One thing that I did manage to make enough time for, in the midst of gardening season, is reading! I can’t imagine a time when I wouldn’t make time for reading. It is a form of meditation for me. Quieting my mind and bringing inner peace, at least for a bit. It takes me away to other places and on adventures. It is good for the soul. On to the books I read during the month of May…

1. One for the Books-Jenn McKinlay

The wedding of librarian Lindsey Norris and boat captain Sully is finally here. Of course, the proceeding is beset by murder. Lindsey and Sully need to figure out who the murderer is so they can get on with their wedding without interruption. This is probably my favorite cozy mystery series and this book did not disappoint.

2. Spin-Patricia Cornwell

This was a library book and when it came due, I returned it. I was only on page 40 and doubt that I will check it out again to finish it. It didn’t keep my attention, which is very unusual for a Cornwell book.

3. The Spotted Dog-Kerry Greenwood

This book should have been right up my alley, it has a murder mystery and a bakery. After trying to read it for three days, I only made it 38 pages in and gave up. It just didn’t hold my interest.

4. Murder Likes It Hot: A Downward Dog Mystery-Tracy Weber

Kate Davidson is solving a murder case once again while trying to overcome problems in her own life. She owns a yoga studio that she must keep running while trying to conceive a baby and volunteering to boot. This is one in a series. I might not have picked this book based on the title but gave it a go based on the author’s previous works. An enjoyable book.

5. Maisie Dobbs-Jacqueline Winspear

This book was recommended to me by someone, and oh my! I am so glad I read it. This is one of the best stories I have read in a long time, and I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. Maisie, through hard work and good fortune, rises through the ranks from service to become a college educated professional. She is a private investigator, and the story opens in 1929. It goes back in time to when Maisie was a young girl and explains how she arrived at where she is today. When the story resumes in her current life, she manages to solve a very intriguing murder. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

6. Virgin River-Robyn Carr

I love the Virgin River series of books! You get sucked into the characters’ lives and can’t wait to see what happens next. Melinda Monroe, after suffering a life altering tragedy, decides to accept a job in backwoods Virgin River, as assistant to the only local doctor.  All is not as she expected, and she plans to move on, but becomes absorbed into the intricacies of life in this small town.

7. Winning Hearts-Debbie Macomber

A compendium of two short books, Laughter in the Rain and Love by Degree. The first is a love story between Abby and Tate. I found Abby’s character to be immature and annoying, but of course boy gets girl. I enjoyed the second story more, but still found the relationship between the characters of Ellen and Reed to be shallow. I suppose you can only do so much in the span of a novella.

My winner for favorite book that I read this month is definitely Maisie Dobbs. I already went to the library and checked out the second book in the series. Someone recommended that I read them in order, so that is what I plan to do. This first book was published in 2003, so they were written by as a historical novel. If you seek it out, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!