May has been another great month in my year-long challenge, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the journey so far! I’m really pleased that I’m keeping up – even if I did have a day where I was just catching up on the squares! It’s all part of the process.
I started strong with some really good books this month, and I’m still absolutely loving combining two of my favourite things, books and crochet, in my 2025 Crochet Book Blanket project.
Pin for later:
The Vision for the Book Afghan
To maintain cohesion, I’ve used the same block pattern for the entire afghan (grab the free pattern here), working with yarn from my stash and selecting colours that reflect the book’s cover design. The ultimate goal? A warm, meaningful blanket that doubles as a literary keepsake.
Here’s what I accomplished in May:
- Total Books Read: and Squares Completed: 8 books / 16 squares
May Reads and Squares
Book 27: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: I thoroughly enjoyed Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. Set in a coastal Australian town, the story follows three women, Madeline, Celeste, and Jane, whose seemingly perfect lives unravel amid schoolyard drama and buried secrets, leading to a shocking event on trivia night. It’s a sharp, insightful look at friendship, domestic struggles, and the facades people wear. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more by this author.
Book 28: The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: The Surrogate Mother is a gripping psychological thriller about Abby, whose dreams of motherhood are challenged when her assistant Monica offers to be a surrogate. What begins as a hopeful arrangement soon unravels as Monica’s true intentions and hidden motives come to light, leading to a series of unsettling events that threaten to destroy Abby’s dream of motherhood. I’m slowly working my way through all of Freida McFadden’s books as they’re always fun and quick reads!
Book 29: The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: The Nothing Man is a gripping psychological thriller about Eve Black, the sole survivor of a family massacre who writes a true-crime memoir to unmask the killer known as the Nothing Man. As supermarket security guard Jim Doyle reads her book, he realizes with growing dread that she’s getting closer to the truth – because he is the Nothing Man. Really enjoyed this book, clever storyline and great characters, will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author.
Book 30: The Doctor’s Wife by Daniel Hurst
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: The Doctor’s Wife is a psychological thriller set in an isolated seaside village, centered around Fern and her husband, Dr. Drew Devlin. What seems like an idyllic life unravels when Fern uncovers Drew’s deep-seated deceptions – including misuse of his medical influence and a hidden affair. This would make a great holiday read, quick and easy and enjoyable – I’ll be looking out for more books by this author.
Book 31: All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: All the Colours of the Dark is a character‑driven, dark mystery spanning decades, beginning with the abduction of teenager Patch Macauley and the lifelong quest by his best friend Saint to find him – and the mysterious Grace who shared his captivity. Though I found the pacing of the story a bit slow at times it’s beautifully written all the same.
Book 32: Missing Pieces by Laura Pearson
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Missing Pieces follows the Sadler family, shattered 25 years earlier when their toddler Phoebe tragically died – an event that left enduring grief, guilt, and silence. As young Bea prepares to have a child of her own, she returns home seeking the truth about that terrible day and the secret her family has buried. The novel is beautifully written and utterly heart-breaking in places, with particular emotional depth around themes of child loss and suicide – trigger warning advised for those subjects. .
Book 33: Chocolate Cake with Hitler by Emma Craige
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐3.5 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Chocolate Cake with Hitler is a haunting historical novel told through the eyes of twelve year old Helga Goebbels, who, alongside her siblings, takes refuge in Hitler’s bunker during the final days of World War II. As bombs fall and the adults’ tension escalates, Helga clings to memories of happier times, all while sensing the grim fate approaching. The story is quite heart-breaking, as it’s based on true events – trigger warning for child death and suicide, as Helga and her siblings are murdered by their mother in a chilling act of fanatic devotion .
Book 34: The Last Passenger by Will Dean
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: The Last Passenger is a fast paced thriller in which Caz Ripley wakes up aboard the luxury cruise liner RMS Atlantica to discover every other passenger – and crew -has mysteriously vanished. Stranded and alone (or is she), she must unravel a terrifying puzzle filled with psychological tension, unexpected twists, and mounting dread before time runs out. I enjoyed this book, I will definitely be on the look out for more by this author.
All the books so far
Don’t want to scroll and look for all the books that I’ve read so far? Well I’ve put together a list in my Amazon storefront so you can see all the books in one place: Go to the book list
Looking Ahead to June
As we head into June, I’m looking forward to discovering which new stories will shape the next additions to my Crochet Book Blanket. Each book continues to inspire a unique square, and I can’t wait to see how June unfolds in all the different colours. If you’re taking part too, don’t forget to share your progress with the #KCACOUKBookCAL2025 hashtag—I’ve been loving everyone’s updates so far!
What book has been your favourite of the year so far? Let me know in the comments!
Stay tuned for next month’s updates. Until then, happy hooking and happy reading!
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