the best books I read this month – may 2018

Welcome to the end of another month and with it comes another reading wrap up. I must admit, this hasn’t been the best reading month for me as moving and getting used to a new home, life, and starting a brand new job definitely put books on the back burner for a few weeks. I am back at it though, my new library card in hand and the walking route to the library traversed a few times already. The books I have read this month have been really great however and there are tons that I think you should check out.

1. The Birth House by Ami McKay
   I read this book as part of my Canadian book challenge for the year and I loved it. Detailing the life of midwives in a small Nova Scotia town in the early 20th century as they battle male doctors who want to stop them, the war going on across the world, and disasters such as the Halifax explosion. I found this book a great story of strong women, their friendships, their struggles, and their successes.
2. The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld
   In a very different direction from the first book, this book is a mystery and thriller as “The Child Finder” searches for a missing child who disappeared over 5 years ago who everyone else has given up on. Told in alternating viewpoints between the Child Finder and a child with a very vivid imagination this book was hard to read at times due to how it dealt with abuse, heartache, but I could hardly put it down.
3. The Little Book of Lykke: The Danish Search for the World’s Happiest People by Meik Wiking
   This short little book is a sequel to the book “The Little Book of Hygge” which I loved reading last year. Filled with anecdotes from various countries about how they work towards a happier life in a variety of subject areas this book was a quick read, but one that gave me things to think about my life and the best ways to increase my happiness.
4. Only Human (Themis Files, #3) by Sylvain Nuevel
   I finally got to read this final book in this series and while I enjoyed this book the least out of the three I loved how the authors wrapped up this series. I enjoyed that this book took up to a different planet as well as looked at a world that was scared and turning to horrible options due to that which is very reminiscent of the world we live in.
5. Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
   This book was amazing and something that I hope I heave learned a lot from. I enjoyed that this was written from the perspective of a black person in England as that can be very different from that as someone from North America. This book both taught me a lot as well as hopefully gave me the worlds to say in certain situations.
6. Reading with Patrick: A Teacher, a Student, and a Life-Changing Friendship by Michelle Kuo
   This book told the true story of a woman who traveled to a small town in Mississippi to teach. But more than that it talks about when she comes back years later to when one of her former students is jailed for murder. The story of world’s colliding, racism, literacy, and small town America was both believable and completely unbelievable at the same time.
7. In Conclusion, Don’t Worry About It by Lauren Graham
   The shortest book of the bunch by far this book is the extension of a graduation speech made by Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls, Parenthood, etc). I found it so great to read in the month after my own graduation and as I am entering the wide world of life and careers. This is a great book to pick up for a short inspirational speech and a push to do something great.

What great books have you read lately?

Reading Roundup:

• Books Read in 2018: 133
• Canadian Books: 5/12
• Diverse Books: 5/12
• Goodreads Challenge: 11/20