May 2020 Reading Wrap-Up

May’s Snapshot:

• Really the only thing that occurred in May, since we are still stuck at home with nowhere to go, is my complete obsession with Animal Crossing. Since our whole family has to share our island, it’s been interesting at times … more so because I am impatient and don’t really share very well.

• We made it to a 5 star island ranking! No gold roses yet though …

• Began experimental baking again and started to share some of those recipes on here … my Mother’s Day Cookies & Cream Chocolate Cake is ridiculously good. (More recipes are coming if I can get my act together and focus on simple tasks again).

• Found the most amazing Canadian soap shop: Buck Naked Soap Company. Obsessed with their Lavender + Rosemary soap and Moroccan Rose Salt Soak.

(sorted by TBR ranking & full reviews linked where available)

High

Writers & Lovers

Written by Lily King

Published by Grove Press

Lily’s stripped down style of writing was so incredibly addicting to me and I loved the powerful reflections on grief, sexism, finding & holding on to your creative spark, as well as fantastic insights into the writing process. See full review!

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Giver of Stars

Written by Jojo Moyes

Published by Pamela Dorman Books

(Audiobook)

I loved everything about this book and the audiobook narrator is one of my favourites, bringing to life these wonderful, strong women. The ending was a little rushed but never drowned out this incredible story based on the real women travelling librarians of rural America during the depression. Fantastic.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Echo Mountain

Written by Lauren Wolk

Published by Dutton Books for Young Readers

It is incredibly exciting to find a middle grade that breaks some molds like Lauren Wolk and her whisper quiet, poetic writing. She creates excellent atmosphere while providing startlingly detailed realities of living through the depression in a mountain setting. Her observations on nature have stuck with my daughter and I, having us taking a closer look at nature’s bounty on our walks. A wonderful, quiet narrative.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Written by Rick Riordan

Published by Disney-Hyperion

There really isn’t much to say about this series since I’m so late to the game, but I loved it. I respect Rick Riordan so much as an author, an advocate and a person, which is why I put off reading this for so long … worrying I might not like it. But it’s fantastic! I simple adored this adventure, this escapist creativity, wonderfully drawn characters, humour, friendships, and my love of mythology.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Lost for Words Bookshop

Written by Stephanie Butland

Published by St. Martin’s Press

(Audiobook)

I really recommend this as an audiobook and might have rated it lower if I’d read it myself. The narration really brings to life the powerful story of our main character who speaks to us directly much like a diary confession or therapy session. This has strong, powerful topics including domestic abuse, grief, and anxiety disorder.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Middle

First Star I See Tonight

Written by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Published by Avon Books

This was a surprising disappointment for me by my go-to romance author. It just wasn’t my brand of sexy by any means with some questionable consent, odd love scenes and meandering, loosely connected subplots.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Clockmaker’s Daughter

Written by Kate Morton

Published by Washington Square Press

This one hovers between middle and high for me … or a strong 3.5 … it just felt over written and bloated at times. After working through an incredibly detailed 500 pages, the novel just sort of ended. There are a lot of characters and timelines to follow along here but if you’re a historical fiction fan or Kate Morton fan it’s worth a try, but not my favourite from her.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Wonder Woman: Warbringer

Written by Leigh Bardugo

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers

There wasn’t anything essentially “wrong” with this read … it plays out just like any super hero movie you’ve seen. I guess in that lay my problem with it, I was hoping Queen Leigh was going to bring some new depth to Diana. The ample girl power and strong female friendships were much appreciated though.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Low

Olivia Twist

Written by Lorie Langdon

Published by Blink

(Audiobook)

I simply found this … lacklustre. I never understood why the main characters were in love, one page they were strangers, the next in love. The landscape of gritty 1800s London was well drawn, but not enough to overcome the awkward, dominating love story.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

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