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