The First TBR of the New Year

In keeping with my recent reading trend, I’ve started 2024 by selecting one ebook, one hardcover, and one audiobook to read first.

To kick things off, I’m diving right into a tome as one of my first reads. In fact, it is the most intimidating of the tomes on my TBR, and the one I’ve been wanting to read for the longest time. That book is: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey. I’m almost embarrassed that I haven’t read this, yet. So many people have recommended it to me. I even recently recommended it to a friend, even though I hadn’t read it. The time is now. I started this on ebook last night. At least in that format, it’s harder to notice this book is 929 pages long!

My buddy read for this month is Yellowface by R. F. Kuang. This is another book I’ve been holding off on, but for entirely different reasons. It feels more like non-fiction than fiction to me, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The problem is that I have a strong feeling my jaw is going to end up aching from the amount of cringing that is going to happen while reading this book. I don’t like reading about other people behaving badly. It’s not my favorite. However, I’m going to deal with the discomfort because so many people have been telling me that this book is really good. I’m going to be listening to it on audiobook so I can take my frustration with the main character out on dirty dishes or veggies that need to be chopped.

And last, but definitely not least, is my hardcover selection. The December Fairyloot box brought a really exciting present for me. Faebound by Saara El-Arifi. This is not a book that had been on my book-radar, but it’s one that sounds like something I will enjoy (fae AND elves! Court politics!). Plus, the Fairyloot edition is just gorgeous.

Since I have this before the official release date of 23 January, I am bumping it to the top of my physical TBR. Maybe I can actually have it read before the release date? No promises.

What book did you choose as your first read of the New Year? Thoughts on any of the ones I’ve picked?