Spring is here! The cherry blossoms have peaked, baseball is underway and whether you’re going to the beach or your couch, it’s time to stockpile a few books for spring break. T.S. Elliot opened The Wasteland by declaring April to be the cruelest month, but with this many great books coming out, we have to disagree!
Fiction
Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage
Picture it: Miami, 1980s. Four beloved sitcom characters have to solve a murder to free one of their own. The Golden Girls are reborn in this cozy mystery series opener, which sees Rose throwing a St. Olaf-themed wedding that takes a left turn when Dorothy’s date is found face-down in the cheesecake. Author Rachel Esktrom Courage excels at capturing the beloved characters, ensuring fans will love watching Dorothy’s friends clear her name. Available April 15. // Library catalog link here.
Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin
After losing her job and breaking up with her fiancé, Shell finds herself living with her parents in suburban Dublin and lands a job at a florist in a dying mall. The flowers are almost as enticing as the shop’s owner, Neve, who is also newly single. Shell can’t wait to discover her secrets, but Neve’s hiding something unexpected—a sentient orchid that is no longer content with what Neve has been feeding it and wants to consume her completely. This dark and wicked spin on Little Shop of Horrors leans into the macabre for a stunning and poignant look at love, desire and decay. Available April 22. // Library catalog link here.
Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone
When Ghanaian-American heiress Ofosua Addo catches her fiancé cheating on her on their wedding day, she throws herself into her career. As an editor, she’s given the chance to lead her own imprint, but the CEO keeps undermining her. Even worse? She has to work with the CEO’s nephew, who doesn’t seem to recognize her in spite of the heart-stopping kiss they shared years ago. As the two work together, their off-the-charts chemistry is undeniable, but so are their respective family pressures and disapproval. Filled with references to Ghanaian culture and food, this witty and glamorous second-chance workplace romance examines the push and pull of family duty versus following your heart. Available April 29. // Library catalog link here.
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
In 1821, an Italian witch falls in love with a Boston sailor and plans to run away with him, but a shipping magnate wants her, and her power, for himself. Two centuries later, an underwater archaeologist races to find the sunken treasure discovered by her late father before the archaeologist’s professional rival can get to it. Filled with atmosphere and magic, this lush tale of diving and family secrets is a rousing page-turner. Available April 29. // Library catalog link here.
Nonfiction
The Determined Spy: The Turbulent Life and Times of CIA Pioneer Frank Wisner by Douglas Waller
During WWII, Frank Wisner worked for the OSS and stayed in the intelligence community as a founding member of the CIA, where he was the head of the clandestine service. He oversaw CIA-backed coups in Guatemala and Iran and helped launch MKUltra, the CIA’s experiments with LSD. His career ultimately ended after a nervous left him hospitalized with a then little-understood diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Douglas Waller’s sweeping biography offers rich historical context and a nuanced portrait of the man and the agency. Available April 8. // Library catalog link here.
Enough Is Enuf: Our Failed Attempts to Make English Easier to Spell by Gabe Henry
Trying to make sense of English spelling is enough to make most students cry. Comedian Gabe Henry finds humor in the situation in this delightful history of people trying to simplify spelling, from 12th-century monks to modern emoji-laden text speak. Looking at reformers on both sides of the Atlantic (and the never-ending debate over American vs. British English), this thoughtful and entertaining read will make you feel better about your dependence on spell-check. Available April 15. // Library catalog link here.
Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World by Jessica Slice
Most American mothers will attest that daycare and medical care are expensive and employment policies are not family friendly. People will disabilities will share similar tales about the high cost of health care and adaptive equipment, and their frustrations surrounding ableist policies and design. Combining the two, author Jessica Slice illustrates the difficulty of parenting in a culture that views parents with disabilities as fundamentally “unfit,” interweaving her personal story and others to show how creatively navigating an unjust system can actually turn one into an even better parent. Available April 15. // Library catalog link here.
The Last Days of Budapest: The Destruction of Europe’s Most Cosmopolitan Capital in World War II by Adam LeBor
In early 1944, the German Army marched on Budapest. By summer, Hungary was being bombed by Allied forces, and at the end of the year, the Red Army had the city under siege. With newly uncovered sources and survivor interviews, historian Adam LeBor recreates life in the city during the war. Budapest swirled with spies and refugees, soldiers and everyday people, aristocrats and cabaret singers, before descending into unimaginable carnage, destruction, hate and anarchy. Filled with tales of grand heroism and terrible savagery, this immaculately researched and engagingly written book offers a grim and shocking look at Hungarian history. Available April 22. // Library catalog link here.
Middle Grade
The Pecan Sheller by Lupe Ruiz-Flores
Petra dreams of college. But after her father suddenly dies, the 13-year-old drops out of school and takes a factory job shelling pecans to make enough money for her family to survive. Workers there are subjected to meager wages, terrible conditions and health risks. When tragedy leads to threatened wage cuts, Petra must decide whether to join her fellow workers on strike, even if it means losing the job her family depends on. This hopeful and powerful story is based on the six-week-long pecan shellers strike that took place in San Antonio in 1937. Available April 1. // Library catalog link here.
Teen
Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming
This gripping and immersive work introduces teen readers to Jim Jones, the People’s Temple and the tragic murder-suicide of 918 followers in the Guyanese jungle. While many know the phrase “drink the Kool-Aid,” this deeply researched and thoughtful account of the Jonestown massacre chronicles not just what happened, but how, with a particular focus on the victims, survivors and their families. Available April 29. // Library catalog link here.
Jennie Rothschild is a collection engagement librarian for Arlington Public Library.