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Here is the Folder to tell us what your monthly reads for May 2022 were.

Please provide:
~ A GoodReads link
~ A few sentences telling us how you felt about the book.
~ How would you rate the book

I finished five books this month, and loved them all! All five books received a five-star review from me, but I confess that I liberally rate books with 5 stars.

The first book I finished reading was Borderline Personality Disorder Demystified, Revised Edition: An Essential Guide for Understanding and Living with BPD by Dr.Robert O. Friedel and I highly recommend it. I confess that I did not read two or three chapters that dive into the nitty-gritty of the treatment of BPD, but the first five chapters and the last couple are heartwarming, comforting, informative, and hopeful. If you have BPD, know someone with this diagnosis, or just want to get an accurate picture of BPD - please read this book.

The second book I read was a lighter read - The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson. At the opening of this book, I felt that the main character was not well-rounded, she seemed to lack depth, but that's what her personal conflict is about. She is held back by grief over her mother's passing, but she grows as a person when she and others in her small community band together to rescue their local library.

The next book I read is Dark Social: Safeguarding Your Business from Online Threats, Risks and Scams by Ian MacRae. I loved reading this book, and there were bits and pieces that I took from this book that I am glad I can walk away with. However, the scope and application are for business settings which doesn't apply to my life right now, but in a corporate/organizational setting, this book offers good information about personality in the workplace.

The fourth book I read is Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie because I want to see the movie, but not before reading the book. I can see why Agatha Christie is called "The Queen of Mystery" (as pointed out by this edition's cover lol) - I never would have guessed who was behind this book's murder. I'm excited to have another go-to series when I find myself in a reading slump.

Finally, I completed Limitless Mind: Learn, Lead, and Live Without Barriers by Dr.Jo Boaler and I love it! What a beautiful and encouraging book for learners of all ages, educators, and parents to unlock your potential and the potential in others.

Currently, I am reading a classic science fiction novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. I hope to be finished with it by the end of next week.

Leahnes wrote: "I finished five books this month, and loved them all! All five books received a five-star review from me, but I confess that I liberally rate books with 5 stars.

The first book I finished reading ..."

Leahnes, I loved reading your reviews.

Congratulations on your 5 star month !

I also read The Last Chance Library
Loved the cover. I am Ms. Stingy when it comes to ratings.
So I gave it a 3/5. A 3 rating for me is a solid good book.

I think I may be able to finish one more book before the month ends.

Leahnes wrote: "I finished five books this month, and loved them all! All five books received a five-star review from me, but I confess that I liberally rate books with 5 stars.

The first book I finished reading ..."

Interesting mix! I'm currently reading The Buddha and the Borderline: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder through Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Buddhism, and Online Dating - what a truly nasty affliction!

Leahnes & John, how interesting that you both picked a book on Borderline Personality Disorder.

The brain is a fascinating subject to read about. I'll have to check these recommendations out. Thanks !

My May Reads: This was a very good reading month for me.


Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon by Buzz Aldrin
Non Fiction
Published : 2009
Rating: 4/5
Format: Audio and eBook

The narrator for the eBook was Patrick Egan. He was good.

The book opens with the historic Apollo 11 trip to the moon. Aldrin was the second person to ever walk on the moon.

The next section is about Aldrin's battle with severe depression and alcoholism upon his return. He has been sober since 1978.
Hopefully his story will give courage to others to also seek help. His honesty when discussing this painful period of his life was refreshing.

I wrote about the book in more detail during the month.


Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life by Sutton Foster
Non Fiction
Rate: 4/5
I enjoyed this engaging memoir. It's a quick easy read. Sutton says "Anxiety runs in my family- in me. I am the daughter of an agoraphobic mother." Sutton uses crafting to help deal with her anxiety.

The memoir honestly deals with the often strained relationship with her mom. As well as her struggle to have a child. It also includes stories about her brilliant Broadway career.

I gave the book 4/5 stars. I had to take a star off because the book does not contain any photos of her art work or the people she talks about in the book. I gave examples of her art work in my more in-depth review during the month.


The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson
Fiction
Rate: 3/5
This was a sweet feel good debut novel. It's about a shy sheltered assistant librarian who lives in a small town in England. The library where she works is about to be shut down for austerity reasons.


Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Fiction
Audio Book---The narration is well done by Gary Sinise.
Rate: 4/5
This is a poignant and powerful classic about two drifters during the depression who live on the margins of society. All they have is each other. Among other things, the story is about loneliness and friendship. This is a must read classic.


The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming
Non Fiction - YA
Rate 5/5
The book explores Tsar Nicholas II reign and his family. The author takes you right up to the present day with DNA evidence and first hand accounts that are now known since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. I highly recommend this book if you are new to the topic and want an engaging, poignant and well written account of the family.

John wrote: "Leahnes wrote: "I finished five books this month, and loved them all! All five books received a five-star review from me, but I confess that I liberally rate books with 5 stars.

The first book I f..."

Thank you, I'm coming to realize I like to read very different books when I read more than one book at a time, does anyone else feel like this, or when you read multiple books at the same time they seem to relate to each other?

I haven't read the book you mentioned, but it seems to be very moving from the summary on ŷ������. BPD is a very hard disorder to live with for the person with the disorder and their loved ones. I look forward to hearing about your thoughts on the books you've read as well.

Alias Reader wrote: "My May Reads: This was a very good reading month for me.


Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from t..."</i>

That's awesome that you had a great reading month. I'm fascinated by the nonfiction books you read, I'm going to have to add them to my TBR. I was younger when I read [book:Of Mice and Men - I sobbed at the ending, and I completely agree it's a must-read.

Leahnes wrote: "Thank you, I'm coming to realize I like to read very different books when I read more than one book at a time, does anyone else feel like this, or when you read multiple books at the same time they seem to relate to each other?."

I usually only read one paper book or eBook at a time.

Sometimes I also have an audio book going at the same time.

If I have two going, they are never related in topic.

Sometimes I will have the same book going on audio and eBook. I listen to the audio while on the treadmill or exercise walking outside, the eBook while I'm home.

Re: Of Mice and Men

Leahnes wrote: "I sobbed at the ending, and I completely agree it's a must-read..."

I finished the audio book on the treadmill at the gym. So I only had tears in my eyes. I didn't want to be seen sobbing on the treadmill. :)

I appreciate your thoughts Alias, thanks.

You're welcome, Leahnes !

Quiet, but productive, month for me...

A History of the Bible: The Book and Its Faiths ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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The Confines of the Shadow ⭐⭐⭐⭐


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Good Behaviour ⭐⭐⭐⭐��


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I enjoyed reading your reviews, John. Your comments on Good Behaviour (The story begins with Rose, the family retainer, accusing Aroon of having deliberately poisoned her mother; if so, brava! _ had me LOL.

As to the audio for the history of the Bible book, that is the problem I run into with some audio books. When it's a book I know I will want to write notes for or if the subject is involved, I can't do audio.

Leahnes wrote: "I finished five books this month, and loved them all! All five books received a five-star review from me, but I confess that I liberally rate books with 5 stars. ..."

Leahnes, you've had an interesting and very good month of reading.
I read 20000 Leagues Under the Sea many, many years ago. I recall liking it a lot. I should reread it one day. I'm looking forward to your thoughts on it.

Alias Reader wrote: "My May Reads: This was a very good reading month for me. ..."

It's most certainly been a good month for you, Alias!

Steinbeck is such a good writer. I'm glad you enjoyed Of Mice and Men.

I was obsessed with the Romanovs many years ago. I loved their story through history. It's been ages since I've read a book on them. Thanks for the reminder.

John, that's a nice selection. Your reviews have really piqued my interest. Thanks!

@Leahnes: The book about Borderline sounds interesting.
And John´s book about the history of the Bible as well. Because some facts have to be interpreted in the historical context, but the question is always to what degree,,,

With some delay I will also post my May books. The month wasn´t that good in respect to the non-fiction section tbh:

German books:
Schmitz' Häuschen: Book by a comedian about his house renovation. Was a fun read
Pforten der Nacht: A historical fiction about three friends who sore a blood oath in the youth. In the end the girl got pregnant by the two other boys, once raped and the other time in a threesome at a river. Besides that, the book showed their development over the time. It wasn´t a really good read.
Der Palast von Avignon: Even worse than the book before. Also a historical fiction, the pope who moved to Avignon is looking for a treasure under his new palast. Be lucky that it isn´t translated to English, you won´t miss anything with these two books.


available in English:
The Book of General Ignorance: Some facts that everyone means to know but that are in fact wrong are told right. Was an interesting read.
Beautiful Things: A Memoir. Autobiography of Hunter Biden, son of John Biden. It was interesting to read as Hunter tells publicly about his different and numerous problems in his life, mainly his drug addiction.

Thanks for sharing, Florian !
Sorry you had some disappointing reads in May. I hope June will be better for you.

Beautiful Things. If I recall correctly, Julie read it and enjoy it a great deal. I have to put it on my TBR list.

The Book of General ignorance. That sounds interesting. I see there is also a second book in the series.

Leahnes, what a nice mix of books you read in May. Learning about new-to-me titles is one of my favorite parts of out end-of-month accounting of books and you've introduced me to several. Thanks for sharing the titles and your thoughts.

You asked, "Thank you, I'm coming to realize I like to read very different books when I read more than one book at a time, does anyone else feel like this, or when you read multiple books at the same time they seem to relate to each other?"

If i read more than one book at a time i generally prefer one fiction and one nonfiction. This way i don't get confused. For instance, while reading a Western i don't wonder why the character doesn't just enter their space ship & fly away in rough times. My mind seems unable to easily let go.

When i find myself reading two novels, they must be quite different. As example i would read an historical novel and a contemporary one from another nation. Little confusion there, usually!

In my youth i didn't read more than one book at a time but i've found that i have fiction and nonfiction "moods", so to speak. If i'm in a nf mood, why muddle my way through a novel, getting little from the experience? And that's how i find myself sometimes reading two (or three) books at a time.

Florian, sorry that you didn't enjoy your books more. Let's hope June is a more interesting reading month for you.

Alias, what variety in the books you read in May. I always like reading your recaps, as they remind me of your recommendations. Thanks.

I forgot to post my books for May!

I read one book, the fourth of a series, and liked it so much that I went back and read the first three books and a prequel. Listing them in order:
The Bard's Daughter (prequel; short, 3-star)
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The Good Knight (3-star)
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The Uninvited Guest (4-star)
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The Fourth Horseman (4-star)
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The Fallen Princess (3-star)
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I enjoyed the characters, their life settings, their growth through the books and I look forward to continuing the series after a bit of a break.

Bleak House (5-star) - this story had it all. Humour, despair, grief, happiness. Well told and written.
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When Brains Dream: Exploring the Science and Mystery of Sleep (4-star) - I didn't realize that dream research was so involved and developed. I enjoyed reading about the directions the research is taking.
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John, elsewhere i mentioned i am editing my TBR. I found a couple of books about the history of different books of the Bible but the sole title i had about its history was written in the early 20th century and failed me. Thanks for this title. It sounds as though it would be a good one to purchase for reference.

Thanks for sharing about the others, as well. I like the cover of Good Behaviour very much.

Florian, sorry your May books were only so-so. It's good for us to see what worked and didn't as we recap, i think. This is a great place to share about that, of course. It could spare us all!

Again, prior to my cruise, i wrote this post, thinking to send it while away. Didn't happen. So, here it is, with the addition of books i read on the trip.

Pirate Women: The Princesses, Prostitutes, and Privateers Who Ruled the Seven Seas--Laura Sook Duncombe. This was a so-so book for me, partly because the author spent many pages on speculating on actions by these women. Her recapping of the history in which the pirates arose was very good but, as not much was written about them, the info was limited.

��The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss -- Edmund de Waal. This book was more about the Japanese Netsuke items, small items usually made of ivory or wood. The author wrote about the French arm of his family in another book i read earlier this year. While a potter, i must say he is an excellent writer.

The Salt Path--Raynor Winn. This is the story of a couple who lost their family home and learned the husband had a fatal disease, all in one week. Ultimately, they opted to take a coastal walking trail around Cornwall and this is their story. I liked it, although didn't learn enough about the trail itself.

The Sense of an Ending--Julian Barnes.��I so seldom find Booker Prize winners as good as i feel they should be to win this award. Feeling sustained.

Mango, Mambo, and Murder--Raquel V. Reyes. Mystery mixed with the story of a Miami-transferred couple. The main character is a food anthropologist, wife and mother. There were recipes.

��Farming Dissenters--Carole Watterson Troxler. About North Carolinians in pre-Revolutionary colonies. Good story about "Regulators", who fought the greed of county and colonial officials.

Goodbye, Columbus and Five Short Stories--Philip Roth. I've heard about this one for decades & finally read it. Glad that's over. :-)

The Case of the Lonely Heiress--Erle Stanley Gardner. Usual Perry Mason mystery but engaging.

The Color of Water: A Black-- Man's Tribute to His White Mother--James McBride. In alternating chapters McBride shares his own story about growing up and his mother's story of being Jewish in Virginia and the subsequent years in NYC. Well told.

Haunted Ground--Erin Hart. Archaeology and bogs in Ireland--what more could i want from a mystery? I look forward to reading more in this series.

People from My Neighborhood--Hiromi Kawakami. This is a series of short (1-3 pages) stories about events in an odd neighborhood. There is magic realism, oddities and humor. While i like Kawakami's work, this one left me cold.

madrano wrote: This way i don't get confused. For instance, while reading a Western i don't wonder why the character doesn't just enter their space ship & fly away in rough times. My mind seems unable to easily let go."

LOL

Petra wrote: "Bleak House (5-star) - this story had it all. Humour, despair, grief, happiness. Well told and written...."

'Jarndyce and Jarndyce' I really enjoyed Bleak house, too. Unfortunately, I can see how this is still true when it comes to the legal system.

Congratulations on the stellar reading month, Petra !

madrano wrote: The Salt Path--Raynor Winn. This is the story of a couple who lost their family home and learned the husband had a fatal disease, all in one week. Ultimately, they opted to take a coastal walking trail around Cornwall and this is their story. I liked it, although didn't learn enough about the trail itself..."

I have a this on my library hold list.

There is a follow-up book. The Wild Silence

I love the covers of both books.

I also read and enjoyed The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother It's very inspirational.

You had quite the eclectic reading month deb. Sorry all weren't winners for you.

My May reads were all over the place - I had a fantasy book - some horror and I read a non-fiction horror info book that was funny and made me laugh.

So here we go:

Klondike Slaughter by David Haynes - 5 stars.
My review:
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Loch Ness by Matt Shaw - 3 stars.
My review:
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Night Of The Kraken by Mark L'estrange - 4 stars.
My review:
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Subterrestrial by Michael McBride - 4 stars.
My review:
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The Shadow Within by Eric Butler - 4 stars.
My review:
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How to Survive a Horror Movie by Seth Grahame-Smith - 5 stars.
My review:
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Assassin by Andy Peloquin - 5 stars.
My review:
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Another terrific reading month for you, Marie ! Well done.

Petra wrote: "I forgot to post my books for May!

I read one book, the fourth of a series, and liked it so much that I went back and read the first three books and a prequel. Listing them in order:
[book:The Ba..."

Petra, it's a joy to read your comments on the series of Medieval mysteries. When a reader finds a new group of books to explore, the enthusiasm is such a pleasure to share. Thanks for the comments on these.

I liked Bleak House, although i'm not sure i realized how seldom Dickens used female narrators. Good point.

The dream book sounds as though it explores much i'd like to know. I've added it to my TBR, as lately i've begun dreaming again. Or, rather, remember dreaming again.

Thanks, Petra, for the reviews.

Alias Reader wrote: "I also read and enjoyed The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother It's very inspirational...."

I liked the book quite a bit without even getting to the ending. What his mother accomplished in her 80s is remarkable.

Marie wrote: "My May reads were all over the place - I had a fantasy book - some horror and I read a non-fiction horror info book that was funny and made me laugh. ..."

Marie, what a fun month of reading. I've added Subterrestrial and How to Survive to my TBR. Both sound neat. And i'm a sucker for underwater stuff.

It's always neat to read your enthusiasm for new-to-you authors, such as Peloquin. I hope he lives a long & productive writing life for you.

Thank you for the reviews. I was particularly drawn to the "five "Frightening Folklore" stars for Klondike Slaughter. LOL!

Alias Reader wrote: "Another terrific reading month for you, Marie ! Well done."

Thank you, Alias! It was definitely a fun month! :)

madrano wrote: "Marie, what a fun month of reading. I've added Subterrestrial and How to Survive to my TBR. Both sound neat. And i'm a sucker for underwater stuff.

It's always neat to read your enthusiasm for new-to-you authors, such as Peloquin. I hope he lives a long & productive writing life for you.

Thank you for the reviews. I was particularly drawn to the "five "Frightening Folklore" stars for Klondike Slaughter. LOL! ..."


Awesome that you added a couple of books! :) Enjoy!

Peloquin is awesome! lol I read a military space prequel book by him in 2019 which was great so I already knew he was a great author but I have been wanting to step into this series for awhile and we are reading the complete series in one of my groups. So looking forward to reading that series and all his other ones that he has out there. :)

Klondike Slaughter was a fun read and chock full of a folklore creature too! Definitely horror though - you might need a gore suit. I have one you could borrow if you ever want to journey in that direction. LOL

Marie wrote: "Definitely horror though - you might need a gore suit. I have one you could borrow if you ever want to journey in that direction. LOL..."

This is VERY good to know! Thank you, thank you!

madrano wrote: "Marie wrote: "Definitely horror though - you might need a gore suit. I have one you could borrow if you ever want to journey in that direction. LOL..."

This is VERY good to know! Thank you, thank ..."

You are welcome. :)