As this month crests to an end I’m eagerly looking forward to the fun book releases for May. I’ve been scouring the internet to learn more about the upcoming releases and found nine books that I’m eager to add to my new releases TBR.
Anticipated Book Releases May 2025
May 6 Releases
My Friends by Fredrik Backman | Fiction
After reading Beartown I’ve developed a respect and deep appreciation for Backman’s writing style and storytelling. And while currently I’ve taken a break from that series due to the heavy content and it not providing the light, springtime vibes I’m craving. I am eager to explore another fictional work by him.
In this novel, we’re exploring an artist named Louisa who becomes intrigued by a painting of three friends. This sends the reader on a journey exploring the unique story of the people within this friend group and how their story intersects with Louisa’s present reality leading her on a journey of self-discovery. This sounds like an introspective and reflective read and I’m looking forward to it.
My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende | Historical Fiction
I fell in love with this author’s writing style last year when I read Violeta and I’m looking forward to her upcoming release. We follow a fierce woman named Emilia who’s life has been about pushing back against societal norms to pursue her dreams and passions. Her ambition has taken her from writing pulp fiction under a pseudonym, to working as a journalist which leads her to cover the civil war in Chile. It’s there she learns more about her country of origin and herself.
This sounds like it will be another phenomenal historical fiction detailing the unique experiences of a Latin woman spanning rich historical events and packed with heartfelt emotion and self-discovery.
Bad Friend: How Women Revolutionized Modern Friendship by Tiffany Watt Smith | Nonfiction
In this nonfiction, Tiffany Watt Smith explores the dynamics and nuances of female friendship. Exploring the reality that we’ve probably all been a bad friend at one time or another. She shares her insights and personal experiences regarding friendship breakups, dysfunctional friendships, friendships that fizzled out, and friendships built on convenience. It’s the unrealistic standards placed on women regarding friendships that have caused us to reach for impossible ideals regarding what true healthy friendship looks like.
This sounds like it will be an interesting read!
May 13 Releases
The Emporer of Gladness by Ocean Vuong | Fiction
I’ve heard this author commended for their insightful and heartfelt writing. And considering I love emotional, thought-provoking stories that are character-driven I’m eager to explore this author’s work. And this book in particular sounds right up my alley.
This novel tells the story of a young man named Hai who is on the brink of ending his life when an elderly woman Grazina intervenes. The two develop a friendship where he becomes her caretaker. Their bond transforms Hai’s relationships with his family, himself, and his community.
Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan | Romance
I haven’t had the pleasure of enjoying Kennedy Ryan’s work as I’m quite picky when it comes to contemporary romance. However, this series has been described as having deeply emotional and reflective insights into love, relationships, and the unique experiences of Black women from different walks of life when it pertains to dating and marriage.
We follow Hendrix Berry who lives a fabulous life and wants for nothing. Couple her professional ambitions with her caring for her aging parent in her downtime and you have zero opportunities for romance. Besides she’s disillusioned with the concept of relationships as she’s yet to find her equal. Until she meets tech mogul Maverick Bell who for all intents and purposes is her match but she’s forced to deny her feelings because he’s off limits. Yet, as he pursues and woos her she struggles to determine whether she should risk it all for a chance at love.
Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang | Horror
In my attempt to reignite my love for the horror genre comes this intriguing novel following a codependent friendship between two artists Enka and Mathilde. As Mathilde’s fame and success grows Enka becomes desperate to hold on to her friend. After marrying her billionaire husband following a whirlwind courtship. She learns of his family’s company funding a piece of technology purported to increase empathy. This could allow someone else to inhabit Mathilde’s mind and absorb her trauma.
Enka crosses boundaries in her friendship with Mathilde leading to catastrophic consequences for both.
The Devil Three Times by Rickey Faye | Historical Fiction
Another debut novel that sounds like it will be a superb read. This story spans eight generations of a Black family. Starting with Yetunde who’s haunted by her sister as she’s awakened on a slave ship headed to America she encounters the devil who decides to help her survive as a way to earn his way into heaven. He gives her a piece of his supernatural power when Yetunde makes a sacrifice.
However, the story doesn’t end there as the devil visits Yetunde’s descendants over the next 175 years visiting them in their darkest moments. He offers them salvation all the while desperate to save himself as well.
I love a good multi-generational family saga and this premise sounds fascinating!
May 20 Releases
The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve | Sci-Fi
Another new to me author with a Sci-Fi novel featuring a time travel element which is one of my favorites! We follow four adults looking to visit their past and relive key moments that changed their lives forever. So, when Elizabeth, Andy, Logan, and Brooke are offered by Aeon Expeditions the oppurtunity to travel back in time and spend one hour in their past they leap at the chance.
However, things get sticky when they become stuck in the past and realize how their stories intertwine due to one cataclysmic event changing their lives and come to the realization that all isn’t as it seems and there’s a person with sinister machinations behind it all.
Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle | Magical Realism
This debut novel explores grief and love set against the backdrop of fine culinary cuisine in which Kostya, a man tormented by his father’s passing, creates tasty dishes that reunite those who consume with their deceased loved ones. His unique skill set causes turmoil in the afterlife. The only person who can stop Kostya is the same person who finds their falling in love with him.
Magical realism is interwoven with paranormal elements in this unique story. As I’m a tremendous fan of these subgenres I’m eager to dive into these pages as I’m sure it will be an emotional delight for the senses.
These are the nine books I’m the most excited to read next month. What books are you looking to add to your TBR? Until next time happy reading!
