I didn’t like the layout/graphics I’d been using for book posts this year, so I’m pivoting! Hopefully the result is a bit cleaner and easier to read.
In case you’re interested in other months: January, February, March, and April.
NONFICTION READS IN MAY 2026
In the non-fiction category I had: two 3-star reads, three 4-star reads, one 5-star read (and one memoir I didn’t rate).
Solitude: A Singular Life in a Crowded World by Michael Harris *3 stars
I finished this book and immediately forgot almost everything about it. Something just didn’t click for me. It was a quick read, but wasn’t memorable and it didn’t feel like Harris was the right person to be writing about solitude (he seems to be an extrovert and didn’t give much practical advice for incorporating solitude into everyday life).
That said, it was interesting to read a book which talks a lot about the negative impact of technology and the digitization of everything… written almost a decade ago! Imagine what he’d have to say about ChatGPT!
Raising Hare: A Memoir by Chloe Dalton *4 stars
A slow-moving, gentle book about a woman who ends up taking care of a vulnerable baby hare (called a leveret; I learned a new term by reading this book). Some of the prose felt overwritten and a bit too lyrical for a “memoir” and some of the factual bits about environmentalism felt a bit forced, but I really enjoyed reading this story.
I had to shake my head over the author’s insistence of not naming The Hare and not startling it with loud noises (to keep it “wild”) which felt bizarre given the fact she was feeding the hare daily (and its eventual offspring), and letting it sleep inside her house. That bit didn’t compute for me. The Hare deserves a name, in my opinion 🙂
Content warnings. Descriptions of animal death due to farming/predators.
The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward by Melinda French Gates *4 stars
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. (It’s short!) I thought it was an authentic look at growing older and prioritizing people and relationships. Of course, it’s written through the lens of someone who does not lead what would be considered a conventional life. But she has lots of the same struggles (losing people she loves to cancer, trying to balance a career and motherhood) as “everyday” people.
She was very subtle when talking about the breakdown of her marriage after Bill’s infidelity came to light, and she refers to him with a lot of respect, but I did notice he wasn’t mentioned in the acknowledgements section!
Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance by Laura Vanderkam *5 stars
(Here’s a full recap of my thoughts on the book.)
I’m always going to be a bit biased when I read Laura’s books because I find everything she writes so… calming. She makes me feel better about my use of time while simultaneously making me also want to make a series of subtle tweaks to squeeze more pleasure out of life.
Big Time is a great book, and a natural companion to her other work, especially Off the Clock and Tranquility by Tuesday.
As with every time-management book, not everything is going to be relevant to every reader. Every situation is unique and so Laura’s books offer a variety of suggestions, not a mandatory rule book.
I’ll definitely re-read this in the future when I need a pep talk and to inspire some fun additions to my schedule.
Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic: A Comedian’s Guide to Life on the Spectrum by Michael McCreary *not rated
I wouldn’t classify the book as overtly funny, but it was an insightful memoir into the life of a teen (then adult) living with autism.
Content warnings. Occasional strong language. Discussions of bullying.
Joyful, Anyway by Kate Bowler *3 stars
Anything by Kate Bowler is an automatic read for me, though I’ve had mixed success with her books. Unfortunately, this one was a bit of a miss for me. I found it boring, not overly cohesive and entirely forgettable.
Bowler is a good writer, so it wasn’t a complete wash, but definitely not anything that will rise to the top in my memory.
Content warnings: I can’t remember any but am rating this a few weeks after finishing the book, so specifics are a bit fuzzy.
The Art of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a Richer Life by Morgan Housel *4 stars
(This book inspired a Patreon post.)
Nothing life-changing, but a very simple and encouraging reframe of spending and saving. I think naturally frugal people will find it inspiring and people looking to realign financial priorities will find manageable steps to move closer to their goals.
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel *4 stars
Technically I read this in June, but I’m going to post it in May’s recap!
This is an incredible story of an unconventional life. I went in blind and didn’t realize that:
a) Christopher Knight survived by stealing from local residents. I can appreciate that he was non-violent, but victims’ description of the impact he had on their mental health left a deep impression on me and so I had a very icky feeling about how he managed to support his decades-long stay in the woods.
b) Finkel has the most complete access to this story, but his relentless pursuit of Knight is horrific. It seems to breach all sorts of journalistic ethics.
All that said, I found the story incredibly compelling to read and remain very intrigued by the concept of people spending extended times in solitude.
Content warnings. Very infrequent strong language.
FICTION READS IN MAY 2026
Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein *3 stars
3.5 stars rounded down to 3.
This book was good but not great. I debated whether to round up or down, and I’m going with my gut of down.
I felt like this book was all over the place, repetitive, and very boring in the middle. Also, I know these girls loved their mother, but I had a very deep dislike for Liz. She was neglectful and manipulative and controlling. I found it intensely sad.
The only people I liked in the book were Mia (and Oliver!). Mia is selfless and the rest of the family seems incredibly selfish, to me!
Content warnings. Occasional strong language. References to sexual assault.
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson *4 stars
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I wanted to love this book. Reading it in Finland had to give it extra pizazz, right?
It is loosely based on Jansson’s own life and the description of summers spent on an island off the coast of Helsinki is beautifully rich.
I found the stories/vignettes a bit disjointed. Some of it was sad, Sophia was rude, and I’m not quite sure how the father fits into the whole story.
This book is a BELOVED classic in Sweden and Finland and I can see why, but I also wonder if some of it was literally lost in translation?
Content warnings. Occasional strong language.
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris *4 stars
This was always going to be a disturbing book, but a few people recommended it and it definitely pulled me in.
It’s a fascinating look at psychological profiling. I wish the story wasn’t so gritty but, having watched the movies several decades ago, I knew what was coming.
Content warnings: So many. Strong language. Graphic descriptions of violence.
Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston *3 stars
I LOVED First Lie Wins and couldn’t wait to read Elston’s latest book.
What a letdown. I found the plot boring, the characters unlikeable, and the whole story unnecessarily convoluted. I didn’t find any of the twists particular intriguing. A giant meh.
Content warnings: Some strong language.
TOP PICKS FOR MAY
- Fiction:Â The Silence of the Lambs. This is a very disturbing story and not one I would necessarily recommend to other readers, but it was the most well-written book of fiction I got through last month.
- Non-fiction: Big Time. Laura did it again. I loved her latest time management book.
Your turn:
- What was your favourite book read in May?
- Have you read any of the books I’ve mentioned above?
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I really liked Anatomy of an Alibi- I didn’t see the twists! And usually I can. Books hit different people differently.
I did finally read The Picture of Dorian Gray- ugh. Sone lovely language and great concept, but it dragged. It should have been a short story. I was going to make my teen sons read it but told they they didn’t have to.
I can’t remember too many books from May. I did enjoy the new Murderbot, though it ranks lower than the earlier novels/novellas.
The hermit book would enrage me- not a hermit, just a parasite stealing from others. I’ll pass.
Have you read First Lie Wins? I REALLY liked that book by the same author.
I thought Picture of Dorian Gray was such an intriguing read, but I also recall thinking it dragged too much in the middle section.
I was really influenced by STRANGER IN THE WOODS when writing my novel THE HERMIT. I’ve always been fascinated by people who turn their backs on the world at large and live completely alone. Hope your re-entry to Wolfville goes well!
Thanks, Jan. Have you transitioned to Haliburton already, I suppose.
Looking forward to connecting with you when we’re both in the same town again <3
Yay books!
From your list, I’ve read:
The Next Day – I’m going to tag this one as a must read. It’s so short that there is no reason not to pick it up, and I feel like there is something here for everyone.
Big Time – my current audiobook, I’m about halfway through and I love it.
The Art of Spending Money – I started the audiobook and didn’t finish for the simple reason that I’ve already been through the process of learning to spend money. But just because I didn’t finish doesn’t mean that it’s not worth reading. Spending is an important skill!
Best reads of May – Yesteryear (the book that everyone either loves or hates, I loved it), What You Are Looking for in in the Library (awkward title, but reading this book is the equivalent of a spa day. Everyone needs it), and Lake Effect (eh, probably not for you. There are tons of equally good books out there that are not about infidelity and divorce).
The Next Day really surprised me; such a great read.
I love Laura’s books. So practical but broadly applicable.
Yes, I agree there’s nothing too “new” in The Art of Spending Money, but I think it’s a great resource.
I am on the holds list for both Yesteryear and What You Are Looking For. I saw you mention Lake Effect and looked it up and immediately figured out it was not safe for Elisabeth 🙂
The only book I finished last month was Follow Me to Alaska, but I really enjoyed it and now I’m reading the author’s second book.
My review here: https://practicalwalk.com/2026/06/04/may-book-stack-2/
It’s so nice to read a book and have a follow-up book by the same author!
I always enjoy your reviews, Elisabeth. My May reads were mostly pretty mediocre. Hoping for some amazing five star reads in June.
Some months seem to be like that. Onward and upward with your reading.
I read and loved the Melinda Gates book and I also loved Spectacular Things so we had very different reading experiences with that book. I loved the relationship between the sisters. Plus even though I am not athletic, I like books about athletes. Their mom made some questionable decisions for sure, though.
My May reads were a little bit meh with lots of 3 star reads. My favorite was Elizabeth Strout’s latest book!
I’m on hold for the Strout book and I’m excited about it since it’s a stand alone.
I loved My Name is Lucy Barton but her other’s have been hit-or-miss, so I’m curious to see what I think.
I’ve been in a reading slump lately and the last couple of books I’ve read, Stranger by Belle Burden and Always Pack a Candle, were just okay for me.
You mention you are intrigued by people living for extended periods in solitude. I saw a fascinating documentary several years ago called The Hermit of Treig about a man who chose to leave regular society after an attack that left him close to death. He spent 40 years living near the remote Loch Treig in Scotland and agreed to allow the young filmmaker into his life. He also wrote a book, which I have not read, but gets very good reviews, called The Way of the Hermit.
I LOVED both of the books you mention (Strangers and Always Pack a Candle); it just goes to show, different people have such different responses to books. It’s part of the magic, I think.
I’ve added The Way of the Hermit to my TBR.
I like Kate Bowler generally, but I think I’ve only read one of her books. Wait, maybe two? I don’t know, I can barely remember what happened yesterday.
Best book in May: I reread my fave The Blind Assassin, and I also gave five stars to Kokoro and The Things We Never Say. All three excellent books! I had kind of a run of not-great ones, though.
The Blind Assassin in on my holds list right now; you must be so proud of me 🙂
I am also waiting on The Things We Never Say. And I can’t get my hands on Kokoro, but I’m excited to order it in when I get home.
I also found Stranger in the Woods really fascinating.
Agreed!
I had to pop in to say I liked Beck Dorey Stein’s book about totally by chance becoming the stenographer for President Obama. It wasn’t intellectually off the charts or anything but it was interesting to hear her perspective as someone that traveled and recorded presidential history as a very young adult.
I’ve added it to my TBR!
I read Silence of the Lambs a long time ago. I agree with your review! And I own Big Time but haven’t read it yet- I just don’t naturally reach for nonfiction (but seriously- i have to read it.) The best book I read in May was Yesteryear!
Ohhh, you’ll like Big Time.
I am STILL waiting for Yesteryear. Sigh. I do hate waiting!
You read so much even when traveling, using a device I’ve never heard of. How do you get books put on the device? Does it cost?
A Kobo is like a Kindle (but Kindle’s don’t work with Canadian public library systems).
I’ve never paid for a single book on my Kobo. I get them all through my library. John found the e-reader second-hand for $15, so for that price, I’d read several hundred books on it by this point.
The only thing it can do is support e-books, so it’s not a tablet that can be used to surf the internet, etc. But for reading it’s amazing.
Other than Silence Of The Lambs (shudder!) I’ve not heard of any of these. The Stranger In The Woods sounds both fascinating and weird.
Heart The Lover by Lily King was probably my favorite book from May, but now it’s July. I’m so behind in the blogging world. 🙂
You have important things on our plate, Suz!!! The blog world is always here whenever you have the time and space to write <3
Until then, enjoy those grandbabies and fabulous new house.