May Reading Round-up

Why I'm giving myself permission to ditch reading trends and pick up the books that call to me

This morning my daughter crawled into my bed and reflected on the shelves of books in our bedroom.

“You got a lot of books, Mom.”

Fact. Also fact: many of the books packed tightly on these particular shelves are unread, waiting for my attention. I figure that by placing them within my direct line of vision each day, I’ll make my way through them more quickly (nothing motivates me quite like clutter). But it never quite works that way. I always end up sidetracked by something new, and my unread pile continues to grow.

These days I find myself frequently haunted by an unsettling reality: I’ll never read all the books in the world.

Sitting with this fact often leads to two responses:

1. I start picking up books and dashing through sentences like I’m competing in a literary version of America Ninja Warrior.

2. I stare at my shelves of unread books, paralyzed and disconsolate, unable to prioritize what book to read next.

If only teenage Abby had been driven by the same crisis of mortality, I could have cracked a lot more spines outside the Sweet Valley collection (Team Jessica vs. Team Elizabeth, please register your vote in the comments).

@retrovalleyhighwho remembers these?! #sweetvalleyhigh #sweetvalleytwins #80s #90s

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But I’m working hard to fight this all-or-nothing mindset. At some point, the pressure to read everything, especially new titles, and to report on it all, became commonplace among book lovers. And a few minutes spent in the world of #bookstagram is enough to make anyone forget that above all, reading is supposed to be fun.

I’m not knocking the incredible power of social media to engage readers and sell books. The #bookstagram phenomenon deserves tremendous credit for turning folks onto reading and spreading the word about great books. But it can be a lot. And, like any hobby these days, it has the potential to turn a beloved hobby into a soul-sucking commodity, which is why I’m doing my best lately to drown out the noise and simply read the books I want.

As I think ahead to summer and the month we’ll spend shacked up in the woods of Maine, I’m looking forward to days spent in the company of good books. New, old, classics, high-brow literary, and juicy fun, I’m as interested in devouring books I can lose myself inside as I am finding books from which I can study craft.

Here’s what I read (and loved) in May:

They’re Going to Love You by Meg Howrey: Thanks to Emilie Sommer at my local independent bookstore, East City Books, for this fabulous recommendation. Emilie’s ears perked up when I mentioned I used to dance ballet and she insisted (correctly) that this book is for the dance lovers out there. It’s also about family wounds, loving an art form that cannot love you back, and reconciling unrealized dreams. As a writer, I was awed by Howrey’s masterful characterization. If you’re looking for examples of flawed, dynamic, and utterly real-feeling characters, don’t miss this one.

Horse by Geraldine Brooks: You know what’s annoying about this book? How damn well-written it is. I read it alternating between my reading brain and my writing brain, stopping every few sentences to marvel at Brooks’ descriptions, add an adjective to my book of words, and curse the gods that I cannot (yet) write this exquisitely. I didn’t think I cared about horses or horse racing, but I’m a sucker for an epic saga that crisscrosses history. Thanks to my friend Lee Woodruff for placing this one in my hands and insisting I’d love it. As usual, you were right, Lee. And I promise to return it to you soon.

On to the romance recommendations.

Do I love romance as a genre? I didn’t think so. But do I find myself reading it anyway? Yes. And is it fun, escapist, and necessary for anyone living through 2024? I would also argue yes. If, like me, you’re on the fence about romance, but ready for a book that will sweep you away (namely to Prince Edward Island, one of my favorite places on earth), I invite you to indulge in the following,

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune: Hot romance involving secret hookups, oyster shucking, and Prince Edward Island (home of Anne of Green Gables)? Sign me up for all the things. This Southern Marylander was piqued by a setting that, in many ways, resembles home. This one goes down as my favorite of Carley’s books.

Funny Story by Emily Henry: It’s been said many times that Emily Henry is a master class in dialogue, and she continues to prove it in her latest. Miles and Daphne are both jilted fiancés who find comfort (and more) in each other’s company. This was a super charming read (though I still claim that Book Lovers is Henry’s best).

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Want to contribute to my unruly bookshelves? Leave your reading recommendations below. And don’t forget to cast a vote for your favorite Wakefield twin.

P.S. #1000WordsofSummer starts tomorrow! If you’re looking for motivation to jumpstart your writing this summer, join the challenge. And make sure to pick up Jami Attenberg’s 1,000 Words for a daily dose of inspiration.