May Reads
Everything I read in the month of May + a peek at my [physical] TBR shelf.
As I anticipated, this month felt lighter compared to previous months when it comes to my stack of completed reads. When you finish a month with 8-10 books, it sets an impossible standard! Plus, the two audiobooks I smashed clocked in around 13-15 hours each, which is nearly twice as long as the others I’ve consumed this year.
I’ve met my Goodreads goal officially now (#30 was Katie Couric’s memoir) and it was really cool to see that little celebration in my app:
So for this month, I just tried to keep reading without focusing on how many I could finish. I still completed 6 books, which kind of surprised me, but also validated the notion that I am still in “escape reality” mode — losing myself in books (and my own writing). There are worse things I could be doing!
I read for several reasons — mostly, I simply enjoy it. I’ve always found solace in reading. It’s quiet and allows my imagination to run wild. I like being swept up into a fictional space that has a clear beginning, middle, and ending. It’s not like real life, where we often find ourselves in flux. The human experience on the page is relatable yet has closure — something we aren’t afforded in real life all the time.
Reflecting on the stories I have read so far this year… I get stuck in the thriller/mystery/suspense genre. Is it being stuck if you enjoy it, though? I do want to try and branch out in the back-half of 2024 by reading more contemporary fiction works, but I just really vibe with a page-turning psych thriller. My TBR (digital and physical) is full of them. But I guess that’s the great thing about books — there’s a steady supply and I can dip in and out of genres whenever I want.
Speaking of TBRs… My physical stack is out of control! I should probably start reading these before I buy more.
LOL. Who am I kidding?!
I took some photos this morning and it kind of shocked me how many I have waiting on me. And yet, I hit the bookstores and come home with a few more. Hey, it’s not drugs. It’s not drugs!! Here’s a peek at what’s sitting on my shelf… a few might be missing but this is plenty to work through for a while!
I need to give my digital shelf a rest for a bit, but man, those Libby holds just keep coming. So, I am pledging to hit “deliver later” after I get through the three on my shelf right now. After I knock a few off my physical shelf, I’m looking forward to reading Bright Young Woman (Jessica Knoll) and Home is Where the Bodies Are (Jeneva Rose), both of which I preordered before their drop dates. Anyway, I am going to try my best to start making a dent in the physical books on my shelf in the coming months. Wish me luck!
Alright, let’s get to what you came for — the books I read in May. Here we go!
FICTION
LOOK CLOSER, by David Ellis
Keep the title in mind while you read this, because nothing is as it seems. This was an absolute thrill ride. You’re following Simon (a law professor), Vicky (who is living under an alias of a missing girl), and Christian (a seedy financial advisor) around twisty, dark corners. This story has affairs, revenge, and long-running games. Every time I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong, because again, nothing was as it seemed. Excellent writing; I was hooked from the jump. You will be entertained — add it to your TBR today!
THE NEW COUPLE IN 5B, By Lisa Unger
I love a psychological thriller and this one did not disappoint. Rosie, a true-crime writer, and her husband Chad, an actor, inherit a luxurious apartment in the famous Murray Hill neighborhood of NYC. This apartment comes with some demons, though. Murders, suicides, accidents all plague the building’s history — making it ripe for Rosie’s newest book. Until things start to hit too close to home, that is. This one also had twisty, dark turns and I loved every moment of it. I couldn’t put it down. If you’re into psych thrillers, don’t miss this one!
THE GUEST, by B.A. Paris
Another excellent story by B.A. Paris! This follows a couple, Iris and Gabriel, who return from holiday to find their friend Laure has crashed at their home because she and her husband are going through a rough patch. The subplots of the main characters are also pulsating: Iris meets a new friend and hires their live-in landscaper friend, Joseph, who has a past of his own; Gabriel is still reeling from finding a child he knew dying in a quarry near their home. This was another read that was impossible to not turn the page. Paris never misses.
THE BOOK OF DOORS, by Gareth Brown
My Libby holds (thankfully) calmed down long enough for me to go back to The Book of Doors, a novel that has sat on my digital shelf for a few months. Cassie, our main character, has a bookstore regular that sadly passes away while visiting one day… and he’s left her a mysterious book — The Book of Doors. This book allows Cassie to stumble upon a world full of mystery and danger as she discovers there are many other magical, fantastical books that have their own unique powers. This story is a beautifully written sci-fi fantasy that felt incredibly real and I am so glad I was able to get back to it!
NONFICTION
GOING THERE, by Katie Couric
I grew up watching Katie Couric report news of the world. Fun fact, when I was a kid, I wanted to be a journalist because of her. My love of news originated when she was broadcasting on the Today show. I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook — it was long, but very engaging. Hearing about her love and loss, her ambition, and ability to not hold anything back when it comes to the people she worked with over the years. Couric also touches on major world events as she experienced them through the lens of a reporter (Columbine and September 11 stand out for me). This book made me respect her more, which I didn’t think would be possible having been a life-long fan. Definitely recommend.
GENERATION KILL, by Evan Wright
I decided to read this after watching Generation Kill mini-series on HBO and reading the Rolling Stone article that inspired both the book and the series, “The Killer Elite” (which is a long, three-part essay by the author). Evan Wright is a journalist from Rolling Stone who is embedded within this battalion to report on the US Marine Corps’ 1st Reconnaissance Battalion during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. This is a brillitantly written account of the days leading up to the invasion. I was glad to have watched the mini-series first to have a visual reference while reading. This is one situation where I honestly cannot say “the book was better” — the miniseries paid a perfect homage to this book, sticking as close to the source material as possible.
See what else I’ve read this year:
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All the links for the books reviewed go to Bookshop.org, a wonderful site where you can purchase your books and support your local independent bookstore(s). 📚