Book of the Month Review: May 2017 Selections

Another new month, another new list of Book of the Month selections to choose from! Is anyone else as excited about this as I am? No?

Well, you should be. If you’re a book lover and not a Book of the Month subscriber yet, then what are you waiting for?? There is literally no better way to discover the latest and greatest authors, find your next page-turning obsession, and stay connected with the reading community.

Also, don’t forget that Mother’s Day is coming up in just a few short weeks. If reading runs in your family, you can share the love (of books) with your mom while also treating yourself — win-win! All you have to do is gift her a 3, 6, or 12-month subscription, and then BOTM will automatically credit your account one free month. Easy, peasy.

If you’re still not convinced, here’s a sneak peek at the May selections (I want to read every single one, as usual).

Woman No. 17 by Edan Lepucki

If you’re a fan of dark and twisty, then this “sinister, sexy noir” is the pick for you. Woman No. 17 follows Lady, a single mother of two who is trying to write a memoir, her mute teenage son Seth, her chatty toddler Devin, and S, a young woman who was hired to help Lady take care of the children. Forbidden relationships emerge, secrets come out, danger results. Read the book to find out the rest!

Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane

If you like watching mind-bending, psychological thrillers like the movie Shutter Island, then you’re probably already a fan of Dennis Lehane (or you should be). Lehane wrote the book that Shutter Island was based on, and a whole slew of other page-turning, edge-of-your-seat novels. Since We Fell is no exception; it tells the story of the aftermath of an on-air mental breakdown had by journalist Rachel Childs and how both her personal and professional life unravels as a result.

Priestdaddy: A Memoir by Patricia Lockwood

Ever heard of a married Catholic priest? Apparently it’s a thing. And for Patricia Lockwood, it was her childhood. Growing up the daughter of a Catholic priest gave her plenty of stories to tell in Priestdaddy, and she does so in a way that is hilarious, heartbreaking, and unapologetically original. If you’re a fan of memoirs, be sure to check this one out.

The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich

Any YA lovers out there? The Love Interest has it all — secret spies, teenage angst, and a twisted love triangle. The “bad boy” vs. the “nice guy” is taken to a whole new level in this debut novel. Who will she choose? Or perhaps the real question is, is this the book you will choose?

The Leavers by Lisa Ko

Illegal immigration is undeniably a hot political topic lately, making The Leavers easily the most timely and relevant of the May selections. In fact, Lisa Ko even won the 2016 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Fiction for this novel because it addresses issues of social justice. Told from the perspectives of an undocumented immigrant as well as her son, this book’s setting is split between New York and China. It examines how borders, both national and internal, affect our lives and the lives of people around us.

BONUS: Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

If you were a fan of Girl on the Train (movie or book), then we have some good news! The author of the book, Paula Hawkins, has come out with a new book called Into the Water — though it is not one of the five selections for May, it is available for Book of the Month subscribers. For new subscribers, you can add the book for FREE to the purchase of any 3-month subscription. For current subscribers, you can add the book as an extra to your May box for only $9.99!

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