It’s a new month, which means another opportunity to tackle a never-ending backlog of books to read! For May, here is what I hope to dive into — a mix of fiction, nonfiction, and more mystery novels. I enjoyed Lucy Foley’s The Paris Apartment, so I’m trying to integrate more novels like this into my TBR.
Like Streams to the Ocean, Jedidiah Jenkins.
A hybrid memoir and anthology of criticisms and reflections on the elements that make humanity what it is: ego, family, love, home, friendship, work, death, and the soul. I’m at that age where I can actually look back and have literal decades worth of history to evaluate now. That’s how this book makes me feel.
Rising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble. The Revolution., Brene Brown.
The only reason I am reading this book is that I want to learn to face my emotions with sharper clarity and detachment. Brene Brown’s superpower is convincing us to do it, and somehow she makes it sound less painful than it is.
Arsenic and Adobo, Mia P. Manansala.
A whodunnit generously sprinkled with self-aware humor and Filipino family customs. It doesn’t get better than this. I also admit I haven’t found much contemporary fiction written by Filipino authors, so I’m eager to dip my toe into this pool. Ang saya.
Ametora: How Japan Saved American Style, W. David Marx.
I heard about this book from fashion Youtuber Bliss Foster. Several months ago, I wanted to learn more about the history of fashion and how it weaves itself so deeply into the culture, customs, and psyche. Ametora dissects how the Japanese integrated Western-style and how that influenced the West in return.
Daisy Jones and the Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid.
I will never tire of saying that Taylor Jenkins Reid is an auto-read author for me. While waiting for the release of her newest book, Carrie Soto Is Back, I’ll be nose deep in this one.
Women and Madness, Phyllis Chesler.
This book came as a strong recommendation after a typical heated conversation with a friend regarding our frustrations with patriarchal and misogynistic norms. The book is a series of interviews analyzing women’s roles and experiences influenced by societal and historical dictations.
The Maid: A Novel, Nita Prose.
An awkward, socially-stunted young hotel maid gets entangled in an inexplicable, high-profile murder. It’s like The Flight Attendant, but replacing the flighty, high-strung, drunk main character for an introverted, high-strung, OCD one.
Did any of these titles pique your interest? Let me know if you’ll be reading any of these! You can also check out my book lists from March, or 5 surprisingly good nonfiction books I read in April.
One thought on “Books I’m excited to read this May”