Spectacular Spring Reads

Spring is in the air! That is why I've compiled a list of some great books to read in the Spring, due to their themes of new birth/beginnings, because they are light and joyful, or for other Spring-esque reasons. Most of them are YA, but a few other genres snuck into the batch.  

Bloomability by Sharon Creech

This was one of my favorite books in elementary/middle school, and I'm aching to read it again. This is a great tale for any age about how a girl is torn from all she holds dear, and is thrust into a different culture (in Switzerland!) for good reasons by her Aunt and Uncle. She must learn how to bloom in this new place with new people or suffer from hiding from the world. 










Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Although this novel takes place in the heat of summer, it has a physical spring in it, so Spring must obviously be the best time to read it! But seriously, the main character must face a difficult decision about a possible new beginning that could possibly change her life forever. Will she follow this decision with its serious, heady repercussions, or continue in the current season of her life? 







Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber

This is a true story about a young woman who travels to Oxford for a Masters degree. But what she discovers there about the world and the One who made her turns her world upside down. This is a lovely book about the beauty of knowledge and England and one woman's journey into a different life. So pull up a chair out on the porch, and pour yourself a large mug of tea! You can read more about my thoughts on it here: http://rachsreads.blogspot.com/2018/01/best-of-2017.html under 'best biography.' 






Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman 

This young adult novel is based off of Shusterman's son, who struggled with schizophrenia, just like the main character. There are even drawings from Shusterman's son scattered throughout the book. This is a rich, poignant tale of one boy's journey to the depths-as far as Challenger Deep-and the opportunity to arise as someone whole and complete. 








Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein

This novel is full of new beginnings. The two main characters, Teo and Em, follow their mother to Ethiopia after tragedy strikes. There, as soon as they settle into a new life, war strikes. They must battle for this place they have come to love and for each other. 










Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth E.

This novel follows the true story of the missionary Jim Elliot and his friends and wives who journeyed into the heart of South America to share the gospel. Things did not go as planned, however, and the wives must wrestle with the aftermath. The natives that the missionaries reached out to and who bring so much heartache, also bring healing and joy to those involved in this inspiring story. 










Forest Born by Shannon Hale 

This book is actually the fourth, and last, novel in the Goose Girl series. All of the books are a delight, and some of my favorites, but this one has some special Spring themes. Firstly, trees play a large role in the story, as the main character can control them. As she learns how to shift these giants of the forest, she also learns more about herself in the process and blooms into the person she is destined to be, even though it might be different than who she wished she could be. A delightfully deep, provocative read! 






What other books do you think would make exceptionally good Spring reads? I'd love to read your thoughts in the comments below!

If you liked this post, you might like my Best of 2017 post.