara Empire and along the edges of the Unknown Regions. But which of these travel spots can be considered 2018's best of the best (so far)? We've got the answer.
For this roundup, we focused on the most popular science fiction and fantasy books published from January to August. To measure this, we took a look at how many times a book has been added to Goodreads members' shelves. From there, we narrowed down our list to include only titles that have a minimum four-star rating.
How many of these books have you read? Don't forget to add your favorites to your Want to Read shelf!
Want even more from the best of the best? Check out our recent interviews with these authors:
-
Naomi Novik draws on Rumpelstiltskin as inspiration for Spinning Silver
-
The unusual publication path for Josiah Bancroft's Senlin
- Madeline Miller's Picks that Prove the Greeks' Lasting Power
How many of these sci-fi and fantasy titles have you read? Let us know in the comments!
Top 50 Science Fiction Books on Goodreads
Posted by Hayley on August 20, 2018
"I have never listened to anyone who criticized my taste in space travel, sideshows or gorillas. When this occurs, I pack up my dinosaurs and leave the room."
-Ray Bradbury
Don't pack up your dinosaurs, fellow sci-fi readers. You're among friends here.
When we set out to uncover the top science fiction books on Goodreads, our journey—searching through hundreds of books and thousands of ratings and reviews—was a spacewalk down memory lane, from revisiting the sci-fi heroes we grew up with, like young brainiac Ender and hapless (and homeless) Arthur Dent, to returning to beloved worlds created by Ursula K. Le Guin, Isaac Asimov, Octavia Butler, and many more.
The bar needed to be high. Every book on our list has at least a four-star average rating from Goodreads members. Unfortunately, this means that dinosaur king himself Michael Crichton failed to make the cut, along with other big names in the genre like Kim Stanley Robinson, William Gibson, and H.G. Wells. But while some classics may be missing, recent favorites from Emily St. John Mandel, Nnedi Okorafor, and Pierce Brown round out the list.
Without further ado, let's boldly go where many readers have gone before. Tell us how many of the top 50 sci-fi books you've read in the comments!
Posted by Hayley on August 20, 2018
-Ray Bradbury
Don't pack up your dinosaurs, fellow sci-fi readers. You're among friends here.
When we set out to uncover the top science fiction books on Goodreads, our journey—searching through hundreds of books and thousands of ratings and reviews—was a spacewalk down memory lane, from revisiting the sci-fi heroes we grew up with, like young brainiac Ender and hapless (and homeless) Arthur Dent, to returning to beloved worlds created by Ursula K. Le Guin, Isaac Asimov, Octavia Butler, and many more.
The bar needed to be high. Every book on our list has at least a four-star average rating from Goodreads members. Unfortunately, this means that dinosaur king himself Michael Crichton failed to make the cut, along with other big names in the genre like Kim Stanley Robinson, William Gibson, and H.G. Wells. But while some classics may be missing, recent favorites from Emily St. John Mandel, Nnedi Okorafor, and Pierce Brown round out the list.
Without further ado, let's boldly go where many readers have gone before. Tell us how many of the top 50 sci-fi books you've read in the comments!
Which book are you most excited to get your hands on? Tell us why in the comments!
Check out the complete coverage of Sci-Fi & Fantasy Week:
Top 50 Fantasy Books on Goodreads
The Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy of the Year (So Far)
Hidden Gems for Lifelong Fans of Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Check out the complete coverage of Sci-Fi & Fantasy Week:
Top 50 Fantasy Books on Goodreads
The Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy of the Year (So Far)
Hidden Gems for Lifelong Fans of Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Top 50 Fantasy Books on Goodreads
Posted by Hayley on August 20, 2018
"They can keep their heaven. When I die, I’d sooner go to Middle-earth."
-George R.R. Martin
Within these pages are legends, heroes, myths, and magic. When you really need to escape, is there any better place than an entirely different realm? Always in search of a great book, Goodreads recently set out to uncover readers' all-time 50 most-loved fantasy novels.
These titles were chosen based on reader reviews, so every single book had to meet at least a four-star average rating from the Goodreads community. Then, for good measure, we looked at how many ratings each book has received. We also decided to select the first book in a series (although it's worth noting that the entirety of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings as well as George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire have the rare distinction of being above a 4.0 rating).
It's time to unveil the top 50 fantasy books on Goodreads, conjured up in alphabetical order. How many have you read? Tell us in the comments.
Posted by Hayley on August 20, 2018
-George R.R. Martin
Within these pages are legends, heroes, myths, and magic. When you really need to escape, is there any better place than an entirely different realm? Always in search of a great book, Goodreads recently set out to uncover readers' all-time 50 most-loved fantasy novels.
These titles were chosen based on reader reviews, so every single book had to meet at least a four-star average rating from the Goodreads community. Then, for good measure, we looked at how many ratings each book has received. We also decided to select the first book in a series (although it's worth noting that the entirety of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings as well as George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire have the rare distinction of being above a 4.0 rating).
It's time to unveil the top 50 fantasy books on Goodreads, conjured up in alphabetical order. How many have you read? Tell us in the comments.
Which book are you most excited to get your hands on? Tell us why in the comments!
Check out the complete coverage of Sci-Fi & Fantasy Week:
Top 50 Science Fiction Books on Goodreads
The Most Anticipated Sci-Fi & Fantasy of the Year
The Top 20 Books These Sci-Fi and Fantasy Experts Are Most Excited About
Check out the complete coverage of Sci-Fi & Fantasy Week:
Top 50 Science Fiction Books on Goodreads
The Most Anticipated Sci-Fi & Fantasy of the Year
The Top 20 Books These Sci-Fi and Fantasy Experts Are Most Excited About
Science Fiction & Fantasy Week 2018
Posted by Cybil on August 20, 2018
Top 50 Science Fiction Books on Goodreads
From Arrakis to a Martian potato farm, discover readers' favorite sci-fi escapes.
Top 50 Fantasy Books on Goodreads
Join a quest to rid a dark lord or take the throne with the most-beloved fantasy epics.
What will you be reading for Sci-Fi & Fantasy Week?
Let us know in the comments!
Posted by Cybil on August 20, 2018
All this week we're celebrating science fiction and fantasy on Goodreads! Explore new realms and embark on out-of-this-world adventures as we highlight spectacular stories, from the best of all time to the most anticipated of the year.
The Most Anticipated Fantasy & Science Fiction Books
Posted by Hayley on August 20, 2018
Epic Fantasy
Soldiers don't get paid to ask questions. In this installment in the beloved Chronicles of the Black Company series, Croaker struggles to trust his new ally, the peculiar sorcerer Mischievous Rain, as the Company attempts to break a rebel army.
Publication date: September 11
Immune to magic, Lady Everleigh escapes a massacre at the court of Bellona and goes into hiding with a gladiator troupe. As her desire for vengeance grows, she trains herself to take on the cruel usurper who assassinated the royal family.
Publication date: October 2
To save the world, Baru Cormorant must tear it apart. She becomes the very thing she once sought to destroy, all in a quest for revenge against the Empire of Masks in this sequel to The Traitor Baru Cormorant.
Publication date: October 30
Mehr can manipulate the dreams of the gods. An outcast descended from desert spirits, she defies an emperor and challenges a cabal of ruthless mystics in this captivating debut inspired by India's Mughal Empire.
Publication date: November 13
Brace yourself; The Winds of Winter is…still not here. Instead, the author of A Song of Ice and Fire delivers the first volume of his two-part history of the Targaryens, charting their volatile rise to power in Westeros.
Publication date: November 20
Science Fiction
Formed around an alien biodome, Rosewater is a town on the edge. Its residents are hopeful and hungry to unlock the mysterious structure's rumored powers in this scientific thriller set in Nigeria.
Publication date: September 18
In the final installment in the Murderbot Diaries, the rogue robot fights its own programming to help the only human who ever showed it respect, traveling the width of the galaxy to stop a nefarious corporation and save innocent colonists.
Publication date: October 2
As humanity's interstellar empire nears collapse, Emperox Grayland II sets desperate measures into motion while the rest of the universe prepares for war in this pulse-pounding sequel to The Collapsing Empire.
Publication date: October 16
The crew of the Rocinante is scattered across the galaxy. Fighting to hold off an authoritarian regime and a sociopathic scientist, they launch a daring, last-ditch plan in this eighth installment in The Expanse series.
Publication date: December 4
Graphic Novels & Comics
This summer Liu became the first woman to win the Best Writer Eisner Award. She and artist Takeda continue their acclaimed Monstress comic about a young woman struggling to control her inner beast in an alternate 20th-century Asia.
Publication date: September 11
Heading into a year-long hiatus, Vaughan and Staples leave their fans with an explosive spacefaring adventure that follows Alana, Marko, and Hazel as they encounter fake news, old enemies, and genuine terror.
Publication date: October 2
Urban Fantasy
After a devastating betrayal, October "Toby" Daye worries her fragile self-made family will fall apart. She juggles a kidnapping, an annoying ex-boyfriend, and meddling faeries in this latest installment in the October Daye series.
Publication date: September 4
What does it take to become a vampire? Harkness returns to the world of her All Souls trilogy to tell the story of a young immortal during the Revolutionary War and the human he will come to love hundreds of years later.
Publication date: September 18
In this sequel to Vicious, the line between life and death blurs as ambitious Sydney Clarke does everything she can to try and save Victor Vale, the superhuman man who stood up to Eli Ever and paid the ultimate price.
Publication date: September 25
Peter Grant, detective and apprentice wizard, is used to solving magical crimes, but he wonders if he's met his match when he encounters Martin Chorley, the so-called Faceless Man wanted for numerous crimes against humanity.
Publication date: November 13
Check out the complete coverage of Sci-Fi & Fantasy Week:
Top 50 Fantasy Books on Goodreads
The Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy of the Year (So Far)
Hidden Gems for Lifelong Fans of Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Posted by Hayley on August 20, 2018
Here there be dragons, superheroes, aliens, and warlords. In the coming months, readers will get to return to Westeros and the All Souls universe, explore an India-inspired world of mythology and magic, experience the haunting tale of a monster coming into her own, and so much more.
To discover the best fantasy and science fiction novels hitting bookshelves through the rest of the year, we focused on what Goodreads members are anticipating and reactions from early reviewers. We measured anticipation by how many times a book has been added to Want to Read shelves, and then we only included books that have earned at least a four-star rating. (If you're curious how you can read prepublished books and be among the first to rate them, take a look at our book giveaways.)
Check out the fantastical reads below, and add what catches your eye to your Want to Read shelf!
To discover the best fantasy and science fiction novels hitting bookshelves through the rest of the year, we focused on what Goodreads members are anticipating and reactions from early reviewers. We measured anticipation by how many times a book has been added to Want to Read shelves, and then we only included books that have earned at least a four-star rating. (If you're curious how you can read prepublished books and be among the first to rate them, take a look at our book giveaways.)
Check out the fantastical reads below, and add what catches your eye to your Want to Read shelf!
Soldiers don't get paid to ask questions. In this installment in the beloved Chronicles of the Black Company series, Croaker struggles to trust his new ally, the peculiar sorcerer Mischievous Rain, as the Company attempts to break a rebel army.
Publication date: September 11
Immune to magic, Lady Everleigh escapes a massacre at the court of Bellona and goes into hiding with a gladiator troupe. As her desire for vengeance grows, she trains herself to take on the cruel usurper who assassinated the royal family.
Publication date: October 2
To save the world, Baru Cormorant must tear it apart. She becomes the very thing she once sought to destroy, all in a quest for revenge against the Empire of Masks in this sequel to The Traitor Baru Cormorant.
Publication date: October 30
Mehr can manipulate the dreams of the gods. An outcast descended from desert spirits, she defies an emperor and challenges a cabal of ruthless mystics in this captivating debut inspired by India's Mughal Empire.
Publication date: November 13
Brace yourself; The Winds of Winter is…still not here. Instead, the author of A Song of Ice and Fire delivers the first volume of his two-part history of the Targaryens, charting their volatile rise to power in Westeros.
Publication date: November 20
Formed around an alien biodome, Rosewater is a town on the edge. Its residents are hopeful and hungry to unlock the mysterious structure's rumored powers in this scientific thriller set in Nigeria.
Publication date: September 18
In the final installment in the Murderbot Diaries, the rogue robot fights its own programming to help the only human who ever showed it respect, traveling the width of the galaxy to stop a nefarious corporation and save innocent colonists.
Publication date: October 2
As humanity's interstellar empire nears collapse, Emperox Grayland II sets desperate measures into motion while the rest of the universe prepares for war in this pulse-pounding sequel to The Collapsing Empire.
Publication date: October 16
The crew of the Rocinante is scattered across the galaxy. Fighting to hold off an authoritarian regime and a sociopathic scientist, they launch a daring, last-ditch plan in this eighth installment in The Expanse series.
Publication date: December 4
This summer Liu became the first woman to win the Best Writer Eisner Award. She and artist Takeda continue their acclaimed Monstress comic about a young woman struggling to control her inner beast in an alternate 20th-century Asia.
Publication date: September 11
Heading into a year-long hiatus, Vaughan and Staples leave their fans with an explosive spacefaring adventure that follows Alana, Marko, and Hazel as they encounter fake news, old enemies, and genuine terror.
Publication date: October 2
After a devastating betrayal, October "Toby" Daye worries her fragile self-made family will fall apart. She juggles a kidnapping, an annoying ex-boyfriend, and meddling faeries in this latest installment in the October Daye series.
Publication date: September 4
What does it take to become a vampire? Harkness returns to the world of her All Souls trilogy to tell the story of a young immortal during the Revolutionary War and the human he will come to love hundreds of years later.
Publication date: September 18
In this sequel to Vicious, the line between life and death blurs as ambitious Sydney Clarke does everything she can to try and save Victor Vale, the superhuman man who stood up to Eli Ever and paid the ultimate price.
Publication date: September 25
Peter Grant, detective and apprentice wizard, is used to solving magical crimes, but he wonders if he's met his match when he encounters Martin Chorley, the so-called Faceless Man wanted for numerous crimes against humanity.
Publication date: November 13
Check out the complete coverage of Sci-Fi & Fantasy Week:
Top 50 Fantasy Books on Goodreads
The Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy of the Year (So Far)
Hidden Gems for Lifelong Fans of Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Hidden Gems for Lifelong Fans of Fantasy & Sci-Fi
Posted by Hayley on August 20, 2018
If you love J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
(or good-versus-evil adventures with stalwart underdogs)…
If you love Douglas Adam's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
(or hilarious space romps featuring a quirky sidekick or two)…
If you love Octavia Butler's Kindred
(or thought-provoking journeys through time and space)…
If you love George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones
(or gritty sagas full of betrayal, political intrigue, magic, and mayhem)…
If you love Robert A. Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land
(or otherworldly dramas with a different outlook on life and humanity)…
What's your favorite underrated fantasy or sci-fi novel? Share it with us in the comments!
Posted by Hayley on August 20, 2018
You know all that is gold does not glitter. You're no stranger to stranger lands. You don't forget your towel. For a seasoned traveler of fictional realms and worlds like yourself, we skipped the classics to help you discover a hidden gem.
To create our list, we chose books with fewer than 300,000 adds—for context, members have added The Fellowship of the Ring to their Goodreads shelves more than 2 million times—and only selected titles with at least a four-star rating. Then we broke down the results into recommendations for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, Douglas Adams, Octavia Butler, George R.R. Martin, and Robert A. Heinlein.
Explore our picks below, add what catches your eye to your Want to Read shelf, and then tell us your own under-the-radar favorites in the comments!
To create our list, we chose books with fewer than 300,000 adds—for context, members have added The Fellowship of the Ring to their Goodreads shelves more than 2 million times—and only selected titles with at least a four-star rating. Then we broke down the results into recommendations for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, Douglas Adams, Octavia Butler, George R.R. Martin, and Robert A. Heinlein.
Explore our picks below, add what catches your eye to your Want to Read shelf, and then tell us your own under-the-radar favorites in the comments!
(or good-versus-evil adventures with stalwart underdogs)…
|
|
|
(or hilarious space romps featuring a quirky sidekick or two)…
|
|
|
(or thought-provoking journeys through time and space)…
|
|
|
|
(or gritty sagas full of betrayal, political intrigue, magic, and mayhem)…
|
|
|
|
(or otherworldly dramas with a different outlook on life and humanity)…
|
|
|
|
What's your favorite underrated fantasy or sci-fi novel? Share it with us in the comments!
A Behind the Scenes Look at Jenny Han's NY Screening of 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before'
Posted by Marie on August 18, 2018
This post is sponsored by To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
Photo Credit: Caroline Sinno Photography
Posted by Marie on August 18, 2018
In anticipation of the weekend's Netflix premiere of To All the Boys I've Loved Before, Goodreads met up with author Jenny Han at an advanced screening of her hit YA rom-com in New York. After the film, Goodreads Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Khuri Chandler moderated a panel that included star Lana Condor, director Susan Johnson, and of course, Jenny Han herself.
Below are a few highlights from the event. Don't forget to add Han's book to your Want to Read shelf before tuning into the adaptation!
Below are a few highlights from the event. Don't forget to add Han's book to your Want to Read shelf before tuning into the adaptation!
The adaptation of Jenny Han's To All The Boys I've Loved Before is now available on Netflix. Don't forget to add the book to your Want to Read shelf!
Check out more recent blogs:
12 Things Readers Really Want Nonreaders to Know
Back-to-School Reading for Adults: The Best New Nonfiction
Catch Up Now: These Big Series All Have Books Coming Out in September
Check out more recent blogs:
12 Things Readers Really Want Nonreaders to Know
Back-to-School Reading for Adults: The Best New Nonfiction
Catch Up Now: These Big Series All Have Books Coming Out in September
We Asked, You Answered: Is Listening to Audiobooks 'Reading'?
Posted by Marie on August 17, 2018
This post is sponsored by Audible.
1. "I do consider it reading. Reading isn’t just about looking at the words on the page or hearing words as they’re being read. It’s about processing, imagining, and understanding. Science has shown those processes are similar whether reading with your eyes, your ears, or your fingers," says Buddy.
2. "If you strictly base it on the technical definition of reading, they're certainly not the same. They're different language skills. But I think the whole point of both is the consumption of literature. That's why it doesn't matter if you read [a book] or listened to it," says Calvin.
3. "1000% counts as reading. You’re still absorbing the material, just in a different format. And let’s not forget that [they are] extremely helpful, if not completely necessary, for the visually impaired!" says Michal.
4. "I don’t consider it reading, although I understand why some people need audiobooks and prefer them. I think reading an actual book is just a totally different experience then listening to one," says Jessica.
5. "Audiobooks are great for those those looking to experience a book while walking or exercising, or those with vision problems. But that’s called listening. Reading is with your eyes. Not better. Just different," says Jeanne.
6. "Yes, I consider it reading. I’m still dedicating time to the story and following along. I’ve 're-read' a couple of books this way and actually picked up on new details I hadn’t before. It was exciting for me," says Belinda.
7. "I like to listen to audiobooks when I'm hiking or driving long distances. I used to think it was 'cheating,' but listening to a story is just an alternative form of enjoying a book," says Andrea.
8. "They don’t provide the exact same experience, but they both provide incredible stories. I think the coolest part is how audiobooks have modernized the human tradition of telling stories out loud with the spoken word," says Nick.
9. "By one definition, audiobooks aren't reading. But by the definition of reading as 'interpretation,' I think it fits," says Raygina.
10. "In the same way that Braille is still 'reading' even though it technically does not involve visual processing of written information, audiobooks involve construction of visual interpretations of the information conveyed through symbolic language. Essentially, reading." says Josh.
Posted by Marie on August 17, 2018
In recent years, more and more bibliophiles are turning to audiobooks as a way to discover new stories (and re-discover old favorites). At Goodreads, we know that books can be experienced in many different ways—which is why audiobooks count toward your Reading Challenge. But as their popularity grows, there's still the occasional debate as to whether listening to audiobooks can be considered the same as "reading."
We turned to our followers on Facebook and Twitter for their opinions and received a wide array of responses on how audiobooks have expanded their horizons. Which ones resonate with you? Let us know in the comments!
We turned to our followers on Facebook and Twitter for their opinions and received a wide array of responses on how audiobooks have expanded their horizons. Which ones resonate with you? Let us know in the comments!
1. "I do consider it reading. Reading isn’t just about looking at the words on the page or hearing words as they’re being read. It’s about processing, imagining, and understanding. Science has shown those processes are similar whether reading with your eyes, your ears, or your fingers," says Buddy.
2. "If you strictly base it on the technical definition of reading, they're certainly not the same. They're different language skills. But I think the whole point of both is the consumption of literature. That's why it doesn't matter if you read [a book] or listened to it," says Calvin.
3. "1000% counts as reading. You’re still absorbing the material, just in a different format. And let’s not forget that [they are] extremely helpful, if not completely necessary, for the visually impaired!" says Michal.
4. "I don’t consider it reading, although I understand why some people need audiobooks and prefer them. I think reading an actual book is just a totally different experience then listening to one," says Jessica.
5. "Audiobooks are great for those those looking to experience a book while walking or exercising, or those with vision problems. But that’s called listening. Reading is with your eyes. Not better. Just different," says Jeanne.
6. "Yes, I consider it reading. I’m still dedicating time to the story and following along. I’ve 're-read' a couple of books this way and actually picked up on new details I hadn’t before. It was exciting for me," says Belinda.
7. "I like to listen to audiobooks when I'm hiking or driving long distances. I used to think it was 'cheating,' but listening to a story is just an alternative form of enjoying a book," says Andrea.
8. "They don’t provide the exact same experience, but they both provide incredible stories. I think the coolest part is how audiobooks have modernized the human tradition of telling stories out loud with the spoken word," says Nick.
9. "By one definition, audiobooks aren't reading. But by the definition of reading as 'interpretation,' I think it fits," says Raygina.
10. "In the same way that Braille is still 'reading' even though it technically does not involve visual processing of written information, audiobooks involve construction of visual interpretations of the information conveyed through symbolic language. Essentially, reading." says Josh.
Do you consider listening to audiobooks the same as reading? Share your two cents in the comments!
For more inspiration, check out the Goodreads' audiobooks page, brought to you by Audible.
Check out more recent blogs:
12 Things Readers Really Want Nonreaders to Know
Back-to-School Reading for Adults: The Best New Nonfiction
Catch Up Now: These Big Series All Have Books Coming Out in September
For more inspiration, check out the Goodreads' audiobooks page, brought to you by Audible.
Check out more recent blogs:
12 Things Readers Really Want Nonreaders to Know
Back-to-School Reading for Adults: The Best New Nonfiction
Catch Up Now: These Big Series All Have Books Coming Out in September
