WOW! It was a NO QUIT April! That’s right, I started what I finished this month….with only minor regrets, haha.

It had been a while since I immersed myself into thrillers, so I started out the month with bleak and miserable characters. D’oh! Then I over-corrected with some plain, silly fun that was ridiculous – making April a wide range of reading.

The April Report:
Audio – 3
Physical – 4
Mix Audio/Physical – 7 (Seriously, it’s the only way I can keep momentum….the ability to keep the story going on a walk or in the car is amazing. Libby and Hoopla for the win!)

Format: Audio
Rating: 4.25/5
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Warnings: Domestic violence, mentions of pedophilia, maximum creepiness
Why I read it: It was on all the lists.
I’d recommend this to: fans of true crime podcasts

Well, thanks, Lisa Jewell, now I can’t sleep. I hadn’t read a good thriller in a while, and my Goodreads friends kept rating it 4-5 stars. Fine, I’ll bite. It did live up to the hype – and I was very impressed by the audiobook, as physically reading this would have been a completely different experience. Excerpts of this book were recorded as an actual podcast format with a complete cast and sound effects. It made it very addictive and captivating. Other than the phrase of the character’s “stomach curdling” over and over, I enjoyed the writing and twists until the end. I can’t describe it well – so just read it if you want to be very unsettled. Hooray!

Format: Audio & Physical
Rating: 2.25/5
Genre: Sci-Fi
Warnings: Language, Young Adult Angst
Why I read it: I liked the first book.
I’d recommend this to: someone who liked the first book but has low expectations for a sequel

I delighted by the first part of this book. It explored the POVs of all the sidekick friends (who were honestly the best part of the original novel). However, the book was about 157 pages longer than it needed to be and was soooooo preachy. I understand that the social media obsessed Gen Z characters would have a lot to say about the state of humanity and big corporations and technology, but it was pretty heavy handed and obnoxious – even when I agreed with them.

Format: Audio
Rating: 1.75/5
Genre: Thriller
Warnings: Mental health, murder, violence, domestic abuse, language
Why I read it: It was everywhere and I was curious.
I’d recommend this to: someone who disagrees with most of my reviews

Honestly, I read this because I was sick of seeing this cover on every must-read list and store bookshelf. Curiosity got the best of me. The hype might have tainted my overall view of the book, though, because when I got to the giant-twist-climax, I just sighed and said, “well that’s annoying….” OOPS. I might have also made a mistake listening to back-to-back thriller audio books that featured heavy British accents and depressing material.

Format: Audio w/a physical assist for pictures
Rating:3.75/5
Genre: Memoir, Humor
Warnings: N/A
Why I read it: My April reading needed to lighten up!!
I’d recommend this to: fans of Mindy Kaling/The Mindy Project

I might have read this when it came out in the middle 2010s, but it was fun to listen to the audio book. Mindy Kaling wrote this while making The Mindy Project, so it was fun to reminisce about that series, etc. She tells fun stories and random thoughts. I would absolutely love a book with updated takes now that she’s a mom and produces other projects.

Format: Physical
Rating: 3.25/5
Genre: Sci-Fi
Warnings: Pandemic, Violence, Claustrophobia
Why I read it: Friend recommendation
I’d recommend this to: Law & Order fans that want a sci-fi twist

After saying I enjoyed the most recent John Scalzi books, a friend recommended this one. I’m learning that Scalzi has really lightened up in his writing, as this one was much more serious. However, it still had some humor and the writing I enjoyed with his other books. If you have a phobia of getting trapped inside your body but still having full mental capacity, well, steer clear. It’s a good murder mystery – but it gets a little lost with a mega cast and body/robot swapping.

Format: Audio/Physical
Rating: 3.25/5
Genre: Fiction
Warnings: Grief, Climate Change
Why I read it: I loved her writing in Tanner & Louise
I’d recommend this to: fans of podcasts, quirky characters, and mediocre endings

I loved this book, then I hated it, and then I liked it.
A reporter travels to a small island community and discovers that the entire town is playing along with the notion that a dead man is actually alive for the sake of his widow. It starts out so charming, but then it takes a turn where the characters just become regular, stupid humans and deal with regular, stupid problems. It was fine but I wanted to change the back 35% of the book.

Format: Mix of Physical/Audio
Rating: 4.25/5
Genre: Fantasy, Humor
Warnings: Casual chats about severed heads, etc., discussion of assault
Why I read it: It kept popping up on my recommendation lists & I had pure curiosity.
I’d recommend this to: someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously.

Big, dumb fun. That’s all I can say. This book knows exactly what it is – a cheesy adventure. Evie finds herself working for the town’s bad guy, but he’s also super hot. That’s all you need to know. Along the way, there are funny side characters and a bit of a mystery. This book is actually quite mild in the romance scenes – but it sets its reader up for (what I’m assuming will be) a much steamier book two.

Format: Audio
Rating: 3/5
Genre: Sci-Fiction leaning very YA
Warnings: Space War, Space Politics, Teen Angst
Why I read it: Friend Recommendation and enjoyment of other Scalzi books this year
I’d recommend this to: Teens wanting a gateway book to adult science fiction

Do you look at this cover and think, “Wow, this is going to be a very light book about teenage angst on another planet??” Yeah, me neither. When bonding with a friend about discovering John Scalzi this year, she recommended this book. Apparently it’s the fourth book in a very adult sci-fi series, but it is an outlier containing super YA-ness. I later learned that it’s a retelling of the third book in the series from the point of view of the teenager on the ship/planet. While it was decent enough on it’s own, it didn’t pull me in to the rest of the series.

Format: Physical
Rating: 4.25/5
Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Warnings: Time Travel, Grief, Suicide, Pregnant Friend
Why I read it: Curiosity and seeing it all over the place
I’d recommend this to: readers who love that anxious feeling of missed connections

This was a lovely (and pretty tame) romance that had humor and fun – all while circling very serious topics of loss and the importance of self growth and timing in relationships. Adding in the magic of an apartment that time travels at random, it makes for a very interesting story. The author does an awesome job of weaving timelines together, but time travel in general gives me great anxiety. Ha! I couldn’t give it 5 stars, because it just made me tense. On the flip side, I finished it very quickly after a slow start. I read the first 25% in two weeks and then finished the book in two days. So it definitely picks up the pace!

Format: Physical
Rating: 5/5
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Warnings: Animal cruelty
Why I read it: I couldn’t avoid it any more.
I’d recommend this to: animal lovers and those in need of a quick read between genres.

Oh, Ivan. I avoided this book for 12 years. Still scarred from the movie Homeward Bound, I tend to avoid animal stories. Stupid tearjerker animal stories. However, I was subbing in fifth grade a few weeks ago and read aloud the first 16 pages after teaching a quick lesson about the real gorilla that inspired the story. I was hooked. Fast forward two days later to when I’m crying in my cereal. Stupid tearjerker animal stories. Sigh. It was wonderful.

Format: Mix of Audio/Physical
Rating: 2.75/5
Genre: Mystery, humor, light romance
Warnings: language, dead body plays a significant role
Why I read it: I enjoyed Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
I’d recommend this to: Fans of Vera Wong and readers that don’t mind ridiculousness

Crazy Rich Asians (cultural/family dynamics surrounding a billionaire’s wedding) meets Finlay Donovan (light romance and funny accidental murder) meets Weekend at Bernie’s (yep, the dead guy makes an appearance in a suit). This is a funny and light read, but it is all over the place. The heart of the book tends to get lost in over the top antics and writing saturated in social media/pop culture phrases. “Oh my God. I look at the groomsmen. They’re drunk AF.” No, thanks.

Format: Physical
Rating: 5/5
Genre: Romance
Warnings: General family/relationship issues, fake dating
Why I read it: Emily Henry was my gateway to enjoying romance books.
I’d recommend this to: anyone wanting a gateway to enjoying romance books

I loved her other books, but this one is BY FAR my favorite. The way Emily Henry writes realistic friendships, relationships, and feelings – whew – I devoured this book in 24 hours. It had all the wonderful dynamics of her other stories, but especially catered to all of my preferences in the romance genre: one POV, strong female lead, non-dopey male love interest, chronological order w/out significant time jumps, healthy communication (or at least eventual healthy communication), and characters to root for. My dream. That said, it’s spicy enough where I would have to deny that you got this book recommendation from me, but if you don’t mind that….this book is just delicious.

Format: Mix of Physical/Audio
Rating: 1/5
Genre: Children’s (?) Fiction
Warnings: abusive sibling, family stress, middle/low class prejudice, violence
Why I read it: It was assigned to my fifth grader’s reading club
I’d recommend this to: No one. It was not fun.

As an elementary teacher, I had seen the cover of this book for years. Finally, I was pushed to read it, because I like to know what my kid is up to in his reading group. Well, I would have quit this one if my son didn’t have to finish it. It was a solidarity finish. This book was really disturbing and uncomfortable, with an abusive big brother and an overwhelming sense of unease throughout the entire book. The way it all wraps up is fine, but the 250+ pages before that are boring and painful. I understand that this would give book club groups a lot to talk about (middle school and class/wealth social dynamics, athletic policy, citrus farming, standing up for others), but it was really hard to find any character or story line likable in this one. Ben’s review: “Well, that was a roller coaster!”

Format: Mix of physical and (mostly) audio
Rating: 3.25/5
Genre: Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance
Warnings: Language, 2 pages of spicy explicitness
Why I read it: Found on a list of “cozy fantasies”
I’d recommend this to: fans of Practical Magic and found family stories

I couldn’t end April with a depressing children’s novel, so I squeezed in this lovely little cozy fantasy to end the month. If you want a “found family with quirky characters” book, please put this down and go read The House in the Cerulean Sea instead. You’re welcome. But if you want a similar book with witches, keep going with this one. This book started so strongly with The Sound of Music vibes (who doesn’t love a nanny winning over children and falling in love with a hot curmudgeon??) but fizzled a bit at the end. It wrapped things up a little too conveniently with a random twist. And I don’t mind the occasional explicit sex scene, but this one was 2 pages and very out of place. If you removed those two pages and about ten curse words, I could easily recommend this to so many more people. Because the rest is just charming.

Congratulations, everyone! We made it through another month.

Please send me your recommendations (if you dare). The library just alerted me to pick up a couple more romance books that I’ve had on hold for a while. Eek. We will see if I have to over-correct again next month and find myself in the horror genre by June. But let’s be honest – romance books can be their own kind of horror. Happy Reading!