Event Recap: Raincoast Books Fall 2021 TBR Preview

And the last of my book event recaps (at least for now)!

Thanks to Raincoast Books for the invite! It’s always a blast to attend, even virtually! Plus, they always provide us with a handout of all the books so it’s easy to follow along with the presentations (psst other publishers, take note!).

I actually completely forgot about this one and missed the day but luckily there was a recording so I could still catch up. Here are my most anticipated releases!

Upcoming Releases

Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed: 15 Voices from the Latinx Diaspora edited by Saraciea J. Fennell
Genre: YA Non-Fiction | Essay Collection
Publication date: September 14, 2021

“Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed is a ground-breaking anthology that will spark dialogue and inspire hope.” – publisher’s promo

Very excited to see a non-fiction pick on Raincoast’s list! This collection of essays and poetry brings together both established authors (love to see Elizabeth Acevedo and Mark Oshiro on the list, two of my faves!) as well as newcomers, each offering their perspective on being part of the Latinx diaspora.

I love anthologies, especially for the opportunity to find new-to-me authors, so I’m looking forward to discovering new voices and reading some beautiful prose.

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A Dark and Starless Forest by Sarah Hollowell
Genre: YA Fantasy | Contemporary
Publication date: September 14, 2021

“When her siblings start to go missing, a girl must confront the dark thing that lives in the forest–and the growing darkness in herself” – publisher’s promo

It was not pitched as anything of the sort but I get Snow White vibes from this one, especially the cover, just with siblings instead of dwarves.

And I love a sibling story! I don’t often go for horror-esque stories but I’m so drawn in by Derry and her fight to find her siblings so I’ll embrace the scares. Add to that some magic as well as LGBTQ+ and fat representation, especially with that beautiful cover, and I can’t wait to see Derry in action.

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The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
Genre: Middle Grade Sci-Fi
Publication date: September 14. 2021

“a brilliant journey through the stars, to the very heart of what makes us human” – publisher’s promo

My favourite read of 2020 (Each of Us a Desert) was about cuentistas so I’m immediately intrigued by this title. And such a stunning cover!

The Last Cuentista is one of Raincoast Books’ middle grade offerings that follows Petra, a young girl, who is among those who have been chosen to journey to a new planet after Earth has been destroyed. However Petra awakes on the planet to discover that everyone’s memories have been erased except hers, so she alone can keep their stories alive.

Thrilled to see how the author handles the futuristic take on this tale and I’m always up for a middle grade read.

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Some Faraway Place by Lauren Shippen
Genre: YA Fantasy | Contemporary
Publication date: September 28, 2021

“Some Faraway Place, the third Bright Sessions novel from creator Lauren Shippen, features Rose, who has her humdrum life flipped upside down when she starts to travel into dreams.” – publisher’s promo

I don’t want to look too much into this one’s plot because it’s the 3rd in a series. But I’m mostly excited because I read the first one, The Infinite Noise, two years ago and had no idea it was part of a series! So now I can’t wait to seek out the 2nd book before this one comes out.

The whole series came out of a podcast about supernatural teens, pitched as X-men if the characters went to therapy. I’d still love to listen to the podcast, plus Raincoast also shared that it’s been optioned for a movie! Lots to catch up on with this one.

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Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy | Retelling
Publication date: November 9, 2021

“Within These Wicked Walls is an Ethiopian-inspired gothic, fantasy retelling of Jane Eyre, featuring a Black heroine, an intricate magic system, and a haunted castle.” – publisher’s promo

I’ve been so excited for this retelling since first hearing about it, though I hadn’t known any of the details. Jane Eyre is one of my favourite classics and I can’t wait for the extra creepy vibes that Blackwood’s version will bring, with an exorcist instead of a governess.

Jane Eyre with added fantasy elements sounds excellent and I’m excited for the promised “swoony romance”, especially with these changes as it doesn’t feel like the same power imbalance as the original.

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A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication date: March 22, 2022

“Judy I. Lin’s sweeping debut about a young tea-maker who takes part in a cutthroat magical tea brewing competition that could be the key to saving her sister’s life.” – publisher’s promo

Okay, you had me at magical tea brewing competition. Also that cover! I can quite honestly say this about all the covers here but this one truly made my jaw drop.

As one of the publishing team said, “I know you thought, ‘magic tea, what more do I need’, but this book has it all. Inspired by Chinese history and mythology, in addition to the magic tea, there are Chinese monsters, swords, and assassins!

This one’s actually a 2022 release but I’m so glad they shared it early! I usually shy away from series but I’m absolutely making an exception here. So looking forward to Lin’s debut!

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Thanks again to Raincoast Books for the invite! There are so many books I’m excited to read!

Which of these titles are you most excited for?

Cover images from Goodreads.