What's Dawn Devouring Lately?
May 2026
There’s something about May that feels like a fresh chapter. As the days grow longer and the world outside begins to bloom, it’s the perfect time to open a new book and settle into a season of reading. Whether it’s a quiet morning with a cup of coffee, an afternoon spent outside, or a few peaceful moments before bed, May invites us to slow down and make space for stories.
This month, I’m leaning into reading as both a reset and a simple joy choosing books that inspire, comfort, and maybe even challenge me in new ways. It’s not about how many pages we read, but about the moments we create along the way.
Here’s to a month filled with good books, fresh starts, and the kind of stories that stay with us long after the last page is turned.
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Until Next Month!
Happy Reading! 🥀🌸📚
No Matter What By: Cara Bastone
I enjoyed Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone last year, so I was pleasantly surprised to see she released another book so soon.
This novel centers on Vin and Roz, a couple married for eight years, who find themselves searching for a second chance after a traumatic accident involving them and Vin’s brother, Raffi. In the year that follows, they manage to create a painful distance between one another, so much so, that they can barely look at one another, let alone share a bed. Roz clings to hope for their future until she discovers something in their apartment that makes her fear Vin may be planning to leave for good.
Alongside the strain in their marriage, Roz begins attending an art class where she forms new friendships and starts to heal through art therapy. In an unexpected turn, Vin agrees to become her nude model, an experience that slowly begins to rebuild trust and connection between them again.
This is a slow-burn, second-chance romance that thoughtfully explores grief, resilience, and the fragile process of rebuilding a relationship. If you’re drawn to stories about healing, found family, and emotional growth, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩 1/2 on the devour scale, as it started off a bit slow for me.
Mad Mabel By: Sally Hepworth
Well, I devoured this one in four days and gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale. Elise Mabel Fitzpatrick is an eighty-one-year-old, grumpy yet fiercely independent woman who has always been misunderstood. Is she really "mad"? You can decide. The story unfolds through alternating “Then” and “Now” chapters as Mabel finally decides to share her side of the story with two young YouTubers.
I dare you to read this book and not fall in love with Mabel by the end. She is witty, sharp, and reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant, another character, I absolutely loved. If you enjoy books about friendship, found family, and redemption, then this one is definitely for you.
I, Medusa By: Ayana Gray (Great on Audio)
After taking a Greek Mythology class in high school, I swore I would never read anything related to Greek myths again. Well, guess what ended up being the May pick for my in-person book club? And guess who listened to the audiobook and ended up really liking it? Yep… me.
I, Medusa is a feminist retelling that flips the traditional myth on its head, transforming Medusa from a feared monster into a powerful and misunderstood heroine. Throughout the story, Medusa comes to realize that seeking approval from established, oppressive systems will never guarantee safety or acceptance. Instead, she discovers a more empowering truth: true agency isn’t given, it must be claimed and fiercely protected.
If you enjoy retellings, stories centered on female friendships and sisterhood, and cheering for the underdog, this book is for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale.
Five By: Ilona Bannister (Great on Audio)
Wow! What a ride this one was. Five people are waiting for a train. In five minutes, one of them will die. But who will it be?
Bannister does a fantastic job breaking the fourth wall, pulling the reader directly into the story. You’re not just watching events unfold but you’re repeatedly being asked to decide who deserves to survive. The structure is also unique with chapters shifting between the train platform in present time and flashbacks that slowly reveal the backstories of each of the five characters.
Will it be the struggling gambler, the abrasive elderly woman, the overwhelmed mother with her unruly child, or the polished yet fractured businessman?
If you enjoy books that immerse you in the story, feature alternating timelines, and keep you trying to solve a mystery until the very end, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale and highly recommend the audiobook experience.
Margo's Got Money Trouble By: Rufi Thorpe
I read this book back in 2024 and really enjoyed the latest adaptation of it on Apple TV. This book was so out of my wheelhouse, but I just kept getting pulled into the story every time I picked it up. At nineteen, Margo finds herself pregnant by her college professor, and despite others advice, she decides to keep the baby. Throughout the book, we meet her ex-pro wrestler father and her born again Christian mother, that was a former Hooters waitress. I'm telling you this book is wild. Learning that she needs to raise money quick while still taking care of her newborn, Margo turns to TikTok and Only Fans to raise some quick cash. This book had me laughing out loud, learning more about social media platforms than I knew before, and really routing for Margo by the end. If you are looking for something different to read, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩 🤩 🤩 🤩🤩 on the devour scale.
Book Store Shout Out - Calliope Bookshelf
I've always dreamed of having a local independent bookstore nearby, a place with cozy charm, great book recommendations, and a welcoming atmosphere. Well, I finally found it!
If you're in the area, I highly recommend stopping by Calliope Bookshelf in Washington Township. From the moment you walk through the door, it's clear this is much more than a bookstore.
Owner Deb Kerr created Calliope Bookshelf with a mission to nurture literacy, learning, imagination, and spark meaningful social connection. Unlike the traditional quiet bookstore model, Deb envisioned a space filled with conversation, curiosity, and community, a place that sparks ideas, buzzes with joy, and enriches the lives of everyone who visits. Whether you're searching for your next great read, looking to connect with fellow book lovers, or simply want to support a wonderful local business, Calliope Bookshelf is well worth a visit.
📚 Calliope Bookshelf
66870 Van Dyke Ave
Washington, MI 48095
Margo's Got Money Troubles - Apple TV
Margo's Got Money Troubles is an American comedy-drama television series created by David E. Kelley, based on a 2024 novel by Rufi Thorpe. Margo's Got Money Troubles centers on Margo Millet, the daughter of a Hooters waitress, Shyanne, and a former professional wrestler,Jinx. After becoming pregnant by her junior college English professor, Margo turns to OnlyFans to support herself and her baby. Reconnecting with her estranged father, who shares wisdom gleaned from his wrestling days, Margo achieves remarkable success on OnlyFans. Watch Trailer Here
Remarkably Bright Creatures- Movie (Netflix)
The Devil Wears Prada 2 (in Theaters Only)
Miranda Priestly struggles against Emily Charlton, her former assistant turned rival executive, as they compete for advertising revenue amid declining print media, while Miranda nears retirement. Watch Trailer Here
Snail Mail Pen Pal Club
To keep with an analog theme, this month, I joined a snail mail pen pal club after discovering it through an Instagram post, and I couldn't resist sharing it with you. Joel and Britt, the innkeepers of the Park Street Inn in Bellaire, Michigan, created the club to bring a little joy to mailboxes each month.
Inspired by Gilmore Girls, '90s nostalgia, and the charm of innkeeping, they wanted to create something slower and more meaningful in a fast-paced world. Their goal was to connect past and future guests to their cozy bed-and-breakfast through old-fashioned mail and thoughtful surprises.
Each month, members receive a package filled with recipes from the inn, journal prompts, a personal letter from Joel and Britt, discount cards for the inn, and other fun paper goodies to enjoy.
The best part? Every subscription helps support survivors of human trafficking by funding free weekends of rest and providing long-term resources through their B&B. See the picture below to see what I received this month.
