I’ve been seeing the anti-haul trend going around and I decided to jump on the bandwagon. These are popular books being released in the first quarter of 2020 that I have no interest in picking up.

 

The purpose of this anti-haul is NOT to bash any books. It’s to talk about popular books being released that I’m not planning to pick up and why. It gives me an opportunity to mention some books I wouldn’t otherwise talk about because I personally don’t plan to read them. I’ve linked the Goodreads page for each book, so if one of these sounds like something you’d love, you can easily check out the synopsis to learn more!

1. A Heart So Fierce and Broken (Cursebreakers #2) by Brigid Kemmerer

This series just doesn’t call to me. If I’m going to reach for a romance (whether that be fantastical or contemporary) I want it to be adult. I’ve just found I prefer my romances R rated 😅

2. One of Us is Next by Karen M. McManus

This is the second book in a YA thriller series. I’ve heard good things about book 1 and this sequel contains a game (which I love!) But I honestly have more thrillers on my TBR than I know what to do with, so this one just didn’t make the cut.

3. The Night Country (The Hazel Wood #2) by Melissa Albert

The Hazel Wood has gotten so many mixed reviews and it’s just not something I see myself loving. I’m trying to be more selective and only reach for books I think I’m going to absolutely love. So for now this one just isn’t on my radar.

4. Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children #5) by Seanan McQuire

Okay I’m probably alone on this mountain 😅 But I personally (please don’t hate me) think this series is really overrated. These are short fantasies about children who travel to different worlds. I read the first 2 books and thought they were… fine. But I have no interest is picking up any more.

5. Infinity Son (Infinity Son #1) by Adam Silvera

One I think this cover is heinous. Two (and more importantly) nothing in this synopsis screams my kind of book – urban fantasy, magical war, manifested/earned powers. And three… this has gotten some pretty atrocious early reviews 🙈

6. The King of Crows (The Diviners #4) by Libba Bray

If you saw my 2019 DNF list I talked about this series and author. Libba Bray’s writing and I just don’t mesh and she is an author I’ve decided just isn’t for me sadly. This book is going to be HUGE this coming year and I’m definitely gonna be in the small minority of readers who don’t pick it up.

7. The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

This cover really calls to me! And because of that I think I’ve read this synopsis at least a dozen times. But I won’t lie – my eyes glaze over after the first paragraph every time. It’s about a Ponzi scheme and lots of familial drama/intrigue. It’s another book I anticipate with be on a lot of favorites lists next year! It’s sadly just not my cup of tea.

8. Of Curses and Kisses (St. Rosetta’s Academy #1) by Sandhya Menon

This synopsis sounds absolutely adorable, but if I never read another Beauty and Beast retelling I’ll be happy. And like I said earlier, when I read romance, I’m looking for more mature content than YA usually provides.

9. Angry God (All Saints High #3) by L.J. Shen

I was on the fence about this series because reading smutty romance about high schoolers is not my thing. But after the disaster that was ITUE I’ve decided to part ways with this author.

10. Chain of Gold (The Last Hours #1) by Cassandra Clare

This is book 9000 in the Mortal Instruments world 😂 I didn’t read Clare’s books as a teen with everyone else and I just feel like at this point the ship has sailed. This cover is stunning though 😍

11. All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace

This is about a sea kingdom and evil mermaids – which isn’t a theme I personally enjoy reading about. But I’ve scene some solid early reviews so if those are buzzwords for you, this may be a good one to check out!

12. The Queen Assassin (Queens Secret #1) by Melissa de la Cruz

This is another author I’ve decided isn’t for me. I’ve read short story I gave only 1 star and DNF’d a novel of her’s. So I just don’t think de la Cruz is an author for me. This sounds like a pretty classic YA fantasy romance following an assassin princess.

13. Ink in the Blood (In the Blood #1) by Kim Smejkal

This is another YA fantasy I could see being super hyped in 2020. It’s all about tattoo magic – which just doesn’t sounds super appealing to me personally – but is a super cool premise for a fantasy novel.

14. Diamond City (Dimond City #1) by Francesca Flores

This is another cover that I think is absolutely hideous 🙈 But this is on this list because I have no interest in reading any more overly badass, female assassin books. Other than Throne of Glass (which let’s be honest, I was in it for Rowan) it’s just not my jam.

15. Lucky Caller by Emma Mills

I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this author! But this is another book where the premise has some of my anti-buzzwords. Radio/broadcasting just isn’t something I tend to enjoy in books and, once again, I want my romance smutty.

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What are some big winter releases you’re not planning to pick up??? I’m super curious!!