Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: 22 October 2018

This is a story about human connection transcending language and cultural barriers. ‘Goodnight, Rose’ follows the relationship between a Chinese country girl making her way in Harbin and an elderly Jewish woman who arrived in the capital after the Russian Revolution. While translated novels can sometimes lose the charm and grace of the original text, Toland does an excellent job maintaining Chi Zijian’s intended flow and rhythm in this English translation.

Available on Kindle here for $44

Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: 12 November 2018

From afar, the Li household looks like any other family, but upon closer inspection, we get an inside look at the trials and tribulations of the clan. Xiaohan, the youngest daughter, exposes the depth of what it means to live in contemporary China today. A fascinating exploration of family dynamics, we can’t wait to get stuck into ‘Wild Fruit’ and Sheng Keyi’s excellent writing next year.

Available on Kindle here for $44

Genre: Thriller
Release Date: 22 January 2019

We really enjoy a good murder mystery and Barton promises to serve up just that in ‘The Suspect’, weaving together the story of two eighteen-year-old girls who disappear on a trip to Thailand and journalist, Kate Waters, who attempts to find them. This exceedingly twisty tale is the perfect thriller to kick-start your reading in 2019.

Pre-order on Amazon here for $133

Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: 5 February 2019

Whitney Scharer’s debut novel is already making waves well ahead of its release date. Set in early 1930s Paris, ‘The Age of Light’ tells the story of model-turned-photographer Lee Miller and her tumultuous working and personal relationship with photographer, Man Ray. Expect a tale of ambition, love, jealousy and betrayal from this page-turner.

Pre-order on Amazon here for $205

Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: 9 February 2019

If you’ve read ‘The Hate U Give’ (if you haven’t – do so immediately!), it’ll be very clear why Angie Thomas makes our list with no hesitation. Her highly anticipated second novel tells the story of Bri, an aspiring rapper who goes viral for all the wrong reasons, and her struggles to make it in – and out – of her neighbourhood.

Read more: 10 Must-Read Books of 2017

Pre-order on Amazon here for $101

Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: 19 February 2019

Set in a small Michigan town, Anissa Gray’s debut novel centres around a trio of sisters reeling from a criminal conviction in the family. Expect to be deeply affected by this tale of a household wrestling to support itself. This is an absorbing, multi-generational saga and we suspect it will be a hard one to put down.

Pre-order on Amazon here for $152

Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: 19 February 2019

An anthology of stories centred around a single house, this novel will have you completely submerged in evocative tales of past, present, and future Bangkok. Sudbanthad’s writing is incredibly moving and he paints such a rich picture with his words that you’re guaranteed to get lost in them.

Pre-order on Amazon here for $198

Genre: Anthology
Release Date: 21 February 2019

Mariam Khan has curated seventeen beautiful, frank and honest essays from Muslim women, speaking on topics you won’t hear covered in the daily news. From discussing the hijab and their faith, to love and sex, to feminism and queer identity, these women delve into the many facets of being a Muslim woman in the world today and aren’t afraid to call out the oppression, misogyny and disinformation.

Pre-order on Amazon here for $130

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Release Date: 5 March 2019

The breathtaking follow up to last year’s young adult bestseller ‘Children of Blood and Bone’, this instalment of Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orisha series promises even more political intrigue, magic and civil war, all at her signature break-neck pace. We have no doubt that this will be a page turner, so grab it as soon as you can.

Pre-order on Amazon here for $106

Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: 5 March 2019

The music landscape in the 1970s was a fascinating world to observe, and Taylor Jenkins Reid does that and so much more with this novel. Follow along as she chronicles the meteoric rise, and catastrophic fall, of Daisy Jones & The Six – one of the biggest bands of the seventies.

Pre-order on Amazon here for $139

Genre: Literary Fiction
Release Date: 7 March 2019

The prizewinning author of ‘Boy, Snow, Bird’, Helen Oyeyemi returns with another delightful tale. Gingerbread tells the story of a mother and daughter whose family history is bound by, wait for it…a non-traditional gingerbread recipe. We expect to see even more of Oyeyemi’s signature charm and imagination in this heartwarming novel.

Pre-order on Amazon here for $158

Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: 7 March 2019

The Snakes is an unflinching novel, that tells the story of a marriage and a family whose sins come back to bite them. A family drama at the core, the beautifully written prose will leave you deep in melancholy thought – there is a reason all the critics love Sadie Jones. Add this to the top of your list.

Pre-order on Amazon here for $148

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 7 May 2019

We loved Helen Hoang’s witty debut into the contemporary romance world and have been waiting for this sequel to ‘The Kiss Quotient’ with bated breath. ‘The Bride Test’ follows on from the first novel, telling the story of Khai and Esme as they navigate the world of love, lust and proper romance. Be warned, this one is not for the faint of heart – it’s explicit, but sometimes steamy is just what we need.

Pre-order on Amazon here for $118

Genre: Humour
Release Date: 28 May 2019

We love everything Lindy West writes (this article, especially), so it’s no surprise that her newest book made our list. In this volume, West will be tackling how “patriarchy, intolerance and misogyny have conquered not just politics but American culture itself” and we can’t wait to soak up her hilarious writing. May can’t come fast enough!