literary gluttony

Another month has come and gone, and somehow we’re already staring down the halfway point of the year. May ended up being a month filled with wildly different reading experiences—from dark thrillers and fantasy adventures to emotional literary fiction and one of my favorite ongoing dungeon crawls. Some books completely pulled me in, some challenged me, and a few left me desperate for the next installment.

Let’s take a look at everything I read in May before diving into the books waiting on my June TBR.

📖 What I Read in May

Alcott Hall by Emily Rath

Returning to this world felt like coming home, even if we were following a new set of main characters this time around. I enjoyed the banter, the romance, and getting to spend more time in a setting I’ve grown attached to. While there were a few moments where the transitions between scenes felt a little abrupt, I still had a great time with this one.

The Tenant by Freida McFadden

This thriller had me hooked from the very beginning. McFadden has a way of creating situations that make me simultaneously frustrated, suspicious, and completely unable to stop turning pages. Every new revelation made me question what I thought I knew, and that ending caught me completely off guard.

The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (And Other War Crimes) by Tiffany Hunt

This book was pure fun. The characters were incredibly lovable, the banter was sharp, and I found myself grinning through so much of the story. Even though I was left with a few lingering questions, they were easy to overlook because I was having such a great time. My only real complaint? That cliffhanger. Now I have to wait for the sequel.

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

This was probably my most challenging read of the month. The premise and themes were fascinating, and I appreciated what Orange was trying to accomplish. Unfortunately, the writing style never fully clicked for me, making it a slower and more difficult reading experience than I anticipated.

The Butcher’s Masquerade by Matt Dinniman

Every time I pick up another Dungeon Crawler Carl book, I fall deeper into this chaotic world. The humor remains fantastic, the action is relentless, and the characters continue to grow in ways I didn’t expect. At the same time, each installment makes me increasingly worried about their future—and increasingly angry at the System that continues to put them through unimaginable horrors. I can’t seem to look away.

The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker

I wrapped up the month with a fantasy read that delivered gorgeous writing, emotional stakes, and a world that kept pulling me deeper into its pages. Sarah A. Parker continues to create stories that feel both epic and deeply personal, making this a memorable way to close out May.

🌻 Looking Ahead: My June TBR

June is shaping up to be another eclectic reading month, and I’m excited to see where these stories take me.

Gild by Raven Kennedy

I’ve heard so many readers talk about this series over the past few years that it feels like it’s finally time to see what all the hype is about. I’m going in mostly blind, which is often my favorite way to start a new fantasy series.

How to Kill Your Best Friend by Lexie Elliott

The title alone immediately grabbed my attention. I’m always up for a suspenseful thriller, and this sounds like exactly the kind of twisty story that could keep me guessing until the very end.

People Watching by Hannah Bonam-Young

I’ve been wanting to read more contemporary romance lately, and this one sounds like it might be the perfect balance of heart, humor, and emotional depth.

The Echoes Beneath by J.M. Ammoun

This is probably the book on my TBR that I know the least about, which somehow makes me even more excited to dive in. Sometimes the best reading experiences come from taking a chance on something unexpected.

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman

Let’s be honest—we all knew this one was going to make the list. After finishing The Butcher’s Masquerade, there was no way I was leaving Carl, Donut, and the rest of the crew behind for long. I’m equal parts excited and terrified to see what fresh chaos awaits them.

📚 Final Thoughts

May gave me a little bit of everything: romance, fantasy, thriller, literary fiction, and plenty of emotional damage courtesy of Dungeon Crawler Carl. June looks ready to continue that trend with more fantasy adventures, suspenseful mysteries, and at least one highly anticipated return to the dungeon.

As always, reading plans are subject to change the moment a shiny new book catches my attention.

What are you planning to read in June? Let me know in the comments—my TBR is always looking for new additions.