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Readers' Most Anticipated Books for March
At the beginning of each calendar month, Å·±¦ÓéÀÖâ€� crack editorial squad assembles a list of the hottest and most popular new books hitting shelves, actual and virtual. The list is generated by evaluating readersâ€� early reviews and tracking which titles are being added toÌýWant to ReadÌýshelves by Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ regulars.
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Each month’s curated preview features new books from across the genre spectrum: contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mysteries and thrillers, sci-fi and fantasy, romance, horror, young adult, nonfiction, and more. Think of it as a literary smorgasbord. Check out whatever looks delicious.
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New in March: Laila Lalami delivers a new kind of surveillance-state cautionary tale with The Dream Hotel. Mystery-thriller specialist Harlan Coben documents a college backpacking trip gone very wrong in Nobody’s Fool. And Tracy Deonn returns with the third installment of her popular YA fantasy Legendborn Cycle.
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Also on tap this month: reincarnation romance, algae horror, and new fiction from Agustina Bazterrica and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Add the books that catch your eye to yourÌýWant to ReadÌýshelf, and let us know what you're reading and recommending in the comments section.
The latest in Suzanne Collinsâ€� world-famous Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping is technically the second prequel novel to the original trilogy (after 2020’s The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes). The new book rewinds to the morning of the 50th annual Hunger Games, and this year the number of sacrificial tributes is to be doubled. It seems a familiar fellow by the name of Haymitch Abernathy has been selected to compete in a diabolical new arena where everything is venomous, poisonous, contagious, or otherwise unpleasant. Ìý
Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has earned a worldwide readership with her fiction (Americanah) and nonfiction (We Should All Be Feminists). Her new novel tracks four very different women as they navigate life in America, Nigeria, and various points in between. Adichie is unafraid to tackle big themes like love, loss, and the fundamentally interconnected nature of all existence. Bonus trivia: Adichie has studied and taught at Princeton and Yale and splits her time between homes in the U.S. and Nigeria.
If you like a certain complexity in your mystery-thriller-romance stories—and some ecological dread—consider this curious specimen from Australian author Charlotte McConaghy (Once There Were Wolves). With sea levels rising, scientist Dominic Salt and his three children guard the world’s largest remaining seed bank on a tiny Island near Antarctica. When a ferocious storm washes a mysterious womanÌýashore, agendas are obscured even as secrets are revealed. Intriguing, isn’t it?
NativeÌýauthor Stephen Graham Jones is generally acknowledged as a modern master of horror, and he’s written some of the scariest books of the new millennium. (Don’t read The Only Good Indians in any kind of low-light situation.) The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, his new historical horror novel, is set in 1912 and features a Lutheran priest, a confessional diary, and a nomadic vampire who enforces a very specific code of justice. Seriously: You'll want to keep the lights on.
The formidable Argentine author Agustina Bazterrica specializes in grim dystopian scenarios that pose extremely uncomfortable questions. Her 2017 novel, Tender Is the Flesh, has some tasty ideas concerning capitalism and cannibalism. The Unworthy, set in the ruins of our foreseeable future, follows a desperate woman trapped in a violent religious order. Bazterrica is looking at the really scary stuff: climate collapse, ideological zealotry, and societal demons that seem to plague humankind in every era. Ìý
When a massive earthquake levels Portland, nine-month-pregnant Annie is crib-shopping at the local IKEA. Trying to reach home on foot across the ruined city, Annie reflects on her unsteady marriage, ponders her uncertain future, and talks it out with her unborn child (nicknamed Garbanzo Bean). She also runs into a series of other survivors with their own stories to tell. Debut author Emma Pattee delivers a groundbreaking (heh) hybrid of survival adventure and character portrait, set over the course of a single extremely bad day.
The latest novel from acclaimed Moroccan American author Laila Lalami (The Other Americans) fast-forwards into speculative fiction territory, introducing a near-future surveillance state where tech corporations monitor everything—including our dreams. When the algorithms flag the nightmares of scientist Sara Hussein, she’s sent to a Kafka-esque detention center, jailed for a crime she might commit. Lalami specializes in a lucid and frequently urgent brand of literary fiction that takes aim at society’s most unnerving trajectories.
Thanks to the unknowable cosmic cycles of reincarnation, Evelyn and Arden have loved each other, over and over, for thousands of lifetimes. That’s the nice part. The bummer: They’re also fated to kill each other, over and over, one way or another. It’s a pickle, all right. British author Laura Steven’s YA fantasy romance wanders back through the centuries by way of alternating chapters and extended flashbacks, chasing down the central existential mystery: Why? Early readers are praising the lyrical writing style and Addie LaRue vibes.
Here’s one for obsessive true-crime fans: The latest from dedicated genre hopper Ashley Winstead (In My Dreams I Hold a Knife) introduces grieving college student Jane Sharp, newly obsessed with true-crime cases. Gradually, she makes her way into the dangerous subculture of online serial-killer hunters. AfterÌýthe infamous “Delphine Massacres,â€� Jane and her fellow amateur sleuths launch an investigation of their own. Winstead proposes a thoroughly modern thriller set among the sinister intersections of murder, media, and true-crime fandom.
The trick with little white lies is to use them sparingly. Otherwise, things can get out of hand quickly. That’s the lesson Sloane Caraway is learning, the hard way. After deceiving her way into a nanny gig with wealthy New Yorkers Jay and Violet Lockhart, Sloane finds herself on the tantalizing edge of a life filled with money, luxury, and privilege. It’s only when things start to get creepy that Sloane stops to consider: What if I’m not the only one who’s lying? Author Sophie Stava delivers plenty of twisty twists in her debut domestic thriller.
In this newest offering, mystery-thriller kingpin Harlan Coben tells the story of disgraced detective Sami Kierce.ÌýFor years, Sami has been haunted by memories of a college backpacking trip in Spain gone very, very wrong. When he spots a familiar face in a crowd, Sami must finally turn around and face his past. Interesting quote from Coben, known for his plotting, to The Guardian newspaper last year: “For every twist that ends up in my stories, I probably thought of 10 others that I cut out.â€�
In this third installment of her wildly popular YA fantasy Legendborn Cycle, North Carolina author Tracy Deonn digs even deeper into her world of teenage sorcerers, underworld demons, and secret societies. Oathbound finds our heroine Bree Matthews exiled from friends and allies, and serving as reluctant protégé to the shapeshifting Shadow King. Author Deonn has won a loyal readership with her innovative updates to fantasy tradition, worldbuilding strategies, and Arthurian legend. Ìý
The sophomore YA horror novel from author Trang Thanh Tran (She Is a Haunting) has a rather intriguing setup: Following the latest in a procession of devastating hurricanes, a Louisiana bayou town is overtaken by an unearthly red algae bloom. Also: Said bloom may or may not be turning residents into undead mutant sea monsters. Complicating matters further, our protagonist is getting itchy skin. It’s a great backdrop for Tran’s story of climate anxiety, queer romance, Vietnamese folklore, and Lovecraftian dread.
With this third installment in her Rose Hill series, Canadian author Elsie Silver doubles back to consider the increasingly complicated situation between Tabby and Rhys, who have entered into a fragile marriage of convenience. With the guardianship of her young nephew at stake, Tabby is willing to do just about anything to retain custody, even if it means living under the same roof with the man who betrayed her. Silver specializes in “dirty-talking alpha heroes and strong heroines who clap back,� so heads up on all that.
To get past her terminal writer’s block, a desperate screenwriter moves back to New York City, only to discover that her new neighbor looks awfully familiar. See, there was this stairwell hookup a couple of years back, and—well, the details aren’t important. The tricky part is that the guy is actually tech mogul Parker Warren, also known as the Billionaire Bachelor. YA fantasy author Alex Aster (Lightlark) makes her adult romance debut with the story of one very hot summer in the city.
Author and healthcare reform activist John Green drills down through centuries of medical and social history to track the wreckage of tuberculosis, the world’s deadliest curable disease. It’s that “curable� part that lingers. Green asks some hard questions about injustice and inequity in the global healthcare system: How is it that a disease we can actually cure kills 1.5 million people per year? Double Secret Bonus Trivia: This is the same John Green who wrote The Fault in Our Stars. The guy is incredible.
Which new releases are you looking forward to reading? Let's talk books in the comments!
Comments Showing 1-50 of 64 (64 new)
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Jennifer
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Feb 28, 2025 01:04AM
Has to be the John Green. Cannot wait for my signed copy to arrive
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the hunger games is the only franchise i don't want to end. there is real valuable story still left to tell.
The Shadow on the Bridge by Clare Marchant, out on the 11th and The New Neighbours, by Claire Douglas, out on the 13th.
Already read The Unworthy in Spanish and it is amazing!
laine halle wrote: "the hunger games is the only franchise i don't want to end. there is real valuable story still left to tell."Yes, totally agree!
And I've read somewhere that Susane Collins usually picks up her pen when she has something to say about our society. When better than now, huh?..
I'm really excited for, How to Seal Your Own Fate by: Kristen Perrin comes out March 27th. Super cute murder mystery books.
laine halle wrote: "the hunger games is the only franchise i don't want to end. there is real valuable story still left to tell."I'm reallllllly hoping the Haymitch one doesn't go the way of the Snow one. That is the only one in the series I was heavily disappointed by. But I agree there is a lot left she could explore and do well.
I've had Everything is Tuberculosis on hold at my library for quite a while. I just added Wild Dark Shore and Tilt; both of these sound interesting to me.
I am super hyped up for Sunrise on the Reaping!
tbh I kinda thought John Green was dead 0.oLove his books tho
Whitney wrote: "laine halle wrote: "the hunger games is the only franchise i don't want to end. there is real valuable story still left to tell."I'm reallllllly hoping the Haymitch one doesn't go the way of the S..." I think Snow's book was perfect. Really showed the beginning of a villain. People might have been expecting a tragic anti-hero story, but nope, sociopathic villain it is.
Anastasia wrote: And I've read somewhere that Susane Collins us... 100% agreed!
REALLY hope Our Infinite Fates doesn't go the Addie La Rue route, that book was horrible.
I’m excited for the sunrise on the reaping and I’m also excited for the new Dream Harbor book that is coming out
I already knew I was excited about John Green's new book, but now I'm also excited about Laila Lalami and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's new books! Great summary!!
Sunrise on the Reaping and Oathbound are on my TBR! Also coming this month I believe is The Deadly Fates, the third book in Dhonielle Clayton's Conjureverse series, a middle-grade favourite of mine.
The Buffulo Hunter Hunter, Wild Dark Shore, The Unworthy!!! March is such a delicious month in books 😋
Hyped for Alyssa Lauseng’s Dance of Demons! Not a fantasy reader but The Keeper Trilogy was amazing, and DoD is darker 👀
They Bloom at Night has been out? I saw it in my BAM last night? I got an ARC for Unworthy and I can't wait to read it in a few days!!!
Too bad, John Scalzi’s, When the Moon Hits Your Eye, releasing 3/25/25, is not on this list. His books narrated by Wil Wheaton are absolutely hysterical.
Let me include a few more excellent novels:The Beijing Betrayal -- Joel Rosenberg
The Cosmos Keys -- Glenn Cooper
Minotaur -- Peter Cawdron
Ted Bell's Monarch -- Ryan Steck
"Tilt" and "Everything is Tubercolosis"
Mine's Kiss of Death by Mia Darling, coming out on March 23rd! After loving Kiss A Villain, I’ve been counting down the days for this one. Mia Darling’s writing is addictive, and I just know this book will bring all the angst, tension, and dark romance I crave. March 23rd can’t come soon enough!
Super excited about sunrise on the reaping! I finished the original series and the ballad of songbirds and snakes a little while ago and right after I finished it I got an email for sunrise on the reaping. Can’t wait to read it!
I can't wait to read The Buffalo Hunter Hunter. I am in the mood for something dark out in the plains.
Preordered Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on NYE lol can’t wait!
Archangel's Ascension- Nalini SinghSorry due in May!!!
Twist- Colum McCannThe Ride- Kostya Kennedy
A lot of nonfiction baseball books in time for baseball season
Inna wrote: "REALLY hope Our Infinite Fates doesn't go the Addie La Rue route, that book was horrible."hard agree
As a fellow Hoosier, John Green is amazing! If you did not follow his story about censorship at his local library, you must go back and search it. His letter to the library and board was fantastic!
laine halle wrote: "the hunger games is the only franchise i don't want to end. there is real valuable story still left to tell."it is an universe that has alot to offer and alot to explore
Wow! I didn’t see hunger games making a second comeback but I’m here for it! Really interested to see how the teen dystopian fiction genre takes on climate change in They Bloom at Night
I am so excited for Sunrise on the Reaping!!
Y’all are doing the thriller genre dirty leaving out Don’t Tell Me How to Die!
So excited for Sunrise on the Reaping! Wild Dark Shore and Our Infinite Fates sound interesting too! So many books. So little time.
Wild Dark Shore. I've learned a lot from two previous books by this author.
Inna wrote: "REALLY hope Our Infinite Fates doesn't go the Addie La Rue route, that book was horrible."Agreed. I couldn't even finish it - it was just that bad!
The Bane Witch is looking pretty interesting.
Tilt was already on my TBR list and I added Out Infinite Fates because I LOVED Addie La Rue! I also added Count My Lies and Summer In The City.
The suspense is killing me!!!!!!! Sunrise on the reaping. I will devour it!!!
Oathbound & Wild Side were so good! Our Infinite Fates is on my list this month too!
I loved my ARC of This Book Will Bury Me. I truly recommend!
oh march already has better releases than february. im loving it
also i read The Unworthy and OH.MY.GOD. it was gooooood
I'm so excited for the Haymitch one! I really loved his character in the og trilogy (even if he made me annoyed)
Our infinite fates surpassed my expectations!!
Cant wait for the buffalo hunter hunter by stephen graham jones
I can't wait for Sunrise on the Reaping!!!! LOVE Hunger Games
