Wondering what to read now? Here are all the hot new May 2023 book releases for you. I’ll let you know what I’ve read, what I can’t wait to read, and what’s getting all the attention this month.
In case you’re new to Booklist Queen, every month I cover all the hottest new book releases. I try to read as many new book releases as I can to give you an honest perspective on what to read and what to skip.
However, I realize that my to-read list might not exactly match yours. That’s why I’ve also included some of the most popular May 2023 book releases from your favorite authors.
Enough from me. Let’s get on to the May 2023 book releases so you can fill up your to-read list.
Top May 2023 Book Releases
Yellowface
R. F. Kuang
Although June and Athena went to school together, Athena has found major success as an Asian-American novelist while June struggles to get a foot in the door, probably because she’s just another basic white girl. When June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she impetuously snatches up Athena’s unfinished work. Publishing it as her own, June rebrands herself as a racially ambiguous Juniper Song and becomes an instant bestseller. Yet as the truth threatens to come out, June must decide how far she is willing to go to keep her secret.
The Half Moon
Mary Beth Keane
When his boss retires, longtime bartender Malcolm jumps at the chance to buy The Half Moon. But Malcolm quickly learns that turning a profit is harder than he anticipated. Meanwhile, his wife Jess’s battle with infertility has her reassessing her life dreams. As Malcolm learns a secret about Jess, a bar patron goes missing and a blizzard strikes, The Half Moon draws you in with a tale of a marriage in crisis, from the author of the bestseller Ask Again, Yes.
Warrior Girl Unearthed
Angeline Boulley
Perry Firekeeper-Birch has always known her role in her indigenous tribe on Sugar Island. When Native women start disappearing and her family is caught in the middle of a high-profile murder investigation, Perry questions her place as the laidback twin. As grave robbers strike the tribe, Perry must fight to save her ancestors and her tribe members before all is lost.
The Senator’s Wife
Liv Constantine
Two years after their spouses are killed tragically, DC philanthropist Sloane Chase is ready to settle down with Senator Whit Montgomery. When Sloane needs a routine hip replacement, they hire Athena as a home health aide. Instead of getting better, Sloane gets sicker and she begins to suspect Athena might be there to replace her.
The Celebrants
Steven Rowley
Ever since their graduation almost thirty years ago, Jordan Vargas and his college friends have periodically gathered together in Big Sur for living “funerals” – celebrations that life is still worth living well. They’ve been there through Marielle’s divorce, Naomi’s parents’ death, and Craig’s art fraud conviction. But now Jordan has a secret that might completely upend their friendship.
Meet Me At the Lake
Carley Fortune
In her early twenties, Fern Brookbanks and Will Baxter spent one perfect day together exploring the city. But when they promise to meet at the lake the next day, Fern shows up and Will doesn’t. Years later, Fern finds herself running her mom’s lakeside resort when Will shows up with an offer to help.
The Daydreams
Laura Hankin
In 2004, The Daydreams was the most popular teen show on the air, until it all exploded during the live season two finale. Each star went there one way – Kat, a DC lawyer; Liana, a bored celebrity wife; Summer, the cautionary tale, and Noah, the golden boy who rose to even larger fame. With a reunion special looming, old secrets come alive and the truth will out in what is sure to be a ratings hit.
The Most Anticipated May 2023 Book Releases
The True Love Experiment
Christina Lauren
Bestselling romance writer Fizzy Chen realizes that she’s never actually been in love herself. Forced to make a reality tv show, documentary filmmaker Connor Prince decided that Fizzy would be the perfect romantic lead. Casting all the contestants as romantic stereotypes, Fizzy agrees. Yet, will Fizzy learn that true love actually lies behind the camera?
The Ferryman
Justin Cronin
Prospera is an island utopia where citizens live long fulfilling lives monitored by implants embedded in their arms. When their health lives fall below 10%, citizens are ferried over to a neighboring island, to have their bodies renewed and their minds reset. When his father dies, Proctor, the ferryman, begins to realize that all is not right in utopia. As rumors of unrest begin to spread and Proctor’s health lives begin falling, he must discover the deepest secrets of the perfect society.
Fourteen Days
Margaret Atwood
When the COVID-19 pandemic shuts down Manhattan, the residents of a Lower East Side apartment building in Manhattan begin gathering together on their rooftop. Slowly, the residents become actual neighbors, establishing a sense of community through shared stories. However, each character is narrated by a different literary voice. Margaret Atwood, Celeste Ng, John Grisham, Dave Eggers, Tommy Orange, Louise Erdrich, and Neil Gaiman are just a few of the major authors of the day contributing to this unique work.
Fractal Noise
Christopher Paolini
In 2234, the crew of the Adamura discovers the Anamoly on Talos VII, a circular pit 50 kilometers wide. As they travel on foot across the surface, they find the ghosts of their pasts dragging them down. Coming from different colonies, each crewmember struggles with the mission. For some it’s a dream come true; for others, it’s not worth the risk; and for one, it’s a last desperate attempt to find meaning.
The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece
Tom Hanks
Iconic American actor Tom Hanks pens his debut novel about a humble comic book that inspires a multi-million dollar superhero action film. In 1947, a five-year-old boy meets his uncle who is newly returned from the war. Then in 1970, the boy reconnects with his uncle and illustrates a comic book about his uncle as a WWII hero. Now, the boy’s comic has been picked as the inspiration for an action film with an eccentric cast of characters behind and on the screen.
No Two Persons
Erica Bauermeister
When a traumatic event rocks her world, Alice pens a stunning debut novel. No Two Persons follows Alice’s novels as it changes the lives of nine different readers. From a homeless teen to a bookseller looking for love, Alice’s book touches the life of each reader individually, showcasing the power of books in our lives.
The Collected Regrets of Clover
Mikki Brammer
Ever since her kindergarten teacher dropped dead at school, Clover Brooks has felt a strong connection to the dying. Working as a death doula in New York City, Clover spends so much of her time easing the final days of the dying that she has forgotten how to live. Until a fiesty old woman’s dying request sends Clover on a cross-country trip that forces her to navigate friendship and love in the realm of the living.
Someone Else’s Bucket List
Amy T. Matthews
Shy anxious Jodie Boyd is nothing like her older sister Bree, a globetrotting Instagram influencer. But when Bree suddenly dies of leukemia, she leaves behind a mountain of medical debt and one last wish. Bree wants Jodie to finish Bree’s bucket list and record it for Instagram. If Jodie carries through, a corporate sponsor will pay off Bree’s debt, and hopefully, along the way, Jodie will finally learn how to really live.
Popular May Upcoming Releases
What May 2023 Book Releases are You Most Excited to Read?
What books can you not wait to get your hands on this month? Did I miss any May 2023 book releases that you are anticipating? As always, let me know in the comments!
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Arden says
What a wonderful blog!!! I inhaled all your 2023 new releases this afternoon to build my TBR. Thank you!