May picks are in! I’m not surprised by most of these, but I am excited for this month. We did get 10 new books this month, with few repeat authors and four debut authors. Of this month’s picks I have read three so far, and have reviews up for them as well.

Keep reading to see this month’s picks and what I decided to put in my blue box this month!

Reminder that if none of these are speaking to you this month be sure to check out some of my Most Anticipated New Releases lists. If you’re looking for add-ons to put into your boxes, be sure to check out my BOTM add-on recommendations, which I update every couple of months.

MAY MOST ANTICIPATED

SPRING 2024 MOST ANTICIPATED

BOTM ADD-ON GUIDE

May 2024 Picks

May 2024 Add-ons

My Box

I have already read two of our main picks and one of this month’s add-on. Both Spitting Gold and The Ministry of Time were ‘meh’ reads for me. I went in with incorrect expectations for both books which really impacted my response to the book since I’m such a mood reader. Spitting Gold gave me magical vibes but didn’t have any magic or fantasy included in it. It’s 100% a historical fiction story, which is good to know going in. The Ministry of Time also lacked an emphasis on science fiction, so while Time Travel is mentioned, it’s much more a literary, character driven, romance. Neither of which I was in the mood for at the time.

Middletide on the other hand was fabulous. It’s not a thriller, as it’s more a literary mystery. But if you enjoyed What Comes After or The River We Remember, then this debut is the perfect mystery for you! If you can only choose one books, Middletide is my recommendation!

Middletide REview

Spitting Gold REview

The Ministry of Time REview

Of our remaining picks, The Lady Waiting is the only one I don’t know much about so decided to skip. I also skipped Did I Ever Tell You? since I’m not a huge memoir fan. Real American is by repeat author Rachel Khong. I read her book Goodbye, Vitamin a few years ago and while it wasn’t bad, it was sad and more character driven than anything else. I hear good things about Real American and since I have a copy already, I’ll probably pick it up sometime, it’s just not a priority for me right now.

Goodbye, Vitamin review

Five Broken Blades is getting rave reviews, and Christina Lauren is always a member favorite. I have copies of both already so skipped these as well.

I’ve been very excited for The Return of Ellie Black and The Demon of Unrest. Erik Larson is one of my only auto buy non-fiction authors, but I think he portrays history wonderfully. Which is why I added that and Ellie Black to my box this month!

That’s what’s in my box this month! Did we pick any of the same books this month? Let me know in the comments below, over on my Instagram HERE, or on my TikTok HERE.