It finally feels like spring, even if we did get some snow last night. Nevertheless, the days are getting longer, the sun is starting to show its face, and we’ve got a slew of new books to get our hands on. These are just a small selection of titles you need to get on your radar.

First, Become Ashes by K.M. Szpara (6th)

Three cheers for a sci-fi standalone! I don’t know much about this novel, it’s one novel that I would probably go into blind and see where the road takes me. The concept sounds like a brutal search for the truth as our lead character is faced with the possibility that everything he believed to be true was a lie.

Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle (6th)

Everything about this book sounds like a dream. As someone that often has her head in the clouds, I feel like Maybell Parish and I would be great friends. Add in a grumpy groundskeeper and you have yourself one swoon-worthy romance.

I’m Waiting for You and Other Stories by Kim Bo-Young (6th)

Sometimes, an anthology is just what you need when life gets busy. The beauty of these short story collections is that you can dip in and out of the book through extended periods without feeling like you’re missing the full picture. The concept of this collection sounds immersive and fascinating, exploring human nature through the eyes of distant/godlike creatures.

The Light of Midnight Stars by Rena Rossner (13th)

Can we all take a moment to appreciate just how beautiful this cover is? It perfectly captures the fairytale-like atmosphere the book looks to capture. I’ve always had a soft spot for books that blends themes of history and fantasy and, The Light of the Midnight Stars sounds like a breathtaking tale of magic, sisterhood, and consequence. 

The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur (20th)

Sometimes, you need a good mystery to keep you on your toes and, there’s nothing more suspicious than a small village harbouring a world of secrets. Even more so when you have history repeating itself as thirteen girls disappeared under similar circumstances years after Hwani and her younger sister’s disappearance. Sounds like my kind of mystery.

The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (27th)

Mexican Gothic has been sitting on my tbr shelf for ages and knowing that Garcia has another title released this month makes me keen to read it. The Beautiful Ones sounds like an incredibly immersive read, and the fact that this book focuses on the art of telekinesis heightens that interest. I’m convinced that this book will be one of the most addictive releases of 2021.

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto (27th)

Medling aunties, a dead body, a celebration of daughters and mothers, and a deep dive into Chinese-Indonesian culture? What more coul you possibly want from a book? Dial A for Aunties sounds positively brilliant.

What’s your most anticipated release?