May Reads
Can't stop, won't stop: I'm still reading my face off!
Summer is just around the corner. Are you filling your shelves and suitcases with summer vacation reads yet? I would be if my shelf didn’t already have, oh, like 80 unread books waiting for me. 😉
This was another wonderful month of reading, if I do say so myself. Eight books down — that’s two nonfiction/audiobook, six physical/fiction; four from the library and four from my personal collection). Grand total for the year comes to, so far… 49 books read! Yeah, I’m definitely reaching my goal soon (60) and maybe passing 100 by the end of December. Whoo!
This year, I joined Book of the Month and I am loving their selections. If you want to join, you can get your first book for $5. This link gets you that discount and I get a free credit for sharing the love (because I’m a transparency queen). The selections rule — I can’t wait to read the ones I picked for June. Also, if it matters to you, their packaging rules — the books always show up in pristine condition. This is by far one of the best memberships I currently have! (I promise, this is not a commercial. This is just me sharing something I really, really enjoy in the book world!)
As always, if you have a recommendation or something you know I’ll love to read, please put it in the comments, DM me, send a smoke signal, tell me on Goodreads — basically, whatever it takes to get the book on my TBR!
You can also refer to the Instagram post on what my star ratings mean, in case you’re curious to see what my personal scale means.
FICTION
SWIPED, by L. M. Chilton
Who it’s for: Those who love a suspenseful whodunnit
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fun. I have had this book on my shelf for months and finally got around to picking it up, and was so glad! Our main character, Gwen, is using a dating app to help her “get back out there” after a breakup with her longterm boyfriend, Noah and her best friend is about to get married and move out of their flat. Her dates have mostly been one-and-done, until she matches with someone who shares an article of a man found murdered… a man she went on a date with. Then another one of her dates turns up dead. We follow Gwen as she attempts to clear her name and figure out who is killing the guys she’s gone out with. I wish I had grabbed this book sooner because it was a really fun read. I sailed through it within a day. Short chapters, too, which kept me turning the pages. You’ll like it.
THE VILLAIN EDIT, by Laurie Devore
Who it’s for: People who enjoy dating shows like The Bachelor
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sharp. I really liked this, for several reasons. Fantastic writing! Reality television! While I’ve only watched a couple seasons of The Bachelor/The Bachelorette (and was way more of a fan of the scripted drama show, UnREAL), I found this to be such a fun read and a perfect glimpse into what it must be like for a contestant behind the scenes… especially one painted as a villain. This story has Jac Matthis, a “failed” author, as a contestant for the 1, a reality dating show. I don’t want to give too much away, but there’s some spice and we follow Jac’s journey to being chosen as the 1. How it all comes together — or falls apart — is a great story. If you like those shows at all, you will love this book!
JULIE CHAN IS DEAD, by Liann Zhang
Who it’s for: Those who love an unhinged thriller
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Unputdownable. I. Loved. This. Book. !! This is one of the best of the year for me (so far, anyway). It was a bit wild, and weird, in places, but… I could not stop turning the pages. I devoured it in one sitting! Julie Chan has a famous influencer twin sister, Chloe, who was adopted by another family when their parents died. Julie stayed with an aunt, and the two barely knew each other. When Julie finds Chloe dead, she assumes her life and finds herself realizing Chloe didn’t really have it all… but she was involved in a group of influencers that give off cult vibes. My opinion!! I could have never predicted the way this story played out and kept saying “wtf?!” in the back half a lot. I saw reviews were kind of split, but it’s still highly rated. Pick it up!! You won’t be disappointed.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAYS?, by Tracey Lange
Who it’s for: Lovers of literary fiction and slow burns
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Touching. This one took me a bit to read because it was a slow burn and not a thriller (which, you know is my jam). But, it was worth it. This story follows Kyle McCray, a man who returns home after two years to help take care of his father, who had a stroke. He reconnects with the people he left behind, including his ex-wife, and they confront the unspeakable tragedy that ripped them apart those few years prior. I won’t give a spoiler, but these two really went through it, and it was a wonderfully written, raw story of resilience. I’m glad I stumbled upon this one.
THE LAST KING OF CALIFORNIA, by Jordan Harper
Who it’s for: Modern noir and gritty crime lovers
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stunning. If I could possess an ounce of talent that Jordan Harper has… This gritty crime drama, to me, has tones of Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy rolled up into one story. We follow Luke, who comes to his family’s homestead, after deciding college isn’t for him. His family though… well, they are a biker gang. His father is in prison for murder (which Luke witnessed), and his uncle is running everything for the family. Luke finds himself at a crossroads while his childhood friend Callie is hatching a plan to get away from the gang’s control. Dark. And the writing? It’s poetry. This is the second book I’ve read by Harper and I’ll be coming back for more, for sure. Just read it, it’s good!!
CLEAR, by Carys Davies
Who it’s for: People who dig historical fiction and gorgeous prose
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beautiful sentence structure, beautiful storytelling — this short novel packs a punch. A minister, John, is hired to travel to a remote island to evict the last person living on the owner’s land, Ivar, so it can be turned into a place for sheep to graze. Except John ends up being shipwrecked and taken in by Ivar. They don’t speak the same language but form an unlikely bond. A journey of self-discovery and vivid imagery paired together make this is a story I never expected to read, but absolutely loved. I might consider it a bit more highbrow given the prose is on another level compared to some stories I typically read and I found it to be a great addition to my list this month.
NONFICTION
LONG LIVE MORTAL KOMBAT, by David L. Craddock
Who it’s for: People who love a well-researched book + iconic video game
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fascinating. My husband got me a signed copy of this book a couple of years ago and I finally got around to finishing it. It’s LONG. I ended up switching over to the audiobook — which clocked in at 21 hours. LOVED IT. I enjoyed flipping through the pages of the physical copy during parts I really enjoyed, just to see the words on the page. I grew up slaying Mortal Kombat on the Sega on weekends at my Dad’s, and then eventually on SNES. It’s probably one of my most favorite games from my adolescence. I loved kicking ass. Now, I own the Arcade1Up cabinet, so I can play as my fave characters, arcade style, anytime I want. Anyway — the history of Mortal Kombat is so deep and interesting. It was such a great dive into the culture surrounding the game, the creators, the people who were a part of making this a global phenomenon. It’s no wonder this game has stood the test of time. If you loved playing this game at any point in your life, you will really enjoy this book.
FAHRENHEIT-182, by Mark Hoppus
Who it’s for: Lovers of blink-182 and great celeb memoirs
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fantastic. I’ll be honest, this was one of the best memoirs I’ve read. I’m a fan of Mark and blink-182 and have been since Dude Ranch came out in the 90s. It has a freaking 4.59 rating on Goodreads!!! High praise. He walks through his life in great detail, from childhood in a desert California town, discovery of his love (music, then later Sky), trials and tribulations of his über-famous band, and his recent cancer journey. Fun fact, did you know Mark may have had something to do with the capture of Saddam Hussein? Or that the band was originally called just, “blink” but they were served a cease and desist and this is why “-182” was added to the name? Read about this and much more in this funny, lovely memoir. Spring for the audiobook, because hearing Mark tell his story in his own voice makes it that much better.
All the (non-affiliate) 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). 📚
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