May Review: Books I Read This Past Month
Here’s a list of everything I read in May! It definitely was a good month, I loved most of the books on this list!
I’ll Give You The Sun, Jandy Nelson (★★★★★)
This book took me a couple of chapters to really get into. At first, I didn’t love the writing style and felt it was jumpy - which makes sense for the character voice. BUT I’m so glad my reading buddy told me to keep going because it got so much better. This follows twins who were once inseparable but after the loss of their mother, they hardly speak to one another. The chapters alternate from each twin's perspective - before and after their mother’s death. The storyline is quirky, emotional, reflective, and so cute. I couldn’t put it down!
Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty (★★★★★)
Liane Moriarty is one of my favorite authors and I have read all of her other books but left this one out because I wasn’t sure how dark it would be. When the show first came on I was in a program for brain rewiring where we couldn’t consume any negative media so this was scratched from my watch / read list! Like all of her other books, I loved this one. The character development was amazing and complex. I pictured the actors and actresses as I read the different roles. I was somewhat familiar with the entire plot before so that did take away from any suspense but I enjoyed it all the same!
Meet Me In the Margins, Melissa Ferguson (★☆☆☆☆)
This was a fluff romance audiobook I listened to. It had a cute concept - editors that edit a book, leaving notes in the margins but don’t reveal their identities, inevitably fall for one another. I knew this would be predictable but it was a bit too predictable, there were some gaps in character development, and it just took me a while to get into it.
The Emotion Code, Dr. Bradley Nelson (★★★★☆)
By now you know I’m a big believer in the power of stored emotions in the body often leading to illness, dis-ease, or contributing to various health conditions. It’s a part of the complex puzzle of health issues. This author is a chiropractor who, after years of study, work, and research, found how to tap into the body’s ability to identify and release stored emotions. Through muscle testing, TCM meridians, magnets, and the subconscious, the “emotion code” is given step by step in this book. I thought it was interesting and a concept I was aware of before but am interested in learning more / trying it myself!
Go the Distance: A Twisted Tale, Jen Calonita (★★★★★)
My nephew read this book and I was so interested! This is an entire young adult series that illustrates “what would happen if…” of popular Disney stories. Hercules is one of my favorite Disney movies so I wanted to read this - all about what would happen if Meg became a God. I loved how the story picked up right from the ending of the movie and stuck with the characters personalities really well. It was a quick read but really cute! I’m planning on reading the others in the series.
The Dinner List, Rebecca Serle (★★☆☆☆)
I’ve read and liked Serle’s other books but couldn’t get into this one. The popular question “if you could have dinner with 5 people dead or alive, who would they be?” becomes reality for the main character. I thought the idea was interesting and there were deeper meanings within the storyline but it just didn’t grab my attention enough. I didn’t love the characters. BUT I have a reading buddy that loved it so it’s worth a try reading!
We Are The Brennans, Tracey Lange (★★★★★)
I loved this more than I thought I would! It follows an Irish family and uncovers family secrets but the secrets that came up, I was NOT expecting. There was suspense, plot twists, and I couldn’t put it down. HIGHLY recommend.
After I Do, Taylor Jenkins Reid (★★☆☆☆)
Another one of my favorite authors. I listened to this as an audiobook but wasn’t super invested. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting but I didn’t love the book. The story is a married couple that falls out of love and take a year-long break to either see if they get back together or separate for good. They both come into their own, try new things, put themselves first in this time apart. I thought it could be very relatable but there were also a few other “plot twists” thrown in that made me feel like the story was messy.
The Sky Is Everywhere, Jandy Nelson (★★★★★)
After loving Nelson’s other book earlier this month, I couldn’t wait to read her other. It did not disappoint! This story also focuses on grief - primarily the different ways people grieve, coming to terms with living for themselves again, how to move forward, and how to find hope in living freely again. This had me laughing, emotional, and filled my heart.
Beautiful Little Fools, Jillian Cantor (★★★★★)
The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite books, ever since we read it in high school. I was so excited that I randomly found this! The original story of Gatsby is told from the perspective of the female characters - Daisy, Catherine, and Jordan. The author did an amazing job staying true to the original plot (by Fitzgerald) while highlighting these other perspectives. It starts with how Gatsby entered all of their lives and progresses through relationships, scandal, and struggles of women empowerment in the 20s. I definitely couldn’t put this one down!
If you want to keep up with what I’m reading, my favorites, and what’s on my reading list make sure to add me as a friend on Goodreads !