May was definitely a slower reading month than usual. I only finished four books, but one of them was The Bee Sting at over 600 pages, which definitely explains why my book count was lower than normal. I also had something that doesn’t happen very often for me — two DNFs
While I always try to give books a fair chance, I’ve realised life is too short to push through books you’re not enjoying, and both of my DNFs simply weren’t working for me.
Despite reading fewer books overall, I still managed 1,565 pages this month (this doesn’t include the pages I read of the DNF books!) and even found a new five-star favourite along the way.
Want – Gillian Anderson
Inspired by anonymous letters from women around the world, Want is a collection of fantasies, reflections and confessions exploring desire, identity, relationships and womanhood. Honest, thought-provoking and deeply personal, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the things women often feel unable to say out loud.
Find it here
Main tropes:
- Female empowerment
- Personal reflection
- Identity & desire
- Relationships & intimacy
- Real-life experiences
My thoughts: 5/5 Stars
I love Gillian Anderson for compiling this! It’s so different to anything I’ve read before. It’s not just spicy female fantasies, it’s a look into the reason behind the types of fantasies women have. The typical themes that occur in women of all races, religions and sexualities. But also the societal expectations placed on us and the guilt some women feel for having certain fantasies.
The Bee Sting – Paul Murray
Set in rural Ireland, this family saga follows the Barnes family as financial struggles, secrets and personal crises threaten to pull them apart. Told through multiple perspectives, the novel explores family dynamics, regret and the lasting impact of past choices.
Find it here
Main tropes:
- Family drama
- Multiple POVs
- Dysfunctional family
- Past resurfaces
- Small-town setting
My thoughts: 2/5 Stars
Umm….Yeah this is a hard one to review. Multiple character POV’s, multiple timelines. It’s a family based drama, essentially following all the characters of one family, but in overlapping storylines, chapters jumping from one to the next. Everything is a bit depressing and it has the most ridiculous end, especially considering how long the book is and how much time readers have dedicated, to essentially have no storylines tied up, everything is open to interpretation, total cliffhangers!
I Will Find You – Harlan Coben
Serving a life sentence for the murder of his young son, David Burroughs has spent years believing he committed the crime. But when evidence emerges suggesting his son may still be alive, David is forced to escape prison and uncover the truth. Fast-paced and packed with twists, this is a thriller that constantly keeps you guessing.
Find it here
Main tropes:
- Wrongly accused
- Missing child
- Race against time
- Hidden secrets
- Twist ending
My thoughts: 4/5 Stars
I enjoy a good Harlan Coben usually, and this was no exception. I had this as an audio book which was well produced. Fast faced, plenty of twists, and it keeps you guessing. Easy to follow story line so perfect for audio while I drove or walked the dogs. It jumps into the main part of the storyline quickly, which I like and the action moves fast.
Jungle House – Julianne Pachico
Lena has spent her entire life living in a remote jungle holiday home under the care of “Mother” — an artificial intelligence that controls every aspect of her world. As political unrest grows beyond the compound and questions about her past begin to surface, Lena starts to wonder whether Mother is protecting her or keeping her trapped. Strange, unsettling and atmospheric, this is a thought-provoking blend of literary fiction and speculative fiction.
Find it here
Main tropes:
- AI as caregiver
- Isolated setting
- Coming-of-age
- Identity & belonging
- Dystopian mystery
My thoughts: 4/5 Stars
I picked this one up in Topping & Company in Bath, after I had seen it recommended on an Insta post. I’ve been trying to read books outside my usual genres and this one really piqued my interest. An AI house actin g as ‘Mother’ to a young girl, a rebel threat in the jungle surrounding them and a tragedy. I love a bit of dystopia anyway, but this is nothing like anything I had read before. And it’s a little bit of a scary look at what the future really could hold if we continue to rely more on AI.
Books I Didn’t Finish
Bright Young Women – Jessica Knoll (DNF)
I know this book has received a lot of praise, but unfortunately it just wasn’t working for me. After giving it a fair chance, I decided it wasn’t a book I wanted to spend any more time reading. I’m sure it will suit other people but I’m not a big True Crime person anyway – Find it here
The Alchemist’s Secret – Clare Marchant (DNF)
Another book that simply didn’t click with me. This was a book club pick and sadly wasn’t loved by any of us. I got about 30% of the way through but found it so slow that I simply decided to DNF, which is very rare for me. I felt the 30% I had read could have been covered in just a few chapters. – Find it here