2021 May Reading Challenge

A mini reading challenge celebrating the month of May

If you enjoyed our April Reading Challenge, you’re definitely going to enjoy this fun May Reading Challenge.

This small commitment only has 4 challenges so you can do one each week. And, if you’re visiting this post outside of May 2021, don’t despair, you can do this challenge at any time!

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May Reading Challenge

Are you ready to have some fun reading this month? Then, you’ll love these four simple reading prompts.

If you read a lot of books, then you’ll want to do all four prompts. But, if you’re busy this month and don’t have as much free them, choose one or two of the prompts to tackle. Reading challenges should be fun and not rigid! So, just do what you can do.

This month’s reading challenge celebrates the month of May. We’ll use holidays and special events to inspire our reading. And, we’ll also draw inspiration from nature and spring.

Are you ready to start reading?

A book Written By An Author Whose Name Begins With an M

Since May begins with an M, we’re going to read a book written by an author whose last name begins with an M. You’ll likely find an author who writes your favorite genre or use this as an opportunity to read outside your usual genre.

There are plenty of authors to try, here are a few suggestions:

If you like mysteries, check out Jenn McKinlay. Both the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries and the Library Lovers’ Mysteries are delightful.

If you like historical fiction, try The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris.

Or, if you like contemporary romance, Jojo Moyes is a great choice. Try One Plus One or Me Before You.

A memoir About Motherhood

Since Mother’s Day is in May, I thought this would be a great time to pick up a memoir about motherhood. Try a book about the experience of motherhood or a memoir celebrating the author’s mother. Or, if you desire, read a memoir about someone’s decision not to become a parent.

There are many options to read, but here are a few to get you started:

Anne LaMott is a prolific writer and her memoir about motherhood, Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son’s First Year, typically gets very high ratings.

I’ve been meaning to pick up Glennon Doyle’s latest book, Untamed, for awhile now. This challenge may be just the push I need!

Or, you can pick up Maya Angelou’s memoir about her relationship with her mother, Mom & Me & Mom.

A Book With a Green Cover

In May, my neighborhood has usually fully turned from brown to green. In celebration of green grass, green leaves, and all other things green, let’s read a book with a green cover.

This is a great reading prompt that encourages browsing. Look through your TBR pile, browse the library’s shelves (or Overdrive if you prefer ebooks), or check out a local bookstore.

Here are some options to get you started:

If you love historical fiction, check out The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Or, if you want a good romance, try Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes.

You could also try a nonfiction choice. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson is a delightful choice.

You can find many more choices on this extensive list, Greenest Books Ever, on Goodreads.

A Book About or Featuring Horses

Finally, in honor of both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness that will take place in May, this last prompt is to read a book about horses or featuring horses.

You can choose nonfiction or fiction for this choice. I didn’t realize just how many great choices there were until I started researching this prompt!

Here are some options to get you started:

If you like mysteries, try one of the Dick Francis novels. This classic series is set in the world of horse racing.

You can also pick up a great nonfiction choice. Elizabeth Letts has written some highly recommended books about horses. The Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman, The Horse That Inspired a Nation and The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped By the Nazis are both on my TBR list. This prompt may inspire me to finally pick one up!

(As an aside, am I the only one with an impossibly long TBR list?)

Which book are you going to choose?

I’d love to hear all the books you select for this May Reading Challenge! Leave me a comment to let me know.

2021 May Reading Challenge

A mini reading challenge celebrating the month of May

May Reading Challenge