Everything I Read in May

A much better month than April...

I realized not everyone will want to read my longer book reviews due to the fact that they are both long, and full of spoilers. HOWEVER, I do still want to be able to recommend books and chat with all of you about them…so I will now be doing a brief monthly book roundup with everything I read…ranked of course!

Without further ado, here is everything I read in May <3

1. Lost Lambs - Madeline Cash

   4.3/5 stars

   Lost Lambs is definitely a contender for my favourite book of May and maybe even one of my favourites this year. The story follows the Flynn family who seem to be falling apart in every conceivable way. Catherine and Bud have recently entered into an open marriage which reaches it’s breaking point when their three daughters lives each go off the rails: Abigail (the oldest) is dating a man nicknamed “War Crimes Wes.” Louise (the middle child) has a secret online correspondence with a terrorist. Harper (the youngest) must be sent away to wilderness reform camp due to her rebellious nature and constant digging into the corrupt system that governs their town. Do yourself a favour and go read this addictive story centred around a cast of deliciously flawed female characters. Read my full review here!

   

2. Heart the Lover - Lily King

   4.2/5 stars

   This story was a complete joy from page one til’ the very end (even the sad parts!). I loved Lily King’s Writers & Lovers and thought this instalment truly enhanced her previous work. In Heart the Lover, our narrator is entering the fall semester of her senior year of college. There, she meets Sam and Yash — two immensely bright and charming students from her 17th-Century Lit class. The boys invite her into their intoxicating world of academic passion, witty banter and off-campus lodgings that belong to a professor on sabbatical. They nickname her Jordan, and with this new identity, she soon finds herself at the centre of a complicated triangle. This is no typical love story though — prepare to go on an adventure of love, loss, lust, youth, and grief. Everything about this story was SO enjoyable, I fully recommend it to anyone who loves The Secret History. Read my full review here.

   

3. The Correspondant - Virgina Evans

   4.0/5

   This was truly a magical reading experience from start to finish. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy this was to enjoy and how invested I was in the seemingly mundane stories it covered. This is a quiet novel, one that finds it’s way into your bloodstream and sits with you for long after you finish it. The format is also unique and captivating, I literally could not put it down. The theme of this month is definitely elderly people reflecting on the meaning of life and I’m not mad about that. This story follows the letters and emails of a retired lawyer sent between 2012 and 2022. There are many beautiful passages to ponder and many small, significant moments to enjoy. Oh, and Jane Fonda is going to star in the film? Yeah, I’m sat. Read my full review here.

   

4. Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt

   3.6/5 stars

   While I wasn’t as obsessed with this novel as everyone else seems to be, I still enjoyed it. The story follows Tova Sullivan, a grieving widow who takes a night cleaning job at a local Aquarium. There, she forms a deep bond with an octopus named Marcellus, who somehow knows the truth about the disappearance of her son decades prior. I found writing kind of mediocre, and was unfortunately bored at times. Mostly, because the “twist” was predictable, and once you figure it out the rest of the story just feels like one big miscommunication trope (my worst nightmare). I also found the character of Cameron to be the most aggravating man-child, which really put me off reading. HOWEVER, the ending did get me. Then I watched the movie and bawled like a baby so…I’d honestly suggest just watching it instead (something I never do lol). Either way, Marcellus was the best character, book or film…so read or watch it just for him! Read my full review here.

   

5. Tell Me Everything - Elizabeth Strout

   3.2/5 stars

   Those who read my review of this novel know I didn’t find it overly compelling. I still valued the reading experience and found some aspects that were interesting overall. Tell Me Everything, the fifth instalment of Elizabeth Strout’s Amgash series follows a cast of characters in fictional Crosby, Maine including, Lucy Barton, Olive Kitteridge, Bob Burgess, and others as they deal with daily mundanities, local crime, falling in love and yet choose to be apart (maybe if this was an actual love story it would have scored higher!) The main theme of the book: everyone must grapple with the question, “what does anyone’s life mean?” Ultimately not an amazing reading experience but not a terrible one either. I ended up truly enjoying it at around the 80% point…so a bit too little too late. Read my full review here.

   

6. Happy Place - Emily Henry

   2.5/5 stars

   Okay so…I am currently writing a longgg article about Emily Henry and therefore I am reading all of her books (someone save me). I had never read Happy Place and so I decided it would be next in my journey of discovery (at the time of writing this, I have 1 book left - GGBL) so, stay tuned for my article it will be something…ANYWAYS. I was not a fan of this one unfortunately. In Happy Place, Harriet and Wyn — fiancés who broke up five months ago — must pretend to still be engaged during their annual, weeklong vacation with best friends in Maine (seriously not sure what the Maine theme is this month). This book irritated me beyond belief. I was not a fan of these characters or this couple (especially Wyn). If you must read Emily Henry, do not under any circumstances start with this one. Spoiler for my article: I do like some of her books, just not this one. Read my full review here.

And that’s it!

If you made it this far, thank you! Please let me know what you read in May in the comments. What was your favourite? Least favourite? I want to know!

Happy reading everyone!