May was a busy month. I actually feel accomplished that I made it through without going crazy – I felt like I barely read at all. (The amount of books I read doesn’t *look* like it, but trust me, I always pull it off right at the end.) I’m beginning to learn that reading 100 books in a year is quite a goal… and why a lesser number of readers aim for it. (I’m STILL pushing through for this, though, don’t fret. I shall conquer this.)

(Click on the covers to see my Goodreads review.)

THE CROWN by Kiera Cass ★★★★✩
SALT TO THE SEA by Ruta Sepetys ★★★★★
PASSENGER by Alexandra Bracken ★★★✩✩
LAST IN A LONG LINE OF REBELS by Lisa Lewis Tyre ★★★★✩
THE UNEXPECTED EVERYTHING by Morgan Matson ★★★★✩
SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE by Morgan Matson ★★★★✩
AMY & ROGER’S EPIC DETOUR by Morgan Matson ★★★✩✩
THE LAST JEW OF TREBLINKA by Chil Rajchman ★★★★✩

BEST BOOK? Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. HOLY COW. This knocked my socks off and tore my heart up. I’d tell anyone and everyone – adults and kids alike – to read any one of Ruta Sepetys’ books, but this is definitely my favorite. I especially loved the fact that Ruta chose such a little-known maritime tragedy in WWII that more people need to know about. I felt like I learned so much! AND MY SWEET CINNABUN CHARACTERS. I wanted to snuggle them and kiss them and pat their little heads and tuck them into bed. (Well… all except one.) BEAUTIFUL.

WORST BOOK? Passenger by Alexandra Bracken. I was expecting a lot from this book, and though I did love the first half (the writing style and time travel was amazing), the ending ruined that. I wouldn’t recommend this because the sexual content made me angry. A majority of the plot centered around an inter-racial romance and the struggles our characters would face in different periods of time. That alone was wonderful to read about. But I felt the author focused so much on the physical attraction of the relationship to emphasize that this is a “diverse” book.

shout-out to Emily Gilmore for the best facial expressions that make the best GIFs.

Note: I added Treblinka to the end in the hopes that I finished it last night (I’m writing this Friday afternoon) so fingers crossed Emily actually accomplished a goal and made it to an even eight books. I spent the majority of May stressing over my reading challenge because I got way behind in April. I’m still straggling at minus five books where I’m supposed to be. *flails and refuses to refresh Goodreads page* Reading-wise it was a frustrating month because there were a lot of four star books and they all seemed to be lacking something.

Highlights: I read the final book in The Selection Series (not the best, but it was the first series that got me into young adult and my first author signing, so it’s sentimental), Ruta Sepetys’ new release (*pterodactyl shrieks*), three Morgan Matson books in a row (let’s appreciate the queen of summer romances) and a Jewish memoir of someone who survived a Nazi death camp (in preparation for a Camp NaNoWriMo novel? Maybe? Possibly? Someday??)

IN OTHER NEWS? 

I spent the first week of May on a DISNEY CRUISE and AHHH it was crazy fun. I’m officially a high schooler (!!) (sort of. I did survive stinky middle school, so that’s something) and that feels like a really odd thing to say. I always start counting down to my birthday as soon as school finishes up so THREE MORE MONTHS. My family and I also spent a weekend helping my cousins pack and move out of state, as well as packing our own house since we’ll be moving houses this summer. Do you know how heavy book boxes are?? This wimpy bookworm is so not cut out for that.

book boxes, the bane of my existence.    and here I am with my cousins
                                                                                     before they moved!

So that was my May! You’ve no idea of the HTML issues I went through to get this formatted nice and pretty  for you so I’m glad to finish this post, ha. (#bloggerprobs.) Happy summer for those of you who have finally finished school. (*collective sigh of relief*) Let me know how your reading went this month and what you’re looking forward to reading in June! (Unless you’re a mood reader like me and have no clue what’s in store for you next month.)

P.S. Before I forget – the winner of the giveaway for a copy of Last in a Long Line of Rebels is… Izel! Congrats, Izel, your book will be on its way soon!