We’re almost halfway through 2019, which means it’s time to start looking ahead to the second half of the year. Below are my top ten nine upcoming releases in publication order. They range from graphic novels to romance, new-to-me authors to old favorites, but what they have in common is that I’m excited to read them all!

* * *

1. Linda Holmes, Evvie Drake Starts Over (6/25) — Right out of the gate I’m cheating, because the book comes out on June 25, which is technically in the first half of the year. But it hasn’t come out yet, so I’m still counting it! This romance has been blurbed by the likes of Rainbow Rowell, and it’s been described as “quirky,” “warm,” and “hilarious.” Sounds like my cup of tea, for sure.

2. Abbi Waxman, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill (7/9) — This book is about an introverted heroine who works in a bookstore and is being romantically pursued by her bar trivia nemesis. Yes, this is relevant to my interests!

3. Kristan Higgins, Life and Other Inconveniences (8/6) — I’m a big Kristan Higgins fan, although I’ve been a little wary of her switch from the romance genre to straight-up women’s fiction. The synopsis of this latest novel doesn’t mention a love story at all, which is somewhat disappointing, but I’m still going to give it a try.

4. Rainbow Rowell, Pumpkinheads (8/27) — I’ve had this one on my wishlist for at least a year. I love Rainbow Rowell and am really eager for this graphic novel about two high schoolers who work in a pumpkin patch every fall. Maybe I’ll save it for a crisp autumnal day…or maybe I’ll devour it as soon as it comes out!

5. Alix E. Harrow, The Ten Thousand Doors of January (9/10) — This one just sounds really cool: it involves a neglected girl and a magical book, and it sounds like it might have a creepy gothic feel. In other words, perfect fall reading!

6. Mhairi McFarlane, Don’t You Forget about Me (9/10) — McFarlane is one of my favorite chick-lit authors, and I know I can expect humor, romance, and a charming narrative voice from all her books. This one appears to feature a second-chance romance, which isn’t my favorite trope, but I remain optimistic.

7. Jessie Mihalik, Aurora Blazing (10/1) — The sequel to Polaris Rising, which I read and enjoyed earlier this year. And based on the few glimpses we got of this couple in the first book, I’m excited to read their story! If you like a few spaceships and some intergalactic politicking in your romance novels, this series may be for you.

8. Erin Morgenstern, The Starless Sea (11/5) — So, I’m one of those strange people who didn’t absolutely love The Night Circus, but I’m still very intrigued by Morgenstern’s second novel! The marketing blurb on Amazon calls it “a timeless love story set in a secret underground world — a place of pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships that sail upon a starless sea.” Sounds good to me!

9. Maggie Stiefvater, Call Down the Hawk (11/5) — I’m a little nervous about this book, because I really liked the Raven Cycle and thought Stiefvater concluded the story in a fitting and satisfying way. But if she’s going to continue to follow the fortunes of Ronan Lynch and his family, I’m certainly going along for the ride, at least for the time being.

* * *

Are you also looking forward to any of these books? What other upcoming releases should I add to my to-read list?