30 & 31. The most recently published book by an author and a book from that same author's backlist

[Jackie, Solstitial Mod]

For this pair of weeks, we'll be looking for two books by the same author, their most recent and one from their backlist. Whether you've got an author you've been meaning to read more from, or you've got someone you want to try out, this could be a fun way to get a better sense of their writing. It would be a good way to catch up on a series too!

ATY Listopias
Frontlist https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Backlist https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

What are you reading?

[Dixie]

I'm tentatively planning on using John Scalzi for this. There are several from his backlist I want to read, including An Election and Fuzzy Nation. His most current book at the moment is When the Moon Hits Your Eye but by the time I get around to these prompts he might have a new one out!

[Angie]

Dixie wrote: "I'm tentatively planning on using John Scalzi for this. There are several from his backlist I want to read, including An Election and Fuzzy Nation. His m..."

I'm thinking about using him, as well. I own but have not read Redshirts. He's always pretty reliable.

[NancyJ]

I like Scalzi too. I just read The Kaiju Preservation Society I’m reading one of his books for letter Z.

Other possibilities
Elif Shafak- There Are Rivers in the Sky
Lisa Genova- new- More or Less Maddy,
Amy Harmon- The Outlaw Noble Salt
Louise Penny - The Grey Wolf, new- The Black Wolf

[Joanna G]

Might do Megan Giddings for this. I loved The Women Could Fly and both her most recent book Meet Me at the Crossroads and an earlier one, Lakewood, sound very intriguing to me.

Could also go with Meg Shaeffer - The Wishing Game is on my TBR, and if the release date doesn't get moved back, The Book Witch sounds delightful.

[Jenny]

I'm using Stuart Turton for this one - I read The Devil and the Dark Water this year on Kindle, and loved it so much I've since bought a physical copy too! He's definitely an author I want to get round to reading the front and back list for sooner rather than later.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I'll likely use an ARC for the frontlist book on this one, and tie it to something previously written if I enjoy the ARC.

Then, of course, there is always T.J. Klune, who has written a multitude of novels before he got popular, and he does have a new book coming out next year. I've been meaning to get to Wolfsong, which I think would be a good backlist book.

[LeahS]

I'm planning:

The Woman in Suite 11 and In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware and Metamorphosis and Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively.

[Sarah]

These all have new books coming out in 2026 so I'll probably choose one of these!

Simone St. James
Alice Feeney
Sadeqa Johnson
Mary Kubica - I'll probably go with this one!

[Marie]

This is a tricky one to plan for, I don't want to choose an author who sneaks out another book before I get to the prompt, especially one part way through a series I'm not up to date with!

After a lot of research, I'm going for Joe Abercrombie, who doesn't seem to have anything new announced. Just to be safe, I'll be doing this prompt as soon as possible, so he can't sneak anything out before I read The Devils. I bought The Blade Itself an embarrassingly long time ago, so that's an easy choice for the backlist, and I also like it that it's both his first novel and will be celebrating its 20th anniversary next year.

[Charlsa]

I discovered a great new mystery/thriller series while in the UK earlier this year. I'll use the 2026 release for the frontlist and the 2025 release for the backlist.

Frontlist: Berwick: DCI Ryan, Book 24 by L. J. Ross

Backlist: Belsay by L.J. Ross

[Ron]

Louise Erdrich has a new book being released in March so I'll wait until then for this prompt:

Python's Kiss: Stories (releasing in Mar. 2026)

Then I'll see which book I have on my shelf that stands out the most (or I'll a spinner wheel) to pick the book from her backlist.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

I'm having a hard time with this one- I might wing it and each book I read that I like, look and see if it can qualify for here

[Donna]

I am planning to read Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead (frontlist) and
The Lacuna (backlist).

[GailW]

My plan is to read Kate Atkinson's latest Death at the Sign of the Rook and the backlist Transcription. They are both physically sitting on a shelf in my library, no longer patient to be read... 😉

[Misty]

I'm going with Margaret Atwood for these prompts. Her latest book release is The Testaments, so I am planning on reading that one. I also want to read her first book The Edible Woman.

[Martha☀]

I have 2 options so far for this prompt:


Anthony Horowitz ~ Marble Hall Murders (2025) & Moonflower Murders (2020) but I see that he has another due for release in 2026 which might scupper me.

John Boyne ~ Air(2025) & The Absolutist(2011) or A History of Loneliness(2014)

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Martha☀ wrote: "John Boyne ~ Air(2025) & The Absolutist(2011) or A History of Loneliness(2014)."

Ooo, love this idea! But I read the whole elements together as one book, so would need to wait for him to release something new (I hate short stories but I loved that collection!) I really want to read the Absolutist.

[Barbara]

Frontlist: The Elements by John Boyne (published September 2025)
Backlist: A History of Loneliness by John Boyne

[Martha☀]

Barbara wrote: "Frontlist: The Elements by John Boyne (published September 2025)
Backlist: A History of Loneliness by John Boyne"

We should buddy read these!

[Pam]

I'm planning to read A Long Winter by Colm Tóibín (pub. Nov 2025) and Long Island.

[♞ Pat]

I've wanted to read Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachael Joyce for the longest time...

So I think I'll grab her latest book, The Homemade God, which looks like a good one for me!