About Recommended Reading: In this opposites-attract YA rom-com inspired by Emma, a failed romantic gesture puts a damper on a queer teen bookseller’s summer of book matching and matchmaking until a handsome lifeguard and romance skeptic waltzes into his bookstore. Sometimes you get a second chance at happily ever after when you least expect it . . .

Hi, I’m Bobby Ashton, main character of the young adult rom-com Recommended Reading. I’m known around my town as the Book Whisperer, i.e. the fat, nice, gay boy who can matchmake anyone with their next perfect read and partner. Here are ten romances ranging from the classics to up-and-coming legendary novels that you will match with… and maybe a few extra credit bonus picks thrown in for good measure because you can never make just one (or ten) book suggestions(s).

Emma by Jane Austen

I’ve always felt a certain affinity for Emma Woodhouse. She’s smart, blessed, driven, and accomplished. She gives back to her community and has a knack for matchmaking. We’re very similar. But she’s got a touch of superiority and a few blindspots that make her her own worst enemy and nearly cost her her chance at true love. Maybe we’re too similar.

Speaking of, if you loved the original or the movie Clueless, L.C. Rosen wrote a queer YA contemporary version called Emmett.

A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena

It takes guts and skill to start your debut YA novel with the death of the lovers and still draw the readers in. Bhathena’s got both in spades! You’ll love Zarin, labeled as a bad girl when she is displaced to Saudi Arabia, and Porus, who only has eyes for her despite everyone’s warnings. The talent and depth of thought the author poured into the characters and story is clear from the first page to the last.

Bonus! Bhathena’s sophomore YA is a sweet, cozy rom-com, and her latest novels are fierce, girl power fantasies inspired by medieval Indian mythology with great banter.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Emily Brontë’s (of the famous Brontë  siblings) only published this one novel. The intensity! The passion! The devotion that defies death! The songs by Kate Bush and Céline via Meatloaf! Heathcliff is one of the original brooding bad boys, stomping around the Yorkshire moors as he and Catherine pine for one another. True love has never been so deliciously sadomasochistic. Read the OG classic that inspired both the Twilight and Fifty Shades franchises which, in turn, helped legitimize fanfic.

Autobiography of Red: A Novel in Verse by Anne Carson

Anne Carson reimagines an ancient Greek myth into a contemporary coming-of-age love story. Geryon uncovers the potential of his art when Herakles, the object of Geryon’s affection, leaves at the height of infatuation and reappears years later. Told in verse, Geryon’s monstrosity and journey through heartbreak is gut-wrenching and uplifting at the same time. Readers will ache with Geryon in this romance where maybe the lovers shouldn’t end up together.    

Out of the Blue by Jason June

You can’t go wrong with a Jason June rom-com. I dare you. Double dog dare you. You can’t! Every single one is an absolute delight. OOTB has a familiar Little Mermaid feel with Crest, the merperson, on their mer version of Rumspringa, as they must aid a human before time runs out and they remain stuck on land forever. Enter dual narrator, plus-size swimmer, Sean, who has just been publicly dumped by his boyfriend and is devastated by the unforeseen breakup. Seems like Crest found his human to help and what better way than to pretend to be a couple. Fake lovers to true love trope? Hello! Yes!

Bonus points if you check out the rest of Jason June’s titles. Extra credit super duper bonus points if you also check out the audiobooks because Jason June is a superb voice actor and hearing the author read their work as intended is pretty special.

All My Friends are Superheroes by Andrew Kauffman

Tom is just a normal guy stuck in a world where everyone is a superhero, including his wife, the Perfectionist. When his wife’s ex uses his powers to make the Perfectionist no longer see or hear Tom, he must somehow get her to before she moves on perfectly, as per her name, and forgets him forever. This one is a short novel and makes a perfect gift even for non-readers who don’t have a lot of time to commit. Prepare for your nails to dig into the cover of the book as you flip those pages and hope Tom manages to save his relationship.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Two magicians challenge one another to a magical duel to prove who can raise the best successor, in a battle that will result in death. The venue, a midnight circus that arrives filled with spectacles unlike anyone has ever seen. But it all disappears by the morning. The contenders, Celia and Marco, who fall in love with one another’s spells and then each other even when they know they must win the competition or perish. High stakes much? Lavish descriptions of settings create an unforgettable story of seemingly doomed love.

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

What do you get when two writing best friends, one known for her revolutionary body-positive writing and one known for her no-holds-barred romance. A series of Christmas adult romances following former boyband members and unforgettable female leads that are like spicy Hallmark holiday movies in book form. AMLMC is the first book in the series that follows bad boy boyband member, Nolan, who needs to redeem his image through good behaviour and a wholesome holiday film, and Bee, a curvaceous adult film star who accidentally gets cast opposite Nolan, her teen crush and the guy who subscribes to her content. Sex positive and body positive, you will fall in love with the main characters and all the side characters. There are three Christmas Notch Series novels, two novellas, and three bonus chapters to keep you busy from January through December.

Extra credit if you want to delve into either author’s awesome other books that range from warm-your-heart to set-your-loins-on-fire.

Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Fiona Staples

Imagine if Romeo and Juliet were from two warring, intergalactic species instead of families and not only survived, but had a daughter who decided to tell their story in graphic novel space opera form. The result would be Saga. Better yet, the parent lovers bond over their shared adoration of a romance novel! Books really do bring couples together! A broad spectrum of diversities coupled with positive messaging about acceptance and tolerance provides the perfect balance of heart-melting and kickass moments.

The post The Book Whisperer’s Annotated Recommended Reading (AKA Bobby Ashton’s Brief List of Romances You Don’t Want to Miss) appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover what our contributors read this year and tell us in the comments if you have also read them!

The Book of X by Sarah Rose Etter

Etter’s debut novel is one of the most visceral, mind-bending reading experiences I’ve had in a very long time. Since reading it in May, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this book! The story follows Cassie, a girl who is born with her stomach twisted into a knot, from her childhood living with her family on a meat farm (yes, you read that correctly – a quarry where they mine meat) through her adult years out on her own trying to navigate her way through the world. Etter’s blurring of surreal elements with real life experiences works tremendously well as both symbolism and commentary on issues including body image, beauty, acceptance, and expected roles. The emotional impact of Cassie’s loneliness, sadness, and pain have stuck with me and it is this immersive reading experience that made me choose The Book of X as my favourite book of 2019! – Beth Mowbray

Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

This royal LGBTQ+ romance is everything you could ever want and more. Casey McQuiston’s humourous writing mixed with her storytelling and the heavy rom-com vibes of this book provide such a delightful read! Loved every second of this book! – Julia Fleur

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

A standout in the YA trend of fairytale retellings! Inspired by Beauty and the Beast but not slavishly beholden to it, the author puts an original spin on this well-known story by connecting the fairytale land to our modern day world. Harper is a well-rounded heroine who is courageous, compassionate, and happens to have cerebral palsy. I love the diversity with a differently-abled protagonist as well as LGBT rep in the supporting cast! The horrifying twist on the curse afflicting Prince Rhen, the ‘Beast’, adds suspense and tension in the background behind the slow-burn romance. Incredibly well-written and thrilling, if you haven’t already read this, it needs to be at the top of your TBR! – Annie Deo

Call Down The Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater

I have been waiting for this one for years! Ronan Lynch is back and my heart is full of love. After finding the Welsh King, the Raven Boys split up to follow their plans. While Gansey and Blue are off on a road trip, Adam starts college. Now eight hours apart, Ronan lives in his family home now and is working on his relationship with his brothers. But after a secret organisation found out what Ronan can do, danger is after his family once more. – Isabella Stocka

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

In this much-awaited and thrilling conclusion to The Folk of the Air trilogy, we follow our favourite exiled Queen, Jude Duarte, as she makes her way back into Elfhame. In true Holly Black fashion, the finale was full of twists and turns that made you constantly question what was going to happen next. In the end, The Queen of Nothing perfectly wraps up the series and answers all of our burning questions. Now that all three books are out, you can binge the series in its entirety without waiting months on end for the next book. (Seriously, the cliffhangers at the end of The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King are the definition of torture). – Gabby Gamez

Rayne and Delilah’s Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner

A story about two best friends facing life-changing decisions while hosting a TV show that does not have a big audience but a big heart. Rayne and Delilah are the friends you wish you had in your life, a power house of encouragement and girl power wrapped in the bodies of two girls who love to talk nonsense about everything from pancakes to boys. From falling head-over-heels for the single most adorable love interest, to the tears you’ll cry when one of the girls will meet the dad that abandoned her, there’s just a whole lot of laughter and tears to be shed while reading this.

Witty, upbeat and filled with healthy relationships and the conflicts that arise when you grow up but don’t want to grow apart, this is Zentner’s strongest work to date. The best description I can give you is that it makes me feel the way I do when I binge Gilmore Girls and that is the highest compliment I can think of. – Mimi Koehler

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

An incredible heist story featuring a diverse cast, a historical setting, and a lot of suspense. This book has everything I look for in a YA fantasy. Chokshi uses her beautiful writing to comment on social issues but also provide a story that you won’t forget! – Julia Fleur

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

Girl Power. Dystopian vibes. Creepy. Guessing games. Plot twists. This story had it all and kept me up all night with just my kindle for light. I was constantly swiping the pages wanting to see what happened next. Oooooh and that ending!? It’s already been picked up for a film, directed by Elizabeth Banks. I can’t wait to see how it will all look when it hits the big screen. – Sarah C

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Inspired by Mayan mythology and set in 1920s Mexico, this is a wonderfully unique story featuring an intelligent self-assured heroine who unwittingly releases a death god from imprisonment and is swept up in an epic quest! The writing is lush and beautifully vivid, bringing the old-timey setting to life in full colour and chaos, then submerging the reader in the ominous gloom of the Mayan underworld. If you’re a fan of the ‘powerful immortal & bold independent human girl’ dynamic, this is utter perfection and will ruin you for all other takes on that trope! – Annie Deo

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Elisabeth Scrivener is a child of the library. Left on the doorstep of the Great Library of Summershall as a baby, she was raised among the magical grimoires lining the shelves. As she grows up, all she wants is to become a Warden of the library. But that dream is ripped from her when one night she in accused of wrongfully tampering with a grimoire, causing it’s malefic. She has no one to turn to but Nathaniel Thorn, a sorcerer Elisabeth knows to be evil. But are sorcerers as evil as she was taught to believe? There are so many aspects to fall in love with, but two main ones are the characters and the atmosphere. The world Margaret Rogerson has created is incredibly interesting and atmospheric. Secondly, the characters are all unique in their own ways and you will in love with every single one. This is one stand-alone you won’t want to miss out on. – Gabby Gamez

Heartstopper, Vol 2 by Alice Oseman

Utterly adorable, even more so than the first volume. You will most definitely die in a puddle of feels while reading it, and believe me when I say that you will be so enthralled that you will read the whole thing in one sit. Alice Oseman’s drawing style is soft and impossibly cute — the perfect match for Nick and Charlie’s relationship. I can’t wait for the next volume! – Ankara

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Erin Morgenstern’s highly anticipated second book is an exquisitely written ode to stories, storytelling and storytellers. Multi-layered and multi-linear, its stories nested like a set of Matryoshka dolls, with different narrative threads weaving in and out, proving that all stories are different and that all stories are ultimately the same story, and packed to the brim with old-school fairy-tale symbolism; symbols, as the book reminds us, being interpretive not definitive, meaning that everyone can take away something different. The icing on the bee (or key, or sword, or heart, or crown, or indeed owl) shaped cake are all the little references to other works (be they literature, film, game etc) sprinkled throughout and one of the joys of re-reading will be trying to spot them all. The Starless Sea is a gorgeous book that builds on the magic of The Night Circus and even manages to exceed it. What’s the best way of surviving down the Rabbit Hole? “Become a rabbit.” – Carolyn Percy

Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

There is nothing better than falling in love with a new genre. And this book made it easy to fall into a deep historical romance binging hole. The lack of wit and banter in this book is nonexistent. When you don’t stop smiling the entire time you read a book you know you have found the one. What is even better is when you realise that the author has written multiple series that all intertwine perfectly (one of which is being made into a Netflix series) . Julia Quinn will not disappoint to make you laugh and tug on heart strings. – Emma Knight

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

In 2380 Tyler Jones, the star cadet of Aurora Academy, is meant to have his pick of the recruits to join his squad. But when he ventures out on an unsanctioned rescue mission he ends up missing his chance and ends up with the recruits no one else wanted. That isn’t even the worst of it Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he rescued, is not from this time and is completely out of her depth. The added pressure of a brewing intergalactic war does nothing to help Tyler’s mood. In true Kaufman and Kristoff style, this book is an adventure packed, witty and hilarious and they have created the most lovable band of misfits the galaxy has ever seen. – Ellie King

The Toll by Neal Shusterman

The Toll has cemented itself as one of the strongest and smartest conclusions in recent years. Shusterman’s trilogy is a masterpiece of clever world-building, dynamic characters and a universe which challenges the moral perception of life and death. This series will resonate with readers for years to come and serves as documentation of the turbulent time in which it was published. From a rising dictatorship to the mass branding of large communities, The Toll, even in all of its embroidered and bejewelled glory, is far too close to home and serves as a worrying reminder at the state our world currently finds itself in. – Tom Hitchen

The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

This was an exciting finding as I’ve never labelled myself as a reader of epic fantasy before. This isn’t just a book, it’s a whole lively experience. Wang’s Japanese inspired fantasy was remarkable from start to finish. With rich worldbuilding, multiple strong plots, and deeply-explored characters, it’s a rare gem that you don’t want to miss. – Vinny MS

Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavours by Sonali Dev

A classic retelling with your favourite characters in a modern day setting done right. Very similar to Bride and Prejudice (if you have not seen it go now and let your mind be blown) but with a dash more food and a pinch of current realism that paints DJ and Trisha’s trials and triumphs perfectly in a new contemporary fashion. Even though I knew what would happen next it was still thought provoking and heart clenchingly amazing. A book that I would happily reread and highly recommend to everyone. – Emma Knight

Did you enjoy any of these favourites too? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Nerd Daily’s Favourite 2019 Books appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Erin Morgenstern’s second novel is an achingly beautiful love letter to stories and their power.

This is a story, but it is also an experience; wound through the overarching narrative are other short stories. The decision to alternate the chapters with the short stories made the book genuinely interesting to read. While it initially slowed the pace, as the links across the stories become more overt, it was a genuine delight to read them. Additionally, each story was quite lovely in its own right so with that in mind, the slow pace actually served to make me savour the delicacy of the writing and reflect upon the contents of each short story rather than simply rush back into the primary narrative. Moreover, the overlapping stories have themes in common in addition to ultimately contributing to the resolution and explanation of the story, creating a rich tapestry that builds to a crescendo that truly augments the denouement of The Starless Sea. Therefore, in the way that she has constructed this book, Morgenstern seems to be making a comment about the nature of stories; how the shape us, how the stories that hold meaning for us truly imprint themselves upon us, how we craft stories about ourselves. The Starless Sea is thus an ode to the power of stories and books, and a wonderful one at that. It was particularly delightful to see the inclusion of a discussion regarding videogames as stories, something I’ve spoken about in the past. It speaks to Morgenstern’s talent as a writer, too, that this discussion did not feel shoehorned in, nor did its inclusion detract from the tone of the book.

The plot and the broader storylines are heightened by Morgenstern’s beautiful prose. It is truly lovely to read a fantasy book that revels in the use of language, thus proving that the genre can be literary in its prose. Zachary’s narrative thread is told in present tense, which I’ve previously noted I don’t always enjoy reading. Indeed, at times, it threw me a little out of the story as it distracted from the immediacy of some moments (worth noting that Natasha Ngan’s Girls of Paper and Fire uses present tense almost flawlessly). However, given the multifaceted nature of the story’s construction, the decision to employ present tense makes sense and it also fits the more literary voice and tone of the novel.

Moreover, the book is a New Adult novel in a way that’s very obviously New Adult. It’s refreshing, given how often-maligned such books are, despite their importance. For this reason, the soul searching related to questions of ‘who am I’, and even the romantic awakening that is a staple of Young Adult books is absent. Zachary is gay. He knows this. There is no angst over his sexual orientation. Similarly, he is aware of key aspects to his personhood; he is passionate about videogames, he is reasonably introverted, he is comfortable with being a cocktail connoisseur. It made Zachary extraordinarily relatable to me, given that I am a new adult (and also I love videogames, am reasonably introverted, and I’ve been known to down a cocktail or two in my time). Zachary’s quest for meaning in his life is thus not one premised around formative questions but around the questions that are typical of people who have made some headway into forging an ‘adult’ life but are wondering how this will lead them into a more settled existence.

As the book progresses, the extent of Morgenstern’s skill at crafting a world becomes apparent. The descriptions of the various settings efficiently yet clearly paint a portrait of them but don’t bog the reader down in unnecessary detail. That was a blessing as the final few chapters of the story, while overall were clear, did leave me with a few uncertainties. While perhaps there could have been a greater explanation on some of the ‘reveals’, it could just as easily be said that the pseudo-absurdism that Morgenstern draws upon in creating some aspects of her world which mimic that which we find in dreams and certain stories that endure across time. More than being frustrated with the fact that everything wasn’t tied up in a bow that I could easily undo, I’m inclined to re-read The Starless Sea to re-examine the various interwoven pieces to better understand how the fit together in explaining the story and its conclusion.

The Starless Sea is a literary triumph; a beautiful story told in the most delicate of ways. I thoroughly recommend you read it.

The Starless Sea is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Will you be picking up The Starless Sea? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Night Circus, a timeless love story set in a secret underground world–a place of pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships that sail upon a starless sea.

Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues–a bee, a key, and a sword–that lead him to a masquerade party in New York, to a secret club, and through a doorway to an ancient library, hidden far below the surface of the earth. What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians–it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead. Zachary learns of those who have sacrificed much to protect this realm, relinquishing their sight and their tongues to preserve this archive, and also those who are intent on its destruction. Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly-soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose–in both the mysterious book and in his own life.

The post Review: The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you have read any of them!

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the stunning first novel in Marlon James’s Dark Star trilogy, myth, fantasy, and history come together to explore what happens when a mercenary is hired to find a missing child.

The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air #3) by Holly Black
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, comes the highly anticipated and jaw-dropping finale to The Folk of the Air trilogy.

The Girl In Red by Christina Henry
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From the national bestselling author of Alice comes a postapocalyptic take on the perennial classic “Little Red Riding Hood”…about a woman who isn’t as defenseless as she seems.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skilfully animated as necromantic skeletons. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the internationally bestselling author of The Bone Season, an enthralling epic fantasy about a world on the brink of war with dragons–and the women who must lead the fight to save it.

Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An ambitious young woman with the power to control minds seeks vengeance against the royals who murdered her family, in a Caribbean-inspired fantasy world embattled by colonial oppression.

A Boy and His Dog At The End of the World by C.A. Fletcher
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When a beloved family dog is stolen, her owner sets out on a life-changing journey through the ruins of our world to bring her back in this fiercely compelling tale of survival, courage, and hope. Perfect for readers of Station Eleven and The Girl With All the Gifts.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo comes a mesmerising tale of power, privilege, and dark magic set among the Ivy League elite.

The Library Of The Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren’t finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories.

Middlegame by Seanan McGuire
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

New York Times bestselling and Alex, Nebula, and Hugo-Award-winning author Seanan McGuire introduces readers to a world of amoral alchemy, shadowy organisations, and impossible cities in the standalone fantasy, Middlegame.

Recursion by Blake Crouch
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At once a relentless pageturner and an intricate science-fiction puzzlebox about time, identity, and memory, Recursion is a thriller as only Blake Crouch could imagine it—and his most ambitious, mind-boggling, irresistible work to date.

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan
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In a centuries-long war where beauty and brutality meet, their three paths entwine in a shadowy world of spilled blood and mysterious saints, where a forbidden romance threatens to tip the scales between dark and light.

Darkdawn (The Nevernight Chronicle #3) by Jay Kristoff
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The epic conclusion of the internationally bestselling Nevernight Chronicle from New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff.

Magic For Liars by Sarah Gailey
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Sharp, mainstream fantasy meets compelling thrills of investigative noir in Magic for Liars, a fantasy debut by rising star Sarah Gailey.

Cold Storage by David Koepp
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For readers of Andy Weir and Noah Hawley comes an astonishing debut by the screenwriter of Jurassic Park: a wild and terrifying adventure about three strangers who must work together to contain a highly contagious, deadly organism.

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Mayan god of death sends a young woman on a harrowing, life-changing journey in this dark, one-of-a-kind fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore.

One Word Kill by Mark Lawrence
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Ready Player One meets Stranger Things in this new novel by the bestselling author who George RR Martin describes as “an excellent writer.”

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Night Circus, a timeless love story set in a secret underground world–a place of pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships that sail upon a starless sea.

Dragonslayer by Duncan M. Hamilton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In his magnificent, heroic, adventure fantasy, Dragonslayer, Duncan M. Hamilton debuts the first book in a fast-moving trilogy: a dangerous tale of lost magics, unlikely heroes, and reawakened dragons.

Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A decadent rock star. A deeply religious radio host. A disgraced scientist. And a teenage girl who may be the world’s last hope. In the tradition of The Stand and Station Eleven comes a gripping saga that weaves an epic tapestry of humanity into an astonishing tale of survival.

What 2019 fantasy and sci-fi releases have you enjoyed? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Best Fantasy + Sci-Fi Books of 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

If you’re after a fantasy, then you’re in luck because there are some fantastic new fantasy novels to enjoy! Kacen Callender creates a Caribbean-inspired world, Kiersten White takes us to Camelot with a reimagining, E. E. Knight brings us dragonriders, Amélie Wen Zhao’s Blood Heir follows a princess and a conman, and Sarah Harian’s novel is set in a world that outlaws magic…

If you’re in the mood for romance, pick up Andie J. Christopher’s Not The Girl You Marry or Lyssa Kay Adam’s The Bromance Book Club.

Also, if you want a little Christmas, but dark stories, then be sure to check out A Midnight Clear!

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Night Circus, a timeless love story set in a secret underground world–a place of pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships that sail upon a starless sea.

Not the Girl You Marry by Andie J. Christopher
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days gets a millennial makeover in this romantic comedy by USA Today bestselling author Andie J. Christopher.

Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An ambitious young woman with the power to control minds seeks vengeance against the royals who murdered her family, in a Caribbean-inspired fantasy world embattled by colonial oppression.

Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry by Mary Higgins Clark
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When talented journalist Penelope “Casey” Harrison starts to research a piece about the #MeToo movement that includes an incident in her own life which she has been trying to put out of her mind for years, she does not realize that the young man who drugged and assaulted her at a fraternity house party in college is now a wealthy, powerful industrialist on the eve of a merger which will make him a billionaire—and who will do anything, even murder, to cover his tracks.

Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Ronan Lynch is a dreamer. He can pull both curiosities and catastrophes out of his dreams and into his compromised reality. Jordan Hennessy is a thief. The closer she comes to the dream object she is after, the more inextricably she becomes tied to it. Carmen Farooq-Lane is a hunter. Her brother was a dreamer . . . and a killer. She has seen what dreaming can do to a person. And she has seen the damage that dreamers can do. But that is nothing compared to the destruction that is about to be unleashed. . . .

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville’s top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency titled Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it’ll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes a new fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot.

Nine Elms by Robert Bryndza
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the breakthrough international bestselling author of The Girl in the Ice, a breathtaking, page-turning novel about a disgraced female detective’s fight for redemption. And survival…

Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This hot debut is the first book in an epic new series about a princess hiding a dark secret and the con man she must trust to clear her name for her father’s murder.

A Midnight Clear by Sam Hooker, Seven Jane, Alcy Leyva, Laura Morrison, Dalena Storm, and Cassondra Windwalker
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Six stories of not-so-merry Yuletide whimsy from the authors of Black Spot Books including a woman so cold she hardens to ice on a winter’s eve. From a murder at the Stanley Hotel to demons of Christmas past, present, and future, and a mad elf and Santa’s Candy Court, the authors of Black Spot Books share their love for winter holidays in this collection of dark winter tales, destined to chill your bones and warm your heart for the Yuletide season.

Eight Will Fall by Sarah Harian
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Lovers of dark, high-octane adventure will be enthralled by Sarah Harian’s Eight Will Fall, a genre-bending YA fantasy standalone, perfect for fans of Kendare Blake and Leigh Bardugo.

Novice Dragoneer by E E Knight
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the first book in an exciting and charming new coming-of-age fantasy series from the author of the Age of Fire series, an impoverished girl enters into a military order of dragonriders, but her path won’t be as easy or as straightforward as she expected.

What November release are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

The post November 2019 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

To kick off the second half of 2019, July sees the release of new novels from Chuck Wendig, Pierce Brown, and David Wellington, along with Margaret Owen’s debut novel, Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican folklore inspired novel, and Duncan M. Hamilton’s Dragonslayer.

Moving on to August, we’ll read tales of gods from Micah Yongo, a cursed kingdom from Amy Harmon, and a future princess from Mara Rutherford. Meanwhile, John Birmingham will whisk you away on a sci-fi adventure, Brian Naslund will give you a dragon slayer, and Keren Landsman will bring the sorcerers.

September holds some exciting debuts from Jillian Boehme, Jennifer Giesbrecht, and Rena Barron, alongside new books from authors such as Annalee Newitz, Joe Abercombie, and Juliet Marillier.

What’s instore for us in October? Well Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, and more team up for an anthology about witches, Tochi Onyebuchi takes us to a futuristic, Black Panther–inspired Nigeria, and A.M. Strickland treats us to a dark fantasy. Divergent author Veronica Roth returns with a series of short stories, A.J. Hackwith introduces us to a librarian of the afterlife’s library, and Nicky Drayden takes us to deep space.

In November, Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea is set in a secret underground world, Nina MacLaughlin retells Ovid’s Metamorphoses so the women can claim their stories, and Shea Ernshaw’s Winterwood is set in a magical snow-covered forest. The authors from Black Spot Books plan to “chill your bones and warm your heart for the Yuletide season” with short stories, E.E. Knight’s novel follows dragonriders, and Kacen Callender brings us a Caribbean-inspired fantasy world.

To end the year, James Islington’s Licanius Trilogy and Sebastien de Castell’s Spellslinger series conclude, while Milla Vane, Jeff VanderMeer, Rachel Atwood, and Charles Soule bring us new books.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below which books you’re most excited for!

July

The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Debut author Margaret Owen crafts a powerful saga of vengeance, survival, and sacrifice–perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kendare Blake–in The Merciful Crow. Read our review here!

Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A decadent rock star. A deeply religious radio host. A disgraced scientist. And a teenage girl who may be the world’s last hope. In the tradition of The Stand and Station Eleven comes a gripping saga that weaves an epic tapestry of humanity into an astonishing tale of survival.

Dark Age (Red Rising Saga #5) by Pierce Brown
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Morning Star returns to the Red Rising universe with the thrilling sequel to Iron Gold.

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Mayan god of death sends a young woman on a harrowing, life-changing journey in this dark, one-of-a-kind fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore.

Dragonslayer by Duncan M. Hamilton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In his magnificent, heroic, adventure fantasy, Dragonslayer, Duncan M. Hamilton debuts the first book in a fast-moving trilogy: a dangerous tale of lost magics, unlikely heroes, and reawakened dragons.

The Last Astronaut by David Wellington
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

August

Pale Kings by Micah Yongo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When the gods return to claim their world, the Five Realms will fall, in this earth-shaking epic fantasy thriller from the author of Lost Gods

The First Girl Child by Amy Harmon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author comes a breathtaking fantasy of a cursed kingdom, warring clans, and unexpected salvation.

Crown of Coral and Pearl by Mara Rutherford
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For generations, the princes of Ilara have married the most beautiful maidens from the ocean village of Varenia. But though every girl longs to be chosen as the next princess, the cost of becoming royalty is higher than any of them could ever imagine…

The Cruel Stars by John Birmingham
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

With a ruthless sect of humanity intent on wiping out their species, five intrepid heroes must think like their enemies in this epic sci-fi adventure for fans of The Expanse and Battlestar Galactica.

Blood of an Exile by Brian Naslund
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

After trying to assassinate a fellow noble, Flawless Bershad was given a death sentence. He’s never lost a fight, the most successful dragon slayer in history. But that is about to change. The man who sentenced Bershad to his fate has just given him an out. Kill a king and walk free forever. He doesn’t care about the fates of kings and kingdoms, until, that is, he discovers he is the only person able to save an innocent child and, possibly, the life of every creature in Terra.

The Heart of the Circle by Keren Landsman
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Sorcerers fight for the right to exist and fall in love, in this extraordinary alternate world fantasy thriller by award-winning Israeli author Keren Landsman.

September

The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Debut author Jennifer Giesbrecht paints a darkly compelling fantasy of revenge in The Monster of Elendhaven, a dark fantasy about murder, a monster, and the magician who loves both.

Stormrise by Jillian Boehme
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A combat warrior will risk everything to awaken the dragons and save her kingdom in Jillian Boehme’s epic YA Fantasy debut, Stormrise, inspired by Twelfth Night and perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce.

The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The lush world building of Children of Blood and Bone meets the sweeping scale of Strange the Dreamer in this captivating epic YA fantasy debut.

A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Harp of Kings by Juliet Marillier
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A young woman is both a bard–and a warrior–in this thrilling historical fantasy from the author of the Sevenwaters novels.

October

Hex Life: Wicked New Tales of Witchery by Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, and Sherrilyn Kenyon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Hex Life: Wicked New Tales of Witchery will take the classic tropes of tales of witchcraft and infuse them with fresh, feminist perspective and present-day concerns–even if they’re set in the past. These witches might be monstrous, or they might be heroes, depending on their own definitions. Even the kind hostess with the candy cottage thought of herself as the hero of her own story. After all, a woman’s gotta eat.

War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Two sisters are torn apart by war and must fight their way back to each other in a futuristic, Black Panther–inspired Nigeria.

Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Beyond the Black Door is a young adult dark fantasy about unlocking the mysteries around and within us―no matter the cost …

The End and Other Beginnings: Stories from the Future by Veronica Roth
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Bestselling Divergent and Carve the Mark author Veronica Roth delivers a stunning collection of novella-length stories set in the future, illustrated with startling black-and-white artwork.

The Library Of The Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren’t finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories.

Escaping Exodus by Nicky Drayden
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Compton Crook award–winning author of The Prey of Gods and Temper returns with a dazzling stand-alone novel, set in deep space, in which the fate of humanity rests on the slender shoulders of an idealistic and untested young woman—a blend of science fiction, dark humor, and magical realism that will appeal to fans of Charlie Jane Anders, Jeff VanderMeer, and Nnedi Okorafor.

November

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Night Circus, a timeless love story set in a secret underground world–a place of pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships that sail upon a starless sea.

Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An ambitious young woman with the power to control minds seeks vengeance against the royals who murdered her family, in a Caribbean-inspired fantasy world embattled by colonial oppression.

Novice Dragoneer by E E Knight
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the first book in an exciting and charming new coming-of-age fantasy series from the author of the Age of Fire series, an impoverished girl enters into a military order of dragonriders, but her path won’t be as easy or as straightforward as she expected.

Wake, Siren: Ovid Resung by Nina MacLaughlin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In voices both mythic and modern, Wake, Siren revisits each account of love, loss, rape, revenge, and change. It lays bare the violence that undergirds and lurks in the heart of Ovid’s narratives, stories that helped build and perpetuate the distorted portrayal of women across centuries of art and literature.

Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep comes a haunting romance set deep in the magical snow-covered forest, where the appearance of a mysterious boy unearths secrets that awakens the enchanted, but angry, woods.

A Midnight Clear by Sam Hooker, Seven Jane, Alcy Leyva, Laura Morrison, Dalena Storm, and Cassondra Windwalker
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Six stories of not-so-merry Yuletide whimsy from the authors of Black Spot Books including a woman so cold she hardens to ice on a winter’s eve. From a murder at the Stanley Hotel to demons of Christmas past, present, and future, and a mad elf and Santa’s Candy Court, the authors of Black Spot Books share their love for winter holidays in this collection of dark winter tales, destined to chill your bones and warm your heart for the Yuletide season.

December

The Light of All That Falls (The Licanius Trilogy #3) by James Islington
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Walk the Wild With Me by Rachel Atwood
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this new historical fantasy, a young man must use the power granted by a goddess to infiltrate the realm of Faery and save a kidnapped victim before the door is sealed once again.

A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A generation past, the western realms were embroiled in endless war. Then the Destroyer came. From the blood and ashes he left behind, a tenuous alliance rose between the barbarian riders of Parsathe and the walled kingdoms of the south. That alliance is all that stands against the return of an ancient evil—until the barbarian king and queen are slain in an act of bloody betrayal.

Crownbreaker by Sebastien de Castell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Anyone: A Novel by Charles Soule
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Charles Soule brings his signature knowledge—and wariness–of technology to his sophomore novel set in a realistic future about a brilliant female scientist who creates a technology that allows for the transfer of human consciousness between bodies, and the transformations this process wreaks upon the world.

Dead Astronauts by Jeff VanderMeer
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Jeff VanderMeer’s Dead Astronauts presents a City with no name of its own where, in the shadow of the all-powerful Company, lives human and otherwise converge in terrifying and miraculous ways. At stake: the fate of the future, the fate of Earth—all the Earths.

What July to December 2019 fantasy and sci-fi releases are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Exciting Fantasy & Sci-Fi Books Out In July-December 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

To kick off the second half of the year, July sees Riley Sager, Michele Campbell, and Paul Tremblay deliver the thrills, while Kayln Josephson and Elizabeth Lim bring the fantasy, and Jasmine Guillory gifts us with a great new romance novel.

Well-known and best-selling authors Ruth Ware and Philippa Greggory deliver new novels in August, along with thrillers from Alex North and Lauren North, a debut YA fantasy novel from Erin A. Craig, and a fun romance from Hannah Orenstein.

September has some highly anticipated books awaiting us with the final instalment in Jay Kristoff’s Nevernight series, a sequel to Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, and of course, a new novel from the King himself, Stephen King. If you’re in need of some fantasy, be sure to turn to Adrienne Young, Tamsyn Muir, and Alix E. Harrow.

With only three months left, October holds Leigh Bardugo’s first adult fantasy novel, along with exciting titles from Garth Nix, Renée Ahdieh, Christina Lauren, and Joe Hill. Plus there’s also Thomas Wheeler and Frank Miller’s graphic novel Cursed, which is a twist on King Arthur and will be adapted into a Netflix series in May 2020 starring Katherine Langford (13 Reasons Why).

As for November, there’s plenty of fantasy to get lost in from authors such as Erin Morgenstern, Holly Black, Amélie Wen Zhao, and Maggie Stiefvater. Or perhaps be in suspense with a new novel by Mary Higgins Clark or follow a romance in Andie J. Christopher’s Not The Girl You Marry.

To end the year, enjoy new novels from Josh Malerman, Jeff Lindsay, Sara Shepard, Tomi Adeyemi, Damien Angelica Walters, and Tarryn Fisher.

Read on to discover these books below and tell us what you will be picking up in the comments below!

July

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

After an “oops, we made a mistake” night together, neither one can stop thinking about the other. With Alexa’s wedding rapidly approaching, Maddie and Theo both share bridal party responsibilities that require more interaction with each other than they’re comfortable with.

A Stranger on The Beach by Michele Campbell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From bestselling author Michele Campbell comes A Stranger on the Beach, an edge-of-your seat story of passion and intrigue that will keep you guessing until the very end.

The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Eragon meets And I Darken in this thrilling new fantasy debut that follows a fallen princess as she ignites a rebellion to bring back the magical elemental crows that were taken from her people.

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The next heart-pounding thriller from New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager follows a young woman whose new job apartment sitting in one of New York’s oldest and most glamorous buildings may cost more than it pays.

Spin The Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Growing Things and Other Stories by Paul Tremblay
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A chilling collection of psychological suspense and literary horror from the multiple award-winning author of the national bestseller The Cabin at the End of the World and A Head Full of Ghosts.

August

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
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Get swept away in Erin A. Craig’s mesmerizing House of Salt and Sorrows. As one by one her beautiful sisters mysteriously die on their isolated island estate, Annaleigh must unravel the curse that haunts her family. Be careful who you dance with. . . .

The Whisper Man by Alex North
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this dark, suspenseful thriller, Alex North weaves a multi-generational tale of suspense, as a father and son are caught in the crosshairs of an investigation to catch a serial killer preying on a small town.

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Full of spellbinding menace and told in Ruth Ware’s signature suspenseful style, The Turn of the Key is an unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time.

Tidelands by Philippa Gregory
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The #1 New York Times bestselling author turns from the glamour of the royal courts to tell the story of an ordinary woman, Alinor, who cannot bear to conform to the life that lies before her.

The Perfect Son by Lauren North
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A disturbing and shocking debut novel of psychological suspense about a recently widowed mother, her young son, and the lengths she’ll go to in order to keep him safe.

Love at First Like by Hannah Orenstein
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of Playing with Matches, the rollicking tale of a young jewelry shop owner who accidentally leads her Instagram followers to believe that she’s engaged—and then decides to keep up the ruse.

September

Darkdawn (The Nevernight Chronicle #3) by Jay Kristoff
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The epic conclusion of the internationally bestselling Nevernight Chronicle from New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff.

The Testaments (The Handmaid’s Tale #2) by Margaret Atwood
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Margaret Atwood’s sequel picks up the story fifteen years after Offred stepped into the unknown, with the explosive testaments of three female narrators from Gilead.

The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Girl the Sea Gave Back is the new standalone novel set in the brutal, Viking inspired world of Sky in the Deep. It will follow the story of Halvard ten years after the battle for Hylli, his role in the evolution of the Aska and Riki clans, and the spinning of fate that brings his path to intersect with a new character who changes their world again.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as necromantic skeletons. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
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In the early 1900s, a young woman searches for her place in the world after finding a mysterious book in this captivating and lyrical debut.

The Institute by Stephen King
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As psychically terrifying as Firestarter, and with the spectacular kid power of It, The Institute is Stephen King’s gut-wrenchingly dramatic story of good vs. evil in a world where the good guys don’t always win.

October

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo comes a mesmerizing tale of power, privilege, and dark magic set among the Ivy League elite.

Angel Mage by Garth Nix
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Fans of Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, and Leigh Bardugo will fall in love with Angel Mage, a feminist fantasy that takes place in an alternate European world ruled by fearsome magic and deadly passions.

Full Throttle by Joe Hill
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In this masterful collection of short fiction, Joe Hill dissects timeless human struggles in thirteen relentless tales of supernatural suspense, including “In The Tall Grass,” one of two stories co-written with Stephen King, basis for the terrifying feature film from Netflix.

Cursed by Thomas Wheeler
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Lady of the Lake is the true hero in this cinematic twist on the tale of King Arthur created by Thomas Wheeler and legendary artist, producer, and director Frank Miller (300, Batman: The Dark Night Returns, Sin City). Featuring 8 full color and 30 black-and-white pieces of original artwork by Frank Miller.

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh returns with a sumptuous, sultry and romantic new series set in 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight.

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners and the “delectable, moving” (Entertainment Weekly) My Favorite Half-Night Stand comes a modern love story about what happens when your first love reenters your life when you least expect it…

November

Call Down The Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Raven Boys, a mesmerizing story of dreams and desires, death and destiny. 

Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This hot debut is the first book in an epic new series about a princess hiding a dark secret and the con man she must trust to clear her name for her father’s murder.

Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry by Mary Higgins Clark
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When talented journalist Penelope “Casey” Harrison starts to research a piece about the #MeToo movement that includes an incident in her own life which she has been trying to put out of her mind for years, she does not realize that the young man who drugged and assaulted her at a fraternity house party in college is now a wealthy, powerful industrialist on the eve of a merger which will make him a billionaire—and who will do anything, even murder, to cover his tracks.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Night Circus, a timeless love story set in a secret underground world–a place of pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships that sail upon a starless sea.

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, comes the highly anticipated and jaw-dropping finale to The Folk of the Air trilogy.

Not the Girl You Marry by Andie J. Christopher
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How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days gets a millennial makeover in this romantic comedy by USA Today bestselling author Andie J. Christopher.

December

The Dead Girls Club by Damien Angelica Walters
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A supernatural thriller in the vein of A Head Full of Ghosts about two young girls, a scary story that becomes far too real, and the tragic–and terrifying–consequences that follow one of them into adulthood.

Malorie (Bird Box #2) by Josh Malerman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the thrilling sequel to Bird Box, the inspiration for the record-breaking Netflix film that starred Sandra Bullock and “absolutely riveted” Stephen King, New York Times bestselling author Josh Malerman brings unseen horrors to life.

Reputation by Sara Shepard
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this fast-paced new novel from Sara Shepard, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars, a tight-knit college town scrambles for answers when an e-mail hack reveals life-changing secrets and scandals.

Just Watch Me by Jeff Lindsay
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of the wildly successful Dexter series comes a new, mesmerizing bad guy we can root for: Riley Wolfe. He’s a master thief, expert at disguise, and not averse to violence when it’s needed. In this series launch, Riley aims for an extraordinary target in a heist that will make history. Riley will try to steal the Crown Jewels of Iran.

Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Legacy of Orïsha #2) by Tomi Adeyemi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Children of Virtue and Vengeance is the stunning sequel to Tomi Adeyemi’s New York Times bestselling debut Children of Blood and Bone, the first title in her Legacy of Orïsha trilogy.

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Imagine that your husband has two other wives. But you love him so much you don’t care. Upon finding information about one of the wives, you track her down, and, under false pretenses, you strike up a friendship. She starts showing up with telltale bruises, and you realise she’s being abused by her husband. Who, of course, is also your husband. Who exactly is your husband, and how far would you go to find the truth? Would you risk your own life? And who is his mysterious third wife?

Are there any other July to December 2019 books you’re looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Book Releases You Cannot Miss In July-December 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Perhaps you’re in need of some YA? Be on the look out for Leigh Bardugo’s King of Scars, Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Virtue and Vengeance, Christine Riccio’s Again, But Better, and Kasie West’s Maybe This Time.

If fantasy and sci-fi is more your speed, pick up Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree, Marlon James’ Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Gods of Jade and Shadow, or Rick Riordan’s The Tyrant’s Tomb.

Or get drawn into a good mystery or thriller with Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen’s An Anonymous Girl, Samantha Downing’s My Lovely Wife, Wendy Walker’s The Night Before, and Megan Goldin’s The Escape Room.

Read on to discover just a few of the exciting 2019 new releases you can check out and tell us in the comments below if you will be adding them to your list!

JANUARY

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us comes an electrifying new novel about doubt, passion, and just how much you can trust someone.

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way.

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An unforgettable romantic comedy about a woman who finally has a shot at her long time crush—if she dares.

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
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Set in a darkly glamorous world, The Gilded Wolves is full of mystery, decadence, and dangerous but thrilling adventure.

The Suspect by Fiona Barton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The new must-read standalone crime thriller from the author of Sunday Times bestseller, The Widow, and the Richard & Judy No. 1 bestseller, The Child – featuring unforgettable journalist, Kate Waters.

Golden Child by Claire Adam
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A deeply affecting debut novel set in Trinidad, following the lives of a family as they navigate impossible choices about scarcity, loyalty, and love.

FEBRUARY

On The Come Up by Angie Thomas
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On the Come Up is Angie Thomas’s homage to hip-hop, the art that sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to inspire her to this day.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the internationally bestselling author of The Bone Season, a trailblazing, epic high fantasy about a world on the brink of war with dragons – and the women who must lead the fight to save it.

The Huntress by Kate Quinn
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A fascinating historical novel about a battle-haunted English journalist and a Russian female bomber pilot who join forces to track the Huntress, a Nazi war criminal gone to ground in America.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James
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Marlon James draws on a rich tradition of African mythology, fantasy and history to imagine an ancient world, a lost child, an extraordinary hunter, and a mystery with many answers…

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
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A shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive…

Bowlaway by Elizabeth McCracken
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A sweeping and enchanting new novel from the widely beloved, award-winning author Elizabeth McCracken about three generations of an unconventional New England family who own and operate a candlepin bowling alley

MARCH

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Pena
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Clark Kent has always been faster, stronger, better than everyone around him. But he wasn’t raised to show off, and drawing attention to himself could be dangerous. Plus, it’s not like he’s earned his powers . . . yet.

Run Away by Harlan Coben
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She’s addicted to drugs and to an abusive boyfriend. You haven’t seen her in six months. Then you find her busking in New York’s Central Park. But she’s not the girl you remember. This woman is frail, filthy, terrified, and in more trouble than you ever imagined.

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi (Pushed back to June 2019)
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Children of Virtue and Vengeance is the stunning sequel to Tomi Adeyemi’s New York Times bestselling debut Children of Blood and Bone, the first title in her Legacy of Orïsha trilogy.

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Dexter meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith in this wildly compulsive debut thriller about a couple whose fifteen-year marriage has finally gotten too interesting…

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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A thrilling story told in the form of an extended oral history, Daisy Jones and the Six transports the reader to the world of ’70’s rock ‘n roll; creative chaos, musical alchemy and an iconic sound.

Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi
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Influenced by the mysterious place gingerbread holds in classic children’s stories from the tantalizing witch’s house in “Hansel and Gretel” to the man-shaped confection who one day decides to run as fast as he can. this is a delightful tale of a surprising family legacy, in which the inheritance is a recipe.

APRIL

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In a centuries-long war where beauty and brutality meet, the paths of three individuals entwine in a shadowy world of spilled blood and mysterious saints, where a forbidden romance threatens to tip the scales between dark and light

The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A twisty, compelling novel about one woman’s complicated relationship with her mother-in-law that ends in murder…

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From #1 New York Times bestseller Cassandra Clare and award-winner Wesley Chu comes the first book in a new series that follows High Warlock Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood as they tour the world after the Mortal War.

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this shimmering Chinese-inspired fantasy, debut author Joan He introduces a determined and vulnerable young heroine struggling to do right in a world brimming with deception.

Little Darlings by Melanie Golding
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Compulsive, creepy, and inspired by some our darkest fairy tales, Little Darlings will have you checking―and rechecking―your own little ones. Just to be sure. Just to be safe.

Meet Cute by Helena Hunting
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The New York Times bestselling author of Pucked and The Good Luck Charm delivers a Hollywood happily-ever-after where a famous heartthrob falls for his ultimate fangirl in this sexy standalone romantic comedy.

MAY

Again, But Better by Christine Riccio
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Shane has been doing college all wrong. Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. She needs a change — there’s nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She’s going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure! Easier said than done.

The Night Before by Wendy Walker
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Told in dual timelines—the night before and the day after—The Night Before is a riveting thriller about family loyalty, obsession, and what happens when the desire for love spins out of control.

Aurora Rising by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the academy would touch…

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the critically acclaimed author of The Kiss Quotient comes a romantic novel about love that crosses international borders and all boundaries of the heart…

We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame is a gripping debut of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands.

With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo
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From the New York Times bestselling author of the National Book Award longlist title The Poet X comes a dazzling novel in prose about a girl with talent, pride, and a drive to feed the soul that keeps her fire burning bright.

JUNE

I’ll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From Catherine McKenzie, the instant bestselling author of The Good Liar, comes a riveting domestic suspense in the vein of Liane Moriarty that sees five siblings forced to confront a tragedy they thought was buried long ago.

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of An Enchantment of Ravens comes an imaginative fantasy about an apprentice at a magical library who must battle a powerful sorcerer to save her kingdom.

The Beholder by Anna Bright
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Ghosts of the Shadow Market by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Follow Brother Zachariah and see, against the backdrop of the Shadow Market’s dark dealings and festive celebrations, Anna Lightwood’s first romance, Matthew Fairchild’s great sin and Tessa Gray plunged into a world war. Valentine Morgenstern buys a soul at the Market and a young Jace Wayland’s soul finds safe harbor.

The Long Flight Home by Alan Hlad
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Inspired by fascinating, true, yet little-known events during World War II, The Long Flight Home is a testament to the power of courage in our darkest hours—a moving, masterfully written story of love and sacrifice.

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the # 1 New York Times bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love and The Signature of All Things, a delicious novel of glamour, sex, and adventure, about a young woman discovering that you don’t have to be a good girl to be a good person.

JULY

Dark Age by Pierce Brown
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Morning Star returns to the Red Rising universe with the thrilling sequel to Iron Gold.

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The next heart-pounding thriller from New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager follows a young woman whose new job apartment sitting in one of New York’s oldest and most glamorous buildings may cost more than it pays.

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Maddie and Theo have two things in common: Alexa is their best friend and they hate each other. After an “oops, we made a mistake” night together, neither one can stop thinking about the other.

The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen
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A gritty YA fantasy about a young chieftain from a persecuted caste of mercy-killers who must rely on her wits and bone magic to smuggle the crown prince to safety.

Maybe This Time by Kasie West
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One year. Nine events. Nine chances to…fall in love? Told over the course of one year and following Sophie from event to event, this delightful novel from master of romantic comedy Kasie West shows how love can blossom in unexpected places.

This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amar El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Two time-traveling agents from warring futures, working their way through the past, begin to exchange letters—and fall in love in this thrilling and romantic book from award-winning authors Amal-El Mohtar and Max Gladstone.

AUGUST

Things You Save In A Fire by Katherine Center
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away comes a stunning new novel about family, hope, and learning to love against all odds.

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For fans of JP Delaney’s The Girl Before and Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10 comes this hair-raising novel of deception and revenge that will blow readers away.

The Dragon Republic by RF Kuang
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The sequel to R.F. Kuang’s acclaimed debut THE POPPY WAR, THE DRAGON REPUBLIC combines the history of 20th-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating effect.

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Mayan God of Death sends a young woman on a harrowing, life-changing journey in this dark fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore, for readers of The Song of Achilles and Uprooted.

Keeping Lucy by T. Greenwood
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of Rust & Stardust comes this heartbreaking story, inspired by true events, of how far one mother must go to protect her daughter.

Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell
Goodreads | Amazon

Pumpkinheads is a book about fall and friendship and saying good-bye. About puns and pumpkin spice. And about taking a moment, while everything around you changes, to appreciate something wonderful.

SEPTEMBER

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Margaret Atwood’s sequel picks up the story 15 years after Offred stepped into the unknown, with the explosive testaments of three female narrators from Gilead.

Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A ruthless young assassin’s journey for revenge comes to a stunning end in the conclusion of this acclaimed epic fantasy trilogy.

The World of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The official guide to the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series complete with characters, creatures, new artwork, and more!

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Ninth House trilogy—Gideon the Ninth, Harrow the Ninth, and Alecto the Ninth—is an epic science fantasy that blends necromantic theory and thrilling swordplay with a wicked, sacrilegious sense of humor; a modern mix of Dune, Riddick, and Gormenghast.

His Hideous Heart by Dahlia Adler, Kendare Blake, Rin Chupeco, and more
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Dahlia Adler (ed.)’s HIS HIDEOUS HEART, a collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s most unsettling and surprising short stories reimagined by authors Kendare Blake, Rin Chupeco, Lamar Giles, Tessa Gratton, Tiffany Jackson, Stephanie Kuehn, Amanda Lovelace, Emily Lloyd-Jones, Hillary Monahan, Marieke Nijkamp, Caleb Roehrig, and Fran Wild.

The Tyrant’s Tomb by Rick Riordan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

It’s not easy being Apollo, especially when you’ve been turned into a human and banished from Olympus. On his path to restoring five ancient oracles and reclaiming his godly powers, Apollo (aka Lester Papadopoulos) has faced both triumphs and tragedies. Now his journey takes him to Camp Jupiter in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the Roman demigods are preparing for a desperate last stand against the evil Triumvirate of Roman emperors.

OCTOBER

The New Bad Thing by Michael Ebner
Goodreads | Book Depository

Teagan can’t have what she wants most in life. Now everywhere she goes and everyone she knows are constant reminders of this. Desperate for a distraction, she needs to focus her energy elsewhere. Suddenly a foreign news story shocks her to the core. From that moment, she takes matters into her own hands and starts a special project. It could become a global game changer.

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
Goodreads

At once a sultry romance and a thrilling murder mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet: The Beautiful. And these vampires don’t sparkle. They slay.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The new series centers on Alex Stern, a 20-year-old California high school dropout with a criminal past who is mysteriously offered a second chance as a Yale University freshman. Ninth House, the first book, follows Stern’s freshman year, where she is charged with monitoring Yale’s secret societies, who engage in sinister occult activities.

Untitled by Paula Hawkins
Goodreads

The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco
Goodreads

Pitched as Frozen meets Mad Max, the series is about a world ruled by goddesses that has been split in two—one half existing in perpetual scorching Day, the other in freezing Night—and the twins separated at birth who learn they’re destined to make their way across the great divide and rule a reunited world.

Into The Crooked Place by Alexandra Christo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a strange book hidden in the library stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood.

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare comes the first novel in a brand-new trilogy that stars the Shadowhunters of Edwardian London. Chain of Gold is a Shadowhunters novel.

Starsight by Brandon Sanderson
Goodreads

The follow-up to Brandon Sanderson’s 2018 YA sci-fi novel Skyward.

The Light of All The Falls by James Islington
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Light of All That Falls concludes the epic adventure that began in The Shadow of What Was Lost, the acclaimed fantasy blockbuster from James Islington.

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A heart-breaking, uplifting story for fans of PS I Love You and Jojo Moyes, this gorgeously romantic novel will make you laugh, cry and remind you of what a wonderful gift it is to love and to be loved.

Quantum by Patricia Cornwell
Goodreads | Amazon

International bestselling, award-winning, and groundbreaking author Patricia Cornwell will introduce a new heroine for the technological age with Quantum.

What new release are you most excited to read this year? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 2019 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Greatest Showman hit the theatres at the end of 2017 and it took a lot of us, including myself, by surprise. Filled with music, romance, and most importantly: the journey to self-acceptance, I’m not exaggerating when I say it glued me to my seat.

Of course, with the ending of every movie comes that moment we all dread the most—when you get out of the theatre and you face the terrible realisation that the movie is over and with that, the universe of the film is gone too. There will be no sequels, no new trailer or no cast reunion. The only thing left to do is to stalk every website with a list of movies or books that remind them of the masterpiece you just watched, hoping for at least the chance to mirror the feeling this work of art gave you.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is our list of books that will help you escape to a circus or a world of magic!

The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O’Neill

This book captures the rise of people with big talent and little money. Just like Barnum, these kids take their creativity to the next level and make their way through the hard times to rise above the adversity and life that was designed for them by others. With a couple as touching as Phineas and Charity, this is the closest book I have found to resemble all the action and meaning in The Greatest Showman.

Synopsis | Goodreads
Two babies are abandoned in a Montreal orphanage in the winter of 1910. Before long, their talents emerge: Pierrot is a piano prodigy; Rose lights up even the dreariest room with her dancing and comedy. As they travel around the city performing clown routines, the children fall in love with each other and dream up a plan for the most extraordinary and seductive circus show the world has ever seen. Separated as teenagers, sent off to work as servants during the Great Depression, both descend into the city’s underworld, dabbling in sex, drugs and theft in order to survive. But when Rose and Pierrot finally reunite beneath the snowflakes after years of searching and desperate poverty the possibilities of their childhood dreams are renewed, and they’ll go to extreme lengths to make them come true. Soon, Rose, Pierrot and their troupe of clowns and chorus girls have hit New York, commanding the stage as well as the alleys, and neither the theater nor the underworld will ever look the same.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

In this book the magic of a circus is captured—quite literally. The journey of two magicians to befall one another gets tricky when they actually fall for each other. If you like the circus environment and the battle to rise inside it, plus a good love story like Barnum’s or Phillip’s, this book is for you.

Synopsis | Goodreads
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway – a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love – a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands. True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley

Since The Greatest Showman is a family movie, this book is written from a middle grade and children’s point of view. It takes the atmosphere of the circus and its magic, except this time the magic is real. It’s a wonderful tale about the power of family and it made me think of how Barnum’s girls would be picturing his circus.

Synopsis | Goodreads
Do you believe in magic? Micah Tuttle does. Even though his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis doesn’t approve, Micah believes in the stories his dying Grandpa Ephraim tells him of the magical Circus Mirandus: the invisible tiger guarding the gates, the beautiful flying birdwoman, and the magician more powerful than any other—the Man Who Bends Light. Finally, Grandpa Ephraim offers proof. The Circus is real. And the Lightbender owes Ephraim a miracle. With his friend Jenny Mendoza in tow, Micah sets out to find the Circus and the man he believes will save his grandfather. The only problem is, the Lightbender doesn’t want to keep his promise. And now it’s up to Micah to get the miracle he came for.

Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen

Not only does this book include the circus life, but this beautiful love story between Jacob and Marlena will bring you back memories of Philip and Anne. This book was also adapted for a movie in 2011, starring Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon.

Synopsis | Goodreads
When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.

The Prestige by Christopher Priest

This story doesn’t include a circus, but the story of two magicians trying to rise to fame within the same time period. The battle to overcome each other and the advance of their careers mirrors the struggle of life in The Greatest Showman. This book was also adapted into a movie in 2006 which, coincidentally, or not so much, stars Hugh Jackman.

Synopsis | Goodreads
In 1878, two young stage magicians clash in the dark during the course of a fraudulent séance. From this moment on, their lives become webs of deceit and revelation as they vie to outwit and expose one another. Their rivalry will take them to the peaks of their careers, but with terrible consequences. In the course of pursuing each other’s ruin, they will deploy all the deception their magicians’ craft can command–the highest misdirection and the darkest science. Blood will be spilled, but it will not be enough. In the end, their legacy will pass on for generations…to descendants who must, for their sanity’s sake, untangle the puzzle left to them.

Bonus: The Life of P.T. Barnum by P.T. Barnum

What better way to remain in the universe of The Greatest Showman than reading Phineas Taylor Barnum’s autobiography? This book tells about his journey to fame from his own point of view. If you’re into knowing more about the man Hugh Jackman immortalised, this book is for you.

Synopsis | Goodreads
An autobiography of Phineas T. Barnum that immortalizes the showman who hoodwinked customers into paying to hear the reminiscences of a woman presented as George Washington’s 161-year-old nurse, the impresario who brought Jenny Lind to America and toured Europe with General Tom Thumb, and the grand entrepreneur of the American Museum of New York.

Are you still infatuated with the circus vibes and legends in rising? Do you have any faves similar to these? Tell us in comments!

The post 5 Books To Read If You Loved ‘The Greatest Showman’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Set in the small town of Riverdale, we find there’s secrets, mysteries and murder lying beneath the town’s quiet exterior. The series is based on the popular Archie comics, which began in 1939 and spanned almost 80 years of comics along with the creation of films, toys and video games. However, The CW’s version takes the comics down a much darker path, which is a current trend in film and television adaptions as seen in recent live-action versions of Disney stories for example.

Ultimately, the series is often well-written to make it fun and addictive, but with it currently on a hiatus, we’ve found some great books to fill the coming weeks before its return!

Read on to discover these great books and tell us in the comments below if you have more suggestions!

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

Synopsis | Goodreads

A hundred years in the future, New York is a city of innovation and dreams. Everyone there wants something…and everyone has something to lose. Leda’s flawless exterior belies a secret addiction—to a drug and a boy. Eris’ carefree life falls to pieces when a heartbreaking betrayal tears her family apart. Rylin’s job sweeps her into a world and a romance she never imagined. Watt is a tech genius with a secret: he knows everything about everyone and finds himself caught up in a complicated web of lies. Then there’s Avery, the girl genetically designed to be perfect. Amid breathtaking advancement and high-tech luxury, five teenagers struggle to find their place at the top of the world. But when you’re this high up, there’s nowhere to go but down….

If you love any of the family and friendship drama or the glamour of Riverdale, then The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee is a definite must read for you. Riverdale thrives on drama between family members and friends, and this book does it wonderfully. Both have been compared to Gossip Girl and both are perfect counterparts for each other.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Synopsis | Goodreads 

Five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone’s a suspect, and everyone has something to hide. Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule. Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess. Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing. Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher. And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High’s notorious gossip app. Simon’s death wasn’t an accident as he planned to post juicy information, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder.

Season one of Riverdale focused on the murder of Jason Blossom and trying to find out who killed him. One of Us is Lying has the same mystery and thriller elements and keeps you wondering until the end to find out who killed Simon, just like we kept asking, “who killed Jason Blossom?”

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Synopsis | Goodreads

The circus arrives without warning. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway – a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. However, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love – a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands. True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

The creepy atmosphere of Riverdale really helps set the mood for every episode that airs. The Night Circus, contains a similar atmospheric setting with its combined twists and turns that leaves you without your grip on reality.

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Synopsis | Goodreads

Three years ago, Alison disappeared after a slumber party, not to be seen since. Her friends at the elite Pennsylvania school mourned her, but they also breathed secret sighs of relief. Each of them guarded a secret that only Alison had known. Now they have other dirty little secrets, secrets that could sink them in their gossip-hungry world. When each of them begins receiving anonymous emails and text messages, panic sets in. Are they being betrayed by someone in their circle? Worse yet: Is Alison back? A strong launch for a suspenseful series.

Pretty Little Liars is a series about the queen bee of a group of friends who disappeared several years ago and no one knows what happened to her. This series tries to answer, what happened to Alison? And who is A? Riverdale has similar mysteries in its’ seasons which captivate the viewers just like the readers with the Pretty Little Liars series.

The Amateurs by Sara Shepard

Synopsis | Goodreads

Five years ago, high school senior Helena Kelly disappeared from her backyard. Her family was left without any answers—without any idea who killed Helena, or why. So when eighteen-year-old Seneca Frazier sees a desperate post on the Case Not Closed message board, she knows it’s time to change that. Helena’s high-profile disappearance is the one that originally got Seneca addicted to true crime. It’s the reason she’s a member of the site in the first place. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, she agrees to spend spring break in Connecticut working on the case with Maddy Wright, her best friend from Case Not Closed. However, the moment she steps off the train, things start to go wrong. Maddy’s nothing like she expected, and Helena’s sister, Aerin, doesn’t seem to want any help after all. Plus, Seneca has a secret of her own, one that could derail the investigation if she’s not careful. Alongside Brett, another super-user from the site, they slowly begin to unravel the secrets Helena kept in the weeks before her disappearance. But the killer is watching…and determined to make sure the case stays cold.

This other book by Sara Shepard is also filled with murder, mystery and small towns with chilling secrets has to be on this list. The Amateurs fits all those criteria, as it’s about Seneca trying to find out what happened to her sister Helena when she disappeared four years ago.

Have you read any of these books or want to read these?  Do you know any other books similar to Riverdale? Tell us in the comments down below!

The post 5 Books To Read If You Love Riverdale appeared first on The Nerd Daily.