Okay, it is actually mid-May, but April included lots of travel and lots of editing, which were all lovely but left little brain space for reading.
Here's everything I read in April!
A few years ago, while working in France, I had an American colleague who sent me an email asking if I didn’t like him. I was shocked and confused. It turned out this was rooted in my more French style of communication.
I wish I had read this years ago. The information is assessable and practical. If you work on a cross-cultural team, this is a must-read.
This might be one of my favorite business books I've ever read.
The Women | Historical Fiction, 3.5/5
While I will read anything Hannah writes, this one wasn’t my favorite. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but the last bit felt unnecessarily long and details—more like reading a summary of someone’s life than experiencing it with them. There were a lot of details and small antidotes that could have been cut without losing the overall intent of the story. I also found the ending to be too unrealistic.
This collection of essays is not only beautifully written but strikingly profound. I did not know who Polley was before picking up this book, and that did not hinder my reading experience at all. I love the way she reflects on her own life, and I was particularly moved by the first essay (perhaps because I also have scoliosis and a mother who died in my pre-teens from cancer). If you liked "I'm Glad My Mom Died," or memoirs in that vein, I think you would like this book.
Funny Story | Non-Fiction, 4/5
I will read everything Emily Henry writes. After feeling meh about Happy Place, I absolutely loved this book. The story is cute and I really adored the setting and side characters. Felt more Beach Read-y to me than her last few books!
Thank you to libro.fm for my ALC!
Dial A for Aunties | Fiction, 4/5
This was such a fun read. I loved Meddy and her aunt’s adventures. If you are looking for a funny, light read, I really enjoyed this one!
The Husbands | Fiction, 4/5
I loved this debut. It was quirky and original. I’ve read a lot of multiple universe books recently, and this might be my favorite. It also provided really great commentary on our dating culture. If you liked this book, I think you would also enjoy Comfort Me With Apples.
Mr. and Mrs. American Pie | Fiction, 4/5
This book is so fun! I originally picked it up because I love PALM ROYALE, and while the book is very different, the characters are all there and wonderful. This is a great beach read!
888 Love and the Divine Burden of Numbers | Fiction, 3/5
I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the main character and all the 90’s references. This is a great nostalgia read. I had a hard time following the multiple timelines and I found Young’s love interest, Erena, to be really obnoxious. This book also felt too long, and I got lost trying to track some of the details.
Thank you to Flatiron for my ARC!
Rangikura | Poetry, 5/5
This is a stunning and whip-smart collection of poetry.
Thank you to Knopf for my copy.
Colton Gentry's Third Act | Fiction, 3.5/5
I really enjoyed this book, but I think my reading experience was hindered by the audiobook. I found Colton to be a unique and compelling protagonist. This book also handles the nuance of gun control in the US very well, though for being a major theme, that plot point felt unfinished. I also think this book could have been significantly trimmed.
I recommend this book if you’re looking for a lighter read for the summer that still has depth.
Thank you to libro.fm for my ALC.
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