New Books of May 2024
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May flowers are blooming, and so are the shelves at your local bookstore! This month, The Book Guide brings you a vibrant selection of new releases to fuel your reading adventures. Whether you crave captivating fantasy or heart-wrenching historical fiction, there’s a book waiting to whisk you away. So, grab your favorite reading spot and dive into our picks for the hottest reads of May!
A Diverse Selection of Must-Reads Awaits this May
The Book Guide’ editorial team creates a monthly list of popular new books, based on reader reviews and regular additions to the Want to Read shelves. The list includes genres like contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy, romance, horror, young adult, and nonfiction. This month’s list includes S.T. Gibson’s dark fantasy Evocation, Terah Shelton Harris’s North Carolina family saga Long After We Are Gone, and Stephen King’s scary short stories.
What to Read This May 2024: Best Book Releases.
- The Last Murder at the End of the Worldvby Stuart Turton
- All Fours by Miranda July
- If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
- One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
- You Like It Darker by Stephen King
- The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
- I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
- Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan
- Cut and Thirst by Margaret Atwood
- The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende
- This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
- Sweet Nightmare (The Calder Academy, Book 1) by Tracy Wolff
- Mistakes We Never Made by Hannah Brown
- When She Was Me by Marlee Bush
- When Among Crows by Veronica Roth
To help you navigate this exciting selection, we’ve compiled a curated list of some of the most anticipated and highly-recommended books hitting shelves this April So grab your favorite reading nook, settle in with a cup of tea, and prepare to be transported by the magic of storytelling!
The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton
Stuart Turton, a renowned author known for his high-concept murder mysteries, has published a novel featuring a scientist’s mysterious death on an idyllic island with 124 citizens. The island’s security system is causing tension as the deadly fog that killed the rest of humanity is leaking in.
All Fours by Miranda July
Miranda July’s “All Fours” is a coming-of-age story, but not for your typical teenager. It follows a woman in her 40s who ditches her planned road trip and instead seeks a new kind of freedom in a nearby motel. With July’s signature wit and unflinching honesty, the novel explores themes of female sexuality, perimenopause, and the complexities of marriage and motherhood. Prepare for a funny, surprising, and ultimately moving story about a woman taking charge of her own desires.
If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
Alex Finlay, known for his intricate mysteries, has a new puzzler featuring a five-year-old cold case that resurfaces when two dead bodies are found in a submerged car, causing complications for a law student, mob boss, and sheriff’s deputy, all based on a cryptic note.
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
Ruth Ware’s mystery and thriller novels, compared to Golden Age crime writers, feature five couples competing in an island reality show. A storm separates them, and a vicious killer is on the loose. Ware’s psychological suspense takes readers to the Indian Ocean islands.
You Like It Darker by Stephen King
Stephen King, a horror master, has released a new collection of 12 dark short stories, including a sequel to his 1981 canine freakout, “Rattlesnakes.” The collection explores themes such as psychotic killers, precognitive visions, and planar breaches, making it a darker and more challenging read.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Kaliane Bradley’s debut novel blends science fiction, espionage thriller, romance, and workplace comedy, introducing temporal expatriates from history to the 21st century. The story explores the potential of a modern civil servant to find love with a polar explorer from 1847, a genre that defies genre conventions.
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
Natalie Sue’s comedic debut novel follows Jolene, an unhappy employee at Supershops, Inc., who accidentally gains access to her department’s private emails. She becomes drawn into her colleagues’ private lives, including Cliff, a man she cannot develop feelings for. The novel features humor, heart, and relatable temptations.
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan
The author of Crazy Rich Asians presents a romantic saga set in the wealthy contemporary world, where Hong Kong scion Rufus Leung Gresham seeks a wealthy wife to restore his family’s fortunes, involving sex, glitz, and potentially a scandalous murder.
Cut and Thirst by Margaret Atwood
In Margaret Atwood’s darkly comedic short story “Cut and Thirst,” three retired professors gather weekly for cheese, conversation, and a dash of murder. Fueled by outrage over a past injustice, Myrna, Leonie, and Chrissy plot revenge on a group of male poets who destroyed their friend Fern’s career. As the women savor aged cheddar and reminisce, they devise a deliciously wicked plan to make the perpetrators pay the price for their cruelty. Atwood’s sharp wit and keen observations on aging, friendship, and the enduring sting of betrayal make “Cut and Thirst” a quick and satisfying read.
The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende
Isabel Allende’s “The Wind Knows My Name” is a powerful historical fiction that braids together two narratives. One follows a young Jewish boy, Daniel, escaping Nazi-occupied Europe, while the other centers on American social worker, Selena, trying to reunite a Central American migrant girl with her mother. Across vast distances and decades, the novel explores the enduring themes of family, displacement, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of war and oppression.
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
“This Summer Will Be Different” by Carley Fortune delivers a sizzling escape to Prince Edward Island. Lucy, a vacationer, gets swept off her feet by Felix, a charming local. Their connection is undeniable, but a shocking secret threatens to tear them apart. Turns out, Felix is the younger brother of Lucy’s best friend! Can they resist temptation for a drama-free summer, or will their desires lead them down a forbidden path?
Sweet Nightmare (The Calder Academy, Book 1) by Tracy Wolff
Sweet Nightmare is the first book in the Calder Academy series, set in a school for rogue paranormals. Clementine, a seventeen-year-old girl, is sent to learn how to manage her abilities after a freak storm hits the isolated island. To survive, she must align herself with one evil to avoid another, even if it means getting close to the dark dream daimon, Jude Abernathy-Lee12. Tracy Wolff weaves a tale of secrets, hidden strength, and unexpected connections.
Mistakes We Never Made by Hannah Brown
“Mistakes We Never Made” by Hannah Brown is a summer read about Emma and Finn, two high school friends with a history of connections. Forced together by a missing bride and a wild road trip, they navigate hilarious situations and chemistry, questioning if playing it safe is always the best choice.
When She Was Me by Marlee Bush
“When She Was Me” is a psychological thriller by Marlee Bush, set in Cabin Two, an isolated Tennessee campground. The sisters, Cassie and Lenora, are the only residents, avoiding prying eyes and crime enthusiasts. However, when a teenage girl goes missing, their peaceful existence is disrupted. As the crime becomes more recognizable, Cassie and Lenora suspect each other of knowing more than they’re letting on. Trapped in the wilderness, they must piece together the truth before it’s too late. The atmospheric novel features nuanced character relationships and lingers long after the last page.
When Among Crows by Veronica Roth
In “When Among Crows,” Veronica Roth dives into contemporary fantasy with a Chicago twist. Slavic folklore creatures like zmoras (fear-eaters) and the legendary Baba Jaga come alive in this gritty underworld. Ala, cursed with a debilitating condition, and Dymitr, a monster hunter burdened by his family legacy, strike a deal. He offers a cure in exchange for her help finding Baba Jaga. Prepare for a fast-paced adventure that explores redemption, facing your fears, and the unconventional bonds forged in desperate times.