I’m not ashamed to admit that I am an incredibly fickle mood reader. All I want in October is spooky and dark reads. Sign me up for all the cozy winter romances during the holidays. The amount of romantic comedies I read last summer alone might be unparalleled. In spring I’m particular to books full of beauty, humor, and whimsy. As a romance reader I require happy endings in most books I pick up, but in spring I want to feel the positive emotions throughout the whole journey. Mentions of blooming flowers are optional but welcome.
I’ve lived in a warm climate with very little temperature change for almost a decade now and I like to think that I have perfected the art of choosing books that fit the vibe of the season I want it to be. Whether you are looking to thaw out from the cold or simply ready to bring on the bright flower vibes, these books are the perfect way to ring in spring.
The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden by Karina Yan Glaser
This book is the second in a middle grade series but could reasonably be read first without too much confusion (it is important to note that though I absolutely recommend the whole series, the second has peak spring aesthetic). The Vanderbeekers are a family of seven who live in a Harlem brownstone that is full of love, humor, good food, and hilariously named pets. This book takes place in the summer when the kids are off school and one of their beloved neighbors suffers from a stroke. In order to cheer up their community and themselves, the Vanderbeeker children set out to make a garden out of an abandoned lot around their building. It is next to impossible not to be charmed by this book. If middle grade books are not usually your thing, the Vanderbeeker books are a great place to start exploring the genre.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
This book might be the ultimate given when you consider this season. How could I not put it on this list? After all, a majority of this book takes place in the “Spring Court” of the fae lands. If that doesn’t scream of flowers in bloom, warm sun on your skin, and a dip in a pool made of starlight (if you know, you know), then I don’t know what does. While the rest of the series is an incredibly complex tale of love, power, and family, this book is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. When Feyre kills a wolf in hopes to feed her family, she is soon whisked off by a mysterious, masked, fae lord to whom she now owes a life debt. Aside from being an incredibly aesthetic book, this is also a page turner that will leave you wanting more.
The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill
I have only recently begun my foray into reading graphic novels and I find myself constantly delighted with them. I found this one in particular to be utterly magical and as an added bonus it can basically be read in one sitting. This book is sweet, to the point, and made me want to drink chamomile tea for days afterwards. There are dragons, cooking, and a cast of wonderful characters. This book is best read by an open window or cuddling a pet.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
I’m a sucker for a good cover, I’m the first to admit it. Naturally, the gorgeous cover of this book is what initially drew me to it. I was wrong to think that was all this book was. In an unexpected assignment for work, Linus Baker is called to do an assessment of the state of an orphanage for magical youth. The island seems to be as enchanted as its residence and in a community of misfits, Linus realizes he might not be so out of place. This is the sort of book that unfolds in your brain like a movie. The writing is lyrical and the setting is stunning. And the uniqueness of the story leaves one feeling utterly refreshed. Also, I am ready to move to a remote island with a sprite? Anyone else in?
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
I don’t have a real reason that this book makes me think of spring other than that the vibes are there. You’ll just have to trust me. This novel is a gorgeous, epistolary historical fiction about a bookish found family overcoming the hardships of a post World War II world. The romance had me deeply invested in the story from the start but I was also surprised at how charming all the other aspects were. It is a book filled with an immense amount of sweetness and whimsy but also depth and heartache. Also, considering the length and format of the novel, it is a surprisingly quick read. As an added bonus the Netflix movie by the same name is a wonderful adaptation and a great watch at any time of year.
