Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Release Date: April 22, 2025
The perfect read to accompany you on the sunny day in the Meadows, Great Big Beautiful Life follows two writers, Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson, who are invited to Little Crescent Island, Georgia, to compete for the opportunity to pen the biography of Margaret Ives – a reclusive heiress and former tabloid sensation known as the “Tabloid Princess.” Margaret proposes a one-month trial period during which both writers will receive fragments of her story, bound by strict non-disclosure agreements, with the understanding that she will select one of them to author her biography. As Alice and Hayden delve into Margaret’s enigmatic past, they navigate professional rivalry and a growing mutual attraction, culminating in a slow-burn romance intertwined with the unraveling of Margaret’s complex history.
The Eyes of Gaza by Plestia Alaqad
Release Date: April 17, 2025
You’ve most likely seen her journal entries on social media, documenting the atrocities that have occurred and continue to transpire in Palestine. Curated into a book, this collection of the same entries records the first 45 days of the 2023 conflict in Gaza, offering an intimate account of daily life amid the turmoil. The memoir not only chronicles the hardships and devastation of war but also highlights the resilience, through quiet heroism and unreserved tenderness among the people of Gaza. This book is more crucial than ever, serving as both a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity and a call for empathy and peace in regions affected by violence.
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Like the rest of Backman’s novels, My Friends is infused with a love and appreciation for friends, family, and love. It details the lives of teenagers Joar, Ted, Ali, and an unnamed artist who seek refuge from their challenging home lives by spending time together on a pier in a distant seaside town. Of course, their bond leads to the creation of a significant painting. Twenty-five years later, Louisa, an aspiring artist, becomes intrigued by this painting and the three figures depicted within it. Determined to uncover their story, she embarks on a cross-country journey that challenges her perceptions and inspires her own artistic growth.
Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
Release Date: May 13 2025
One of the most anticipated releases of this year, Ocean Vuong’s debut fictional novel unfolds in the post-industrial town of East Gladness, Connecticut, where 19-year-old Hai, a college dropout battling addiction, contemplates ending his life by jumping off a bridge. His attempt is interrupted by Grazina, an 82-year-old widow with dementia, who persuades him to step back from the edge. This chance encounter leads Hai to become Grazina’s caretaker, forging an unexpected bond that profoundly impacts both their lives. Drawing from Vuong’s own experiences in the service industry and elder care, the novel is said to offer an intimate portrayal of life on the fringes of society, exploring the wounds that haunt our collective soul and the transformative power of chosen family and unexpected friendships.
Notes to John by Joan Didion
Release Date: April 2, 2025
The protagonist of the current literary debate, Notes to John, features 46 diary entries written between November 1999 and early 2000, when Didion had begun seeing a psychiatrist. These reflections were carefully documented in a journal intended for her husband, John Gregory Dunne. It is through these intimate writings that Didion explores topics from her therapy sessions, touching on her childhood, alcoholism, depression, and the complexities of her relationship with her adopted daughter. The decision to publish these letters has ignited debates about privacy and the ethics of posthumously releasing personal writings. While some close to Didion question whether the publication respects her intent, others believe it offers invaluable insight into her creative process and personal experiences.
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash