Hello everyone,
I find that there are certain types of books that many of us associate with summer, autumn, and winter – but what about spring? I have rarely come across any references in blog posts or social media that talk about the ideal spring read, so my interpretation is that anything goes. After all, as it is a season where we get a sample of all weathers and a transition from the dark evenings to the longer days, it should surely be a time for diversity in our reading too.
And that is exactly what I hope to reflect in the books I have chosen for this list. When I look back on my favourite books, one of the feelings they immediately conjure is where I was when I read it and what time of year it happened to be. The season in which I read a book always forms part of my memories and lasting experience of it, so while they were all excellent stories, this is one of the things which makes me look back on them so fondly.
Before we start, just to clarify that these are all books I read during the months of March, April, and May – the northern hemisphere spring. Let’s go!
No Turning Back by Tracy Buchanan
I read this over the space of the Easter weekend in 2018, flying through this book in a way that I rarely do these days. It was not just because I was staying at my grandma’s and had no wi-fi – it was because it was a genuine page-turner and I discovered a new author whose books to enjoy in the process. It was an excellent library find!
Bone By Bone by Sanjida Kay
Sanjida Kay is another author who I discovered from the library, and while this was her debut it was the second of her books that I picked up. It is about a young girl who gets persecuted by an older boy and his father, and I just connected with it on a very deeply emotional level. I remember reading this one very vividly and have since listened to it again on audio – as well as buying a physical copy.
The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
In the spring of 2019 I was going through a tough period with my physical and mental health, and reading this book was the perfect distractions. It divides opinion in places, but I absolutely loved it and seven years on (!!!) it still ranks as one of the best mystery novels I have read. It is just so original; a fantastic concept full of fascinating plot threads and body swaps!
Changeling by Matt Wesolowski
I have raved many times about the Six Stories series, ever since I was introduced to it in May 2019 when I found Changeling at the library. It is the third book in the series and throughout my journey with it I continued to read them in the wrong order – but that did not matter. Changeling is the perfect example of why it is such a winning concept, as the atmosphere, the realism was all there in spades. And what sealed the deal was a breathtaking twist near the end.
The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal
Another highlight from 2019, this was a stunning debut novel which captured the essence of both its setting and the historical time period so strongly that I felt truly transported there. It is romantic, but becomes incredibly dark as it unfolds. I got to see Elizabeth Macneal at an event a few weeks after reading it, which solidified the story in my mind too.
The Corset by Laura Purcell
My first spring read of 2020, such early spring that it was before lockdown. The ideas and imagination that went into this one and its two storylines were so clever and made for an utterly captivating read. It was my first Laura Purcell read, and she has become a true favourite author of mine.
Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
One of my all-time favourites regardless of one of two slightly far-fetched elements, this book carried me on the most profound emotional ride. One of the best and most wonderfully described settings I have ever encountered is the backdrop for a sensational story that features mystery and romance, and in Kya Clark, an incredible protagonist whose journey made me as invested as I have ever been in a character.
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Another book that helped me through the months of lockdown and staying at home, Clap When You Land tells the story of two sisters who discover each other after their father dies in a plane crash. One is living an impoverished life in the Dominican Republic, while the other has enjoyed a relatively more privileged upbringing in the United States. It is written entirely in verse from the perspectives of both girls, and was equal parts sad and uplifting.
Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Oh yes, Six Of Crows was a spring read! It took me until 2021 to finally pick it up, but when I did, I understood what the hype was about. Taking place on an epic scale with a thrilling cast of characters, it a masterful piece of world- and story building.
The Silence Of Bones by June Hur
A fairly understated read, but one that is quietly very powerful. The mysterious family dynamics at the centre of the plot made it so compelling to me, and June Hur also makes excellent use of the historical South Korean setting. I enjoyed it so much that I wrote a poem about it afterwards which I included in my review.
My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Another book that splits the crowd, but again I absolutely loved this one. It is off-kilter and darkly humorous, and unlike anything else I have read. That sense of originality is perhaps one of things that was most appealing to me, but I found it genuinely entertaining and I loved Braithwaite’s writing style.
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
I have read a LOT of books by Lisa Jewell, but hardly any in spring. This one stands out though as it was my Easter weekend read of 2022. I devoured the last 120 pages or so on the Sunday morning and what can I say? It was just a very gripping story and addictive like so many of Jewell’s releases.
The Bronzed Beasts by Roshani Chokshi
The last book of the Gilded Wolves trilogy and my favourite overall out of the three, I have very fond memories of reading this one in 2023. It is largely set in Venice and I felt truly transported by it, but along with all the fun puzzles, the main characters are like a big hug. I loved how their stories were all resolved, too.
The Whistling by Rebecca Netley
I have been known to read dark, Gothic, or haunted house novels all year round and this is one such example from 2023. I had wanted to get to this one for a while before finally picking it up, and I certainly was not disappointed. It worked so well for me as rather than there being one standout aspect, it was a book where all the components were just very strong and came together well as a whole.
Hope To Die by Cara Hunter
All of Cara Hunter’s books are page turners and this one, the sixth instalment of her DI Adam Fawley series, was arguably the most addictive of the lot. The case at the centre of it is tantalising and fills you with intrigue, while it also introduces the fictional documentary series Infamous which Hunter has featured in her follow-up novels including her standalone Murder In The Family.
The Last Thing To Burn by Will Dean
My first spring read of 2024 is right up there in terms of the most unspeakably tense books I have ever read. It deals with the harrowing topic of human trafficking and abuse, and through the narrator Thanh you are hurled right into the centre of it. Her story is so raw and her bid for freedom created moments where I was literally holding my breath – both before and after a gigantic late twist.
The One by John Marrs
As the blood spatter on the cover may suggest, this is a particularly dark one that I read while on holiday in Dublin in 2024. The concept is irresistible and the chapters are short, making it an utterly thrilling read and one that I found unputdownable – apart from when I was out and about exploring the Irish capital, of course!
The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes by Suzanne Collins
The first prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy was an exhilarating ride, all in the single-minded psyche of a young President Snow. The conspiracy and surprising romance that ran through it made it a thoroughly exciting read, which ramped up in the final chapters where I was hanging on to absolutely every word.
The Death Of Mrs Westaway by Ruth Ware
My favourite of the five Ruth Ware books I have read to date, I very much enjoyed the concept of The Death Of Mrs Westaway and also the dynamic between Hal and the affluent extended family she discovers. It is intelligently plotted too, with a sinister atmosphere and well-researched exploration of tarot.
Foul Heart Huntsman by Chloe Gong
Ha! I had to get a Chloe Gong book in here somewhere. Her books are consistently amazing and I happened to read Foul Heart Huntsman in the spring of 2025. Nothing else to say.
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
My first great spring read of 2026, Open Water is a short book but poetically beautiful in its depiction of a London love story. I took it on holiday to Vienna with me and was swept away by it.
The Warm Hands Of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
Another recent one, I finished a buddy read of this last week and I am certain that it will appear in my list of favourite books at the end of the year. The writing is magnificent from start to finish, elegantly telling the tale of a brother and sister who seek to reunite against all the odds during the First World War, with both the setting and the characters wonderfully realised.
Let’s Chat
Have you read any of these books? What are some of the best books you have read during spring, or any you particularly associate with the season? Let me know in the comments!
Happy reading :)
Stephen Reads Books 