2023 MAY PICK-IT-FOR-ME CHALLENGE

[T Andrijka]

Hi Fran! Here are your picks for May. I hope you find something you like😊

1. May 1:
TBR: The Tango Lesson - Melanie Harlow
NEW: It Happened One Summer - Tessa Bailey

2. Cinco de Mayo:
TBR: Better Than The Movies - Lynn Painter
NEW: Mexican Gothic - Silvia Moreno-Garcia

3. May Gardening:
NEW: The Way I Used To Be - Amber Smoth

4. Mother's Day:
NEW: Reminders of Him - Colleen Hoover

5. May - Outside:
TBR: Winning Back His Wife - Gwen Hayes
NEW: Happy Place - Emily Henry

6. May 24:
TBR: Castaways - Sophie Starr
NEW: People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry

7. Nurses' Week:
NEW: The Good Luck Charm - Helena Hunting

8. Memorial Day:
TBR: Freakn’ Out - Eve Langlais

[Chris]

Danielle wrote: "Hey Chris! Doesn't look like we had many books in common, so hopefully there's one or two here that peak your interest!

1. May 1:
TBR - Caressed by Ice - Fantasy
Looks like you read ..."

No worries! I can read everything as far as there is a happy ending without one of the main characters dying.

[Courtney]

LaurLa wrote: "HI Courtney!!! Here are your picks - I tried to find some new to you picks that you might like, hope maybe one or two appeal 🙂"

I think you've figured out my buzz words: Romance, Steampunk, Dystopia, Fantasy. Great options!

[Fran, Moderator]

Taisa wrote: "Hi Fran! Here are your picks for May. I hope you find something you like😊

1. May 1:
TBR: The Tango Lesson - Melanie Harlow
NEW: It Happened One Summer - Tessa Bailey

2. Cinco de Mayo:
TBR: Bette..."

Thank you Taisa! These look great 😊

[Vi]

Chris wrote: "Vi here are some picks, I hope that you will find something you like!

1. May has a lot of special dates, starting with May 1, traditional May Day with dancing , flowers, and fun, and way back in t..."

Hey Chris! Thank you for the picks. I have quite some interesting picks there. I'm looking at getting at least 2 of the following:

[SunnyCAGirl]

Hello Danielle!
Sorry for the delay. Here are your picks! I was doing this mostly on my phone and it was tough to make it through your “read” list, so please let me know if you need re-picks. I hope you find something fun in this list! Now they are tagged!

May themes:
1. Mayday: Music, dancing, entertainment or fantasy or 5 in title or page numbers
-Crown of Midnight by Sarah Maas (tbr) (fantasy)
-The Hunter by Kerrigan Byrne) (new) (FMC is an actress-was surprised I loved this one because it is brutal.)
2. Cinco de Mayo- Food or drink on cover or in plot, set in a country main land not English or sexy character
-Property of Drex #1 by C.M. Owens (tbr) (sexy character)
-A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera (new)
3. Flowers in bloom: Flowers on cover, flowers or gardening in plot, colors like flowers on cover or happy ending
-Love at First by Kate Clayborn (new) (Happy Ending)
-Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught) (tbr) (this book dragged me and made me angry at times, but I do think about it a lot!)
4. Mother's Day: Mother or motherly duties, pink or red on cover
-Soulless by Gail Carriger (pink) (tbr) (Great steampunk)
-The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath (new) (The premise of this book is wild, but I really enjoyed it nonetheless!)
5. Time Outside: Outdoor profession, athlete, green cover
-Homecoming King by Penny Reid (new) (Cinnamon Roll Linebacker. ❤️)
-Ravished by a Highlander by Paula Quinn (green) (tbr)
6. Learning to Swim: Water in it or on cover, character learns to do something or blue cover
-The Hawk by Monica McCarty (new) (I saw that you read The Chief. That was probably my least favorite of the series...too much set up. This is book #2 with lots off water. #3 and 4 are my faves.
-A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James (blue) (Spellbound was on your tbr, but perhaps this is a new name for it?)
7. Nurses week: Medical professional, white on cover or Med problem
-The Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard (medical issue) (tbr)
-Ten Things I Hate About the Duke by Loretta Chase (white) (new)
-The Bad Luck Bride by Janna Macgregor (white) (new)
8.Memorial Day: Military or wears uniform, flag or red, white & blue on cover or memorable romance or couple on cover
Fury (Fisher Amelie) (red/white/blue)(tbr)
Waking the Dragon (couple on cover) by Juliette Cross) (tbr)

[SunnyCAGirl]

Thanks for the picks, Carina! Very excited about them!

[Nancy H]

A big THANKS to everyone for getting your picks done in a timely fashion and for providing such good picks for everyone this month.

Don't forget to check back in and let us know how you are doing with your picks this month!

Happy Reading for May!

[Danielle]

SunnyCAGirl wrote: "Hello Danielle!
Sorry for the delay. Here are your picks! I was doing this mostly on my phone and it was tough to make it through your “read” list, so please let me know if you need re-picks. I hop..."

I agree the app is an absolute nightmare to use! Couple here I'm going to try out, but The Earl Takes All is the most convoluted description of a book I've read in a while and I'm here for it lol. That'll be up first!

[T Andrijka]

Sonja wrote: "Hi Taisa!
Whew, I made it! Here are your picks for May. Hope you find some good reads. I know I added several from your TBR to mine....

1. May 1


TBR:
[book:A Court of Thorns and Roses|506..."

Thank you! Excited to work through these amazing suggestions <3

[Fran, Moderator]

Taisa wrote: "Hi Fran! Here are your picks for May. I hope you find something you like.."

Hi Taisa,

I read His Runaway Campfire Princess for Winning Back His Wife (same series). I really enjoyed it! I hope to get to a few more of your picks this month 🙂

[Sonja]

MountainKat wrote: "Hi again Sonja! Well, I didn't get to this last night but I hope the picks are worth the wait. 🤞🏼 I know you said to give you the minimum, but you know me... I did try to make several of the new op..."

Hi MountainKat! Thank you so much for these! Can't believe I'm 3 days behind! Definitely will give some of these a try in May, thank you! And I do enjoy audiobooks when I can get them so thank you for that!
FYI I actually just read Fatal Affair in April and really enjoyed it! Definitely no need to pick a new one though, I have plenty already! Cheers !

[Fernanda]

Fran wrote: "Hi Fernanda!

Here are your picks for May. I hope you find a gem or two here!

1. May 1:
TBR: Neon Gods- fantasy
NEW: [book:This Time Next Year: An uplifting and heartwarming rom-co..."

Heyy there, I finally got to read "everything girl" and I LOVED it!! I'm excited to read some more of your picks

[Nistha]

Courtney wrote: "MAY PIFM CATEGORIES
For Nistha

1. May Day: Fantasy Romance- Clockwork Angel TBR
I have to do it. The best love triangle of all time.

2. Cinco de Mayo: Book with amazing food and d..."

I read Clockwork Angel! Thanks for the pick, really enjoyed it. I think I am going to follow up on the series as well. I might read a few more from the choices.

[Fran, Moderator]

Fernanda rodrigues wrote: "Fran wrote: "Hi Fernanda!

Here are your picks for May. I hope you find a gem or two here!

1. May 1:
TBR: Neon Gods- fantasy
NEW: [book:This Time Next Year: An uplifting and heartw..."

So glad you enjoyed it!!

[Courtney]

Nistha wrote: "Courtney wrote: "MAY PIFM CATEGORIES
For Nistha

I read Clockwork Angel! Thanks for the pick, really enjoyed it. I think I am going to follow up on the series as well. I might read a few more from the choices.

"

Yessss! Now, are you leaning Jem, Will or Both?

[Nistha]

Courtney wrote: "Nistha wrote: "Courtney wrote: "MAY PIFM CATEGORIES
For Nistha

I read Clockwork Angel! Thanks for the pick, really enjoyed it. I think I am going to follow up on the series as well. I might read a..."

I usually tend to go for the mysterious types so team Will for me so far! To be fair, the focus was also more on Will in this book, esp with the love triangle. Jem is such a sweetheart but he is giving me more friendly vibes.

[Danielle]

Hey SunnyCAGirl

Finished up a couple books on the list!
The Hunter - Honestly just so sad. Glad it had a happy ending. Could have used an epilogue wanted to see what they were like 5 years in the future, you know?

The Earl Takes All - I just can't figure out how in 3 months she couldn't figure out it was Edward and not Albert in her home. The ending was good though, I definitely enjoyed this one.

Property of Drex #1 - Didn't actually read this one fully. Got maybe 30 pages in and nope out of it quick. Came off my TBR.

Waking the Dragon - Another one from my TBR that wasn't great, but at least readable.

You definitely did better with your random picks then I did with books from my TBR! Thanks for the picks. Some of these are on the list now for a later date.

[Courtney]

LaurLa wrote: "HI Courtney!!! Here are your picks - I tried to find some new to you picks that you might like, hope maybe one or two appeal 🙂 "

I read Ours is Just a Little Sorrow. As I suspected, the world-building was super intriguing. I didn't really care for the couple and I'm not sure why. I usually eat up a governess story, and it had those gothic, spooky vibes, too! Thanks again for the pick.

[LaurLa]

Vi wrote: "Hey LaurLa,

I had a great time going though your shelves. I tried to give a variety with the picks. Have a good time reading!"

Hey Vi - though all the picks were great and I had good intentions, I unfortunately only got one read 😥 It was an okay read but the heroine was a little to 'poor me poor me' for my tastes.

8. May has Memorial Day in the U.S
✅TBR ➖ A Scandal in the Headlines ➖ romantic couple ➖ 05.06 ★★★

[LaurLa]

Courtney wrote: "LaurLa wrote: "HI Courtney!!! Here are your picks - I tried to find some new to you picks that you might like, hope maybe one or two appeal 🙂 "

I read Ours is Just a Little Sorrow. As I suspected,..."

I felt the same... more intrigued with the world building! I was actually disappointed that the book wasn't part of a series - it felt like it should have been. If it is, though, I've yet to find it!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi KathyD!! Thank you so much for the picks! I got a little head start with a few of them, but was able to make up some with the series rule. 😊📚

Coen by Sawyer Bennett (read in April) 4.26.2023 - Loved it!
Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb (read in April) 4.29.2023 - Always a good option!
Taggart Family Values by Lexi Blake (started in April) 5.2.2023 - Fun!
What Happens in London by Julia Quinn 5.3.2023 - Enjoyed this one!
Forever by J.R. Ward 5.11.2023 - Really good!
Sweep of the Heart by Ilona Andrews 5.17.2023 - So good!
No Love Lost by Lexi Blake 5.19.2023 - Loved it!
Lassiter by J.R. Ward 5.23.2023 - That ending?! WTH?!
Devoted in Death by J.D. Robb (series rule) 5.26.2023 - Loved it!!
Cannon by Sawyer Bennett (series rule) 5.28.2023 - Really good!
Wonderment In Death by J.D. Robb (series rule) 5.29.2023 - Fun!

[Nancy H]

Hi Fernanda,
I was able to get three of your picks read this month, and they were all excellent. Thank you so much! I will read more of them later.

In the Shadow of Vesuvius
Red, White & Royal Blue
Ignite

[Sonja]

Sonja wrote: "MountainKat wrote: "Hi again Sonja! Well, I didn't get to this last night but I hope the picks are worth the wait. 🤞🏼 I know you said to give you the minimum, but you know me... I did try to make s..."

Hi MountainKat! Well I managed more than I thought I would this month! Four completed, one moving into June and moving several more forward on my TBR! Thank you for the awesome picks!

2.Cinco de Mayo
NEW: Royally Matched **** So glad you got this one back on my radar! Forgot how much I enjoyed the first book and added book 3 to my reading for June!
4. May is when Mother’s Day
TBR: Dangerous Ground **** SO great! Love all this author's books so far!
6. Learn to Swim day
TBR: Remarkably Bright Creatures **** Highly recommend!! Completely different than anything I read recently and so good!
7. Nurses’ Week
TBR: Year One **** Chilling in how similar this one started to recent events, but another one I couldn't put down!

Read:

[Nistha]

Hey Courtney, Though I completed only one book from your list (I am reading Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute but won't finish in May), I ended up reading Clockwork Prince as well (part 2 of the series of your recommendation). I want to say I loved it even more, I have fallen in love with the series. I am going to read the finale very soon as well.

[Courtney]

Nistha wrote: "Hey Courtney, Though I completed only one book from your list (I am reading Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute but won't finish in May), I ended up reading [book:Clockwork Prince|1..."

Amazing. That was my favorite series from the shadowhunters for a long time.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Sonja wrote: "Sonja wrote: "MountainKat wrote: "Hi again Sonja! Well, I didn't get to this last night but I hope the picks are worth the wait. 🤞🏼 I know you said to give you the minimum, but you know me... I did..."

Glad you enjoyed what you read! I loved that Nora Roberts trilogy - I think it is my favorite even though they are very different! It was especially hard to read during 2020 and the height of the pandemic!