contemporary novels | fivedirectionspress

Drawing of an open mailbox with its flag up, with flowers climbing the wooden post, against a background shaped like a postage stamp; cover of The Unforgettable Mailman by April Howells

Books We Loved, June 2026

Books We Love in June 2026, historical fiction by April Howells and Samantha Silva, plus a family contemporary novel by Allegra Goodman

Five Directions Press

3 days ago4 min read

A partially visible sideways view of a woman's face, hair piled behind her head, and a border like ancient Greek embroidery at the bottom; cover of Lauren J. A. Bear's Aphrodite in Pieces

Books We Loved, May 2026

Books We Loved at Five Directions Press in May 2026—fantasy by Lauren J. A. Bear, historical fiction by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, and a contemporary novel by Gabriel Tallent

Five Directions Press

May 154 min read

A woman in a white, long-sleeved robe, her face obscured by the dark background, sits with clasped hands; cover of Linda Hamilton's The Fourth Wife

Books We Loved, Apr. 2026

Books We Loved in May, including Gothic novels by Linda Hamilton and Alex E. Harrow, as well as an exploration of grief and healing by Lynn C. Miller

Five Directions Press

Apr 155 min read

A young woman in red stands out against a darkened background, looking toward a large house with lights in several windows; cover of Janie Chang's The Fourth Princess

Books We Loved, Mar. 2026

Books We Loved in March 2026, by Janie Chang, Penny Haw, and Jodi McAlister—historical fiction and contemporary romance

Five Directions Press

Mar 184 min read