9 Books I Read in May
9 Books I Read in May
By: Brittany Shields
We are entering the summer months! I wish that meant MORE reading time for me, but in all reality, it will probably just be the same old, same old.
For those following along, here are the last nine books I read.
We’ve got historical fiction, fantasy, suspense/thriller, history, fiction, and Christian Living.
Five of these are new releases, one was nominated for two Goodreads Choice Awards, and one is a very popular book being made into a movie.
Spotlight of the Month:
I’ve kinda forgotten to do this lately, but I will spotlight one book this month.
‘Stay Awake’ by Megan Goldin was a really good thriller! I read it so fast which is always a promising indicator of a good read! One fun fact in this book is that main character hates performance art which, as an art major, I 100% related to. We’re best friends now.
1. All the Lights Above Us by M.B. Henry
Genre: Historical Fiction
“The dice are on the carpet!”
The six code words broadcasted far and wide alerting people across Europe that the invasion of France was on the way.
June 6, 1944 was D-Day. When over 150,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France— one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history. It’s often been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
There is an endless supply of WWII novels out there. What makes this book unique is that it focuses on one 24 hour day.
All the Lights Above Us— titled for the thousands of aircraft lights and bombs that lit up the sky that day—follows five different women in Europe and how they were affected and challenged by the events of D-Day.
In my review, you’ll find the cast of characters, the book’s themes, and my recommendation.
2. Sis, Take a Breath by Kirsten Watson
Genre: Christian Living/Motherhood
“God’s own breath—animates our lives… Our need for truth is as deep as our need for oxygen.”
‘Taking a breath’ as the title says is acknowledging that God is the one who gives us life.
I was a little worried that ‘Sis, Take a Breath’ was going to be another version of ‘Girl, Wash Your Face’.
But fear not, Kirsten Watson does not adhere to Rachel Hollis’ theology of self-promotion, self-fulfillment, and taking what we deserve.
Watson, mother of 7 and wife to NFL player and author Benjamin Watson, clearly articulates the gospel and our need of a Savior and the Holy Spirit to work in us as we go through the difficulties of motherhood.
In my review you’ll find the things I loved about this book, more quotes, and my [possibly unpopular) thoughts on one of her chapters specifically.
3. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Genre: Fiction/Mystery
“When cornered, desperate, or isolated, man reverts to those instincts that aim straight at survival.”
Everyone and their mom has read this book. Well… except for me (and my mom). So I finally got around to it. Mostly because it’s coming out as a movie. (Book/movie comparison will be added once I see it!)
Sometimes I avoid the most popular books because they always seem too hyped.
It’s possible this one is too hyped. But I still enjoyed it.
Where the Crawdads Sing is mostly a coming-of-age story with a bit of murder mystery, a section of law procedural, and a whole lotta nature.
My review describes more of the plot, one of the major themes, and why I didn’t LOVE it like the rest of the world.
4. The Fruitful Life by Jerry Bridges
Genre: Christian Living/Theology
“God has given us everything we need for life and godliness.” (2 Pt 1:3)
I had recently read The Daily Grace Co.’s devotional on the The Fruit of the Spirit and wanted to do some further reading on it. I picked up this book and it was an excellent companion to the shorter study.
This book is gospel-centered, highly applicable, encouraging, and convicting.
It inspired me to write a blog series on the fruit of the Spirit that I’ll link here in the next week or so once it’s launched.
Not only does Bridges go through each attribute, but he begins by explaining WHY we try to bear this fruit, and HOW we do it.
Very applicable read that is beneficial for all.
My review breaks down more the book and includes more quotes.
5. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy
[Nominated for ‘Best Historical Fiction’ and ‘Best Debut Novel’ categories of the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards Reading Challenge]
“This is my work, my grief to bottle up and dispense.”
In 1791 “buried deep behind a cupboard wall at the base of a twisted alleyway in the darkest depths of London…” you’ll find a once popular apothecary shop.
The shop has not quite lost its popularity, but instead of tinctures of healing, the vials that leave that shop bring death.
Nella, the dispenser, shrouds her shop in secrecy. After taking on her mother’s occupation, a terrible betrayal leads her to rebrand her skills. She has taken up the banner of helping women dispose of men.
This book isn’t a magical world like many fantasy books, but the setting is mysterious and magic does play a role…
Read my review for more details on the plot, the three themes I found in this book, and my ultimate recommendation.
6. Stay Awake by Megan Goldin
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
[This was on my list of Most Anticipated Books of 2022- releases August 2022]
“What do I have against sleep?”
”You’re afraid of what you do in your sleep.”
You guys.
I read this book in two days.
It is quite a bit different than her book The Night Swim.
The formatting, the content, the flow is all different.
Instead of a controversial and heartbreaking mystery with some #MeToo triggers like The Night Swim, Stay Awake is an intense thriller with no political commentary.
Liv wakes up on a park bench with no clue as to why she is there or where she is going. Her hands are covered in messages saying ‘Stay Awake’ and ‘Don’t trust anyone!’ Also there’s a bloody knife in her pocket.
An intense fast read for sure.
My review contains more plot details and some random thoughts and surprises!
7. Redeeming Our Thinking about History: A God-Centered Approach by Vern S. Poythress
Genre: Nonfiction/History
“Above all, a Christian view takes into account who God is… God rules history. Moreover, he has a plan for history, a plan that encompasses its overall shape and all the details.”
I went into this book with some wrong expectations that I think colored my review a bit.
It’s not a book that discusses a lot of specific historical events, but is more a general and abstract book about how Christians should think and write about history.
This book is more geared for historians or people really interested in analyzing history.
While this wasn’t my favorite book, check out my review for some positive takeaways, my critiques, and my ultimate recommendation.
8. Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality by Rachel Joy Welcher
Genre: Christian Living/Cultural
“Ours is a culture of sexual confusion, oppression, and slavery that masks itself as a culture of sexual freedom. In reaction to a hypersexualized world, the Christian purity culture was born. While well-intended in some respects, the purity movement would, not unlike its sexual revolution counterpart, overswing the pendulum and become its own version of a culture of shame.”
I was very interested in this book.
‘Purity culture’ has been under attack. So many people have been hurt by this Christian subculture of shame regarding sexual purity. I grew up during this movement but I don’t bear the scars so many others do. I wasn’t even aware of what ‘purity culture’ even was until just recently.
So what happened? What did I miss?
Rachel writes this book to spur honest conversations about what purity is and how we’ve formed our beliefs about it. The purity culture movement did not have dark intentions but their communication of sexual purity was often rooted in fear and left people feeling guilty rather than loved.
There is a lot to talk about with this type of book, read my full review for more of my thoughts and to see a helpful chart I created to help us compare purity culture with the Bible.
9. Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Well they can’t all be winners right?
The plot of this one was really interesting— American couple on business in Lisbon and the husband is kidnapped for ransom.
But the main character is kinda the worst. And she is the reason I don’t really recommend this one…
If you want to know all my negative thoughts, read my full review.
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