You are not hallucinating. I only really read two books this month. Even better is that I finished one book within the first few days of the month and the last with only a few days of May to spare.
Want to know the problem?
Fucking. Allergies.
Before moving into a more central part of California, I lived on the coast where we have beautiful breezes. These breezes take everything that can give you allergies and sweeps them more inland where there aren’t any lovely water breezes. Inland. Where I now reside. There have been many times where I’m driving to or from work, fighting an allergy attack because my work is on the water and there’s no issues there. But at home? I’m fighting for my life. As I’ve been walking the shelter dogs, I see all the pollen floating in the air and I glare at it, as if my death glare will actually make it stop attacking me. When I feel like shit (especially in my head), I cannot focus on reading. The words jump around on the page, I can’t stay focused so I’m re-reading the same things over and over again, and my retention goes to zero. So here I am. Suffering, every day of May, just to be able to breathe.
It’s been a nightmare, thank you for asking. My nose is constantly dry. My eyes and throat are neverendingly scratchy. Spring is the worst season ever.
At the end of the month, I headed up to the Pacific Northwest (specifically Portland and Seattle) where my allergies disappeared (blessed). That is when I was able to relax and read my 2nd book of the month. So here’s to no allergies in June. Please. I’m begging you.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
My Rating: 5/5
What’s it about: This is a historical fiction book set in France in the late 1930s/early 1940s – right when Nazi Germany invaded. You follow two sisters: Vianne and Isabelle. Vianne is a mother and wife who has just sent her husband off to the front, but no one believes the war will last long or that Germany will get a leg up. Vianne does everything she can to protect her daughter, even if it means compromising her morals. Isabelle is a rebellious 18 year old girl who is sent to live with her sister so she is protected, but she does everything she can to fight against the enemy.
My Review: Every single person who told me to read this book can go fuck themselves. Did I give it 5 stars? Yes. Is it probably one of my favorite books now? Yes. Did I cry fat, ugly tears constantly? YES. This was such a beautifully written book. I’ve never read a Kristin Hannah book but her fans are pretty die hard – and I get why. She was able to weave such an incredible story with two sisters that are like night and day (which is exactly how my sister and I are) but who have the same battle to fight. It’s a very interesting dynamic to watch play out. Sometimes, I was yelling at Isabelle to shut up and stay quiet, so that she can stay alive. Sometimes my blood began to boil because Vianne was being too quiet and naive. It was an emotional rollercoaster that I was absolutely not prepared for and I’d read it all over again.
Archive by Sofia Coppola
My Rating: 5/5
What’s it about: Sofia Coppola created a behind the scenes scrapbook of all her movies.
My Review: I debated adding this because it’s more of a coffee table book but I read every single page and caption of this book so I figured it belonged here. I’m a big Sofia Coppola fan. The Virgin Suicides changed my life and it is very easily a movie that I watch at least once a year. Being a big fan, a junk journaler, and an amateur photographer all paired well with me loving this book so much. Obviously, if you’re not a Sofia Coppola fan, you should pass. But if you are, this should be added to your collection.
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
My Rating: 4/5
What’s it about: Lily Wilder is left picking up pieces of her life after the boy she fell in love with one summer ghosted her. She went to Utah to begin giving tours through the Red Rocks Canyon, to “find treasure” with tourists. Her father, Duke Wilder, was basically a Wild West Indiana Jones and he left her a journal full of maps that might lead to actual treasure. As soon as Lily is about to throw in the towel, she has one last group of guys to take on a tour… And that group has Leo, the boy who ghosted her 10 years earlier.
My Review: At the risk of sounding cheesy, this book was wild! There was romance (duh) but there was also a lot of adventure. There’s murder, conspiracies, treasure, car chases, terrifying “you better do this or we kill her” scenes… Since I was able to actually read a book while on vacation (no allergies!!), I figured I’d take something easy and Christina Lauren books are always easy. They’re “beach reads” and I really appreciate that about them. Since I did buy 6 books while on my trip, having a good palate cleanser before I dive into my other books was a great choice.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter #6) by J.K. Rowling [audiobook]
My Rating: 5/5
What’s it about: I mean. Really?
My Review: I started listening to this by default. I own the audiobook (thanks to my husband buying it for me in 2016) and I’ve listened to it at least five times. It’s always there for me. In April, I had a real audiobook block. Nothing grabbed me and I gave up. But one morning I didn’t want to listen to any podcasts or music. I needed something on my commute though. Harry Potter it was. I worked at a bookstore between 2008 and 2010. The Harry Potter books had already all been released and only 3 more movies were set to come out. However, whenever a parent came into the store, wanting to get their kids to read, we always recommended Harry Potter. My mom was not a big reader but she LOVED the Harry Potter movies. Around the time the 5th movie was set to come out, I told her I refused to watch it with her unless she read the books. We didn’t see my mom between September and December that year because she binged the books. She now reads almost as much as I do!
Silence Fallen (Mercy Thompson #10) by Patiricia Briggs [audiobook]
My Rating: 4/5
What’s it about: Mercy is kidnapped (!!) and taken to Italy (!!) by the most powerful vampire in the world (!!). But, of course, Mercy is a badass and gets herself out of the situation before Adam even steps foot in Europe (we love an independant woman). Mercy has to quickly figure out who is a friend and who is an enemy if she’s going to survive.
My Review: I just love that she’s in Prague. In 2016, I went with my mom to Prague because her company sent her there for work and she said if I could pay for my plane ticket, I could go. I had never really wanted to go to Prague but I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me up. It ended up being one of the most fun trips and definitely one of the coolest cities I’ve ever been do. I’d go back there immediately if I could. I loved that Mercy was so independant in this book. You got Adam’s POV but it was really Mercy being her wiley coyote self that got her saved in the end. I love when Mercy saves herself.
Storm Cursed (Mercy Thompson #11) by Patiricia Briggs [audiobook]
My Rating: 4/5
What’s it about: Three words: Miniature Zombie Goats. Oh and like, a lot of witches.
My Review: This book had A LOT going on. It’s one of my least favorite of the series, tbh. Goblins, zombies (of all kinds), witches, betrayal… it was just a lot. I’ve also never been a fan of calling magic “white” or “black” – it’s problematic in many ways, same with saying “good” or “evil”. Magic is magic. As the owner of the magic store in The Craft says:
“True magic is neither black, nor white – it’s both because nature is both. Loving and cruel, all at the same time. The only good or bad is in the heart of the witch. Life keeps a balance on its own.”
This book seemed a little all over the place. I still give it 4 stars because the series, imo, is a solid 4 stars and you HAVE to read this book because a lot of shit does go down but it’s in a very messy way. I feel like the betrayal in this book wasn’t needed and could have been portrayed very differently.
Did you read any good books in May? I got lucky – I loved all the books I could actually read. Also, any old family secrets to banish allergies??
Photo taken in Tacoma, WA at Stadium High School… AKA: The location of Padua High School in 10 Things I Hate About You
Writes with Wolves 