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After years without reading more than a couple of books a year, I got into reading again at the beginning of this year. My other half is an avid reader and said it would really be good for me to start reading in the evenings to unwind, and I have to say it’s really made a difference in my evening routine! I’ve discovered some really nice bookstagram accounts and book bloggers as well which have really helped me feel motivated, there’s so much choice out there and I want to read it all!
I decided to go for a mix of book series and stand-alone novels this season, as well as a mix of genres: we have historical fiction and a fantasy series! I mostly read stand-alone novels for the first three months of 2021, so I feel ready to tackle some bigger, meatier books this spring!
So, here’s my spring 2021 to be read list of books!
The Cazalet Chronicles
My fiancé got me The Cazalet Chronicles for my birthday last year, and I was so happy to receive it! I’d been wanting to read more historical fictions for a while and this saga seems like the perfect way to start. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it, mostly about the writing style of the author Elizabeth Jane Howard, so I’m excited to start it! The story follows three generations of the Cazalet family from the 1930s to the 1950s, over the span of five books: The Light Years, Marking Time, Confusion, Casting Off and All Change. It’s a very beefy series that I’m really looking forward to reading! I probably won’t manage to read it all this spring, but my aim is definitely to read at least a couple of the books and to finish it before the end of this year!
Purchase the Cazalet Chronicles
The Folk of the Air trilogy
Who hasn’t heard of Holly Black’s Folk of the Air series? When I first started to look into fantasy books and series, hers was at the top of the list for most people on bookstagram and book blogs. I’ve already sunk my teeth into a fantasy duology to try and get back into it and I really enjoyed it, so I think I’m ready to take it further and start a meatier series! The Folk of the Air is a young adult fantasy series that follows the adventures of Jude Duarte, a mortal girl living in Elfhame, a faerie world. It definitely sounds like my sort of thing! I was gifted the first two books, The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King and I can’t wait to start reading the first one!
Purchase The Folk of the Air trilogy
An Ordinary Life
I’m really happy that I came across this book the other day on instagram (thanks targeted instagram ads…) because this is exactly the kind of book I love! This historical fiction novel by Amanda Prowse follows the story of Molly across two timelines, her old age in 2019 and her youth in the 1940s. Anybody who knows me knows how much I love books set during the Second World War, so I was definitely going to buy it at some point, but I’d already heard so many good things about it that I knew I just had to get it. The book itself feels so nice and good quality, the paper is very thick and makes the book feel really heavy which was a real surprise when I picked it up for the first time, because it feels more like a hardback than a paperback. I’m really looking forward to reading this novel, I think it’s the perfect novel to read while I take a break from the Cazalet saga!
Once Upon a River
I picked up this book a while ago when I went on a book buying spree on the Blackwell’s website – side note but I’d have one of these every week if my other half didn’t stop me, I love buying new books! I initially thought that it was a fantasy novel when I read the blurb, but it turns out it’s a historical novel with elements of magic in it – which was absolutely fine for me because they’re my two favourite genres, but a word of warning if you only read high fantasy! The premise of the story is that a child is found dead in London in the river Thames, but later mysteriously comes back to life. I love that the blurb gave very little away about the book, and reading it made me want to find out more about it. I’m very much looking forward to reading this book in the spring. This author has also written a book called The Thirteen Tale which really appeals to me as well, so if I like this book I’ll definitely pick up this one too!
Are you planning on reading any books this spring?
Em ♥
That’s a great list to start from! I am very intrigued by The Cazalet Chronicles, I really like historical fiction so I am always on the lookout for some new recommendations! I have The cruel prince on my shelves but still have to start it, if you’re looking for some more fantasy I would recommend books from Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo and Adrienne Young! Thank you for sharing x
I haven’t started the Cazalet Chronicles yet but it does sound good doesn’t it! Thank you for the recommendations, I have a couple of books by Leigh Bardugo already on my list! x
I love historical fiction, especially anything set in the 1940s so An ordinary life sounds perfect. I’ve featured quite a few books on my blog if you ever need any more recommendations.
It does doesn’t it! I’m really looking forward to reading it. Thank you, I will check them out! x
These all sound like great books, I actually have once upon a river and it’s a great book I really enjoyed it. The cruel prince is one that I think that I would enjoy x
Oh that’s good to hear! Everyone raves about The Cruel Prince so my expectations are quite high haha x
Oooh these books look great! I really like the sounds of An Ordinary Life and Once Upon a River. Fantasy is a genre I don’t tend to read that often but I love historical so those books sound right up my street!
Tash – A Girl with a View
I love historical fiction, so to me a historical fiction with fantasy elements is perfect! I hope you get round to reading one of them one day! x
So good that you’ve got into reading again, I was exactly the same and was in a massive reading slump for a lot of 2019 to early 2020 but picked it up again last summer and now I can’t get enough. I’ve seen so so many people talk about the Folk of The Air series but I’ve not actually read it myself! I hope you have a great time with these books, they all sound great!
Getting back into reading was definitely good for me, I’m glad you did too! People have raved about this series so I can’t wait to start it! Thank you x
I haven’t actually heard of any of these books, but they all sound good! I’m off work for a week over Easter so I’m planning on finally reading Where the Crawdads Sing and Queenie!
I’ve heard of Where the Crawdads Sing, it’s meant to be very good! I haven’t heard of Queenie though. Hope you enjoy! x
These look like great books! I think I’ll add An Ordinary Life to my TBR. Thank you so much for sharing this!
My pleasure, I’m glad it could be helpful! x
Historical fiction books are really interesting reads and I like the sound of the books you have listed here! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
They really are, I love discovering periods of history I’m not necessarily familiar with through books! I’m glad!! x
These all sound like great books – the Cazalet Chronicles has be intrigued! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve heard many good things about it so I’m looking forward to reading it! x
These look so interesting! Definitely adding these to my reading list x
I’m glad you found it useful! x
These sounds like some great books! Once upon a river sounds really interesting, I’ll definitely have to check it out! Thanks so much for sharing!
I can’t wait to read it, it sounds so intriguing! x
Some great suggestions and definitely a couple that I’ll have a look at. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad it could be of use to you! x
I love reading! It’s wonderful that you have got back into it. The Folk of the Air books are awesome! I can’t wait to hear what you think. Thanks for sharing your to be read list! I think I may check a few of them out.
Thank you! Let me know if you get round to reading any of them! x
Books are such timeless gifts. Good stories can be read again and again and beautiful books I keep around on my bookshelf with pride.
Loving the looks of the Cazalet series! I enjoy historical fiction and love that the books cover a wide expanse of time!
Thanks for sharing!
That’s very true! Me too, I find that you can really get to know the characters more when you’re with them for a long time (if that makes any sense at all…) I’m glad you enjoyed! x
I haven’t heard of any of these books but they sound super interesting! Definitely going to have a look at An Ordinary Life xx
Let me know what you think if you get round to reading it! x
I love this post! I think historical reads are some of the best, and these sound like some good reads for the next month. Thank you for sharing x
Thank you! I’m definitely looking forward to reading all of them!! x
Great list! Once Upon a River sounds interesting!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
It does doesn’t it! I’m looking forward to reading it x
I hope that you enjoyed these books! I always appreciate recommendations. Thanks for sharing.