may reading wrap up featured image
Book Lists,  Books,  Monthly Wrap Ups

May Reading Wrap Up

June 5, 2018 / 47 Comments

May was a fantastic month of reading for me! While I didn’t read everything on my list (“All The Light We Cannot See” got bumped to my June TBR), I did read four books from my May TBR and a couple that I didn’t anticipate reading. For the most part, I enjoyed everything I picked up this month, and I’m happy to be knocking a few books off my shelf that have been waiting to be read for years. Here’s a little mini-review of everything I read last month in a little May reading wrap up. Let’s get started!

trigger warning by neil gaimanImage from Goodreads

1. “Trigger Warning” by Neil Gaiman
“Trigger Warning” was just the short story collection I was looking for. I wouldn’t call it horror, but Gaiman combined elements of the supernatural to create eerie stories that left me on the edge of my seat. Because it was a bunch of short stories, it’s hard to give a succinct review of the book since each story offered something new and different, but overall, I felt like the book had a good flow. Each story felt like it had a proper place in the book, and I enjoyed each for different reasons. I gave “Trigger Warning” 5/5 stars.

picking cotton by jennifer thompson and ronald cottonImage from Amazon

2. “Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption” by Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton with Erin Tornea
I loved “Picking Cotton.” Anyone that has talked to me in the last month knows. I thought it was a really well written book that encompassed themes about criminal justice, forgiveness, and friendship. Check out my full review of “Picking Cotton.” I gave this book 5/5 stars as well.

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. DickImage from Amazon

3. “The Man in the High Castle” by Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick is a true genius. His book was well crafted and left me (and so many others) wanting more. Though I did get a little lost with the changing perspectives and plethora of characters, I still didn’t feel like I missed the point of the novel when I went back and read analyses about the book after I finished it. Personally, I felt like Dick spent too much time building the world and not enough time dismantling it. The ending felt rushed, and Juliana became incredibly entitled. I gave “The Man in the High Castle” 4/5 stars.

red queen by victoria aveyardImage from Amazon

4. “Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard
I liked “Red Queen.” I thought Aveyard did a good job setting up a world where people are divided by the color of their blood, and writing about a diverse group of characters. I’m not slamming her writing style. But personally, I didn’t think there was anything new and different about this book. Aveyard follows a very well-used outline for a dystopian young adult novel with predictable plot twists and story developments. Since this is a series, I’m excited to see where she takes it with the next couple of books because I know she can make this world and storyline her own. I gave “Red Queen” 3/5 stars.

I gave a mini-review of each of these reads on my Instagram if you want to check it out.

young adult books to read at any age

Bonus Reads: “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” by J.K. Rowling
I started rereading the Harry Potter series after I got back from a trip to visit a friend. I typically reread at least one Harry Potter book a year if not the entire series because it usually serves as a reminder as to why I love reading in the first place. It doesn’t take me long to read them, and they are honestly such a comfort to me when I’m feeling a bit down. I used to hate “The Prisoner of Azkaban,” but now I think it’s one of my favorites since it sets so much up for the later books. I gave it 4/5 stars, and I gave “The Goblet of Fire” 5/5 stars. What’s your favorite Harry Potter book? Personally, I love “The Half Blood Prince,” and I can’t wait to get to it in this reread.

What books did you finish in the month of May? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy reading,
Kimberly

You May Also Like

One Year Later

One Year Later

March 16, 2021
chobsky

Top 5 Wednesday: Rainy Day Reads

April 7, 2016
fall PLAYLIST Featured Image

Fall Playlist

October 19, 2018

47 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *