Spring cleaning? We prefer spring reading. May is bursting with new releases just waiting to be added to your to-be-read pile. Whether you’re catching some sun on the porch, commuting with a book in hand, or pretending your phone is off so you can read in peace, these fresh titles are the perfect excuse to ignore your to-do list.
Fiction
The Names by Florence Knapp
In 1987 Cora goes to register the birth of her son. Her abusive husband demands his son carry his name, Gordon. Cora’s daughter Maia wants to name the baby Bear and Cora wants him to be Julian. From this moment, the book splits into three timelines, each following the drastic consequences of Cora choosing a different name. Across three decades, the reverberations of that one choice ripple through the lives of Cora, Maia, and the boy—who grows up as Bear, Julian, or Gordon depending on the path taken. Each storyline sheds light on trauma, resilience, and the effects of domestic abuse, and cleverly reveals which traits are nature and which are nurture. A moving and powerful tale about love and survival. Available May 6. // Library catalog link here.
Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin
Best known for her romantic comedies, Jalaluddin shifts genres for this delightful and twisty mystery about a meddlesome mother turned amateur sleuth. When Kausar Khan receives a panicked phone call from her adult daughter, Sana—who’s just been arrested for murder—she leaves her quiet life behind to return to the Toronto suburb she once called home. The victim? Sana’s unpleasant landlord, found dead in her boutique with a dagger from her own display lodged in his chest. Kausar knows her daughter is no killer, and with her sharp observational skills and a network of nosy friends (plus one intrepid granddaughter), she sets out to solve the case herself. Warm and witty, this series starter is full of charming community and juicy secrets. Available May 6. // Library catalog link here.
Not So Fast by Karen Booth
Mia Neal has turned her passion for Formula 1 into a fast-rising podcast filled with snark, speed, and spicy opinions—especially about underperforming heartthrob driver Xander Bishop. A rival driver sees Mia’s viral commentary as a way to get under Xander’s skin and invites her to the Miami Grand Prix. Once there, Mia finds herself getting far closer to Xander than she ever expected and rethinking her previous hot takes. Sparks fly between the cautious podcaster and the sweet-but-struggling driver, in a romance that’s equal parts flirty banter and full-throttle chemistry. You don’t have to be a racing fan to enjoy this steamy and fun enemies-to-lovers romance. Available May 27. // Library catalog link here.
Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi
Set in a postcolonial West African city, this gritty, atmospheric fantasy noir features Boubacar, a war-scarred private investigator just barely scraping by. He doesn’t go looking for trouble, but trouble seems to find him, this time in the form of a bleeding girl who stumbles into his office but vanishes before the police arrive. Soon he’s pulled into a mystery involving rigged elections, ghostly bodies floating midair, and a city teetering between violent upheaval and exhausted resignation. This blend of magical realism, political intrigue, and razor-sharp prose is both an homage to Chandleresque hardboiled noir and a blistering commentary on the ghosts of colonialism. Available May 27. // Library catalog link here.
Nonfiction
Spitfires: The American Women Who Flew in the Face of Danger During World War II by Becky Aikman
Journalist Aikman uncovers the riveting, long-overlooked story of twenty-five American women who defied both gender norms and national boundaries to join Britain’s Air Transport Auxiliary during World War II. In the UK they ferried bombers, fighters, and other military aircraft while the US still refused to let women fly for its military. Drawing on rich archival research, personal diaries, and interviews, Aikman introduces us to the crop dusters, society women, and flight instructors who became some of the most daring pilots in the war effort. With cinematic flair and emotional depth, she captures not just the high-stakes action of wartime aviation but also the camaraderie, rivalries, and personal reinventions of these barrier-breaking women. From dangerous missions through foggy skies to clashes with the British class system, this is an exhilarating and deeply human read. Available May 6. // Library catalog link here.
Mysteries of the National Parks: 35 Stories of Baffling Disappearances, Unexplained Phenomena, and More by Mike Bezemek
From the lost colony of Roanoke to possible UFO sightings at Mt. Rainer, Bezemek takes readers on a fun journey through 35 tales of unexplained phenomena, strange discoveries, hidden histories, and legendary figures at the U.S. National Parks. Organized geographically, mysteries include the benign (why are redwoods so big? How long is Mammoth Cave?), the mysteries we think we know (who conspired to kill Lincoln? Did Pocahontas really save John Smith?), Hidden treasure (Al Capone’s Everglades outpost, treasure at Castillo de San Marcos) and more. Good fun for park buffs and armchair travelers alike. Available May 6. // Library catalog link here.
Whack Job: A History of Axe Murder by Rachel McCarthy James
A darkly fascinating cultural history of one of humanity’s oldest tools and most chilling weapons. From its Stone Age origins to its symbolic power in ancient civilizations, the axe has long served dual purposes of creation and destruction. James traces this lethal legacy through the centuries, from royal executions in Tudor England to infamous modern crimes like the Lizzie Borden case and the suburban slaying of Betty Gore. Mixing true crime, archaeology, and pop culture with wit and a morbid sense of fun, James examines how this humble implement has loomed large in both history and horror and invites readers to consider how our tools reflect—and shape—our darkest impulses. Available May 13. // Library catalog link here.
Thank You for Calling the Lesbian Line by Elizabeth Lovatt
For Lovatt, finding a handwritten logbook from a 1990s London lesbian helpline was more than finding a historical artifact—it was finding a lifeline. In this blend of memoir, cultural critique, and archival research, she honors the unsung everyday lives of queer women who once called and staffed this community-run service. From closeted housewives to out teens, the logbook entries reveal a chorus of voices seeking connection and solidarity. Lovatt weaves these stories into her own journey while asking vital questions about queer history, community care, and who gets remembered. Candid about both the heroism and the shortcomings of the helpline, this book is an inventive and moving reclamation of lesbian history and a call to broaden who and what that history includes. Available May 27. // Library catalog link here.
Middle Grade
At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom by Erin Entrada Kelly
Diagnosed with leprosy during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, Josefina “Joey” Guerrero was expected to disappear quietly. Instead, she became a hero. This gripping true story tells the remarkable tale of a young Filipina woman who joined the guerrilla resistance during World War II, using her disease to slip past Japanese checkpoints and deliver crucial intelligence to the Allies—at one point smuggling a minefield map taped to her back. After the war, Joey was treated for leprosy in the U.S., awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and then forgotten. Kelly’s powerful account restores Joey to her rightful place in history, weaving together themes of resilience, identity, and justice with vivid historical detail, photographs, and primary sources. A riveting biography that brings an unsung World War II hero to light for a new generation. Available May 6. // Library catalog link here.
Teen
Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala
High school junior Danika Dizon juggles tarot readings and part-time PI work at her mom’s detective agency—but when a classmate disappears after a chilling tarot session, Danika’s casual side hustle turns into a full-blown investigation. With her mother’s skeptical approval, Danika dives into a mystery involving secret identities, hidden motives, and a growing web of suspects, all while navigating a complicated love triangle and her own Filipino American identity. Manansala’s shift from adult to YA keeps her trademark sharp and funny style and blends cozy crime-solving with cultural richness—including plenty of mouthwatering food descriptions). Available May 13. // Library catalog link here.
Jennie Rothschild is a collection engagement librarian for Arlington Public Library.