Yes, we are a few days into May already so this is technically late. But I just had a crazy start to May so I just finished getting all my picks together. More on that in a minute. April didn’t quite go as planned so I’m a little annoyed that I’m not getting through my TBR. But, I am determined that May will be the first month that I get through my TBR. So, let’s dive into our TBR jar 2026 May picks.
April Recap
First, let’s talk about how April went. I really thought that I was going to get through all the books on my April TBR. Unfortunately, I just finished 2 of them. Yes, you only got 1 review but that’s because the second one I read I finished right at the end so I have not posted that review yet. The first one was my book club read: Shady Hollow. This one was just a fun read for me and I thought it was going to propel me through the rest of the books. And it probably would have if I didn’t dive into a heavy read right after that. The second read that I was able to get done was The Poppy War. I won’t say too much about that because the review is coming later this week.
Accidental sabotage
So, I thought I had an audiobook for one of my picks. 1st To Die was one I had to get from the library and I used my library’s app, Libby, to get my pick for a book with a number in the title. I thought it was purely audiobooks on that app. The joke was on me as they also have eBooks. And that was how I got this book. So, I really caught myself off guard and didn’t get the book finished because I couldn’t just listen to it while doing other things. But, I have now learned my lesson and I’m being careful when choosing a book through Libby to make sure I know which one I picked.
2026 May Picks – Book Club
For the month of May, my book club chose to read Remarkably Bright Creatures. I know this is not a new release, and that it’s actually coming out on Netflix. The book is written by Shelby Van Pelt. This book is about an octopus in an aquarium who befriends one of the keepers and wants to solve a mystery for her. To my understanding this book is all from the point of view of the octopus. We definitely have some interesting picks in our book club. And June will be different because for the first time we have 2 different picks. But you’ll have to wait for next month’s blog.
The First Prompt
This was a hilarious prompt and I had to figure out what this would all look like. The first prompt that I picked was to let my cats pick my read. I have two cats. I was worried they would “pick” different books and then I would have had to read two for one prompt. And then I had to figure out what them picking a book would look like. So for this prompt I selected 4 books and put them on the floor and let the cats check them out. At first Teddy stood beside one of the books so I figured he was picking it. Marshall was not interested. Then Teddy took interest in another book, sniffing it. Marshall went and investigated that same book and that was that. I took that as their pick.
What did they pick
The four books I put on the floor were The Bookshop of 99 Doors, Anxious People, The Program, and The Incandescent. I have been wanting to get to these books. And the one that the boys picked was The Incandescent by Emily Tesh. This book is about a magic school where the director has to keep her school safe from demons. But there might be a bigger threat to the school. I started this book as an audiobook last year and there was so much information. Instantly I knew that this was a book I needed to read and not do through an audiobook. But I haven’t picked it up yet. Now I get to.
2026 May Picks the Second Prompt
This one was probably my most disappointing prompt. I knew it would come out eventually. The second prompt was A Romance Book. Now, as many of you know, I can’t stand most romance in books. It’s usually infuriating and annoying, and I just don’t want it. But it was the prompt. I could have cheated and picked a book with a romance sub-plot. But I decided to be honest and I went to the library to find a romance book. I picked The Bodyguard by Katherine Centre. In this book we follow a female bodyguard who has been assigned to protect an actor who has a stalker. When he goes home to take care of his sick mother, he doesn’t want his family to find out about the stalker. So he convinces his bodyguard to pretend to be his girlfriend. What could go wrong?
The 3rd Prompt
For my 3rd prompt I had a bit more freedom and I had to pick a book that was over 400 pages. So, I scoured my bookshelves and found some that were over 400 pages and ready to read. Meaning that they were not part of a series that had books ahead of them. One I wasn’t feeling up to reading, but the other I was very intrigued by. So, I picked House of Gucci by Sara Gay Forden. I don’t know too much other than it was recommended to me by a girl from my book club and it’s a true crime story – or based on true crime. Sounds like a fascinating read.
The Last Prompt for 2026 May Picks
My last pick could have been interpreted several ways. The prompt was a book that scares you. I decided to go down the route that meant a book that intimidated me. So, in my case, a really thick book. For some reason, I decided that this wasn’t intimidating enough so I chose a classic thick book. That’s right, I chose The Count of Monte Cristo! Don’t ask why I would do that to myself, I’m still trying to figure it out. But, it scares me. So, that fits the prompt.
The Unread Books
Now, some of you may be wondering what I do with the books that I picked previous months but didn’t read. Do I put them back on my bookshelves? Do I forget about them? No, I actually put them to the side. You see, I have hope that one month I will read all five books on the monthly TBR and will need something else to read that month. So, I have them in reserve for that. Who knows, maybe May will be that month…if I can get through Monte Cristo. But I will keep trying, you’ll see. I will succeed one way or another. For now, let’s see if I can get through my May TBR. Wish me luck and remember that anything can happen if you try.
