The May Birthday Blog

Schedule e-Gift Cards and peruse the month's best gift books

Got any May-born friends and family to celebrate this month? Treat your loved ones to a bookish birthday! Choose something special for your May mates, from our roundup of some of the hottest titles of the moment, like Stephen King's newest release, Never Flinch or Hidden Nature, a romantic thriller by Nora Roberts (both coming out May 27).

New May-specific e-Gift Card designs!

If you'd prefer to go with ThriftBooks e-Gift Cards for your loved ones, choose from an assortment of fun designs, including our new month-specific 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 birthday shopping done in one fell swoop!

This month's best gifting books

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

Fiction finds

• The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose—Attorney Sarah Morgan is dealing with yet another philandering husband. On top of that, new evidence has surfaced in the decade-old murder case against her ex.
• Strangers in Time by David Baldacci—London, 1944: Two teenagers dealing with the dangers of WWII form a kinship with a local bookshop owner.
• Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez—Despite an incredible first date, Samantha urges Xavier to forget about her because of familial obligations.
• The Crash by Freida McFadden—Stranded and injured in a blizzard, a pregnant woman is rescued by a couple who may pose an even greater threat to her.
• Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage—Almost ten years after they first met, Cam and Dusty find themselves in close quarters in the fourth book of the Rebel Blue Ranch

Nonfiction gems

• Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson—Two seasoned journalists evaluate obstacles to American progress.
• Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green—The author of Looking for Alaska chronicles the fight against the world's deadliest infectious disease.
• Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus with Dan Ozzi—A smart, funny memoir from the vocalist, bassist, and founding member of blink-182
• Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams—This explosive memoir from a former Facebook executive gives you a front-row seat to the company's actions that have shaped the world we live in.
• John & Paul by Ian Leslie—The 23-year relationship between John Lennon and Paul McCartney is viewed through the lens of the songs they wrote together.

Winsome picture books

• Little Blue Truck and Racer Red by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry—Red challenges Blue to a race. (Ages 4–8)
• Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever by Suzanne Lang—Jim Panzee catches a bad case of spring fever. (Ages 4–8)
• Caitlin Clark by Marisa DiNovis—With vibrant illustrations on every page, this Little Golden Book biography brings the WNBA star's story to life. (Ages 4–8)
• How to Catch a Dinosaur by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton—The How to Catch Kids try to wrangle a dinosaur for their school science fair. (Ages 4–10)
• The World Needs the Wonder You See by Joanna Gaines—This whimsical picture book encourages parents and kids to pause busy schedules and explore together. (Ages 4–8)

Middle-grade goodies

• River of Spirits by Shana Targosz—A fantasy about two girls, Senka and Poppy, who get lost together in the Underworld. (Ages 8–12)
• The Green Kingdom by Cornelia Funke and Tammi Hartung—Caspia sets out to solve a series of riddles during her summer vacation in Brooklyn. (Ages 8–12)
• Odder by Katherine Applegate—After a shark attack, Odder recuperates at the aquarium with the scientists who raised her. (Ages 8–12)
• Mallory and the Trouble with Twins by Ann M. Martin—Mallory gets double trouble in this installment of The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novel series. (Ages 8–12)
• The Prophecies Begin by Erin Hunter—In Book #2 of the Warriors Graphic Novel series, allegiances are shifting among the clans of warrior cats that roam the forest. (Ages 8–12)

YA winners

• Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi—After 10 years, the Reestablishment looks to make a move on the New Republic of the West. (Ages 14 and up)
• Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven—Evelyn and Arden are doomed souls who repeatedly fall in love and kill each other. (Ages 13–18)
• Nightweaver by M. Gray—Aster hunts the creatures responsible for her brother's death. (Ages 12–18)
• The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow—A teenager named Bella journeys through alcoholism and recovery. (Ages 14–18)
• The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao—In a world at war with demons, a girl enters into an ancient, deadly competition for the chance to save her mother's soul. (Ages 14 and up)

Culinary keepers

• Change the Recipe by José Andrés—A unique collection of life lessons from the renowned chef and humanitarian.
• By Heart: Recipes to Hold Near and Dear by Hailee Catalano—Learn to make elevated, professional-quality meals in your own kitchen with over 100 creative, seasonal recipes.
• Tahini Baby by Eden Grinshpan—An irresistible celebration of veg-forward Middle Eastern- and Mediterranean-inspired recipes.
• Every Day with Babs by Barbara Costello—101 family-friendly dinners for every day of the week.
• Symon's Dinners Cooking Out by Michael Symon—Get ready for outdoor cooking with 100 recipes for showstopping mains, salads, even desserts!

Special editions

• Love and Other Words: Deluxe Edition by Christina Lauren—A stunning deluxe edition of this fan favorite, featuring sprayed edges, four-color endpapers, and more.
• Jilted: Deluxe Edition by Vi Keeland—The Hating Game meets 27 Dresses in this slow burn, swooning romance. The gorgeous deluxe paperback edition features bright turquoise sprayed edges.
• A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen—The stunning first edition hardcover of this Norse-inspired romantasy features foil page edges, a custom-stamped case, and a premium dust jacket.
• Beautiful Venom by Rina Kent—Preorder this sizzling dark hockey romance to receive the limited deluxe edition, with a filigree printed edge, red foil, and exclusive full-color art.
• The Hunger Games 4-Book Box Set by Suzanne Collins—A stunning four book box set of The Hunger Games paperbacks featuring sprayed edges and all-new must-have covers.

Famous authors born in May

This month produced some of history's most celebrated literary luminaries. Here are some of these distinguished authors along with one of their beloved titles.

• Joseph Heller, May 1, 1923—Catch-22
• Niccolò Machiavelli, May 3, 1469—The Prince
• David Guterson, May 4, 1956—Snow Falling on Cedars
• Leo Lionni, May 5, 1910—Swimmy
• Thomas Pynchon, May 8, 1937—Gravity's Rainbow
• Peter Benchley, May 8, 1940—Jaws
• M. Barrie, May 9, 1860—Peter Pan
• Richard Adams, May 9, 1920—Watership Down
• Sheila Burnford, May 11, 1918—The Incredible Journey
• Edward Lear, May 12, 1812—The Owl and the Pussycat
• Daphne du Maurier, May 13, 1907—Rebecca
• Frank Baum, May 15, 1856—The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
• Adrienne Rich, May 16, 1929—The Dream of a Common Language
• Gary Paulsen, May 17, 1939—Hatchet
• Lorraine Hansberry, May 19, 1930—A Raisin in the Sun
• Nora Ephron, May 19, 1941—Heartburn
• Honoré de Balzac, May 20, 1799—Cousin Bette
• Dante Alighieri, May 20, 1265—The Divine Comedy
• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, May 22, 1859—The Complete Sherlock Holmes
• Scott O'Dell, May 23, 1898—Island of the Blue Dolphins
• Margaret Wise Brown, May 23, 1910—The Runaway Bunny
• Ralph Waldo Emerson, May 25, 1803—Self-Reliance and Other Essays
• Jamaica Kincaid, May 25, 1949—Lucy
• Rachel Carson, May 27, 1907—Silent Spring
• Tony Hillerman, May 27, 1925—The Blessing Way
• Ian Fleming, May 28, 1908—Casino Royale
• H. White, May 29, 1929—The Once and Future King
• Walt Whitman, May 31, 1819—Leaves of Grass

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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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon