11 New Books Coming This May
April was a month of standout stories — many that stayed with me long after I turned the final page. I’m still thinking about Liz Moore’s Long Bright River and Ling Ling Huang’s Natural Beauty, two books that have been on my list for ages that I finally got around to reading. I also listened to Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler, narrated by the author.
I’m excited for the month ahead. Here are my top picks for May.
Named one of LitHub’s Most Anticipated Books of the Year, I have a feeling this striking pink cover is about to be everywhere. Readers follow a sociopathic con man named Robert Doughten Savile, aka “Doughty,” the son of a once-wealthy, now hard-up family from Darien, Connecticut as he swindles his way around New York City.
Described as “risky and brilliant, dark as hell and bitingly comic” by Chelsea Bieker, The Stalker is on sale May 27th.
Australian novelist Jessica Stanley is making her much anticipated North American debut with this big-hearted story. We follow a London-based writer named Coralie over the course of a decade as she balances new love, the pressures of her job and the challenges of motherhood.
While most romance novels end with the “happily ever after,” Stanley takes a fresh approach by beginning with it. With praise from Liane Moriarty, Meg Wolitzer and many others, this brilliantly charming tale is on sale May 27th.
From the acclaimed author of The Body Scout, “a marvellous romp of a book” (Helen Phillips) about a socially awkward and debt-ridden character named Michael Lincoln who is working on his semi-autobiographical fictional magnum opus with the help of a misfit sci-fi writing group, the Orb 4.
With a starred review from Publishers Weekly, Michel’s latest genre-bending novel is on sale May 13th.
Widely adored New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman is back with a deeply poignant story spanning decades. When a young artist named Louisa unexpectedly comes into possession of her favourite artwork, she embarks on a cross-country journey to learn the story of the painting.
With themes of friendship, love and loss, this “heartwarming and heart-wrenching” (NPR) novel is on sale May 6th.
From the author of the critically acclaimed poetry collections Night Sky with Exit Wounds and Time Is a Mother, a gorgeous novel about chosen family, unexpected friendship, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive.
With starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and Publishers Weekly, Vuong’s latest “masterwork” (Bryan Washington) is hitting shelves May 13th. Join the author for one of his cross-country tour dates (listed here).
I adored Allison Larkin’s previous novel The People We Keep, and have been looking forward to this for months. Readers follow a thirty-year-old woman named Freya Arnalds, who after an emergency leaves her short on rent, is forced to return to Somers, New York, to a home she once fled.
On sale May 6th, Larkin’s latest is an exploration of broken families, the weight of the past, and the complicated journey of finding home.
From the LAMBDA Literary Award-winning author of I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself, a gripping coming-of-age novel about an all-consuming relationship between two teammates on a girls’ high school basketball team.
An exploration of first love, intimacy, heartbreak, and grief, this “honest, engrossing, and full of heart” (Emily Austin) novel is releasing on May 13th.
From celebrated writer and Grammy award-winning violinist Ling Ling Huang, a “gorgeous and frequently shocking novel” (Matt Bell) about a cutting edge technology that could allow its users to inhabit the minds and memories of others. A revelation – but one with heavy consequences.
With similar themes to Huang’s exceptional Black Mirror-esque debut, Immaculate Conception is on sale May 13th.
Named A Most Anticipated Book by Time, LitHub, and BookRiot, this moving new novel from the author of Nothing to See Here is about an unexpected road trip across America that brings a family back together.
A story of “hope against all odds” (Town & Country), Wilson’s latest is hitting shelves May 13th.
From award-winning artist and filmmaker Tourmaline, a meticulously researched and long overdue biography of the revolutionary activist Marsha P. Johnson, one of the most important and remarkable figures in LGBTQIA+ history, who continues to inspire so many today.
One of the New York Times's non-fiction books to read this Spring, Marsha is on sale May 20th.
From New York Times bestselling author Rich Cohen, an enthralling and deeply investigated account of Jennifer Dulos, the suburban mother who disappeared one morning after dropping her kids at school.
Once I started this one, I could not put it down. As Cohen writes, “this is a story of love and hate, money, debt, and status but it’s also about the lives of people you only think you know.” On sale May 20th.
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