This post follows the same format as the one for April and is everything I read in May – my May reads. And honestly, you can read these any order since I am not really reading all the new books so see what takes your fancy. I ended up reading some books I had been waiting to read – my library finally got these in e-books and I was so excited. I kept the weekend after I got my vaccine free to take it easy and catch up on all of these books I was waiting to read.
Now when I looked at my list this month its definitely thriller heavy which I am addicted to reading. I finish these in a day or two and usually read them on my library app (its called Borrower Box) and enjoy them thoroughly.
BOOKS
Fiction
The Past by Tessa Hadley
This book makes for lovely summer holiday reading – with the exact amount of of edge that I like. The premise is so promising and it totally lives up to that promise. The book is based on a four siblings meeting at their childhood summer home and the baggage they bring.
The Swimming Pool by Louise Candlish ****
Great psychological thriller with a background of class politics which I love. There were enough twists to keep it interesting and it was a quick read for me.
Blurred Lines by Hannah Begbie *****
I picked this up thinking its one of those basic psychological thrillers although the blurb did sound promising. The book is even more interesting and I loved it so much I ended up talking about it on my podcast as well, on episode 13. It managed to discuss the ‘Me Too’ movement, media and the movie making business with work politics in the most perfect way.
The Therapist by B.A. Paris ***
Again, one of those one or two day reads although cant say this was particularly good. I have read her previous books so ended up reading this when it came to the library but not one I would recommend as such.
Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman ****
I really enjoyed the book but honestly, its a little painful to read if you have no chance of travelling anytime soon. I am already itching to travel to Italy and this book didn’t help. The images of Italy and the summer life in Italy that it paints is absolutely beautiful. I personally love books that manage to create that summer holiday vibe which this does so well.
The Pretenders by Agatha Zaza ***** (I received a copy of this book from Net Galley)
I really really liked this book. All the events in the book takes place in the course of one day. I love the biases of the readers it plays on.
The Push by Ashley Audrain *****
I have been wanting to read this book for a really long time and reserved it as soon as I saw it on my library app. Its not comfortable reading. Its a dark book, with disturbing subject matter and I loved it! So glad it made it into my May reads.
Non Fiction
Very British Problems by Rob Temple ***
This book originated from a Twitter handle and is a fun easy read. Perfect for the bathroom library!
Women & Power: A Manifesto by Mary Beard ****
This book was an eye opener. It charts the history of sexism and misogyny all the way from ancient Greece. The book is actually pretty much a transcript of some of her lectures so its quite short. Honestly, its intense so short and sweet is a good way to go with something like this.
Plastic Free by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz and Joanna Arthurfold Finn *** (I received a copy of this book from Net Galley)
It took me quite sometime read this book and write this review but I think thats expected with most non-fiction reads. The tag line of this book is quite obvious and makes the subject of this book quite clear: ‘The Inspiring Story of a Global Environmental Movement and Why It Matters’. I enjoyed this book quite a book but you know I have an interest in the subject matter but I have to say – I found it repetitive and it could be shorter. I liked knowing more about the anti-plastic movement but I didn’t feel like I got a cohesive idea about the movement itself. I also felt like I didn’t get any information on how to make a movements like this work on a global scale like this one did. The book would do well with some editing would be my suggestion.
Also, I read some other reviews of this book and saw many people were disappointed it did not actually provide a lot of informaiton on the practicalities of going and how to go plastic free. I understand this complaint but also want to point out the tag line of the book makes it clear what its subject matter is so it not fair to assume its a instruction manual on how to go plastic free.
SHORT STORIES/ SHORT STORY COLLECTIONS
Forgotten by Jeffrey Deaver ***
This was the first Jeffrey Deaver I read and honestly I didn’t realise how famous he is. I did enjoy the book but as a genre its not really my thing. I don’t mind trying out of his books though.
Let the Old Dead Make Room for The New Dead by Milan Kundera ****
Really liked this one. I mentioned stories in this Faber series in the last book post as well and end up enjoying most of them. Even in a short story, the atmosphere that he manages to create is so skilful.
ARTICLES
We Are Witnessing A Crime Against Humanity by Arundhuti Roy
I know I have mentioned this before, on my blog as well as Instagram but the Covid situation in India has always at the back of mind – whatever I do. Its just something I cannot NOT think of. She doesn’t write about the incidents or horrific scenes unfolding but the feelings and thinking she manages to bring out is just always intense. I read this article and it made me cry .
The Tiniest Changes Can Reap The Greatest Reward by Pandora Sykes
I enjoyed reading this article about the writer’s routine as well as her attempts to break out from routine. This is very close of my experience, I like my routines and need time to adjust to changes in an expected routine.
I hope you enjoyed this post about my May reads. I would really enjoy hearing about your reading experiences and any book recommendations as well as any thoughts on the books I have mentioned. As you can tell, I love chatting about books! Make sure you are following me on Instagram and for more book chat listen to my podcast, Eat Watch Binge Read. You can listen to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts I also have a book highlight on Instagram which is useful.
– Anisha
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