13 Brand New Books to Read in April

There's a little known secretNew York Times bestseller list, you need to sell a TON of pre-orders. While bestsellers lists are notoriously elitist and aren't actually entirely based on the number of books sold, one thing that almost every future NYT bestseller needs is plenty of readers who are so excited about the book that they're willing to pay for it before they can physically hold it in their hands. So if you want to help a book reach the number one spot and get bibliophile bragging rights, here are 13 awesome books coming out in April that you can pre-order today and add to your ever-growing #TBR pile.

The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer ($28): Greer Kadetsky is a shy college freshman who accompanies her best friend Zee to a feminist rally — it's here where she first encounters Faith Frank, an elegant 63 year-old women who's been at the heart of the Women's Movement for decades. Following Greer, her boyfriend, her best friend, and Faith Frank as they navigate their lives, Meg Wolitzer's highly anticipated and empowering feminist novel holds a magnifying glass to what it's like growing up female and offers a rallying cry for all women who searching for the courage to pursue their ambitions. Publishing Date: April 3

Varina by Charles Frazier ($28): In 1997 Charles Franzier's debut novel Cold Mountain made publishing history when it stayed on the New York Times bestseller list for 61 weeks and won the famous National Book Award. Now Frazier is returning to the time and place of that acclaimed novel once more as he rediscovers the American Civil War. When young Varina Howell agreed to marry the much-older Jefferson Davis, she didn't expect to be the wife of a politician… let alone the partner of the president of the Confederacy. In the heat of the Civil War with her marriage in tatters, Varina makes the brave decision to escape Ricmond with her children and travel south on her own. Publishing Date: April 3

In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It by Lauren Graham ($15): After binge-reading Talking As Fast As I Can last summer, we can't wait for the original Gilmore Girl herself Lauren Graham to plop herself back on our bookshelf. In her latest literary endeavor, Graham offers readers an expansion of the 2017 commencement speech she gave at her hometown Langley High. Reflecting on what it means to grow up and pursue your dreams, Graham's newest book is a great gift for new graduates, offering both a glimmer of hope in a complex world and a tangible roadmap to a happy life. Publishing Date: April 3

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie ($17): Not since the famed Broadway production have we seen a nosedive like this into the fascinating life of the Hamiltons. In Dray and Kamoie's acclaimed tale, readers follow the life of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton — exploring her childhood in revolutionary New York, how she met and married the penniless and passionate Alexander, and her experience in the political treachery of America’s first sex scandal. Using thousands of letter and original sources as the foundation, this epic story should definitely be on your radar this spring. Publishing Date: April 3

Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer ($17): Lexie Vidler is always bailing her drug addict sister Annie out of trouble — she's given her money, a place to sleep, and she's even helped send her to every kind of rehab available. But after years of not hearing for her, Lexie gets a call at 2am from her sister saying that she's pregnant and in pre-mature labor. Unable to go to the hospital for fear of losing custody of the baby, Lexie finds herself caring for her fragile newborn niece. As her world crumbles around her and Annie attempts once again to regain control of her life in court-ordered rehab, these sisters' relationship will be put to their most grueling test yet. Publishing Date: April 3

Other People's Houses by Abbi Waxman ($16): Frances Bloom has been the unofficial carpool mom for years — a job that occasionally makes her a witness to the innermost workings of her neighbors' private lives. One day Frances sees neighbour Anne Porter having an affair; but after contemplating the consequences of spilling the secret, she vows not to speak of it. However, when Anne's husband throws her out a few days later, the repercussions of the affair ripple through the four carpool families and Frances must decide whether to put herself in the middle of the riveting neighborhood drama or keep to herself. Publishing Date: April 3

You All Grow Up and Leave Me by Piper Weiss ($26): Piper Weiss explores her shocking teenage years in Manhattan's exclusive prep-school scene during the early 1990s in this fascinating coming-of-age memoir. Piper was always thrilled to be one of "Gary's Girls" — a favored student by private tennis coach Gary Wilensky. He always treated Piper as a grown up, often taking her to dinners, sending her special valentines, and engaging in long conversations with her. No one expected what happened next: Piper was just 14 years old when Wilensky killed himself after a failed attempt to kidnap one of his teenage students. During the investigation, the authorities uncovered that Wilensky was clearly a child predator who had even built a secret torture chamber for his teenage victims. Now, years after the incident, Weiss combines research, interviews, and personal records to explore the psychological manipulation of child predators and examines the shocking event as both a teenage eyewitness and a dispassionate investigative reporter. Publishing Date: April 10

Circe by Madeline Miller ($27): Madeline Miller's highly anticipated follow-up to The Song of Achilles is a must-read for all fans of the Greek classics. Circe is born into the famed house of Helios — but she is neither powerful like her father nor viciously alluring like her mother. Yet when she decides to leave home and dwell among mortals, she realizes that she actually possesses the power of witchcraft. When Zeus banishes her to a desert island for fear of her power, Circe practices her skills and meets many famous figures mythology (think the Minotaur, Daedalus, Icarus, Medea, and Odysseus). Trust us; this is one Greek novel that definitely won't feel like you're doing assigned reading. Publishing Date: April 10

Sophia of Silicon Valley by Anna Yen ($27): Sophia Young is a talented young woman who is making a name for herself in Silicon Valley as the right-hand woman to Scott Kraft, the eccentric CEO of Treehouse. But when engineer Andre Stark hires her to run his company's investor relations, Sophia must make a choice to either keep the big paycheck and status she's been searching for her whole life or leave the toxic boys-club environment that's driving her insane. Publishing Date: April 10

The Comedown by Rebekah Frumkin ($27): Despite the fact that addict Leland Bloom-Mittwoch was completely devoted to drug dealer Reggie Marshall, Reggie never much cared for Leland. But when a drug deal goes tragically wrong and a quarter of a million dollar suitcase disappears, these two men and their families become knotted together. In this dazzlingly written story, Frumkin tells the tale of these two flawed patriarchs and their tangled families through an epic exploration of race, class, religion, and time. Publishing Date: April 17

Noir by Christopher Moore ($28): Set on the mean streets of post-war San Francisco, this classically satiric novel is told in Christopher Moore's trademark style. Sammy "Two Toes" Tiffin tends bar at a scruffy gin join and plans a get-rich-quick scheme which quickly goes awry. Trying to balance the fallout of the scheme with pursing a relationship with Stilton (AKA "The Cheese"), Moore's latest novel is sure to be a smashing success. Publishing Date: April 17

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan ($16): If you love books by Nicholas Sparks and JoJo Moyes, you're going to swoon for Julia Whelan's newest novel that's already being developed into a feature film by Temple Hill Entertainment. With her lifelong dream to study at Oxford finally realized, 24-year-old Elle Durran is offered an incredible position in a rising star's presidential campaign. One night, she runs into a smart-mouthed local who ruins her first day, only to realize that he's actually her English Literature professor Jamie Davenport. Despite their rocky beginnings, Elle's mind is changed during one late-night outing and she uncovers a magical connection with Jamie — that is, until she learns of his life-changing secret. Publishing Date: April 24

Lost and Founder by Rand Fishkin ($28): When you think of the most exciting startups in history, you probably envision the following: A young entrepreneur has a great idea, drops out of college, works in their mom's basement for a few months before hitting it big, gains investors, and make billions. Well, this was far from the case for Rand Fishkin's company Moz, which started off as a mother-and-son family business that fell deeply into debt before making $45 million per year. In his new book, Fishkin offers entrepreneurs a glimpse at all the hard-won lessons he's learned on his path to success — from why growth hacking is potentially problematic to all the strings that come with venture capital deals. Publishing Date: April 24