May was a slow but lovely reading month for me—one of those where I felt genuinely immersed in very different kinds of stories, from Regency England to a cosy fantasy coffee shop to the chaos and silence that followed the Vietnam War. Here’s what I read:
Miss Austen by Gill Hornby
This book has been sitting on my shelf for far too long—originally bought for my mum, then quietly borrowed by me, and only just now finished! It’s a slow burn at times, and I did find myself meandering a bit through some of the quieter moments, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. There’s something incredibly comforting about being wrapped up in the imagined lives of Jane Austen’s family, especially from the perspective of her sister, Cassandra. The novel is thoughtful, reflective, and filled with the kind of gentle atmosphere that lingers long after you close the book. A must for any Austen lover.
Sometimes, it is the quietest women who possess the most interesting stories.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
This one was a complete joy. A five-star read for me. If you haven’t heard of it, think: cosy, low-stakes fantasy with high emotional payoffs. A retired orc warrior opens a coffee shop in a medieval town—and that’s basically it, but it’s wonderful. I devoured it in just a few sittings. The world-building is rich without being overwhelming, and the character development is top-tier. It’s one of those books that made me feel as though I was living inside it.
Worn paths were so comfortable, and stepping off them so hard. But that was the point, wasn’t it?
The Women by Kristin Hannah
This was probably the most intense read of the month, and I appreciated what it brought to light: the forgotten stories of American women who served in Vietnam and the way their experiences were overlooked for so long. Kristin Hannah clearly did her research, and the subject matter is powerful and necessary. That said, I didn’t connect with it emotionally in the way I expected to. I’d heard it was a real tear-jerker—and I’m usually an easy crier—but for some reason, it just didn’t hit me the way I thought it might. Still, I’m very open to reading more from Kristin Hannah, and I admire the story she was telling here.
They went off to war believing in their country, and came home wondering if their country believed in them.
I am now working on my reading list for June, trying my best to work through my enormous TBR pile before my birthday so I can ask for more books!
Notes From My Day 