Hope Reads Eternal:
The Best Books of Spring 2016
by Jennifer Ridgway
Ah, Spring: a time for renewal and rebirth, and thus a perfect time to restock those shelves you have KonMari’d with some of the great new upcoming books. As always, the choices are as vast and varied as the readers, but we have culled through the lists to give you a few highlights.
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April
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Becoming Wise
The host of the popular radio show and podcast “On Being” shares the wisdom she’s learned from all her conversations about living the fullest possible life, both personal and civic.
(Available: April 5, 2016)Preorder from: -
Lilac Girls
Available from:Inspired by a real-life World War II heroine, Kelly’s debut is a captivating novel with lovable characters searching for love, justice, and second chances, shedding additional light on women’s roles in history.
(Available: April 5, 2016)Also available from: -
The Midnight Assassin: Panic, Scandal, and the Hunt for America’s First Serial Killer
America’s first serial killer wreaked havoc in the burgeoning city of Austin, Texas in the late 1800s. Hollandsworth draws readers into the events of this little-known story with his novelistic writing style.
(Available: April 5, 2016)Preorder from: -
Eligible
Available from:This modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is true to its source (including the character names) while being original and entertaining. Eligible is a fun read that plays on the timeless themes of class, love, gender, and family.
(Available: April 19, 2016)Also available from:
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May
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Pit Bull
Available from:Dickey has written a biography of the most maligned canine, from its days as the adored breed of Theodore Roosevelt and Helen Keller to its current status of most feared (and in some areas, banned) breed. An insightful work of nonfiction for all dog lovers.
(Available: May 10, 2016)Also available from: -
The After Party
Available from:The new book from the bestselling author of The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls is set among Texas socialites in the 1950s. At a time when men still hold the power, one woman begins to break away from the rules and expectations.
(Available: May 17, 2016)Also available from: -
Paper
Due to Kurlansky’s bestselling books Cod and Salt, he’s known for taking a seemingly small subject and writing about its great historical importance in an entirely engaging way. In this new book he explores the history of paper, and how this modest invention has changed the world.
(Available: May 17, 2016)Preorder from: -
Modern Lovers
Available from:The Vacationers was arguably THE book of summer 2013. Straub’s new book explores what it means to grow up and grow older through the lens of a group of old college friends: now that their own children are in college, they must come to terms with the trappings of adulthood.
(Available: May 31, 2016)Also available from:
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June
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Homegoing
Available from:A multigenerational story that begins with two half-sisters in 18th-century West Africa, Gaasi’s novel is receiving early accolades. Readers will follow parallel plotlines within the sisters’ shared family tree and travel through the history of warfare and slavery in both Ghana and America. A truly beautiful, heart-wrenching debut.
(Available: June 7, 2016)Also available from: -
But What If We’re Wrong
Available from:Anyone who’s studied history knows how easily what once seemed certain can be completely disproven (e.g., the world is flat). Klosterman’s newest book manages to explain what we don’t know as if we already did. Based on interviews with scientists, authors, movie makers, and other creative brains, this book will send you down a rabbit hole and really get you pondering.
(Available: June 7, 2016)Also available from: -
The Girls
Set against the backdrop of 1960s Northern California, The Girls is a coming of age novel written with acute psychological insight into girlhood and friendship. In this dark but riveting tale (full disclosure: it deals with a fictional, dangerous cult), Cline captures the conflict between teenhood independence and the need to fit in, as well as the allure of illusion.
(Available: June 14, 2016)Preorder from: -
Vinegar Girl
Available from:The latest entry into the Hogarth Shakespeare series, Anne Tyler tackles one of the bard’s most beloved comedies: The Taming of the Shrew. In this modern-day retelling, Kate is a preschool teacher who finds herself caught up in her father’s crazy scheme.
(Available: June 21, 2016)Also available from:
Which books are you most excited to curl up with this spring? Let us know in the comments section below!