Books I Read in May
I wasn’t completely sure that I would finish three books this month. I got off to kind of a slow start, and spent more time watching TV at night. Specifically Dancing With the Stars and The Voice. (I was fully on Team Meryl and Maks, so I’m super excited.)
Anyway… I did finish three books! The long weekend helped and then the lack of decent summer TV also helped. I spent a lot of nights on our porch under the ceiling fan devouring these books. My reviews this month are a little mixed, so read ahead!
This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
This is the book that made me feel most conflicted. I liked it. I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to see the movie. But I also didn’t like any of the characters. But they’re flawed and they’re real. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments in this book, and quite a few times I gave the book to Todd to read a few paragraphs that had me in stitches. I love that this book gave me a strong reaction to the characters and it would be impossible not to recommend someone read it just because it was so wildly entertaining. This is not a story of a lovey dovey family. This family is full of secrets and eyebrow-raising moments. But I just couldn’t stand the characters. I’m not really even sure what to say about that. Did I like it or not? I guess I should had a strong reaction to it, and that’s a good thing.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Oh my goodness. This book stirred some emotions in me, too. I didn’t cry, but I felt so sad for both of the characters. I loved them and how well-developed they are. This book tells the story of two teenage misfits who develop an unlikely relationship. It’s set in the 80s, so there are some fun references there. I highly recommend this one just because of the great character development. I’m hoping for a sequel, and I saw that DreamWorks picked up the rights to the movie.
Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
This was my favorite book I read all month. Goodness, this book tells a tragic story of love, of loss, of disease, and jealousy. But it’s also a great coming-of-age book, and it had some really beautiful moments of healing and forgiveness and friendship. I really enjoyed it!
*Some people have asked what my top reading recommendations are for beach reads for the summer. You can look back at what I’ve read so far this year, but my top 3 beach reads so far are What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty, Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, and now Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. (If you haven’t read these, go ahead and do it!)
In June, I plan to read The One and Only by Emily Giffin, The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith, and something nonfiction. Any nonfiction recommendations?
