April Reads Recap 2024
April was a hot mess. I had more DNF books than I had finished. For those of you not immersed in “book-tok” language culture, I did not finish SEVEN of the books I started. Tragic.
DNF:
“Dear Henry, Love Edith” by Becca Kinzer - The audiobook narrator’s voice was piercing and unbearable.
“The Family Remains” by Lisa Jewell - This isn’t advertised but it’s the 2nd book in a series. I’ll come back to it.
“Centra Park West” by James Comey - The audiobook narrator was a no for me.
“Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis - Despite the fact that this is a collection of radio appearances, I couldn’t focus on the audiobook. I have this as a hard copy and plan to read it soon.
“Winter Street” by Elin Hilderbrand - I like this author. I was rolling my eyes through the first two chapters. It was Hallmark-cheesy at best. After discussing with another reader, I decided to DNF.
“The Last Housewife” by Ashley Winstead - Incredibly dark and wildly sadistic. DNF within a few chapters.
“The Dinner List” by Rebeca Serle - Too whimsical to be read as a book. Tried the audiobook as well and I couldn’t handle the author’s voice. I was confused by the plot jumping all over the place and I was annoyed by the fantasy aspect. I have enjoyed other books by this author so I was a bit disappointed.
Let’s get into the books I ACTUALLY read.
The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell
Simply incredible. Languae and mature content warning. I devoured this book in 3 days. Lisa jewell has a way with words and characters that brought me to tears. I felt as if I was in the house, in every stage and in every sense. Intertwining timelines and perspectives was done magnificently. What a raw look at the complexity of generational trauma, mental illnesses, enablement and breaking the cycle. In its tragedy, I saw hope and found comfort in how it can be ok, even when it’s not ok at all. I cannot wait to read everything else L.J. has to offer.
Upstate by Kalisha Buckhanon
Libby suggested this audiobook and I enjoyed it… enough. I had to mute it often as the characters threw around slurs and explicit language quite often. I understand why they did and there was an aspect to the character development that wouldn’t have been quite right without those particular vocabulary choices. I wouldn’t say this book was fantastic by any means, it was just entertaining enough to listen to. I probably wouldn’t recommend.
Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings
Gossip Girl vibes meets London? I love it. Magnolia is totally a Serena, in my opinion and I’m loving this in my 20’s just as much as I loved watching GG for the first time in high school. It’s definitely got a teenage rom-com feel, but with more adult themes and content. It’s definitely an adult book but I do appreciate the fact that she doesn’t go into wildly descriptive detail, unlike a lot of romance authors. I wouldn’t say it’s fully closed-door, but it’s definitely not wide open and in the sheets. Now I will say, I understand now, having read the 2nd book as well, why people don’t love this first one as much as the others. I can definitely say they just keep getting better and Hastings matures in her writing and expands the storyline and character development even more in Daisy Haites. Just go ahead and place a hold on the entire series because once you start, you will fly through these books!
Live No Lies by John Mark Comer
Technically, I DNF’d this audiobook. Not because I wanted to, but because Libby returned it and I thought I had another day. Honestly, the waitlist was too long so I’m calling it as I only had a chapter left. The concept is great, the reader’s (author’s) voice was pleasant, but I just found myself very bored. I think it’s because the content was a little bit repetitive and it wasn’t anything revolutionary or something I hadn’t heard before in a sermon. I found myself bored to the point where it took me the full two week lending period to listen and I still did not finish it. I did give it two stars because to anyone who isn’t necessarily a Christian, or who hasn’t grown up in the church, or maybe who is struggling with merging faith and politics, this would be an insightful read
Daisy Haites by Jessa Hastings
I am hooked on Jessa Hastings. I loved the three perspectives this time, instead of just two like the first book. I already have the next 3 on hold because I raced through this book. I truly love who Hastings chose at the counter-storyline for this series. I never would have suspected Daisy (while reading the first book) until I started reading Daisy Haines and absolutely fell for her. I kept having to remind myself that they’re literally a crime family and I need to not love the characters. The ending frankly pissed me off, but I think that might be Hastings thing because it’s keeping me coming back for more.