Books Read in April:  18

Books Read for the Year: 67/175

Topical Books/Monthly Goal Books:

That Hideous Strength, by C.S. Lewis (classic). While I enjoyed the first two books in The Space Trilogy, this was a bit too much talking-heads to me. Or maybe I just wasn’t paying close enough attention.

I Declare War: Four Keys to Winning the Battle with Yourself, by Levi Lusko (spiritual). After hearing him speak last month, I was excited to read this book about beating the bad habits you don’t want to do anymore.

The Lost Girls of Paris, by Pam Jenoff (cultural). This is about female spies during WWII, and what happened to them.

Girl, Stop Apologizing, by Rachel Hollis (nonfiction). I love Hollis’ voice!

Two Princes of Summer, by Nissa Leder (from the TBR pile). Please see the “Left Unfinished” section.

For Review:

The Girl He Used to Know, by Tracey Garvis Graves. Ten years ago, Annika Rose and Jonathan had a relationship. But Annika isn’t like other people. She doesn’t like people, and she doesn’t know how to talk to them or how to interpret what they mean. Now that she’s run into Jonathan again, can she show him she’s different than she used to be? This is a solid read from the viewpoint of a character that looks at the world so differently…and knows it.

The Devouring Grey, by Christine Lynn Herman. I thoroughly enjoyed this dark—very dark—modern YA fantasy. Everybody in this book has issues. Serious issues. And mysteries and secrets abound.

Little Lovely Things, by Maureen Joyce Connolly. Not for the faint of heart or anyone who is disturbed by violence involving children. Claire is driving her two children to daycare when she is overcome by sickness and has to pull into a gas station. She wakes up later on the floor of the bathroom…with her car and her daughters gone. The police have no clues, but Claire is convinced her daughters are alive…but the tragedy may destroy everything in her life. Emotional read.

The Fifteen Wonders of Daniel Green, by Erica Boyce. When a dying farmer pays a secret group to make a crop circle and bring attention to a dying farm town, the artist finds himself drawn into the family’s lives. This was an interesting, rather magical read.

The Mother-in-law, by Sally Hepworth. Why does the mother-in-law always have to be the villain? Well…Lucy and Diana never got along, but now Diana is dead, and Lucy—and the rest of the family—is a suspect.

Redwoods and Whales, by Phil Joel. Loved this read about stepping into the identity God has for you, and looking at life for yourself, not the way everyone else does.

Brief Chronicles of Another Stupid Heartbreak, by Adi Alsaid. When Lu’s boyfriend breaks up with her, writer’s block sets in for the relationship journalist, and she’s on the verge of losing her scholarship. Then she meets Cal and Iris, who plan to end their relationship at the end of summer, and is fascinated, and determined to write about them, slowly finding herself drawn into their dynamics.

A Pack of Blood and Lies, by Olivia Wildenstein. This is a solid read about an all-male pack of werewolves, and the girl who dares to challenge the status quo.

One Summer in Paris, by Sarah Morgan. Grace intends to surprise her husband with a trip to Paris for their 25th anniversary. Instead, he wants a divorce, so she goes to Paris alone, lost in memories of the past. She meets Audrey, on her own for the first time, and keeping secrets about her family as she refuses to let anyone close. The friendship between Grace and Audrey teaches them both important lessons. I’ve never had any desire to visit Paris, but this book made me reconsider. A wonderful read!

Getting Hot with the Scot, by Melonie Johnson.  On the trip of a lifetime, Cassie meets a hot Scottish Highlander in a kilt and soon finds herself in more than a one-night-stand.

Belly Up,  by Eva Darrows. An unexpected pregnancy at 16 changes Serendipity’s whole life and brings people into her life she can’t imagine being without. Love the friendships in this book.

Only Ever Her, by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen (review forthcoming). The small-town feel of this is spot-on, but I found most of the characters disagreeable at best, and didn’t really care why Annie had gone missing.

Romanov, by Nadine Brandes (review forthcoming). This fictionalized tale of Anastasia Romanov and her family was completely engrossing, and I highly recommend it.

Just Because:

Rosie’s Traveling Tea Shop, by Rebecca Raisin. Can we talk about how much I love this book? SO. MUCH.

Left Unfinished:

Two Princes of Summer, by Nissa Leder. Beautiful cover that definitely made me want to read this. But…I quit at the 20% mark. Scarlett’s mother committed suicide, and now she’s grieving. Believable. Mentioning how everyone—including her—thought her mother was crazy for seeing things over and over and over…makes the impact completely disappear. Scarlett, while drunk, goes into another realm with Cade, whom she basically doesn’t know…and doesn’t even question this decision. And Cade is a little rape-y for my taste, thank you very much. Raith was moderately interesting, but not enough to make me continue reading. Thanks, but no thanks.

Tinfoil Crowns, by Erin Jones. The MC was just entirely to self-obsessed for me. I read about 10%, but I couldn’t put up with her narcissism anymore.

 

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