It's hard to believe it's June already. Where did May go? It zipped right on by me! I did manage to read five bookish books during May, though. Here they are:

Where Only Storms Grow by Alyssa Colman (available August 19, 2025)—This middle-grade novel is set in the Oklahoma Panhandle in 1935. In the midst of interminable dust storms, failing crops, neighbors leaving en masse for California, and dust sickness felling friends and family, the Stantons are desperately trying to hold onto their farm. Joanna and Howe, 12-year-old twins, are trying to keep their parents' dream alive, but with their father off looking for work in the West, one disaster after another strikes, leaving only worry in its wake. What will happen to the Stantons if the dust doesn't stop blowing?

Howe would rather read and write poetry than farm any day. He's too afraid to tell his hardworking father that he wants to be a writer when he grows up, so he reads Emily Dickinson in secret and pens poems that he hides in the hayloft. When Joanna discovers his notebook of poems, he's forced to confess his secret to his sister. 

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware—I read this thriller when it first came out way back in 2016. Ware is publishing a sequel (The Woman in Suite 11, available July 8, 2025), so I decided to reread this one. It's about Lo Blacklock, a journalist who is invited on the exclusive maiden voyage of a small, luxury cruise ship. One night, she hears a scream coming from next door followed by what sounds like a body hitting the water. When she raises the alarm, she's told no one is staying in the cabin next to hers—in spite of the fact that Lo met the room's occupant the previous day. Although she had been drinking too much and taking anti-depressants, Lo knows what she saw. She's not going crazy. Is she?

Lo is a journalist who writes for a living. She also loves to read. One of her favorites is Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, which plays an important role in the story. (I also read The Woman in Suite 11, but books are barely mentioned, so I'm not counting it as a bookish book.)

Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack—This murder mystery involves a group of mystery writers who are brought together for a promotional book tour in Italy. Connor Smith—a major drama king—insists that someone has been trying to kill him. He enlists the help of Eleanor Dash, his archenemy, who becomes convinced that Connor is actually telling the truth. As the tour participants are plagued by odd, unlucky "accidents," Eleanor realizes that Connor's not the only one in a killer's crosshairs. Someone is trying to eliminate her as well, but who? And why?

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lyon: Vol. 1 by Beth Brower—As indicated by its title, this short historical novel is told through the journal entries of the titular character. Without a farthing to her name, Emma is forced to live under the critical eye of her miserly cousin in the home that is her inheritance and his residence. While she makes desperate attempts to access her allowance, with which she would like to accumulate a nice library of her beloved books, she makes observations about the quirky people around her. 

Emma is a very bookish character. She is constantly woe-is-me-ing over her empty bookshelves. She also refers non-stop to literary works.

The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens—I'm actually not sure whether to include this novel or not because, despite its title, it's really not about books at all. Reading is barely referenced in the story. The heroine does work in a library (although she has no library degree), but she's also a Bosnian refugee and that's what the book is really about. The Quiet Librarian is a gripping read; it's just not very bookish.

I'm not sure what I'm going to read in June exactly, although I did finish a bookish book yesterday, which I'll talk about in next month's post. Here are a few I'm considering:

No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack—This is the second book in the fun murder mystery series starring Eleanor Dash that I mentioned above. Eleanor is a bestselling mystery writer who is attending the wedding of her best friend on Catalina Island. When Eleanor receives a note warning that someone is going to die at the event, she braces herself for another impending murder investigation.

Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay—The first in a cozy mystery series, this book stars Lindsey, the director of a public library. When an editor comes to town, Lindsey's best friend, Beth, sees it as an opportunity to sell her children's book. Beth's boyfriend, a famous author, blocks her attempts. When he is found murdered, Beth becomes the prime suspect. It's up to Lindsey to clear her best friend of any wrongdoing. 

Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman (available August 25, 2025)—This murder mystery doesn't come out for a couple months, but I have an eARC. The story sounds like lots of fun! It stars a book conservator and the ghost of a woman claiming to be Agatha Christie who team up to catch a killer.

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

It's long been Melanie Cooper's dream to open her own cupcake bakery.  Now that Fairy Tale Cupcakes is finally in operation, she and Angie DeLaura—her BFF/business partner—are over the moon, even if their first big order is coming from a snobby, control freak of a bridezilla.  Unfortunately, the woman is marrying their other best friend, so they have to make nice.  Even if it kills them.  Or her.

When 32-year-old Christie Stevens drops dead after a cupcake tasting, Melanie is stunned.  She's even more shocked when she's named the prime suspect in the bride-to-be's poisoning.  It's no secret Melanie didn't like Christie, but she certainly didn't kill her.  Who did?  Almost everyone who knew the dead fashion designer hated her, so suspects abound.  To clear her own name and save the reputation of her new business, Melanie is going to have to channel her inner Nancy Drew.  Can she find the killer before he/she cooks up another murder? 

I don't expect cozy mysteries to be realistic, so I'm rarely put off by their far-fetched plots.  Good thing because Sprinkle with Murder, the first book in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay, is not exactly believable.  Still, it tells a light, fun story that makes for a quick, diverting read.  The cupcakes in this novel are more developed than the characters, however, which is annoying.  Other than some colorful folks on the side, the cast of this mystery is almost wholly lacking in personality.  Although Melanie and Angie come off as nice, they both manage to act immature and petty, which makes them less likable.  As heroines, they need something to make them unique or original.  In fact, that's a problem with this book in general.  It doesn't have anything that helps it stand out among its peers.  All these things considered, I probably won't continue with the series.  I like cupcakes as much as the next girl, but this opener doesn't offer enough goodies to entice me to walk back inside Fairy Tale Cupcakes.  Bummer.

(Readalikes:  Reminds me of other culinary cozies like the All-Day Breakfast Cafe series by Lena Gregory, the Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke, the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander, etc.)

Grade:

for brief, mild language (no F-bombs) and violence

To the FTC, with love:  Another library fine find