12 great books that are out today

Hello, book lovers! Each week, dozens of new releases hit the shelves. These are our favorites.

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–The BuzzFeed Books team

"Ruler of Njaza, King Sanyu, completes his father's dying wish and marries Princess Shanti Mohapi. He does so out of duty and obligation, never intending to actually fall for her. However, it's hard not to given their instant chemistry, not to mention the fact that she's much more passionate about ruling than he is — which isn't hard to be, given the fact he was reluctantly forced into the position in the first place. But when Shanti runs away, he must step into power to become the king he was destined to be, and chase after the woman he loves to become the husband he wants to be." —Shyla Watson

Catch Alyssa Cole live at: The Ripped Bodice on Tuesday, Dec. 1, with Meg Cabot (info); Loyalty Bookstores on Thursday, Dec. 3, with Courtney Milan (info); Love's Sweet Arrow on Saturday, Dec. 5, with Kit Rocha (info).

Get it from Bookshop for $7.35, or Amazon for $7.99.

How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams

Credit: nicwillwrites

"When she finds out her department at work may be cut, Professor Naya Turner lets loose for a night and meets Jake, a guy who makes her laugh and forget about her problems. After their failed attempt at a fling, Naya tries to put him out of her head. But, that proves impossible when they discover Jake is the person responsible for deciding what happens to Naya's job. Despite the work complications and long-distance, not to mention Naya's trauma from a previous abusive relationship, they begin a relationship and fall in love. But, when more obstacles get in the way of their happiness, they're forced to ask themselves, is love enough?" —Shyla Watson

Catch Denise Williams live at: Books Are Magic on Tuesday, Dec. 1, with Nichole Perkins (info); Escondido Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 5 (info); Prairie Lights on Sunday, Dec. 6, as part of the Midwest Writers Holiday Potluck (info).

Get it from Bookshop for $14.72, or Amazon for $12.89.

Read This for Inspiration: Simple Sparks to Ignite Your Life by Ashly Perez

Credit: Ashly Perez

"In Read This for Inspiration, Ashly Perez (a former BuzzFeed employee) gathers bits of inspiration that she's found helpful in her life — words of wisdom about creativity, self-worth, motivation, relationships, feminism, and more; drawn from literature, history, and her own lived experience — and pairs them with absolutely dreamy illustrations from multiple artists, so beautiful you'll be tempted (sorry, I know this is blasphemous) to tear them out and frame them. It's the perfect balance of personal and researched, philosophical and accessible, and great for reading in bits and pieces. Check out an excerpt of six of passages I particularly loved, about living in the present, loving yourself, and appreciating life." —Arianna Rebolini

Get it from Bookshop for $18.39 or Amazon for $13.20.

King of the Rising by Kacen Callender

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"King of the Rising is the gorgeous and brutal sequel to Queen of the Conquered, and the final installment to the Caribbean-inspired fantasy duology, Islands of Blood and Storm. King of the Rising takes place two months after the first book's events and follows Loren Jannik, Sigourney Rose's personal guard. Sigourney is imprisoned, though Loren argues to spare her life. Loren's craft is growing more powerful, and the formerly enslaved people of Hans Lollik respect him and want him to take charge of the island. The Fjern aren't going to lose Hans Lollik without a fight, though. Loren's powers might be the key to maintaining their freedom. The duology is inventive, searing, and dark, and the final book offers a perfect, though unexpected, conclusion." —Margaret Kingsbury

Catch Kacen Callender live at: Towne Book Center on Tuesday, Dec. 1 (inf0); Tubby & Coo's on Thursday, Dec. 3 (info)

Get it from Bookshop for $15.63, Target for, or Amazon for $13.20.

Also noteworthy:

Black Futures, edited by Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham — a vibrant anthology of essays, poetry, dialogues, images, and un-categorizable art from Black activists and creators.

A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir — the highly anticipated finale of Tahir's thrilling YA fantasy series, An Ember in the Ashes.

Big Girl, Small Town by Michelle Gallen — a coming-of-age novel about a young woman dreaming of a life beyond the small-town gossip and family struggles of her home in Northern Ireland.

Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America by Ijeoma Oluo — a deconstruction of white male identity and the consequences of its supremacy in the U.S.

The Blade Between by Sam J. Miller — a queer horror novel about three misfit high school friends who reconnect as adults trying to save their hometown from capitalism *and* evil spirits.

Now in paperback:

Dead Astronauts by Jeff VanderMeer — a fractured post-apocalyptic novel about three rebels fighting an all-powerful biotech corporation in an effort to save the world.

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado —an innovative memoir that recounts an abusive relationship by drawing on cultural representations of abuse.

Long Bright River by Liz Moore — a gritty thriller about a Philadelphia cop whose sister, struggling with opioid addiction, goes missing — and the corrupt colleagues she suspects are involved.