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TBR: May 2024



Happy May, everyone!

Going into this month I'm feeling like there are so many books, so little time! My TBR is overflowing with books that I want to read right now! Here is a list of the ones I'm going to attempt in May. 

I had to edit my first May TBR because too many of them were physical books that I would need to sit down and read, and I simply don't have much time for that in this season. But I came up with a list that I'm excited about.  Give it a look and let me know if you've read any of them!


I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger. Though I hadn't heard about this new release, I happened to see that its author, Leif Enger, is doing a Barnes & Noble author talk on the 8th. Enger's first novel, "Peace Like a River" is one of my favorite books of all time, so I jumped at the opportunity to read his latest installment and hear him speak about his writing process.

Hello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano. I'm already into this one and it's very good so far. Told from different perspectives beginning in the 70's, this audiobook is 15 hours long, so will keep me busy for a good long while! The narrator is the actress Maura Tierney, who I didn't realize was someone whose voice I was so familiar with. I mean, I can't even place which movies I've seen her in, for crying out loud! But listening to her is like having a family member read to me--very soothing.
The Lincoln Highway, by Amor Towles. This is the physical book that I'm currently reading. Like "A Gentleman in Moscow," it's quiet and takes its time. I wonder if this is a signature of Amor Towles or just a coincidence. It makes for a relaxing reading experience, which makes me feel like I can quietly watch the story unfold, unhurried. 
Mary Jane, by Jessica Anya Blau. This book has been on my TBR since it came out and I heard it recommended on the "What Should I Read Next?" podcast. I was going to listen to it last summer, but then I listened to, Malibu Rising and really disliked it. Mary Jane looked too similar in its feel, so I took it off my list. 

I decided to give it a shot after hearing it recommended once again and re-reading the book blurb. 


This Other Eden by Paul Harding. This is a book that got pushed by a library hold that I was more excited about (Tom Lake) and then I forgot to go back and finish it! I was only at the 5% mark when I stopped reading it, but things were definitely interesting! This is one that I got a physical copy of because it was so heavily discounted, so hopefully I'll have time to sit and read it in the evening. 

The Good Left Undone, by Adriana Trigiani. This is a summer read that was recommended by one of my favorite authors, Kristin Hannah. I needed more audiobook choices for the month and my library had this copy available. I don't know anything about it other than those things, but that's enough for me!
The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro. My library hold already came through for this audiobook, so I'll finally get to read this one! Hopefully. I have a mountain of work to do outside this month, so I need to stack a lot of audiobooks to keep me company. I listened to a little bit of the beginning and it reminded me of Downton Abbey told from the perspective of Mr. Carson. That could be completely wrong, but that was my first impression.
Trust, by Hernan Diaz. A Close Reads book that our in-person book club chose as our May pick. This is a Pulitzer Prize winner that I have been looking forward to all year! Scheduled for April 22 - May 20 on the podcast.

May Happenings: Things I'm excited about.

I'm excited for the 16th, when the Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Guide is released. I really appreciate this list to help balance my TBR. Left to my own devices, I read mostly classics and memoirs. Or I'll re-read something that I've already read. Thankfully I have a few sources for learning about new books, and this is one of them. 

Other things I'm looking forward to in May:

  • Transplanting my seedlings out to the garden
  • Having a glass of homemade kombucha (Gotta get it back up and running.)
  • Walking every day except Sunday
  • Connecting with a few friends
  • Planned outings with family: Disc golf, shooting, wildflower viewing, and an early morning birdwatching roadtrip.

I hope that you're all well, that you're getting to spend time outdoors, and that you'll have a month filled with things that bring joy to you. 

 




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