This was supposed to go up last Friday, but apparently my scheduled post never posted and I just realized it so... here's a slightly delayed April wrap-up!
While March was the longest month ever, April seemed to just speed by somehow. When I look back on it, I can see that it was busy month, so I'm guessing that's why it felt so quick, but I'm feeling genuinely shocked that it's already May(!). How are you all doing so far in May?
In personal news... nothing much to report! April has been another hectic month and I sometimes feel like I'm barely hanging in there, haha--but honestly, I think that's how a lot of us having been feeling lately. Also, our healthcare/medical system still sucks, but what else is new?
In reading news, April was a very stop and go month for me. I read a lot of great books in bursts and also had some mini reading slumps here and there. But overall, I definitely can't complain! Some highlights would be When the Wolf Comes Home, Empire of Silence, and Dreambound. I've fallen a bit behind on April and May ARCs so I'm trying to catch up, but May is going to be another busy month so let's just keep our fingers crossed I can find the time to devour some books. I managed to read some books I've been meaning to read for a number of years, so that always feels really satisfying.
How was your April and what books have you been reading? Let me know how your month was below and what you've been reading!
# books read: 13
When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy ★★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: Nat Cassidy is truly a gem in the horror genre and this book was no exception. I listened to the audiobook version and honestly struggled to metaphorically put it down because I was so captivated.
Thoughts: Nat Cassidy is truly a gem in the horror genre and this book was no exception. I listened to the audiobook version and honestly struggled to metaphorically put it down because I was so captivated.
The Indian Card: Who Gets to Be Native in America by Carrie Schuettpelz ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: This was so informative and honestly a must-read for understanding Native American identity and how it has developed, is perceived, and more within the United States.
Thoughts: This was so informative and honestly a must-read for understanding Native American identity and how it has developed, is perceived, and more within the United States.
The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig ★★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: This felt like a very classic Chuck Wendig horror book, which basically means it was a fantastic one with some intense topics and ideas explored. I just posted my review for this one this past week.
Thoughts: This felt like a very classic Chuck Wendig horror book, which basically means it was a fantastic one with some intense topics and ideas explored. I just posted my review for this one this past week.
Dreambound by Dan Frey ★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: I've been wanting to read this for ages (and especially since reading Tammy from BooksBonesandBuffy's review for it) and it was so good and absolutely lived up to what I was hoping for. I love stories like this, LA settings, and just the general storytelling elements at play here.
Thoughts: I've been wanting to read this for ages (and especially since reading Tammy from BooksBonesandBuffy's review for it) and it was so good and absolutely lived up to what I was hoping for. I love stories like this, LA settings, and just the general storytelling elements at play here.
Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: This and The Brothers Karamazov are the two main works by Dostoevsky that I'd yet to read, so I was excited to get to this one. I really liked Notes from the Underground and it reminded me how much I've enjoyed Dostoevsky's work in the past. I'm hoping to read The Brothers Karamazov finally sometime soon!
Thoughts: This and The Brothers Karamazov are the two main works by Dostoevsky that I'd yet to read, so I was excited to get to this one. I really liked Notes from the Underground and it reminded me how much I've enjoyed Dostoevsky's work in the past. I'm hoping to read The Brothers Karamazov finally sometime soon!
Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was a really unique noir/fantasy/future-y story that I honestly just had a great time exploring. It wasn't the most compelling story I've ever read, but I appreciated the writing and setting.
Thoughts: This was a really unique noir/fantasy/future-y story that I honestly just had a great time exploring. It wasn't the most compelling story I've ever read, but I appreciated the writing and setting.
The Great When (The Long London Quintet, #1) by Alan Moore ★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I finally got around to reading this one, and I have to say that of Alan Moore's prose works, this was probably one of the most accessible! I actually really liked this one, and I'm eager for more.
Thoughts: I finally got around to reading this one, and I have to say that of Alan Moore's prose works, this was probably one of the most accessible! I actually really liked this one, and I'm eager for more.
Taiwan Travelogue by Shuāng-zǐ Yáng ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: For some reason, I didn't expect this book to be 75% food descriptions, but that's what it felt like! I enjoyed this, but if you like food--like, really love food--then you should check this one out.
Thoughts: For some reason, I didn't expect this book to be 75% food descriptions, but that's what it felt like! I enjoyed this, but if you like food--like, really love food--then you should check this one out.
Empire of Silence (Sun Eater, #1) by Christopher Ruocchio ★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I finally managed to read this one and it was a blast. It definitely gives me classic epic space opera vibes (it really feels like epic fantasy, but sci-fi) and I'm completely here for it. I'm especially loving all the ancient history lore/archaeological aspects that add so much depth to this world and its background.
Thoughts: I finally managed to read this one and it was a blast. It definitely gives me classic epic space opera vibes (it really feels like epic fantasy, but sci-fi) and I'm completely here for it. I'm especially loving all the ancient history lore/archaeological aspects that add so much depth to this world and its background.
Deadstream by Mar Romasco-Moore ★★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I thought this was a pretty fun YA horror/thriller. Reviews aren't overly excited about this one, but I thought it was a really solid addition to the social media/internet horror type genre (I can't remember if there's a name for this?) and I'd heavily compare it to the Unfriended movies, but more focused on the streaming world. The ending was dumb, I'll admit, but it was entertaining enough, and honestly that's all I ask of YA these days since I so rarely read it.
The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom, #1) by Rachel Gillig ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This is probably another one of the most highly anticipated fantasy releases of this year and I thought it was a solid read, though not a new favorite. I definitely liked One Dark Window more, but this seems like a series that has a lot of potential and I'll definitely continue to see what's next.
Thoughts: This is probably another one of the most highly anticipated fantasy releases of this year and I thought it was a solid read, though not a new favorite. I definitely liked One Dark Window more, but this seems like a series that has a lot of potential and I'll definitely continue to see what's next.
The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I haven't read a Marie Benedict book in a while, so I thought I'd give this one a go, and I have to say it wasn't my favorite of hers. It's still a nice little mystery of sorts, though.
Thoughts: I haven't read a Marie Benedict book in a while, so I thought I'd give this one a go, and I have to say it wasn't my favorite of hers. It's still a nice little mystery of sorts, though.
Hammajang Luck by Makan Yamamoto ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I started this book back in February, I think, but then my library hold ran out and I had to return it, and I finally got it back in April to finish, so my reading experience has been a little disjointed, but overall this was a solid heist novel. Nothing I'd really say was overly spectacular, but there's some good writing.
Thoughts: I started this book back in February, I think, but then my library hold ran out and I had to return it, and I finally got it back in April to finish, so my reading experience has been a little disjointed, but overall this was a solid heist novel. Nothing I'd really say was overly spectacular, but there's some good writing.
To-Be-Finished:
None! (that I can recall, at least)
Happy Bunny and Other Mischiefs by Rebecca Gransden
Pay the Piper: A Novella of Utter Speculation by Sarah Connell
The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
Pay the Piper: A Novella of Utter Speculation by Sarah Connell
The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
Posts:
Month in Review: March 2025
Blog Tour + Excerpt: Their Monstrous Hearts by Yiğit Turhan
Blog Tour + Excerpt: Midnight in Soap Lake by Matthew Sullivan
Anticipated May 2025 Releases
Blog Tour + Excerpt: Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker
Blog Tour + Excerpt: Their Monstrous Hearts by Yiğit Turhan
Blog Tour + Excerpt: Midnight in Soap Lake by Matthew Sullivan
Anticipated May 2025 Releases
Blog Tour + Excerpt: Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker
Blog Memes:
Can't-Wait Wednesday:
4/2: Esperance by Adam Oyebanji & The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling
4/9: Awake in the Floating City by Susanna Kwan, Overgrowth by Mira Grant, & The Sword Triumphant by Gareth Hanrahan
4/16: Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi, Written on the Dark by Guy Gavriel Kay, & A Letter from the Lonesome Shore by Sylvia Cathrall
4/23: The Devil Three Times by Rickey Fayne & The Incandescent by Emily Tesh
4/30: The Night Birds by Christopher Golden & The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
4/2: Esperance by Adam Oyebanji & The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling
4/9: Awake in the Floating City by Susanna Kwan, Overgrowth by Mira Grant, & The Sword Triumphant by Gareth Hanrahan
4/16: Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi, Written on the Dark by Guy Gavriel Kay, & A Letter from the Lonesome Shore by Sylvia Cathrall
4/23: The Devil Three Times by Rickey Fayne & The Incandescent by Emily Tesh
4/30: The Night Birds by Christopher Golden & The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
