April Book List (Day 120, Year 3)

Another month of reading has come and gone, friends! When this month started, I was finishing up "Things We Hide from the Light" by Lucy Score. That book, for as light as it was, took forever to read. It was also very, very, very "adult." There were so many sex scenes that I was completely desensitized to thrusting and pulsating midway through. 

I wonder if anyone will report me to Facebook for writing "thrusting and pulsating." 

Anyway, once I finally finished the book, I jumped into a month of two favorite genres: romantic comedies and crime/suspense novels. I read 6 boxes in total this month; finishing the last one today to tie up the month in a tidy little bow! 

I am not sure what I'll read in May--the beach read books are starting to be released and I start graduate school (HURRAH!) in May. I have a stack of medical memoirs to read, so I might dive into those to get my head in the science writing game. Although, I am sure I won't be able to resist the newest Emily Henry book or a quick Freida McFadden thriller. 

But for now, here's what I read in April:

1. One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

I enjoyed the writing in this book. I also related to the story of a woman navigating intense grief. But, I felt like I don't; understand the book at all--there was a required suspension of reality necessary to accept the "magic" that was happening and then suddenly the "magic" ended and I felt a little duped. I don't know if I'd recommend this book to a friend.

2. None of This Would Have Happened If Prince Were Alive by Carolyn Prusa

This was recommended by a friend and I loved it! The sense of humor was on point and made me laugh out loud several times. The story takes place as a hurricane is coming, features a mom who works for people who are tone deaf to the reality of life and has lots of madcap complications. It was a light read with many surprisingly meaningful moments and commentary on what it is like to juggle it all as a mother. 

3. Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld 

Every once in a while, I read an author, love their book and then forget about them. Then, I rediscover them and all the books they've written during the time I had forgotten! It is such a gift and this is what happened with Curtis Sittenfeld (who also authored Prep). I loved Romantic Comedy--I laughed, I joined all the narratives explaining how the main characters live worked as a writer for a fictional Saturday Night Live. I also enjoyed the positioning of the pandemic in the midst of this romcom--instead of glossing over what was such a major event in all our lives. This is a fabulous read! 

4. The Inmate by Freida McFadden

I love a quick thriller by McFadden. These books are full of holes; sometimes the tone of the writing is a bit casual and rustic; but I am always entertained and happy to be devouring one of her thrillers. This one had a lot of enjoyable confusion and a twisty end--the perfect elements for a quick, yummy read!

5. Where Are the Children Now? by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke

I reviewed this earlier in the month because Mary Higgins Clark is such a favorite writer of mine. I love the crime-cop-thriller genre and I love it when it is written in a woman's voice. Male authors are great--don't get me wrong--but I so identify with a woman's voice. This was an excellent read and if you've never read the original "Where are the children?" go read that and then this. You won't be disappointed. 

6. Find Me by Alafair Burke

I jumped into this book because I was on crime-cop kick. This book was very well written and Burke did a great job of dropping in very critical details while also distracting the reader with details that were dead ends. I figured out the book pretty early on; but I stick enjoyed how the story unfolded and being able to prove my theory on whodunit.