Importance Score: 20 / 100 🔵
As spring arrives and temperatures rise, a collection of highly anticipated new books spanning genres from fiction to memoir are set to be released. Here are 30 noteworthy spring book releases that readers won’t want to overlook.
Fiction Highlights
The Angel of Indian Lake
Stephen Graham Jones (S&S/Saga Press)
Stephen Graham Jones’s latest novel skillfully merges historical fiction with vampire horror, offering a compelling narrative about an American Indian vampire seeking vengeance for the deaths of over 200 members of his tribe. Available now
The Glassmaker
Tracy Chevalier (Viking)
Renowned for “The Girl with a Pearl Earring,” Tracy Chevalier continues her mastery of historical fiction. Her new novel follows a Venetian glassblowing family from the late 15th century to modern times, depicting shifting fortunes and the evolving landscape of Venice. June 18
Land of Milk and Honey
Ocean Vuong (Penguin Press)
Ocean Vuong, the acclaimed Vietnamese American poet known for his debut novel, “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous,” presents his sophomore effort. Set in East Gladness, Connecticut, the story explores the unexpected and profound connection between a 19-year-old boy and a widow grappling with dementia, for whom he becomes a caretaker. May 13
Funny Story
Emily Henry (Berkly)
Bestselling rom-com author Emily Henry delivers a charming novel where an aspiring writer finds herself vying for a story with a Pulitzer Prize recipient. Both journey to Little Crescent island to chronicle the life of an enigmatic octogenarian heiress. Offered a trial period to determine who can best capture her narrative, the writers must navigate plot complications and undeniable chemistry. April 22
Summer Sisters
Jennifer Weiner (William Morrow)
In the early 2000s, Cassie and Zoe emerged as prominent pop stars, one reluctantly talented and the other overtly attention-seeking. Two decades later, the sisters are estranged when Zoe’s daughter, Cherry, with her own aspirations for fame, begins to unearth their intricate past. April 8
The House Next Door
Dean Koontz (Thomas & Mercer)
Dean Koontz presents a suspenseful tale where three childhood friends return to their hometown after their fourth companion, the only one who remained, mysteriously falls into a coma. As his condition deteriorates, the group confronts sinister forces within their seemingly peaceful town, recalling past incidents of similar comas. May 20
Talk to Me
John Kenney (Zibby Publishing)
In John Kenney’s poignant novel, an obituary writer’s life spirals when, inebriated, he publishes his own obituary, jeopardizing his career. Amidst personal turmoil following his wife’s departure, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery by attending the funerals of those he commemorates, seeking a more meaningful existence. April 1
The Winners
Fredrik Backman (Atria)
From Fredrik Backman, the acclaimed Swedish author of “A Man Called Ove” and “Anxious People,” comes a new work of fiction. “The Winners” centers on Louisa, an art enthusiast captivated by four teenagers in the background of a 25-year-old painting. Her fascination propels her on a cross-country quest to uncover their stories. May 6
Meet Me at the Lake
Carley Fortune (Berkley)
Bestselling romance novelist Carley Fortune’s latest tells the story of a photographer who revisits her grandmother’s serene lake cottage, a place of cherished teenage summer memories. There, she encounters a charming man, and his yellow motorboat, from her youth. May 6
Tell Me an Ending
Jo Harkin (Knopf)
Jo Harkin’s Tudor-era historical novel is being hailed as reminiscent of “Wolf Hall.” Set in 1480, it portrays John Collan, a peasant lad in rural England, whose life is upended by a Londoner claiming he is Lambert Simnel, the Duke’s son and rightful heir to the throne. April 22
A Soul of Ash and Blood
Devney Perry (Entangled: Red Tower Books)
Devney Perry, celebrated author of the “Treasure State Wildcats” series, makes her foray into romantasy with “A Soul of Ash and Blood.” The narrative follows a princess bound by an ancient treaty to journey with a notorious monster slayer. May 6
The Dictionary of Lost Words
Honor Jones (Riverhead Books)
In Honor Jones’s beautifully crafted debut novel, a recently divorced mother returns to her childhood home alongside her young daughters. She is compelled to confront long-held family secrets embedded in her upbringing. Jones, an editor at the Atlantic, delivers a poignant exploration of family and memory. May 13
My Good Judy
Jeanine Cummins (Henry Holt and Co.)
Jeanine Cummins, the bestselling author of “American Dirt,” presents her newest novel, focusing on three generations of a Puerto Rican family. It begins with Rafaela Acuña y Daubón leaving San Juan to raise her family in the Midwest. Her daughter, Ruth, yearning to assimilate in Missouri, abandons her native tongue and early memories. Years later, Ruth’s daughter, Daisy, returns to San Juan, only to be critically injured during the 2023 hurricane. May 13
A Game of Deception
David Baldacci (Grand Central Publishing)
David Baldacci, the author behind the No. 1 New York Times bestseller “A Calamity of Souls,” pens a historical thriller set during World War II. In 1944 London, two war-orphaned teenagers forge a bond with a widowed bookseller. As Britain faces relentless bombings, each character’s hidden secrets emerge, carrying potentially dire consequences. April 15
Jacqueline Woodson
Morgan Jerkins (Harper)
Morgan Jerkins’s epic novel traverses over 150 years of history. In 1865 Natchez, Mississippi, a newly freed slave returns from the Union Army, aiming to reconnect with his beloved. In 2019 Harlem, New York, a couple hosting their engagement party discovers an antique love letter, bridging narratives across generations. April 22
Non-Fiction Releases
Brain on Fire
Susannah Cahalan (Viking)
Susannah Cahalan, the bestselling author of “Brain on Fire” and former Post reporter, illuminates the often-understated life of Rosemary Woodruff Leary. As Timothy Leary’s wife, Rosemary was a significant counterculture figure in her own right, instrumental in her husband’s jailbreak, evading authorities for decades, and playing a pivotal role in shaping the public perception of psychedelics. April 22
Top Chef
Kristen Kish (Little, Brown and Company)
“Top Chef” winner and current host, Kristen Kish, shares her personal reflections, from her upbringing as a Korean adoptee in Michigan and her journey of coming out as queer, to discovering her path as a chef and television personality. April 22
Hello World
Nate Bargatze (Grand Central Publishing)
Tennessee native Nate Bargatze, known for his approachable and clean comedy, is experiencing a surge in popularity, marked by a major arena tour and his debut book. In “Hello World”, Bargatze recounts humorous personal anecdotes, from childhood mishaps to early adulthood living conditions. May 6
The Wisdom of the Bullfrog
Admiral William H. McRaven (Grand Central Publishing)
Drawing from his extensive 40-year career as a Navy SEAL, Admiral William H. McRaven, bestselling author of “Make Your Bed,” offers civilians a practical framework for navigating high-pressure and critical situations with composure and effectiveness. April 22
Sopranos
Jason Bailey (Abrams Press)
Jason Bailey provides a detailed examination of the life and legacy of actor James Gandolfini, eighteen years after “The Sopranos” finale and twelve years following Gandolfini’s passing. Bailey delves into Gandolfini’s working-class New Jersey roots and his late entry into acting. April 29
George Washington’s War
Rick Atkinson (Crown)
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson continues his trilogy on the American Revolution with this second installment. It centers on the pivotal middle years of the conflict, as King George grapples with the escalating costs of suppressing the colonies, Benjamin Franklin seeks French support, and George Washington appeals to Congress for additional resources. April 29
Appetite
Keith McNally (Gallery Books)
Celebrated restaurateur Keith McNally, known for his engaging Instagram updates from Balthazar and Minetta Tavern, shares his life story. In “Appetite”, McNally recounts his London childhood, early career as a child actor, the opening of iconic NYC establishments like Odeon, personal trials including divorces and a stroke, and more. May 6
River of Time
Robert Macfarlane (W. W. Norton & Company)
Naturalist and bestselling author of “Underland,” Robert Macfarlane’s “River of Time” explores waterways globally, from Ecuador to India. He examines the communities intertwined with these rivers and the pressing challenges they face. May 20
Frasier
Kelsey Grammer (Harper Select)
Kelsey Grammer, famed star of “Cheers” and “Frasier,” intimately discusses the tragic 1975 kidnapping, rape, and murder of his younger sister, when she was eighteen. Grammer, then twenty, reflects on his profound grief and the enduring impact of this tragedy on his life and family. May 6
Unstable
Annie Karnie and Luke Broadwater (RandomHouse)
“Unstable” provides an insider’s perspective on the escalating chaos within Congress. Co-authored by Annie Karnie and Luke Broadwater, this book delivers fresh insights and details on events ranging from George Santos’s fabrications and Lauren Boebert’s controversies to January 6th and the upcoming 2024 election. Available now
Grant
Ron Chernow (Penguin Press)
A new release from Ron Chernow is always a literary event. The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer, celebrated for his works on Alexander Hamilton and Ulysses S. Grant, now focuses his acclaimed biographical skills on a major figure in American letters. May 13
Tina Knowles
Tina Knowles (One World)
Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé and Solange, shares her formative years growing up in a large Galveston, Texas family in the 1950s. In this memoir, she reflects on her aspirations and the experience of raising her exceptionally talented daughters. April 22
Federer
Christopher Clarey (Grand Central Publishing)
Christopher Clarey, bestselling author of “The Master: The Long Run and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer,” shifts his focus to examine the legacy of Federer’s rival, Rafael Nadal. The biography emphasizes the Spaniard’s mastery on clay, considered the most physically demanding surface in tennis. May 13
Vanity Fair
Graydon Carter (Penguin Press)
Graydon Carter recounts his tenure leading Vanity Fair. Appointed editor-in-chief in 1992, Carter steered the magazine to unexpected success for over two decades. In “Vanity Fair,” he shares captivating, star-filled anecdotes from his influential editorship. Available now
Power Shift
Barry Diller (Simon & Schuster)
Media magnate Barry Diller details his professional ascent, from the William Morris mailroom to CEO of Paramount Pictures in his early thirties, and co-founding Fox TV network in his forties. “Power Shift” also delves into personal aspects of his life, including family and his marriage to fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg. May 20