Dates for the diary: Highly anticipated Spring 2021 reads

To celebrate the announcement of what is seemingly the final stretch of lockdown, why not treat yourself to one of my 5 highly anticipated reads for Spring 2021? I have a pretty fleeting nature when it comes to committing to my TBR (to be read) so I felt it would be out of character to write this for the entire year, which is why the below only has books that will be arriving to the shelves up until the beginning of June. Also, many many articles, some of which I will link below, promote the exciting reads that may be far more anticipated than the ones I will list. The following books, albeit diverse and suitable for a wide variety of readers, covers the kind of books I am excited about so check out the links and see what else is out there if none of these take your fancy!

Disclaimer: Somehow all the books listed below have ended up being fictional novels. I read a lot of non-fiction but don't tend to search these before they've hit the shelves.

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishigiro

Set to release on: 2nd March

Suitable readers: Those enjoying literary realism with a pop of artificial intelligence.

Synopsis: Think McEwan's Machines Like Me crossed with Murata's highly praised Convenience Store Woman. This book follows a store of 'Artificial Friends', one of whom is Klara, who remain hopeful that someone will eventually choose them to take home.

I have come to massively appreciate and enjoy the mundanity of literary fiction, so cannot wait to dig into Ishigiro's novel, especially as there is an element of science fiction and artificial intelligence, which provides the escapism that many of us need in lockdown. There is limited information about this book, except, of course, the sneak peak extract we received from Ishigiro which you can read here.

Milk Fed by Melissa Broder

Set to release on: 4th March

Suitable readers: Fancy some sexual desire laced with obsession with food?

Synopsis: Rachel, a woman who's life is haunted by restrictive eating by her religion and exercising to exhaustion, meets Miriam who becomes intent on feeding her. Rachel becomes fascinated with Miriam's way of living and emerges into her own journey of mysticism, religion, food and self acceptance.

This book will be, I hope, a feast for the sensations. As someone who has had a fluctuating relationship with food, I am excited for a new perspective on the cultural attitudes towards food and how religion often ties into the narrative of what individuals consume.

Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny

Set to release on: 15th April

Suitable readers: Those seeking a lighter and slightly more comedic romance.

Synopsis: Jane sees her boyfriend, Duncan's string of ex's everywhere and seems to face the opinions of him from all the Boyne City's citizens too. However, then a life changing car accident results in Jane, Duncan and some ex's to be tied together and Jane struggles to see them ever being separated from his seductive history.

Coming to shelves in the middle of Spring, I am always a willing participant to a cheeky romance novel, especially when the sun is shining. I am curious to indulge in Heiny's work which has been reviewed as "laugh out loud funny" as well as bittersweet. Exciting!

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Set to release on: 27th May

Suitable readers: Fans of the reality show, Selling Sunset, The Great Gatsby and Agatha Christie's mysteries.

Synopsis: A grand ostentatious party in Malibu hosted by a wealthy family in August 1983. By midnight, the mansion will be in flames and the secrets of the family that have been kept for generations will finally begin unravelling.

I don't do favouritism but this is my favourite. Some of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading are sizzling with secrets and stifling heat making the tension almost unbearable. Just as a side note, if you were looking for something similar currently I would recommend either Mangan's Tangerine (which I've written a separate post about here) or Vesper's The Long, Long Afternoon!

The Woman in the Purple Skirt by Natsuko Imamura

Set to release on: 8th June

Suitable readers: If you want a book to unsettle you, put that date in your diary.

Synopsis: The plot follows two unmarried women and a deep obsession, as the Woman in the Purple Skirt is observed every day by the Woman in the Yellow Cardigan. Soon, she invites the unsuspecting Woman in the Purple Skirt to work with her. This book explores power dynamics in a deeply unnerving way.

As an avid reader and student of power dynamics and interpersonal relations in society, I was intrigued to read the narration of the story. This obsession will be explored in an original way because of the characters that will appear in the book. I am fascinated!

So there we have it, my top 5 reads due to hit the market in the next few months. Until then, I will be attempting to follow the book ban I have placed on my bank account and finishing the reads I have currently lined up for myself. If you are interested in what I have read/am currently reading, I suggest you check out my Goodreads account here (I upload small reviews for every book I finish)!

As promised, here are a few articles and websites that have summarised and listed some of the novels coming out later this year that you may be more interested in.

Hello!'s 22 most anticipated new books being released in 2021

The Guardian's 2021 in books: What we can look forward to this year

Vulture's 46 Books we can't wait to read in 2021 - Bare in mind, this is a US site so the dates may be different :)