Top Ten Tuesday is a bookish meme that was started by The Broke and Bookish and moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists (something I share) and each week participants come up with a list of ten(ish) things based on a theme.
The theme for this weeks Top Ten Tuesday is Most Anticipated Book Releases for the First Half of 2020. I’ve actually been trying to focus on backlist books and not new books coming out as I really want to reduce my TBR not add to it but these ones have been on my radar for a while. The links will take you to the GoodReads page, if you want to check any of them out.
Burn by Patrick Ness (May 2020) – It’s Patrick Ness and it’s dragons do I really need to say anymore… OK, his last couple of books haven’t been my favourites but his writing is always wonderful and the stories imaginative and unique. I can’t wait to see what he does with this.
A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer (Jan 2020) – Technically this came out yesterday but I’m counting it. I absolutely loved the first book in the series A Curse So Dark and Lonely (here’s my review) which was a Beauty and the Beast inspired story and I love Kemmerer’s writing so this has got to be a win-win. Fingers crossed it lives up to expectations.
The Switch by Beth O’Leary (April 2020) – I LOVED O’Leary’s debut The Flatshare so have been anxiously awaiting anything by her and this sounds like such a cute story. A pensioner and a 20 something swap places for a couple of months and maybe find love. If it’s anything like The Flatshare I fully anticipate this having a little more depth than the blurb would suggest.
Pretending by Holly Bourne (April 2020) – This isn’t out till April but I’ve already been hearing a lot of great things about it. I’m not wholly surprised as Bourne’s first adult novel How Do You Like Me Now? is one of my all time favourite reads. Bourne has an incredible ability to weave current issues into her stories and capture how a lot of women really feel.
Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire (Jan 2020) – I was absolutely heartbroken when my NetGalley request for this was declined. The Wayward Children series is absolutely brilliant, so I’ve been ridiculously excited about the fifth book in the series particularly as it seems to follow favourite character Jack. I love the world building, the characters and the imagination of the whole thing. Looking on the positive side though a declined request means I can listen to it on audio, which is how I’ve read all of the others in the series.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (May 2020) – Like a lot of people I suspect I am both eagerly anticipating and slightly dreading this Hunger Games prequel. It has the potential to be either brilliant or terrible. One thing is for sure, I won’t be able to resist reading it.
The Girl and the Stars by Mark Lawrence (April 2020) – Should I really be starting a new series when I have so many others unfinished (Book of the Ancestor included)? Probably not. Am I going to? Most certainly. I love Lawrence’s stories. I do think I should probably finish the Book of the Ancestor trilogy first though.
The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton (May 2020) – Have to confess that cover is a BIG part of why I want to read this book, I mean look at it. That is one stunning cover. I almost don’t care what the stories about. I was however a big fan of Alwyn Hamilton’s Rebel of the Sands trilogy so I have no doubt the content will live up to expectations.
Our Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent (March 2020) – I really, really love Liz Nugent’s books. Every single one starts with a killer opening sentence and this one is no exception. I am expecting something dark and twisty with absolutely horrible characters doing absolutely horrible things.
He Started It by Samantha Downing (April 2020) – Downing’s first novel, My Lovely Wife was one of my favourite books of 2019 so as soon as I heard about her new one it went straight on my TBR. It sounds just as dark and twisted and I can’t wait to read it.
So that’s my 10 most anticipated books from the first half of 2020. Are any of these on your list or is there a book you’re particularly looking forward to that I should really be adding to my TBR?
Feel free to leave comments below and links to your top ten’s.
A Bookish Life 
I have The Switch on my list too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suspect quite a lot of people will. The Flatshare was such a brilliant read, I’m really looking forward to olearys next book
LikeLike
I’m really excited for The Switch and He Started It.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t wait for The Switch. I requested it on Netgalley ages ago and it’s still sitting pending which does not seem like a good sign.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m loving that Patrick Ness cover! Makes me want to read it right along with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fingers crossed the contents live up to the cover. Some of his recent books have been on the weaker side.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I’ve heard. I’ve only read A Monster Calls.
LikeLike
I also have mixed feelings about another Hunger Games novel! Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right? Really excited to read anything set in that world but it could be so bad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A Heart So Fierce and Broken has been on so many lists this week.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not surprised. The first book was just so good and Grey was a brilliant character.
LikeLike
Wow. The Notorious Virtues truly is a stunning cover. I haven’t encountered much talk about that yet, but like you said, I almost don’t care because the cover makes me want to pick it up so badly! I also picked The Ballad of Songbirds…this week and hope that the content inside is better than that cover and title! Here’s hoping!
Good luck reading all of these in 2020! Feel free to check out my list here: https://bit.ly/39P7oHK
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m hoping The Notorious Virtues looks even better in reality as I’m thinking I’m gonna have to buy a physical copy.
I’m definitely on the fence about Ballad of Songbirds. Hunger Games is a classic so while I’m quite excited about more in the world I’m not sure it’s really needed. Yep, here’s hoping it’s good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know Patrick Ness had a new book coming out. Now I have to decide if I’m more excited to read that one or the Hunger Games prequel. Ha!
My TTT .
LikeLike
Patrick Ness – ooo… DRAGONS – oooo… so Burn is now going onto my MUST GET list, after promising myself that I wouldn’t. And I also want to get hold of the Alwym Hamilton book as The Rebel Sands is my all-time favourite Sand and Sorcery series. Fabulous list, Ali!
LikeLike
I am very interested in Beth O’Leary’s book. I thought The Flatshare was wonderful, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us
LikeLike
I’m currently reading A Curse So Dark and Lonely, so I’m expecting to be eager to read AHSFAB. 🙂
My TTT
LikeLike
I totally didn’t know Patrick Ness had a new title coming out! And I definitely can’t wait to read these; Come Tumbling Down is absolutely brilliant and a new favorite of the series. Honestly I still can’t believe my request was actually approved (they might have made a mistake as Tor never approves my requests but I’m not complaining 😉 )
LikeLiked by 1 person
I stalk him on social media (mostly for the cat pics) so heard about it there.
I’m so jealous your request was approved. I always seem to get declined by that publisher though so was not totally surprised
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I follow him too, but I’ve been staying away from social media lately, so that might explain why I didn’t see it… And honestly my requests from Tor are always denied, so I’m really not sure why they actually approved this one haha. Not complaining though. 😉
LikeLike
I can’t wait to read Come Tumbling Down! I really love this series. Great post!
LikeLike
Ooh I finally got around to buying The Flatshare at the end of December, I had no idea Beth had another book due out! I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for it if I enjoy The Flatshare as much as I think I’m going to!
LikeLike