Welcome to Quick Lit: May 2026 Edition, where I share books I chose for my own reading enjoyment in a mini-review format. These are not books I received for review, but books I’ve wanted to read or that have caught my attention. Most of them have been talked about ad nauseam or have been on my to-read list for a long time, so they don’t really need a full review. But I’d still like to give them some space here on the blog, so instead, I’m offering mini-reviews of the books that won’t get full-page space here on the blog.
I’ll be sharing with Modern Mrs. Darcy and her monthly Quick Lit post. Be sure to head over to see others share their Quick Lit posts in her comments.
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Did you know I also regularly review children’s books? Check them out HERE.
I’m currently reading LITTLE PIECES OF HOPE as my daily non-fiction read, MAD MABEL on my Kindle, THE COLLECTED REGRETS OF CLOVER for book club, and I’m listening to HEART LIFE MUSIC.
I recently reviewed MY MOM’S STORY, HANDLE WITH CARE, and MADE FOR MORE.
April and so far this May have been crazy busy—lots of subbing, lots of end-of-school-year scholarship foundation meetings, and a trip to Minneapolis. Plus, Pat and I just returned last night after spending a few days in Washington, D.C. Life is full of good things right now. But this full schedule also means there has not been much time for reading. I am so excited for summer days full of sitting on the porch or patio reading!
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This month’s Quick Lit includes two fiction novels that I absolutely loved.
THIS BOOK MADE ME THINK OF YOU
By: Libby Page
Narrated by: Zadeiah Campbell-Davies
Published: February 3, 2026
Publisher: Berkley
Fiction
Format: Audiobook and Hardcover
I started this on audio, but when my Libby hold ran out, I switched to my hardcover copy. Either way, this book is absolutely wonderful. Tilly has been recently widowed, much too young after only being married for less than a year. Tilly receives a call at the beginning of the year that her late husband Joe has left her a gift at the local bookstore. When Tilly goes to receive it, she finds that it is a book a month, plus a letter from Joe, for the next year.
These books are special to the two of them, books that encourage Tilly to step out of her box or learn a new skill, books that encourage her to travel, and mostly help her to find her love of reading again. Even though Tilly is an editor of celebrity memoirs for a publishing company, she hasn’t read for pleasure in months.
“Love is scary. But life is short, Matilda.”
“But it’s OK to feel happy and sad at the same time. Very few moments involve just one emotion. That’s life, isn’t it? It’s messy.”
I loved all the various characters in the story, but especially Tilly and Alfie, the bookstore owner. Of course, this book is full of book recommendations; in fact, every month starts with a book list from the bookstore in the story. Beware, this book will add titles to your to-read list. It will make you both sad and hopeful, and remind you that there are still good people in the world and that joy can be found in reading.
“Some days the fragility of life and the knowledge that we will all lose people we love feels too much to bear. But on other days, it feels like a precious, remarkable gift.”
WHEN THE CRANES FLY SOUTH
By: Lisa Ridzén
Translated by: Alice Menzies
Narrated by: Ifan Huw Dafydd
Published: August 19, 2025
Publisher: Vintage
Fiction
Format: Audiobook
I don’t remember where I first heard about this book, but I love a good curmudgeon story. I’m glad I didn’t read this one any sooner, as I’m not sure I would have been able to get through it. Bo reminded me of my dad several times, especially during my dad’s final days. I had to stop it a few times and give myself a break because I got emotional, but it really was the right story at the right time for me. Coincidentally, it was published in the US on what would have been my dad’s 93rd birthday. It was a Swedish Book of the Year and has been an International Best Seller.
Bo is an 80-something man who lives alone because his wife is in a care facility due to dementia. Bo has various carers who come into the home as well as their only child, Hans, with whom he has a tenuous relationship. Hans has decided that it is no longer a good idea for Bo to continue to take care of his beloved elkhound, Sixten, or to go for walks in the woods with him. Bo, as you can imagine, is extremely upset by this decision and becomes very angry with Hans.
“‘How can it be better for me when it’s not what I want?’ My voice breaks. I’m so damn tired of everyone else deciding what’s best for me.”
When Hans shows up one day with a hospital bed, Bo wants nothing to do with it. He is fine sleeping in his current bed. I had flashbacks to my own dad refusing to leave the recliner and not wanting to move into a hospital bed, or to use a walker, or to add a shower chair to the bathroom. All things that he felt were taking away some of his independence. When in reality, they all were to help him stay at home and be more independent. Bo was angry with losing his wife to dementia, the possibility of losing his dog, and now the things in his home that bring him comfort being taken away.
“I don’t know when it happened, but we’ve switched roles. He has never come close to being as big or as strong as I was. But he has all the authority now. He is the one in charge of MY LIFE.”
A lot of the book is Bo ranting about the state of his life, but while he is ranting, he is also flashing back to happy times with his wife and son, and also his best friend who is also living alone in another town. This quiet, tender story of an elderly man touched my heart and left me crying a number of times. The audio narration was delightful.
What good things have you been reading? I’ve also read books that I reviewed for publishers. Check them out HERE.
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Posted Under Alice Menzies, Book Review, Ifan Huw Dafydd, Libby Page, Lisa Ridzén, Quick Lit, Zadeiah Campbell-Davies, audiobook, fiction