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May 2025 Book Blogger Posts Round Up

A collection of blog posts by book bloggers

Welcome to another Book Bloggers Round Up post! Let's see what book bloggers posted about during May.

Disclosure: The FTC Disclosure Provision is a law that requires influencers to disclose when they are being paid to promote a product or service. So please know that if I'm not making money through affiliate links/sponsored content on the post you're currently reading, it's an oversight on my part and will be corrected soon. Read the full disclosure about all the legal stuff here.

I introduced this feature here on the blog in May 2021 to showcase blog posts by other book bloggers and as it continues to be a popular series I've decided to continue again this year too.

Each month I'll include a wide variety of content so there's something for everyone. You'll find book reviews, interviews, discussion pieces and more...

So if you're looking for new bookish content to read and/or want to discover some new book bloggers to follow, look no further!

Why I do this feature:

Scanning through various social media feeds to find suitable content can take up valuable time and so I figured I'd make it easier and put together a collection here on the blog.

It's also a way for me to highlight some of the other great book bloggers out there and help promote books and reading at the same time.

How it works:

Each month I do a post via my Twitter, where I offer the opportunity for book bloggers to submit posts published during that month for inclusion in this round up. I do this every month.

Want to be included in future round ups? Follow my Twitter profile and keep an eye out for the submission tweet.

May 2025 Book Blogger Round Up

@leftontheshelf1 shared 10 Ten Exciting New Releases in June 2025.

@ReadingLadiesBC did a discussion post about Those Elusive Five-Star Reads.

@_forbookssake reviewed Ruck Me by James Haskell. "Even though it’s not supposed to be, parts of this book could genuinely be used as motivational self help." Read the full review of Ruck Me here.

Looking for a simple reading challenge to do in 2025? Check out The Clock Reading Challenge

@DanSamEnd joined the book tour for Hive by D L Orton. "An incredible story crafted in a mind-bending multiverse that thrills, intrigues, and mystifies! It’s terrifying, hopeful, joyful, and so much in between, as the fate of humanity hangs in the balance." Read the full review of Hive here.

@TStrawberryPost reviewed Cat’s People by Tanya Guerrero. "This is definitely one of my favourite reads, mostly because of Cat, but also because it has left me feeling so smiley and happy after reading it. I would recommend this to everyone, cat lover or not, it’s a wonderful and perfect summer read that will warm your heart!" Read the full review of Cat's People here.

@f33lthesun reviewed The Thief of Farrowfell by Ravena Guron. "I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy. The best bit is they are already out, so no waiting." Read the full review of The Thief of Farrowfell by Ravena Guron here.

@voyanges joined the book tour for Skylark in the Fog by Helyna L. Clove. "Despite the tech jargon, the prose is easily digestible and isn’t intimidating — but it still has a distinct style and personality that keeps you thoroughly engaged. And even though I don’t read “hard sci-fi” very often, this book reminds of the charm that a lot of classic sci-fi books have." Read the full review of Skylark in the Fog here.

You might also like: Book Blogging in 2024 Survey Results

What bookish blog posts did you enjoy reading in May? Have a favourite book you read in May that you want to share?

In case you missed it, don't forget to check out the April Round Up for even more great bookish posts by different book bloggers.

You might also like: The Ultimate Guide for Book Bloggers

Are you a book blogger? Check out 101 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers

March 2025 Book Blogger Posts Round Up

A collection of blog posts by book bloggers

Welcome to another Book Bloggers Round Up post! Let's see what book bloggers posted about during March.

Disclosure: The FTC Disclosure Provision is a law that requires influencers to disclose when they are being paid to promote a product or service. So please know that if I'm not making money through affiliate links/sponsored content on the post you're currently reading, it's an oversight on my part and will be corrected soon. Read the full disclosure about all the legal stuff here.

I introduced this feature here on the blog in May 2021 to showcase blog posts by other book bloggers and as it continues to be a popular series I've decided to continue again this year too.

Each month I'll include a wide variety of content so there's something for everyone. You'll find book reviews, interviews, discussion pieces and more...

So if you're looking for new bookish content to read and/or want to discover some new book bloggers to follow, look no further!

Why I do this feature:

Scanning through various social media feeds to find suitable content can take up valuable time and so I figured I'd make it easier and put together a collection here on the blog.

It's also a way for me to highlight some of the other great book bloggers out there and help promote books and reading at the same time.

How it works:

Each month I do a post via my Twitter, where I offer the opportunity for book bloggers to submit posts published during that month for inclusion in this round up. I do this every month.

Want to be included in future round ups? Follow my Twitter profile and keep an eye out for the submission tweet.

March 2025 Book Blogger Round Up

@leftontheshelf1 reviewed Mother Howl by Craig Clevenger. "The book is well written, and I do think it is worth reading. Periodically it is good for us to step slightly out of our reading comfort zone, and I am extremely glad I did so with this one." Read the full review here.

@WordsofMystery did a collection of book reviews of graphic novels she read recently in her post Graphic Novels Round-Up (Winter Edition).

@DanSamEnd reviewed Girl Unmasked by Emily Katy. "Enlightening, empowering, and a truly important read for all. Girl Unmasked is an incredible debut; Emily’s honest and beautiful prose change the lens through which we see the world, opening our eyes to the trauma and struggles being endured and to the woefully inadequate system in place failing so many." Read the full review here.

Looking for a simple reading challenge to do in 2025? Check out The Clock Reading Challenge

@ReadingLadiesBC did a post about her favourite stories based on inspiring women: real-life, ordinary women who accomplished something extraordinary in the most difficult circumstances.

@TStrawberryPost did The World Book Day Book Tag. Great questions including; What book character would you dress up as for World Book Day? If you could live in any book for ever, or just for a while, which would it be and why? and If you could meet any book character, who would it be? to name a few.

You might also like: Book Blogging in 2024 Survey Results

@SifaPoulton did a post about World Book Day and how are the books paid for?

@booklorefairy reviewed Loophole by Rebecca Weber. "What can I say? Except that Loophole is one of the best middle-grade books I’ve read this year. I was blown away by the emotional rollercoaster that was Maybelline’s life." Read the full review here.

What bookish blog posts did you enjoy reading in March? Have a favourite book you read in March that you want to share?

In case you missed it, don't forget to check out the February Round Up for even more great bookish posts by different book bloggers.

You might also like: The Ultimate Guide for Book Bloggers

Are you a book blogger? Check out 101 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers

May 2024 Book Blogger Posts Round Up

A collection of blog posts by book bloggers

Welcome back for another Book Bloggers Round Up!

I introduced this feature here on the blog in May 2021 to showcase blog posts by other book bloggers and as it continues to be a popular series I've decided to continue again this year too.

Each month I'll include a wide variety of content so there's something for everyone. You'll find book reviews, interviews, discussion pieces and more...

So if you're looking for new bookish content to read and/or want to discover some new book bloggers to follow, look no further!

Why I do this feature:

Scanning through various social media feeds to find suitable content can take up valuable time and so I figured I'd make it easier and put together a collection here on the blog.

It's also a way for me to highlight some of the other great book bloggers out there and help promote books and reading at the same time.

How it works:

Each month I do a post via my Twitter, where I offer the opportunity for book bloggers to submit posts published during that month for inclusion in this round up. I do this every month.

Want to be included in future round ups? Follow my Twitter profile and keep an eye out for the submission tweet.

May 2024 Book Blogger Round Up

@gail_h did a recap of all the books she read in May. Read the full post here.

@Mehsi_Hime did the Europe Traveller Book Tag Read the full post here.

@GinaRaeMitchell created the post "Master Your Reading List: 10 Practical Tips for Avid Readers". Read the full post here.

@alitescape reviewed Dreams of Fire by Shauna Lawless. Read the full post here. "Lawless writes phenomenal historical fantasy that fuses myth with actual historical figures and events. Consider this novella a gateway into an immersive saga." Read the full post here.

You might also like: The Clock Reading Challenge 2024

@TStrawberryPost gave some great advice in her post Authors: How NOT to Ask a Book Blogger for a Review. Read the full post here.

@Debjani15012411 shared a review of The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell as part of the book tour. "Every sentence is so well-crafted it felt as if the author had put her entire soul into this book. The Lamplighter is an uncanny historical fiction set in the nineteenth-century whaling village of Warbler." Read the full post here.

@leftontheshelf1 reviewed The Bravest Word by Kate Foster. "The book is aimed at middle grade/lower secondary aged readers and every school library should have a copy of this wonderful book. It has been one of the best children's books I have read this year." Read the full post here.

@PewterWolf reread the audiobook version of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness and did a review "...this is a series I like and I am going to continue rereading this, but it’s a series that has flaws." Read the full post here.

You might also like: Book Blogging in 2024 Survey Results

@WorldsUnlikeOO reviewed Voyage of the Damned by Frances White. "Overall, Voyage of the Damned was a fun read and I would definitely recommend it! I’m looking forward to seeing what this author will write next!" Read the full post here.

@cjfriess reviewed the children's picture storybook A Crocodile Should NEVER Skip Breakfast by Colleen Larmour. "The text is easy to read and uses a mix of narrative and speech bubbles to move the story along. We love the humour in the bold, colourful illustrations – the signs on Hippo’s Hut, the snake’s body shape after his snack and Croc’s ‘Snappy Snacks’ cereal." Read the full post here.

@DanSamEnd reviewed Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland. "I absolutely loved this thrilling fantasy read; it’s storytelling at its best – enthralling, hugely entertaining, and a twisty plot riddled with secrets that leaves us wanting more!" Read the full post here.

@WS_BOOKCLUB reviewed Play of Shadows by Sebastien De Castell. "Play of Shadows is phenomenal and deserves a standing ovation. Read it. Read it now." Read the full post here.

@ReadingLadiesBC shared 10 book recommendations for Mother's Day. Read the full post here.

What bookish blog posts did you enjoy reading in May? Have a favourite book you read in May that you want to share?

In case you missed it, don't forget to check out the April Round Up for even more great bookish posts by different book bloggers.

You might also like: The Ultimate Guide for Book Bloggers

Are you a book blogger? Check out 101 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers

Books

Book Club Kit: One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall

Please be aware going into this post that it is for people who have read the book and therefore contains some spoilers.

About the book

Publisher: Gillian Flynn Books

Genre: Thriller

Number of pages: 304

‎ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1638931550

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1638931553

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BVDQ2DK4

Published: January 2024

Purchasing link: Amazon affiliate link

Goodreads

Book Covers

One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall book cover

Book synopsis for One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall

If most men claim to be good, why are most women still afraid to walk home alone at night?

Desperate to escape the ghosts of his failed marriage, Cole upends his life. He leaves London behind for a remote stretch of coast, relishing the respite from the noise, drama, and relentless careerism that curdled his relationship and mental health. Leonora has made the same move for similar reasons. She’s living a short walk from Cole’s seaside cottage, preparing for her latest art exhibition. Although Cole still can’t figure out what went wrong with his marriage, and Leonora is having trouble acclimating to the hostile landscape, the pair forges a connection on the eroding bluff they call home.

Then two young female activists raising awareness about gendered violence disappear while passing through. Cole and Leonora suddenly find themselves in the middle of a police investigation--and the resulting media firestorm when the world learns of what happened. And as the tension escalates alongside the search for the missing women, they quickly realize that they don’t know each other that well after all.

About the Author

Araminta Hall began her career in journalism as a staff writer on teen magazine Bliss, becoming Health and Beauty editor of New Woman. On her way, she wrote regular features for the Mirror's Saturday supplement and ghost-wrote the super-model Caprice's column.

Author Interviews and guest posts

"When I started writing One of the Good Guys I kept a little strip of paper pinned above my desk. It read: women have had enough and it made me brave. I didn’t want my book to have any female victims in it, I didn’t want anyone to be saved. But to do this I realised I needed to flip the idea of the thriller on its head." - Read the full interview at Writing.ie

"...when I started writing One of the Good Guys, that I wanted to flip the narrative. I didn’t want small wins. The novel’s set up feels like a familiar thriller – a woman living on the edge of a cliff in a ramshackle cottage, a man who seems too good to be true moving in nearby and two young women going missing on a walk as they pass through the treacherous landscape. But once I’d done that I wanted to make sure that nothing felt familiar." Read the full post at Culture Fly

"For me every character needs to have shades of everything to make them work as fully rounded, believable individuals – the truth is we all have moments of victimhood in us, we’ve all felt defeated at times, which is why the idea is still so potent." Read the full interview at Muddy Stilettos

Book Reviews

My Review of One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall

"Well, this book certainly makes you think. It’s one of those books that poses some very important questions and will encourage discussion amongst those who have read it. It is very current and very relevant, a very complex book that takes a look at the modern world, where women’s safety is very firmly on the agenda, and the abuse and violence experienced by women is put very definitely under the spotlight. But it’s also a book that is as clever as it is complex and I really rather liked it." Read the full review at Jen Med's Book Reviews

"Overall, this is definitely a worthwhile novel, but I think my enjoyment of it was very much enhanced by the audio performance which really blew me away. Highly recommend listening to it!" - Read the full review at That Publishing Blog

"Deeply unsettling but totally brilliant, One of the Good Guys is a book that demands to be read. Desperation, depravity, danger, dark deeds and disturbed relationships saturate the page of this powerful and all-too familiar tale." - Read the full review at Emma’s Biblio Treasures

"Hall writes well and keeps you guessing as you read, your opinion of the characters (who you will love to hate) wavering at times until you start doubting yourself, until you reach the end and make your final decision." - Read the full review at Paradise is a Library

Discussion Questions

Do you think Cole was a good guy or a bad guy? Why?

Why do you think it took Mel so long to see what Cole was doing to her?

Was destroying the embryos the right thing to do?

Why do you think Cole believed he was doing nothing wrong?

Is silence consent?

Was Laura right to accuse Cole after so any years? Do you think there is a time limit on calling rape?

How much do you think Cole's parents were to blame for his behaviour?

Were Lennie, Mel, and the girls wrong to stage the disappearance of the girls?

Do you think Cole will ever become a father and if so, what sort of father do you think he will be?

How much do you think social media and the media in general manipulate stories to sway public opinion?

Do you agree that the media was only interested in the story because the girls were thought to be kidnapped? Why was the walk not enough to get attention for their cause?

Do you think that there was media attention because the girls were young, attractive and white? Would it have been different if they were older or a different race?

Quotes from One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall

...asked if I wanted to think about anti-depressants, which I actually found more depressing than the headaches. I hate the way we’re always encouraged to think of a chemical, rather than a lifestyle, solution.

But it’s always that way, isn’t it? Men are expected to be the ones to leave. As if men don’t have an inner life or as much of an emotional connection to spaces and things as women do. Which means , when it comes down to the messy process of splitting up, it’s the women who get to be coddled and cared for, even if they’re the one who’s fucked it up.

I could tell by the way she was shouting that she was annoyed. Marriage does that to a person. It gives you a superhuman ability to detect moods from the slightest movement or sound.

Men like Cole believe they’re right because society has told them that they are their whole lives.

Life is very fragile, but it doesn’t do you any favors thinking that way.

There’s no let up when you’re a woman, whether that’s in the public eye or waiting at the school gates. You can never do anything right. You’re judged for what you say, and even what you don’t say, but never actually heard . So, in the end, you either break or you think fuck it, I might as well just be the person I want to be.

kelly: Well, it ticks a lot of boxes—they’re young, pretty, and, let’s be honest, middle-class white women. Those types of women always get way more coverage than poorer women or women of color, which is a subject we absolutely have to address in our society. We don’t expect bad things to happen to women like Molly and Phoebe and, when they do, there’s a certain element of thrill. We almost forget that real people are involved.

Men are allowed to act, but women, it seems, should only react.

there is so much to fear as a woman, but what people think of you shouldn’t be one of them.

You might also like: Best Reads of 2023

You can find more Book Club Kits here

Book Club Kit: Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger

If your book club thrives on thrilling twists, psychological intrigue, and dark secrets, Lisa Unger’s Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is the perfect pick.

In this post, you’ll find everything you need to host a dynamic discussion: from detailed book insights and reviews to thought-provoking questions and memorable quotes. Whether you’re a longtime Lisa Unger fan or searching for your next edge-of-your-seat thriller, this Book Club Kit for Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is designed to guide your group through the shocking twists, hidden motives, and suspenseful moments that make this novel unputdownable.

Please be aware going into this post that it is for people who have read the book and therefore contains some spoilers.

About the book

Publisher: Park Row

Genre: Thriller, Domestic Thriller, Psychological Thriller,

Number of pages: 406

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0778334228

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0778334224

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09PGF31YQ

Published: November 8, 2022

Purchasing links: Amazon

Goodreads

Book Covers

Book Synopsis

Three couples rent a luxury cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway to die for in this chilling locked-room thriller.

What could be more restful than a weekend getaway with family and friends? An isolated luxury cabin in the woods, spectacular views, a hot tub and a personal chef. Hannah’s generous brother found the listing online. The reviews are stellar. It'll be three couples on this trip with good food, good company and lots of R & R.

But the dreamy weekend is about to turn into a nightmare.

A deadly storm is brewing. The rental host seems just a little too present. The personal chef reveals that their beautiful house has a spine-tingling history. And the friends have their own complicated past, with secrets that run blood deep.

How well does Hannah know her brother, her own husband? Can she trust her best friend? Meanwhile, someone is determined to ruin the weekend, looking to exact a payback for deeds long buried. Who is the stranger among them?

About the Author

Lisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty novels, including her latest SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX. With books published in thirty-three languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, she is regarded as a master of suspense.

Unger’s critically acclaimed novels have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today Show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, People, Amazon, Goodreads, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times and many others. She has been nominated for, or won, numerous awards including the Strand Critics, Audie, Hammett, Macavity, ITW Thriller, and Goodreads Choice. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations, an honor held by only a few authors, including Agatha Christie. Her short fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and her non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. Lisa is the current co-President of the International Thriller Writers organization. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.

Authors website

Author Interviews

Australian Writers’ Centre with Lisa Unger (Jan 24, 2023)

A Bookish Home with Lisa Unger (Jan 17, 2023)

Game of Books Corks & Conversation II with Lisa Unger (Nov 11, 2022)

FOX 13 News with Lisa Unger (Nov 8, 2022)

Book Reviews

My Review of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger

"This is one of those slow-build, multiple-POV suspense novels that will capture readers’ attention, while also frustrating them with the sluggish pacing." Read the full review by Smexy Books here.

"I also enjoyed getting to know the main characters. I felt like I really got a feel for all of them and with a few different POVs, I didn’t get overwhelmed or confused. They were different enough that I was able to get a read on each one that was telling the story." Read the full review by Pages, Plots and Pints here.

"...this tale is a wonderful mystery that asks a lot of intriguing questions about right and wrong and just what makes a person choose one over the other. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a dark, nuanced suspense novel." Read the full review by All About Romance here.

Awards

• People Magazine Book of the Week
• PopSugar Best Thriller and Mystery
• CrimeReads Best Psychological Thrillers
• Goodreads Editor’s and Readers Most Anticipated Book
• BookPage Best Mysteries of November
• BookBub Best Mysteries and Thrillers
• Scary Mommy Best Fall Releases
• St. Paul Pioneer Press Top Reads
• The Saturday Evening Post Best Books to Cozy Up with this Fall

Discussion Questions

Trina's adoptive dad died of suicide. If he hadn't, do you think she would still have turned into a killer eventually or do you think it was just down to what happened after his death that made her that way?

What does family mean to you? Is it important to be biologically related to be considered family?

Do you think children of sperm donors should be able to trace their biological relatives on that side of the family?

Have you ever/ Do you know anyone who has taken a DNA test before and had surprising results? If you haven’t taken one, would you ever consider it? Why or why not?

When it comes to rape, how much blame should go to those that try to cover it up? Are they just as bad as the rapist?

The owner of the cabin secretly watched all his guests. Do you think his maid knew? if yes, why do you think she never said anything about it?

In the book we get different perspectives of the people in the cabin, how does each differ from the other? First hand (involved in the situation), watching from afar in person or watching via video... which do you think offers the most truthful interpretation of what is happening? Why?

Quotes from Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger

I am the puzzle piece that you think will fit - but doesn't.

Maybe if Scott hadn't died, I never would have been curious about my donor father. Because my dad? He was enough, more than enough.

You could be biologically related but not really a family. You can be a family - like spouses - but not be biologically related.

She might endure Mako being unfaithful, but she couldn't abide that type of flaw in herself.

Henry had a hard time understanding racism. People where just people, right? hey might differ in the color of their skin, features, or cultures, but under their skin, they were all the same.

Maybe when it came to family, there were more questions than answers for some people.

"There are lots of things we don't understand about genetics. But I have to believe that our choices mean more than our biology"

Cricket had no idea what the woman was talking about, but she could tell that whatever it was, there was something even uglier, even deeper beneath it. Like the bully on the playground that's abused at home. Hurt people hurt people.

Maybe family is more than where you come from, maybe it's also where you're going, what you build with the choices you make.

"If anybody did anything, it was Mickey," she said. That was true, too. "Why should we be taking the blame for his actions?"
"Because we helped," said Cricket, her voice coming up an octave. "Maybe she's right-we're his handmaidens."

"Just do one thing for me, girls," she asked as they sat in her living room. "Tell this story so people know what really happened to Libby. So other people will think twice about covering for bad men. Just tell the truth. Because it might help someone else. Because it matters."