Welcome to the Spring 2026 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books!

Today, Catherine and Sarah share 12 of their most anticipated books releasing in April and May.

This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).

Announcements

A preview of changes to this year's Summer Reading Guide — now a team effort, with more info to come in a separate episode coming in early May.
One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both for just $7/mo) is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and Sarah share 4 bonus books (2 each) we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available and sign up here for Patreon and here for Substack!

Highlights

A lightning round of some big releases coming this spring that are not featured in our personal preview picks.
Catherine's theme is spring, but Sarah's theme is summer.
Looking for balance, Catherine chose books that are lighter and brighter, but not silly.
Spring picks carry 4 debuts — 3 from Catherine and 1 from Sarah.
Sarah's books cover 2 books about the world of comedy and 3 family dramas.
Sarah has already read one of her picks — 4.5 stars!
Plus, their #1 picks for spring.

Big Spring Releases

The Midnight Train (The Midnight World, 2) by Matt Haig (May 26) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:04]
The Shippers by Katherine Center (May 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:06]
London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:09]
Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez (April 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:16]
With a Vengeance by Riley Sager (June 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:22]
Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel (May 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:26]
Seek the Traitor's Son (The Burning Empire, 1) by Veronica Roth (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:29]

Other Books Mentioned

Spring 2026 Book Preview [4:38]

April

Sarah's Picks

Catherine's Picks

Other Books Mentioned

May

Sarah's Picks

Catherine's Picks

The Liar's Playbook by Leslie Bradford-Scott (May 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:31]
The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:11]
The Tapestry of Fate (Amina al-Sirafi, 2) by Shannon Chakraborty (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:10]

Other Books Mentioned