Wrapping Up Spring Reading - May Update

by Donna Huber

I don't know about you but May went really fast. It was busy as life returns to normal and it seems like I have more to do now than I did before the pandemic.

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Life Update...

So now that I'm fully vaccinated I'm getting back to doing stuff. Unfortunately, I had found things to fill the extra time I had during the pandemic that I don't want to give up. I'm going to have to find a balance because I'm physically exhausted. I'm so glad I have a three-day weekend though so far I haven't caught up on any sleep or reading for that matter as my to-do list just keeps growing.

I've been to the garden stores a few times this month and I went into Barnes & Nobles. I had a gift card and I totally splurged on something that I've wanted for a long time but would never spend my own money on - illustrated Harry Potter. I got Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - I can't stop grinning when I look at them because I'm so happy to have them. They are gorgeous.

Another thing I did this month that I haven't done since the pandemic started - I went inside a restaurant to eat. I went to Panera for lunch one Saturday as it isn't crowded on the weekends. The few people inside were all spread out and everyone was still being careful. I also attended my Ladies Homestead Gathering meeting in person last week. It was outside on a member's farm so I felt that was a good way to ease myself back into social events.

I'm hoping now that we are moving into summer that things will slow down. Spring is always so busy with trying to get the yard ready and planting. I'm growing some herbs on my front patio and on the back deck I have pots with tomatoes, green peppers, and eggplants. I'm hoping to get the garden beds ready in my "secret garden" area in time for fall planting. But first I need to hire someone to take down 4 trees.

I'm continuing my French lessons on DuoLingo and tomorrow I will complete my third month of practicing yoga every day with Yoga with Adrienne. It was hard this month with so much focus on the core muscles.

Blog Update...

We have been busy on the blog this month. As usual, we have a mix of older titles and new releases. Here are the posts that have been most popular.

• Susan's review of The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen. I've also read the book and it really is a great book to read this summer, especially if you are dreaming of travel.
• If love young adult fiction, be sure to check out MK's review of two young adult novels that came out this month.
• Every summer I look forward to Nancy Thayer's new book. Check out my review of Family Reunion.
• Alison reviewed Piranesi by Susanna Clarke.
• We also featured an excerpt from Susan Mallery's new book The Stepsisters.

Popular on Bookstagram

Our libraries are back to being fully open so I ran in to get the free book my book club is discussing later next month. While there I couldn't help but snap a quick photo of the colorful piano sitting outside. That picture was the most liked post on our Instagram page.

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Books Update...

After having some record-setting reading months during the Pandemic, I'm just slightly above my pre-pandemic average number of books read. However, it is more like books listened to. I just can't seem to find the time to sit down to read a book so my audiobook listening is way up. Good news though is that Netgalley finally fixed the app so that I can log in and listen to ARCs of audiobooks. 

Books in the Mailbox

I received a couple of books in the mail this month. The Grumpy Frumpy Croissant by Mona K is a young reader book with activities. I'll be reviewing it next month. Both Susan and MK reviewed The Clover Girls (read the reviews here and here) and after reading their reviews, I was jealous that I hadn't read it. I participated in the launch campaign and was given a copy - YAY!

Books Read

I read or listened to 13 books this month: 5 ebooks and 8 audiobooks. I might finish the audiobook I'm currently listening to today. Here's how I'm doing on my goals:

1. Read more or as many reviews copies: 7/13 (YTD: 41/58)
2. Read 12 backlog (prior to 2021) review copies: 0 (YTD: 1)
3. Read/listen to 125 books: 58/125 (I'm 6 books ahead of schedule)

Here's a closer look at the 11 books I read or listened to this month.

Family Reunion by Nancy Thayer

For me, summer starts when I've read Nancy Thayer's new beach read. I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book. Eleanor was the only character I liked right from the start. Her grown children Alicia and Cliff just seemed like money-hungry immature adults. It felt a little too much like the prodigal son who wanted his inheritance before his father was even dead. I still don't think I care much for Alicia or Cliff at the end of the book. But I enjoyed Ari and Beck, Beach Camp, and Silas. So they made up for the few times the other showed up. More so than ever, I really want to visit Nantucket. I received a free ARC from the publisher via Netgalley. Read my full review.

Goodreads

Buy Family Reunion at Amazon

The Second Sleep by Robert Harris

If my book club hadn't chosen this book I probably never would have picked it up. It was interesting at first, but about halfway through I just lost interest in the plot and the characters. It just wasn't my kind of story. The discussion was pretty good. I checked the audiobook from my digital library.

Goodreads

Buy The Second Sleep at Amazon

Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

I've wanted to read Jenny Colgan for a while but just haven't had the time. I noticed that the digital library had one of her books in audio and decided now was the time to listen to it. Really enjoyed this book. It made me want to bake bread the whole time. The characters were great and now I want to open my own little bakeshop. 

Goodreads

Buy Little Beach Street Bakery at Amazon

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews

A bit of a tense read but enjoyable. I loved last year's summer book Hello, Summer and knew it would be a hard act to follow. I enjoyed the characters as the story is set at a motel that has a number of "snowbirds" - retirees who reside in Florida during the winter months. They are a quirky bunch that constantly insert levity into the story. I also really liked the owner's son Joe (the whole family is pretty great). I received a free ARC via Netgalley. Read my full review.  

Goodreads

Buy The Newcomer at Amazon

Pawsitively Poisonous by Melissa Erin Jackson

I usually only read paranormal cozies during October but this one popped up on YouTube (the author's channel) and since I was between audiobooks I gave it a go. I enjoyed the characters and I think the series has real potential. I would definitely listen to another book. The narrator did a great job.

Goodreads

Buy Pawsitively Poisonous at Amazon

(the ebook is free)

Auntie Poldi and the Lost Madonna by Mario Giordano

I missed a few of the books between the first one and this one but that's okay. One, it seems like a relatively short period of time between the books. And two, it can really be read as a standalone. If you want to try translated fiction and enjoy cozy mysteries, then this is a great book to read. I received a free ARC via Netgalley. Read my full review.

Goodreads

Buy Auntie Poldi and the Lost Madonna at Amazon

Pawsitively Cursed by Melissa Erin Jackson

A fun paranormal cozy mystery. It feels like there is a lot going on in this book and I kept being interrupted. As it isn't easy as easy to rewind to a spot as it is to flip back a few pages, I'm sure a missed some pieces of the story. But overall it was enjoyable and would be great for my Halloween binge reading. I listened to the audiobook on the author's YouTube channel.

Goodreads

Buy Pawsitively Cursed at Amazon

Pawsitively Suspiciousby Melissa Erin Jackson

If you want to hear how Amber and the police chief met or want to get a taste of Jackson's writing before investing several hours in an audiobook, then Pawsitively Suspicious is a nice introduction. It's only 40 minutes long. I listened to the YouTube exclusive audiobook on the author's channel.

A Peculiar Combination by Ashley Weaver

I was excited to see Ashley Weaver had a new series coming out. That it was set during one of my favorite time periods to read about - WWII - is a bonus While I like the Amory Ames series, I think I liked this one a bit more. And not just because of the setting. I enjoyed the characters more. I received a free ARC via Netgalley. Read my full review.

Goodreads

Buy A Peculiar Combination at Amazon

Victoria's War by Catherine A. Hamilton

Victoria's War tells the story of two women who to the world seem to be helpless but stand up to the evil spreading through their countries during WWII. I really liked the characters. The audiobook was well done. The story was easy to follow even with moderate distractions. I received a free audiobook ARC via Netgalley. Read my full review.

Goodreads

Buy Victoria's War at Amazon

You're All Mine by Ruth Harrow

I spent most of the book feeling confused. I couldn't tell if scenes were in the present or flashbacks. But most of my confusion stemmed from the blurb being slightly misleading. I didn't really feel the tension that a suspense novel usually envokes. If you like the domestic thrillers of B.A. Paris then I recommend trying this book. I received a free audiobook via Audiobookworm Promotions. My full review will be published in June as part of the tour.

Goodreads

Buy You're All Mine at Amazon

Under the Sea: A World Like No Other by Seeker

I have only listened to a couple of nonfiction books but I have to say this didn't feel like I was listening to an audiobook. It felt like a cross between a podcast and a TED Talk. It was interesting and the science was very accessible. If you have a middle-grades or high school child interested in the ocean then they would like this book and understand the information. It's short, too - only about 1 hour. A free audiobook was provided via Netgalley. Read my full review.

Goodreads

Buy Under the Sea at Amazon

Going Greek by Sue Roberts

A good summery chick-lit/women's fiction story. I didn't really like the main character (she's a bit too whiny for me) so it made it hard to get into the story as it is basically her talking to the reader. I would have liked a bit more showing and less telling. I loved the setting - reminded me of the Durrells in Corfu with the colorful village life. I received a free ARC via Netgalley. Read my full review.

Goodreads

Buy Going Greek at Amazon

   

And that is what happened in May. How was your month?

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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