May was a good reading month. I finished up Rhythm of War and that was so satisfying. It took up most of my month, but I did listen to several audiobooks that I really enjoyed. So, let’s get to my May 2023 Wrap Up.
The Most Dangerous Animal of All
Synopsis:
Soon after his birthmother contacted him for the first time at the age of thirty-nine, adoptee Gary L. Stewart decided to search for his biological father. It was a quest that would lead him to a horrifying truth and force him to reconsider everything he thought he knew about himself and his world.
Written with award-winning author and journalist Susan D. Mustafa, The Most Dangerous Animal of All tells the story of Stewart’s decade-long hunt for his father following a complex trail of startling twists and connections. Combing through government records and news reports and through conversations with his father’s relatives and friends, Stewart turns up a host of clues, including forensic evidence, identifying his father as one of the most infamous and still-wanted serial killers in American history.
My Rating: 4/5
My Full Thoughts: I wasn’t sure about this one a first. The Zodiac Killer has never been officially identified. So, the fact that Gary Stewart was so adamant that his father was The Zodiac Killer made me skeptical until the end. Seriously, there is some pretty convincing evidence in this book. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but I really believe that his father is The Zodiac Killer.
Forget Me Not
Synopsis:
Astronomy-loving Calliope June has Tourette syndrome, so she sometimes makes faces or noises that she doesn’t mean to make. When she and her mother move yet again, she tries to hide her TS. But it isn’t long before the kids at her new school realize she’s different. Only Calliope’s neighbor, who is also the popular student body president, sees her as she truly is–an interesting person and a good friend. But is he brave enough to take their friendship public?
As Calliope navigates school, she must also face her mother’s new relationship and the fact that they might be moving–again–just as she starts to make friends and finally accept her differences.
My Rating: 3/5
My Full Thoughts: This was a quick read that had a good message. It’s a children’s book but I think it would be beneficial for everyone.
Present, Not Perfect
Synopsis:
Most women today are frantic, lost in an endless cycle of busyness caused by constant pressure to perform up to unrealistic expectations of perfection, many of which are self-imposed. This journal cuts to the heart of the problem by showing women how to reconnect with their inner selves through solitude, introspection, and contemplation of what’s truly important to them as individuals and family members. Give yourself permission to be Present, Not Perfect.
My Rating: 3/5
My Full Thoughts: Present, Not Perfect was interesting when I read it. But I have to say I’ve already forgotten everything I listened to. That’s not necessarily the books fault. I think it was just geared toward someone at a different stage of life than me.
Encanto
Synopsis:
Disney Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal–every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope.My Rating: 3/5
My Full Thoughts: Encanto was cute. I really enjoyed my time listening to it.
Healthy Eating Habits
Synopsis:
Learn about nutrition, health, and what good eating habits are. Carefully leveled text, colorful visual aids, and vibrant photographs teach early readers about food, diet, and forming daily healthy eating habits.
My Rating: 1/5
My Full Thoughts: This book was useless. It is a children’s book, but it still had minimal information. Plus, the audiobook narration was slow and robotic. Absolutely a waste of the two minutes it took to listen to it.
Rhythm of War
Synopsis:
After forming a coalition of human resistance against the enemy invasion, Dalinar Kholin and his Knights Radiant have spent a year fighting a protracted, brutal war. Neither side has gained an advantage.
Now, as new technological discoveries begin to change the face of the war, the enemy prepares a bold and dangerous operation. The arms race that follows will challenge the very core of the Radiant ideals, and potentially reveal the secrets of the ancient tower that was once the heart of their strength.
My Rating: 4/5
My Full Review: https://wildwoodreads.com/2023/05/23/rhythm-of-war-review/
Tastes Like War
Synopsis:
A powerful account of a Korean American daughter’s exploration of food and family history to understand her mother’s schizophrenia.
My Rating: 5/5
My Full Thoughts: I loved Tastes Like War. It was one of my favorite books of May. It’s heartbreaking at times, and heartwarming in the next moment. It really shows how food can bring us together even during the most difficult times. This is a must read.
A House with Good Bones
Synopsis:
“Mom seems off.” Her brother’s words echo in Sam Montgomery’s ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone. She brushes the thought away as she climbs the front steps. Sam’s excited for this rare extended visit, and looking forward to nights with just the two of them, drinking boxed wine, watching murder mystery shows, and guessing who the killer is long before the characters figure it out. But stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. Gone is the warm, cluttered charm her mom is known for; now the walls are painted a sterile white. Her mom jumps at the smallest noises and looks over her shoulder even when she’s the only person in the room. And when Sam steps out back to clear her head, she finds a jar of teeth hidden beneath the magazine-worthy rose bushes, and vultures are circling the garden from above. To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.
My Rating: 4/5
My Full Review: https://wildwoodreads.com/2023/05/26/a-house-with-good-bones/
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Synopsis:
Despite constant efforts to declutter your home, do papers still accumulate like snowdrifts and clothes pile up like a tangled mess of noodles? Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you’ll never have to do it again. Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which doom you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever. The KonMari Method, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, leads to lasting results. In fact, none of Kondo’s clients have lapsed (and she still has a three-month waiting list). With detailed guidance for determining which items in your house “spark joy” (and which don’t), this international bestseller will help you clear your clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home–and the calm, motivated mindset it can inspire.
My Rating: 3/5
My Full Thoughts: The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up was helpful in a lot of ways. There are some tips that I took from this book that will really help me. But she also convinced me that my things have feelings and now I feel bad for mistreating my socks for years. Seriously though, she was a little out there at times, so I took some stuff with a grain of salt. But I do hope the losing weight after tidying is a for real thing, hahaha.
So that’s my May 2023 wrap up. What did you read this month?
what a wonderful wrap-up & such a great variety too! 😄
Thank you!