Books I Read in April 2021

Somehow I read 20 books in April. Most of them were audiobooks and I only read four physical books. If I didn’t do audiobooks, I won’t read as many books as I do. So, thank you audiobooks!

This post contains affiliate links.

Book of The Month Picks

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev was one of my March Book of the Month selections. I chose it because it was recommended to fans of Daisy Jones & The Six, which I loved reading.

In short, it was a story about rock ‘n’ roll and Black feminism. The novel is written from multiple viewpoints and is pretty literary. I ended up listening to the audiobook instead of reading the book because I heard it was a full cast recording.

Overall, I think I will give this novel 3.5/5 stars (rounding up to 4 stars on Goodreads) for being slow in some parts. But I loved the way it was written and the many complicated characters. It’s a little bit of historical fiction, racial tensions, sexual tensions, and music.

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

I both liked and disliked this novel. In The Lost Apothecary, we are introduced to three different characters: two women and a child. The storyline goes between the present day and the past, revolving around the events of an apothecary. However, I expected so much more from this book. I thought there would be more magical elements, and Caroline’s modern-day POV was mainly dull.

I would still recommend this novel because of the other two characters. However, that is where the true story lies. If Caroline’s part was deleted from the storyline, I think the author could have explored the storyline of Nella and Eliza more deeply. I almost feel like we were given just the surface of the story.

The Hunting Wives by May Cobb

I read this book in two days over a weekend. It was an easy, fun read that hooked me from the beginning. In short, The Hunting Wives follows Sophie, a stay-at-home mom who just moved to a small Texas town with her husband and son. Sophie is trying to find her purpose after leaving her career. When she meets a local socialite, Margot, Sophie is determined to become friends with Margot and join the clique known as the Hunting Wives. Unfortunately, Sophie finds herself way over her head and starts to make decisions that threaten her family life. Then, one night, a teenage girl is found dead, and Sophie finds herself stuck in the middle of the investigation.

As a new mom that once moved from a larger to a smaller town, I identified with Sophie and her need to try and fit in. Not only is this a quick, easy read with twists and turns leading to the murderer, but the social commentary about moms and female friendships is also spot on. I could see myself and some moms that I knew in these characters.

If you’re a fan of real housewives, murder investigations, and moms trying to find themselves, check this book out.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

I loved Beach Read by Emily Henry. So when I saw her new novel was available early through book of the month, I added the book to my box with excitement.

If you loved traveling and missed it through the pandemic, you’ll probably like this book because this book takes you around the world. People We Meet On Vacation is a typical romcom that reminds me of the movie When Henry meets Sally. It’s a will they or won’t they romance and even if the storyline is a tad predictable, the characters are worth getting to know. They are well developed, witty, and likeable.

Like the title suggests, this is a great book to read while on vacation, by the pool, drinking a rose.

Literary Fiction Reads

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie

His Only Wife is a domestic drama about the lives of Ghanaian women and explores polygamous marriages.

I tried to get into this book. Maybe it was too dramatic to me; I can’t put my finger on why I didn’t connect with the storyline or the characters. The writing is beautiful, though. Unfortunately, I don’t think there was enough action in this book for me.

Rating 2.5 on Goodreads

Friends and Strangers by Courtney J. Sullivan

I will read almost anything J. Courtney Sullivan writes. The characters are always well developed and complex. As a mom of two, I connected with this story authentically.

The novel switches back and forth between Elizabeth, a new mom, Sam, a college student, and a babysitter. The storyline explores their relationship, the assumptions we make about people, and boundaries.

Friends and Strangers is heavily focused on character development and slow on the plot. If you like plot-driven books, this might not be the book for you. But if you want to get to know characters on a deeper level, check out Friends and Strangers by J. Courtney Sullivan.

Goodreads Rating: 4 stars

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

An American Marriage is about a couple, Celestial and Roy; their life gets complicated when Roy is sent to prison for a crime, he didn’t commit about a year into their marriage. After he is released, they must try and figure out what the status of their relationship is.

I ended up listening to An American Marriage on audio. I was pretty interested in the relationship of this newly married young couple. But as the story went on the characters annoyed me. I kept reading though because I wanted to know how the book would end, I almost put the book down a few times because of the characters and their development. It was a beautifully written book that was thought-provoking. It just wasn’t the book for me.

Goodreads Rating: 3 stars

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

I love Brit Bennett and will read anything she writes. Earlier this year, I read The Vanishing Half and fell in love with Brit Bennett’s writing style. I knew I had to read her debut novel ASAP.

Set in San Diego, The Mothers follows three teenagers connected by their community church. The novel starts with the women at church known as the Mothers (where the novel gets its title). This collective voice of women brings a unique narration to the story. Ultimately The Mothers is a coming-of-age novel about teenage sexuality, abortion, suicide, and shame.

Good Reads Rating: 4 stars

Writers & Lovers by Lily King

I love books about writers struggling to write a novel because I am struggling to write a novel. In Writers and Lovers, we get a sneak peek of a woman struggling to write while grieving the death of her mother and maybe even the literary future she saw for herself. This book is very character-driven. In its pages, we get to know Casey intimately. We get to be beside her as she decides what kind of life she wants to live. It’s a journey, but a journey I loved being on.

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

Thriller/Suspenseful Reads

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

I don’t typically read many books by men, but I am impressed how Blake Crouch can write a thrilling, suspenseful novel with well-developed female characters. I would suggest being in the right headspace when consuming this book. It’s heavy, dark, and can make your mind spiral. The storyline was addicting, and I had to know what would happen next.

I’m not even sure how to summarize this novel because it was a total mind f-. Just know that I thought it was fast-paced and addicting.

Goodreads Rating: 4.5 stars

When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole

While When No One is Watching has been dubbed a thriller by book marketers and reviewers alike, this book explores the themes of internalized racism and gentrification in a thought-provoking way.

I enjoyed my time with this book, but I will be honest, I thought the pacing was a little off. The novel is a slow burn until the last third of the book, where it moves surprisingly fast. I still think this novel is worth a read. I listened to it on audiobook, and I thought it was wonderfully creepy.

Goodreads Rating: 3.5

Light and Breezy Reads

Delicious by Ruth Reichl

This book was a quick and easy read. The premise was intriguing. The storyline follows an assistant at a food magazine. We follow her journey as she learns about her new job. One day, she finds some letters addressed to the magazine during WWII, and she becomes obsessed with collecting them all and the story behind the letters.

A lot was going on in this novel, though. So much was going on that I think we only hit the surface of the characters and the plot. It was still a good book; I wish the book went deeper.

Goodreads Rating: 3 stars

Anna K Away by Jenny Lee

Last year, I fell in love with Jenny Lee’s YA retelling of Anna Karenina, Anna K. I was so excited when I heard Jenny Lee was writing a sequel to her novel and jumped at the chance to read an advanced reader’s copy. The sequel takes place right after the tragic ending of the first novel, and we follow the cast of characters around the world on their various summer vacations. Our main character, Anna, is sent to Korea to recover from her broken heart and a leaked sex tape.

Anna being in Korea was one of my favorite parts of the book. Not only does Jenny Lee write about Korean culture, the traditions, and the mannerisms, she also gives us an inside peek at the K-Pop industry.

I listened to this book on audiobook; it was on the longer side, about 11 hours. Jenna Ushkowitz is an engaging narrator, and it was like chatting with a friend over coffee.

There are many characters in this series, but Lee provides a cast of characters at the beginning of the book. Which is super helpful.

If you are a fan of Gossip Girl, The OC, and other works centered on overprivileged teenagers, read (or listen to) the Anna K series.

Thanks to NetGallery and Macmillan Audio for an audio copy of Anna K Away.