Calling all bookworms! Whether you’re looking for a good travel read or something to cozy up with before bed, we’ve got a few recommendations. Ahead, check out the titles at the top of our must-read list this season.
If the name Circe rings a bell, perhaps you have heard of the island witch, famous for turning sailors into pigs in The Odyssey. Giving Odysseus a back seat, American author Madeline Miller unpacks the story off the ancient Greek goddess in this enchanting tale, rewoven from a female perspective. Born into the busy halls of Helios (God of the Sun), we find Circe, the quiet and unfavored daughter who is fated by her misguided use of magic, and the unknown power she brings to it. Exiled into a remote world of wildcrafting, spell making, and introspection, the will of Circe is one that holds you captive-exiled alongside her on the lush island of Aiaia, in the sunny Mediterranean. The landscape alone is enough to tempt the senses, but it is the layered life of Circe, built into a well-paced, page-turning splendor that has you hanging until the last spell is cast.
Author Madeline Miller has brought the little-known goddess to her to glory in this New York Times bestseller; I found the audio version (read by Perdita Weeks) so captivating that I listened to it twice in a row. Her reading is lilting and lovely – curious and passionate at times, sorrowful and sharp at others, and hanging at just the right moments. If you can’t get enough of Circe, Madeline Miller’s website includes bonus materials for readers, including a helpful cast of characters and reading group discussion questions, in case you want to introduce this gem into your book club (spoiler alert: you will!). –Sienna Orlando-Lalaguna
Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World by Isabel Gillies
If you’re a fan of the comfy Hygge mindset, this book takes it one step further by offering advice and inspiration for bringing the warm fuzzies into all aspects of your life. Gillies provides a framework for making simple choices and incorporating doable practices into your routine to help you feel comfortable and centered with yourself and your place in the world. Much more than a blanket or cup of tea, the ideas shared in Cozy put self-care practices front and center, so you can feel more at peace letting your light shine through. If you’re still feeling the winter chill, Cozy will help you warm right up while waiting on the sun.
My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
This book is only available for pre-order right now, but the plot synopsis alone has us adding it to our carts to get it on the March 26 launch date. From Amazon: “We look like a normal couple. We’re your neighbors, the parents of your kid’s friend, the acquaintances you keep meaning to get dinner with. We all have our secrets to keeping a marriage alive. Ours just happens to be getting away with murder.” We can’t wait to check out what promises to be a page-turning thriller with plenty of twists.
The DNA of You and Me by Andrea Rothman
Set in the world of academic research, this novel “explores the evergreen question of career versus family, the irrational sensibility of love, and whether one can be a loner without a diagnostic label.” When ambitious Emily falls for her colleague while they study the science of smell, she realizes she doesn’t have to be alone in this world. But when things change, she must make a choice between her newfound love and her life’s work. A love story that touches on the struggles many career-minded women face when prioritizing relationships and work, The DNA of You and Me is an easy read for spring.
Light is the New Black by Rebecca Campbell
A quick and easy read centered around finding your light and answering your soul’s true calling. Campbell shares the story of her soul awakening and offers tips, journal exercises, and thought-starters throughout the book to help readers discover what truly makes them happy, and how they can incorporate their calling into their personal and professional lives. While Campbell quit her job in advertising to become a spiritual writer, teacher, and speaker, the book also offers practical ideas for people who want to maintain their careers but incorporate more of their light into their daily routines.
What are you reading this spring? Share in the comments!
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