May 2024 Book Releases
A vital nonfiction read about the gig economy, a phenomenal genre switch by a favorite author, a trippy buzzy lit fic title, and some delightful summery stories.
Hello readers! It’s time for another monthly release newsletter ~ yay! Get out your reading journal, Goodreads, library catalog, etc and prepare to vastly expand your TBR with these titles releasing in May 2024.
Well, it felt like it took forever until I could finally share all of these delicious books with you, but the day is finally here! I always schedule these monthly release newsletters for the Saturday before the first release Tuesday of the month, which meant an extra week in between release newsletters this month.
Today I’m on the road for my niece’s college graduation in Menomonie, Wisconsin (north of where I live!) and am missing the middle kid’s prom preparation ~ my husband and youngest plan to attend the group prom picture event and get proof that the 17-year-old actually wore dress clothes for the first time in his life! So many milestones this month, and I haven’t yet figured out how to clone myself to be there for every single event for every single important person in my life.
May Releases on My Radar
I am doing things a bit differently this month ~ in addition to highlighting the May releases that I have already read and enjoyed below, I also created a collection on Bookshop.org of all of the releases that I have on my radar for this month. Please head on over to take a look if you want a visual feast of all of the goodness that May 2024 shall bring book lovers!1 I’m such a visual shopper when it comes to books and I wanted to provide you with an easy (pretty) way to see all the covers AND be able to click through for descriptions and release dates. Enjoy!
My May Release Recommendations
This month’s releases that I dove into early include a vital nonfiction read about the gig economy, a phenomenal genre switch by a favorite author, a trippy buzzy lit fic title, and some delightful summery stories.
Paid subscribers: Don’t forget to grab your monthly release download! These downloads are my monthly gift to readers who support this newsletter via a paid subscription. If you value my contribution to your reading life, please do consider supporting my work if you are able.
Drive: Scraping By in Uber's America, One Ride at a Time by Jonathan Rigsby ~ this generation’s Nickel and Dimed; an absolute must-read memoir about the gig economy that is on my shortlist for most impactful of 2024 | read my full review | May 14
Skin & Bones by Renée Watson ~ I’m absolutely shocked this book isn’t plastered on every single most-anticipated list of the year, and am so grateful I stumbled upon it. An absolutely searing poetic story of Black Portland, middle age, and our fatphobic society. A must-read. | read my full review | May 7
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune ~ by far my favorite novel by this author and a delectable summery treat for any fan of Anne of Green Gables. I could not get enough of the Prince Edward Island Setting! | read my full review | May 7
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren ~ a swoon-worthy setting, a hilarious heroine, with some serious exploration of class and wealth disparity. My new favorite CL novel! | read my full review | May 14
All Fours by Miranda July ~ this is the book I referred to in my piece about physical intimacy last month, it’s pretty trippy but also weirdly amazing | read my full review | May 14
The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley ~ a hilarious and atmospheric trip abroad with my very favorite gay uncle | read my full review | May 21
Look on the Bright Side by Kristan Higgins ~ a family-oriented summery Cape Cod story that made me laugh and cry equally | read my full review | May 28
Have you read any of these books? Have any of them on your TBR? Let me know!
And don’t forget that these great April reads are all available now!
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Thanks for reading,
I love to hear from readers, so please do reach out to me with questions or feedback at mindfullibrarian@substack.com . If we aren’t already connected on Goodreads, I would love to see you there as well!
If you purchase a book from my Bookshop.org collection, I will earn a tiny bit of money if I ever hit the threshold that Bookshop will actually pay out at. I shall not become rich from you shopping from my collection, but merely used the platform to create an easy way for you to see and learn about all the titles in one visually appealing place that supports independent bookstores.
Oh I love Renee Watson! I’m so glad you loved her book. Will be reading it this summer ❤️
I'm really looking forward to the new Carley Fortune and Christina Lauren! I'm glad to hear you loved both so much.