Spring is a time of reawakening, thawing, and…new books! Problem is, I can’t keep up with all the books coming out this spring that I’m excited about. This post is an effort to round up a small sampling of the many books I’m looking forward to this season (along with warmer weather and sunshine). You may see some of these featured more closely on the blog in coming months; but for now, let’s eagerly get a glimpse of what publishers have to offer and plot our spring reading lists!

One of Us is Sleeping by Josefine Klougart (Open Letter)

This is an English translation debut for well-known contemporary Danish writer Klougart. Translated by Martin Aitken, this novel has already won awards on the other side of the ocean for its story of loss. Our narrator experiences loss of multiple shades: loss over the end of a romance, her mother dying of cancer, and over the distance between childhood and adulthood. Klougart’s writing has been lauded for it’s poetic nature, which drew my interest, of course. Kougart’s writing has been compared to Virginia Woolf and Anne Carson. I’m eager to dig into this honest novel.

Everything I Found on the Beach by Cynan Jones (Coffee House Press)

I reviewed Cynan Jones’ first Coffee House Press-published book, The Dig, last spring. Raw, abrasive, and compact, Jones’ short novels carry a muscular, confident tone. He’s been oft described as similar to Cormac McCarthy. This new story follows a handful of diverse characters on a quest to better their lives through a questionable combination of cocaine and sea. Don’t expect an easy ending or a light read; rather, expect to work your literary chops with Jones’ gritty, unexpected writing style.

The Jaguar Man by Lara Naughton (Central Recovery Press)

A memoir, The Jaguar Man follows author Lara Naughton’s story of healing after her traumatic experience of being kidnapped, held captive, and raped in Belize. Writing a memoir about a horrific experience such as Naughton’s can be a challenge to read (let alone write). However, it seems like Naughton has figured out the right combination to make this a unique memoir approach. The back cover blurb from the publisher sums it up best with: “What she comes to is authentic, unorthodox, and fresh, and could serve as a groundbreaking path for trauma survivors to find their own peace and healing.” Authentic, unorthodox, fresh? These sounds like the three best ingredients for a difficult memoir to me. Count me in.

What books are you looking forward to this spring?