May was an extremely rough month for me. For a month that honors mental health awareness, mine took a nosedive. But, I finished 11 books, the majority of which were excellent.

Demon Copperhead and My Friends are now on my list of absolute favorites, and Blacktop Wasteland is one more reason to love S.A. Cosby. I cannot wait to get my hands on his newest, King of Ashes, when it drops in June!

Here’s a quick recap of my May reads with a few thoughts about each. What was your favorite May read?

5 Stars: Absolutely Enjoyed, Would Recommend

• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver: Pulitzer Prize winner, glorious writing, heartbreakingly memorable (review here)
• My Friends by Fredrik Backman: Unique voices; witty & observant; beautiful, emotional writing (review here)
• Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby: Crime thriller, brutal, and gorgeously gut-wrenching (review here)
• Atomic Habits by James Clear: Thorough, motivating, real-world applications

4 Stars: Very Happy I Read, May Recommend

• Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan: Black voices, spicy, touching romance (review here)
• The Love Haters by Katherine Center: Memorable point of view, Key West setting, romance & loving yourself
• Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult: Trigger warning, moral questions, mother-son bond

3 Stars: Happy to Have Read

• Running Kind: Because Running Doesn’t Have to Hurt by Christine Stovell: Memoir, honest, informative 
• The Mayor of Maxwell Street by Avery Cunningham: Enjoyable, historical fiction, diverse representation 
• Deep Cuts by Holly Brinkley: Late 90s & 2000s, indie & pop rock, complicated romance 
• Two Henrys by Kevin Allison: Humorous, short story, LGBTQIA representation