The 15 Most Anticipated Books of 2015

2014 was a good year to be a reader. We’ve already discussed how there were some spectacular fiction, nonfiction, mystery, and science fiction titles released last year. Truthfully, it’s a little sad to see 2014 go. But, we must adjust.

Besides, 2015 sounds like a good year, right? I mean, 15 is a nice odd number. Guess what else? There are some sure-to-be-awesome books coming our way. In fact, I found 15 literary fiction titles that I think we’ll be talking about still at the end of 2015. So, let’s jump right in and see 15 of the most anticipated books of 2015.

The Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher Scotton (01/06/2015)

The Secret Wisdom of the Earth seems to have several things that I like. It’s a debut. It’s about the South. It’s a coming-of-age. There is tragedy. Early word is that it’s a very emotional story. One more thing:  It’s the #1 pick for the January 2015 Indie Next List. I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

Almost Famous Women by Megan Mayhew Bergman (01/06/2015)

Almost Famous Women is a collection of stories that explores some of history’s most—well—almost famous women. Bergman’s latest stories will expose us to the illegitimate daughter of Lord Byron, a niece of Oscar Wilde’s, and Edna St. Vincent Millay’s sister. Our own Rebecca was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of Almost Famous Women, and she had some great things to say about it in her review.

The First Bad Man by Miranda July (01/13/2015)

Miranda July is probably best known for writing, directing, and starring in the 2005 breakout indie film Me and You and Everyone We Know. It’s an enjoyable, emotional ensemble piece about characters with complex eccentricities. In 2007, she released a collection of short stories that also happens to portray some rather interesting characters. Both works show that July is someone who understands the uniqueness of human life. Now, she’s back with her first novel, and guess what? It’s about some strange souls, too. I’m anxious to know more…

Black River by S.M. Hulse (01/20/2015)

This one has to be one of my most anticipated debuts of 2015. The early reviews are incredible, with Hulse receiving starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Library Journal. Black River is set in the West and tells the story of a man on a quest for redemption. Early citations say the novel explores faith, violence, and forgiveness. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.

The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac by Sharma Shields (01/27/2015)

Take and minute and reread the title. Isn’t it awesome? Aside from the catchy title, though, The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac has a lot of things going for it. Shields uses imagination, magical realism, darkness, and mystery to complete her story. It sounds like the perfect book club pick. I’m certainly in.

Get in Trouble by Kelly Link (02/10/2015)

It’s been over a decade since Kelly Link delivered the groundbreaking Magic for Beginners. Karen Russell has luckily been around to supply us with spectacularly imagined short fiction, but we’ve missed Link’s take on magical realism, nevertheless. McSweeney’s published one of the stories contained in Get in Trouble a few months ago. Check it out. It’ll make the anticipation even more unbearable.

Making Nice by Matt Sumell (02/17/2015)

Sumell’s debut collection about family situations contains stories told from the point-of-view of one character. Word has it that this character, Alby, is a one-of-a-kind creation, being both comical and completely disgusting. It sounds like my kind of reading.

I Am Radar by Reif Larsen (02/24/2015)

The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet is one of my favorite novels of the 21st century. It is such an unusual hybrid of words and images, and the voice of the young T.S. is unforgettable. Truthfully, I love everything about it. Finally, after a six-year wait, Larsen is ready to release his follow-up. I Am Radar is built around the mystery of a baby born during a total blackout. Let the mystery unfold…

Soil by Jamie Kornegay (03/10/2015)

Mississippi has supplied us with many great writers. It’s time to add another to the list, as Jamie Kornegay makes his literary debut with Soil. Part noir and part comedy, this is the arrival of a distinct voice—one that, I think, we’ll be talking about for a long time. Mark the date for this release! Also, go ahead and reserve your signed copy at his bookstore, Turnrow Books.

Delicious Foods by James Hannaham (03/17/2015)

Mother and son narratives are usually fairly interesting, especially when the voice shifts from one to the other. Delicious Foods does something a tad unexpected: crack—yes the drug—is a character in this story of addiction. Intrigued?

The Other Joseph by Skip Horack (03/21/2015)

I tend to have a soft spot for novels that portray characters who find a reason to live. When people are down, they find that something that motivates them to carry on—to do better. It’s the plight of life, really. The Other Joseph seems to be that kind of fiction, and I’m anxious to read it.

God Help the Child by Toni Morrison (04/21/2015)

This, my fellow Bookkaholics, might be the literary event of the year. Toni Morrison is (arguably) our greatest living author, and anything she puts out is going to be incredible. This one is about a woman who must deal with her childhood trauma. I have a feeling that it’s going to be unforgettable. Publishers Weekly has already given it a rave review. To hold you over until the April release date, check out her Colbert interview.

Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf (05/26/2015)

Haruf will forever be one of my favorite writers. He passed away in November of 2014, but his last novel was completed just shortly before his death. Haruf was a man who understood the human capacity of emotions. His writing is full of heartbreak, but it also holds onto tender moments just the same. For his final novel, we travel to the wonderful Haruf-familiar territory of Holt, Colorado, to explore a cast of characters that will, surely, capture our hearts.

Loving Day by Mat Johnson (05/26/2015)

Mat Johnson is a distinct voice that many readers haven’t uncovered just yet. Check out his last book Pym if you are looking for a contemporary novel that explores racial identity and history. Johnson is back with another release, and while details are being kept largely undercover for now, we do know that Loving Day is a ghost story. Yes!

Purity by Jonathan Franzen (09/15/2015)

There is a new Jonathan Franzen novel coming! There is a new Jonathan Franzen novel coming! There is a new Jonathan Franzen novel coming! There is a new Jonathan Franzen novel coming! There is a new Jonathan Franzen novel coming! I can’t tell you anything else about it, but there is a new Jonathan Franzen novel coming!

What literary fiction release of 2015 are you looking forward to? Sound off in our comments section below.