I’ve really been enjoying mood reading and just seeing what calls to me when I sit down to read. In the TBR and Beyond Facebook group we always do middle grade May, so I will be adding a few middle grade books that I really want to read this month. So keep on reading to see what books I’m really hoping to read in May!

Group Reads

Mysteries of Thorn Manor – Margaret Rogerson

In April we read Sorcery of Thorns for our series slayers group and we’re finishing the duology in May. Mysteries of Thorn Manor will also be a reread for me, but I thought it was a lot of fun. This novella is a fast read that I’ll be done with in no time.

She Is a Haunting – Trang Thanh Tran

Even though I normally don’t read much horror, She Is a Haunting sounds like one I may like. The house our main character in seems to be anything but peaceful. It also makes me wonder if there are quite a few family secrets hidden in this house.

The Fraud Squad – Kyla Zhao

Samantha risks it all to be able to right for a high society magazine. Getting there may seem like a dream, but is this chance really worth changing for and losing everything else? I’m curious to see how this will all play out.

Middle Grade May

I have a few 2023 releases on here that I have an eARC for and there are some backlist books I really hope to read this year.

Just a Pinch of Magic – Alechia Dow

When a magic spell goes wrong and the town is in danger, two girls looking for a friend come together to try and save their town. I love that this seems to have a lot of elements I love in middle grade: family, lessons, friendship, magic, and even mental health representation. I have a feeling I’m going to love this one.

Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters – Ciannon Smart

Rayleigh is a troublemaker and finds out he is the son of the infamous Bogey Man. He’s missing and Rayleigh has to travel to his world to be able to find him. I have a feeling this is going to be a great magical adventure.

Camp Sylvania – Julie Murphy

I’ve read a few books by Julie Murphy and Camp Sylvania seemed to be like a fun middle grade read. Camp Sylvania is a spooky middle grade summer camp story. Instead of the performing arts camp our main character wants to go to she’s sent to a fat camp. Things seem to be weird and the children have to donate blood. And then campers start to go missing. I can’t wait to read it!

Dead Voices – Katherine Arden

Small Voices is one of my favorite middle grade books and I keep putting off the rest of the series. I need to finally change this by reading Dead Voices in May. I read Small Voices in one sitting, so Dead Voices will probably be just as quick. This time our characters are on winter break skiing trip.

Hollowpox – Jessica Townsend

I’ve been wanting to read Hollowpox for awhile, but when I found out the fourth book in the Nevermoor series was being pushed back to October 2023 I decided to wait. The release date is finally getting closer, so it’s time to  catch up with this amazing middle grade series.

Amari and the Great Game – B.B. Alston

Amari saved her brother and now has her first summer as Junior Agent. She thinks it’s going to go smoothly, but we know that won’t be the case. I can’t wait to see what Amari has to deal with next.

Backlist Picks

As usual, I’ll be picking three random backlist books from my shelves.

League of Liars – Astrid Scholte

League of Liars sounds like the perfect heist book. Four teenagers accused of murder and illegal  use of magic come together to plan a jail break. We all know things won’t go smoothly and I have a feeling it’s going to be a roller coaster.

The Confidence of Wildflowers – Micalea Smeltzer

I’m glad this one popped up randomly this month. I’ve been wanting to read this age gap romance since late last summer. The Confidence of Wildflowers has gotten amazing reviews and the cover is stunning. It’s my turn to find out what it’s all about.

Grace and Glory – Jennifer L. Armentrout

Seeing how I want to finish series this year, Grace and Glory is the perfect choice. This is the final book in the Harbinger series and I loved the first two books. I know the second one ended with quite the reveal, so I’m going to refresh my memory before diving in to the final book.

 

So that’s my May TBR. I’m sure there will be other books I’ll pick up and this list may change a bit. Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Or what are you planning on reading in May? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.