Witchy Reads, Cozy Crimes & Crying in Public: April’s Must-Reads

From Olivie Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six, comes a riveting, darkly witty novel about three gifted siblings battling for power, legacy, and survival. When Thayer Wren, the brilliant CEO of Wrenfare Magitech, dies, his three telepathically and electrokinetically gifted children find themselves locked in a high-stakes battle for his empire. Each one believes they deserve to inherit—yet each harbors deep secrets, personal failures, and a desperate need for validation.

Bad Nature is a darkly funny debut novel about a terminally ill woman who sets out on a cross-country road trip to kill her estranged father. Blending sharp humor, emotional depth, and themes of revenge, redemption, and environmental decay, it’s a bold and subversive exploration of grief, grudges, and letting go.

From Abby Jimenez, a must-read author according to Cosmopolitan, comes Say You'll Remember Me—a heartfelt, emotional romance about love, timing, and second chances.Xavier Rush is too good to be true—a stunning veterinarian with Greek god looks who rescues tiny kittens? Samantha is intrigued—until he speaks. But proving him wrong turns into one unforgettable date, one that changes everything.When family struggles force Samantha to walk away, she begs Xavier to remember their night as a perfect moment—nothing more. But no amount of time or distance can erase what they shared.

Zeke and Lexi never expected to see each other again after their one-night stand. Zeke is in town to buy back his late father’s houseboat, while Lexi is focused on caring for her best friend's daughter, with no time for romance. But when a miscommunication leaves them adrift at sea, their simple escape turns into a fight for survival. With only a few supplies and a houseboat stranded in the middle of the ocean, Zeke and Lexi must work together to find their way back home. But the long days at sea bring more than just survival—emotions start to surface, and what begins as a temporary situation turns into a deep, unexpected connection.

From New York Times bestselling author Julia Bartz comes The Last Session, a dark, twist-filled thriller where a social worker’s past and present collide in a high-stakes game of survival.When a catatonic woman arrives at the psychiatric unit, social worker Thea is convinced she knows her. But before Thea can uncover the truth, the woman disappears without a trace.Determined to find her, Thea follows a chilling trail of clues to a secluded New Mexico wellness retreat, run by a charismatic yet unsettling couple. What starts as a search for answers soon turns into a dangerous game—one where secrets are exposed, minds are manipulated, and escape may not be an option.

From the bestselling author of Weyward comes The Sirens, a mesmerizing novel weaving together three timelines of women bound by the sea, secrets, and destiny.As past and present collide, The Sirens explores female resilience, dark folklore, and the unbreakable bond between sisters, wrapped in a lush, atmospheric mystery that lingers long after the final page.

From award-winning author Daryl Gregory comes When We Were Real, a madcap, genre-bending road trip through the glitches of a simulated world, where reality is in question, and the journey is everything. Best friends JP and Dulin have spent decades navigating life together. But when JP’s cancer returns, Dulin convinces him to embark on one last adventure: a bus tour of North America’s strangest physics-defying anomalies, the so-called Impossibles—glitches that emerged after the world learned it was nothing more than a digital simulation.

From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Haigh (Mercy Street) comes Rabbit Moon, a riveting and emotionally charged novel about a fractured American family, hidden lives, and the unbreakable bond between two sisters—all set against the vibrant backdrop of Shanghai.

From a Bram Stoker® and Nebula Award-winning author comes A Palace Near the Wind, a brutal yet beautiful science-fantasy novella of family, oppression, and defiance. Perfect for fans of Nghi Vo, Neon Yang, and Kritika H. Rao, this mesmerizing tale will stay with you long after the final page.  Liu Lufeng, eldest princess of the Feng royalty, is bound by tradition to marry the human king—an arrangement meant to delay the relentless expansion of humanity that threatens her people’s survival. With bark faces, branch-like arms, and hair of woven needles, the Feng are one with nature, but they are powerless against human greed.

From the acclaimed author of Intimacies and A Separation, Katie Kitamura returns with Audition, a gripping literary novel that blurs the lines between identity, performance, and the roles we play in our relationships.Audition explores the blurred lines between life and performance, delving into the complexities of partnership, parenthood, creation, and the hidden truths behind every role we play.

Big Chief is a riveting debut novel blending the sharp political intrigue of The Night Watchman with the profound storytelling of There, There, delivering a high-stakes drama of loyalty, ambition, and the fight for justice.Mitch Caddo, a law school graduate turned political strategist, may be an outsider among his Anishinaabe ancestors, but alongside his childhood friend, Tribal President Mack Beck, he helps run the Passage Rouge Nation—and its lucrative Golden Eagle Casino and Hotel. As Mack’s reelection nears, their grip on power is threatened by a rising political force: Gloria Hawkins, a national activist, and her young aide, Layla Beck—Mack’s estranged sister and Mitch’s former love.

In early 20th-century China, as the ancient empire crumbles and a new era dawns, a quiet man from the North embarks on a perilous journey to a Southern city caught in a relentless snowstorm. Carrying a newborn baby, he searches for the child's mother—and a city that may not exist.

When Genevieve Grimm loses her mother, she’s left with questions only Enchantra can answer—a mysterious, cursed palace frozen in time. But Rowin Silver, the sinfully handsome yet ruthless man guarding its gates, refuses to let her in. Defying him, Genevieve enters—only to realize she’s now trapped in a lethal game with seven immortal siblings, all at the mercy of a cruel Devil. The rules are simple: Only one can survive.

From the New York Times bestselling, NAACP Image Award-winning author of Take My Hand comes Happy Land, a breathtaking, multi-generational novel inspired by a real-life American Kingdom founded by freed people.Inspired by true events, Happy Land is a sweeping novel of resilience, hidden histories, and the courage it takes to reclaim what is ours.

Born just a year apart, Cassie and Zoe Grossberg were polar opposites. Zoe—glamorous, driven, and destined for the spotlight. Cassie—a shy musical genius who never fit the industry's mold. Together, they skyrocketed to fame as The Griffin Sisters, dominating the early 2000s charts. But after a single year, tragedy tore them apart, leaving fans and the media guessing what really happened.

From critically acclaimed author Lynn Steger Strong (Flight) comes The Float Test, a sophisticated, emotionally resonant novel about sibling rivalry, buried truths, and climate change, perfect for readers of The Dutch House and The Most Fun We Ever Had. Brought together after a life-altering loss, siblings must navigate old wounds, new tensions, and the biggest secret of all—what really happened between Jude and Fred to destroy their once unshakable bond.

Molly Gray is thriving as Head Maid and Special Events Manager at the Regency Grand Hotel, and two major moments are on the horizon: Her wedding to Juan Manuel and a live TV taping of Hidden Treasures. When Molly brings family heirlooms for appraisal, one turns out to be a rare, multi-million-dollar artifact, launching her into overnight fame. But on the day of the auction, the treasure vanishes in a daring art heist, placing Molly and her friends at the center of a swirling media storm.

These Days by Lucy Caldwell is a lyrical and emotionally powerful WWII novel set during the Belfast Blitz of April 1941. It follows two sisters, Emma and Audrey, over the course of four harrowing nights as bombs fall and their city crumbles. Emma is engaged but uncertain about her future, while Audrey hides a secret relationship with another woman. As war disrupts their lives, both must confront societal expectations, personal truths, and the meaning of survival. A poignant story of love, identity, and resilience, These Days captures the intimate human cost of war with unforgettable grace.

Hellions by Julia Elliott is a genre-bending short story collection that blends Southern Gothic, feminist horror, folklore, and the surreal. Set in richly imagined worlds—from plague-ridden convents to haunted Southern landscapes—these stories explore power, transformation, and the supernatural through bold, complex female characters. With sharp prose and dark humor, Hellions is perfect for fans of Carmen Maria Machado, Angela Carter, and contemporary speculative fiction.

Open, Heaven by Seán Hewitt is a lyrical coming-of-age novel about queer first love, desire, and identity. Set in a remote English village in 2002, it follows two teenage boys whose lives are forever changed by a powerful and transformative connection. Perfect for fans of Garth Greenwell and Justin Torres, this stunning debut explores longing, vulnerability, and the intensity of adolescence with poetic grace.

The Eights is a compelling historical novel set in 1920s Oxford, following four trailblazing women in the university’s first female class. As they navigate friendship, trauma, and societal expectations in the aftermath of World War I, they form a powerful bond that will change their lives—and history—forever. Perfect for fans of feminist fiction and stories of resilience.

The Imagined Life is a powerful literary novel about a man’s search for his long-lost father, unraveling family secrets and confronting his past. Set along the California coast, it’s a moving exploration of memory, identity, and the complex bonds between fathers and sons.

Things Left Unsaid is a heartfelt contemporary novel about a young British Iranian woman reconnecting with her estranged childhood best friend. As past wounds resurface and unresolved feelings come to light, she must navigate love, identity, and the complexities of growing up. Perfect for fans of Maame and Normal People, this is a powerful story of healing, second chances, and finding where you truly belong.

Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata is a bold dystopian novel set in an alternate Japan where sex between married couples is taboo and all children are born through artificial insemination. Following Amane’s journey through a sexless marriage and a radical communal society, the novel explores themes of identity, conformity, gender, and the future of reproduction. Perfect for fans of thought-provoking speculative fiction.

Eat the Ones You Love is a darkly funny, sapphic horror novel about a down-on-her-luck woman who takes a job at a flower shop—only to discover a sentient, flesh-eating orchid is running the show. Blending workplace romance, botanical terror, and sharp humor, it’s a twisted tale of love, survival, and what it really means to grow.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry is a heartfelt and emotionally rich novel about love, grief, and second chances. Blending humor and heartache, this unforgettable story follows characters navigating life's unexpected turns while discovering the beauty in vulnerability and human connection. Perfect for fans of character-driven contemporary fiction with depth and warmth.

Zeal by Morgan Jerkins is a sweeping, multi-generational novel exploring the lasting impact of slavery, star-crossed love, and family legacy. Spanning from 1865 Mississippi to 2019 Harlem, it follows two lovers torn apart by history and the ripple effects felt by their descendants. A powerful story of romance, resilience, and generational healing.

A Billion Butterflies is the inspiring memoir of Nobel Prize-winning climate scientist Dr. Jagadish Shukla, who transformed global weather prediction. From a humble childhood in rural India to pioneering breakthroughs that save lives and fight climate change, this powerful story blends science, resilience, and hope for a warming world.

Chicken-Fried Women is a funny and heartfelt tribute to the bold Southern women who shaped us—mothers, grandmothers, and friends who taught us strength, sass, and love. From family antics to faith and fierce loyalty, this feel-good book celebrates the unforgettable women who leave a lasting mark on our lives.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker is a chilling horror debut about a biracial crime scene cleaner in NYC’s Chinatown, haunted by trauma, hungry ghosts, and a string of murders targeting Asian women. Blending supernatural folklore with psychological suspense, it’s a gripping tale of grief, identity, and the horrors we can’t escape.

The Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna is a cozy, heartwarming fantasy about a once-powerful witch running a magical inn, a mysterious spell that could restore her powers, and the unexpected love and found family she discovers along the way. 

Dianaworld by Edward White is a bold and original cultural biography of Princess Diana, exploring how she became a global icon symbolizing fame, feminism, rebellion, and royalty. Drawing on unique sources and fresh perspectives, the book reveals Diana’s enduring legacy and her powerful impact on modern culture and identity.

Poets Square by Courtney Gustafson is a heartfelt memoir about rescuing a colony of feral cats in Tucson, Arizona, and how that unexpected journey—shared on TikTok and Instagram—led to healing, viral fame, and a deeper understanding of community, compassion, and mental health.

SNAFU by Ed Helms is a hilarious, illustrated look at history’s most outrageous blunders—from CIA cat spies to nukes on the moon. Based on his hit podcast, this entertaining book dives into real-life government and military mishaps with sharp humor and surprising insights. Perfect for fans of comedy, history, and epic fails.