What I Read — April 2022
This month was pretty light on the reading front due to a decent amount of travel. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s how the next few months go since summer is the best time to get out and about in Europe… especially with the easing of COVID-related restrictions. That said, I still had a few good reads this month while taking the trains and planes to-and-fro.
In 2019, I inadvertently completed the 52 books in 52 weeks challenge and have decided to attempt the same challenge from here on out… mainly because my to-read list is out of control! Normally, I’ll have a physical book and audiobook going at the same time, so for review clarity, I will put either duration or pages for the stats based on how I completed the book.
Here’s everything I enjoyed this April:
A Lullaby for Witches
Hester Fox
Stats: Historical Fiction, 320 pages
Quick summary
Margaret Harlowe, shunned by her well-to-do family, is a powerful witch in 1850s New England with a dark history and an even darker future. Augusta, living in present day, just accepted her dream job as a curator for the Harlowe House. As Augusta starts learning more about the family, she starts to have strange visions and experiences, almost as if she’s living Margaret’s life.
What I thought:
Ah, finally a satisfying spooky, witchy book. If you haven’t noticed, I love a split timeline and this book delivered. There are times it tips a little more YA with Augusta and her romance, but it still made for a pleasurable read.
Who should read it:
Give it a try, spooky friends.
How to Change Your Mind
Michael Pollan
Stats: Nonfiction, 13 hours and 35 minutes
Quick summary
Pollan thoroughly covers the discovery, history of use and ultimate banning of psilocybin and LSD. He personally takes a deep dive into the world by writing about his own experiences that took place in professional settings. Lastly, he looks at how psychedelics could be used in the future to help terminally ill and dying patients accept end of life, in addition to aiding people struggling with addiction and psychological disorders like depression and anxiety.
What I thought:
I’m intrigued by the potential for psychedelics in a psychological capacity, especially if they are less harmful than current practices. Admittedly, much of the book seemed like a justification for the author’s own trips, which are written about beautifully and in vivid detail.
Who should read it:
Not to be corny, but literally people looking to change their mind about their stance on drugs. Also, people who are curious about what an LSD/mushroom trip is like.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas
Stats: Fantasy, 432 pages
Quick summary
Struggling to keep her family alive, Feyre kills a wolf in the woods only to later discover it was a mystical creature. A faerie arrives on her doorstep and allows her family to live, but only if Feyre is willing to return with him to Spring Court and live out the rest of her life in his magical lands. As she adjusts to her new home, she realizes the world of the Fae, including her budding love interest, are in grave danger.
What I thought:
It’s hard to read any fantasy or scroll Bookstagram without hearing about ACOTAR. After my sister-in-law said she read it in one day, I decided to finally give Maas a shot. At best, I was underwhelmed. The first 60 percent of the book was a slough, and while it picked up at the end, I’m not sure if it’s enough to get me through the rest of the series, especially since each subsequent book is longer.
Who should read it:
There are many hardcore Maas fans, so maybe I’m just the oddball on this one.
Malibu Rising
Taylor Jenkins Reid
Stats: Fiction, 369 pages
Quick summary
Abandoned by their rockstar father, Mick Riva, Malibu Rising follows his four children as they prepare for their annual summer party while working through the trauma of their shared past.
What I thought:
This was recommended to me, and honestly I didn’t love it. I much preferred Reid’s previous book, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. The characters felt one-dimensional, though I did appreciate the dual timeline aspect of storytelling.
Who should read it:
If moving, generational novels are your thing, you’ll probably weep through this one.