Hello Friends,

I hope you had a lovely month! The month of May was busy and went by so fast (as do most months!). I’ve been trying really hard to fit in more reading on a daily basis. Whenever I make an effort to read, I feel as though I grow as a person and learn so many new things that can be applied to my life. It’s definitely more worthwhile to me than scrolling on my phone or watching TV!

There are a few things I did last month that helped me find more time for reading –

1. I cut back on social media. I’m currently taking a break from Instagram. The extra time that was spent sharing content or watching stories, I can now put into reading.
2. I have an accountability partner – sort of. My sister-in-law is an avid reader and now that school is out for the summer, we have a friendly competition going on to see if we can reach a numerical reading goal. Just knowing that she’s reading (and likely a few books ahead of me) has kept me reaching for my books more often. Yes, a little bit of friendly competition is a very powerful motivator!

Knowing that I am going to share my books with all of you at the end of the month has also kept me on track with my reading goals. So, thank you for being here to keep me accountable each month. 😉

Let’s get to that book list now…

Disclaimer: This post does contain affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and make a purchase I will receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog in this way!

May Reads: What I’m Reading Month by Month

Secrets She Kept by Cathy Gohlke

This was probably my favorite book from the entire month (maybe even the entire year!). I needed a book that I couldn’t put down and this one was it! After finishing this book, I couldn’t even write a true book review on Goodreads – I just didn’t have the words. I will give you a synopsis here:

Secrets She Kept is a World War II novel about a young woman named Hannah Stirling. In the story, her mother has just passed away, but Hannah is left with lots of questions about the mother she never really knew. After finding some of her mother’s old documents in a safety deposit box, Hannah goes on a trip to Germany to meet her grandfather and find answers regarding her parent’s past. The book is written with a split timeline, so one chapter you’re with Hannah in the 1970’s and the next chapter you’re reading about her mother Lieselotte in the Nazi Germany of the 1940’s. The secrets she uncovers are quite astounding. This was a gripping, heart-wrenching story that I would read again in a heartbeat. I really appreciate stories like this because they open my eyes to realities of wartime and remind me to be thankful for the peaceful life I live. I gave this book five stars on Goodreads.

Murder, Motherhood, and Miraculous Grace by Debra Moerke

This book tells the true story of a former foster family who faced an unthinkable tragedy. The five year old foster daughter who they cared for, loved, and tried to protect was murdered by her birth mother. While this was definitely not a “feel-good read”, it was hard to put down. The story was heartbreaking but I appreciated the inside look at the life of a foster family. A murdered foster daughter may not be a common occurrence, but sadly, the stories of unwanted, misplaced children are not uncommon at all. I may not have agreed with everything in the book, but it still made me laugh and cry and brought new awareness to the topic of foster care and adoption. I gave this book four stars on Goodreads.

Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst

I’ve had this book on my shelf for a long time, however, I felt as though I really didn’t need it’s message. I picked it up on a whim last weekend and it was so GOOD. In the beginning, some of the content seemed rather fluffy and lacked spiritual depth but as I continued through the book I really appreciated it’s message. If you’ve ever felt rejected, left-out, or lonely, you will be encouraged by this book. Lysa reminds the reader that God is the only one who can fill an empty and lonely heart. We often turn to other people or things of this world to numb our hearts when we feel pain, but that’s not the answer! God is. I definitely felt encouraged once I finished this book. If you’re a woman, it’s likely you will find some truths in this book that will encourage your heart as well. I gave this book three stars on Goodreads.

P.S. I don’t regularly read books from Lysa TerKeurst or endorse her work. Some of her books are good, but please read them with a grain of a salt and a discerning mind. There are many doctrines and applications that she believes and teaches that I do not believe are Biblical.

Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George

This is an old favorite of mine that I decided to read again. In Life Management for Busy Women, Elizabeth George lays out a biblical framework for ordering our priorities and managing our lives with passion and purpose. If there’s any author out there who challenges me to do better and strive for excellence in my life, it would have to be Elizabeth George! Some of the topics covered in this book include your walk with God, prayer life, physical health, marriage, children, friendships, home management, and more. If you feel like your life is out of balance or your priorities aren’t quite where they should be, I would highly recommend reading this book. Elizabeth George is so practical and encouraging. I always finish her books feeling refreshed. Once again, I gave this book five stars on Goodreads.

Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley – The Fly Lady

Here’s another favorite that I decided to read again! While I have never followed the Fly Lady method of cleaning my house, there is so much in this book that I have found helpful (and incredibly motivating!). Marla doesn’t just focus on cleaning, she also encourages the reader to take care of themselves (which includes getting dressed – with shoes!) so you feel good about yourself and are prepared to care for your home and family. There is definitely a lot of talk about “self love” which I really don’t care for or agree with – however, I do understand the message she is trying to get across to the reader. Some of my favorite takeaways from this book include: the importance of cleaning your sink (and the whole kitchen!), the importance of simple routines that help keep your household flowing smoothly, and the knowledge that cleaning your home and managing it well will bless yourself AND the family members who live there! I stuck with the original four stars I had given this book on Goodreads.

Final Thoughts

I definitely enjoyed each book I read last month – there was something unique and special about reading brand new books alongside old favorites. This month (June) I hope to be able to do the same.

How about you? Have you read any good books lately – old or new? Please share in the comments below – I love hearing from you!

Previous Posts from this Series:

• January Reads
• February Reads
• March Reads
• April Reads

Happy Reading!