Five picks for May

Buzz Reads is a column about books by reviewer Cindy Burnett. Each month, Cindy recommends five recently or soon-to-be released titles.

The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (fiction) – Texan Sarah Damoff’s debut spans six decades and is structured in three parts, each told from a different point of view: Lillian, who has experienced numerous losses and simply desires a stable and quiet life with her husband Ryan and daughter Georgette; Georgette, who endures the many ups and downs of her parents’ relationship, and finally Ryan, an artist and gallery owner who grapples with his father’s addiction and his own alcoholism. The Bright Years starts slowly but picks up steam as the story progresses. This tale of inherited generational trauma, poor choices, and the enduring connection of family pulls at the heartstrings while eliciting so many feelings – anger, sorrow, frustration, and ultimately empathy. Damoff’s portrayal of alcoholism and its lasting effects on family members is honest and at times hard to read. Have tissues ready – the book is a tearjerker. It will be a great fit for fans of family dramas and compelling stories.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (fiction) – Most mornings, 73-year-old Sybil Van Antwerp sits down to write letters – to her brother, to her best friend Rosalie, to Joan Didion and Ann Patchett to give them her thoughts on their latest books, and to one mysterious person to whom she writes regularly but never sends her missives. When letters from her past force her to do some self-reflection, Sybil realizes that she must reconsider some long-held beliefs. Sybil’s wry wit and clever sense of humor are present throughout, and the letters she writes and receives are a joy to read. The Correspondent explores the importance of literature, making connections, expanding worldviews through experiences, as well as the ups and downs of a long life. Both heartwarming and heartbreaking, this will be one of my top reads of 2025; I loved the reflections on love, loss, parenting, family, and most importantly the passage of time. This book will appeal to fans of thought-provoking books and memorable characters as well as those who love epistolary novels and those who are drawn to the power of the written word.

The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer (historical mystery) – On the cliffs of Yorkshire in 1926, an unloved, small girl from a poor farming family turns their fortunes around when she discovers a beautiful rare red egg on the cliffs near her home. A century later, the same egg, part of a collection of red eggs dubbed the Metland Eggs, is stolen from Patrick Fort’s friend Weird Nick, whose joint efforts to get it back reveal the cruel world of egg trafficking. Bauer examines the power of human obsession to obtain and possess, and this theme permeates the book. The Impossible Thing is a fascinating mixture of crime fiction, historical adventure, and intrigue that kept me madly turning the pages. The two timelines weave seamlessly together, and the twists and turns make for a compelling story. I highly recommend this creative and clever read. Those who enjoy unique stories and unforgettable characters will devour this book as well as readers who like genre mashups and/or enjoy stories based on real items like the Metland Eggs.

Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd (historical mystery) – Set in 1954 at the Gulls Nest boarding house in Gore-on-Sea in Kent, England, Murder at Gulls Nest follows Nora Breen, a middle-aged woman who has recently left her convent after 30 years. She is determined to learn what happened to her former novice and pen pal Frieda, whose letters have mysteriously stopped arriving. Gulls Nest is filled with down-on-their-luck residents who all seem to be harboring secrets, and no one wants to talk about Frieda. When bodies start piling up, Nora takes it upon herself to assist the police in solving the murders. This book contains fascinating characters, a bunch of red herrings, some humor mixed in, and a clever resolution to the mystery. This is the start of a new series, and I look forward to book two. Murder at Gulls Nest will appeal to fans of light-hearted mysteries and unique characters.

My Friends by Fredrik Backman (fiction) – Backman returns with another beautifully-crafted story, this one centered around four friends with difficult home lives who inspire a painting that becomes world famous. Twenty-five years later, 17-year-old Louisa encounters the painter and is subsequently gifted this famous painting. While coming to terms with her bequest, she sets out on a cross-country journey to understand how the painting came to be as she learns about these four friends and their lasting legacy. My Friends delves into grief, love, overcoming hardship and trauma, the creation of art, and the lasting power of friendship. The ending was unexpected and welcome, demonstrating that happy endings do not always take the form that we expect. This is a tearjerker so tissues will be needed. My Friends will be a top read of 2025 for me – I highly recommend it. It is a must-read for fans of books about human resilience and healing and those who love lyrical prose.

Editor’s note: Book reviewer Cindy Burnett also writes our weekly Page Turners column. She hosts an award-winning book podcast entitled Thoughts from a Page Podcast www.thoughtsfromapage.com, runs the Instagram account @thoughtsfrompage, and regularly speaks to groups about books.