May reads

I’m warning you upfront: this is a long post! 

But don’t be too impressed. May is a long month and here at the end, I had a daytime stretch of 16 hours with no power, so I read. What else are you going to do? 

So settle in for all the books. . . 

The Women by Kristin Hannah

I have not stopped thinking about this book since I read it. I warn you, it’s intense. (Some language, but not as much as there could have been!) But I feel like I understand the Vietnam War and military veterans, no matter their role, much better than before I read this. So much I knew but didn’t really understand. I have a much deeper respect for veterans of all wars, but especially Vietnam. And especially the women who served the wounded near the actual fighting. Heartbreaking, but a hopeful ending. Highly recommended. 

One Last Chance by Susan May Warren

I love when two broken hearts collide and help one another heal. That’s the story of Axel and Flynn. As usual, it’s a nonstop adrenaline ride! This releases June 4 on Amazon, but you can get it early on Susan’s website.

The Queen’s Handmaid by Tracy Higley

Tracy is amazing at putting you right in the ancient world and giving insight into history while telling a fictional tale. This one includes Antony and Cleopatra as well as King Herod. And it’s the prequel to the Incense Road series, which is about the wise men who seek baby Jesus. Makes me want to read those again too! 

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

I actually tried to read this sometime last year and put it down in the first chapter. But this time when I picked it up, I couldn’t read it fast enough! Shows that sometimes being able to “get into” a book depends on timing. Loved this tale of a misfit trying to find some place of happiness in her life and the group of friends she opens her heart to. Uplighting and joyful and funny and sweet. 

Engaged in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones

Oh, I love a good Jenny B. Jones book. This one not only had her signature romance and humor, but a mystery too. Even though it’s a separate series, it is set in Sugar Creek, so it has those wonderful ex-CIA agent grandmas, Silvie and Frannie. They are a hoot! 

Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green

My sister has been telling me to read this series (Windy City Saga) since it first came out. I listened to this one because it was in the Audible library. It was wonderful. Historical with a bit of romance and mystery centered around the Chicago Fire and veterans of the Civil War. And now I’ve discovered that the other two are in the Audible library as well! Yay! 

The Whisper in Wind by Rachael Bloome

This is the sixth in the Poppy Creek series, and it involves two people we’ve seen in several of the books, so that was fun. Another sweet romance. 

The Noble Smuggler by Sian Ann Bessey

I’ve been missing my usual Regency romances because I’m waiting on the authors I enjoy to release new books. Somehow I stumbled on this author and series. It’s Georgian in era, which I rarely find, but which I love. The reviews were good so I gave it a shot. It was great! In fact, this is the first book in a whole series called Georgian Gentlemen. I feel certain I’ll be reading the series. 

A Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith

I always enjoy a No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency book (this is #23), but I loved this one in particular. It was such a great story and pulled in all the various characters in the series and wove together several storylines to make a very satisfying read. 

For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer

If you haven’t read the Timeless series (this is book 3), you should! I’m just amazed at how Gabrielle weaves together these time traveler stories and always surprises me somewhere along the way. Looking forward to book 4 this fall! 

Resilient and Redeemed by Chris Morris

Non-fiction, y’all! This is a very honest and yet practical book about mental illness and faith. While Chris tells his story of severe issues with depression and suicidality, despite being a Christian seeking to grow in faith, his insights into scripture and himself resonated with me, too, even though my anxiety issues have been small compared to his. I think this is a great book for anyone struggling with mental health issues, big or small, who also wants to grapple with and affirm their faith. This doesn’t release until June 11, but you can pre-order now.

I actually finished one other book this month. It was by a bestselling author. I listened to it and, honestly, enjoyed it until the last 45 minutes of the story. Then I was so angry at the “truth” the ending displayed that I couldn’t even bring myself to put the book here or on my Instagram monthly reads post for fear anyone would think I was recommending it. I hate it when that happens! 

If you made it all the way to here, kudos to you! Thanks for sticking with me. I hope your May reading was as wonderful as mine was.