What new books are you looking forward to most in 2008? Something new being published this year? Something you got as a gift for the holidays? Anything in particular that you’re planning to read in 2008 that you’re looking forward to? A classic, or maybe a best-seller from 2007 that you’re waiting to appear in paperback?

I really ought not to be looking forward to anything that isn’t already on my TBR pile, especially as it is higher this January than it was last.  But, of course, as any reading addict knows, that simply isn’t realistic and there are several books whose publication dates are looming enticingly on the horizon.

February 7th sees the issue of Sophie Hannah’s new detective novel The Point of Rescue.  Her previous book, Hurting Distance, was one of my picks of last year, so I shall certainly be getting hold of a copy of this as soon as it’s available.

Another detective writer I couldn’t possibly ignore is C J Sansom.  His Shardlake novels, set in Tudor England, simply get better as they go along.  The fourth in the series, Revelation, is due in April, not quite in time for this year’s early Easter but if we have as warm a Spring this year as last, wonderful for sitting in the garden with over a pot of tea.

Two of my favourite women writers have new novels out in the next few months.  Geraldine Brooks’ March was a stunning book which opened my eyes to aspects of the American Civil War of which I had had no previous understanding.  Her new novel, People of the Book, is due any day.  I shall be haunting the library steps waiting for it. 

Another Pulitzer winner, Jhumpa Lahiri, is also publishing soon.  Her Interpreters of Maladies was a real one-off for me, a collection of short stories that I actually enjoyed so much I rationed myself to one a day so that I could enjoy them for as long as possible.  Unaccustomed Earth is out in April.

Finally, in the field of Children’s Literature, I heard one of my favourite writers, Tim Bowler, say on the radio the other day that he has three new books out this year.  What more could I ask?