May 2025 Wrap Up : Summer Recap with May Reads and Tan Lines
Hello readers! I hope you all had a great month in life and reading. Check out May 2025 in life and books in this Summer Recap with May Reads and Tan Lines.
May 2025 : Summer Recap with May Reads
May 2025 in Life
In life, May was all about surviving the Indian summer. It was hot—as in, 110°F-on-the-daily hot. My kid and I signed up for swimming classes at the local community centre, but our schedules didn’t align. Hers was in the cool, forgiving evening. Mine? Right in the middle of the noon sun. Let’s just say I’ve been roasted to a crisp, and now I’m three shades darker making me invest more time in de-tanning packs. It would take more than a month to get the normal skin shade back—wish me luck.
Summer camp was a big hit with my kid. She enjoyed every bit of it—arts, games, stories, and that adorable end-of-camp performance. Seeing her on stage, proud and playful, was a highlight.
Her speech has taken a huge leap, as has her understanding… along with her sass. Tantrums are now part of the daily curriculum. Staying at my parents’ place gave her just enough of a royal treatment to think she runs the show (and maybe she does).
Reading-wise, May was a mixed bag—quantity high, quality… average-ish. Half the reads clocked in at 2.5–3 stars, while the rest made up for it with 4s and 5s.
I also had fun with some new Instagram post ideas (check out post links below). Loving the look of my feed now!
May 2025 Reading Stats
Books Read in May 2025
Books I loved and enjoyed
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes — A brilliant finale to the Holmes canon. Clever plots, eerie vibes, emotional hits, and that ever-magical Holmes-Watson duo. One of my top favorites from the series!
People We Meet on Vacation — A gorgeously written friends-to-lovers romance. Tender, layered, and sharply written. Dual timeline = perfection.
The Greatest Champak Stories Vol. 1 — Read with my kid. Nostalgic and charming, this collection is a gem of short stories. A perfect intro to Indian children’s lit.
Beach Read — Absolutely stunning. Smart, emotional, and cathartic with a romance that lingers long after the last page. (review will be up later this week)
The Disappointments
Modern Divination — Dark urban fantasy with so much potential, but fizzled with a lack of tight plotting and choppy world-building.
Dharmayoddha Kalki — Fast-paced and brimming with potential, but weak writing dulled the impact. Great plot, poor execution.
Satyayoddha Kalki — Chaotic but mildly entertaining. Lore expands, characters improve, but still lacking in emotional depth and polish.
Mahayoddha Kalki — Action-packed finale, but same old writing woes. Glad to have finished the trilogy. I’m putting myself on a strict Indian mythology detox for the next year.
May 2025 Blog Stats
May 2025 Bookstagram posts
June 2025 Plans
- I can’t wait for schools to reopen now.
- Read 6-7 books.
- Read – Book Lovers and Happy Place and Northanger Abbey.
Have you read this book or wish to read?
Your favorite final book in series?
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Books Teacup and Reviews
Hi, I'm Yesha, an Indian book blogger. Avid and eclectic reader who loves to read with a cup of tea. Not born reader but I don't think I’m going to stop reading books in this life. “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
16 Comments
Bookstooge
What are detanning packs? I’ve never heard the term before.
And I’m pretty jealous I’d that average rating. I’d be ecstatic with 3.20 myself 😀
Bookstooge
Doh.
OF that average rating.
Books Teacup and Reviews
Most of men and women goes to saloon for Detan. Our skin is pretty sensitive to sun exposure. Many of us have brown skin and Sun turns the skin to darker shades. It takes ages to get back the original skin tone. I’m using using homemade remedies – mixture of Lemon, Honey, coffee, potato juice and a rice flour.
3 is comparatively low for me as I tend to enjoy books I choose to read. Just homemade remedies to remove Sun tan.
Bookstooge
Thanks for explaining. I had no idea.
Sumedha
Your Instagram posts are really fun! Love that you and your kid had a blast in the summer too. I was dealing with my first summer in Hyderabad in years and my gosh, I HATED it. Although temperatures and the heat don’t dip too much unless it’s right in the winter, I’m hoping for cooler days soon. Maybe the universe will listen to me 🥲
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you, Sumedha! 😃 I liked Hyderabad weather when we lived there as it rained often but after moving back to Gujarat it’s terrible. It feels like rain is everywhere but here.
Lashaan Balasingam @ Roars and Echoes
Oh my goodness, the weathers sounds insaneeee ! I hope it gets better going forward, but something tells me that’s not happening haha ! 😀
Books Teacup and Reviews
Nope, we don’t feel good until it’s winter 😂
Teri Polen
I sure don’t envy you with that heat, Yesha. I’m not a fan of hot weather. Sounds like your daughter had a wonderful time at camp!
Books Teacup and Reviews
Yes, she was saying she wants to go to summer camp year long instead of school 😂 it took long to make her understand it is not like that.
Jo
Oh my that is warm! 🥵
It sounds like the summer camp was good fun – so glad your daughter enjoyed it x
Books Teacup and Reviews
Yes, we hate summer in India. Usually it goes up to 113 or 115 this year at least it was 2 degree less with 111 max.
Rebecca
Wow, you weren’t kidding about the hot! 110* F???? Oof …
Yay for an Emily Henry summer 😀 I’m listening to her newest right now, and then I’m planning to knock out People We Meet on Vacation, and I’ll be all caught up.
Here’s to a fabulous June of books and etc!
Books Teacup and Reviews
Yes, it’s same every year. We don’t leave A.C. Room if possible or just leave somewhere cool and pleasant to spend summers. Emily a Henry is becoming my new favourite now. I can’t wait to read other books by her.
nickimags @ Secret Library Book Blog
I loved People You Meet on Vacation on audiobook such a great romance!
Books Teacup and Reviews
It’s one of my favourite this year now