With a new month coming up, I’ve been looking at upcoming releases and trying to get a feel for what Book of the Month might pick. They usually aim for a mix across genres: something buzzy, something accessible, and at least one or two titles that feel like strong book club picks. I tried to focus on late April through early June releases that fit their typical patterns: readable, conversation-worthy, and with broad appeal across genres. But I feel that their most recent selections have been different from their normal ‘vibe’ so who knows if these are even close to being May’s picks.
Whether or not my predictions are actually picks, only time will tell. Even if they are not, all or most of these are on my April Most Anticipated New Releases, May Most Anticipated New Releases, and my Spring Most Anticipated List.
SPRING MOST ANTICIPATED
May Most Anticipated New Releases
April Most Anticipated New Releases
When the picks are announced and you find you have space in your box still, make sure to also check out my most recent version of BOTM Add-On recommendations HERE, because who couldn’t use even more books!
Keep in mind that these are simply predictions and books I hope get chosen. I could get these completely wrong, but the anticipation and guessing are part of the fun right?!
Mysteries & Thrillers
Ah, the Thriller and Mystery genre, always my hardest group to narrow down. For mystery and thriller, these picks feel like a strong match for the kind of suspenseful, accessible reads Book of the Month tends to favor. The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh brings a more emotional, relationship-driven mystery angle that BOTM readers usually gravitate toward. Artifacts by Natalie Lemle sounds like it could lean slightly more literary while still delivering intrigue, and Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray fits right into that classic, high-stakes thriller space. Together, these options strike a good balance between page-turning suspense and character-driven storytelling.
Historical Fiction
Limited Historical Fiction picks this month that I think would be up BOTM’s Alley. A Fortune of Sand seems to be a strong pick with Ruta Sepetys being a previous BOTM author. The Calamity Club though would be my pick. I know it’s going to be a big book and has plenty of support/marketing around it, but I’d still love to see it as a pick.
Romance
Alright, I love Katherine Center. She’s my favorite so I always am hopefully to see her as a pick for Book of the Month. I already have a copy of The Shippers, so be sure to come back soon for my review! Otherwise, How to Write a Love Story seems right up Book of the Month’s alley especially with it being a debut.
Katherine Center Reviews
Literary & Contemporary Fiction
For literary and contemporary fiction, these titles all feel like strong fits for a May pick because they combine recognizable authors with emotionally driven, discussion-worthy storytelling. The May House by Jillian Cantor has that reflective, character-focused style that typically appeals to a wide audience, while The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett brings major name recognition and clear book club appeal (also selfishly I’m dying to read this one). John of John by Douglas Stuart also stands out as the kind of literary, voice-driven novel that draws in readers looking for something more intimate and impactful. And The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff feels especially likely given her previous BOTM presence, offering the kind of layered, emotional narrative that tends to resonate well with subscribers. I have copies of a few of these, so be sure to come back for my reviews.
Science Fiction & Fantasy
I’ll be honest, the only book I want to entertain as being a Science Fiction or Fantasy pick is The Tapestry of Fate by Shannon Chakraborty. It’s the second in the Amina al-Sirafi Adventure and if you haven’t read The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi you should immediately. Filled with witty banter, pirates, and adventure it’s such a fun book and I have been waitinggggggg to continue the series! I could also see Broken Dove being a pick as it’s also the second in a series that BOTM has offered.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi Review
I hope you found a book that you are truly excited about in this post. Let me know which other new releases you are excited for this month or that you’re hoping are BOTM picks, by commenting below or by messaging me on Instagram @speakingof_books. Don’t forget to follow me to get weekly updates and new reviews!
Happy Reading!
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