Welp, I sat down to put my predictions together last week and ended up never finishing them; but that is life with a toddler. Anyway, there are quite a few confirmed May picks already floating around already so while I’m adding them to my prediction list along with my other hopefuls, I won’t call them out so I don’t spoil anyone’s fun! If you do want to know the spoilers – send me a message on Instagram @speakingof.books , and I’ll be happy to share!
May in general has a massive number of new releases coming out that are going to be ‘Must Reads’ for me. I’ve also had the chance to read quite a few of these and will have a few more reviews up hopefully by this weekend.
Mystery & Thriller
Tons of mysteries and thrillers to choose from this month and they’re all a bit different. With Taylor Adams being a previous BOTM author, I feel good thinking this will be a pick in May. I’m also halfway done with this one and enjoying it, so be sure to come back later this week for my full review.
I have already read Drowning, The Night Flowers, and Killing Me and think that all three could be a pick. Killing Me has more of a Killers of a Certain Age vibe. It’s quirky but not quite as funny as I wanted it to be. The Night Flowers could be a debut feature, and while there is a cold case at the center of the story, it’s also about the journeys of the women in the story. Drowning is just a thrilling, action packed, page turner. I’m less certain this would be a pick, but regardless I highly recommend it.
Drowning Review
The Night Flowers Review
Killing Me Review
The Last Word REview
Lastly, Sing Her Down, just sounds great. With a western theme it’s reminding me of Outlawed, which was a BOTM pick last year. I think last year at least.
Literary & Contemporary Fiction
Both R.F. Kuang and Mary Beth Keane are previous BOTM authors, so it’s likely their new books could be May picks. I’m halfway through The Half Moon and it’s a bit slow for me right now. I’m unsure if i’ll finish it before this weekend, but here’s to trying.
One of my favorite book recommendations is The Girls by Emma Cline. If you liked cult stories, you’ll adore that book and BOTM offered it as an add-on towards the end of 2022; which is why I think her upcoming release The Guest, could be a May pick. I’m about a quarter of the way through The Guest at the moment, and I’m more likely to finish and review this one by the end of the week than The Half Moon. Either way, be on the lookout for some additional reviews.
Historical Fiction
The Secret Book of Flora Lea was great. I don’t believe BOTM has had one of Patti Callahan Henry’s books as a BOTM before, but I think it would be a great choice.
The Secret Book of Flora Lea Review
My other historical fiction options are Did You Hear About Kitty Karr, which is giving me Evelyn Hugo vibes. Taylor Jenkins Reid also wrote a positive review for the book so I could see it being picked by BOTM.
Good Night, Irene also sounds amazing and right up BOTM’s alley. While it’s a WWII story, I feel that this is a unique take on the war and I’ll still be picking up a copy when it comes out.
Romance
I can’t remember if Christina Lauren has ever been a BOTM pick, but two of BOTM’s repeat authors Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez both had a book come out this week. Being so close to May I could see both being add-on choices. I’ve had a chance to read Happy Place already and while it has Henry’s traditional depth, it wasn’t my favorite of her books.
Happy Place Review
I know The True Love Experiment is a bit more widely advertised than other romance out there, but I still think it would fit well into the BOTM line up.
Science Fiction & Fantasy
All three of my picks in this section are widely different this month.
Previous BOTM author Jennifer Saint’s newest mthylogical book comes out in May and I could see Atalanta being a pick in May. The Wishing Game is more of a magical realism story, but it’s getting rave reviews. Both Atalanta and The Wishing Game are sitting on my iPad waiting to be read. As soon as I finish some of my half-finished books, I’ll be moving onto these two.
The Wishing Game Review
Chain-Gang All-Stars is a stretch for BOTM. However, it’s getting rave reviews and has an extremely interesting premise. I’ll be adding this one to my TBR come next week!
I hope you found a book that you are truly excited about in this post. Let me know which other new releases you are excited for this month or that you’re hoping are BOTM picks, by commenting below or by messaging me on Instagram @speakingof_books. Don’t forget to follow me to get weekly updates and new reviews!
Happy Reading!
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Overwhelming amount of books to keep up with đŸ˜±
I’m so glad you still did the post—I’ve been checking for it the past couple weeks. I always enjoy reading your guesses and seeing the options when they’re released!
I hadn’t heard any rumors/spoilers of what will be options but I rarely do lol
I’m so excited for The Last Word and so many of these others sound great!
Loved the Last Word and The Secret book of flora Lea! I’m so glad you enjoy these posts. They’re fun to put together!