Sometimes I get excited about books

You would never suspect it, would you? Actually, here I'm specifically referring to upcoming releases. It's only rarely that I anticipate them, because books are so much more of an investment than movies, and I'm a lot pickier about what I read. I also realize that if I got excited about every book that interested me I would risk going all Bradley Headstone and busting up my knuckles with pent up emotion before I had a chance to even read two of them (I'm already on the verge of it over the new Downton Abbey episodes I haven't watched yet--thank you, Julian Fellowes, for reminding me why I don't watch television shows).

Until the last couple of years, there was one author whose upcoming releases filled me with that frenzy of anticipation: J.K. Rowling. Now there are a few more. Although you won't see me at any midnight releases, I can't wait to see what happens in these two upcoming publications:

1. The Alloy of Law, by Brandon Sanderson (Nov. 8, 2011) - Mistborn was a closed trilogy (one reason why I loved it so much) in a well built world with a thoughtful plot and exhilaratingly awesome magic (the other reason). I'd heard that a standalone novel in that world was on it's way, but I didn't think much about it until today when I found out it takes place hundreds of years later in a steampunk-like society. Mistborn and steampunk--a match made in heaven. If nothing else, the cover would make me giddy.

If I could hazard a guess just based on the cover art, I'd say this one has a healthy dose of oater, as well (see that gun he's slinging? yeah, I did too!). Genre-mashing may be trendy, but there's a reason it works. What could be more exciting than the combination of two (or three) things you love into one?

A note on Sanderson's other work: I am not even tempted to touch The Way of Kings until at least 5 of that series have been published (I also won't read Patrick Rothfuss's Wise Man's Fear until closer to when the 3rd book is coming out).

2. Shadows in Flight, by Orson Scott Card (Jan. 17, 2012) - His other books are hit or miss, but I will read almost everything I can about the futuristic world of Ender and Bean. Shadows in Flight is a direct sequel to Shadow of the Giant, the 4th Bean book. Originally it was supposed to tie the two series together (being a sequel to Children of the Mind, as well), but I found out today that Card has actually split the story into two books, the other one being Shadows Alive. The jury is out on when that one will be published, so we'll have to wait longer for the two series to converge again, and Ender's and Bean's children have to wait another spell until they finally meet in the far reaches of the universe!




3. A couple of books that can only be speculated on - I would love for Megan Whalen Turner to write another Thief of Eddis book. The Conspiracy of Kings, while offering a nice conclusion to Turner's tripartite political dilemma, left a few story threads open for extension. In fact, considering the volcanic vision a certain character has, I would be very surprised if Turner isn't planning another sequel. She is a graceful writer, and I'm intrigued by her point-of-view shifts. I would love to read another one. Sherwood Smith, on the other hand, will be in danger of getting a brick thrown through her window (...figuratively...on the internet. like maybe a courteous plea on her Goodreads page) if she doesn't write a third Dobrenica book. Although the main arc introduced in Coronets & Steel was resolved in Blood Spirits, that story just can't be over yet. Dobrenica feels so real that I want to buy a Eurail ticket there. It deserves another volume, if not more.

4. More unannounced books - Two more authors whose future books I will be in line to read are Susanna Clarke (Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell) and Diane Setterfield (The Thirteenth Tale). These are not because I'm waiting for sequels, but because I so adore how these two authors write that I believe I would read anything they publish.

What books are you waiting for?