Monthly All-Stars: May 2021

To help you grab the good ones at the bookstore, I’m going to focus on the reads that stood out in my monthly reading. After all, who wants to hear about a bunch of meh books? So going forward I’ll be trying this Monthly All-Stars article, talking only about the 4 & 5 Star books I’d recommend! 

So here are the May standout reads:

Early Morning Riser

Written by Katherine Heiny

Published by Knopf Publishing Group

Highly recommend for your next, not-typical-romance, light hearted beach/summer/anytime comfort read, this relationship-centred story expertly displays that there is beauty in the quiet life, there are small hurts and great joys, and it doesn’t make it any less interesting than the flashy, scheduled-to-the-max, loud, hustle lives that we are encouraged to want. Read this one when you need a comfort and escape to the small town we all wish we lived in.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Root Magic

Written by Eden Royce

Published by Walden Pond Press

A powerful, holds nothing back, middle grade read that combines the power of Black magic, southern heat, historical fiction, and a powerful direct discussion of racism. The novel is quiet and slow, with beautiful description, but beats with a constant pulse of racial tension that keeps you always on edge, building to a genuine, heartbreaking climax. The combination of Black magic, fantastic characterization and sense of place, is authentic and completely absorbing.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Dial A for Aunties

Written by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Published by Berkley Books

Can’t wait for this to be a movie – can it please be a movie? – I thoroughly enjoyed all the familial dynamics & dramas, and the feisty, fighting, jealous, but always-got-your back Aunties definitely stole my heart … and left me desperately wanting a pack of hell raising Aunts of my own. If you’re someone who enjoys some maudlin humour and are looking for a different spin on the rom/com beach read, you’ll want to pick this up this summer!

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Mary Jane

Written by Jessica Anya Blau

Published by Custom House

I don’t know how to properly articulate how absorbed I was in this gentle coming-of-age story that combined interesting, lively characters with great heaps of 1970s summertime nostalgia. A perfect read to sink into on a beach this summer while you fall in love with some memorable characters, relive your own early teen years, and experience the sweetest little friendship between a five year old and her fourteen year old babysitter.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org