Books That Just Scream Spring

I’ve been seeing a lot of these posts lately: “Books to Read For Spring”, “Books That Remind Me of Spring”, “Books You Need to Read This Spring”. They made me think about what books remind me of each season and I actually found spring to be the hardest one to associate books with. This was quite inconvenient as I wanted to write a blog post about it. Nevertheless, I persisted.

Maybe it’s because I live in Iowa so spring, real spring when it’s the perfect temperature and everything’s blooming, is like a week long tops. The rest of the season that’s considered spring is a fight. It’s always freezing, steaming hot, or pouring rain. Eventually though, several came to mind and I thought now was the perfect time to share them since it’s currently one of those rare times it actually feels like spring where I live and Easter’s coming up this weekend which I feel like is the epitome of spring.

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

Better Than the Movies tells the story of Liz, who’s obsessed with rom-coms and movie soundtracks. She needs the help of the boy next door, Wes, to make her senior year into the perfect rom-com. She can’t stand Wes, but she’s willing to look past this and even give him the parking spot they feud over if he can help her land a date to prom with her childhood crush who just moved back to town. For some reason, this includes them pretending to be in a relationship. (Don’t question it. It’s adorable.)

“My favorite thing about music—when you played it loud enough through good headphones (and I had the best)—was that it softened the edges of the world.”

Lynn Painter, Better Than the Movies

This book is like the cutest thing ever. It gives the ultimate lovey-dovey springtime vibes and it was the first book I thought of when I was planning out this post. Liz is one of my favorite people ever (It’s really unfortunate that most of them aren’t real.) and Wes is so sweet. If you like rom-coms or music, then you need to read this book.

Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand

Finley, 11, is sent to live with her grandparents, whom she’s never met for the summer. She struggles with depression and escapes life by traveling to Everwood, a fantasy kingdom from her imagination. However, as she explores the forest around her grandparents’ house with her cousins, she realizes that Everwood isn’t as fictional as she thought.

“How wonderful a thing it is, to understand someone else without even trying to.” 

Claire Legrand, Some Kind of Happiness

Everyone needs to read this book. Like, if everyone read this book, the world would seriously be a better place. I know it’s middle grade, but give it a chance. It’s so impactful and the symbolism is everything. I love Finley so much and you’ll root for her the whole time. It is set in summer, but the whimsical stories of Everwood and the forest behind her grandparents’ house totally remind me of spring.

The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

Nathan, the NFL quarterback, and Bree, the ballerina, met in high school. They’ve been hiding their feelings for each other pretty much ever since. After losing touch in college and reuniting after graduation, Bree and Nathan begin to realize that they can’t ignore their feelings for each other any longer. Having to fake date for publicity definitely doesn’t help them pretend their relationship is completely platonic.

“I wouldn’t dare ruin this glimpse of heaven for the world.”

Sarah Adams, The Cheat Sheet

I know football technically takes place in the fall, (You should be impressed I know this since my knowledge of sports is fairly nonexistent.) but this book is so cheesy in a good way that it just shouts spring. The only complaints I had about this book is that the writing isn’t the best, but it’s still a really fun read that I’d totally recommend. It’s so cute and I love Nathan and Bree so much. They both have the personality of golden retrievers in the best way possible.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Jude and her sisters were stolen away to live in the High Court of Faerie as children. She’s tried her whole life to belong among the fey, but they can’t seem to look past the fact that she’s human. No one gives her a harder time for it than Prince Cardan. To win her place at court she must form dangerous alliances, betray others, and even commit murder.

“If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.” 

Holly Black, The Cruel Prince

You’ve most likely heard of this book since the series is really popular, especially since a new book in the same universe, The Stolen Heir, was published earlier this year. (I’ve yet to read it, but I’ve heard good things.) Maybe it’s because I read this series last spring, but I feel like the world of the fey just really gives spring vibes. I know a lot of people don’t like Jude, but personally I really liked both her and Cardan.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Finch and Violet meet at the edge of a school bell tower, both contemplating jumping. Afterwards, they get paired up for a school project to explore the natural wonders of their state. They can be themselves when their together and Violet even begins to open up about her past. However, as they explore the world together, one of their world’s begins to contract.

“It’s my experience that people are a lot more sympathetic if they can see you hurting, and for the millionth time in my life I wish for measles or smallpox or some other easily understood disease just to make it easier on me and also on them.” 

Jennifer Niven, All the Bright Places

This was a very emotional read about mental illness. I definitely recommend checking out the trigger warnings, but personally, I found the story very impactful. I don’t actually know what season(s) All the Bright Places is set in, but it really gives me spring vibes for some reason.

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

When Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up, flies in the Darlings’ windowsill, adventure enters with him. Befriending Michael, John, and especially Wendy, they go on adventures through Neverland. They fight Captain Hook, play with the Lost Boys, and swim with mermaids. Yet Wendy can’t help but ask, is the joy of childhood worth never growing up?

“To die will be an awfully big adventure.”

J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan

This is one of my friend’s favorite books (Hi Klair!) so it was really just a matter of time before I mentioned it on here. I was laughing writing the summary for Peter Pan, since everyone knows the story, but that just makes the reading experience that much more enjoyable. Peter Pan is fueled by childhood. It’s nostalgic in the way the first day that really feels like spring is. The writing is darkly humorous and I promise you’ll have a good time reading it.

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I hope you found some new book to read! If you’ve already read any of these books, make sure to tell me what you thought of them below. It’d be great to hear from you. As always, I hope this post finds you well and you’re having a great day!