Unboxing My Latest Book Haul
Book Mail: A Roundup of the Book Mail I Received Last Week
Mid-April has that just-right kind of charm—blossoms on the trees, a little sunshine, a little breeze—and this week’s book mail felt like the sweetest surprise. My TBR pile has grown into a cheerful stack of possibility, thanks to a lovely book haul filled with new book releases that seem made for reading with the windows open. Each package carried thoughtful book recommendations, like little love notes from fellow readers who somehow always know what you need next. And as I line them up beside my favorite chair, I can’t help but think that tucked within this stack are the best books of 2026, just waiting to turn an ordinary spring afternoon into something unforgettable.
Where to Buy These Books:
I want to note that I do not get paid to do these posts, I just love authors and the book industry. However, they do take time and energy to create. If you want to donate a few dollars to my coffee fund, which keeps this blog going, you can do so here: https://venmo.com/AshleyHasty or here: http://paypal.me/hastybooklist.
This Week’s Book Mail Includes:
Go the Fuck to College by Adam Mansbach and Owen Brozman – A hilariously profane yet heartfelt send-off that captures the messy mix of pride, panic, and love as your kid leaves the nest.
What to Do When It's Time to Calm Down by Cara Goodwin – A gentle, practical guide that helps toddlers understand big feelings and discover simple ways to soothe themselves.
Handle with Care by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen – When a hostage crisis traps four women in a small-town post office, their hidden struggles collide in a gripping story of resilience and unexpected connection.
Witness Protection by Robert Whitlow – A man living under a new identity risks everything to defend a friend, unraveling a dangerous web that could expose his past.
The Last Letters of Sally and Walter by Cammie McGovern – An unlikely friendship sparked over competitive Scrabble leads two seniors to rediscover love, purpose, and second chances.
In the Great Quiet by Laura Vogt – A fiercely independent woman battles the harsh Oklahoma frontier—and her haunted past—in a sweeping true-inspired tale of survival and self-discovery.
Dirty Myrtle by Kennedy Weible – A reckless amateur stakeout spirals into chaos when two strangers collide in a wild, small-town mystery full of danger and dark humor.
The Last Sunday in May by Kate Clark Stone – A former racing prodigy gets one last shot at the Indy 500 while juggling motherhood, family, and the risks of chasing her dream again.
A Way Home by Cinelle Barnes – After losing her memory to a traumatic brain injury, a woman must piece together her identity and rediscover what home truly means.
Little Miss Petty by Sally Kilpatrick – After a breakup upends her life, a woman turns petty revenge into a business—until one target proves far more complicated than expected.
A Different Kind of Vow by Laurie Collister – A woman’s search for love in 1980s L.A. leads her on an unconventional spiritual journey that redefines what commitment truly means.
San Quentin Exodus by Bill Smoot – Two unlikely allies—a prisoner and a teacher—risk everything on a daring plan to rewrite a life shaped by tragedy and injustice.
Ascendants by Don Schechter – In a future where only some are guaranteed an afterlife, three people uncover the dangerous truth behind a system that divides humanity.
An Untold Story of the Easter Fairy by Diane Alber – A whimsical tale reveals the magical helper behind Easter traditions, answering kids’ biggest holiday questions with charm and humor.
Almost Grown by Jesse Malin – A raw and lyrical memoir of a New York musician’s rise, struggles, and resilience in the face of life-altering challenges.
Family Treasures Lost and Found by Karen A. Frenkel – A daughter uncovers her family’s hidden Holocaust history, revealing extraordinary stories of survival, loss, and legacy.
Ashland by Matt Henry – In a world ravaged by deadly microbots, a former cop must venture outside the safety of isolation to solve a murder and stop a growing threat.
The Final Chapter by C.B. Everett – A missing author’s cryptic manuscript may hold the key to his disappearance—and a truth more dangerous than fiction.
Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe – A princess cursed to live in a bookshop must uncover her heart’s true desire—while dodging suitors and falling for an unexpected romance.
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives by Elizabeth Arnott – Three women bound by their husbands’ crimes join forces to catch a killer and reclaim their own narratives.
WillieBoy Eats the World by Steve Schirripa – A lovable dachshund leads a picky eater on a joyful culinary adventure that celebrates trying new foods.
Hidden in Plain Sight by Ronan O'Connell – A visually stunning journey reveals the surprising, little-known stories behind the world’s most famous landmarks.
We All Belong by Gianna Marino – A heartwarming picture book that celebrates both our differences and the beautiful connections that unite us.
Mysterious Things by Andy J. Pizza – A playful, curiosity-sparking exploration invites readers to embrace the unknown and delight in life’s biggest questions.
A Fluffle of Bunnies by Christie Matheson – A charming, rhyming woodland mystery leads to a delightful springtime surprise.
A Crime Through Time by Amelia Blackwell – A time-traveling Georgian heroine must solve a modern-day murder in a witty, Austen-inspired mystery.
The Primrose Murder Society by Stacy Hackney – A broke single mom and her true-crime-loving daughter uncover secrets—and a killer—in a quirky, high-stakes amateur sleuth adventure.
Set Point by Meg Jones – Rival tennis stars forced to team up find their fierce competition turning into an irresistible, high-stakes romance.
Kiss, Marry, Kill: A Novel by Lori Gold – After a game gone wrong, three women wake up in alternate realities where their choices about love and ambition have come true.
The Roommate Rule by Georgia Stone – Two opposites sharing a cabin set strict boundaries—only to discover chemistry that refuses to follow the rules.
For the Bride by Becca Grischow – Two longtime enemies planning a wedding together discover that love might be hiding where they least expect it.
The Bridge Back to You by Riss M. Neilson – Exes forced to co-own a beloved restaurant must confront old wounds—and lingering feelings—while deciding its future.
The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn – A destination wedding in Paris forces a woman to confront her past—and sparks an unexpected romance with the groom’s best man.
A Latte Like Love by Michelle C. Harris – A barista’s crush on a mysterious customer deepens into a tender romance as he struggles to reveal his hidden scars.
The Write Off by Kara McDowell – Two former lovers and rival authors reunite at a book festival, where old wounds and second chances collide.
Femme Feral by Sam Beckbessinger – A woman juggling career and family discovers her “perimenopause” is actually a terrifying—and empowering—transformation into a werewolf.
Waves of Light and Darkness: Stories by John K Danenbarger – A surreal and thought-provoking collection explores life, death, and human connection through unexpected perspectives.
We Become Darkness by Grace Morrow – A princess forced into a political marriage with vampires must navigate danger, desire, and a looming threat to both worlds.
Tillinghast by Clare Cavenagh – A long-living, bloodthirsty priest’s solitary existence is shattered when a mysterious girl arrives with a connection to his past.
How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle by Alissa Derogatis – A romance writer stages real-life meet-cutes to cure heartbreak—only to realize love might already be within reach.
The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow by Leah Weiss – In Appalachia, two women entwined by grief uncover a mystical legacy that could save—or transform—their community.
A Spell for Saints and Sinners by Emily Carpenter – A struggling psychic is drawn into Savannah’s elite, where dark magic and ambition blur the line between power and peril.
A Widow's Charm by Caitlyn Paxson – A determined widow blackmails a rogue necromancer to resurrect her husband—only to fall for him instead.
The Library of Flowers by L. C. Chu – A woman returns to her magical family legacy, uncovering secrets about love, identity, and the power she thought she lost.
Playtime Express with the Easter Bunny by Layla Sutton and Jennifer Zivoin – A joyful train ride to Bunnyville turns Easter preparations into a playful, giggle-filled adventure.
Bookie and Cookie Turn the Page by Blanca Gomez – Two friends face the unknown future with humor and heart, learning that sometimes you just have to turn the page.
