Nine Books I’m Excited To Read This Spring – A Book Haul

If I’ve learnt anything from the last year, it’s that I really love losing myself in a good book. Thrillers have become my go to, after reading The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides last summer, it is by far my favourite genre to immerse myself in. Don’t get me wrong, I will always love the stereotypical rom-com reads. But after reading those for years, I’m truly loving this new side of reading that is still so new and exciting to me.

I buy all my books second hand, so I have a long list that I’m always looking out for and authors that I’ve heard good things about. This does limit me somewhat to only having a limited amount of books to buy, for the last year in have bought pretty much exclusively from eBay, but as soon as the charity shops are back open I can’t wait to browse the shelves to find more gems. Here’s what I’ve picked up over the last few weeks;

His And Hers – Alice Feeney

‘When a woman is murdered in Blackdown village, newsreader Anna Andrews is reluctant to cover the case. Anna’s ex-husband, DCI Jack Harper, is suspicious of her involvement, until he becomes a suspect in his own murder investigation. Someone is lying, and some secrets are worth killing to keep.’

This is one that I found whilst browsing on eBay, selecting the thriller genre and just looking at the information on each listing and this sounded like something I would enjoy! It sounds like it will be a twisty turny secretive journey, and I can’t wait to dive in!

Before She Knew Him – Peter Swanson

‘When Hen and Lloyd move into their new house, they’re relived you meet another childless couple in their neighbourhood, Mathew and Mira. But when they’re invited over for dinner, Hen thinks she sees something suspicious in Mathews study. Could this mild mannered school teacher really be hiding a dark secret, one that only Hen might know about? And even if she’s right, who would believe her?’

This author is one I’ve had my eye on for a while, and there’s a few other books by him that are still on my list so I hope I enjoy his writing style!

Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn

‘Just how well can you ever know the person you love? This is the question that Nick Dunne must ask him self on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary, when his wife Amy suddenly disappears. the police immediately suspect Nick. Amy’s friends revealed that she was afraid of him, that she kept secrets from him. He swears it isn’t true. A police examination of his computer shows strange searches. He says they aren’t his. And then there are the persistent calls on his mobile phone. So what really did happen to Nicks beautiful wife?’ 

This was recommended to me on a book club Facebook page I’m part of, and it’s been on my list to find for quite a while. Again, seems like a typical thriller, trying to figure out what happened and who’s responsible all while learning more about the back story of the characters. Also bonus points because this is a beautiful chunky hardback, definitely not one for taking on holiday but we certainly don’t need to be worrying about that for a while!

The Perfect Wife – JP Delaney

‘Abbie wakes in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there. By her side is her husband Tim, the driven British founder of one of the worlds most groundbreaking tech companies. They met when she joined his startup as artist in residence, their marriage a Silicon Valley fairy tale. But as Abbie’s memories return, she realises there’s something missing from Tim’s version of events. Because, five years ago, Abbie Cullen-Scott was pronounced dead…’

Did I or did I not buy this simply because I’m getting married this year? I couldn’t possibly say.

The Summer Of Impossible Things – Rowan Coleman

‘If you could change the past, would you? How far would you go to save the person you love? Luna is about to do everything she can to save her mother’s life. Even if it means sacrificing her own.’

I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but when it’s so beautiful, how could I not?! I really don’t know what to expect from this, seems like it could be a heart wrencher with a strong mother daughter narrative, not something I would normally go for but the cover drew me in!

The Inn – James Patterson

‘Bill Robinson is starting over. The inn at Gloucester stands alone on the Rocky New England shoreline. It’s seclusion suits former Boston police detective Bill Robinson, novice owner and Innkeeper. As long as the dozen residents pay their rent, Robinson doesn’t ask questions. Yet all too soon Robinson discovers that leaving the city is no escape from the dangers left behind. A new crew of deadly criminals move into the small town, bringing drugs and violence to the front door of the inn. Robinson feels the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. His sense of duty compels him to fight off the threat to his town. But he can’t do it alone. Before time runs out, the residents of the inn will face a choice. Stand together or die alone?’

This was an author I’ve heard people rave about, and this one just tickled my fancy. I don’t know what to expect, I’m not sure this will be the first one I reach for out of the list, but definitely seems like one I’ll get easily immersed in.

The Swimming Pool – Louise Candlish

‘It’s the height of summer when Elm Hill lido opens, having stood empty for years. For Natalie Steele – constantly striving to be the perfect wife, mother and teacher- it offers an opportunity for escape. And she can’t believe her luck when the glamorous Lara Channing draws her into her elite circle of friends. Soon Natalie is spending long, careless days at the pool, while real life with her family begins to feel very far away. But has this unexpected change in fortune cow at a price? Just who are these people Natalie is spending all her time with – and what do they want from her? Why are dark memories of another summer now starting to resurface? And, without realising, could Natalie have been swept dangerously out of her depth?’

Again, another author I was recommended. Specifically another book which is still on my list to buy ‘The Other Passenger’ but this one sparked my interest! I also maybe stupidly thought if I get a summer holiday this year, this could be one for by the pool. I guess in my garden will have to do for this year!

After You and Still Me – Jojo Moyes

‘Lou Clark has lots of questions. Like how it is she’s ended up working in an airport bar, watching other people jet off to new places. Or why the flat she’s owner for a year still doesn’t feel like home. Whether her family can ever forgive her for what she did eighteen months ago. And will she ever get over the love of her life. What Lou does know for certain is that something has to change. Then one night, it does. But does the stranger on her doorstep hold the answers Lou is searching for – or just more questions? Close the door and life continues: simple, ordered and safe. Open it and she risks everything. But once Lou made a promise to live. And if she’s going to keep it, she has to invite them in…’ ‘Lou Clark knows too many things… she knows how many miles lie between her new home in New York and her new boyfriend Sam in London. She knows her employer is a good man and she knows his wife is keeping a secret from him. What Lou doesn’t know is she’s about to meet someone who’s going to turn her whole life upside down. Because Josh will remind her so much of a man she used to know that it’ll hurt. Lou won’t know what to do next, but she knows that whatever she chooses is going to change everything.’ 

After finishing ‘Me Before You’ I knew I needed to follow Lou’s journey further, I just need to know what happens to her after the first book! So these are the other two books that follow her story and I can’t wait to dive in.

What’s on your to be read list? Do you have any recommendations for me to add to my list?

Milli x