Book of the Month is a subscription box in which members choose up to 5 hardcover books to receive each month.
You can sign up here to get your first book for $5.
This month, Book of the Month (BOTM) chose six main selections and four initial add-ons.
Main Picks | Add-Ons | Predictions | My Choices
Main Picks
Middletide
Sarah Crouch
This tensely atmospheric story about a failed writer’s uneasy return to his hometown is steeped in the natural world.
Crime Fiction | Debut | Early Release
Five Broken Blades
Mai Corland
Five killers unite for a high-stakes quest to topple an unkillable king in this bloody, exhilarating fantasy adventure.
Fantasy
The Ministry of Time
Kaliane Bradley
Having trouble finding the love of your life? Have you considered that you might be looking in the wrong century…
Science Fiction | Debut
The Return of Ellie Black
Emiko Jean
Missing girls and small-town secrets are not the only things hiding in the woods of this Pacific Northwest outpost.
Mystery
The Paradise Problem
Christina Lauren
Money makes people do strange things. For example, get married for a mega inheritance, then actually fall in love.
Romance | Repeat Author
The Real Americans
Rachel Khong
Epic and immersive, this big-hearted family saga tackles important questions of inheritance, destiny, and forgiveness.
Literary Fiction | Repeat Author
Add Ons
Did I Ever Tell You?
Genevieve Kingston
In this moving memoir, a woman uses the gifts and letters bequeathed by her mom to navigate her coming-of-age journey.
Memoir | Debut
Splitting Gold
Carmella Lowkis
Vengeful spirits, spunky frauds, and all manner of queer affairs lurk in the shadows of this gothic Parisian fable.
Historical Fiction | Debut
The Demon of Unrest
Erik Larson
Expertly researched and gripping, this epic Civil War history from Erik Larson illuminates a dark American chapter.
History | Repeat Author
The Lady Waiting
Magdalena Zyzak
Feeling up for something a little taboo? Come join these rich, misbehaving Angelenos on their latest art theft scam.
Literary Fiction
One Perfect Couple
Ruth Ware
In a bid to get out of a relationship funk, a couple enrolls on a reality dating show but then bodies start piling up.
Thriller I Repeat Author
Predictions & Thoughts
There are six main and four initial add-on Book of the Month (BOTM) selections for May, including four debuts and three books by repeat authors. There is also one early release that will be published on June .
I predicted 8 out of 9 books correctly in my May predictions. I did not think there were any real surprises among the picks. The one book that I did not include was The Lady Waiting, which I mention ruling out. I had originally included it in my predictions but removed it in favor of other literary thrillers/mysteries that I thought would be more likely. While I did include Middletide in my predictions, I am surprised that a book that will not be published until June 11th is among the May selection. It has been quite awhile since we have seen a true early release (i.e. one that publishes the following month).
It does seem like BOTM has firmly decided to ride the romantasy wave. This is at least the third month in a row with a fantasy pick.
The big announcement this month was a literary magazine-like publication with short stories. While I saw it available on the app, it was not available when I ordered through the website. It appears that BOTM is charging the regular add-on price for this, despite the fact it is not hardcover. I think this will deter a lot of members from getting it. In the past (like a few years ago), I feel like BOTM would not have charged for this and offered it for BFFS. Personally, I have only heard of a few of the authors who wrote short stories for this “issue 0”, and I think it is too big of a risk (not to mention not a hardcover) to spend $11+ on.
There were two mid-month adds in May: One Perfect Couple and The Last Murder at the End of the World. Mysteriously, once Aardvark announced they would also have The Last Murder at the End of the World in June, the book disappeared from the BOTM website.
My Choices
I did not have difficulty narrowing down my choices this month. This is in large part because I already have copies of The Ministry of Time, The Lady Waiting, and Middletide. I also have already read an e-ARC for The Paradise Problem and still need to read an e-ARC for The Real Americans.
As someone not big into fantasy, I had an easy time skipping Five Broken Blades. Even if I did like fantasy, I do not think I could stomach a book essentially about war right now.
Other than Five Broken Blades, the only main selection I do not have a copy of is The Return of Ellie Black. I have heard good things about this novel from friends I trust. Plus, if BOTM labels a book as feminist, I will give it a shot.
As far as add-ons go, I am really happy to see the return of non-memoir nonfiction books with The Demon of Unrest. I have patiently been waiting to see if BOTM would carry it. It was the first book I added to this month’s box.
I have heard mixed reviews for Splitting Gold. I am going to hold off on getting this book to see more reviews and until I feel like reading this type of book.
In addition, I am going to skip Did I Ever Tell You? for the time being. It is labeled as melancholy, and that is not the vibe I am looking for these days.
I had already ordered my boxes by the time the mid-month add-ons dropped. Depending upon reviews, I may add One Perfect Couple to a future box.
What books did you choose for your May BOTM selections? Let me know in the comments!
