If there ever was a good time to disassociate using books, the end of 2024 is it. After a stressful hurricane season and a rage-inducing election, it’s hard to remember that this year wasn’t all bad. Many great works came out this year, including dozens by Florida authors or set in the Sunshine State. And there are many more reads to look forward to in 2025.

Fiction‘Blind Squirrel’ by Dave Mishkin Anyone who’s spent a couple hours in their car listening to any of his iconic play calls knows that Dave Mishkin is a walking, talking embodiment of emotion. For 22 years, he’s been the voice of the Tampa Bay Lightning—giving life to the careers of so many athletes and painting pictures of the team’s most iconic wins—but for many fans, Mishkin’s first novel came out of nowhere like a Nikita Kucherov no-look-pass. The Yale alum started the book about a talented athlete with a lot of hang ups about two decades ago, but wrapped it in a 14-week flurry after the 2021-22 Stanley Cup Finals. Hockey looms large over “Blind Squirrel,”—and it’s especially fun to read Mishkin slowdown the play call as he lets us into the head of minor-leaguer Noah Nicholson—but the heart of the work is an unabashed acknowledgement of (and invitation to talk about) the insecurities, guilt, and sadness we walk around with on so many days of our lives. For fans of: Tampa Bay Lightning, “The Hockey Sweater,” Ken Dryden’s “The Game”; $17.95—Ray Roa Credit: Photo by Dave Decker
‘Florida Girls’ by L.L. KirchnerFormer Creative Loafing Tampa Bay contributor L.L. Kirchner’s debut historical fiction novel is set in St. Petersburg in 1944. Kirchner said this book “began in response to watching Brett Kavanaugh bro his way onto the Supreme Court.” The first in the author’s Queenpin Chronicles follows Thelma and Kathleen as they fight for their place amidst the growing glamour and crime of post-war America. The next book in the series, “Vegas Girls,” arrives on Jan. 1, 2025 For fans of: Coming-of-age historical fiction inspired by true events and meticulous research; $4.99 Kindle, $18.59 paperback Credit: Photo via LLKirchner/Facebook
‘The House on Biscayne Bay’ by Chanel CleetonBestselling author Chanel Cleeton’s latest historical fiction set in South Florida is rife with glamorous mysteries. A wealthy industrialist and his wife built a fabulous estate on Biscayne Bay and became the talk of Miami’s post-war society. Years later, estranged sisters reconnect at Marbrisa only to uncover the mansion’s dark legacy. For fans of: The author’s “Next Year in Havana” and page-turning beach reads; $29, Berkley Credit: Photo via chanelcleeton/Instagram
‘The Great State of West Florida’ by Kent WascomThe Pensacola-raised author’s second book is, as he says, sort of a “punk-rock Southern gothic” tale set in the near future. The speculative story is narrated by 13-year-old Rally, who longs for family and community but finds violence and adventure with his absent professional gunslinger father. For fans of: The author’s “The Blood of Heaven,” “The New Inheritors” and “Secessia”; $17, Grove Press, Black Cat Credit: Photo via Grove Atlantic
‘Oye’ by Melissa MogollonThe author’s debut novel is structured as a collection of one-sided voicemail messages from the youngest daughter in a large Colombian-American family. When a hurricane heads to Miami, narrator Luciana desperately tries to convince her grandmother Abue to evacuate. During and after the storm, their bond strengthens through shocking revelations, family secrets and medical diagnoses. For fans of: Raw and real family drama and coming-of-age tales; $29, Hogarth Credit: Photo via melissamogollon.com
‘The New Couple in 5B’ by Lisa UngerThe local thriller author’s latest is set in New York City, where a couple inherits a historic luxury apartment building with a dark past. The tenants seem welcoming, but the couple questions the number of cameras and the gruesome crimes that have occurred there. And then one of the neighbors turns up dead. For fans of: Haunted houses, psychological thrillers and all of Unger’s other books; $28.99, Park Row Credit: Photo via lisaunger.com
‘Lake County’ by Lori RoyCentral Florida author’s newest novel is a Southern noir reimagining of the Marilyn Monroe/Norma Jeane Baker story. This alt-history tale follows Monroe’s teenage niece, who dreams of escaping her small Florida town for a more glamorous life in Hollywood. In the way of her freedom are her criminal boyfriend, an obsessive stalker photographer, Tampa gangsters and plenty of small-town secrets. For fans of: The author’s other books and Gilbert King’s “Devil in the Grove” $28.99, Thomas & Mercer Credit: Photo via VR Vision Photography
‘Bluebird’ by Chris KneerLocal banker Chris Kneer’s debut novel is the first in a new series of Cigar City Thrillers. The book’s main character is a banking security expert and discovers his boss is running a tax fraud scheme for one of the wealthy clients. He’s blamed for the fraud and has to go on the run from the FBI, taking the reader to iconic locations around Tampa Bay. For fans of: Financial thrillers and stories with Tampa Bay Easter eggs; $16.99, Spartan Entertainment Credit: Photo via Chris Kneer, Author/Facebook
‘Summers at the Saint’ by Mary Kay AndrewsQueen of beachy lit-fic Mary Kay Andrews published a twisty summer read with a dash of romance this year. Set at a hotel off the coast of Georgia, “Summers at the Saint” follows the historic resort’s widowed owner as she struggles to revive the place and find another chance at love. For fans of: The author’s other books and armchair traveling; $29, St. Martin’s Press Credit: marykayandrews.com
‘Penalties of June’ by John BrandonThe author’s newest McSweeney’s-published work follows a young man fresh out of prison and trying to start a new life. This short Florida noirish thriller takes readers through some of the darker places in Tampa Bay as Pratt faces crime bosses, drug dealers and maybe a chance at love. For fans of: Southern gothic tales set in the 1990s and stories about life after being locked up; $28, McSweeney’s
‘Say Hello to My Little Friend’ by Jennine Capó CrucetDubbed “Scarface” meets “Moby Dick,” “Say Hello to My Little Friend” features a failed Pitbull impersonator on a mission to become a modern Tony Montana. When Ismael “Izzy” Reyes meets a captive orca named Lolita at the Miami Seaquarium, his journey becomes a surreal exploration of Izzy’s childhood in Cuba and his family’s and city’s murky legacy. For fans of: South Florida weirdness with a strong thread of heartbreak and hope; $27.99, Simon & Schuster Credit: Photo by Carolyn de Berry via Jennine Capó Crucet/EPK
‘One Deadly Eye’ by Randy Wayne WhiteThe author’s latest Doc Ford novel follows the eponymous character trying to stop a gang of mercenaries and prison escapees while a category five hurricane aims for Florida’s Gulf Coast. For fans of: The other Doc Ford novels and eerie coincidences involving natural disasters in Florida; $28.99, Hanover Square Press Credit: Photo via randywaynewhite.com

Nonfiction

An Unflinching Look: Elegy for Wetlands

A book from late 2023 that has resurfaced since its author is at Tampa’s Oxford Exchange to sign books this Christmas Eve. Benjamin Dimmitt, a Clearwater photographer and Eckerd graduate who spent much of his life in Pinellas County has given Floridians—and any environmentalist, really—an astonishing lens into the past. “An Unflinching Look: Elegy for Wetlands” demonstrates the ecological consequences of climate change on Florida’s wetlands, specifically in the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, about 60 miles north of Tampa. Photographs in black and white depict tangled underbrush, rippling waters and flat scrubby landscape. Some are presented as diptychs—two photos taken decades apart are presented side by side, clearly showing the consequences of rising sea levels on this wetland ecosystem. Over the course of four decades the surrounding vegetation has dramatically thinned, once lush landscapes now only sparse grass and dying palms.
For fans of: “Voices of Booker Creek,” “Dry Tortugas: Stronghold of Nature,” Ansel Adams, Clyde Butcher; $34.95, The University of Georgia Press—Suzanne Townsend Credit: Photo by Benjamin Dimmitt
‘Do I Know You?’ by Sadie DingfelderThe holidays are a good time to share important life news with family, and a few years ago Sadie Dingfelder told her dad that he might have a rare neurological disorder known as prosopagnosia, also known as faceblindness. Pops, a former Tampa City Councilman (and in full disclosure, this writer’s middle school science teacher), brushed it off as Sadie being “spacy” and reminded her that you don’t have to know who someone is to have a conversation with them. That was enough to get Sadie—a musician, former Creative Loafing Tampa Bay intern, science journalist and former features editor at the Washington Post—and she dive into the science and emotion of the condition in this work. For fans of: “Memory’s Last Breath,” NPR’s Science Friday; $32, Little, Brown Spark—Ray Roa Credit: Photo by Oxana Ware
‘Dry Tortugas: Stronghold of Nature’ by Ian Wilson-Navarro Everything about this work from Key Largo native and photographer Ian Wilson-Navarro is beautiful, from its backstory (he was approved for an artist residency program that allowed him to stay on Loggerhead Key and document the Dry Tortugas), the embedded essays (by pals with intimate knowledge of the UNESCO biosphere reserve) and photos themselves (from 30-second exposures of the raw, night sky to aerials of the fort and dozens of underwater captures). But there’s baked-in brutality, too. Wilson-Navarro captures the enchanting magic of the Dry Tortugas, but surrenders that outside forces—manmade, and otherwise—could very well render what readers see unrecognizable in just a generation or two. A must-have volume for any lover of the Sunshine State. For fans of: coffee table conservation conversations, National Geographic, passport stamps; $34.95, University Press of Florida—Ray Roa Credit: Photo by Ian Wilson-Navarro
‘Florida Springs: From Geography to Politics and Restoration’ by Christopher F. Meindl From golf courses on state parks, to exploratory oil drilling near the Apalachicola River, and enshrining the so-called “right to fish and hunt,” Florida’s natural wonders were atop of headlines a lot in 2024. Christopher F. Meindl’s latest dives into a very specific part of the state. The associate professor of geography and director of the Florida Studies Program at the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus doesn’t dance around the fact that springs can be political, but his book is focused on the elusive truths around them and what scientists and researchers have found so far. The text is fair, and dense with information on the geographical makeup of springs, their histories from the 1500s, and yes, the policy and state “restoration” of the precious sites. There’s plenty about the Bay area—south to Lithia, north to Tampa’s Purity, Sulphur and Uele springs—mixed in, too. For fans of: Florida history, freshwater science, facts; $38, University Press of Florida—Ray Roa Credit: Photo via floridapress/Instagram
‘The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook’ by Dalia Colon Multimedia journalist and host of WUSF’s local food podcast “The Zest” Dalia Colón published her first book “The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook” earlier this year, and it features over a hundred recipes as well as commentary on Florida food culture. In addition to the variety of Southern-inspired vegetarian recipes, Colón’s recently-published cookbook also includes a dozen essays about Florida’s “cherished food traditions” and issues impacting its current food and produce industry. For fans of: cooking vegetables, trying to eat healthy, Florida farms; $32, University Press of Florida Credit: daliacolon/Facebook

‘The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony’ by Annabelle Tometich

Journalist Annabelle Tometich’s memoir of growing up in suburban South Florida as a mixed-raced Filipina includes answering a call from her mother, who’s in jail for shooting at someone for “messing with her mangoes.” It’s an intimate exploration of one family, a saga with universal themes and love letters to Filipino-Americans and Tometich’s mother, Josefina.
For fans of: Rebecca Renner’s “Gator Country” and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ “Cross Creek”; $30 Little, Brown and Company
Credit: Photo via annabelletometich.com
Sharks Don’t Sink By Jasmin Graham Mote Marine scientist Jasmin Graham’s memoir is about her journey to becoming a “rogue shark scientist” after finding the traditional path to marine biology didn’t work for her—and many other young scientists of color. “Sharks Don’t Sink” is just as much about her work to co-found Minorities in Shark Sciences as it is about learning form and respecting misunderstood and vulnerable sea creatures. For fans of: Relatable stories about paving your own path and embracing independence amid stifling traditions; $28, Pantheon Credit: Photo by Sonia Szczesna
True crime ‘Guilty Creatures: Sex, God, and Murder in Tallahassee, Florida’ by Mikita Brottman A sordid tale about two couples who are seemingly the best of friends until one man disappears on a duck hunting trip and is presumed dead. Years later, the other husband divorces his wife and remarries the widow. More than a decade later, the truth of what happened to Mike Williams and the friendship between the Williamses and the Winchesters. For fans of: The author’s “An Unexplained Death” and true crime stories the way only Florida can tell them; $28.99, Atria/One Signal Publishers Credit: Photo via Simon & Schuster
‘Carrie Carolyn Coco’ by Sarah Gerard In a way, “Carrie Carolyn Coco” is an anti-true crime book. So many true crime stories sound the same. A man kills a young woman. He’s caught. Then, the media and courts comb over his interests, his upbringing, his “psyche” for some clue as to why he did it. The victim is given stock treatment. She’s always a “beautiful soul,” someone who “lit up the room.” The only remarkable thing about her, it seems, is that she was killed. Sarah Gerard interrupts this narrative with her new memoir, “Carrie Carolyn Coco” which covers the life and murder of poet Carolyn Bush. A St. Pete native, and Gerard’s friend, Bush was living in New York City and an active member of the literary scene when, on Sept. 28, 2016, her roommate Render Stetson-Shanahan stabbed her seven times for no apparent reason. Much of Gerard’s book goes to examining the life of Carolyn and the dozens of people who were affected and grieved for her loss. Bush emerges as a complex character, someone who took her art seriously and hustled to make ends meet. A self-proclaimed witch, she made several appearances in her friend’s dreams post-death, chain-smoking and pissed as hell. For fans of: The author’s “Sunshine State,” scoffing at true crime; Zando Projects, $28—Caroline DeBruhl Credit: Photo by Frankie Marin c/o Zando Projects
History ‘Hotels, Motels, and Inns of Florida’ by Kristen Hare Journalist and Poynter faculty member Kristen Hare explores the living history of the most famous, infamous and under-the-radar hotels and resorts in the Sunshine State. These buildings are works of art, museums, luxury destinations and historic landmarks. For fans of: Florida history and for those who want a little more out of their hotel stay than room and board; $27, Reedy Press Credit: Photo c/o Tampa Bay History Center
‘Motion Picture Paradise: A History of Florida’s Film and Television Industry’ by David Morton Florida may not host many moviemakers these days, but the state was once an ideal location for pioneering filmmakers. This comprehensive text explores iconic films shot in the Sunshine State, favorite filming locations, experimental filming techniques underwater and legislative policies that have impacted Florida’s position as a desirable filmmaking hub. For fans of: Moviemaking, television history and old Florida culture; $85, University Press of Florida Credit: Photo via University Press of Florida

‘Florida Spectacular: Extraordinary Places and Exceptional Lives’ by Cathy Salustri

Beyond the Florida Man stories and embarrassing politics, Florida is full of lesser-known figures, history and beautiful locations that aren’t beaches or theme parks. Author Cathy Salustri—a former CL A&E editor, and current publisher of Gulfport’s Gabber newspaper—explores centuries of state lore, legends and legacy, including the Black community at Eatonville, a Seminole woman who escaped captivity, leaders behind better transportation and tourism, influential environmentalists and modern-day people fighting to make Florida a better place.
For fans of: The author’s “Backroads of Paradise” and people-focused journalistic history; $26.95, University Press of Florida
Credit: Photo via University Press of Florida
‘From Saloons to Steak Houses: A History of Tampa’ by Andrew T. Huse A comprehensive social and cultural history of our favorite Cigar City. Author, librarian, and past CL contributor Andrew T. Huse uses extensive research including local newspaper archives and interviews to paint a sweeping picture of Tampa’s history beginning with its modern founding in 1887. It’s the story of Tampa through community spaces like theaters, bars, gambling halls, clubs, restaurants and more. For fans of: The author’s books on The Columbia Restaurant and the Cuban sandwich; $24.95, University Press of Florida Credit: Burgert Brothers photograph collection, Tampa Hillsborough County Library System
‘Tampa Bay: The Story of an Estuary and Its People’ by Evan P. Bennett Florida Atlantic University history professor Evan P. Bennett explores the environmental history of our Bay area, home to the largest open water estuary in the state. Starting with the human part of the 2,000-year-old bay’s ecology, the author charts Tampa Bay’s evolution as a vital natural resource for flora, fauna and humans. Bennett also highlights the people and groups fighting to protect our precious coast. For fans of: Environmental histories with tips for how to better protect marine ecosystems; $26.95, University Press of Florida Credit: Photo by Dawn Yep
‘Sunshine State Mafia: A History of Florida’s Mobsters, Hit Men, and Wise Guys’ by Doug Kelly Writer and private investigator Doug Kelly gives a juicy history of organized crime in the Sunshine State—from money laundering and drug running to bootlegging and hidden histories of the mob. Kelly uses newly released archival material, interviews with police and FBI and his own anecdotes and experiences. For fans of: “Cigar City Mafia” and “Organized Crime in Miami”; $28, University Press of Florida Credit: Photo via University Press of Florida
‘St. Petersburg, Florida: A Walk Through History’ by Monica Kile Local historian and tour guide Monica Kile (in full disclosure, wife of past CL contributor Jon Kile) gives a walking tour of the Sunshine City in the pages of her new book. The former Executive Director of Preserve The ‘Burg offers photos and details about famous buildings and architecture, historic churches and hotels, waterfront parks, the world’s largest shuffleboard club and more. For fans of: Local history and impressing out-of-town vacationers with your knowledge of Spa Beach and the Manhattan Casino; $17, Reedy Press Credit: Photo via cityofstpete/Flickr
Tampa Spring Training Tales: Major League Memories Rick Vaughn Rick Vaughn knows baseball up and down, inside out. He was a pitcher at George Mason University and on the ground floor leading the Tampa Bay Rays’ communications department before the team’s first game ever. He most recently skippered former Rays Manager Joe Maddon’s Respect 90 Foundation as Executive Director and in 2022 released the book “100 Years of Baseball on St. Petersburg’s Waterfront – How the Game Helped Shape a City.” Perfect for baseball nerds who love digesting nuggets of insider information about the game, his latest explores his connections to the Grapefruit League—which go back to ‘85 when he landed at Al Lang while working for the Orioles—plus stories about the 1913 Chicago Cubs. For fans of: Sports-related Americana; the word “Tampeño”; $24.99, History Press—Ray Roa Credit: Photo via RickVaughn.author/Facebook
Romance ‘Morbidly Yours’ by Ivy Fairbanks A Texas animator loses her husband and treks across the pond to escape her grief and guilt. There, she falls for an introverted, demisexual Irish mortician. Their slow-burn romance is adorably tender and rooted in them bringing out the best in each other. This is Tampa Bay author Ivy Fairbanks’ debut novel, which was picked up by Penguin Random House earlier this year. For fans of: Abby Jimenez and the friends-to-lovers and marriage-of-convenience tropes; $19, Putnam, Penguin Random House Credit: Photo by Eero Loera
‘The Art of Catching Feelings’ by Alicia Thompson Local author Alicia Thompson is back with another swoony Florida-ish inspired rom-com. This one stars a professional baseball player falling for the woman who ruthlessly heckled him. This book is inspired by Thompson’s deep dive into the weird, petty and nerdy culture of baseball, including the Tampa Bay Rays. Tombolo Books and the publisher even teamed up with the baseball for the book’s launch party at Tropicana Field last June. For fans of: The author’s ‘With Love From Cold World’ and ‘Love in the Time of Serial Killers’; $19, Berkeley, Penguin Random House Credit: Photo via Penguin Random Hou3
Fantasy and science fiction ‘State of Paradise’ by Laura van den Berg Central Florida author Laura van den Berg is back with another psychological mystery with a touch of thrilling science fiction. During the pandemic, a ghostwriter returns to her childhood home and faces a mercurial sister addicted to strange virtual reality tech, her mother’s involvement in a cult, missing townspeople and a reality-bending rainstorm. For fans of: The author’s “The Third Hotel” and Delilah S. Dawson’s “The Violence”; $27, Farrar, Straus and Giroux Credit: Photo via The Shipman Agency Inc.
‘The Veiled Heir’ by S.T. Fernandez Former Floridian S.T. Fernandez penned her second novel this year—a slow-burn romance that reimagines the lore of the mythical city of Atlantis. “The Veiled Heir” is set partially in the Keys and through a fae fantasy explores the impacts of climate change on the oceans. For fans of: The author’s “The Legend of Gasparilla,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Atlantis: The Lost Empire:; $17.99, indie-published and available on Kindle Unlimited Credit: Photo via stfernandez.com
‘Absolution’ by Jeff VanderMeer Surprise! The Southern Reach trilogy is a series now thanks to the surprise fourth book, Absolution. It turns out that there were some unanswered questions about Area X and important perspectives readers didn’t see—until now. The book’s three parts tell another twisty narrative through never-before-read expeditions into the mysterious Area X, a land inspired by the flora, fauna and climate of coastal Florida. For fans of: VanderMeer’s Southern Reach series and other dark purple prose speculative sci-fi; $30, MCD Books Credit: Photo via jeffvandermeer.com
Children’s ’La Mala Suerte Is Following Me’ By Ana Siqueira. Illustrated by Carlos Vélez AguileraAguilera’s illustrations caught my five-year-old’s attention immediately, and he pulls this book by Palm Harbor author Ana Siqueira—about a star student and athlete, Miguel, who’s trying to shake off some bad luck—off the shelf regularly for bedtime. For fans of: Kids interested in the Spanish language, and anyone who loves Halloween. $17.99, Charlesbridge Credit: Illustration by Carlos Vélez Aguilera via Charlesbridge

Non-Florida authors

These are some of the best and most talked about new books I read in 2024.
When the Moon Hatched By Sarah A. Parker’ A sweeping, romantic high fantasy with a deeply immersive, dragon-filled world and intricate magic system. With so much heartbreak and hope, there’s no wonder When the Moon Hatched is a darling of the romantasy genre this year.
’House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas’ Every new Sarah J. Maas book is the must-read of the season, and the hype for HOFAS reached a fever pitch with midnight release parties around the country. The book turned out to be an intense and dizzying conclusion to the Crescent City trilogy.
’The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire by Dr. Chris Kempshall’ Ever wanted to read a Star Wars history textbook? Well, this one charts the events of the Skywalker Saga, delving into the politics and government actions that led to the rise of the fascistic Galactic Empire. Fiction, but eerily parallels some of our own political and cultural issues.
’A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon’ Not Star Wars, but Star Wars inspired with dragons and a unique magic system set in a fantastical, Philippines-inspired world. A Monsoon Rising is the second book in The Hurricane Wars trilogy of high fantasy with simmering romance.
Special mention: ‘Mistborn and the Stormlight Archive’ Love for Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere books hit an all-time high this year thanks to his newest book, the fifth in the Stormlight Archive series. He’s my most-read author for 2024, and his books have literally altered my brain chemistry. Journey before destination.

Non-Florida authors

These are some of the best and most talked about new books I read in 2024.
When the Moon Hatched By Sarah A. Parker’ A sweeping, romantic high fantasy with a deeply immersive, dragon-filled world and intricate magic system. With so much heartbreak and hope, there’s no wonder When the Moon Hatched is a darling of the romantasy genre this year.
’House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas’ Every new Sarah J. Maas book is the must-read of the season, and the hype for HOFAS reached a fever pitch with midnight release parties around the country. The book turned out to be an intense and dizzying conclusion to the Crescent City trilogy.
’The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire by Dr. Chris Kempshall’ Ever wanted to read a Star Wars history textbook? Well, this one charts the events of the Skywalker Saga, delving into the politics and government actions that led to the rise of the fascistic Galactic Empire. Fiction, but eerily parallels some of our own political and cultural issues.
’A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon’ Not Star Wars, but Star Wars inspired with dragons and a unique magic system set in a fantastical, Philippines-inspired world. A Monsoon Rising is the second book in The Hurricane Wars trilogy of high fantasy with simmering romance.
Special mention: ‘Mistborn and the Stormlight Archive’ Love for Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere books hit an all-time high this year thanks to his newest book, the fifth in the Stormlight Archive series. He’s my most-read author for 2024, and his books have literally altered my brain chemistry. Journey before destination.
Books to look forward to in 2025 ’Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros’ The stakes are even higher in the third Fourth Wing book. Yes, there are dragons and sexy times, but the exploration of revisionist history and the moral grayness of military might have me fully engaged. Jan. 21, 2025 ’Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed’ Star Wars has this uncanny ability to provide the stories we need exactly when we need them. Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear comes out in February and explores the earliest days of the Galactic Empire through the politicians and figures who will eventually form the Rebel Alliance. Feb. 25, 2025 ’Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins’ I am already fully seated for this next Hunger Games book. Sunrise on the Reaping is Haymitch Abernathy’s story and the 50th iteration of the annual dystopian games. March 18, 2025

Freelance contributor Chelsea Zukowski is a Tampa Bay native who started her journalism career in 2014 at the Tampa Bay Times, working her way up from editorial assistant to entertainment reporter and...