It's early in the year, but the 2016 book publishing calendar is already packed with great books. Don DeLilllo has a new book Zero K coming out later in the year, as do Annie Proulx with Barkskins, Yann Martel with  The High Mountains of Portugal, Louise Erdrich with LaRose and Julian Barnes with The Noise of Time. Serial fans are anticipating concluding installments in series from Stephen King (End of Watch - Mr. Mercedes series), Naomi Novik (League of Dragons - Temeraire series) and Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnette Friis (The Considerate Killer - the Nina Borg series).

For a comprehensive look at adult fiction books coming out this year, check out this list, and go here for an adult nonfiction list. Publishers' Weekly lists their most anticipated spring season books, divided into 16 categories - and keep an eye on their site for their kid's list, coming on January 25.
 
Here are a few gems we're looking forward to sharing with you this year!

Shona
If you like something bold and bloodthirsty, I'm bursting to talk to you about The North Water by Ian McGuire, which comes out in March. Set on a whaling ship making its way through the ice pack, with disaster and murder dogging the crew, it's savage and brutal, and utterly gripping. Read a longer review on our blog and see more about our new blog further down in this newsletter). I can't wait to read The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin, due in May. It's the final in his amazing horror trilogy that started with The Passage.The previous two books have absorbed me so much that I can guarantee, however long this one may turn out to be, I'll be reading it through in a single sitting.

Stepping away from violence and horror for a moment (I'm a nice, peaceful person, honest) I'm pleased to see that in August a new book, Piper Green and the Fairy Tree: The Sea Pony is coming out in Ellen Potter's Piper Green series. I love introducing the Piper Green books to younger girls (around 2nd and 3rd grade) and am happy to see the series grow.


Susan T.
I loved My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout, which came out a few days ago. Strout is the author of Olive Kittiredge and The Burgess Boys. Her new novel is simply written, but ultimately reveals a very complex story hinging on a mother-daughter relationship. One of the few books I would like to re-read. Highly recommend for book clubs.




Dona
I'm also singing the praises of My Name is Lucy Barton from Elizabeth Strout - see above! And Robert Harris' newest, Dictator, which has also just come out. This is the long-awaited final part of his Ancient Rome trilogy about Cicero, which started with Imperium.






Karla
I'm looking forward to reading the new book by Bill Bryson. It's called The Road to Little Dribbling: Adventures of an American in Britain and is a sequel to Notes From a Small Island.







Rivian
Masterminds: Criminal Destiny, the second book in Gordon Korman's Mastermind series is due out at the start of February. I'm also looking forward to the seventh installment in The Unwanteds series: Island of Dragons, which is coming out at the beginning of April. For teachers, or anybody wanting to know more about the books, the series has its own website with an educator's guide and other activities for readers.



Ryan


Larry
There is so much for the voracious reader to look forward to! So, I'll stick to a few that have just come out or will be out in the next few months. Riders by Veronica Rossi is coming out in February and this is one of the few times that you will hear me say that if a second book is coming out, sign me up right now! One of the best fantasies I have read for high schoolers and up.