Mini Book Reviews: May 2026

Disclaimer: I received copies of Good Joy, Bad Joy, Mad Mable, The Burning Side, and It's Hard to Be an Animal from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest reviews. This post contains affiliate links.

This may have been one of my favorite months of reading. I only had four NetGalley books this month, which left me time for 'reader's choice'. Sure, I could have gone back and read some of the NetGalley books I didn't get to in April and May. Or...I could read some backlist books from my Kindle. Which is exactly what I did. 

No regrets. My favorite books of the month? Out of the 7 books I read this month, I rated 5 of them 5 stars on Goodreads. But if you asked me, I would tell you that I love irreverent characters and stories, and It's Hard to be an Animal and The True True Story of Raja the Gullible both made me laugh out loud. But no matter which book you pick from the ones I'm sharing here, you can't go wrong.

Joy has been the quintessential good girl her entire life. Good mom, good wife, good friend, she always did the right thing--until she learns that her ride-or-die BFF wild child, who lived life to the fullest, is dying of cancer. Besides the reality that she is losing her beloved friend, Joy realizes that playing it safe has been boring and begins to commit some petty crimes--things that made her feel 'liberated' and made me laugh out loud. I mean, how bad can you be at 80 years old? Ultimately, Good Joy, Bad Joy is a story about friendship and a reminder to live your best/baddest life. I enjoyed this author's previous book, The Collected Regrets of Clover, and this one did not disappoint either. 

Elsa, aka Mad Mabel, is a cantankerous old woman who has lived her entire life under the shadow of suspicion of murder; actually, several murders. People seem to die when she's around, and the finger always points to her. Throughout her life, she's struggled with her reputation as a killer. But a little girl who lives next door to her, Persephone, knows nothing of her past and, despite Elsa's best efforts to discourage her, claims Elsa as her own. Elsa's life story is told in alternating timelines between the past and the present, and I found myself feeling sorry for Elsa as people around her were quick to judge and bully her. This book was much better than I expected!

A couple, Leo and April, whose marriage is on the rocks, wakes up to find their house in flames. They escape with nothing but the clothes on their backs. While the dust settles, they begin the slow work of deciding what to do with their house and their marriage. As in her previous novel, The Bright Years, the author does a deep dive into the characters' pasts. There is also a side plot about April's parents' marriage. This is similar in style to The Bright Years (I just read it, so it's easy to compare), but I found this one to be much less overwrought. Don't get me wrong, there were some really wordy passages in The Burning Side, but overall, the execution was great. Damoff is a talented writer and a skilled observer of human nature; I'm looking forward to seeing what she does next!

I love a fun, quirky read, and It's Hard to Be an Animal was one of the best I've read in a long time! I don't want to share too much for fear of spoiling the novelty. Great character development, funny dialogue, and a clever plot--even an element of suspense--kept me turning the pages and at times, laughing out loud for real. It also made me think about what animals are really saying with their chirps, barks, and meows. If the story is to be believed, it's not always what you think. That ending, though...

Denny Voss is a neurodiverse young man, raised by his grandmother, living in a small town in Minnesota. His questioning, innocent nature often gets him in trouble. Like the time he tried to help a bank robber because he didn't understand what was going on. Or when he gets arrested trying to bring a sled full of guns to the police station. It turns out one of the guns was used to murder a wealthy resident of the town and a mayoral candidate. The story is narrated by Denny and is a little slow--I had to remind myself that this is how he would tell a story. We learn a lot about Denny as he learns more about his life. I didn't expect it to be a bit of a murder mystery! I found The Sideways Life of Denny Voss to be charming and not one bit cloying. It was just what I needed to read in these very difficult times! And it's only 3.99 for Kindle as of 6/1/2026

Loon Point was not on my radar, but I can't resist a story set in the northwoods. This is a heartwarming story about a resort owner, Norry, in northern Minnesota, who takes a young girl and her adopted stray under her wing when the girl's mom battles addiction. At the same time, Norry's long time friend Bud drops off another neighbor, Wendell, whose roof collapses under the weight of all the snow. Instead of a solitary winter, Norry's got company, and getting to know the characters was like being a part of a circle of friends. Sweet but not saccharine, I completely enjoyed this book. Four stars because it was a little predictable. But there's comfort in that, too. It's a Kindle deal at $3.99 as of 6/1/26. 

Set in Beirut, Lebanon, against the backdrop of war, corruption, and an unreliable government, The True True Story of Raja the Gullible takes the reader through Raja's life with his mother. Their relationship is tumultuous, yet their love for each other is undeniable. Small in stature and gay, he is bullied by his brother and his father, yet his sardonic wit, his cat (Mr Cat), and his students (his 'brats') keep him going. Each chapter takes place during each Lebanese upheaval. The author deftly navigates history while telling Raja's story. I loved viewing life through Raja's lens. His sense of humor, while not downplaying the difficulty of living in such an unstable place, made this book immensely readable. Great character development, too! I am so glad I picked this one up--it's a must read. You have to stick around for the ending, which not only ties everything up but is so rewarding! 

How was your month of reading? Did you read any of these books? What is your favorite genre? Do you like books that weave history into the story?

I'm linking up with Jenn and Jenny for Tuesday Topics!  I'm also excited to join Farrah for My Month is Booked! Also with Share Your Shelf with Slices of Life and Not in Jersey.