10 Books You Should Read This Spring

Spring, to me, is opening up a novel while sitting on a crisp picnic blanket in the park. It’s being one with nature and focusing on the worlds and characters that lie within the pages in a book rather than a black screen. If this is spring for you, we’re soul sisters! You may be thinking, “But Dom, I don’t have any books to read!” To that I say, have no fear, below I have provided you with ten novels you need to read this spring. Break out the picnic blanket, snacks, and one of these books! Spring has sprung!

1. The Wedding Date

When I think of spring, I think of fresh romance and stolen kisses in the garden. If you’re looking for some romantic fun, then The Wedding Date is for you. It’s about civil servant Alexa Monroe, who meets handsome doctor Drew Nichols in an elevator and agrees to be his plus one to a wedding. That’s only the very beginning of their story though as they realize there’s more to them than a chance meeting and seek to merge their extremely different lives together. It’s funny, sad, sexy, and heartwarming. What I love most of all is the curvy, Black female lead! *Check out The Wedding Date here*

2. You’ll Come Back To Yourself

I used to not be a big poetry lover, but after taking a senior seminar on John Keats, my interest was peaked. During the maybe two months I had TikTok, I stumbled upon a video posted by the author publicizing this poetry book. Maybe it was because it was 3 am but something about the book captured my interest, and I ordered it immediately. Let me tell you, I do not regret it. This book of poetry is so beautiful. It’s about love, heartbreak, hope, and self-discovery. It’s honestly the perfect book to help you work through some of the pandemic feelings that are sure to be churning below the surface. I cried, snapped, and laughed. *Check out You’ll Come Back To Yourself here*

3. The Other Bennet Sister

I’m getting emotional just writing this summary. This understated book is by far my favorite of 2021. Just to be transparent—it’s long, and if you aren’t a fan of Jane Austen, I doubt you’ll enjoy it. As a devoted fan of Jane Austen, this continuation of Pride & Prejudice from the perspective of the most ignored sister, Mary, was everything I needed and more. The only times I put this book down were when it was hitting too close to home--and that happened a lot. At its core, this story is about a young woman learning to love and accept herself. Mary is considered the “ugly duckling” among her large swath of sisters, and as they all marry to start their own families, Mary begins to tie her own worth to the perception of others. It’s beautiful to watch her transition throughout the story, and I picked up on many of the lessons as well. Overall, the book was like a nice warm hug from your grandmother, and I will recommend it to anyone who will listen. *Check out The Other Bennet Sister here*

4. Red At The Bone

This book is so amazing, and it finishes in a flash. Written in free verse, this book takes you through the generational plight of a very complicated family. The book opens on the eve of Melody’s debutante ball. She’s living a life that feels not entirely her own and more like the ghost of her mother’s life. Her parents, who had Melody in high school, are each brimming with their own insecurities and painful memories. Her grandparents, soak in the daughter they never had while remembering the painful hate they escaped to reach this moment. Each generation of the family is remembering and we, as the reader, get to put the pieces together to the puzzle that is this family. What struck me about this novel was how beautifully it painted a picture of a complicated, upper-middle-class Black family in America. It’s a short read, but it’s packed to the brim, so don’t be surprised if you have to reread. *Check out Red At the Bone here*

5. The Duke And I

Before there was Bridgerton, there was The Duke and I. The original novel follows the same plot as the tv series with of course more details. This is perfect for someone who wants to get into the world of Bridgerton but is a little behind the pack. The swoon-worthy romance begins with the popular Bridgerton family and specifically their eldest daughter, Daphne, who has struggled to make a splash in her last two seasons. When her older brother’s old school friend, the Duke of Hastings comes into town, Daphne and the Duke decide to be interested in each other in order to boost Daphne’s marriage prospects. Well…of course, the fake romance starts to get a little too real. I’ll leave it at that. *Check out The Duke and I here*

6. The Flatshare

Ok so another romance, but what is spring without butterflies and rainbows?? This one is a cheeky one! A young woman, Tiffy, in search of a cheap apartment agrees to share an apartment on a shift schedule. Her unseen roommate, Leon, works crazy hours and only needs the flat during the day when Tiffy is at work (and vice versa). Weirdly, the arrangement works and they are able to live together without ever being together. As the months go by, they start to leave innocent sticky notes for each other that soon become the basis of their whirlwind romance. On the small slips of paper, they share their struggles and dreams, and when they meet in person…well I’ll let you read it. What I loved about this book was the female empowerment message as well as the focus on mental health. Realistic romance is top tier in my opinion. *Check out The Flatshare here*

7. The Poet X

This is not a romance novel! This is a YA novel and before you check out, please hear me out! This novel is SO FREAKING GOOD. Written in free verse (as you can see I kinda adore poetry now), this novel is about Xiomara, an Afro-Latina, with a secret passion for poetry. She is struggling to find her way in her strict, religious family next to her seemingly perfect twin brother. It’s a coming of age novel about a girl finding herself and her passions in a stifling environment with parents who are terrified of the unknown that Xiomara, or Poet X continues to bring into their New York home. *Check out The Poet X here*

8. Little Fires Everywhere

Before it was a show about race, it was a book about class. Little Fires Everywhere is famous now because of its Hulu adaptation, but the novel is worth reading as well. In Shaker Heights, OH, a fire is set. Who starts the fire that burns down the Richadson family home? Could it be Mia Warren, the artist, Elena Richardson rented her rental home to? The two women have a curious relationship and each of them knows information about the other that could light each other’s lives ablaze. Jealousy, prejudice, and rage keep the two women from understanding each other and it’s more than the family home that gets made collateral damage. *Check out Little Fires Everywhere here*

9. Before I Fall

This book is a throwback, but because I consider it one of the most influential books of my life, I am including it on this list. Another YA, Before I Fall is about Sam Kingston who dies in a car crash—except she doesn’t?—because she keeps waking up and reliving the day of her death. Sam knows she has some unfinished business and spends the novel righting wrongs and as well as sometimes wronging rights for the fun of it. At its core, it’s a book about valuing each day and being cognizant of the impact you have on others. As a young teenager, this book impacted me mostly because it taught me the happy endings aren’t always happy for the main character and that perhaps “happy” can come in different forms. *Check out Before I Fall here*

10. Persuasion

Last and certainly not least, I had to end this spring book recommendation list with my favorite novel of all time: Persuasion!!!!! This is an oldie, but a serious goodie. It’s about Anne Eliot, who is nearing “spinsterhood” and her chance encounter with her first and only love Captain Wentworth. She is nervous to see him because the last time they saw each other, she rejected his marriage proposal due to her family’s disapproval of his lack of wealth and status. Now he’s an established, wealthy man, and it turns out her worst fears are correct—he is still very bitter. Both of them, after their chance encounter, get the opportunity to be with other people but do they decide to overcome pride, hurt, and the persuasion of others to choose each other? You’ll just have to read. *Check out the best book ever, Persuasion here*

Please note: Some of the above links are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small percentage (1-3%) of sales made via those links, but it doesn’t cost you anything extra!