I can’t speak for every locale, but spring is definitely in the air here in Seattle. The snowpocalypse weather that beat us down in February has given way to blooming trees and sweater (not coat) temperatures. Love is in the air—book love that is. It’s time again to shed winter reading and look at the eight books I’m most looking forward to for my spring reading (book covers link to the Goodreads synopsis).
April
I mentioned this book on Monday, but I’m very curious to see how Jennifer duBois deals with the hot button topic of inflammatory talk shows and their responsibility in provoking violence. At the very least this book looks to be a conversation starter so I’m intrigued.
This one sounds like a sure thing for me: a debut, female author, Southern life, girl coming-of-age, and a cult. It’s about a 19-year-old who joins an off-the-grid community where it’s all good until other young women in the community start disappearing. The synopsis is kind of giving me The Girls vibe, but it’s all going to come down to the writing. If it’s not done well it will be too much crazy.
I don’t read a lot of nonfiction but this looks too good to resist. A book of essays about being a woman living life the Southern way? I’m hoping for a real-life version of Lookaway Lookaway– a novel set in the South that had me laughing from start to finish. Bless your heart, sugar!
Ian McEwan can be hit or miss for me, but by-and-large his books are so intelligent and well thought out that they always challenge me. Which is a good thing. This one is set in 1980s London, but a London where artificial intelligence has been perfected and the first “synthetic” human is available for purchase. What happens when you are able to program a partner to meet what you think is your every need?
May
What better way to start the month than with some dishy, scandalous nonfiction reading? My favorite kind! In case you didn’t know the Chateau Marmont is an L.A. hotel that has played host to some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and their baggage. Jean Harlow had affairs here, John Belushi overdosed, and Lindsey Lohan was kicked out for not paying her bills.
May Attaway’s midlife crisis, combined with the fake intimacy of social media, leaves her feeling she needs to reconnect with four real-life friends from her past. She takes time off from work and goes to visit each one. I feel as if this is going to be the kind of funny, but deeply introspective reading I love, ala Anna Quindlen.
Yes, it’s time again for another of Henry VIII’s wives and I’m so ready to immerse myself in the story of one of only two women to survive this murderous despot. Alison Weir translates copious research into nuanced portraits of women in a time when they were nothing more than pawns in a royal game of chess.
Last but not least, I’ll be leaving Tudor England and traveling to a remote Russian peninsula where two young girls have been kidnapped. This debut novel follows the lives of the women affected by the abduction. My sense is this is less a thriller and more about nature, community, and the lives of women living in isolation.
Still want more reading ideas for spring? Guess what? My friend Sarah invited me back on her podcast and we not only talk about spring books, we dish on our winter picks and so many other fun bookish subjects.It’s educational AND snarky!
(Click on graphic below to link to podcast)
Glad you will be back on the podcast. I’ll check it out. Meanwhile thx for your spring list. The McEwan interests me. Remember the movie Her with Joaquin Phoenix? That movie made me laugh a bit, bittersweet perhaps. The Ash Family also looks good but I’ve heard it’s a bit choppy, is it? or is that just blowback? Might have to check it out anyway. Enjoy your reads.
I haven’t heard anything about any of my picks yet so hoping it’s more good news than bad!
I love, love, love Helen Ellis – her collection of zany and wonderful short stories (American Housewife) was amazing so I can’t wait for Southern Lady Code. Plus, she’s a professional poker player!
I didn’t know that- how fabulous! I’m hoping it’s lots of laughs- I’m ready for some.
I like the southern books you have in this list. I’m definitely checking out the Ash Family. Yay for new books!
I just finished The Ash Family and hope to review it on Monday. It was quite good!
I hadn’t heard of most of these before this post! Rules For Visiting and The Spectators are definitely on my list to look out for now, though!
Sadly, I DNFed The Spectators! Her writing was so dense and convoluted- very different from her writing in Cartwheel. It was really off-putting.