May 2025 Reading Wrap-Up
This month I read 7 books! One five-star that I absolutely adored, one three-star that I struggled to finish, and five four-stars that were each fantastic in their own way. Links to read blurbs or shop the books on Amazon are in the titles. Thanks for hanging out with me!
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Humorous Fiction
- Backman is an auto-buy for me!
In typical Backman fashion, I laughed and cried my way through this book.It explores what it means to love and be love, to have friends and to be a friend… Every page hits with raw honesty about what it the challenges connecting with others while still finding and holding on to your true self.
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- YA Dystopian
- “As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.”
Suzanne Collins really knows how to stomp all over your heart, and Haymitch’s backstory is a brutal gut punch. After everything he went through in the Games, it’s no surprise he drinks to forget—who wouldn’t want to escape that nightmare? His pain is raw, and honestly, I’d be reaching for a bottle too.
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Mystery/Humor
- Book 5 of 6 (Please write more, Elle!!!!!
This one had me laughing out loud and holding my breath in equal measure. Between the eccentric side characters, the absurd plot twists, and the tension with the hot cop, it checks all the boxes.
Fast, funny, and over-the-top in the best way — if you’re a Stephanie Plum fan, you’re going to love this.
None Left to Tell by Nichole Ihli
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Historical Fiction/Thriller
- Have now added Ihli’s entire backlist to my TBR
I hadn’t even heard of the Mountain Meadows Massacre before reading this, and that’s embarrassing to admit. This book left me gutted—and thinking about how easily devastating, morally complex events can be buried or excused. Highly recommend for readers who appreciate intense historical fiction and stories that refuse to stay quiet.
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Memoir
- A fascinating look at Britney’s side of the media’s narrative about her life
The Woman in Me was eye-opening because I remember the media frenzy around Britney’s life, and hearing her side of those events was wild. While I’m not sure I believe everything she says, I still loved getting her perspective and seeing how it all really went down.
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Business & Money
- Full of ideas and tools to bring your dreams to fruition
While the core ideas aren’t necessarily groundbreaking—Green credits thought leaders like Zig Ziglar and Tony Robbins—her conversational writing style, personal storytelling, and clear, actionable insights keep you engaged and inspired. The book is filled with motivational quotes from successful entrepreneurs, entertainers, and public figures, making it a go-to resource for anyone needing a mindset reset.
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Memoir
- Compelling writing/storytelling
While the writing is sharp and the premise compelling, this memoir reads more like a self-congratulatory confession than a self-aware reckoning. Gagne insists she’s not justifying her behavior—but 400 pages of “here’s why I did it” makes that hard to believe.
Thought-provoking? Yes. Honest? Probably.
But for readers who’ve lived with people like this, it might hit too close to home.
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That’s it for my May wrap-up! 📚✨
What was your favorite book of the month? Drop a comment below and let’s chat! If you have any recommendations, I’m all ears!
If you loved any of these books, feel free to share this post with your fellow book lovers! The more, the merrier! 📚✨
