As much as I love reading by the fire and cozy nights under a blanket with a glass of wine and my current read, I’m so READY to say goodbye to winter and hello spring! With that being said, I have quite a few upcoming spring reads that sound pretty good but for this post I’ve picked the top 8 I’m most excited about. I’ll give you a sneak peak with my short thoughts, rather than just putting in lengthy blurbs. I hope some or all spark your interest…bring on the pre-orders and library holds!
The Room on Rue Amelie March 27, 2018 by Gallery Books
For fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Martha Hall Kelly’s Lilac Girls, this powerful novel of fate, resistance, and family—by the international bestselling author of The Sweetness of Forgetting and When We Meet Again—tells the tale of an American woman, a British RAF pilot, and a young Jewish teenager whose lives intersect in occupied Paris during the tumultuous days of World War II. Rich with historical drama and emotional depth, this is an unforgettable story that will stay with you long after the final page is turned.
I was drawn in yet again by the “for fans of ” marketing ploy comparing this to The Nightingale. I just couldn’t resist. That and early reviews on Goodreads are very positive for this one. Fingers crossed it lives up to the comparison
We Own the Sky April 3, 2018 By Park Row
Rob Coates feels like he’s won the lottery of life. There is Anna, his incredible wife, their London town house and, most precious of all, Jack, their son, who makes every day an extraordinary adventure. But when a devastating illness befalls his family, Rob’s world begins to unravel. Suddenly finding himself alone, Rob seeks solace in photographing the skyscrapers and clifftops he and his son Jack used to visit. And just when it seems that all hope is lost, Rob embarks on the most unforgettable of journeys to find his way back to life, and forgiveness.
I’m a sucker for love stories that hint of loss and finding one’s way back so this debut sounds right up my alley.
The Craftsman April 5, 2018 By Trapeze
Devoted father or merciless killer?
His secrets are buried with him.
Florence Lovelady’s career was made when she convicted coffin-maker Larry Glassbrook of a series of child murders 30 years ago. Like something from our worst nightmares the victims were buried…ALIVE.
Larry confessed to the crimes; it was an open and shut case. But now he’s dead, and events from the past start to repeat themselves. Did she get it wrong all those years ago?
Or is there something much darker at play?
***This publishes in the UK first so the link I’ve provided is for Book Depository, it’s not an affiliate for me, I’m pre-ordering my copy from them!***
This is my MOST anticipated book of spring, Sharon Bolton is one of my very favorite authors and early buzz for this is that it’s one of her best and scary creepy. I can’t wait.
Love and Other Words April 10 By Gallery Books
Love, loss, friendship, and the betrayals of the past all collide
Macy Sorensen is settling into an ambitious if emotionally tepid routine: work hard as a new pediatrics resident, plan her wedding to an older, financially secure man, keep her head down and heart tucked away.
But when she runs into Elliot Petropoulos—the first and only love of her life—the careful bubble she’s constructed begins to dissolve. Once upon a time, Elliot was Macy’s entire world—growing from her gangly bookish friend into the man who coaxed her heart open again after the loss of her mother…only to break it on the very night he declared his love for her…
I love stories about the one who got away, first loves and new loves colliding, etc and this seems to have all those elements. Plus people seem to love this writing duo, here’s hoping I do too
You Think It, I’ll Say It April 24, 2018 by Random House
The theme that unites these stories in this dazzling first collection by Curtis Sittenfeld is how even the cleverest people tend to misread others, and how much we all deceive ourselves. Sharp and tender, funny and wise, this collection shows Sittenfeld’s knack for creating real, believable characters that spring off the page, while also skewering contemporary mores with brilliant dry wit.
This is a curiosity pick for me. I loved her previous book, Eligible, and I love the idea of hearing her take on how we often misread others. I’m definitely trying something new here since I don’t ever read short stories but I feel pretty confident that this author will deliver
Tin Man May 15, 2018 by G.P Putnam’s Sons
An unforgettable and heartbreaking novel celebrating love in all of its forms
This is almost a love story. But it’s not as simple as that.
Ellis and Michael are twelve-year-old boys when they first become friends, and for a long time it is just the two of them, cycling the streets of Oxford, teaching themselves how to swim, discovering poetry, and dodging the fists of overbearing fathers. And then one day this closest of friendships grows into something more.
But then we fast forward a decade or so, to find that Ellis is married to Annie, and Michael is nowhere in sight. Which leads to the question, what happened in the years between?
This sounds like another potentially heartbreaking love story so I’m in. And it hints of a mystery as well…I really want to know what happened to Michael and what about all those years in between! I have very high hopes for this one and it’s already gotten tons of high ratings on Goodreads (I’m not reading ANY reviews)
Paper Ghosts May 15, 2018 by Ballantine Books
Carl Louis Feldman is an old man who was once a celebrated photographer.
That was before he was tried for the murder of a young woman and acquitted.
Before his admission to a care home for dementia
Now his daughter has come to see him, to take him on a trip.
Only she’s not his daughter and, if she has her way, he’s not coming back . . .
I love stories where a person’s guilt or innocence for murder is called into question so this book pushed all my must read buttons. The did he or didn’t he and what will she find out and do about it has me very excited for this read
The Outsider May 22, 2018 By Scribner
An unspeakable crime. A confounding investigation.
An eleven-year-old boy’s violated corpse is found in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City’s most popular citizens. He is Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached, orders a quick and very public arrest. Maitland has an alibi, but Anderson and the district attorney soon add DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. Their case seems ironclad.
As the investigation expands and horrifying answers begin to emerge questions surface about Terry Maitland who seems like a nice guy, but is he wearing another face? When the answer comes, it will shock you as only Stephen King can
I’m all about this story and the fact that IT’S STEPHEN KING! Even though I didn’t care for Sleeping Beauties (it was a DNF for me), I ‘m super excited about this book and I fully expect to be creeped out and turning the pages late into the night…I can’t wait!
So, what do you think? Any of these interest you or are already on your list for Spring? I’d love to hear what you think and also what’s on your must read list this Spring
HAPPY READING!
These all sound amazing! I’ve never read Sharon Bolton, but I think I need to remedy that! I’m pretty sure that one of her books is on my Goodreads TBR, but I need to check. All 8 of these are getting added though! I still haven’t read Sleeping Beauties, and I’m not sure why I bought it since it’s storyline was not at all something I’d normally read, but this King book sounds exactly like my type of book! Thanks for sharing all these! I need to take a look and see what books I’m most looking forward to for spring 🙂
So happy you think all these sound good enough to add to your tbr Stephanie! YES you really do need to read Sharon Bolton asap, she’s amazing. I highly recommend Dead Woman Walking as a starting point. I’d love to see your list if you get 1 together:)
They really do! It’s a great list 😊 I just checked, and I have Dead Woman Walking on my TBR, so I’ll start with that one! I’ll make sure to read it this summer. April and the 1st few weeks of May are crazy, so I’m not sure how much I’ll get read. Aww, thanks! I’ll have to find time to look at what’s coming out. There are a few I know of already, but I feel like I’m still catching up on winter reads, lol.
Can’t wait for you to read Dead Woman Walking!!
I just looked and my library has it-both the public and the campus, so I’ll grab it this summer! Or I have 2 Audible credits that I can’t decide what to use on-do you think it would be a good audiobook? I really need a good one to listen too! Oh! I just finished Nina Riggs’ memoir (completely on your recommendation!) as an Audio book…oh my! It was fabulous and heartbreaking at the same time! I didn’t realize until reading it that she lived locally and she and I attended the same university for our English degrees, and that she taught there! I was floored! I’m sure that our paths had to have crossed since we were both the same age-I have to wonder if we took classes together but I just don’t remember her. I’ve always been introverted and the type to take classes and then run, lol. I’m going to try and find out! But thanks again for the recommendation of it; I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I’m so glad you liked The Bright Hour! Wow, what a small world that you might’ve been in classes with her. Such a sad story yet her writing and the tone had many places of happiness. I’m not sure about Dead Woman Walking on audio…I struggle with fiction especially mysteries on audio, I’m way more of a visual learner so I prefer to read. But I do like chick lit, easy breezy reads or nonfiction on audio
The Tin Man sounds really interesting! It’s definitely getting added to my TBR list. 🙂
I think so too, I hope it turns out to be as good as it sounds
Of course Craftsman is on my list too, and also Paper Ghosts! The new Stephen King sounds amazing but I think I saw bad reviews?
Oh really…that’s super disappointing to hear. I’ll still give it a try though
Great list! I’ve not read anything by Sharon Bolton but The Craftsman looks great. Tin Man and Paper Ghosts are on my list too.
Thanks Ann Marie, I really hope you read Sharon Bolton sometime, she plots some amazing mysteries. I hope The Craftsman is as good as her others actually. So many people seem to be looking forward to Tin Man and it’s got me so curious I think I’ll read it before May!
Renee, I am really looking forward to the new Sittenfeld collection and I may try the new Christina Lauren novel on audio; I haven’t read any of their (collective) work, but I keep hearing really good things!
I bet that would be a fun book on audio. I think I’m also going to try Dating You Hating You by them as well
Tinman such a lovely read!!
Oh that’s great to hear Mairead!
I see some great books here! I have an egalley of Tinman and am excited for it because of many people loving it!
Me too Nikola, I think that seems to be one a lot of people are looking forward to
Love the list! I haven’t heard of any of these which is wonderful because now I have new titles to add to my TBR. I’ll be curious to hear how you like the Stephen King book. I used to be a huge fan, but I’ve been kind of disappointed the last couple of times.
Thanks Michelle, I’m glad I could increase your tbr with this list:) I’m also so curious about the new King. It sounds so good I hope it lives up to the premise. I did like The Mr Mercedes trilogy a lot but then not Sleeping Beauties so King can be hit or miss for me
Great post Renee. Thanks for building my awareness of these books! I’m curious about Stephen King’s new one.
Thanks Abby, I really hope his new one is much better than Sleeping Beauties which wasn’t for me
Looking forward to the new Sharon Bolton! And since it’s freezing and snowing here again today, I’m sooooo looking forward to spring… 🙂
i really look forward to reading the new king book! ❤️
and now i added tin man to the list. sounds like a good mystery going on under the main plot
Great list here, Renee. It has a little bit of everything and quite a few I hadn’t seen before. I’ve been putting together my spring preview and only have one that overlaps with you, so I definitely have a few to investigate further. I hope every book on your list is a winner!
Thanks Susie, I can’t wait to check out your list which will mean more for my tbr if we only have 1 that overlaps:)
What an awesome list of books! I’m really looking forward to reading many of them myself. I hope you enjoy them! Great post! 🙂
Thanks Deanna!
We’re matched up on Paper Ghosts, I just got a NG copy and fingers crossed for The Craftsman! *whispers* I still haven’t read Dead Woman Walking yet 🙈
You know you MUST read Dead Woman Walking!!:)
The Tin Man is on my TBR as well. I’m SO jealous of your Craftsman. I’m still working on getting a copy.
I don’t actually have The Craftsman, I wish I did, but I’ll be pre-ordering it from book depository
READING THE CRAFTSMAN NEXT WEEKEND! It’ll be my first Sharon Bolton book, despite having a couple of paperbacks, haha !
Ooh I’m so jealous!! You have to tell me how it is!
Will do!!
Ohhh I love the sound of all of these! I’m sure you will have a fantastic spring reading all of these. Enjoy!
Thanks Yvo!
Such a great list, Renee!! I think you’re going to love the new Christina Lauren book. It reminded me of reading one of the newer Kristan Higgins books – SO GOOD.
I hope to read Paper Ghosts soon…I loved her last book. Also, The Room on Rue Amelie. Sounds so good. And I’m going to look into that new Stephen King! Thanks for the heads up!
Thanks and You’re welcome Brandie, I hope to try the Christina Lauren soon, I’m so happy you liked it and it has a Kristin Higgins feel, that’s encouraging