10 Books You Need To Read In May

Now that it finally feels like spring, we can't wait to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather. Of course, no day at the park is complete without a good book, which is why we've rounded up 10 must-read recommendations for the month of May.

These page-turners are a mix of picks from Patch staff and Amazon editors. There's a true crime thriller, historical fiction, a circus performer's memoir, a Robin Williams biography and so much more. If you like to read, there's bound to be a book on the list you'll absolutely love. Enjoy!

Get access to over 1 million titles, thousands of audiobooks and current magazines with Kindle Unlimited! Start your free 30-day trial today.

#1 "I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search For The Golden State Killer" by Michelle McNamara

It was just last week that authorities in California arrested Joseph James DeAngelo, the man accused of committing 12 murders and sexually assaulting 51 women between the years of 1974 and 1986. The accused serial killer, serial rapist and prolific burglar was known as the Golden State Killer, the Original Nightstalker and the East Area Rapist, and crime journalist Michelle McNamara made it her mission to find him.

Tragically, McNamara died in 2016, but her investigative work into the killer's identity was nearly complete. In "I'll Be Gone in the Dark," McNamara takes the reader along on her search to unmask the psychopath, who struck fear in the hearts of many. This true crime thriller is a page-turner in every sense of the word, and it's all the more intriguing now that police finally have a suspect in custody.

Buy It Here

#2 "Before I Let You Go" by Kelly Rimmer

Lexie Vidler receives a call from her troubled sister Annie in the middle of the night. Lexie has bailed her sister out of trouble on countless occasions, but this time, it's not just Annie whose life is at stake. Annie, a drug addict, thief and liar, is pregnant and has gone into premature labor. Lexie, once again, steps up to the plate, caring for her sister's newborn baby. Meanwhile, Annie is sent to court-ordered rehab, where she tries to confront dark secrets from her and Lexie's childhoods. Lexie isn't ready to face those demons, though, and her fiancé is losing patience with Annie's situation. "Before I Let You Go" is a compassionate, heart-wrenching portrayal of addiction, abuse and family.

Buy It Here

#3 "Magnolia Table: A Collection Of Recipes For Gathering" by Joanna Gaines

Nothing brings the family together like sharing a great meal at the table! In Joanna Gaines' new cookbook, the "Fixer Upper" star shares 125 classic recipes from her and husband Chip's new Waco restaurant, Magnolia Table. This cookbook features recipes for chicken pot pie, chocolate chip cookies, fried chicken, French toast and more family favorites, as well as beautiful photos and personal stories from the Gaines family. If you like comfort food, you'll love "Magnolia Table."

Buy It Here

#4 "The 17th Suspect (Women's Murder Club)" by James Patterson and Maxime Paetro

In this fictional thriller, a killer on the loose is putting the entire city of San Francisco on edge. After a reluctant woman confides in Detective Lindsay Boxer, she becomes determined to catch the culprit. Doing so, however, proves dangerous to her career, her health and possibly even her life. Things take an even more ominous turn when Detective Boxer discovers troubling allegations from within the police department. Will she uncover the killer's identity, or will she fall victim to the killer's duplicitous ways?

Buy It Here

#5 "Robin" by Dave Itzkoff

Robin Williams was an extraordinary comedian and actor, but his life certainly wasn't all smiles and laughter. The Academy Award winner struggled with addiction, depression and a debilitating condition at the end of his life. In "Robin," New York Times culture reporter Dave Itzkoff provides an in-depth look at the man whose work touched so many lives. It draws upon more than a hundred original interviews with Williams' family, friends and colleagues as well as extensive archival research.

Buy It Here

#6 "War On Peace: The End Of Diplomacy And The Decline Of American Influence by Ronan Farrow

In Ronan Farrow's newly released book, the former State Department official turned investigative journalist draws upon his own experiences and countless interviews to show America's changing role in global politics. Farrow argues that institutions of diplomacy are bleeding out, and that the U.S. has become a nation that "shoots first and asks questions later." In "War on Peace," Farrow looks at how a shift of foreign policy is currently impacting our country and predicts what the future will entail if the state of diplomacy continues along its current trajectory.

Buy It Here

#7 "Warlight: A Novel" by Michael Ondaatje

Just after World War II, Nathaniel and his older sister Rachel are left behind in London while their parents move to Singapore. The teens are placed in the care of a mysterious figure named The Moth, and although they suspect he might be a criminal, they become less concerned with this fact once they get to know him. Nathaniel and Rachel soon discover that The Moth and his eccentric group of friends have a shared history of unspecific service during the war. Their mother also returns to London without their father — and with no explanation on his whereabouts. More than a decade later, Nathaniel begins to look back at who The Moth and his associates really were.

Buy It Here

#8 "Love And Ruin: A Novel" by Paula McLain

In 1937, Martha Gellhorn travels to Madrid to report on the Spanish Civil War. She quickly proves herself as a worthy journalist in a field dominated by men, but she also finds herself unexpectedly falling in love with Ernest Hemingway. "Love and Ruin" chronicles the early era of their stormy romance as it coincides with their rising careers.

Buy It Here

#9 "The Electric Woman: A Memoir In Death-Defying Acts" by Tessa Fontaine

Tessa Fontaine swallowed fire, charmed snakes and defied death countless times as she followed her mother's footsteps to tour with American's last traveling sideshow. In "The Electric Woman," she recounts her experiences in the World of Wonders and chronicles the marvels of carnival life and all it entails. If you've ever dreamed of running away to join the circus, this is the book you need to read.

Buy It Here

#10 "Miss Subways: A Novel" by David Duchovny

In this darkly comic fantasy, actor and New York Times bestselling author David Duchovny reimagines the Irish mythological figure of Emer. Emer is a woman in New York City who rides the subway, lives with her boyfriend and dreams of becoming a writer. As she tries to find her way, Emer battles natural and supernatural forces — including a lively cast of mythical figures from around the globe. "Miss Subways" is a spirited, entertaining account of her journey as well as "a love letter to the city that enchants us all: New York."

Buy It Here

All prices and savings listed in this post are as of publication and could change. Patch may earn a commission on some purchased items.