5 books not to miss: Alicia Keys' memoir, Terry McMillan's 'It's Not All DownHill from Here'

In search of something good to read? USA TODAY's Barbara VanDenburgh scopes out the shelves for this week’s hottest new book releases.

1. “It’s Not All Downhill from Here,” by Terry McMillan (Ballantine, fiction, on sale March 31)

What it’s about: When a sudden loss upends Loretha Curry’s full and happy life, she and her loyal friends band together to figure out how to keep thriving. From the bestselling author of “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and “Waiting to Exhale.”

The buzz: “This delightful novel balances inspiration for renewal with the hard facts of aging,” says a starred review in Publishers Weekly.

2. “More Myself: A Journey,” by Alicia Keys (Flatiron, nonfiction, on sale March 31)

What it’s about: In an intimate book that’s part autobiography, part narrative documentary, singer/songwriter Keys charts her growth as a woman and an artist, touching on private heartache, her complex relationship with her father and her journey of self-discovery.

The buzz: “You will learn where the name 'Keys' actually came from, grow jealous of her friendship with Oprah and Michelle Obama and hear about her transformational trips to Egypt,” teases a preview of the book in USA TODAY.

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3. “Days of Distraction,” by Alexandra Chang (Ecco, fiction, on sale March 31)

What it’s about: In this tender coming-of-age story, a young Chinese American woman in an interracial relationship follows her boyfriend across the country when he goes to graduate school. Her grand gesture of commitment raises more questions than it answers.

The buzz: “Chang shows the challenge of trying to raise issues about racism that even those closest to her wish to avoid,” says a ★★★? (out of four) review for USA TODAY.

4. “Wow, No Thank You: Essays,” by Samantha Irby (Vintage, nonfiction, on sale March 31)

What it’s about: In her third volume of essays, Irby (“We Are Never Meeting in Real Life”) shares more humorous and biting life reflections, mining some of life’s most embarrassing moments for insights and chuckles.

The buzz: “There’s lots to chuckle at here, as Irby remains a winning, personality-driven, self-deprecating essayist,” Kirkus Reviews says.

5. “Valentine,” by Elizabeth Wetmore (Harper, fiction, on sale March 31)

What it’s about: In 1970s Odessa, Texas, a town is divided after an oil rigger rapes a 14-year-old Mexican girl in this thoughtful exploration of gender, race, class and region.

The buzz: “This moving portrait of West Texas oil country evokes the work of Larry McMurtry and John Sayles with strong, memorable female voices,” says a starred review in Publishers Weekly.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 new books: Alicia Keys' memoir, new Terry McMillan