May is my month. Between Mothers’ Day and my birthday, the celebrations revolve around me.
I don’t have complete control over the celebrations. I was interested in ordering a Sunday brunch, but hubby wanted steaks instead. Then I was looking at desserts and mentioned that the boys aren’t cheesecake fans. His response? “Honey, it’s your day, get what YOU want.” Whatever.
What’s awesome about May is that I can ask people to buy stuff for me. I also give them the option of giving me money so that I can buy stuff for me. For Christmas, I got gift cards and cash from family members who weren’t heading out to the stores. My big splurge was my Kindle Paperwhite and e-books. Now I’m making sure my book wish list is up to date for the May gift haul.
Here’s what’s at the top of my book lists:
Recently Read
I’ve already read 2 Advanced Review Copies (ARC’s) due for publication in May. I’ve also just finished a recently released that looked too fascinating to stay on my shelf. Keep an eye out for them (and my upcoming reviews).
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon (May 4)
Vern is a pregnant teen who brings readers along on her extraordinary evolution after fleeing a cult-like compound. I can’t really describe more without spoilers, but it’s better to come into this story unspoiled and figure out what’s going on by yourself.
Blood Parish by E.J. Findorff (May 30)
Why did an entire baseball team disappear? That’s the cold case FBI agent Angel Blondeaux is trying to solve when she returns to her hometown, which is run by her crime family relatives. Can she solve the mystery, or will she die trying?
Orange City by Lee Matthew Goldberg
I have to confess that I bought this for myself as an early present. I read the excerpt twice and had the same I need this book NOW urge. it’s a dystopian world that offers felons and other outcasts a chance at a new life, if they’re willing to sign their lives away to comply with the orders of the “Man”.
Currently Reading
Optimize Your Immune System by Marie Ruggles
I have a chronic illness, so I want to do whatever I can to maximize my health. Ruggles offers tips for steps you can take to get healthier.
The Path to Purpose: Helping Our Children Find Their Calling in Life by William Damon
Before my children were born, my biggest worry was that they would be serial killers. I never wanted to be one of those crying women on TV insisting that they were such nice boys when they were little. Now I have two teenage sons, and my biggest worry is that they will never leave our home. We’ve said that we want them to do what they love and what they’re good at, which is all well and good when the boys are cute and tiny. Now that they’re older and hairier, they need a life away from their video games. UNLESS, they work for a company that will pay them to spend all day with video games. This book has been recommended to me by others who yearn to change their children’s rooms into guest rooms less than 10 years from now.
Top of the TBR
TBR stands for To Be Read list. Some of these have already been published, while others are ARC’s scheduled for release on the dates shown.
Coming Soon
These books will be published on the dates shown.
The Question is Murder by Mark Willen (May 14th)
A columnist known to his readers as Mr. Ethics faces a moral dilemma as he gets caught up in the investigation of a senator’s murder. I’m a sucker for political thrillers.
The Audacity of Sara Grayson by Joani Willett (May 25th)
I’m the Queen of Boyland, but sometimes I’ve just got to girl up. One the rare occasions that I’m alone, I’ll put aside action movies for a chick flick. Chick lit is a great summer read, whether you’re vacationing or stay-cationing.
Moonlighting: An Oral History by Scott Ryan (June 1)
Some walk by night, some fly by day… I still love having an earworm with Al Jarreau singing that theme song. The show that launched Bruce Willis was appointment television for me, despite all of the rumored behind-the-scenes mayhem.
On a Bookshelf Near Me
I’ve got piles of books on my shelves waiting to be read. Here are the ones currently catching my eye.
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
I’ve had this on my wishlist since the moment I found out that Atwood was releasing a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. My sons are registering for next year’s classes, and my rising 11th grader chose Dystopian Literature for his 1st semester English class. They’ll be reading The Handmaid’s Tale, so I thought it would be worthwhile to get The Testaments in case his class addresses the sequel. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
Dragon Fire by Lisa McMann
Before Lisa McMann became a best-selling author, she was a reality TV show geek on a forum I moderated. When she described her inspiration for The Unwanteds series, I was hooked. Dragon Fire is book #5 in the follow-up series, The Unwanteds Quests. I feel like a bad online friend for being way behind, since she’s published two more books to end the series. I keep telling myself that I’ve had less reading time since I’m hooked on Nancy Drew, the TV series starring Lisa’s daughter Kennedy McMann in the title role. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
Where the Devil Won’t Go by E.J. Findorff
The second Findorff book on the list, so it’s obvious I enjoyed Blood Parish. The New Orleans author introduces Detective Peyroux as he investigates an unnamed Jane Doe found near the Mississippi River. When he travels to the Bayou to notify the family, he’s thrust in the middle of more disappearances and murder.
The Top of My Wishlist
If you’re wondering what I want for my birthday/Mother’s Day/any other day that someone wants to give me a present, here’s a start. I’ll be happy to keep going down the list if anyone makes it worth my while.
What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism by Dan Rather
If you’re not following Dan Rather on Twitter, you’re missing out on his witty analysis of current events. I’m also on his newsletter list. The word patriotism is being thrown around these days, so I’d like to read his perspective.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel) by Suzanne Collins
Back to dystopian literature for me. I’ve read an online excerpt of this prequel and want to jump back into life in the Capitol and Districts of Panem. As I’m opening presents, I’ll be hoping that the odds are ever in my favor.
How To Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
Anyone can sit on the sidelines, complain, and shoot down any solutions other people offer. I was impressed by Kendi’s interviews and think that this National Book Award winning author could help cut through my ignorance. I don’t want to make the problem worse. I want to know how I could be part of the solution. I’ve gotten other book recommendations, but this will be my launching point.
So, what books are on your May reading list?
