April 2020 reading recap

April may have been the month my reading came back to earth. I still managed eight books, which is about two a week. Interestingly, that's what I typically average for print/ebook reading in a month. What's missing? I didn't finish a single audiobook in April, when I have been finishing four a month. I've been listening to my current audiobook since mid-March. Since I spend most of my waking hours with my spouse and kid or working, I've lost most of my solo audiobook time. I have no problem reading a book when we're hanging out together, but somehow it seems odd to put on my headphones on when we're all in the same room together! Honestly, given how stressful work is during the week, I'm amazed I managed to read eight books. I read erratically during the week and then read most of the weekend. I think it's a testament to how important choosing the right book for the right time is for me now. All eight books were at least a four star read, but two were 4.5 star-read, and three were 5-star reads. That's fantastic quality reading! For the year, I'm still well ahead of last year. I finished April having read 43 books. I hit 43 last year in late July, so I'm happy with that progress.

The Ones I Liked


Pretty Things by Janelle Brown (my review)
If feminist heist novels are your thing, Pretty Things is a fun read. I think it will be even better on the screen, and I'm excited for Nicole Kidman's adaptation! (4 stars)

Pollock Confidential by Onofrio Catacchio (my review)
This graphic novel has it all: history, art, drama, romance, politics, spies, and death. The visuals are stunning and capture the scale of Abstract Expressionism well. (4 stars)

A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler
I read this one for my online book club discussion tonight, and I am looking forward to discussing it! It's a book I read compulsively over twenty-four hours. It made me think. It made me angry. At times, I loved it. At times it tries WAY too hard. As a read, I couldn't put it down. It's worthwhile because it's entertaining, and it's likely to make people think or talk or act about racism. It's flawed and at times problematic, but it's a compelling read. (4 stars)

The Ones I Liked A Lot


Severance by Ling Ma
I had this on my shelves from Book of the Month since December 2018, but I'm so glad I saved it to read during a pandemic. A pandemic novel about a fictional flu-like illness originating in China may be the best or worst thing to read right now. For me, it was perfect. The Shen flu is both similar to and very different from Covid-19. The novel traces the time before and after through Candice Chen. This novel is an inspired, beautifully written, and thought-provoking debut novel. (4.5 stars)

I'll Eat When I'm Dead by Barbara Bourland
This novel is a delight. It's part murder mystery, part satire, and part social commentary, all against the backdrop of an elite NYC fashion magazine. It's filled with feminism, dark humor, and 90s pop culture references. Barbara Bourland has cemented herself as one of my favorite authors in 2020. I've read and loved both of her novels. They're incredibly different, which makes me even more excited about her next book. (see my February reading recap for my thoughts on Fake Like Me.) (4.5 stars)

The Ones I Loved


Perfect Tunes by Emily Gould
I've loved Emily Gould's work for years, since the days of Gawker. This novel should be her breakout work of fiction. It has it all: music, friendship, fame, youth, motherhood, and love. I'm fascinated by the interplay of motherhood and artistry, and this novel is a beautiful exploration of that. (5 stars)

Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore
This powerful novel, the April Read with Jenna pick, left me speechless. Told in the words of the women of Odessa, Texas in 1976, it offers gorgeous writing, memorable characters, and profound commentary on what it's like to be a woman. I recommend it to all. (5 stars)

Fair Warning by Michael Connelly
Connelly is my favorite mystery writer, and Fair Warning brings back reporter Jack McEvoy for the first time in ten years. Full review to come around its publication date (May 26th!), but Connelly delivered another phenomenal read. Pre-order it from an independent bookstore or Amazon now. (5 stars)

Want to read for yourself? Order from an independent bookstore, Book of the Month (for many of these titles!), or Amazon.

As an affiliate, I receive a small commission when you make a purchase through any of the above links. Thank you for helping to support my book habits that bring more content to this blog!