Wondering what to read now? Here are all the hot new January 2021 book releases for you. I’ll let you know what I’ve read, what I can’t wait to read, and what’s getting all the attention this month.
Hello, 2021!
The January 2021 book releases are starting the year off in the best way possible. I would know because I’ve already managed to read eight of them!
This month, you’ll find a little bit of everything among the January 2021 book releases. There are some exciting new thrillers, gorgeous historical fiction, and even a prequel to an American classic.
In case you’re new to Booklist Queen, every month I cover all the hottest new book releases. I try to read as many new book releases as I can to give you an honest perspective on what to read and what to skip.
However, I realize that my to-read list might not exactly match yours. That’s why, this year, I’ve decided to also include some of the most popular January 2021 book releases from your favorite authors.
Enough of my chit-chat. Let’s get on to the January 2021 book releases so you can fill up your to-read list.
New January 2021 Book Releases
People Like Her
Ellery Lloyd
Instamom Emmy Jackson is known for telling it as it is to her millions of Instagram followers. She knows exactly how to monetize her life as a “good-enough” mom. When Emmy’s online narrative pulls further from the truth it begins to strain her marriage. Meanwhile, an obsessed follower begins stalking the family, with a major grudge against Emmy.
People Like Her has the most accurate portrayal of influencer life I’ve read thus far in fiction. I loved that Emmy was a savvy businesswoman self-aware enough to contemplate how her lifestyle was influencing her family. I thought the stalker story was extremely compelling and although the ending was a bit overdramatic, I loved the epilogue. An all-around fun book to read that makes you think about how putting our lives online affects us.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 12 January 2021
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The Woman Outside My Door
Rachel Ryan
All children have imaginary friends, but Georgina begins to wonder when her seven-year-old son tells her he met a new friend, New Granny, at the park. Is Georgina just overreacting with the death of her mother still so painful? What if his imaginary friend isn’t imaginary? A very quick read, Ryan does an excellent job throwing in plenty of red herrings, keeping you on your toes the whole time. If you like unreliable narrators, this January release will be right up your alley.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gallery Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 5 January 2021
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The Wife Upstairs
Rachel Hawkins
Dogwalker and petty thief Jane sees her next mark in Eddie, the mysterious man in the neighborhood. As they fall in love, Jane is haunted by the story of his deceased wife, Bea, the wealthy owner of an interior design company who drowned in a boating accident with her best friend. This modern retelling of Jane Eyre fell flat for me. The first half of the story felt like a romance, and once the mystery kicks in, it never really gripped me as I had hoped.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 5 January 2021
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Before She Disappeared
Lisa Gardner
Lisa Gardner hits up the January 2021 book releases with a standalone thriller that I wouldn’t be surprised if she expands into a series. Haunted by her past, recovering alcoholic Frankie Elkin travels all over the country trying to solve missing person cases. In the Boston neighborhood of Mattapan, she searches for a Haitian teenager who vanished from her high school, teaming up with a tough local detective. The case is intriguing and travels in refreshingly unexpected directions. If you like that gritty detective feel so popular among the New York Times bestsellers, you’re highly likely to enjoy this one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Dutton through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 19 January 2021
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Yellow Wife
Sadeqa Johnson
The illegitimate daughter of a plantation owner, Pheby Delores Brown was promised her whole life she would be freed from slavery on her eighteenth birthday. Instead, she is sent to Devil’s Half-Acre, the most infamous slave jail in Virginia. Pheby is then purchased by the owner of the jail who is intent on making Pheby his mistress.
Johnson focuses on the impossible choices and sacrifices people make for love. Pheby’s story highlights that even though these yellow wives might appear to have better lives than a field hand, they are still very much slaves at the mercy of their masters. Although I loved the basis of the story, I didn’t have as strong an emotional reaction as many reviewers. Yet, I would still recommend it to those who love to read historical fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Simon & Schuster through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 12 January 2021
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Waiting for the Night Song
Julie Carrick Dalton
Forestry researcher Cadie is in the middle of an important project when a text from her childhood best friend sends her rushing to her hometown. A body has been discovered in the woods, bringing to light a secret from their childhood. As Cadie is flooded with memories of that fateful summer, she must decide what is worth sacrificing to protect the people she loves.
Honestly, I struggled with this book. The storyline ended up dragging, with lots of repetitive discussions and not much action. While the conversation on illegal immigration blended perfectly with her murder mystery, the climate change portion of the storyline felt rather forced. I suggest passing on this one in favor of other January 2021 book releases.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forge Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 12 January 2021
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Faye, Faraway
Helen Fisher
Faye is a happily married mother of two who still feels the ache of the loss of her mother as a child. When she suddenly finds herself transported back in time, she has the opportunity to befriend her mother. Faye, Faraway is a heartfelt debut novel; which spends most of the story contemplating the nature of time travel, faith, and the relationship between parents and children. Although the ending was excellent, the book overall was all talk talk talk – much too slow for my taste.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gallery Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 26 January 2021
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Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You)
Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy
Let me be clear. I have no intention of ever listening to a podcast by the McElroy brothers. Their brand of humor is not to my taste, and I thought this book was weakest when their personalities shone through. That being said, they wrote an excellent how-to guide for starting a podcast. Having hosted multiple podcasts over the last decade, they do an exceptional job explaining the technical aspects of podcasting – the equipment, software, editing, and monetization. In general, they stuck to explaining features instead of specific products so the book won’t become quickly outdated.
For anyone interested in starting a podcast, I would highly recommend you read Kristen Meinzer’s So You Want to Start a Podcast first to get you thinking about the “why” of your podcast, and then read this one so you can learn how to make it happen.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Perennial. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 26 January 2021
Amazon | Goodreads | More Info
January 2021 Book of the Month
Receiving my blue box from Book of the Month Club is a highlight of every month.
Here’s how it works – each month, they pick 5 books and you get to choose one book or skip until the next month. If you want to add any extra books, then you get them at a discounted price.
Each month is usually a mix of new book releases and advance copies of unreleased books. If you are interested in joining, you can use my Book of the Month Club affiliate link to get your first book for $10!
Here’s a look at the January Book of the Month selections.
Exciting January 2021 Book Releases
The Mystery of Mrs. Christie
Marie Benedict
In December 1926, the mystery novelist Agatha Christie disappeared. After an 11 day manhunt, the infamous author suddenly reappears, claiming no memory of what happened. Marie Benedict’s new novel imagines what happened to Christie during those missing days, a clever tale worthy of a master storyteller. Even though its release date got moved up to the last days of 2020, I couldn’t help but include The Mystery of Mrs. Christie in my January 2021 book releases.
Concrete Rose
Angie Thomas
In a prequel to her award-winning YA novel The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas returns with a look at the life of Starr’s father. Seventeen-year-old Maverick Carter deals drugs for the King Lords to provide for his mom while his dad is in jail. When Maverick finds out he has a son, he decides he wants to go straight, not an easy task for the son of a former gang legend.
Our Darkest Night
Jennifer Robson
During World War II, a young Jewish woman must hide as a Christian in the Italian countryside to avoid deportation. Forced to give up studying for the priesthood to run his family’s farm, Nico Gerardi agrees to protect Nina, pretending that she is his new bride. As Nina and Nico struggle to keep up the charade, their relationship depends while the suspicions of a local Nazi officer grows.
The Children’s Blizzard
Melanie Benjamin
In 1888 on an unseasonably warm January day, a blizzard blew into the Dakotas catching hundreds of homesteaders unaware. With school just letting out, schoolteachers were forced to decide whether to keep the children and risk freezing in the schoolhouse or send them home and risk them getting lost. Raina and Gerda Olsen, both schoolteachers, make opposite decisions. One is regarded as a hero and the other ostracized.
Nick
Michael Farris Smith
Publishing just days after the copyright for The Great Gatsby expires, Nick is an unofficial prequel to the American classic telling the tale of Nick Carraway’s life before moving to West Egg. Trying to escape the horrors he witnessed while serving in the First World War, Nick sets off on a journey of self-discovery, visiting Paris and New Orleans during the Golden Age.
Lore
Alexandra Bracken
Every seven years, nine Greek gods are stripped of their powers and hunted as mortals. Whoever kills a god can claim their power and immortality. Lore Perseous had left that world behind after her family’s murder. When a childhood friend and the god Athena both approach her for help with the hunt, she decides it might be time to avenge her family.
Popular January Upcoming Releases
What January 2021 Book Releases are You Most Excited to Read?
What books can you not wait to get your hands on this month? Did I miss any January 2021 book releases that you are anticipating? As always, let me know in the comments!
More New Book Releases:
Hiten Soni says
Thank you for this! Here are some interesting books. Maybe Yellow Wife is great. I will try it.
Charles Bishop says
Wow! Reading Challenge. But I before reach your post, I saw an article about audiobooks. This time I have a question for this topic. Which is the best for me Book reading or Listening to audible books.
Rachael says
I am fully in the opinion that you should read in whatever format works best for you!