Hi friends! Welcome to the monthly installment of the Mack in Style Book List! Today I’ll be sharing with you everything I read in May, along with what I plan to read in June.
Overall, May was a very successful month in reading– although unfortunately I didn’t get around to reading everything I committed to, I still read TEN books! The one book I listed in my May book list that I didn’t have the opportunity to finish was An American Marriage. I’ll be reading that one after i’m finished with the #BadBitchBookClub BOTM.
WHAT I READ IN MAY:
1.) Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah – Kristin Hannah has a remarkable talent for making me sob uncontrollably. This is the story of two best friends and fifty years of friendship. I gave this book five stars and in exchange my heart was shattered into a million pieces.
2.) Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan – Tell Me More is the story of the 12 things that Kelly Corrigan is learning to say. I didn’t anticipate that this bite-sized (under 200 page) book would result in several mini-breakdowns on the train. I recommend this book for anyone who is currently going through a period of grief.
3.) Normal People by Sally Rooney – I had high expectations for this book, and then I lowered them, because the author told me to in a Jezebel article. I absolutely loved this story of semi-unrequited love. Though I’m reluctant to recommend it, as many members of the book club i’m in didn’t love it. If you’ve ever been strung along for years on end by a boy who never really wanted to be your boyfriend– this is the book for you!!
4.) The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand – If I had to describe Elin Hilderbrand’s writing style in one world, I would use “beachy.” Per usual, this novel takes place in Nantucket. This is the story of a matchmaker with a perfect track record finding love for everyone– except herself! I fucking loved this book. A pure-trash beach read that’s actually a little more substantial than just that.
5.) Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D Jackson – Monday’s Not Coming is a story about a missing girl, her sketchy family– and a best friend that won’t stop looking for her. This Y/A book manages to cover race, class and education and I cannot recommend it enough. I read it in 6 hours.
6.) When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton – When I heard there was a sequel to Next Year in Havana I was over-the-moon excited. The first book in the series was one of my absolute favorites reads of 2018. The followup is about Beatrice Perez, the adventurous sister. If you’re into girl power and historical fiction– you MUST read this book.
7.) The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed – Last month’s Bad Bitch Book Club book of the month was The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed. It’s about three teenage girls who come together to avenge the rape of a classmate and change the misogynist culture of their school. It’s a Y/A book and one you’ll have a hard time putting down. Personally, I loved it.
8.) A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles – For two years I have had this book sitting at my desk at work. It was given to me for free, and I’ve tried to start it twice before. This time, when I stupidly forgot to pack An American Marriage in my tote bag, I decided to start and finish A Gentleman in Moscow for once and for all. It took me 10 days, two plane rides and a full day at the beach to finally accomplish this goal. Had I known it would require so much effort, I may never have started. It’s the story about a Count in Russia who is exiled to spend the rest of his life in a big hotel. The story itself is really good, but it could have been 30% shorter and I would have liked it better. My opinion is an unpopular one, as everyone else absolutely loves it.
9.) The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin – This is the story of the lives of 4 children who go to a fortune teller who tells them the date of their death. It’s incredibly original and I did enjoy it, but it’s probably not something that will stick with me forever. I felt like all the stories were just a liiiiiittle hard to follow. I read a lot of pages twice before moving forward.
10.) Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans – I did not expect that a book i’d read on a plane could possibly change my entire world view. Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans is a five star book. Highly recommend for anyone who grew up in a religious community, but no longer associates themselves with the church. Rachel passed away suddenly a month ago at the age of 37, prompting my grandmother to buy this book and then loan it to me. Absolutely loved it.
WHAT I’M READING IN JUNE:
1.) A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum – This is the June Bad Bitch Book of The Month. It’s about a modern day arranged marriage that takes place in Brooklyn. I’ve heard nothing but incredible things about this story, and I can’t wait to start today. Interested in joining us? Just request to join our FB group.
2.) An American Marriage by Tayari Jones – People feel passionately about An American Marriage; they either love it or hate it. Because of this, I’ve put off reading it– despite owning the book. However, I feel that going in with neutral expectations is the best way to approach this novel. After all, if Oprah likes it, why wouldn’t I? I meant to read this last month and didn’t get around to it, so i’m determined to start it in June!
3.) Hope in the Dark by Rebecca Solnit – I read “Men Explain Things to me” and didn’t love it, but I’m part of a Democratic book club through the Morning Toast Podcast Facebook group (a lot, I know)– and this is our monthly book! So i’m going to read it, despite being a little pessimistic this feminist manifesto was written prior to the Trump-era.
4.) Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb – The “Spring in New York” book club i’m in has chosen this as their monthly selection! Although i’m unable to make this month’s meeting, I plan to read the book. I’ve never been to therapy before, but I’m interested in mental health + i’ve heard great things about this book.
Buy Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
I’m hoping to read 5 or 6 books, but these are the only one’s i’m full-on committing to this month. I have a biiiig stack of unread books at home.
