May Top Books

Every month of 2026 seems to outdo the last when it comes to great reads. I thought April brought some of the best books I’d picked up all year—but May easily surpassed it. Fantasy has always been a favorite genre of mine, but our weekly prompts pushed me into subgenres I don’t usually explore—and I was pleasantly surprised by where they led.

All told, I read 11 books in April. Four of these were pre‑release previews, and I’ll link to our full reviews below, along with our Bookshop.org page if you’d like to pre‑order your own copies. One won’t post until Saturday, so stayed tuned for more!

5 Stars

• Assistant to the Villain, Hannah Nicole Maehre
• In the Middle of Hickory Lane, Heather Webber
• The Reimagining of Thornwood House, Jaleigh Johnson
• Rules of Engagement, Ward Larsen
• Satan’s Diary, Nicholas Ponticello

4 Stars

• How to Sell a Haunted House, Grady Hendrix
• The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis
• The Making of a Witch, Judy Molland
• The Princess Bride, William Goldman
• Worst. President. Ever., Robert Strauss

3 Stars

• The Sisters and the Sword, Sam Davey

---

Top Read of May

With five five-star reads in May, selecting a single standout title was no small task. Ultimately, only two books achieved a perfect 5.0 rating: In the Middle of Hickory Lane and Satan’s Diary. Both authors have long been among my favorites, and I was particularly pleased to incorporate their work into this month’s reading prompts.

Although both novels fall within the fantasy genre, they differ significantly in style and execution. In the Middle of Hickory Lane exemplifies Webber’s distinctive approach to magical realism, offering a grounded yet subtly surreal narrative. By contrast, Satan’s Diary showcases Ponticello’s ambitious worldbuilding, weaving together Heaven and Earth through portals. In both works, the character development is especially compelling; each features flawed, emotionally nuanced protagonists whose stories remain engaging through to the final pages.

That said, only one title could be named the top read of the month.

For me, the distinction goes to Satan’s Diary, the most inventive and ambitious work I encountered in May. Nicholas Ponticello takes the compelling premise of Lucifer recounting his own autobiographical story and develops it into a narrative that is at once literary, sharply humorous, and unexpectedly human. It is a fantasy novel that distinguishes itself not only through strong execution, but through its originality. Ponticello reimagines a figure traditionally portrayed as mankind’s ultimate adversary, transforming him into a complex and thought-provoking character who continues to evolve with each chapter.

The full review for Satan’s Diary will release on Saturday – keep your eyes on the site for more, or follow us on our socials to be notified when it posts.

---

Next Month

In June, we shift from exploring expansive fantasy worlds to embarking on epic adventures. Our first weekly prompt—quest fiction—serves as a natural bridge between these genres, evoking classics such as The Hobbit and The Eye of the World. It’s a theme that captures the spirit of journey and discovery, making it a fitting starting point for the month. I also plan to use our action-adventure prompt as an opportunity to make progress on my TBR shelf, revisiting familiar series with appearances from characters like Jack Ryan and Lucas Davenport.

June also brings Juneteenth, a day we have honored at Read With Lindsey for several years through intentional reading and reflection. In the past, we’ve explored works covering the last known slave ship to arrive on American soil, the earliest accounts of enslaved people brought to the New World, and the story of Solomon Northup, who was unjustly kidnapped and sold into slavery. This year, our focus turns to the Underground Railroad, highlighting the courage of those who escaped enslavement and the individuals who risked their lives to guide them to freedom.

It remains both meaningful and necessary to engage with these histories—recognizing the resilience and bravery they represent, while continuing to learn from the past. As we move through June’s reading list, this focus offers an opportunity not only for discovery, but for reflection.

I invite you over to our StoryGraph reading challenges where you can follow along, check off the prompts, and see what the rest of our community is choosing for these challenges. Don’t forget you can also follow along on our social media pages like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest to continue the conversation!

A few sponsored books I’m reading this month:

• The Prodigal Daughter, Isabella Valeri
• Backtrack, Marc Cameron
• Both Can Be True, Jessica Guerrieri
• Pretty Dead Things, Kelsey Cox

I can’t wait to read these great books with you – keep an eye out for the weekly previews on Sundays for what I’m reviewing each week!

---

This post contains affiliate links.