Reading Wrap-Up: May 2025

Recapping the 10 books - 5 nonfiction and 5 fiction - that I read in May. Overall a pretty great reading month, as I predict 3 of these will make my top ten lists at the end of the year!

Before we jump into the ten books I read in May, I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has commented on, shared, ‘liked,’ or engaged with my Reading And Purpose Nonfiction Backlist Summer Reading Guide! Creating that resource was a delightful labor of love and I truly appreciate the feedback, as well as all the books I’m adding to my own summer reading due to your recommendations in the comments. Thank you!

And now I’m back to write about even more books!

I discovered some o.k. reads as well as some exceptional ones in May - including what may be my favorite fiction book of the year so far (I’ll be sharing my midyear superlatives soon so I guess we’ll find out then!). I’m talking about all ten of them below - five nonfiction and five fiction - so without further preamble, let’s jump in!

The ten books I read in May, five nonfiction and five fiction.

Hope For Cynics by Jamil Zaki

“Exploring decades of research, I discovered that cynicism is not just harmful, but often naive. Hope and trust, by contrast, are wiser than most people realize.” - Jamil Zaki

I haven’t heard much about this book, but the title (and in particular, the subtitle: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness) drew me in - and what a gem of a read this turned out to be. With stories, data, and suggestions for action, Zaki explores the myths of cynicism, the difference between cynicism and things like skepticism and creative maladjustment, the ingredients to successful action and social movement, and more. I particularly appreciated the sections on ‘pre-disappointment,’ burnout, and how to mitigate cynicism when problems seem unfixable. I took lots of notes, but honestly I think listening to the audio of this one would be beneficial and uplifting for so many even without note-taking. A great companion to books like The Connection Cure, HumanKind, and Think Again.

Writing To Learn by William Zinsser

“What a pleasure it is to be in the company of a writer with enthusiasm for his subject… This is the personal connection that every reader wants to make with a writer; if we care about the writer we’ll follow him into subjects that we could have sworn we never wanted to know about.” - William Zinsser

I read On Writing Well by this author years ago and it remains one of my favorites on the craft of writing, so I’ve had this ‘newer’ one (1988 publication date vs. the 1976 one of On Writing Well!) on my radar for some time now. Something about Zinsser’s writing style really speaks to me - he’s quite funny in a very dry way and has very clear opinions, particularly on writing, that he’s not afraid to share. This book focuses on how writing can help us learn and teach any topic; interestingly, one of my favorite chapters was ‘Writing Mathematics’ - and mathematics, in general, is not my favorite subject by a long shot. I really loved his emphasis on having enthusiasm and passion for the topic, and how this serves as a vital ingredient to nonfiction writing.

There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib

“There is some mercy in being an underdog and then thriving beyond anyone’s wildest dreams of what you were capable of.” - Hanif Abdurraqib

Another winner in my apparent Year of Abdurraqib, as this was my fourth book by him in as many months (and I’ve already started my fifth). In this latest release, he somehow seamlessly weaves together sports facts, biography/memoir aspects, cultural commentary, and more; although structured generally around the topic of basketball, this book is about so much more than the title suggests. I have become such a superfan of his writing and have now pinpointed something that strikes me about it: I am amazed, repeatedly, at how he’ll be writing about a topic or situation, almost in a stream-of-consciousness style at times, then suddenly deliver one single line that makes me stop in my tracks - and usually well up with emotion, too. I tend to read quite a bit on the topic of grief and Abdurraqib’s ability to capture it in words just seems to speak to my soul.

Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones

"I don't want my awe to be tucked inside, away from the very people who might need it most... I want to be the kind of person whose mouth sits open at a sunset, who notices a new rosebush planted in a neighbor's yard. I don't want to be known for my eye roll but for my awe." - Annie B. Jones

I have listened to Jones’ podcast for years, been a member of her Patreon, ordered long-distance from her bookshop in Georgia, and delightfully received her ‘shelf subscription’ as a gift - so reading her book felt in many ways like chatting with a friend. This is a quietly lovely collection of essays about various aspects of her life; I found myself particularly interested in the ones focused on her bookstore journey and business ownership, perhaps in large part because I am a small business owner myself and could relate to much of what she shared. I also liked her perspective, partially captured in the quote above, on letting what you love show rather than criticizing, complaining, or withholding appreciation.

Dear Reader by Cathy Rentzenbrink

“Reading has saved my life, again and again, and has held my hand through every difficult time… If life takes a dark turn, if we are struck by the storm of grief, there are worse things to do than read to get us through the long nights.” - Cathy Rentzenbrink

As a book lover, it’s hard to pass up books about loving books, isn’t it? That is essentially what this memoir is about, sharing the author’s love of reading as a young girl and the different ways that fondness for books has continually showed up in her life and work over the years. Like with the previously mentioned book, I particularly enjoyed the segments on her work in bookshops and the behind-the-scenes look at the book industry from her various vantage points. I also loved hearing about her father, who didn’t learn to read until he was well into adulthood, and the worlds that opened up for him from that point on. My attention ebbed and flowed a bit in the middle of this book, but I found the last two chapters absolutely stunning - I captured all kinds of quotes in my study book from those final pages alone!

My updated 2025 book bujo, for anyone keeping track at home.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

“The best moments don’t have to be big to be forever.” - Abby Jimenez

This is my fourth Jimenez book, which I read in preparation for a book club meeting, and what I particularly appreciate about her writing style is her ability to include difficult and touching storylines right alongside the fun and light ones without skipping a beat or causing any ‘reader whiplash.’ Samantha and Xavier’s struggles in this story felt real and not just brought in for the sake of the plot, which I don’t think is always an easy writing feat. (This one did address some unexpected challenging subject matter too, at times taking me by surprise; sensitive readers may wish to check content warnings.) I recently heard someone say they liked this book because it didn’t have a frustrating, drawn-out miscommunication trope and I wholeheartedly agree - that made a big difference for me, too!

Heartstopper, v5 by Alice Oseman

As lovely as all the previous volumes! I don’t read much in the young adult genre (I’m just a few years beyond the target audience…) but I have really enjoyed this heartwarming series of graphic novels. I appreciate the care Oseman puts into the topics addressed - these teenagers are facing situations that real-life teens face, and the books show the characters talking through the challenges, struggling with decisions, seeking insight from friends as well as trusted adults, experiencing an entire range of emotions, doing their best. I believe there will be just one more volume in the series; I haven’t yet watched the TV adaptation of this series but have heard good things about that, too.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

“Simply competing didn’t feel sufficient. I wanted to go to the Games as reigning U.S. Champion. I never wanted to stand on a silver medal step again.” - Layne Fargo

One of the best feelings as a reader is being so immersed in a book that you think about it when you’re not reading it, look for pockets of time to sneak in a few pages, and find yourself staying up past your bedtime for just one - or ten - more chapters. From the first page, even before the ‘official’ story began, I was gripped by The Favorites and had a hard time putting it down. The story follows an ice-dancing duo who, to put it mildly, face all kinds of obstacles as they pursue their dreams of becoming recognized as champion skaters. The ambition, questionable characters, relationships (some lovely, others not so much), and more kept me turning the pages on this one. Although a very different story line, the reading experience reminded me of Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid, which was also a propulsive read for me a few years back.

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore

This is part of the Dream Harbor series, which takes place in a quaint little town that always brings to mind Stars Hollow from the Gilmore Girls TV show. The small town charm is fun and the covers on these books are adorable. I’m typically not much of a series reader (with a few exceptions, like the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny, for which I am not-so-patiently awaiting the next installment due out this fall!), but it can be enjoyable to see familiar characters showing up in different ways throughout the books.

Three Days In June by Anne Tyler

“Great. It’s the old ‘It’s not you, it’s me’ line.”

“No,” I told him. “This is more like, ‘It’s not you; it’s the me that I am when I’m with you.’”

- Anne Tyler

Tyler is truly a master of the quiet novel, where very little happens plot-wise yet you still find yourself compellingly turning the pages! I love her prose and enjoyed this story about Gail who, over the course of her daughter’s wedding weekend, finds herself going back through various choices in her life while also trying to figure out what’s ahead for her. I don’t want to give any spoilers - and since this is a short novella, that could easily happen - but I will say there was one aspect I wish had gone differently; even still, I rated this book highly because I adore Tyler’s writing so much. And also because I am continually learning that I can still like a book even if I don’t like certain choices the characters make. :-)

Have you read any of these? What was your favorite book in May? What are you looking forward to picking up in June? Any guesses on which of the above titles I predict will appear on my year-end top ten lists? Please tell me all your bookish thoughts and updates in the comments below!

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Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC, and self-proclaimed book nerd, is a certified coach who helps achievers work with meaning, live with purpose, and reach bold + difference-making goals. Feel free to share your questions, comments, or topic/book suggestions below or via email to readingandpurpose (at) gmail (dot) com.

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