What I Read in May 2026
May was a strange one for me, since I spent nearly half of the month traveling/vacationing. I would have guessed that would mean more time to read, but that sadly wasn’t the case! Although reading less than I would have liked seems to be the story of my 2026, here are the 3 books I read and recommend from May.
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The Love of Another Life by Emma Cooper
This was a really enchanting story with some magical realism elements, women's fiction vibes, and an HEA for the romance lovers like me. I am a fan of friends who want something more in a relationship (hello, yearning), and this book has a lot of it…in two timelines! I personally loved seeing the plot unfold from both sides. The main character, Alice, is very relatable, having returned to her hometown after her life (engagement, career, etc) falls apart. Throughout the book, the deeper emotions each character has for the other were revealed at just the right moments. It felt like there was always something new to discover, either in regards to the plot or the way characters felt about each other. It’s set in the UK, so if you’re not used to British slang, there may be a slight added challenge, but it really is minor. This was an ARC I received from NetGalley, and I’ll admit that I spent an evening or two staying up late reading it, which is honestly the highest praise a book can get, if you ask me!
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
After hearing endlessly good things about this book from my husband and then enjoying the movie, I dusted off my Audible subscription where I had used a credit ages ago to buy Project Hail Mary. They say that the book is always better, but in this case I’d say the audiobook is definitely better—the narrator was incredible. I got a great sense of Grace’s character (which no doubt informed Ryan Gosling’s interpretation), and the narrator really brought Weir’s writing to life. I don’t know how I would have fared with just the book, since there were a few moments that dove deep into the scientific aspect of things. It was really nice having a narrator to make that more personable and understandable. But overall this was a great read. Amaze amaze amaze!
Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune
When I saw the premise for this book, I knew I had to read it (estranged friends to lovers romance book fans, rise up). I’ve read other Carley Fortune books, and she is a master at capturing fleeting moments and heart-wrenching emotions. This book follows Frankie after her fiancé ditches her the morning of her wedding with a handwritten note (brutal). Her honeymoon is set for a few months later, and because it’s practically all paid for, she still goes…with her childhood best friend, George. 😉 It’s a really tropey setup, but in classic Carley Fortune form, it’s nuanced, complicated, and feels very, very real. It was an absolutely charming story with lots of emotion, some complicated family dynamics, and a romance book with a lovely setting that whisks you abroad. Carley Fortune has solidified herself as an auto-buy author for me!