I didn’t do nearly as well with my April 2026 TBR as I did on my March TBR. I finished three priority reads. For my May 2026 TBR I really want to make more of a dent in my ARCs. I’m behind on nearly all of them. As I mentioned in my last WWW Wednesday, I’m really more in the mood to read from the pile of books I purchased myself. So I want to finish my ARCs so I can feel more free to read from my physical book backlog. With that said, here’s my May 2026 TBR.
Priority Reads
ROLLS AND RIVALRY by Kristy Boyce: This is an ARC whose publication date is May 5 here in the U.S. I like these mostly lighthearted YA contemporary romances that focus on D&D. “Roll the dice, strike up the band, and get ready for a swoon-worthy summer! A charming gaming romance that blends the magic of D&D with the camaraderie of band camp—from the bestselling author of Dating and Dragons!“
THE GEOMAGICIAN by Jennifer Mandula: This is an overdue ARC. I’ve seen some mixed reviews for this, so I hope I end up liking it. The premise sounds interesting, so fingers crossed I like it! “When a Victorian fossil hunter discovers a baby pterodactyl, she vows to protect him, with the help of a fellow scholar—her former fiancé—in this enchanting and transporting historical fantasy.“
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND by Beverly Gage: This is yet another overdue ARC, but a nonfiction one. “Ride along with Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Beverly Gage as she travels the country to see the museums, historic sites, roadside attractions, reenactments, and souvenir shops where Americans learn—and fight—about our history.”
Hopeful Reads
STRANGE FAMILIARS by Keshe Chow: This is another ARC (for May), but I think I’ll keep it here under “hopeful reads” because I don’t want to read only ARCs this month. “Two scholars of magical veterinary science must put aside their lust and loathing to save the world in the first installment of this whimsical, romantic, dark academia duology.“
DEFY THE NIGHT by Brigid Kemmerer: Even though I bought the hardback of this book when it initially came out, I’m going to read it as an audiobook. I simply cannot get through my physical TBR without finding alternative means to reading with my eyes! I’m not sure why I’ll read this even though I doubt I’ll read the rest of the trilogy. It’s probably because I spent money on it, so I at least feel like I should try to read it.
I think anything else I add to my May 2026 TBR will be a spontaneous decision. For example, I want to read the next installment in the Throne of Glass series. But those books are so long and I just don’t know if I can fit EMPIRE OF STORMS in this month. At least, not if I want to make a good dent in my outstanding ARCs. We’ll see…my mood often changes when it comes to book choices.
Are any of these books also on your May 2026 TBR list?
This Land is your Land sounds as though it should be a fascinating read. Good Luck with reading all of these and maybe even squeezing one of your extras in 🤞
Thank you! Yea, I’m curious to see what that author has to say about her travels across the USA to historic sites, etc.
I will be curious to see how you like The Geomagician too. And I plan on reading Strange Familiars for sure. I don’t usually read books I buy, which is so sad, but I’ve bought several recently I really want to read, even if it means pushing some ARCs aside😁
I’m picking up the Geomagician next, so thoughts coming soon!
I started the audio of Geomagician this week but struggled to care about it too much. Hopefully you have better luck!!
Oh no, I’m sorry that it was hard for you to get into THE GEOMAGICIAN. It seems to be pretty average according to the reviews I’ve seen. I’m hoping that going in not expecting something like Emily Wilde will help me out.
I just started Strange Familiars! I hope we both end up enjoying it!
Enjoy! 🙂
I didn’t do as great with my April TBR either. Oh well. It’s a new month, and hopefully we’ll both meet our goals. I still need to read Geomagician, too. So, if you’re down for a buddy read, let me know. Thankfully, I don’t have many ARCs due for May (only 3). I hope to focus on some books on my shelves and a few overdue ARCs.
Not every month can be a banner month for reading everything on our TBR, I guess! I only have a lot of ARCs because I’m behind. 🙁 Hoping once I get these done I’ll feel less stressed about reading.
Good luck catching up on your arcs, im sure you can do it 🥰 theyre a varied bunch so I imagine having the genre mix should help. I really hope The Geomagician works for you. I struggled but I’ve seen some rave reviews around and will keep my fingers crossed that yours will also be one of them 🤞 Strange Familiars seems very popular at the moment too. I seem to be seeing it everywhere. I hope you enjoy all of these and get to pick up some of the books from your recent haul soon.
Thanks for the encouragement, Charlotte! I think you’re right that the variation in reading genres will help keep me interested in everything.
I feel like The Geomagicians may be trying to piggyback off of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, but I still definitely want to try it at some point! I have also heard mixed things about it.
That’s what I gathered based off of a couple reviews I read. I’m hoping that if I go in not expecting something like Emily Wilde then I’ll end up enjoying THE GEOMAGICIAN. I hope you like it if/when you pick it up!
I can relate to wanting to get through ARCs and read your own books! These all look really good. I’ll be interested in hearing more about This Land Is Your Land — I’ve seen one very positive review so far!
I haven’t seen any reviews yet for THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND! To be fair, though, most of the blogs I follow are fantasy focused, so perhaps it’s not a surprise I haven’t seen a blog review.