May and June Reading Recap

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May and June Reading Recap

May and June Reading Recap

May slipped by without a moment for me to stop and recap my reading life. I feel like I blinked, and June is gone as well, so I figured I would drop both into one long reading recap.

For me personally, May was a busy month, between all the end-of-year activities at school and gearing up for summer. We had some trouble with our water softener system (another thing my dad used to take care of), so we spent several weeks drinking bottled water and juggling extra tasks related to that.

We also officially launched our new Friends of the Library nonprofit group supporting our local library branch. We’ve gotten some fundraising efforts underway and are looking forward to helping fund the library’s programming for the fall.

In the midst of that struggle, something great happened. Back in March, one of our cats was diagnosed with cancer. We’ve been keeping him comfortable at home, but unsure how long that will last. We had really hoped to reach the end of the school year so that our girls didn’t have to face another loss in the midst of school.

He has continued to do well, which has been a huge relief. He’s a little spoiled these days, with extra love and treats, but he’s such a sweetheart that I don’t think anyone minds. We’ll enjoy whatever time he has left. I’m glad he’s gotten so many good days.

Once school ended, we kind of just paused to breathe. The summer days have been a little busier than usual, with me still working, but I think we’re all enjoying a slower pace.

I’m still super behind on books I agreed to review. I’ve caught up on the last books from March, but I still have a few from April, with more from May and June. I’m working them into my reading as best I can. I only have five more books to read in July, so I expect I’ll be able to catch up a bit this month.

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May Reading Recap

The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy by Erin Edwards

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This sweet sapphic Pride & Prejudice spin-off follows Miss Georgiana Darcy as she discovers love in an unexpected place. I’m a little bit fussy about stories that reimagine the characters from that original work, but I liked this one.

Published April 7, 2026 | My Review

The Danger of Small Things by Caryl Lewis

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My thoughts: This dystopian young adult novel explores what happens if the bees disappear and teenage girls are made to pollinate crops by hand. The premise is really engaging.

Published March 24, 2026 | My Review

Charmed and Dangerous by Shelly Page

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My thoughts: This imaginative, adorable secret agent rom-com had me from its earliest pages. I loved the quirky magical world. Lots of fun.

Published March 24, 2026 | My Review

The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America by David Levithan and Gabriel Duckels

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My thoughts: This is an incredible tribute to those who tirelessly cared for people with AIDS, fought stigma, and aggressively pursued research toward better treatment and a cure. An absolute must-read.

Published April 21, 2026 | My Review

The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy by Angela Cervantes

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My thoughts: This was a perfect read for this season. I liked the upbeat dialogue between characters and the engaging mystery elements.

Published May 5, 2026 | My Review

The Last Best Quest Ever by F. T. Lukens

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My thoughts: If you know me at all, you already know this was one of my most highly anticipated reads this year. Totally worth the wait to read it! It’s cozier than the cover makes it out to be, and packed with great characters and sweet romance.

Published May 26, 2026 | My Review

Beautiful Country: A Memoir of an Undocumented Childhood by Qian Julie Wang

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My thoughts: This has been on my reading list for YEARS. So glad I read this moving story.

Published September 7, 2021 | My Review to Come

Journey to Tomioka by Laurent Galandon and Michaël Crouzat

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My thoughts: Two children seek their grandmother’s farm in the Fukushima Exclusion Zone, an area contaminated after a nuclear disaster. Filled with references to Japanese folklore and the power of community connections.

Published June 9, 2026 | My Review

Shards of Silence by Brian Lee Young

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My thoughts: An Indigenous boy gains entrance to an elite boarding school, triggering his great-grandmother’s memories of her youth in an Indian Boarding School. The juxtaposition of Derrick’s experience with that of his great-grandmother makes this a powerful story.

Published May 5, 2026 | My Review

The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds

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My thoughts: This graphic novel adaptation preserves a more classic style in how it narrates the story. The Odyssey was never my favorite, but I enjoyed revisiting it here with Hinds’ compelling illustrations.

Published May 5, 2026 | My Review

Anna-Jane and the Endless Summer by Paige Classey

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My thoughts: Another dystopian novel, this time middle grade and told in verse. Definitely one for Megan E. Freeman fans!

Published April 28, 2026 | My Review

Both Sides Now: A Story About Young Joni Mitchell by Lydia Corry

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My thoughts: Corry also wrote a story about young Emily Dickinson in this series. Here, she explores Joni Mitchell’s early life. I loved it.

Published May 19, 2026 | My Review

June Reading Recap

If You Were Here by Abigail Johnson

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My thoughts: An adorable grumpy/sunshine romance set in Nantucket. This is a perfect summer read.

Published April 28, 2026 | My Review

Lake Life by Tanya Boteju

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My thoughts: Another great summer romance, perfect for fans of Jennifer Dugan. This fake-dating, sapphic romance is lots of fun.

Published May 26, 2026 | My Review

Let’s Get Together by Brandy Colbert

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My thoughts: The Parent Trap gets a welcome update in this middle grade novel about sisters who reconnect unexpectedly.

Published September 9, 2025 | My Review to Come

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst

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My thoughts: This cozy fantasy romance is another welcome summer read. A girl decides to help her aunt care for a failing bed and breakfast, only to discover magical secrets abound.

Published March 31, 2026 | My Review

Finish Lines by Sarah Broyles

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My thoughts: A sporty young adult graphic novel about competitive canoe racing. I love seeing this sport represented and the exploration of boundaries and work-life balance is incredibly welcome as well.

Published June 16, 2026 | My Review

The Lustrous Dark by Loretta Chefchaouni

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My thoughts: This novel explores addiction through a fantasy landscape. I enjoyed the themes about community and found family.

Published May 19, 2026 | My Review

Wilderness Hacks by Joslin Brorson

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My thoughts: A flash flood turns a simple kayaking run into a survival situation. This intense middle grade novel kept me turning pages all the way to the end.

Published March 31, 2026 | My Review

The Lovers, the Liars, and Me by DeAndra Davis

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My thoughts: Before going to college, a girl returns to Jamaica hoping to connect with her estranged mother, only to find other powerful connections in this moving contemporary novel.

Published June 23, 2026 | My Review to Come

Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai

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My thoughts: It was easy to get lost in this gorgeous fantasy landscape. I eagerly followed the relationship between Siying and Ren. Give this to fans of Joan He.

Published April 14, 2026 | My Review to Come

Cursed Princess Club Series, Volumes 1-5 by LambCat

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My thoughts: Reimagined fairy tales, especially those with subverted tropes, are still a favorite type of story to read for me. These volumes were originally published as webtoons, but they read very smoothly as a graphic novel. I read all five volumes of the series in June and enjoyed them.

What did you read in May and June 2026?

What have you been reading lately? Did you read any of the books on my reading list? Leave a comment and let me know what you read or something you’re looking forward to reading soon.

Review: Corpse de Ballet by Megan Kearney

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Corpse de Ballet
Megan Kearney
First Second
Published July 7, 2026

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About Corpse de Ballet

In her solo graphic novel debut, Megan Kearney weaves a fresh tale of dark academia and brutal competition. This psychological thriller is perfect for fans of Black Swan!

Arriving at Saint Anselmus in the middle of the year, Rosamund Hammond is ready to practice hard and prove she deserves to be there. But something at this boarding school doesn’t feel right.

It turns out that just before Rosamund enrolled, a student disappeared without telling anyone. Was it really a leave of absence—or something more sinister? Together with her new roommate, Rosamund spirals deeper and deeper into an obsession with the truth. As the school prepares for its showcase performance of Coppélia, can she commit to her hard-earned ballet dreams while solving the mystery that’s haunting her—or will she lose herself in the process?

My Review

As a former dancer, I love books that feature ballet. Graphic novels are especially fun because of the visual representation of dance. This one is no exception. I loved the way that the illustrations captured the movement of dance. The story emphasizes the difference between rote performance and transcendent embodiment of roles and movements. The panels capture that nicely.

I also enjoyed the psychological elements. For a long stretch of the story, I wasn’t sure what to believe. Is Rosamund imagining things? Which characters are trustworthy? Someone is hiding things, but who is it? As the intensity builds, I found myself reading faster, eager to reach the moment the truth is revealed.

Another wonderful surprise in this book is how much history it contains. While I was familiar with the ballet Coppélia, I didn’t know anything about the original tale it was adapted from or anything about the author of that story. That history and some information about famous performances of the story tied together really well with the story Kearney tells here.

Altogether, this is a clever, gorgeous story that will delight and haunt its readers. It’s not quite as intense as the movie The Black Swan, but if you like that kind of story, definitely check this one out.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used pretty infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Rosamund believes a ghost is communicating with her. References to a story about an alchemist seeking to animate an automaton.

Violent Content
Bullying and manipulation. Psychological tension. Brief reference to a ritual human sacrifice in a story.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Roar by Varsha Bajaj

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Roar
Varsha Bajaj
Nancy Paulsen Books
Published May 12, 2026

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About Roar

The New York Times bestselling author of Thirst brings listeners the gripping story of a boy whose eye-opening trip to a tiger sanctuary ignites his desire to join those who are roaring to protect the animals

Rohan loves animals—especially tigers—so he’s beyond thrilled when he gets to fly to India and stay near the tiger sanctuary where his grandfather works. At last, a chance to observe tigers in real life—especially Arya and her twin cubs—and when Ro finally sees them, the experience is even more breathtaking than he’d imagined.

When signs of poachers are discovered, he’s distraught, and unfortunately that’s not the only threat the tigers face—protesters have assembled to support a mining company that would encroach upon the tigers’ space. Rohan knows there are always two sides to an argument, and the mines might provide jobs, but it’s clear to him that he must be on the tigers’ side.

Then a horrible crime occurs, filling him with determination to do all he can to make sure people know how important it is to protect the tigers.

My Review

This book does a lot of things really well. I love that it introduces readers to an animal sanctuary. It offers a lot of information about tigers, including some things about baby tigers and how they grow.

For the most part, the book’s tone is very lighthearted. The main characters, and especially the younger characters, are positive and supportive of one another. This doesn’t mean the book avoids difficult topics. Rohan learns hard truths about the presence of poachers and the harm that poaching does to wildlife, including tigers.

The story alternates between Rohan and Arya’s perspectives, though most of the story is told from Rohan’s perspective. There’s one scene from another character’s point of view, too. Most of the story takes place in India, though the beginning and ending take place in Texas, where Rohan’s family lives.

The chapters are very short, and the overall story is under 200 pages, which makes this a great book for reluctant readers. It’s nicely paced and makes for a quick read.

Fans of Rosanne Parry’s books will enjoy the focus on nature here. The story will also resonate with readers who enjoyed Hafsa’s Way by Aisha Saeed.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
References to prayers from leaders of several different faiths as part of a public funeral ceremony.

Violent Content
References to poaching and traps that hurt animals. An animal dies on scene. Another animal injures a human.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

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Simon Sort of Says
Erin Bow
Disney Hyperion
Published January 31, 2023

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About Simon Sort of Says

Simon O’Keeffe’s biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a holy sacrament. Or maybe the alpaca disaster that went viral on YouTube. But the story the whole world wants to tell about Simon is the one he’d do anything to forget: the story in which he’s the only kid in his class who survived a school shooting.

Two years after the infamous event, twelve-year-old Simon and his family move to the National Quiet Zone—the only place in America where the internet is banned. Instead of talking about Simon, the astronomers who flock to the area are busy listening for signs of life in space. And when Simon makes a friend who’s determined to give the scientists what they’re looking for, he’ll finally have the chance to spin a new story for the world to tell.

From award-winning author Erin Bow, Simon Sort of Says is a breathtaking testament to the lasting echoes of trauma, the redemptive power of humor, and the courage it takes to move forward without forgetting the past.

My Review

I drastically underestimated how deeply the themes in this book would affect me. My oldest daughter was in kindergarten the year that the shooting at Sandy Hook occurred, and I remember how hard it was to drop her off at school the next day. I kept thinking about the parents who would no longer be able to drop their children off. Heartbreaking barely begins to cover it.

My littlest isn’t quite Simon’s age, but as I read, I kept thinking about her classmates and their relationships with her, and the parents I know. Her teacher. I kept thinking about how hard it would be to navigate what Simon went through, both for Simon and for his parents. Heavy stuff.

Despite that, or perhaps in spite of it, the story has a lot of humor in it, too. Simon’s family’s new home comes with a peacock they name Pretty Stabby for his aggressive behavior. The squirrel situation at the church had me cackling. I loved the banter between Simon’s parents.

I also love the friendships Simon forms with Agate and Kevin. Each relationship is different, and the story really captures that weird dynamic that can happen when you bring two very different friends into each other’s orbit and have no idea if they’ll get along.

I like that this book makes space to wrestle with how someone’s faith might be impacted by the kind of tragedy Simon’s family experienced. His dad shares a message at one point that cuts through the platitudes and challenges his community to respond differently. I loved that.

All in all, this is a hard read, for sure. It’s also deeply moving, heartbreaking, and hilarious. I totally recommend this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Simon’s parents spell a couple of swear words. Simon points out that he knows how to spell, and therefore, his parents aren’t really being discreet.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Simon’s dad is a priest. Some scenes reference services, teachings, or holidays that Simon’s family celebrates or attends church. A squirrel eats the communion host, causing big feelings within the congregation. Simon’s mom jokes that the squirrel is now 30% Jesus by volume.

Violent Content
Simon survived a school shooting and carries some trauma from the experience. He panics at the sound of a tornado siren. He doesn’t like to be in a space with only one exit. Though some scenes reference what happened and let readers know that his friends did not survive the shooting, the shooting itself is never shown on the page.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a copy of this book from the public library. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Ribbon Skirt by Cameron Mukwa

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The Ribbon Skirt
Cameron Mukwa
Graphix
Published November 12, 2024

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About The Ribbon Skirt

A joyful coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel by debut Indigenous creator Cameron Mukwa about the journey of a two-spirit kid who wants to create a ribbon skirt for the upcoming powwow.

Ten-year-old Anang wants to make a ribbon skirt, a piece of clothing typically worn by women in the Anishinaabe tradition, for an upcoming powwow. Anang is two-spirit and nonbinary and doesn’t know what others will think of them wearing a ribbon skirt, but they’re determined to follow their heart’s desire. Anang sets off to gather the materials needed to make the skirt and turns to those around them — their family, their human and turtle friends, the crows, and even the lake itself — for help. And maybe they’ll even find a new confidence within themself along the way.

My Review

I was a little slow to connect to Anang as a character. In the first few pages of the book, I wasn’t sure what was going on. Some of that might simply be that a graphic novel format doesn’t leave room for much exposition. I found myself picking up hints about what was going on as the scenes unfolded.

Once I understood why Anang worried so much about making a ribbon skirt, everything clicked into place. This happens on page 9, so readers aren’t asked to invest much time before the story becomes clear. I just spent those early pages feeling like I’d missed something.

I loved the way the spiritual part of Anang’s journey is represented in the story. Mukwa crafts a very visual experience and even involves Anang’s companions. (Their reactions are funny, too.)

The storytelling is gentle and warm. Mukwa lets readers glimpse some of the bullying Anang has endured without letting those moments upstage their current experiences. The focus remains on Anang’s quest to find materials for and make a ribbon skirt for the upcoming powwow.

The backmatter has a helpful note to visitors who would like to attend a powwow on how to engage as a guest and behave respectfully. The author also includes a short note explaining the history and meaning of the two-spirit identity that readers will find informative.

All in all, this graphic novel is a lovely, uplifting read.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 9 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Anang asks spirits (two turtles and a lake) for guidance about making a ribbon skirt. The spirits help them find materials and remind them to be true to themself. Others with Anang see and interact with the spirits as well. Anang offers tobacco in thanks.

Violent Content
Some transphobic comments.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Lustrous Dark by Loretta Chefchaouni

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The Lustrous Dark
Loretta Chefchaouni
Peachtree Teen
Published May 19, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Lustrous Dark

For fans of Sabaa Tahir and Guillermo del Toro comes The Lustrous Dark, a sweeping YA fantasy inspired by a Moroccan folktale, in which a young midwife’s apprentice rises up to take back the power that’s been stolen from women.

Orphaned as a baby, Shay has spent her life training as the midwife’s apprentice. Her role grants her stability, yet Shay has always yearned for more. Namely, motherly affection and answers regarding her mysterious birth—neither of which the midwife deems practical to provide.

After Shay discovers her birth mother, Hind, is still alive and addicted to a magical drug called Snow, she determines to get the woman clean. But when Hind betrays Shay to get her hands on more Snow, Shay’s abandoned within a deadly forest and forced to rely on a band of monstrous ghouls for safety.

Shay’s realm has long stood on the brink of war between the men who control magic and the revolutionaries who want to eliminate it. But in the forest, Shay hears the pleading call of ancient spirits who claim that not only has magic been stolen, but she has the power to return it. With the help of a spitfire revolutionary and the boy who’s winning over her heart, Shay discovers the horrific truth of who produces Snow and will have to decide for herself whether to heed the spirits’ charge or fade into obscurity.

This emotionally raw and gorgeously rendered fairytale combines the lush worldbuilding of This Woven Kingdom with the mother trauma of Snow White and a dash of Tim Burton. Steeped in mysticism and mythology, The Lustrous Dark confronts injustices against women with a righteous scream that’ll inspire readers to rally against the patriarchy and oppressive regimes worldwide.

My Review

The author’s note at the beginning of the book shares how Chefchaouni came to write this story. She shares a bit about its personal connection to her life. I loved having that context as I went into the story. It definitely has the feel of a book that’s wrestling with deep things.

Shay herself wrestles with her feelings about her adoptive mom. She longs for a connection with her biological mother and has both fears and desires regarding her own hidden magical abilities. Those experiences felt incredibly real.

The portrayal of addiction is a little more stigmatized than I’ve seen lately, especially in young adult fiction. While the story explores some of the predatory behavior of groups in power and the role that Snow plays in that power structure, the story doesn’t delve very deeply into the illness of addiction. The most prominent character battling addiction is portrayed as both a victim of her addiction and an untrustworthy person. Both Shay’s behavior and this other character’s are realistic. I think the story would have benefited from additional context on addiction as an illness.

That aside, I thought the story and its themes of addiction as a means of subjugating a population made for a powerful vehicle for reimagining the Moroccan folktale. The fantasy landscape is filled with intricate details that all feel like they could have their own stories. The large cast of characters is handled well.

All in all, this evocative fantasy, exploring complex feelings about the pull of biological connections and the unique power of femininity, makes for a fascinating read.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. Vague reference to sex. Vague reference to sexual abuse.

Spiritual Content
The story contains some folklore tales about how the story’s monsters came to exist. Magic has been outlawed and stigmatized as a result of using a powerful drug called Snow. Some babies are born with magical abilities. A strong tea can suppress the ability. Midwives have a special spiritual affinity, since they spend so much time near the veil between life and death in the course of their work.

Violent Content
Several scenes show traumatic birth events. (Babies that must be revived after birth, a mother dying in childbirth.) Brief, graphic descriptions of execution by hanging. Brief, graphic descriptions of a group of monsters consuming someone’s remains. And brief, graphic descriptions of a soldier killing a woman. A vampire-like character attacks a woman and boasts of killing others.

Drug Content
A powerful drug called Snow is highly addictive. Shay tries to help an addicted woman who isn’t ready/able to give up her addiction.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.