All products featured on ArtfulLiving.com are independently selected by our editors. We may earn commission on items you choose to buy.
If you’re anything like us, you’re daydreaming about a relaxing, sun-soaked summer. As we begin to embrace the sunshine by spending more time outdoors, whether on the porch or at the lake, a solid roster of new titles is a necessity. So we’ve compiled a fresh list to ensure you’re never left without a next-up on your bookshelf. From Curtis Sittenfeld’s charming rom-com to Mariana Enríquez’s South American horror, here are the Artful Living Book Club 5 most-recommended reads for May.
Photography provided by Random House
Romantic Comedy
Sometimes all you need is to indulge in a good old rom-com, and Curtis Sittenfeld’s latest book is just that. Romantic Comedy tells the story of a comedy writer who has sworn off love for good. This playful take on Saturday Night Live will inspire more than a few laughs. With complex female characters and sly commentary on gender relations and modern romance, this read is self-aware, charming and just plain fun.
Photography provided by Doubleday
The Wager
This narrative nonfiction chronicles the thrilling story of a shipwreck-turned-mutiny. In 1742, the British war vessel HMS Wager crashed on a desolate island off the coast of Brazil. The events that follow encompass adventure, savagery and survival as characters are confronted with matters of life or death. This stunning historical tome is full of twists, turns, high-seas hijinks and courtroom drama.
Photography provided by Clarkson Potter
Sweet Enough
A sweet treat is the perfect ending to an early summer dinner party. While baking can be intimidating, Alison Roman’s Sweet Enough removes the pressure to have expert skills. With two bestselling cookbooks — Dining In and Nothing Fancy — under her belt, Roman delivers this latest collection of recipes with trademark casualness. These delicious desserts are designed to bring out the chef in anyone, no special equipment or ingredients required.
Photography provided by Hogarth
Our Share of Night
From one of Latin America’s most entrancing writers, Our Share of Night illustrates the chilling tale of a boy and his father as they attempt to escape a demonic cult and outrun destiny. This intimate thriller weaves together themes of supernatural horror, the occult, and the bonds between parent and child. Full of evil, secrets and familial drama, this book is mesmerizing from start to finish and will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very last page.
Photography provided by Random House
Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us
This important work about the power of art encourages everyone to embrace the creativity within and around us. Authors Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross use scientific research to describe the impact art has on neurological health, offering proof for how and why our brains change when we participate in creative activities. Indivisible from humans, nature and society, the arts have the ability to improve mental health and the collective wellbeing of our communities.
