It’s time for the May reading and wine pairing list! While only reading four books this month – they were so good! And I’m even talking about a couple of my favorite wines! No Surprise there! Enjoy the May reading list!

May Reading List

Untamed – 5/5 Stars

by Glennon Doyle

Best paired with 90+ Cellars Celebrate Boston Rosé “Refreshing aromas of strawberries, stone fruit and melon leap from the glass. Crisp and dry, yet fruity on the palate with lingering minerality. Pairs with shell fish, french fries, and beautiful summer days in Boston.

I’ve been a huge fan of 90+ Cellars for a while and their wine is always incredible. They search out the best grapes and then bring you wine at an affordable price!

Also a portion of the proceeds are donated to a local non-profit and this year it is going to the Greg Hill Foundation Restaurant Strong Fund to support restaurant workers impacted by COVID-19.

I’ll be honest. Originally, I did not want to read Untamed by Glennon Doyle. The first chapter, compares women to a cheetah. I kind of got it, but I really didn’t like it. After that introduction, the book opens up into a thing of beauty. You feel seen by Glennon as she lays it all out on the table; how women feel, and why they feel the way they do. You feel as if you’ve been wrapped up in a huge comforting hug that’s good for your soul.

She stands up for quite a few activist groups, and she’s not scared to say how she thinks, or to get what she wants. Sure, some of her views can be a little out there, but all in all, this was one of my favorite books I’ve read in 2020.

Hidden Valley Road – 4.5/5 Stars

by Robert Kolker

best paired with La Crema Pinot Noir “On the nose red cherry, plum, pomegranate and sweet tobacco. On the palate, multi-layered red, blue and black berry fruit, plums and cherries, and a hint of blood orange underpin subtle layers of exotic spice and toast. Fine tannins and balanced acidity drives a long finish.”

Hidden Valley Road was mind blowing. It’s a true story about a family who lived in Colorado and had 12 children. Six had schizophrenia. The story takes the reader through all the trials that they went through growing up, how the doctors found genetic markers, and how this family became the benchmark to all of the schizophrenia research.

There were so many things about this disease that I was completely unaware of. How shockingly difficult it is to diagnose. How late an age it can come on.

The fact that they had six boys diagnosed with schizophrenia., and how they kept their family together is unbelievable. This nonfiction book reads like fiction. And it’s incredibly educating on a disease that causes many families to suffer.

Defending Jacob – 4.5/5 Stars

by William Landay

best paired with The Seven Deadly Zins “Sinful indeed, our 2017 Old Vine Zinfandel is full-bodied and seductive. Heaps of jammy berry fruit are followed by aromas of leather, oak and spice notes. On the palate the wine is round and layered showing flavors of dark fruits, currants and toffee through a lingering spice-touched finish.

Highly recommend Defending Jacob. I saw that Apple TV created this show defending Jacob and so, obviously I had to read the book first. This book is crazy. So many ups and downs twists and turns. It’s about a child who’s accused of murdering a classmate. And wow, the feelings that come forth! If this was your child what would you do? How far would you go to protect them? Great, great crime crime novel.

What if it Does Work Out – 3.5/5 Stars

by Susie Moore

best paired with A to Z Chardonnay “The 2018 A to Z Chardonnay greets with aromas of lemon, lime zest, kumquat, quince, spiced apple, pear, peach, melon, apricot and lemongrass with hints of sage and fresh cut hay. The wine dances on the palate, alive with flavors of citrus fruits, green apple and starfruit. It is rich and yet balanced, fleshy and yet precise. There is a grapefruit pith note to the finish, along with a linear minerality that carries through for quite some time after tasting. The 2018 A to Z Oregon Chardonnay is a racy, delicious example of unoaked cool-climate Chardonnay!”

Susie Moore as a life coach who’s also an incredible freelance writer. What if it does work out is a guide on how to create a side hustle that works for you. How to continue working until that side hustle can become what you need it to be, and how to expand it into something larger. It’s a quick read with great insight and she names a lot of wonderful books that everybody should have on their on their list on their “to be read” pile.

Take a look at other reading lists!

Hope you enjoyed this May reading and wine pairing list! What’s in your to be read pile?

What’s on your May reading list? Let me know in a comment below!