Unboxing My Latest Book Haul
Book Mail: A Roundup of the Book Mail I Received Last Week
Mid-May feels like a scene where everything is in bloom, and this week’s book mail arrived like the sweetest surprise. My TBR pile has grown into a bright, hopeful stack, thanks to a charming book haul filled with new book releases that practically beg for sunny afternoons and open windows. Each package carried thoughtful book recommendations, like little notes slipped into your hands saying, you’re going to love this one. And as I line them up, I can’t help but think that somewhere in this stack are the best books of 2026—the kind that stay with you long after the last page, like the perfect ending to a love story.
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:
They Want Us Dead by C.L. Montblanc — When a true crime meetup turns deadly, two rival teen sleuths must team up to unmask a killer before they become the next victims.
The Night King’s Court by Elisa A. Bonnin — A young enchantress enters a dazzling, dangerous magical court to find her missing father—only to discover she may never escape.
A Writing Marriage by Lori Carlson-Hijuelos — A lyrical, genre-blending memoir explores love, creativity, and partnership between two extraordinary writers.
What You Should Worry About by Meryl Branch-McTiernan — A struggling TV writer navigates grief, ambition, and unexpected connection as the pandemic reshapes her life.
The Thinning by Inga Simpson — In a fractured future, an unlikely alliance could determine whether humanity—and the natural world—can survive.
Before Leaving the Island by John Fadely — A meditative poetry collection invites readers on a layered journey through art, philosophy, and the search for meaning.
Queen of Lombard Street by Lisa Kleypas — A brilliant economist defies Victorian norms to build a women’s bank while risking everything in a high-stakes web of betrayal and ambition.
A Little Feral by Maria Giesbrecht — This raw, lyrical debut traces a woman’s rebellion against faith, family, and the expectations that once defined her.
Ashes of the Republic by James Chesterton — In a chilling near-future America, a technologist must outrun a surveillance state that has claimed control over her body and her fate.
The Missed Connection by Tia Williams — A chance airplane romance sparks a global search for “the one” in this witty, modern love story.
The Young Will Remember by Eve J. Chung — A journalist stranded during the Korean War finds unexpected refuge and connection in a story of resilience and chosen family.
Boring Asian Female by Canwen Xu — After rejection shatters her perfect plan, a driven student becomes obsessed with reclaiming the life she believes she deserves.
Colossus by Ross Barkan — A seemingly perfect man’s life unravels as ambition, scandal, and buried secrets collide in a portrait of the American dream gone wrong.
How the Story Goes by Andrew Forrester — A widower and an aspiring writer join forces to finish a beloved fantasy series—and perhaps rewrite their own endings.
Shadows on Sidewalks by James Grady — Returning home pulls a man into a dangerous tangle of lust, lies, and looming violence in this gritty thriller.
The Fine Art of Lying by Alexandra Andrews — A woman’s entry into the elite art world spirals into murder, deception, and a fight for survival.
The Island Club by Nicola Harrison — On a glamorous 1950s island, three women’s lives collide as secrets, friendship, and second chances reshape their futures.
My Very First Baking Book by Danielle Kartes — A charming, kid-friendly cookbook turns everyday baking into joyful family memories.
Celebrate We Gullah Geechee by Yvette R. Murray — Through vibrant sensory storytelling, this book celebrates the rich culture and traditions of the Gullah Geechee community.
Supernatural Strategies by I.F. Svenonius — A provocative and playful guide blends music, philosophy, and satire into a manifesto for surviving rock ‘n’ roll.
The Last Movement by Robert Seethaler — As he nears death, Gustav Mahler reflects on love, art, and regret in this intimate historical portrait.
Fame by Justine Bateman — A sharp, introspective exploration unpacks the illusion, psychology, and cost of modern celebrity.
The Secret Thread by Eve Chase — A long-buried tragedy resurfaces as a young writer uncovers dangerous secrets on a grand English estate.
A Twist in the River by Stig Abell — A quiet village turns sinister when disappearances pull a former detective back into a haunting investigation.
Mount Verity by Therese Bohman — A childhood mystery and lingering guilt shape a woman’s life in this haunting coming-of-age tale.
Moonlight Murder by Uzma Jalaluddin — A determined grandmother sleuth investigates a new murder that echoes a tragic loss from her past.
The Cherry Blossom Boathouse by Laura Bloom — A viral dream of owning a bookshop leads to small-town romance—and unexpected second chances.
Reality Bites by Amy Mass — A scientist enters a reality dating show to save her lab, only to find love complicating her carefully guarded secrets.
Jeremy Carter: The Swell of Hope and Fury by Lior Zelering — A teen surfer’s discovery of alien power launches a high-stakes adventure against dangerous enemies.
The Cafe of Infinite Doors by Zara Marielle — A magical café offers refuge and purpose—until a growing darkness threatens everything it protects.
Don’t Stop by Bonnie Friedman — A scholar’s life unravels when desire leads her into a transformative and dangerous search for self.
Unprecedented Times by Malavika Kannan — A Gen Z college student navigates identity, love, and chaos as her coming-of-age collides with a global pandemic.
You Can Tell Me by Melinda Leigh — A true crime writer hunts for her missing friend, uncovering chilling secrets that may lead her into a trap.
House of Pretend by Joanne Redding — A powerful memoir traces one woman’s journey from childhood loss to reclaiming her voice and identity.
Sawadika American Girl by Daria Sommers — In 1960s Thailand, a young woman’s romance and family secrets collide against the backdrop of war.
Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Marilee Adams, PhD — This bestselling guide shows how asking better questions can transform your thinking, leadership, and life.
The Blackthorn Women by Jess Lourey — A family curse and buried secrets threaten generations of women in this spellbinding tale of magic and survival.
Summer Husband by Amy Lorowitz — A stay-at-home mom’s summer at camp leads to unexpected romance and a life-changing rediscovery of herself.
Massawa by Pam Webber — Amid WWII espionage, two agents must unravel a dangerous conspiracy in one of the world’s most perilous locations.
Cat on a Hot Tin Woof by Spencer Quinn — A dog detective and his partner chase a missing internet-famous cat in a case full of quirky twists.
