May Wrap Up

All the books I read in May.

May was another good reading month, during which I managed to get through a total of 13 books (5 novels, a novella, a short story collection, a poetry collection, 2 non-fiction books, 2 graphic novels and a Penguin Little Black Classic). This took me up to a total of 61 books so far this year, surpassing the half-way point of my 100 book challenge.

There were lots of good reads amongst them, including Man V. Nature by Diane Cook, one of my favourite short story collections thus far, which explores the human need to survive. I also loved Pride of Baghdad, a poignant and provocative graphic novel based on true events, which follows four lions who escape from a zoo after a bombing during the Iraq war, and the second book in Catherynne M. Valente’s enchanting Fairyland series.

The stand-out read of the month however – and one of my new favourite books of all time – was Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry. Rich settings include a sideshow, a brutal women’s asylum and the gritty streets of New York, and we follow an eclectic cast of characters as their lives weave together in an intricate and heart-breaking story full of tragic pasts and dark secrets yet a whole lot of heart. Needless to say, I loved it.

An accurate reflection of how I feel about Church of Marvels.

Isn’t it lovely how you never know when you are going to discover a new favourite book? It just sort of creeps up on you and steals away a piece of your heart.

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What was your favourite read in May?