I finished two books in May, and two great books they were! It’s rare that I rate two books 5-stars back to back! It’s no secret that I am a fan of historical fiction and I do enjoy a descriptive writing style. I like to feel like I am “there” with the protagonist(s). Both these books very much met these expectations.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (★★★★★)
I loved everything about this book. The historical background, the descriptive writing, and heroine Kya, the Marsh Girl. Abandoned at age 10, Kya learns to survive in the North Carolina marsh on her own, taking lessons from nature, and living in harmony with it. But she does have to venture out to nearby Barkley Cove for supplies, and inevitably sparks the interest of two young men from town. When one of them winds up dead, Kya is instantly suspect.
I am a bit of a critical reader and it’s very rare that a book is so neatly structured that I hardly find anything to criticize. There were no loose ends, no eye-rolling moments, nothing that was tied up too conveniently. Even my BIL loved it. Go read it.
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (★★★★★)
This novel is based on true events, the Packhorse Librarian Program that was inaugurated by Eleanor Roosevelt during the Depression in rural Kentucky. Five brave and independent women travel into the mountains to bring books and magazine to those without access to schools. The book touches on many topics, including racism, sexism, and corruptness during these times, but it’s mostly a book about female friendship and the slow but steady revolt against a system that is (still) run by men. The characters were intriguing and well-developed, and I felt so invested in their journeys. I highly recommend it.
What did you read in May? Anything you’d like to recommend? Leave a comment, and then add me on Goodreads to keep in touch.
People come to Target all the time looking for that Delia Owens book, and we’re usually sold out! Your assessment of it confirms what people have said – this is an uncommon read. I’ll have to try it!
It’s a really good book, I hope you get to read it.
I loved Crawdads! I read it on vacation last year after a long dry spell of not so great books. Giver of Stars sounds good. The best book that I read in May was The Passenger by Lisa Lutz.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Thanks for reading tips. I’ll have to get a hold of Crawdads.
I was looking for something VERY light and read “Food” by comedian Jim Gaffigan. Nothing intellectual, but highly entertaining.
I really loved Crawdads, too! I haven’t read the other one but I will have to check it out! I read a number of good books in May and June is off to a good start, too. I read “how to be an antiracist” for book club. We pick our books in January so it’s uncanny that we are reading such a timely read right now! I am sure it will make for a great discussion. I just finished “The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living” which was a super cozy, delightful read. Just what I needed right now.