This Globe and Mail feature brings together recommendations from staff writers and readers, highlighting a diverse selection of books being enjoyed in May.The column reflects a mix of fiction and non-fiction titles that explore history, politics, environment, personal experience, and sport.

Robert Hough’s novel Anarchists in Love is praised for its depiction of the Gilded Age in the United States, focusing on historical figures Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman while drawing parallels to today’s widening wealth inequality and the enduring relevance of activism.

George Abbott’s Unceded: Understanding British Columbia’s Colonial Past and Why It Matters Now examines the long and unresolved history of Indigenous land rights in British Columbia, offering a clear and accessible account of colonial decisions dating back to the 19th century.

In One Square Inch of Silence, Gordon Hempton documents his travels across North America in search of natural quiet, raising awareness about the impacts of noise pollution on human health and the environment through a blend of memoir and environmental observation.

James Rebanks’ The Place of Tides follows the author’s experience on a remote Norwegian island working with one of the last “duck women,” providing a reflective story about traditional ways of life, nature, and personal renewal.

Finally, George Plimpton’s Out of My League recounts his famous experiment pitching in a professional baseball exhibition game, blending humour and tension while exploring the boundary between amateur and professional sport.Together, the selections offer readers thoughtful perspectives on history, environment, identity, and human experience.