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Books in May - Book recommendations
- The Little Bookshop
- May 1
- 8 min read
🎵 Here comes the sun ☀️
Fingers crossed, of course! But no matter the weather - rain or sunshine - we have you covered with great new books! I’m looking forward to the new book by Axie Oh and I am sooo happy that ‘The Familiar’ is finally published as a small paperback. Such a wonderful month. Let’s take a look at our selection for this month!
YA Book Recommendations
Children’s Books
Contemporary
A Spell for Change by Nicole Jarvis (6 May)
They say for fans of Susanna Clarke!
Kate Mayer has always been troubled by visions of the future. No matter what she does, her disturbing premonitions are always realized—often with terrible consequences. But Kate has a secret: swirling, romantic dreams of a strange boy, and a chance meeting in the woods. Oliver returned from the Great War disabled, disillusioned, and able to see the dead. Haunted by the death of his best friend and his traumatic memories of the trenches, Oliver realizes that his ability to communicate with spirits may offer the chance of closure he desperately seeks. Nora Jo’s mother and grandmother were witches, but she has never nurtured her own power. Always an outsider, she has made a place for herself in the town as Chatuga's schoolteacher, clinging to the independence the job affords her. When her unorthodox ideas lead to her dismissal, salvation comes in the form of a witch from the mountains who offers her a magical apprenticeship. Yet as she begins to fall for another woman in town, her loyalties pull her in disparate directions. Rumours of a dark force stalking the town only push Kate, Oliver, and Nora Jo onwards in their quest to determine their own destinies. But there are powers in the world stronger and stranger than their own, and not all magic is used for good…
When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker (8 May)
“A fast-paced fantasy romance for fans of witty banter and strong, sassy protagonists.”
As a valued Elding Blade of the rebellion group Fíur du Ath, Raeve’s job is to kill. To complete orders and never get caught. When a renowned bounty hunter is employed by The Crown to capture a member of the Ath, Raeve’s world is turned upside down. Blood spills, hearts break, and Raeve finds herself at the mercy of the Guild of Nobles—a group of dual-beaded elementals who intend to turn her into a political statement. Only death will set her free. Crushed beneath a mourning weight, Kaan Vaegor took the head of a king and donned his melted crown. Now on a tireless quest to assuage the never-ebbing ache in his chest, his hunt for a moonshard lures him into the belly of Gore’s notorious prison where he stumbles upon something that rips apart his perception of reality. A shackled miracle with eyes full of rage and blood on her hands. The echo of the past sings louder than the Creators themselves, and even Raeve can’t ignore the truths blaring at her from a warmer, happier time. However. There’s more to this song than meets the eye, and some truths … They’re too poisonous to swallow.
Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake (13 May)
Or maybe looking for a bit more romance without *magic*?
Once upon a time, Ramona Riley was a student at a prestigious art school, with dreams of landing in Hollywood as a costume designer to the stars. But after her father's car accident, she had to quit everything and return to her small New Hampshire town, Clover Lake, to help take care of her younger sister. Twelve years later, Ramona is still working at the town's café, all but given up on her dream. But when a big-budget romantic comedy comes to Clover Lake to film, she wonders if this could be her chance. There's only one problem-Dylan Monroe, her first kiss and Hollywood's favorite wild child—is the star…
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (22 May)
And the favorite of many, now in a smaller paperback!
Aside from the fact that they are brothers, Peter and Ivan Koubek seem to have little in common. Peter is a Dublin lawyer in his thirties – successful, competent and apparently unassailable. But in the wake of their father’s death, he’s medicating himself to sleep and struggling to manage his relationships with two very different women – his enduring first love Sylvia, and Naomi, a college student for whom life is one long joke. Ivan is a twenty-two-year-old competitive chess player. He has always seen himself as socially awkward, a loner, the antithesis of his glib elder brother. Now, in the early weeks of his bereavement, Ivan meets Margaret, an older woman emerging from her own turbulent past, and their lives become rapidly and intensely intertwined.
YA Book Recommendations
The Wish Switch by Lynn Painter (8 May)
Did you also love ‘Better Than the Movies’? Lynn Painter’s new book is filled with romance and magic!
Emma Rockford knows it will take bonafide magic to make middle school everything she wants it to be. Luckily, before Emma’s beloved Nana died, she left detailed instructions on how to access an ancient, secret, magical wishing well. Emma follows each step and plans out every moment…except for the one where the obnoxious new kid, Jackson, tosses in wishes of his own that literally knock her wishes off course. When seventh grade starts, Emma discovers that her wishes are starting to come true, alright. But not for her…for Jackson. Which, the two quickly discover, could have disastrous consequences for both of their families, and cost Emma her best friends. Can they set everything straight in time to prevent full-blown catastrophe?
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston (8 May)
I loved listening to ‘I Kissed Shara Wheeler’ and this one sounds great as well!
Theo is the assistant sommelier at the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Palm Springs. Kit is a chef pâtissier at a luxury hotel in Paris. But before that, they were lifelong best friends turned lovers who planned to spend the rest of their lives together, pursuing their shared love of food and drink. They booked the European food and wine tour of their dreams, boarded their transatlantic flight, and broke up before they even reached their first destination. That was four years ago, and they haven’t spoken since—until they both unknowingly book a solo do-over ticket on the same tour and find themselves trapped on a bus with each other for three weeks through the most beautiful sights and flavors of France, Spain, and Italy. They can handle it, though. Four years is a long time. They can peacefully coexist. In fact, you know what would alleviate some of the tension? A friendly competition to see who can bed the highest number of sexy locals along the way. Surely this won’t complicate anything or stir up any lingering feelings between Theo and Kit. Everything is delicious, and everything is fine.
Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley (8 May)
They say: in the vibes of Maas & Broadbent!
Kenna Suren is best known in her village for being a little wild—some say “half feral”—but she’ll need every ounce of that ferocity to survive captivity in the cruel Fae court. Trapped as a servant in the faeries’ underground kingdom of Mistei, Kenna must help her new mistress undertake six deadly trials, one for each branch of magic: Fire, Earth, Light, Void, Illusion, and Blood. If she succeeds, her mistress will gain immortality and become the heir to Earth House. If she doesn’t, the punishment is death—for both mistress and servant. With no ally but a sentient dagger of mysterious origins, Kenna must face monsters, magic, and grueling physical tests. But worse dangers wait underground, and soon Kenna gets caught up in a secret rebellion against the inventively sadistic faerie king. When her feelings for the rebellion’s leader turn passionate, Kenna must decide if she’s willing to risk her life for a better world and a chance at happiness. Surviving the trials and overthrowing a tyrant king will take cunning, courage, and an iron will… but even that may not be enough.
The Floating World by Axie Oh (13 May)
And looking forward to reading this one!! “Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone in this romantic fantasy reimagining the Korean legend of Celestial Maidens.”
Sunho lives in the Under World, a land of perpetual darkness. An ex-soldier, he can remember little of his life from before two years ago, when he woke up alone with only his name and his sword. Now he does odd-jobs to scrape by, until he comes across the score of a lifetime—a chest of coins for any mercenary who can hunt down a girl who wields silver light. Meanwhile, far to the east, Ren is a cheerful and spirited acrobat traveling with her adoptive family and performing at villages. But everything changes during one of their festival performances when the village is attacked by a horrific humanlike demon. In a moment of fear and rage, Ren releases a blast of silver light—a power she has kept hidden since childhood—and kills the monster. But her efforts are not in time to prevent her adoptive family from suffering a devastating loss, or to save her beloved uncle from being grievously wounded. Determined to save him from succumbing to the poisoned wound, Ren sets off over the mountains, where the creature came from—and from where Ren herself fled ten years ago. Her path sets her on a collision course with Sunho, but he doesn't realize she's the girl that he—and a hundred other swords-for-hire—is looking for. As the two grow closer through their travels, they come to realize that their pasts—and destinies—are far more entwined than either of them could have imagined...
Children’s Books
Land of the Last Wildcat by Lui Sit (1 May)
This one looks great because of the themes: the importance of family & ecological conservation.
Puffin Lau has two problems: her beloved scientist mum barely speaks to her… and a mythical wildcat called the kuri is depending on her for its survival. Luckily, Puffin grew up on stories of the kuri and its magical powers, and she will stop at nothing to return it to its rightful home. But standing in her way is the ominous Professor Smoult, a money-hungry scientist who wants to capture the kuri and steal its magic. Faced with a mammoth journey to the faraway Linger Island, Puffin and her best friend Lance must evade the professor and save the last wildcat before it's too late . . .
The Silver Shadow by Mariesa Dulak (1 May)
They say: “Perfect for fans of Benji Davies' The Storm Whale” so I had to select it!
My toes hunt for grooves in the rock. And then… I see her. While searching for wonders in the rockpools, a little girl discovers a silver shark, stranded in the shallows – sleek and quick, but still just a baby. The sun is high and the tide is out: how will the shark find its way home? Drawing on family memories of life in Barbados, award-winning author Mariesa Dulak and bestselling artist Alea Marley have woven together a spellbindingly beautiful story about our connections to the sea, and what we owe other living creatures.
The Dinosaur Next Door by David Litchfield (8 May)
I admit, I put this one in the selection because of the cover. I swear, I only saw Liz after!
Liz is sure that her next-door neighbour has a secret. He's got a very long neck, clumpy feet and a strange taste for green leaves... he's a dinosaur! Unfortunately, she's not the only one who's noticed. When Mr Wilson is taken away by scientists, Liz realises that everyone is free to live the life they wish and she must help save her friend.
See for Yourself by Jordan Stephens (22 May)
“An uplifting and heart-warming picture book that celebrates family, friendship and finding yourself.”
Harry Arlo and his dad are from a family of amazing inventors, and are especially fascinated by flying contraptions and all things airborne. Their family motto is: when you’re up in the air, you’re on top of the world! But Harry begins to wonder about the top of the world – it feels great, but wouldn’t it be interesting to try going in the other direction? His father is bemused. No one in the family has ever thought about taking an ocean-bound journey, travelling down to the bottom of the world. How will Harry get there? And what will he find when he does?
We hope you enjoyed our little list and that it gave you some book inspiration!
Looking to pre-order one of these books? Just follow the path! 👇
This blog post is written by The Little Bookshop, your bookshop for English books in Rennes.
