A very mixed bag this month, most were good but did not wow me. One though I think could be a contender for one of my favourite books ever.
The Hobbit - J.R.R Tolkien ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Returning to The Hobbit is always a joy, and I found it to be just as good on a re-read as all the other times I have read it. There is a timeless quality to this story that makes it the perfect introduction to the work of Middle-earth.
The amazing characters of the company are so well-defined, but Bilbo will always be one of my favourites. His transformation from a comfort-loving hobbit to a brave adventurer is one of the most satisfying arcs in all of literature.
This particular read was made even more special because I listened to it on audiobook read by Andy Serkis. Hearing the man who brought the character to life on screen perform the narration is a transformative experience. His Gollum cannot be rivalled; the “Riddles in the Dark” chapter is absolutely spine-tingling and brings a level of authenticity to the book that no other narrator could achieve.
Whether you are a lifelong fan of Tolkien or a newcomer to the series, this is a must-experience version of the story. It is a whimsical, dangerous, and heart-filled adventure that serves as the perfect foundation for the epic journey that follows in The Lord of the Rings.
The Wolf Den - Elodie Harper ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Most historical fiction set in the Roman Empire focuses on senators, soldiers, or emperors, but The Wolf Den does something far more profound. It takes us inside the Wolf Den, the notorious brothel of Pompeii, to tell the story of a group of she-wolves (lupae). Yet, more than just a historical account, this is a deeply moving story about female friendship and survival.
The history is incredibly vivid, but it never overwhelms the narrative. Instead, the story centres entirely on the women while giving a unique look into daily Pompeii life. You feel the dust of the streets, the heat of the tavern kitchens, and the claustrophobia of their small stone rooms. Elodie Harper manages to build a world that feels completely real, populated by women who are fiercely alive despite the cages they are kept in.
What I respected most about the writing is how it handles the brutal reality of their lives. It is a brilliantly told story that does not go into graphic sexual detail too much, but still allows you to feel the true horror of what these women go through. The trauma and the loss are tangible, yet the book never feels exploitative. Instead, the emotional heart of the novel lies in the quiet moments of solidarity, the shared laughter, and the small ways these women protect and keep each other human.
Though this is the first in a trilogy, it finishes in a very satisfactory way on its own. There is a complete arc here that leaves you feeling a sense of quiet triumph rather than a frustrating cliffhanger. While I will definitely read on, there is no frantic urgency to rush into the next book immediately. It is a story that invites you to pause, appreciate the resilience of these women, and let their voices linger in your mind.
Burning Bright - John Steinbeck ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
When people think of John Steinbeck, they usually think of Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, or East of Eden. Yet, tucked away in his bibliography is Burning Bright, a powerful, beautiful book that is not spoken about nearly as much as his other stories, but absolutely deserves to be recognised as a masterpiece.
What makes this book so structurally brilliant is its design. Steinbeck places the same four characters in three completely different locations, a circus, a farm, and a ship at sea. Despite the shifting backdrops, their names, relationships, and core conflict remain identical. By stripping away a fixed setting, Steinbeck proves that the struggle at the heart of the story is a universal truth, completely unconfined to any single individual, class, or era.
At its core, Burning Bright teaches us that genetics mean absolutely nothing in parenting. It is a fierce, deeply emotional defence of the idea that fatherhood and motherhood are defined by love, sacrifice, and the choice to care for a child, rather than bloodlines. In a world obsessed with legacy and biological inheritance, Steinbeck’s message is both radical and profoundly comforting.
It is a short, intense, and deeply poetic read. The prose has a rhythmic, almost theatrical quality that elevates the drama to something mythic. If you have loved Steinbeck’s more famous novels, you owe it to yourself to seek this one out. It is a stunning, overlooked gem that will completely change how you think about family.
This may be one of my favourite books ever.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter - Stephen Graham ⭐️ ⭐️
Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a book that offers a truly fascinating mix of horror and historical literature. It blends the rugged, brutal reality of the historical frontier with dark, supernatural elements, creating an atmosphere that feels incredibly immersive.
To be completely honest, I liked the book, but I didn’t quite love it. My main struggle was that the first part took me a long time to get into. The setup and the world-building felt a bit slow to find their footing, and it required some patience to push through those opening chapters before the story really started to take hold.
However, once the momentum picked up, the supernatural elements made it worth the wait. I absolutely love a vampire novel, and this book provides a highly interesting spin on a famous trope. Setting vampires against the backdrop of historical buffalo hunting adds a gritty, raw edge to the lore that feels entirely fresh. It strips away the romanticised, polished versions of vampires we so often see and replaces them with something far more primal and suited to the harsh historical landscape.
If you have the patience to get through a slow-starting first act, this is a very unique read. It’s a creative genre-blend that historical fiction buffs and horror fans alike will find highly intriguing, even if the pacing isn’t always perfect.
What was your favourite read of May?
Drop me a comment: Have you read any of the books mentioned let me know in the comments.
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