April/May Reading Wrap-Up
The April to May transition was a mess (traveling, COVID isolation), so I'm combining April and May for this wrap-up. I read some great books in the past two months — click the arrows for a short review of each one!
Note: I consider anything 4+ stars a recommendation. Each book is linked to its page on Bookshop.org!
Books I Finished in April: 8
If You Change Your Mind by Robby Weber / 4 stars
The PERFECT beach read
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton / 4.75 stars
A wild ride from start to finish, perfect if you love a twisty mystery.
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd / 4.5 stars
I love a book that incorporates a single magical element that exists on the fringes of our known world — this does that so well.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus / 5 stars
My new favorite book
Anne of Manhattan by Brina Starler / 3.75 stars
3.75 stars for quality of storytelling/writing, 1000 stars for Anne of Green Gables nostalgia and references.
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory / 5 stars
A sweet modern retelling of a tale as old as time.
Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala / 4.5 stars
A fun mystery with well-developed characters and food references that will make your mouth water.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry / 4.75 stars
A slow burn romance full of banter and antics that will make you want to pack your bags and jump on a plane, train, or automobile.
Books I Finished in May: 8
The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen / 2.5 stars
A pretty dull "thriller" about a couple in therapy. Skip this one.
The Broken Girls by Simone St. James / 4.25 stars
Murder, corruption, and a haunted boarding school, all told in dual timelines.
Welcome to the Neighborhood by Lisa Roe / 3.75 stars
A sweet story about parenthood, fitting in, and staying true to yourself.
March: Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell / 5 stars
The first in a series of graphic novels about Congressman John Lewis and his civil rights work.
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead / 4.5 stars
A chilling dual-timeline thriller set at a college reunion.
Island Time by Georgia Clark (Advanced Reader Copy) / 5 stars
Two families, one island vacation that doesn't quite go as planned — funny, emotional, and ultimately lovely.
Darling Girl by Liz Michalski / 4 stars
A dark take on the Peter Pan story, and a moving exploration of family ties and motherhood.
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner / 4.75 stars
The definition of a slow-burn romance, full of Hollywood glamor and cute banter.
Book of the Month Books
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Darling Girl by Liz Michalski
Books In Progress
The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois (yes, still)
The Clackity by Lora Senf (NetGalley)
No Offense by Meg Cabot (Audiobook)
True Biz by Sara Nović
My June TBR
Bunny by Mona Awad
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
Long Division by Kiese Laymon
Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman
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