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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

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