What I Read in April
I did not read much at ALL this month. Even though I got through 8 books in total which doesn’t seem THAT far off from my goal of 10, many of this month’s reads were short ones (young adult, middle grade, and quick creativity books that were very fast reads!). I was definitely off of my reading game, but I’m giving myself grace and will hopefully get back to a better balance in May!
Here’s what I read this April!
ps— affiliate links are included!
my top rec:
More Than You Can Handle by Nate Pyle
my 2019 goal progress:
8 books this month
44/150 total
Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir by Ruth Reichl
rating: ★★★★☆
review: I was given a free copy from Random House in exchange for my review! This one was such a treat! It’s my “book about food” for A RAD Reading Challenge — I have loved Reichl's books and loved reading this memoir of her career journey from food critic to editor in chief of Gourmet magazine. The foodie and writer in me was all all about it, and her writing was glorious as always. I so badly wish the recipes she included were vgf, but somebody please try them and enjoy for me! This is such a lovely one — the perfect blend of food, career, personal story, leadership, reflections, recipes, and publishing.
More Than You Can Handle: When Life’s Overwhelming Pain Meets God’s Overcoming Grace by Nate Pyle
rating: ★★★★☆
review: I got this one from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my review! // I don’t know much about @natepyle79 but his story and his writing are compelling and I’m so grateful for this book. He shares honestly and openly, and even though my life and circumstances look different than his own, it’s easy to relate and connect with his thoughts. I highlighted entire chunks and pages of this one (and even read a bit aloud in my stories because I was so moved by a passage!) and found it so helpful as someone who has definitely faced seasons where life felt like so much more than i could handle. This is such an encouraging and really grace-filled read for anyone in a hard circumstance or season and one I would readily pass along to friends in rough places.
Show Your Work! + Keep Going by Austin Kleon
rating: ★★★☆☆ + ★★★★☆
review: I’m a big fan of Kleon and his work, writing, and endless creative endeavors. His processes and his products encourage and inspire me daily, and I’m so grateful for the way he makes art feel more accessible, relatable, and possible. It was awesome to meet him and hear him speak at my local library this month!
Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
rating: ★★☆☆☆
review: Thanks Random House for the free book! // I needed a quick, easy read like this one this week (my reading has been SUFFERING this month!) and I flew through it but I’m honestly not sure how I feel about it? It started strong and hooked me, but the story felt a little jumbled and not particularly engaging from there. I didn’t like the characters at all, and kept finding myself confused as to where the plot was going and what was actually happening and WHY. Not a rave review here.
Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith
rating: ★★★☆☆
review: I remember seeing this one at Target forever ago and making a note to read it, and I’m so glad I did! It was exactly the kind of light, quick, delightful read I was needing this week. It’s a sweet little YA story about teens who win the lottery, and there was more character development than I expected even though it wasn’t especially surprising in its plot. Overall, a perfect little one day read!
The Line Tender by Kate Allen
rating: ★★☆☆☆
review: 100% bought this because SHARKS. (I love sharks so freaking much, you should just know this about me.) It was a quick middle grade read (yay) but honestly not that solid of a story (boo). It felt clunky and not super cohesive, with a lot of death and loss for a kid’s book and not enough development around the grief process or other elements around the loss of loved ones. It just fell flat for me, but I believe it was the author’s debut, and I’m clearly not the target audience... so maybe I’m just expecting too much. At least there were lots of sharks!!!
Show Me the Way: Readings for Each Day of Lent by Henri Nouwen
rating: ★★★★☆
review: Loved reading through this one throughout Lent (although I admit I didn’t read 100% of it!) — it’s wise, thoughtful, reflective, and poignant. Henri Nouwen is an all time fave, and I’ll come back to this one year after year!
