Last week I took a look back at my favorite reads from 2021. This week I wanted to look ahead at the specific books and authors I am most looking forward to this year. While I generally operate on more of a “what am I in the mood for right now?” method of choosing my next read, the following will be the list that I am most likely going to be selecting from, at least at first. I do also want to make note that while some of these are books that are going to be released this year, many of them are books that have already been published but that I am just getting around to reading.

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Books

The following are my top stand-alone books that I’m looking forward to. Most of these have come my way over the years by way of the Modern Mrs. Darcy Kindle Deals Daily Email, so I already have them all in my personal kindle library, just chomping for me to finally read. Beware about that email list, though- it’s dangerous and addictive!

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The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean- A vintage clothing store being taken over by an unlikely granddaughter who is poised to fall in love and makeover her own personal style? Yes please!

The Strange Life of Alice Pendelbury by Marc Levy- My first book in translation about a woman who takes a wild adventure to Turkey at the unlikely urging (and financing) of her neighbor. Sounds intriguing and I love any book that allows me to travel.

Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon- I have read rave reviews about this book centered on one of WWII’s greatest female spies. I think I am finally ready to step back into some more WWII reading again this year and this book is first on my list.

Good Apple by Elizabeth Passarella- Many people I know have read and raved about this book. It’s supposed to be humorous, heartfelt, and give a fantastic glimpse into life in New York City. I love books that transport me, especially to places that I’ve always wanted to live.

Life at the Dakota by Stephen Birmingham- I bought this one years ago because it just sounds so interesting! A book about the building that has housed so many famous people in NYC. I do suspect that I may try to snag this one on audio, however.

The Radium Girls by Kate Moore- On the heels of just having finished “The Girls of Atomic City,” which I loved, I thought that this telling from WWI could be equally interesting, about the girls who painted radium during the war and ended up clearly succumbing to its ill effects (not the least of which was glowing in the dark).

Authors

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Beth O’Leary- The Switch, The Roadtrip, The No-Show

Last year I read “The Flatshare” by O’leary and absolutely loved it. While it was based on a fun premise (two people sharing an apartment- one during the day, the other at night so that they theoretically wouldn’t cross paths) it went so much deeper than I expected. I anticipate more of the same from the rest of O’Leary’s work and can’t wait to jump in.

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Kate Clayborn- Love at First, Beginner’s Luck, Best of Luck, Luck of the Draw

Last year I read “Love Lettering” and not only was I automatically fascinated because it revolved around a hand lettering artist (something I have dabbled in since high school) it was also well written, well researched, and a captivating love story. Hoping for more of that in Clayborn’s other books as well.

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Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb- Meet Me in Monaco and Three Words for Goodbye

In 2020 I read “Last Christmas in Paris” and absolutely adored the WWI love story written in letters. I found it to be well researched and full of heart. I’m also always so mesmerized by how two authors can collaborate to tell such a cohesive story. I can’t wait to dig into the the other combined tales of these two masterful authors.

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Susan Meissner- As Bright As Heaven, The Last Year of the War, Lady in Waiting

In 2016 I read “Secrets of a Charmed Life.” It was the first book I had read about the air raids in London during WWII and the devastation the children experienced being taken from their families to the country. While full of heartbreak, I found it to be captivating, well researched, and a story that played out longer than I expected. I love those books that take you just a little bit deeper and farther and I’m hoping for more in Meissmer’s other books as well.

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Fiona Davis- The Masterpiece, The Address

I read “The Dollhouse” in 2019, and found it to be well written, researched, and intriguing, if not a little dark and suspenseful. While I have strayed away from darkness and suspense these last couple of years (thank you very much, pandemic) I think I am ready to step back into these intriguing works about some of New York’s most famous iconic buildings. These two center on The Dakota (also mentioned above) and Grand Central Station. Take me to New York, Fiona!

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Nora Ephron- I Remember Nothing, I Feel Bad About My Neck

What can I say- it’s Nora Ephron! She wrote some of my very favorite movies and I expect to love her books just as much.

Books I Intend to Finish

These are a few of the books I put down in the last year or two for one reason or another, but I enjoyed what I did read enough that I want to purpose to finish them this year.

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Stars Over Sunset Boulevard by Susan Meissner

As long as I am on a Meissner kick I may as well start with finishing this one! Set in the glamour of 1930s Hollywood while filming Gone with the Wind, I know if I can just get a few more chapters in I won’t be able to put it down.

I’ll Have What She’s Having by Erin Carlson

While I’m diving in to Nora Ephron’s personal works, finishing this biography about how her films forever changed the romantic comedy is also a fitting choice. What I’ve already read I enjoyed, I just need to pick it back up.

Fighting Forward by Hannah Brencher

I was loving this book as I crammed it for an interview with Brencher in 2020, but time ran out and I had to move on to other interview books. I’d like to finish this one this year in all of its kick-in-the-pants-that-I-need glory!

In the Flo by Alisa Vitti

I have both the hardcopy and audio versions of this deeply interesting, and possibly life changing, book about the way women’s bodies and cycles work. I stopped listening when life became a little intense this past fall and I could give all the science due diligence, but what I have read so far has already caused me to start viewing my cycle differently and I can’t wait to finish the rest.

Do Less by Kate Northrup

I started this book years ago but just skipped to the chapters about women’s cycles (are we sensing a theme here?). Northrup was the first person who I heard discussing just how differently women’s brains work all throughout the month and how we can use that to our advantage. I look forward to going back and taking in her other tips for work and life as I pursue being steady and productive in both business and my personal life this year.

Series

Don’t you love it when your favorite series pick up where they left off? These are the ones’ I’m most looking forward to this year.

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American Royals Book 3- Rivals, & Prequel- Inheritance

I enjoyed “American Royals” (the premise alone that Washington had become king instead of president endlessly intrigued me) but I loved the sequel, “Majesty.” I am so looking forward to getting to dive into both the prequel (in March) and the next step in the series (in May).

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Not Like the Movies by Kerry Winfrey

I very much enjoyed “Waiting for Tom Hanks” in 2019 but hadn’t realized that a sequel had been released. Looking forward to devouring this next book.

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Picnic in Provence by Elizabeth Bard

Have I mentioned that I love a book that transports me to a place I’ve always wanted to live? I thoroughly enjoyed “Lunch in Paris,” Bard’s first memoir, and am equally looking forward to this follow up to her first book.

As always, you can follow my reading progress over on Goodreads- my favorite place to keep track of all my reading exploits.

And I would love to hear what you are looking forward to reading this year! Share the books on your TBR List in the comments!