April 2026
Welcome to The Book List!
This month had some winners, but as is usually true of me, my reading today impacts how I feel about all of it. Blame it on being a present-oriented Enneagram One, but it is so hard for me to not apply how I feel right now to everything. Because I am not technically "in the middle" of reading anything good, because I've started three novels and keep casually switching between them, and because I still have to wait two more weeks for every audio library hold and the newest Harry Potter, I'm a little meh. And yet, what a good opportunity to remember that now is not forever. How I feel today does not and should not discount the fact that I read my favorite novel of the year this month, that I got to listen to my favorite Harry Potter book (and that it exceeded my expectations!), and that I got help navigating the world in a way I desperately needed.
Now is not forever, even in reading.
This Month’s Books
Book Reviews
Counterweights by Shannan Martin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content warnings: none
Book words: thoughtful, honest, poetic, emotional
This book knocked me down and picked me back up again. Yes, Shannan is my friend. Yes, I've read everything Shannan has written. Yes, I suppose I could be biased. But I don't think I am. This book is gritty, exceedingly beautiful, and one of the most honestly hopeful things I've ever read.
The subtitle says it all: an essential practice for holding hope in a heavy world. You will read this and feel both lighter and more grounded. It's exceptional.
Conform by Ariel Sullivan
⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Casting: none
Content warnings: some mild sex stuff
Book words: dystopian, exciting, slightly romantic
I liked this. It was fine. I gasped a couple of times for sure. But it didn't grab me like other books in this genre have. Maybe it was the wrong book at the wrong time, but the initial ascension didn't keep going.
You've got a world where the powerful and beautiful live in the clouds, and those who do not conform to ideal visual standards live below. Emeline is one such person, working below and spending most of her time eliminating artwork the powerful no longer want. I still don't understand how that works? She just presses a button on a computer. Does the art spontaneously combust? It's fine. Anyway, she suddenly finds out she's suitable for the clouds but must first be chosen by her proposed mate. Women only make babies. That's the deal. And the guy has to choose you, make you an offer, and then you can get to work. But because you get to wear pretty dresses and live in the clouds, I guess it's okay? I got mad at all the women, frankly. I'm like, guys, what are we doing?
Her guy is a wild choice, some shenanigans happen with the people in charge, and she has to decide how much she's going to be part of the revolution.
Again, it was fine. Some people love it. I can understand why. Parts of it I did. It just didn't get me. A sequel is coming, and I doubt I'll read it.
This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Content warnings: some violence, domestic abuse, miscarriage
Book words: propulsive, mysterious, fast-paced, shiny
I really loved this. Such a page-turner and a great book to get you out of a book rut, especially if you like lowkey thrillers.
Joy and Benny are best friends and wildly successful podcasters. When Joy goes missing, everything goes bananas. Who can we trust? What's everyone hiding? Told in multiple viewpoints and thanks to my excellent casting, this feels like a Harlan Coben Netflix limited series. Just a good ol' mysterious time.
Casting:
Mrs. Christie and the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content warnings: it's a murder mystery but it's chill
Book words: super fun, fast-paced, a little quirky, shiny
I absolutely loved this book. Like... top top top read. It was the perfect book at the right time and kind of my favorite genre. It's just a really good time. If you like Knives Out movies, you'll love this.
Tory restores books and is a bit of a hermit. Her cousin Nic is an up and coming actress and the opposite of a hermit. With the help of a woman who claims to be actual Agatha Christie, Tory's best friend Adrian, and a brooding detective, the two cousins solve a series of murders where Nic might be the next victim.
It. Is. Just. So. Fun.
Casting:
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Casting: I mean, I'll always make Jamie Dornan and Florence Pugh the leads of any romance novels if no one comes to mind. Worked fine.
Content warnings: it's a romance so there's romancy stuff, but none of it is graphic
Book words: typical romance, sweet, sometimes a little too sweet, likeable
Annie Walker works at her inherited flower shop in Rome, Kentucky. Her brother is about to marry a pop star (that was the previous Rome book apparently), so a bodyguard comes to town. Will doesn't believe in marriage because his parents were trash, and Annie believes only in marriage because her parents died early and she's trying to fill the hole in her heart. Will is a player. Annie is introverted and bombs dates. So - wait for it - Will becomes her dating coach to help her find a husband. Eye roll. But it's also exactly what romance novels are supposed to be. You pop in and out, it's an easy read, it's sweet and cute with terrific banter, and before you know it, you've finished a book where the dog didn't die at the end.
Not the best romance novel I've ever read, but it was good.
The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny 🎧
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Narrated by Ralph Cosham
Content warnings: typical mystery vibes, nothing emotionally or violently graphic but still serious
The next three books are books 5-7 in the Inspector Gamache series, an audiobook I depend on even when it's not great. This one was great. Stayed in Three Pines, involved a murdered stranger and a townsperson at the center of the suspect list. Really easy to imagine and so good.
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny 🎧
⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Narrated by Ralph Cosman
Content warnings: Same same
I didn't love this one, mostly because I couldn't differentiate between the new characters. As the crime unfolded, I had a hard time knowing who was who, so the reveal of the murderer was kind of dull. It also didn't happen in Three Pines and was rooted in the history of Quebec, something I'm not familiar with nor do I love history as a subject, so it was harder to get into the story. I still liked it, though. Inspector Gamache himself is always a good companion.
A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny 🎧
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narrated by Ralph Cosman
Content warnings: Same same same
The ending of this one knocked me down. The sweetest little vignette almost gave this another half star, but the story was four stars for me. A jilted artist, a manipulative friend... it was almost too melodramatic to get a higher rating. But of course I loved it.
It feels weird to even review these because I don't know anyone who reads just one Inspector Gamache book and walks away. You kind of lock in and love them even when they're fine.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling 🎧
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narrated by a full cast
Casting: none
Content warnings: none
Book words: Harry Potter needs no words.
This is my favorite Harry Potter book, and the audio version was just peak. I loved it so much. Keira Knightley is Professor Umbridge and was surprisingly excellent at it. The guy playing Harry was a little angsty, but Harry is angsty in this book.
I just love Dumbledore's Army. It's like my favorite bit in the whole series. Loved this so much and was super sad when it was over.