Get Ready to Celebrate May!

By Ashly Moore Sheldon • May 06, 2026

Got any May-born friends and family to celebrate this month? Treat your loved ones to a bookish celebration! Choose something special for your May mates or find the perfect Mother's Day gift from our roundup of some of the hottest titles of the month, like 26 Beauties, the newest installment of the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson. Another great gift option is The Calamity Club, the big-hearted new novel by Kathryn Stockett, her first since The Help.

New May-specific e-Gift Card design!

If you'd prefer to go with ThriftBooks e-Gift Cards for your offerings, choose from an assortment of fun designs, including our new month-themed birthday e-gift cards to be delivered on the day of your choosing. Purchase now and schedule for delivery on your recipient's special day. The process is quick and easy. This is a great way to get all your monthly gift shopping done in one fell swoop!

May's best gifting books

Here are some of the reads that are currently getting rave reviews from a range of readers.

Fiction finds

• The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore—Book #6 in the bestselling Dream Harbor Series brings another gentle small-town romance with Hallmark movie vibes.
• The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung—This gripping thriller about family and power was co-written by the bestselling author of the Gamache series and an award-winning journalist.
• James by Percival Everett—This Pulitzer Prize-winning retelling of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view, is in development as a feature film produced by Steven Spielberg.
• Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry—Two writers fight their undeniable attraction as they compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple plot twists up her sleeve.
• Hope Rises by David Baldacci—Walter Nash began a journey down a dark path of seemingly no return, and now he finds himself questioning everything that got him there in this thrilling sequel to Nash Falls.

Nonfiction gems

• Famesick by Lena Dunham—In this rowdy, frank meditation on illness, fame, sex, and everything in between, the acclaimed creator and bestselling author of Not That Kind of Girl reflects on the emotional cost of fulfilling her dreams.
• London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe—From the acclaimed author of Say Nothing comes this spellbinding account of the parents of a 19-year-old Londoner as they uncover the truth about his mysterious death and secret life.
• The Story of Us by Olivia Levin—A Taylor Swift superfan delivers a heartfelt journey through Swiftie history.
• Last Branch Standing by Sarah Isgur—A myth-busting glimpse into the inner workings of the Supreme Court.
• Ghosts of Sicily by Mark Harmon and Leon Carroll Jr.—The bestselling authors of Ghosts of Honolulu tell the story of the unlikely alliance during WWII.

Winsome picture books

• Hedgehogs Don't Wear Underwear by Marissa Valdez—A hilariously zany and uproariously fun romp of a read-aloud about an underwear-obsessed hedgehog. (Ages 3–6)
• Why a Son Needs a Mom by Gregory E. Lang—Celebrate the special bond between mother and son. Also, Why a Daughter Needs a Mom! (Ages 4–7)
• Me & Mama by Cozbi A. Cabrera—Mama's love is brighter than the sun, even on the rainiest of days. This celebration of a mother-daughter relationship is perfect for sharing with little ones. (Ages 4–8)
• Saturday by Oge Mora—In this tender story by a Caldecott-winning author, join a mother and daughter on an up-and-down journey that reminds them of what's best about Saturdays: time together. (Ages 4–8)
• Waiting by Kevin Henkes—What are you waiting for? An owl, a puppy, a bear, a rabbit, and a pig wait for marvelous things to happen in this irresistible and resonant picture book from a Caldecott Medalist. (Ages 4–8)

Middle-grade goodies

• Unsettling Salad by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown—From the Caldecott-winning team behind Creepy Carrots comes this tale of a salad that may bite back! (Ages 6–9)
• KPop Demon Hunters by Random House—Rumi, Mira, and Zoey are the world-famous girl group HUNTR/X. But behind the scenes, they're battling powerful demons. Based on the hit Netflix film. (Ages 7–10)
• Forbidden Mountain by Brandon Mull—Get the deluxe hardcover edition of this epic new fantasy about two gifted teens who must prevent an ancient evil from re-entering their world. (Ages 8–12)
• Clock Hands: A Graphic Novel by Marieke Nijkamp, illustrated by Sylvie Bi—A standalone companion to the acclaimed Ink Girls, this dazzling fantasy is a perfect fit for fans of the Lightfall and Wingbearer series. (Ages 8–12)
• A Potion, A Powder, A Little Bit of Magic by Philip Stead—A plucky young goat keeper sets out on a wild rescue mission in this novel, perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo and Lemony Snicket. (Ages 10 and up)

YA winners

• Shards of Silence by Brian Lee Young—A Navajo teen attending an elite East Coast prep school reflects on his great-grandmother's experience at a federal boarding school for Indigenous students. (Ages 13 and up)
• The Thorn Queen by Sasha Peyton Smith—Bridgerton, The Selection, and The Cruel Prince collide in this Victorian-inspired fantasy; the sequel to the bestselling The Rose Bargain. (Ages 13 and up)
• I Could Give you the Moon by Ann Liang—In this companion novel to the bestselling If You Could See the Sun, a picture-perfect influencer teams up with the bad boy after they share visions of the future. (Ages 13 and up)
• Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi—Get the stunning paperback deluxe limited edition of the second thrilling dystopian fantasy in the Shatter Me series. (Ages 14 and up)
• The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss—An unforgettable young adult murder mystery set in an escape-room themed game show filled with sabotage, betrayal, and puzzles to die for. (Ages 14 and up)

Culinary keepers

• Hello, Home Cooking by Ham El-Waylly—This collection offers adventurous, yet doable, versions of beloved comfort meals like Macarona Bechamel (an elevated take on mac 'n' cheese) and Cinnamon Pita Crunch (a sublime spin on cinnamon toast).
• Soomaaliya by Ifrah F. Ahmed—Drawing on her Somali heritage, the author offers 75 recipes spanning cherished classics and modern interpretations, bringing the abundant soul of Somali cooking to the world stage.
• Madaq by Nargisse Benkabbou—Discover the amazing flavors of Morocco shaped by Berber roots, Arabic traditions, and Mediterranean brightness. This collection of approachable and authentic recipes range from the traditional to the contemporary.
• The Book of Pizza by King Arthur Baking Company—From the team behind the Big Book of Bread, comes the definitive guide to making pizza in any home oven, countertop pizza oven, or backyard oven or grill.
• Cake From Lucie by Lucie Franc de Ferriere—The French-born owner and head baker of a beloved NYC bakery invites home bakers to join her in creating whimsical, stylish treats, from easy everyday recipes to more intricate showstoppers.

Special editions

• Divergent: Deluxe Limited Edition by Veronica Roth—This collector's edition features a stunning, completely foiled case, shimmering unique endpapers, a metallic reimagined cover, gorgeous designed edges, and an exclusive excerpt from the bold new Divergent duology.
• It's In His Kiss: Deluxe Collector's Edition by Julia Quinn—The stunning hardcover Deluxe Collector's Edition of the seventh novel in the beloved Bridgerton series features beautiful endpapers, a ribbon marker, and a gorgeous, decorated spine.
• Fury Bound by Sable Sorenson—Don't miss this action-packed, jaw-dropping, dark and romantic sequel to Dire Bound. This gorgeous Deluxe Edition is only available while supplies last.
• The Martian: Deluxe Edition by Andy Weir—Celebrating the sci-fi bestseller that set our sights on Mars and inspired the 2015 film starring Matt Damon, this stunning hardcover edition features intricately sprayed edges, new cover art, and more.
• Pachinko: Deluxe Limited Edition by Min Jin Lee—Get this limited edition of the modern classic following four generations of a poor Korean immigrant family fighting to control their destiny in 20th-Century Japan.

Happy, happy birthday to all the May babies! Whether you're celebrating a loved one or yourself, we hope you find something perfect here at ThriftBooks to bookify the occasion!

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