I had a fun and productive reading month in April, participating in Dewey’s 24-hour readathon and finding two 5-star reads from new-to-me authors. Let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 8

Physical books: 6

2025 releases: 4

BOTM: 2

Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen (5 stars) – This book was FANTASTIC. I loved Bob on RuPaul’s Drag Race; he was consistently hilarious and quick with comebacks. I had no idea that he was also a fiction writer, and an extremely skilled one at that. This book has a creative premise but a very human message, drifting between the broad and fabulist and the deep and personal effortlessly. I’ve been recommending the crap out of it, particularly the audio, ever since I finished it.

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler (5 stars) – This was such a fun and hilarious fantasy read that takes on tropes head-on, with both humor and heart. There weren’t any dull moments; I loved the writing style with footnotes; Davi is an addicting main character to read about. I can’t wait for the sequel, which luckily comes out very soon.

The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica (4 stars) – So far my least favorite of Bazterrica’s works, but it’s a high bar. The Unworthy is a dark, disturbing, and fascinating post-apocalyptic horror that’s well-written and absorbing; it was a great pick for a readathon as it’s short and intense.

The Chase by Elle Kennedy (4 stars) – My second Elle Kennedy contemporary college sports romance of the year, this one featuring a Legally Blonde-esque plotline alongside the opposites-attract romance. Her writing style is addicting and fun, and this one did tackle heavier topics as well. I immediately started another after finishing.

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer (4 stars) – This was an interesting and unexpected portal fantasy featuring two boys, now adult men, who were lost for months as teenagers in a national park and reunite to help a girl find her missing sister. I didn’t predict where the story was going and enjoyed how it played out.

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao (4 stars) – This was a very dreamlike book with various fantastical places and people connected by a thread of a quest that the main character is following. The stakes are high but it still feels surreal; I thought it was lovely but could have used a bit more grounding at times.

The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar (4 stars) – This was a great readathon read, a fantasy novella featuring fairies and the bond between sisters and emphasizing the power of love both familial and romantic. It was well-written and enjoyable, but lacked the unique freshness of the author’s first novel, This is How You Lose the Time War.

The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar (4 stars) – This was a difficult and disturbing science fiction novella featuring a rigid and horrifying class structure employed on spaceships, and the child who grows to challenge it.

I’m late with my May reading wrap-up, but I was determined to still make it happen. I read some really interesting and great books this month with a fun mix of genres; let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 8

2025 releases: 3

Physical books: 4

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood (5 stars) – Ali Hazelwood never misses for me. So many of her books have been in the 5-star range because I just enjoy the crap out of them, and Not in Love was no exception. I think reading it this year was good timing, since one of her upcoming releases features a spin-off with a romance between two side characters; I loved both leads and their dynamics, as well as her continual focus on women in STEM. So excited to have more to read from her soon.

How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States by Daniel Immerwahr (4 stars) – This nonfiction book was EXTREMELY informative; I can’t tell you how much I learned, and how much was glossed over in other tellings of American history. It made me embarrassed for being so ignorant of the history of American colonialism, and I was continually telling friends and family facts from this book that I feel like everyone needs to know. It is dense, long, and information-heavy, but it obviously has a lot to say.

Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake (4 stars) – This was a really good Sapphic contemporary romance between a movie star and a local fashion designer that I enjoyed the heck out of; it’s my favorite book from this author since Delilah Green, and I definitely recommend it. It had a good mix of small-town and Hollywood vibes, with a sweet romance and well-drawn main characters.

Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang (4 stars) – This was a really interesting fabulist read featuring a mysterious Goop-esque beauty company and how it treats its employees, but it also is a down-to-earth look at the main character’s extremely difficult life and financial struggles. It also features a Sapphic romance and eerie mystery; I’m interested to read more from this author.

The Thrashers by Julie Soto (4 stars) – This was a really fun surprise for me! YA thrillers just aren’t a genre I gravitate towards; the only one I can remember ever reading was Sadie, but this book, with its toxic friendship dynamics and central mystery, kept me hooked. I also loved the ending and feel like it sets up nicely for a sequel that I have no idea whether it will get or not, but I’ll keep reading Julie Soto for sure regardless.

Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco (4 stars) – I had to DNF this author’s YA series set in this same world, but had much better luck with her adult debut, which is a romantasy between the demon Prince of Envy and an artist living in pseudo-Regency England who reluctantly team up for a magical competition with extremely high stakes. It was a fun read with a lot of twists and no shortage of plot, despite focusing on romance; I plan to continue with this series.

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu (4 stars) – This classic lesbian vampire novel has been on my list for awhile; it’s a very short read and I found the writing engaging despite the fact that it’s an older book. I was fully absorbed while reading it and recommend it to those, like me, who are fans of lesbian vampires.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (3.5 stars) – Unfortunately a disappointment for me coming from Emily Henry; not her worst book for me (that dubious dishonor goes to Happy Place), but I really wish it had worked better for me. I think it’s great for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which I liked but didn’t love, and I do think the present-day romance suffered due to the emphasis on the past storyline, which I found more interesting.

I had a great reading month in March, which encompassed the end of my vacation and crazy return to work. I even picked up 2 books in the 5-star range; let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 8

2025 releases: 3

Physical books: 4

New-to-me authors: 3

BOTM: 2

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin (4.5 stars) – This was a short but impactful book about mental health and complicated family dynamics; the audiobook was very strong, and the structure of how the story was told made its messaging even sharper. It’s definitely my favorite book from this author out of her three.

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (4.5 stars) – I’ve been meaning to pick this one up ever since Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird made my best books of 2024 list, and it was just as unsettling, disturbing, and creative as I expected. This author really understands how to creep out and unsettle a reader while making important points about society, and I’m planning to read her newest novel, The Unworthy, in the near future.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (4 stars) – I haven’t been doing a great job reading books my brother recommends to me (mainly because I’m not wild about the idea of picking up a 1,000-plus page Brandon Sanderson book when the only book I’ve read from him so far was just OK for me), and I wanted to start to remedy that this year. He absolutely loved Project Hail Mary, and I had enjoyed The Martian when I read it years ago, so I thought this was a better recommendation. And I really enjoyed it! The friendship between the two main characters was especially great, and I really appreciated the emotional and unexpected ending. It reminded me that I enjoy the humor and science-heavy approach to Andy Weir’s books, and might even pick up another.

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green (4 stars) – I certainly wasn’t expecting John Green’s next book to be another nonfiction, and he covers a very important and often overlooked crisis in this work. I’m a healthcare provider, however, so this book maybe wasn’t as informative for me as it might be for other readers. I do think it was well-written and about a topic that could use more attention.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (4 stars) – Despite being a huge Hunger Games fan, I actually never read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (I just wasn’t super interested in a young President Snow). I definitely knew I needed to know more about Haymitch’s story, however, and his story was somehow even more devastating than I’d imagined. It provided a lot of context and insight into so many characters, and was emotionally gutting.

Night Beast by Ruth Joffre (4 stars) – I’ve had this short story collection on my TBR shelf for years, and I was glad to have finally picked it up. I enjoyed several of the stories, particularly the more speculative ones, and also that all of the stories featured bi or Sapphic protagonists. I did expect more of a fabulism element to be present throughout, however; I think the cover influenced me in that direction.

The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton (4 stars) – This historical fantasy romance from a new-to-me author was much funnier than I expected it to be, while having a fun and madcap plot and enjoyable romance. I think I’ll likely pick up the sequel.

Dungeons & Drama by Kristy Boyce (3 stars) – This was a cute YA contemporary that was just OK for me; I think readers that gravitate more towards YA would probably enjoy it more than I did.

I finished out my 2024 reading with some excellent books, including a great mix of genres and re-reads. There were also several reads that were good and I rated 4 stars, but were disappointing because I was hoping for 5s. Let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 11

2024 releases: 5

Re-reads: 2

Nonfiction: 2

Holiday romances: 2

Reviews

Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Healthcare by Uche Blackstock, M. D. (5 stars) – As someone who works in healthcare, I think this should be required reading; it’s a combination of memoir and discussion about both the history and present of racism in medicine. It’s excellently written, both emotional and informative, and I highly recommend it.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (5 stars) (re-read) – It’s been many years since I last revisited The Hunger Games, but hearing about the upcoming Haymitch novel put the idea in my head and I couldn’t get it out. It holds up so well on re-read, even so many years later.

Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future by Jason Stanley (4.5 stars) – An extremely relevant and informative nonfiction book. I’d definitely read more from this author.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (4.5 stars) (re-read) – I maintain my ranking on re-read, which means that I do think The Hunger Games is a stronger book than its sequel, but it’s still excellent.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman (4 stars) – This modern classic has become buzzy recently, and I’m not going to lie, I was hoping for a slam-dunk 5-star read. Although I did appreciate the interesting premise and writing style, it didn’t quite resonate for me the way I was hoping.

The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka (4 stars) – A short but strong historical fiction novel told in collective voice that I really appreciated, despite not normally being a historical fiction reader.

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison (4 stars) – I love Rachel Harrison, and I love vampires, so my hopes for her newest release were extremely high. I definitely enjoyed the read, but something was missing for me compared to some of her previous works like Cackle and Such Sharp Teeth.

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer (4 stars) – This was a quite fun and funny romantasy read that I enjoyed more than I expected to; I’m planning to pick up the sequel in 2025.

Funny Story by Emily Henry (4 stars) – Another book I was hoping to love but ended up liking. The romance wasn’t nearly as strong as other Emily Henry books for me.

Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey (3.5 stars) – This was a very fun, New Years-centric holiday romance featuring a marriage of convenience.

I’ll Get Back to You by Becca Grischow (3.5 stars) – This was a cute college-age holiday romance that was a fun read for this time of year.

Stats

Total books read: 12 (!)

2024 releases: 11

Holiday romances: 6

Cruel Winter With You by Ali Hazelwood (5 stars) – This month I found myself reading all 5 of the novellas in the Under the Mistletoe collection from Kindle Unlimited, which was a fun surprise of Christmas-themed contemporary romances from 5 authors I’ve previously read and enjoyed. Ali Hazelwood’s was my clear favorite; she made me care so much about these characters in such a short amount of time and become completely invested in their love story. She just does such a great job of creating characters that are completely obsessed with one another in a way it’s impossible for me not to root for. I think I’d enjoy this one as a full-length novel as well, but it was great as a novella.

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett (4.75 stars) – It took me much longer than I anticipated to pick up the sequel to one of my favorite reads from last year, but it was extremely satisfying and just as well-written as its predecessor. I love Emily as a main character so much, and two new side characters joined for this book’s adventure, which definitely set it apart from book 1. I can’t wait for the next book in early 2025.

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (4.5 stars) – This is a nonfiction book I think everyone needs to read. Heart-wrenching, infuriating, informative, and emotional. I have so much respect for Bryan Stevenson and the work that he does, and I’m so grateful that he shared these stories with us.

Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur (4 stars) – My second-favorite of the Under the Mistletoe novella series, I felt like this was a bit of a departure from Alexandria Bellefleur, but I loved the dynamic between the main characters. Definitely recommend.

A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall (4 stars) – An extremely creative and absorbing epistolary novel set in a world almost completely covered by water, and featuring two people looking into the mysterious deaths of their siblings, who had formed a romantic and intellectual bond before their disappearances in an explosion. I was fascinated by this one, and surprisingly found the audiobook to be excellent, with a full cast narration. I’ll be interested to pick up the sequel even though I assumed it was a standalone when I bought it.

The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch (4 stars) – A very cute and different fantasy take on a Christmas romance, featuring the princes of Christmas and Halloween falling in love in a world where holidays have their own royal courts, subjects, and even tabloids that are hidden from the mundane world.

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston (3.75 stars) – A romance reader finds herself mysteriously stranded in the small town from her favorite series in this contemporary fantasy romance. I enjoyed the meta takes on romance, as well as the main character’s journey and the backstory of the romance series she and her friends fell in love with. I think it’s a difficult task to get real life readers invested in a town based on a book series that doesn’t actually exist, but Poston did manage it.

Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese (3.5 stars) – After loving Liese’s first book in this series, Two Wrongs Make a Right, I had high expectations for its follow-up. Unfortunately, some things just didn’t work for me quite as well, including the mean treatment of the heroine by the hero and the fact that he’s an older brother figure who knew her as a young child.

Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey (3.5 stars) – This was a sweet and spicy entry in the Under the Mistletoe series that seems to really not be vibing with most readers, but I enjoyed it.

Daydream by Hannah Grace (3 stars) – This was my first time reading anything from this BookTok sensation author, and I wasn’t blown away; the book felt far too long and I had trouble keeping all of the side characters straight. Part of that might be my fault, since I didn’t read the first two books in the series, but I also wasn’t as invested in the romance as I’d expect from a book where that’s the central theme.

Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria (3 stars) – This was a cute contemporary romance featuring neighbors with secret crushes on one another, which finally comes to a head at the building Christmas party. I think I was just looking for a bit more depth from the characters.

All by My Elf by Olivia Dade (3 stars) – I wouldn’t say that I actively disliked any of the Under the Mistletoe novellas, but this was probably my least favorite. It involves the main characters getting snowed in in their work vehicle, which is honestly more of a dangerous issue where I live than a romantic opportunity, and the romance just didn’t work that well for me.

Stats

Total books read: 9

BOTM: 1

eARCs: 1

2024 releases: 6

Fall vibes reads: 6

Reviews

Elizabeth of East Hampton by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding (4.5 stars) – I absolutely love a Pride and Prejudice retelling; it’s one of the few stories that for me never gets old. After reading and loving Emma of East 83rd Street last year, I was so excited to see that Elizabeth was up next. The original story’s characters, plot, and themes are all translated into a modern Hamptons setting effortlessly and in a way that makes perfect sense and creates excellent fun; Mr. Wickham as a Fyre Festival-esque scammer was a particularly great touch. The central romance had all of the tension and banter that we’ve come to expect, but was still contemporary enough to feel fresh. I also enjoyed the appearance of Emma and Knightley from book 1, as well as hints that book 3 will be based on Persuasion.

I received an eARC of Elizabeth of East Hampton from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. However, I loved it enough that I also purchased myself a physical copy.

Bride by Ali Hazelwood (4 stars) – Ali Hazelwood does an excellent job with coming through with a great read. Although I didn’t love Bride as much as her contemporary romance novels (three of which I’ve rated in the 5-star️ range), this paranormal romance still delivered on the chemistry, tropes, and addictive writing style that makes me want to pick up anything she writes. The worldbuilding wasn’t as strong as I’d have liked, but I still enjoyed the heck out of it, and I do hope she comes out with a sequel romance starring the side characters that was hinted about at the end.

Graveyard Shift by M. L. Rio (4 stars) – Since If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio is solidly on my list of favorite books, I was always going to pick up whatever she wrote next. I wasn’t expecting a multiple perspective horror novella that takes place over a single night, but I thoroughly enjoyed Graveyard Shift nonetheless. The moments I was able to pick up this book during my brief Italy trip remain some of my favorites.

The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda (4 stars) – This YA contemporary mystery about two teens working on a podcast centered around their town’s darkest period was absorbing and an easy listen on audiobook, but didn’t necessarily blow me away.

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston (4 stars) – The Pairing was a great book to read right as I was leaving on a trip to Europe; it flows through France, Spain, and Italy on a food and wine tour that had me reminiscing about featured places I’ve been to and stoking excitement about places still on my travel goals list. It’s a very sweet second chance romance between two people who are very deeply in love with and obsessed with one another, and I thought the audio was performed very well with the many accents and frequent dialogue in other languages.

Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis (4 stars) – Dreadful was a satirical and humorous take on fantasy featuring an amnesiac evil wizard who doesn’t actually want to be evil now that his memories are gone; a resourceful kidnapped princess; scarier, evil-er wizards that are also more than they appear; adaptable townsfolk figuring out how to eke out a living in the shadow of a malevolent castle; less than bright heroes; and a background cast of delightful goblins. I love fantasy that interrogates and questions the tropes and conventions of the genre while turning them on their heads, and therefore found this a very fun read.

Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree (4 stars) – I enjoyed returning to the adventures of Viv the orc in this cozy fantasy prequel; for me this as well as Legends & Lattes were definitely enjoyable reads but didn’t necessary strike as impactful a chord as they seem to with many readers.

A Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis (3.5 stars) – This YA contemporary mystery about two teens working on a podcast centered around their town’s darkest period was absorbing and an easy listen on audiobook, but didn’t necessarily blow me away.

Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann (3 stars) – This contemporary paranormal romance had a lot of potential, but unfortunately the writing, and therefore the characters and plot, fell flat for me. I liked the premise and early aspects of the mystery, but ultimately this didn’t work well for me.