Everything I Read in April 2023
I love Spring- the longer days, more daylight, and some glorious weather! It gives me such increased energy and motivation to tackle on more every day, such as reading 6 books this month. While April has been a great month, I realize that which each day passing by that I am one day closer to the much needed (and let’s face it- the best school work perk) Summer Break! As I write this, I have 32 work days left (not that I am counting or anything). I am looking forward to some epic summer trips (NYC, Nantucket, Santa Barbara, and LA) and more time to do whatever I want. The thought of drinking coffee at home is enough to carry me to finish line. Before I get ahead of myself, let’s review the 6 books that I tackled this past month!
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post- Allison Pataki
This might be a giant leap, since it is only April, but this could be my favorite book that I will read in 2023! While it is fiction, Allison Pataki based her book on the true life story of Post cereal heiress, Marjorie Post. Marjorie grew up at the turn of the 20th century, and this novel showcases her life from humble origins to four vastly different marriages. Each marriage seemed to highlight a different and unique phase of her life from naive young woman to successful businesswoman and then everything in between. Marjorie’s life truly was magnificent, yet unconventional, in so many ways. I adored this book, and keep recommending it to everyone when I talk books!
I Have Some Questions For You- Rebecca Makkai
Ok, so I wanted to love this book, because I needed a suspense book fix. However, this one took me a while to get into and the story has already been done several times in this genre. I Have Some Questions for You tells the story of Bodie, a successful journalist and podcaster, who was invited back to her high school boarding school as a visiting lecturer. While in high school, her roommate was killed and the murder investigation never felt thoroughly complete. After all of these years and returning to campus, Bodie begins the arduous task of looking for answers and find out what really happened to her roommate. Don’t get me wrong, this book was interesting. It just didn’t feel new or exciting to me!
The Soulmate- Sally Hepworth
Now, this was a suspense book that I got into immediately and finished in 2 days! In The Soulmate, Pippa moves to a cliffside home with her husband and 2 daughters in a small town in Australia. After moving in, Pippa and her husband discover that their picturesque cliff is a popular spot for people looking to jump and end their lives. Yep, things got dark pretty quick! When a woman jumps off the cliff as Pippa witnesses her death, this tragedy becomes a murder investigation. What I loved about this book is that each chapter revealed another dark and twisty layer and became this very elaborate suspense story! I wouldn’t say it is a must read, but it was fun!
One True Loves- Taylor Jenkins Reid
How have I not heard of this book until now?! From the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones and the Six, One True Loves is a love story like no other. Emma marries her high school sweetheart, and they live a fantastic life of travel and adventure. While he is away for work, his plane crashes and she is left grieving the loss of her best friend and husband. Left to pick up the pieces, she unexpectedly reconnects with a friend from childhood. If this could not get any more farfetched, her husband is found at sea. Now, she is faced with choosing between the two- her ties to the past or a new path forward. Yes this is corny and sappy, but as Kate Winslet says in the movie, The Holiday (a personal favorite), “I like corny. I’m looking for corny in my life.”
The London Seance Society- Sarah Penner
I had such high hopes for this book, because I loved her last work, The Lost Apothecary. However, this book didn’t do it for me. I tried several times to start and then it felt like a push to get through. If you have an interest in black magic or seances then maybe you’ll get into this, but I just found this strange plot to be a hard no for me! This feels like a harsh review, because I generally do such thorough research before I buy a book, but you win some, you lose some!
Happy Place- Emily Henry
Yes! Let’s end this book post with a truly happy book. I devoured Emily Henry’s most recent book in about 3 days. Emily Henry is an author I turn to for heartwarming and light reads that will leave you feeling, well, happy! Happy Place explores the idea that you need to cultivate the people, places, and things that provide you happiness rather than live to please others or live up to some ideal. Take this book with you to the pool or beach this summer!
I seriously love putting together these book posts!!! I hope you continue to follow along and find something for you to read and enjoy!
xoxo,
L