Well, hello there, friends! As I sit here, a warm cuppa of Lady Grey tea steaming gently beside me, I’m reflecting on my May reading. Honestly, I’m a little surprised myself! Eight books, friends! Eight remarkable journeys taken on my Kindle. So, pull up a chair, grab your favorite cuppa, and get comfy at my virtual kitchen table because I’m excited to share the reading adventures I embarked on this past month.

May truly was a month of diverse and impactful reads, taking me from the deeply personal to the profoundly inspiring. From my blogging friend Ann’s book about living with Stiff Person Syndrome, finding out why Eddie Jaku is The Happiest Man on Earth to lasting friendships forming in a Memory Garden, Each book left its own unique imprint, and I’m thrilled to give you a peek into my reading world.

Take A Look

The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor by Eddie Jaku (via Kindle Unlimited)

“The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor” by Eddie Jaku is a powerful and profoundly moving memoir that chronicles the extraordinary life of Eddie Jaku, a German-Jewish man who endured the horrors of the Holocaust and emerged with an unwavering commitment to happiness, gratitude, and kindness.

The book takes the reader through Eddie’s life, from his idyllic childhood in Leipzig, Germany, where his family considered themselves Germans first, to the devastating rise of Nazism. He recounts the terrifying events of Kristallnacht, his brutal arrest, and his subsequent imprisonment in concentration camps, including Buchenwald and Auschwitz. Eddie vividly describes the unimaginable cruelty, starvation, and loss he experienced, losing his family and enduring unspeakable suffering. He details his multiple escapes, including a harrowing “death march” from Auschwitz and his eventual liberation.

Despite witnessing and surviving such horrific atrocities, Eddie made a conscious choice to live his life with joy and purpose. He promised himself he would smile every day, honor those he lost, and dedicate his life to educating others about the dangers of intolerance and the importance of hope.

At its core, the book is not just a historical account of survival but a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Eddie shares his profound wisdom on how to find happiness even in the darkest of times, emphasizing the power of:

Gratitude: Appreciating the simple gifts of life.

Tolerance: Embracing differences and rejecting hatred.

Kindness: The belief that small acts of kindness can create lasting ripples.

Friendship: The life-saving power of human connection.

Love: The ultimate antidote to hate and suffering.

Published when Eddie was 100 years old, “The Happiest Man on Earth” is a deeply personal yet universally resonant story that serves as a beacon of hope and a vital reminder to never forget the past while inspiring readers to live their own lives with more joy, compassion, and purpose. It’s a book that truly prompts you to reflect on what it means to be alive and how to choose happiness, regardless of the challenges life presents.

The Garden of Memories: Charming and uplifting healing fiction for 2025 about community, friendship, and mindful gardening! by Amanda James (via Kindle Unlimited).

The Garden of Memories: Charming and uplifting healing fiction for 2025 about community, friendship, and mindful gardening!” by Amanda James is a heartwarming and therapeutic novel centered around the transformative power of a community garden.

The story primarily follows Rose, a recently retired nurse who finds herself at a bit of a loss. After forty years of nursing, her identity is deeply tied to her profession, and with her husband now gone and her daughter and grandchildren living far away, she’s unsure how to fill her days. She finds herself drawn to the garden that was once her husband’s pride and joy, a space she had previously neglected.

What begins as a way for Rose to honor her husband’s memory and find a new purpose soon blossoms into something far more significant. As she begins to tend to the garden, planting flowers that evoke personal memories, it starts to attract the attention of others in her Cornish community who are also feeling lost, lonely, or seeking solace.

The garden becomes a sanctuary where:

Friendships bloom: Rose connects with a diverse group of individuals, including her childhood friend Daisy, her former colleague Sally, and her eccentric retired neighbor Flora, among others.

Memories are shared and honored: Inspired by Rose’s idea, the new garden community begins to plant “memory plants” – flowers and shrubs that hold special significance or remind them of loved ones or significant life events. This act of mindful gardening allows them to process grief, celebrate joy, and share their life stories.

Healing and second chances take root: Through their shared work in the garden and the camaraderie that develops, the characters find comfort, support, and the courage to confront various personal challenges, including loneliness, past trauma, complicated family dynamics, and the search for new beginnings. The garden acts as a catalyst for personal growth and allows them to embrace new experiences and find joy in the present.

Amanda James weaves a gentle, uplifting narrative that emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of nature, the strength found in community, and the idea that it’s never too late to cultivate happiness and new connections. The vivid descriptions of the garden and the emotional journeys of its diverse characters make for a truly charming and inspiring read.

Lights on the Sea  by Miquel Reina (via Kindle Unlimited)

“Lights on the Sea” by Miquel Reina isn’t just a story of survival; it’s a surreal, almost fable-like journey of a house and its grieving occupants, literally detaching from their past to find a new future.

Imagine a couple, Mary Rose and Harold Grapes, who have spent 35 years embalmed in the sorrow of their son’s death, their cliffside home a physical manifestation of their stagnant grief. Then, a storm of impossible proportions doesn’t just destroy their house – it gently lifts it, still intact, and sets it afloat on the vast, unforgiving ocean.

When a fierce storm dislodges their home, it miraculously floats out to sea, carrying them on an impossible and surreal voyage. Adrift and disconnected from their past, they are forced to confront not only the dangers of the ocean but also the long-buried resentments and unaddressed sorrow that have defined their lives.

Guided by a mysterious light on the horizon, their journey becomes a metaphorical pilgrimage of healing, acceptance, and rediscovering the boundless capacity for life, love, and wonder, even in old age. It’s a truly unique blend of magical realism and profound emotional depth, exploring how letting go can lead to the most extraordinary new beginnings.

Life and Love on Mouse Island: 1 Woman, 1 Rescue Dog, 1 House: Finding Home by Andrée Jannette (via Kindle Unlimited).

“Life and Love on Mouse Island: 1 Woman, 1 Rescue Dog, 1 House: Finding Home” by Andrée Jannette is an uplifting and tender story about unexpected second chances and the transformative power of finding your true self.

The novel introduces us to Isabel, a sixty-one-year-old woman who has spent her life plagued by anxieties and worry in the bustling confines of New York City. Her world is turned upside down when she receives the astonishing news that a woman she’s never met has left her a house on a secluded island off the coast of Maine.

Taking a leap of faith, Isabel leaves her familiar life behind and moves to the mysterious Mouse Island. What unfolds is a journey of profound self-discovery as she navigates the challenges of starting over in later life. With the help of a charming three-legged rescue dog she adopts and a slowly expanding circle of kind-hearted islanders, Isabel begins to unearth an inner strength she never knew she possessed.

As she settles into her new home and community, she unexpectedly opens her heart to new friendships and even the possibility of love. However, a lingering mystery remains: who was the woman who bequeathed the house to her, and what secrets might be hidden within its walls that could change everything Isabel thought she knew about herself?

My Life With Stiff Person Syndrome: by Anne Marie Sweet (via Kindle Unlimited).

My Life With Stiff Person Syndrome by Anne Marie Sweet offers a deeply personal and candid look into the daily realities of living with a rare and debilitating neurological autoimmune disorder. This memoir chronicles Anne’s unexpected journey, beginning with the sudden onset of symptoms that left her paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair, a stark contrast to her previously active life.

Anne shares the challenging path to her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), detailing the tests, medications, and the immense learning curve involved in managing such a complex and often misunderstood condition. Beyond the medical aspects, the book delves into her personal life, revealing how she navigates the profound changes SPS has brought, from adapting to a wheelchair and learning to drive with hand controls to coping with daily pain and the emotional toll of a progressive illness.

Through her heartfelt narrative, Anne aims to demystify SPS, offering a raw and honest account of her experiences, including her lowest days and her relentless determination to live life to the fullest despite the odds. It’s a testament to resilience, a guide for those seeking to understand SPS, and an inspiring story of finding ways to cope and thrive in the face of extraordinary challenges.

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi (via Kindle Unlimited).

“Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity” by Nabeel Qureshi is a deeply personal and intellectually rigorous memoir that chronicles the author’s transformative journey from a devoted, practicing Ahmadiyya Muslim to a fervent follower of Jesus Christ.

Nabeel Qureshi was raised in the United States by Pakistani immigrant parents who instilled in him a profound love for Islam and a disciplined commitment to its tenets. He grew up deeply immersed in Islamic culture, theology, and apologetics, confidently defending his faith against any perceived challenges.

The core of the book revolves around Nabeel’s years-long intellectual and spiritual search for truth. This journey began when he formed close friendships with Christian peers in college who challenged his understanding of Islam and introduced him to the claims of Christianity. Instead of dismissing their arguments, Nabeel engaged in an intensive and often agonizing investigation into the historical and textual foundations of both faiths.

He meticulously examines:

The historical evidence for Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection drawn from both biblical and extra-biblical sources.

The textual reliability of the New Testament compared to that of the Qur’an.

The character of God as presented in both Christianity and Islam.

The theological implications of key doctrines in both religions.

Qureshi candidly shares the immense personal cost of his spiritual quest, detailing the internal turmoil, the fear of disappointing his beloved family, and the profound cultural sacrifice involved in contemplating a conversion that would lead to alienation from his community.

Ultimately, “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus” is a powerful narrative of one man’s courageous pursuit of truth, wherever it might lead. It’s an invaluable resource for both Christians and Muslims seeking to understand each other’s faiths, offering a unique insider perspective on Islamic culture and a compelling intellectual and emotional argument for the Christian faith. It’s a story of rigorous academic inquiry intertwined with deep personal conviction and an enduring love for family, even as Nabeel grappled with the most significant decision of his life.

Mind the Gap by Erynn Mangum (via Kindle Unlimited).

“Mind the Gap” by Erynn Mangum is a Christian romantic comedy about navigating unexpected life changes and finding purpose in unforeseen circumstances.

The story follows Kate Macon, who has meticulously planned her life around becoming a teacher. Just six weeks into her dream job, her world crumbles due to budget cuts and a hiring freeze, leaving her feeling lost and without direction.

When her grandmother invites her on an impromptu trip to London, Kate jumps at the chance for an escape. However, instead of a relaxing getaway, London proves to be a catalyst that brings all of Kate’s fears, insecurities, and frustrations to the surface. Between her feisty grandmother’s antics and their quick-witted tour guide, Kate finds herself continually challenged.

The novel explores Kate’s journey of learning to trust God’s plan when her own dreams fall apart. It delves into themes of faith, surrender, and discovering that sometimes, when everything seems to be going wrong, it’s actually Jesus putting things back together in a way you never could have imagined. It’s a charming London adventure filled with wit, romance, and spiritual growth.

Canine Lessons in Happiness: Life Lessons from Man’s Best Friend by Carlos Moraes.

Canine Lessons in Happiness: Life Lessons from Man’s Best Friend by Carlos Moraes is a sweet, heartwarming, and insightful book that draws parallels between the simple, joyous lives of dogs and how humans can find greater happiness and fulfillment.

The book is structured around the everyday behaviors and inherent qualities of dogs, presenting them as metaphors for universal life lessons. Carlos Moraes observes the unconditional love, unwavering loyalty, boundless enthusiasm, and simple contentment that dogs embody. He translates these observations into practical wisdom for human living.

Canine Lessons in Happiness is a gentle reminder that some of the most profound wisdom comes from our four-legged companions. It encourages readers to cultivate a more positive outlook, embrace life’s joys, and connect more deeply with themselves and others, all inspired by the pure-hearted example of man’s best friend.

Wheew! So there you have it, a glimpse into three of the eight books that captivated me in May. From personal memoirs that enlightened and inspired me to heartwarming fiction that celebrated friendship, my reading month was rich and rewarding.

Now, I’d love to hear from you! What have you been reading lately? Did any of my May reads catch your eye? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading, and may your cuppa always be warm!

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