Books I’ve Read in May

by Rebecca Cuningham
Josephine Baker’s Last Dance Cover

I began the month reading about women spies; Josephine Baker’s Last Dance by Sherry Jones. Ms. Baker was a Civil Rights activist, a singer, a dancer, part of the French Resistance in WWII, and the first Black woman be the star of a film. Sherry Jones tells her story well, especially the heartbreak of Josephine Baker feeling loved and adored in Europe but despised, reviled, and unable to get a hotel in her own country, the United States. Important history about a ground-breaking woman. (Adult relationship themes.)

Matt Haig The Midnight Library

The book Midnight Library by Matt Haig has a premise a little like Groundhog Day or It’s a Wonderful Life. Nora Seed tries out many variations on her life until she gets it the way that suits her best. Ever wonder what would have happened if you paired up with that partner you broke up with years ago? What if you went on that big trip? I found the book well written and a good basis for talking about what is important in life. (Trigger warning: suicide attempt.)

The Hugo Award-Winning Novel of Downbelow Station

After looking up women science fiction writers, my partner suggested Downbelow Station by CJ Cherryh. The book is set a bit in the future, when earth colonists have space stations outside our galaxy. The author does a great job of representing political interests; the people from earth, those who have only lived on another planet, people who have only lived on a space station, factions that want to pit the three against each another, alien life, and people who live on small spacecraft. Exciting storyline, adorable aliens, and good plot twists. (violent political struggles.)

Andy Weir Project Hail Mary

We enjoyed The Martian so well, I looked up Andy Weir’s more recent novels. His third book, Project Hail Mary has great reviews. I read it in a day; a very engaging, funny read. Who knew the scientific method could make for such a lively story! The main character, Ryland Grace, has to figure out who he is, where he is and why. He is humanity’s only chance for survival and he doesn’t know his own name or where he is in the galaxy. (medical procedures.)

What are you reading this month?

Gracias for your comments and likes! ¡Olé! –Rebecca

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Rebecca Cuningham

17 thoughts on “Books I’ve Read in May”

  2. I’m a fan of Matt Haig, but not this one. I couldn’t believe Nora was sent into her new reality so hopelessly equipped (not knowing her daughter’s name, or that she had a music lesson for instance). I didn’t like it that she was removed from said world when the going got tough. I don’t know your other choices. I’ve just finished Andrew Hurley’s Starve Acre, set in a menacing Yorkshire landscape, as a couple deal with the fallout from the death of their five year old son. I need something more upbeat now!

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    1. Thanks for your comments, Margaret. I don’t want to give away the ending, but I can understand wanting to be in a child’s life from the beginning. The story you read sounds very sad. You deserve a fun one now.

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  6. I have read and re-read Downbelow Station so many times! CJ Cherryh writes excellent female charters, Mallory the evil ships captain comes to mind. I’ve read all her Science Fiction, bar the last one — still waiting for the paperback edition!

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    1. Cool, I was glad for the introduction to her writing. The characters and plot are so complex I can see rereading it too. Yes, evil Mallory is well developed and the matriarch the aliens protect. We use the library so as not to spend every cent we own on books. 🙂

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