What I Read in May
In all honesty, this month’s book round-up feels very unbalanced. There were some books I loved, and others were hard to get through. I think when people talk to me about consistency with reading, the secret really comes down to enjoying what you read - some of this month’s picks were tedious to get through and if I didn’t have a goal to hit, I wouldn’t have finished them (or would have taken a break from reading afterwards!). For me, jumping into a palette cleanser book is the secret to continuity; if the last book I read was a bummer, it makes it that much harder to re-engage after a break. That said, here’s everything I read this month.
what i read in may
10x is easier than 2x: how world-class entrepreneurs achieve more by doing less by dan sullivan and dr. benjamin hardy
4.5/5 stars
I had seen this book all over social media, and while most “viral” books fail to live up to the hype, 10x is Easier than 2x certainly did.
First things first: this is specifically for entrepreneurs, and the author mentions repeatedly that the concept won’t apply to a managerial role. I could see how you could apply it towards certain goals (like finances), but it wouldn’t make to apply to your health, so this book isn’t for everyone.
Easy to read with lots of takeaways, the author spends a decent amount of time talking about mindset, not in a preachy way, but to show you exactly how impactful reaching for 10x is compared to 2x. That’s what makes this book impactful, in my opinion, because there aren’t a ton of concrete steps listed out for you to follow since 10x will look different for everyone.
The examples were good and clearly focused on outliers; I would have loved to read about someone who started at ground zero, but when you factor in how intense you have to be to 10x your life, it makes sense.
Favorite quotes and takeaways:
“Chunking-up the goal to its next quantum level up and making it 10x bigger forces you to find different pathways to get where you want to go. You ask different questions to different people. There are many paths to 2x or linear progress, which is one reason it's ineffective and overly complex to go 2x. There are few paths leading to 10x, making the goal simple and highly effective. Again, almost nothing will work for 10x, which is why it's so useful.” (p. 32)
“When you're not making big progress, time speeds up for you. The years pass by and you aren't really going anywhere. Conversely, when you are transforming and making huge progress, your time dilates and slows down. You advance and transform more in a year than is normal for a decade.” (p. 181)
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
not the woman you think by hazel calder
4/5 stars
What. A. Book. I don’t even remember how I found Not the Woman You Think, but I’m grateful I did. First things first, I’d consider this to be contemporary fiction or fictitious social commentary rather than a thriller. While there is the element of cat-and-mouse suspense, it’s not a thriller and those expecting that will likely be disappointed.
It was so refreshing to read about a woman in her 40s who is in a relationship but not married and childfree; we don’t see enough of that perspective, in my opinion. It also takes place in Dubai, which adds to the uniqueness and creates a more luxurious energy perfect for a girl’s weekend in.
The writing is sharp, deliberate, and makes you think. The main character has anonymously written a book that becomes a bestseller, and those around her are trying to guess who wrote it. That anonymous book talks about career, power dynamics, relationships, money, and more. Sometimes “book within a book” plots can be cheesy, but this was well-done and would facilitate strong book club discussions.
I already want to go back and re-read it. I can see why not everyone loves it, and the characters aren’t particularly likeable, but I love a book that makes you question your own perspective, and while it’s rare for a fiction book to do that, this one absolutely did.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
strangers: a memoir of marriage by belle
4/5 stars
I had seen this memoir everywhere and randomly decided to pick it up without much research beforehand. They say not to judge a book by its cover, and in this case, the cover is actually what drew me in.
Strangers is a raw, compelling memoir of an unexpected divorce. Beautifully written, this is less of a tell-all and more about living with unanswered questions. The divorce is brought on suddenly and it was jarring to read; my heart dropped within the first few pages and that’s how you know a book is going to hit hard!
That said, while it started strong, I wasn’t as hooked as others promised I would be. The author is transparent about her privilege, but it does take you out of the story every now and then.
However, I recommend this book for all young women. It’s a cautionary tale about trust, responsibility, and loyalty. No matter how “equal” you feel or how giving you are, you cannot expect others to do reciprocate and as a people-pleasing person, this book really struck me and will stay with me for a long time.
Another theme: find your silver lining, but don’t tell others what theirs should be. And as someone in her 30s with friends in different life stages (single, kids, engaged, etc.) this book reminded me to reach out more and be more inclusive. The author sheds light on how hard the transition from married to single was within her community, and I would hate for any of my friends to feel excluded without me knowing.
Favorite quotes:
“The speed of our beginning and the speed of our ending, of his exit, felt like matching bookends. They both came out of nowhere. They both left me reeling. In both instances, he was definitive, certain. There was no gray area. The switch went on, and then it went off. He wanted it, he wanted me. And then he didn’t.” (p. 57-58)
“And doesn't it all look different, wouldn't your own story look different, if you knew how it was going to end?” (p. 58)
“I felt, in my bones, an acceptance of men behaving badly, a value in not calling them out, in protecting a man's belief in his own importance, and a premium placed on keeping such things private.” (p. 116)
“I could see that the cost for feeling safe was being controlled. They were two sides of the same coin - protection and control.” (p. 195)
Read it here.
the divorce by freida mcfadden
3/5 stars
This month brought us a new Freida McFadden book, and if you haven’t heard of her, she’s one of the most popular Kindle Unlimited thriller writers.
The Divorce is everything we expect from Freida McFadden, which is both good and bad. After reading 20+ of her books, I’ve come to expect certain signatures (switching POV, last-minute twist, etc.) but this reads more formulaic than true-to-form. Without spoiling anything, some of the main character’s actions didn’t make sense to me, and it seemed like McFadden wrote to execute her plot outline, even if it lacked authenticity as a result.
Overall, The Divorce is a punchy page-turner that’s more entertaining than engrossing. You can finish it in just a few hours, but I don’t think you’ll be raving about it or wanting to discuss it with friends afterwards. It’s not McFadden’s best but not her worst, yet it’s hard to believe this is the author that gave us The Housemaid.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
soon to be mine by k.j kalis
4/5 stars (free through Kindle Unlimited)
This is the fourth book in a police procedural series I started last month (book one is Twelve Years Gone). I’m now up to date on the series, so I’m going to break my review down to the series as a whole, plus a few tidbits about books 4-8.
The series is good, and I can see why it has such a high ratings average, but there are a few key components that I find to be lacking. If you want a breezy crime-based book that can hold your attention without tons of suspense or high-stakes drama, you’ll really enjoy this. Like most police procedurals, the main character has her quirks, but the characterization isn’t fully explored, so she comes across as rude at times instead of multi-dimensional. The pacing is also rough; the books start slow, then end with a short burst of drama.
That said, I love how each book focuses on a different type of crime - cold case, real estate fraud, serial killer, etc. Book four, Soon to be Mine, centers around a stalker and is one of the better books on that topic out of all that I’ve read. I’m still waiting for that 5-star, incredible stalker novel, but this book was good and believable. It reinvigorated the series for me, and I enjoyed how the author wove in a character from the previous book. I will say that the plot hole from book three continues, so if you hate suspending disbelief for books, skip this series!
The series continues on with The Investor (4/5 stars), The Killing Graves (3.5), Deadly Verdict (3), and A Silent Witness (3).
The Investor picks up the action and revolves around a fraud case similar to the Madoff trial. I liked that villain is a female; you don’t see too much of that, especially in the finance world. Because the author brought in characters from previous books, at this point, things started to feel like a true series. The Investor was leaps and bounds better than the first three. It had a faster pace, but still left me wanting more in regards to the vigilante angle.
The Killing Graves got on my nerves. This had a stronger thriller vibe than the rest of the books, but the pacing felt lazy on my part as things just sort of “clicked” to facilitate drama or resolution. After finishing this book, I realized that the series is more for breezy reading because there are big plot holes that will never be addressed and there’s minimal character development - especially 6 books in.
Deadly Verdict gave me reading burnout, but I had committed to the series at this point so I powered through. Reminiscent of a Criminal Minds episode in some ways, the strongest part of this book was the inclusion of a past/ supporting character, as the case didn’t grab my attention as much as previous ones had. Still, I like that the author includes a variety of cases so each book feels at least a little fresh.
And finally, A Silent Witness is the latest release (and maybe the last?). I hated this book; I kept waiting for a major twist to come that would justify the direction the author went in, and she failed me. The progression in a relationship between two characters from book 7 to 8 was too much of a jump just to stall out; it felt like I missed book 7.5 and was frustrating after so much time dedicated to the series. Such a letdown, this was a frustrating read.
Overall, this was a good series, but not great. My inability to not see things through is what kept me dedicated for all 8 books, but I just found them to be mediocre with frustrating plot holes, so I’m surprised they have such high averages on GoodReads and Amazon. I’m not sure if there will be more books in the future, but at this point, I’m committed.
start with yourself by emma grede
5/5 stars
To be honest, the cover of this book caught my eye after seeing so many people post about it on social media. And trust me when I say that as aesthetic and luxe as the cover is, what is inside the pages is gold.
Start with Yourself is a wealth of knowledge and the best business book I’ve read in years. Written by a serial entrepreneur who has helped create brands like Skims and Good American (and without a college degree or traditional upbringing), this book is a must-read for women, even if you aren’t an entrepreneur.
Direct and unapologetic, it’s packed with practical advice and priceless wisdom. This highlights what it truly means to take ownership of your life and build a career, not just hold a job. It deconstructs “old thoughts” and replaces them with new mindset shifts that are especially valuable if you are a people pleaser or not particularly assertive. As someone who hates to negotiate and avoids conflict, I needed this book and appreciate how logical yet honest the author was in explaining why being “nice” isn’t as beneficial as it seems.
This is a book that will grow with you, and you’ll find new lessons each time you read it, so it’s absolutely going on my annual re-read list and I highly recommend it!
Favorite quotes and takeaways:
“Start with yourself. Putting yourself first is self-care, self-care that is not about a spa day. It's nailing down your career, your financial future, and the freedom to find your own way, whatever your choices. This pays off considerably down the line and creates all sorts of options and possibilities that then let you take care of people in an even more powerful way.” (p. 62)
“Money is not relational - advocate for yourself first, then you can think about other people.” (p. 92)
Inventory your experiences, asking “What were you trying to do here? Followed by: What do you feel called to do next?” (p. 171)
Read it here.
how they were taken by carolyn ridder aspenson
4/5 stars
I don’t know why, but I have been really sucked into police procedural series lately! This one follows Jenna Wyatt, a former GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigations) agent who is now a PI. A well-off and well-connected woman enlists Wyatt’s help to find her daughter, and the previous PI who worked the case is also there to help Wyatt solve it. The kicker: Wyatt’s sister went missing 30 years ago, and there may be a connection between the two cases.
While the plot is engaging, this is a true series opener that focuses on character development as much as (if not more than) the main storyline. I found the banter between the two PI’s to be a main highlight of the story; it’s funny, quick, and on par for that “buddy cop” vibe you get on TV.
My main critique: I’d love to see a PI book that doesn’t utilize an uber-rich character to drive the plot. I get that it answers a lot of the “how” and “why” questions, but it’s predictable at this point, in my opinion.
How They Were Taken was good, not great, yet made me want to continue the series. I didn’t get as much suspense as I would’ve liked, but the rapport between the characters made me want to continue.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
The series continues with Never Speak of It and Before the Next One Falls (both 3/5 stars).
Never Speak of It does an excellent job of widening the overall story by diving into the main character’s past without abandoning the present completely. The plot follows insurance fraud as opposed to a murder, which I also enjoyed.
That said, I didn’t love the ending and found the storyline too implausible to make my “favorite reads” list.
The third book, Before the Next One Falls, wasn’t my favorite. I appreciate how the author made the other PI a more focal point of the story, but the pacing was off and the ending felt too rushed. I also didn’t love how Wyatt’s daughter is always targeted in some way; it was repetitive, not intriguing.
Overall, if you want a character-driven series that holds your attention and doesn’t read like “same characters, different scenery” you may like this one.
too close to home by seraphina nova glass
3/5 stars
Meant to be a satirical thriller, Too Close to Home was an interesting read. I didn’t find it to be satirical so much as overdone; it read like a Lifetime movie at times. And though humor is one of the selling points of this book, I didn’t really find it to be that funny, to be honest.
I’d say this would be a good beach read for summer vacation, but there are a LOT of characters to keep track of, making it hard to follow at times. If you like A Simple Favor or Stepford Wives, you may want to add Too Close to Home to your TBR list.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
pushing through the cracks by emily johnson
3/5 stars
This was meant to be one of my palette cleanser reads of the month; I always like to break up thrillers with memoirs or some kind of non-fiction, as we all know how some thrillers can be too over-the-top these days.
Pushing Through the Cracks tells of a woman’s journey to support her family (two sons and husband) as they suffer from extreme mental health issues (OCD, addiction, depression, etc.). Their cases are severe and her book covers their multi-year journey, depicting the high highs and very low lows. As such, please check the TWs before reading.
Truthfully, this was a hard read that was frustrating at times, particularly the sections about contamination OCD. I felt for the author and her family, but if you are hoping for an ending that wraps everything up in a bow, you won’t find it with this book.
Something I’m still curious about is how her family felt about the transparency of this book; at times, it was more about sharing their pain than her perspective of it.
This served as a reminder to appreciate the autopilot easiness (and savor the mundane) in my own life, but isn’t a book I’ll revisit in the future.
Favorite quotes:
“Jack taught me to pause and witness the beauty around me. I'd become too disconnected from life outside our mental mayhem to notice it.” (p. 246)
“The frustrating thing with OCD is the solution is so beautifully simple: ignore the intrusive thoughts, they are not real; feel the fear, ride the anxiety curve, and don't give in to the compulsions. But applying that logic to the illogical OCD part of the brain is not at all simple to someone with the disorder. In fact, it is pure, terror-filled torture.” (p. 259)
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the black candle by silas morrow
4.5/5 stars
The author of this book, Silas Morrow, reached out to me via email, and it always feels noteworthy when an author is so engaged with their work that they’re personally promoting it.
A rather unique thriller, The Black Candle is a police procedural that doesn’t rely on clichés or buddy cop dynamics. Set in South Africa, the occult aspect adds to its originality and I’ve never read a book quite like this before.
Well-written, there’s more to this than just the crime. I was surprised by the amount of emotion the author added to the story, and it sets the series up to be one worth continuing with!
I didn’t find this to be especially fast-paced, especially when you compare it to popcorn thrillers, but it’s a slow burn that keeps the reader engaged. I recommend it if you want a break from domestic thrillers or turn-and-burns, as this is more thoughtful and the storytelling is very much deliberate.
Favorite quote: “You're methodical, which is different. Careful people protect themselves. You protect the case.” (p. 224)
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
getting things done: the art of stress-free productivity by david allen
4/5 stars
This had been on my reading list for a while, so I was surprised that it took me so long to get through. A true blueprint for personal organization, this is the ultimate book for people who love to do lists. This book outlines a system for turning all of the clutter into actionable tasks, making it ideal if you have lots of notes, thoughts, and random stuff that collects in your life.
I will say, this is one of the few books where I feel like reading the summary will work just as well because once you get it, you get it.
The author’s system is extremely methodical and detailed, so if you are Type B or C, you won’t enjoy this. Even if you are type A, you may still find the learning curve to incorporate the system into your life frustrating. As a solopreneur, I don’t necessarily have the time to redo my ground-level systems right now, but I know it will make a difference once I get to that point.
Favorite quotes and takeaways:
“Most people feel best about their work the week before they go on vacation, but it's not because of the vacation itself. What do you do the last week before you leave on a big trip? You clean up, close up, clarify, organize, and renegotiate all your agreements with yourself and others. You do this so you can relax and be present on the beach, on the golf course, or on the slopes, with nothing else on your mind. I suggest you do this weekly instead of yearly, so you can bring this kind of ’being present’ to your everyday life.” (p. 50)
“The right amount of complexity is whatever creates optimal simplicity.” (p. 165)
Read it here.
or else by joe hart
3.5/5 stars
I love a good neighborhood/ community thriller; they’re messy and over-the-top, but when done correctly, they can keep you guessing and lead to a great payoff in the end.
Or Else was a quick read for me, but didn’t have much of a lasting impact. The last 15% makes up for the predictability of the main twist, and I went back to re-read that section just to make sure I caught every detail. I don’t love it when books disregard finances and there isn’t much to tether the main character to real life (versus going off on a whodunit side quest), but the family relationships of this made up for it.
Or Else is sharp in some ways, and predictable in others. It’ll break you out of a reading slump, but won’t facilitate many book club discussions. If you want an entertaining thriller that isn’t too dark, this is a good option.
Read it here.
dear mother by rea frey
4/5 stars
Dear Mother was a surprisingly good thriller, and I’m surprised I haven’t seen more people talk about it. A small town drama with a sordid history, the premise sounds cliché but the delivery is not. The plot isn’t just driven by twists; there’s a level of emotion and introspection that adds depth without being too heavy.
Told at a steady-pace, I liked that this didn’t overdo it with the multi-POV and flashbacks; it made the story easy to follow and hard to put down.
There were a few twists I didn’t expect, and while you have to suspend disbelief in a few times, it’s worth the read and I can see summer book clubs picking this one up!
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
his and hers by alice feeney
4/5 stars
If Freida McFadden is the queen of popcorn thrillers, then Alice Feeney is the queen of endless twists. I read her newest release, My Husband’s Wife, a few months ago and wanted to read something else she had written.
His and Hers is a true unputdownable thriller. It’s sharp, compelling, and the perfect book to obsess over for a weekend. It keeps you guessing; I had to remind myself several times to just enjoy the book instead of trying to predict who the culprit was.
Sometimes the switching-POV technique can be overdone within the suspense genre, but it’s purposeful and works in this novel without making the story hard to follow. The story overall is engrossing and the tension builds from start to finish. I found the ending to be a little disappointing after such incredible build-up, but it makes sense and ties everything together nicely.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
my husband’s wife by anya mora
3/5 stars
Another popcorn thriller palette cleanser, this author’s books are hit or miss for me. I’ve loved some (like the Shadow of Grace series) but others have been too cheesy and Lifetime movie-like, so I never know what to expect with her.
My Husband’s Wife is middle-of-the-road thriller. It’s entertaining and will keep you screen-free for a few hours, but it doesn’t reinvent the wheel and is too overdramatic to fully enjoy.
The highlights: the love story aspect was well-written and surprisingly emotional, there were a few twists I didn’t see coming, and it was well-written.
My complaints: this does fall victim to the “dumb main character” trope, but it doesn’t get too out of hand. It was a tad too overdramatic for my liking, but worth rolling with for a quick, 2-hour read.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
a place to die for by a.m. strong and sonya sargent
3.5/5 stars
I ended up with a mellow Sunday and crammed in one last book for the month of May. A Place to Die For is a total turn-and-burn thriller, and if you have a few hours to spare and want to be able to finish a book, check this out.
A Place to Die For has a little bit of everything - sketchy neighbors, gaslighting, trauma bonding, and plenty of characters to keep you guessing. For fans of You (the book and/or Netflix show) and Freida McFadden, this also has a stalker element without relying too much on switching POVs.
This book started strong and I really enjoyed it; I couldn’t wait to see how everything would play out and that’s why I flew through it. That said, the ending is extra fast-paced yet fell flat. and that extra character’s excerpt fizzled out way more than I would have liked.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).