Now that 2020 is coming to a close (I am still in denial), I've already begun planning my 2021 reads. So many new books to discover... I guess there is a point to it all after all. Just kidding. Ish.

These titles are mainly by BIPOC and/or LGBT authors. Hey, you know the drill.

[This was originally a thread on Twitter here]

1. WINTER'S ORBIT BY EVERINA MAXWELL

I got an ARC of this and have been yelling about it nonstop. A slow, soft, and utterly romantic space opera with an m/m arranged marriage? Reads like a fanfic? Focus on relationships and court politics over spaceship battles? PREORDER NOW!!

2. WE FREE THE STARS BY HAFSAH FAIZAL

This is the sequel and conclusion to WE HUNT THE FLAME, a YA Arabian fantasy. If you like tortured dark princes, headstrong huntresses, and epic worldbuilding... this is for you.

3. THE OBSESSION BY JESSE SUTANTO

Southeast Asian author? Girl going after her stalker? GIVE IT TO ME

4. THE GILDED ONES BY NAMINA FORNA

My friend got an ARC of this and absolutely loved it. Dark, dark YA African fantasy. A heroine fighting to free herself from a patriarchal society. So hyped.

5. JADE FIRE GOLD BY JUNE C.L. TAN

East Asian fantasy... exiled prince... heroine with forbidden powers... Do I need to say more?

6. SHE'S TOO PRETTY TO BURN BY WENDY HEARD

Sapphic YA retelling of Dorian Gray? "Sexy thriller"? GORGEOUS cover? Instabuy.

7. FIREHEART TIGER BY ALIETTE DE BODARD

Vietnamese-inspired fantasy. Sapphic romance and court fantasy. The Goblin Emperor meets Howl's Moving Castle. Nobody does it like de Bodard.

8. THE UNBROKEN BY C.L. CLARK

North African-inspired fantasy! Traitors and double agents and assassins and revolution! Aaah!

9. SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY BY KELLY QUINDLEN

Sapphic enemies to lovers! Fake dating! Cheerleader and basketball player! AAAHHHH

10. WITCHES STEEPED IN GOLD BY CIANNON SMART

Jamaican fantasy, sisters who hate each other, a bloody journey? Delightful

11. THE FOREST OF STOLEN GIRLS BY JUNE HUR

A YA murder mystery set in KOREA. YA PUBLISHING MOVING OUT OF AMERICA-CENTRICISM? WE LOVE TO SEE IT

12. DIAL A FOR AUNTIES BY JESSE SUTANTO

Jesse Sutanto is killing. This is COMEDY WITH MURDER; I AM LIVING. More Southeast Asian books, YES!

13. ARSENIC AND ADOBO BY MIA MANANSALA

Filipina heroine, murder mystery to clear her name, hilarious summary... I'm so hyped

14. GEARBREAKERS BY ZOE HANA MIKUTA

Mechas, rebels, sapphics. It also has an upcoming movie and if this doesn't become wildly successful I will be mad

15. JAY'S GAY AGENDA BY JASON JUNE

This sounds like SO much fun!

16. THE JASMINE THRONE BY TASHA SURI

Indian fantasy, princess x priestess... This is going to be so good. If you liked EMPIRE OF SAND then check this out!

17. THE WITCH KING BY H.E. EDGMON

CEMETERY BOYS fans!! Look! Trans witch betrothed to his fae prince best friend... who has now become his enemy. TEEHEE

18. HOW WE FALL APART BY KATIE ZHAO

Asian school murder mystery and thriller? Literally all I want out of life.

19. ACE OF SPADES BY Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

More POC-authored dark academia! Told you this genre is getting better.

20. A LESSON IN VENGEANCE BY VICTORIA LEE

Sapphic and literary dark academia this time ;) No 2021 list is complete without this.

21. DARLING BY K. ANCRUM

A Peter Pan retelling set in Chicago? I trust K. Ancrum with my life, so YES.

22. THE ONES WE'RE MEANT TO FIND BY JOAN HE

Twisty sci-fi about the environment? Sisters? The Joan He? I've never seen something like this before!

23. MALICE BY HEATHER WALTER

This is a dark and sapphic retelling of Sleeping Beauty where the evil sorceress falls in love with the princess. Um, give me now.

24. ONE LAST STOP BY CASEY MCQUISTON

McQuiston said this one is more serious, slow-going, and meatier than RW&RB so I'm honestly intrigued.