May Flowers
We often hear April showers bring May flowers, but in our part of the world, we’re seeing a mix of everything! May flowers for sure, but sometimes, in the beginning, we’ll get rather cold weather, and occasionally snow. May is much more unpredictable than it used to be, although while I type this (late) it’s absolutely beautiful out.
You just never know what you’re going to get and that seems to fit with the month. A lot happens in May, especially if you’re a parent. We’re already going through spring cleaning, seasonal changes (and allergies to go with them) and gardening, but, as parents, we also have May recitals, last-minute field trips, end-of-year parties and all that minutia to get the school year wrapped up. Did we mention summer camps and day care? That process should have started back at the beginning of the year.
Speaking of school, a lot of teachers we know fear that “summer slide” and many assign summer reading. Others focus on end-of-year reading with the hopes of kids wanting to continue while on holiday. For example, one woman who teaches younger kids had them read Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo and now they’re finishing A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen. Both are great books and both are very different. Her hope is that the kids will want to continue exploring new genres after they’ve left her classroom.
If you have kids, we encourage you to keep them reading over the summer months. That “summer slide” has been known to significantly contribute to learning loss. With that said, there’s still plenty of time! There are some great series out there. Want a couple recommendations? Try any of the Rick Riordan books. He is a fan fave, and – bonus – he also writes graphic novels too. Another option would be the I Survived series which focuses on actual events in history. As with Riordan, this series also has graphic novels. Lastly, consider reading to your kiddo. It’s a great way to get them into reading and a wonderful way to bond too.
Looking for a good book for yourself? Freida McFadden’s recently published books The Crash and The Boyfriend are fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat quick thrillers that keep you guessing all the way to the end, especially with The Boyfriend. And, in classic Freida McFadden style, there are plenty of twists. In the horror space, consider The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig. It’s creepy, it’s psychological and just plain nightmarish. Five kids go into the woods one night and find a mysterious staircase. One goes up and vanishes. Five years later, the remaining four find another staircase. Like their friend, they climb it in hopes of finding him, and that’s where the nightmare begins. Look for our review coming soon.
One more book we hope you’ll check out is I See You’ve Called in Dead by John Kenney. It’s witty, emotional and, in its own way, downright inspirational. Bud Stanley has a bit too much to drink one night and publishes his own obituary. Because his newspaper technically cannot fire a dead man, Bud gets a reprieve and a second chance to learn what life is really about. And he does that by visiting the funerals of strangers. You can’t sell this book enough. Read it, listen to it, watch the movie – if one ever comes out.
Lastly, be sure to call your mother. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11, and it would be wrong to not include a couple books to all the moms and like-a-moms in our lives. On our list to read: My Friends by Fredrik Backman about the friendship shared by a group of teens and the impact it has on a woman 25 years later. Also on our list is The Influencers by Anna-Marie McLemore, a thriller about the consequences of life as a momfluencer and the death of her new husband. The suspects? Her five daughters who had once served as “content” for her videos.
Happy May, Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Reading!
Booklist Six: Books to Check Out in May
I Know You Saw Her by Ann Girdharry – Thriller
Five years ago, Amy left for university and vanished without a trace. Five years later, after all leads were exhausted, her sister Fiona is still determined to find out what happened and has taken up residence where Amy had once rented a room. Under an assumed name, she puts together the pieces of her sister’s life until, ultimately, she discovers a horrifying and complicated truth. Be sure to read my review! Find it here: https://bit.ly/4dotK44
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong - Literary Fiction
The story follows Hai, a Vietnamese American teenager, whose attempted suicide is thwarted by an elderly woman with dementia. With nowhere else to go, he ends up staying with her and becoming her caretaker. Like the woman, Hai, too, has wounds, too deep to be seen, and together they navigate the cards life dealt them and find comfort in their new makeshift family. I just started this book and so far, it’s phenomenal. Vuong’s prose addictive. I can’t put it down! Find it here: http://bit.ly/4kjnBs1
What Will People Think? by Sara Hamden – Fiction
Hamden’s debut novel follows a Palestinian American woman who secretly does stand-up comedy at night – something that would not be approved by her conservative Arab grandparents. As she grows bolder, her act gets better, until her secret becomes exposed. As Mia does damage control to protect her family, she discovers a secret from the 1940s that changes everything. Find it here: https://amzn.to/44FW9jP
The Influencers by Anna-Marie McLemore – Thriller
A thriller about the consequences of life as a momfluencer and the death of her new husband. The suspects? Her five daughters who had once served as “content” for her videos. Find it here: http://bit.ly/43bp10F
The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers – Thriller
Seven years ago, Nicole’s sister, Kasey, vanished. Seven years ago, Jenna’s sister, Jules, disappeared. Both cases went cold and now the two sisters band together to find out what happened in this psychological thriller. Find it here: https://bit.ly/42S2OWK
The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson – Cozy Mystery
They can’t even agree on what to read, so how are they going to solve a murder? Having recently moved from London to a small Cornish seaside village, Nova Davies started a book club at the local community center, but so far it’s a disaster. The five members disagree on everything, and to make matters worse, a significant sum of money is stolen during one of the meetings, putting the much-loved community center at risk. Suspicion for the theft falls on book club member Michael, especially when he disappears and a dead body turns up at his house. Find it here: https://amzn.to/3EPOFQN
Coffee and a book
Coffee, tea and latte syrup combos to try with your next read
- If you're a coffee lover, consider checking out Coffee Emporium, https://www.coffee-emporium.com. They produce sustainably sourced coffee that is amazing. They're located in Cincinnati, Ohio but you can order online. One to try: Winter Solstice
- More of a tea drinker? Try the Bourbon Chestnut Herbal Tea or the Banana Nut Muffin Herbal Tea from The Spice & Tea Exchange at spiceandtea.com.
- If you're a latte drinker and make them at home (typically 2 shots espresso and 8oz steamed milk), consider adding the following flavored syrup combinations:
1T maple + 1T caramel
1T lavender + 1T vanilla
2T caramel + 1T shortbread
