I didn’t read as many books this month as I usually do, but since one of the books was 650 pages, I think I can be forgiven. The books I did read were, overall, absolutely terrific. There was only one highly promoted book that I did not care for at all. I just know you are going to find some wonderful recommendations here this month, so let’s get started.

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett. This is the author who wrote the hugely successful book The Help, which was also made into a really good movie. It took her 17 years to write a second book, but let me tell you, it was worth the wait. The Calamity Club is a sweeping historical novel set in Oxford, Mississippi, during the Great Depression in 1933. The story follows several women whose lives intersect under desperate circumstances: eleven-year-old orphan Meg Lefleur, outspoken bookkeeper Birdie Calhoun, and the fiercely determined Charlie, a woman with a troubled past. Each is struggling against poverty, rigid social expectations, and systems designed to limit women’s choices. The novel explores themes of female friendship, resilience, found family, and survival in the face of sexism, class division, and the harsh realities of Depression-era Mississippi. Despite the serious themes, the novel is full of humor. This is not a book you will forget in a few weeks. The story and characters will stick with you, and you will remember their humor and sass for a long time after finishing the book. 5 Stars

Five by Ilona Bannister was a wild ride. It has been a while since I have read a book with such a unique setup. We have five people who are waiting for a train. The train is due at the station in five minutes. One of them will die. Each chapter is a peek into the lives and characters of these people, and let me tell you, they are all dreadful individuals, on the surface at least. The author does a masterful job of leading the reader into the mindset of choosing the person they think most deserves to die. This book breaks “the fourth wall” and asks the reader to be judge, jury, and executioner. By the end of the book we will have had a glimpse into the backstories of the five main characters. We will understand the regrets, misdeeds, wounds, and hopes that made them who they are. Will we change our minds regarding our chosen victim? In addition to the five main characters, we get a glimpse into the characters of several bystanders who play a role at the scene: The Bad Back Man, The Immigrant Medical Student, and The List Maker. I highly recommend this short, but excellent book. 5 stars

Lucky by Marissa Stapely may be a short book, but it was quite entertaining. If you enjoy a heist story, you might like this one. Lucky Armstrong is a grifter who has just pulled off a million-dollar heist. Her plan is to set up a new identity and turn over a new leaf. Things soon go sideways, however, and she finds herself on her own without her boyfriend or her father, both of whom have taught her all the tricks to be a con. Now on the lam, she learns she is holding a winning lottery ticket worth millions. And she has no way to cash it. This book wasn’t great literature, but it was fast-paced and fun. I breezed through it. You could read it in one sitting out by the pool 3.5 stars

The Doorman by Chris Pavone is a book by an author I have really enjoyed. The Doorman is a suspenseful literary thriller set over the course of a single volatile day at the Bohemia, an ultra-exclusive apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. At the center of the story is Chicky Diaz, a longtime doorman and former Marine who quietly observes the secrets, betrayals, and power struggles of the wealthy residents he serves. Protests and racial tensions erupt across New York City following a police shooting, and the lives of several Bohemia residents begin to unravel. As the tensions inside and outside the building intensify, hidden connections between the residents emerge, leading to violence, betrayal, and a deadly confrontation. Not only is the book a page turning thriller, it is also a social commentary on wealth and power in contemporary America. I loved it. 5 stars

More Than Enough is the new book by prolific author Anna Quindlen. Our main character is Polly, a 42-year-old woman in a loving marriage who struggles with infertility. She belongs to a book club of supportive women who have become her best friends and sounding board. For her birthday, her friends give her a DNA test, which yields surprising results linking her to a complete stranger. It is a mistake, right? This author is so good at portraying real people dealing with the ordinary things life hands out, both good and bad. A number of struggles are portrayed, but the book is heartwarming and leads to a satisfying conclusion. Great characterization by a wonderful storyteller. 4 stars

Mutiny by John Boyne. First of all, I am completely besotted with this Irish author. Everything he writes has been a hit for me. We all know the story of Mutiny on the Bounty, right? Well, this version tips what you think you know right on its head. “This vivid retelling of the notorious mutiny is packed with humor, violence, and historical detail, while presenting an intriguingly different portrait of Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian than has ever been presented before.”

John Boyne has written the book from the point of view of Captain Bligh’s 14-year-old servant boy, John Jacob Turnstile, known affectionately as “Turnip”. As the book opens, Turnip has just been arrested for pickpocketing and is about to be thrown in jail for a year. A benefactor rescues him and arranges for him to join the crew of the Bounty as the Captain’s personal servant.

In Mutiny, William Bligh is portrayed as a far more complex and human figure than the cruel tyrant of popular legend. Rather than presenting him simply as the villain responsible for the mutiny aboard the Bounty, John Boyne depicts Bligh as an intelligent, disciplined, and highly capable naval officer whose rigidity, pride, and emotional coldness gradually alienate the men under his command. This nuanced portrayal makes the conflict aboard the Bounty morally complicated. The crew’s rebellion is understandable, but Bligh is not presented as purely evil; instead, he becomes a tragic figure whose inability to inspire loyalty contributes to his downfall.

I found this book absolutely gripping and devoured every page. Did you know that the Mutiny on the Bounty actually happened? This book was carefully researched and I found myself “Googling” many of the details. The character of Turnip may be imagined, but you will remember him long after you finish the book. 5 stars

Are you getting tired of all these 5 star recommendations? I can’t help it! I read some truly great books in May.

Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer is a book so many of you will relate to. The book is described as “a vibrant, heartfelt novel about friendship over the decades, self-discovery, and what it means to have a life well-lived.” Our 89-year-old protagonist Joy learns that her flamboyant best friend Hazel is dying of cancer. This sad news prompts law-abiding Joy to consider the life she has led and experiment with some, shall we say, bolder ways of behaving. Joy doesn’t exactly go from “good” to “bad”, but her moral compass certainly becomes more flexible. Pick this up if you like heartwarming books with older protagonists. 4 Stars

Now, for a very popular book that was not at all for me.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid was a disaster as far as I am concerned. This author has written some really good books that I have enjoyed in the past, so this offering was a big disappointment to me. I picked it up because I had liked Reid’s previous books, and because I thought the subject matter was about the first women astronauts in the NASA Space Shuttle program. However, the predominant theme was a sapphic romance between two unlikeable, one-dimensional characters. and not nearly enough about the remarkable first women in space. I found that the tone was preachy and the plot contrived. Sorry, not for me. 2 stars

That’s it for my May reading. As far as I’m concerned, Summer Reading Season has arrived, so expect some upcoming romances in June!