April 2026 Reads

April turned out to be a surprisingly excellent reading month. Despite juggling multiple final papers and presentations for school, I still managed to finish 11 books: 5 audiobooks, 4 e-books, and 2 physical books. Even more exciting, 5 of those 11 titles were nonfiction—a genre I’ve been intentionally trying to read more of, as I mentioned in my previous post. Happily, every single nonfiction book I picked up this month was excellent, and I would highly recommend all of them. Three, in particular, stood out to me.

1. Wild for Austen by Devoney Looser is, in my opinion, essential reading for Jane Austen fans. Looser examines Austen’s novels alongside her surviving letters to challenge the persistent image of Jane as sheltered, naïve, and excessively proper. While she does not suggest there was anything scandalous about Austen’s life, she makes a compelling case that Austen was far from a timid wallflower. In fact, her wit, social awareness, and understanding of human behavior—especially the sort of “shenanigans” on display in Lady Susan—suggest someone far more observant and worldly than popular mythology often allows.

2. The Shroud of Turin by French historian Jean-Christian Petitfils (which I read in Russian translation) was a fascinating exploration of one of Christianity’s most famous relics. I especially appreciated the way the book traced the Shroud’s historical journey while also engaging with the debates surrounding its authenticity. Petitfils ultimately argues that there is substantial evidence supporting the belief that the Shroud is indeed the cloth that covered Christ after the crucifixion and during the resurrection. Personally, I was most captivated by the historical aspect. Whether the Shroud is truly 2,000 years old or a remarkably convincing medieval creation, the fact that it has survived and been preserved for centuries is extraordinary in itself. More importantly, it continues to hold profound spiritual significance for many Christians and remains a symbol of faith, hope, and reassurance.

3. Patriot by Alexei Navalny is, without question, one of the most powerful books I have read about modern-day Russia, the current political regime, and the struggle for democracy. I was deeply struck by Navalny’s determination to continue fighting for change even when his own survival was clearly at risk. The memoir is profoundly moving, but also unexpectedly hopeful. It reminded me that there are still people willing to sacrifice everything for their convictions and for the possibility of a better future.

On the fiction side, Angelfall by Susan Ee was the standout of the month. I truly love the particular flavor of YA fantasy that dominated the early 2000s—the earnestness, the emotional intensity, and especially the purity of forbidden love stories. That combination gets me every time. Despite the popularity of contemporary romantasy, very few modern books have managed to capture that same magic for me.

March 2026 Reads

 

In March, I managed to read seven books—three on audio and four in print, one of which was quite short. While the volume was lower than in previous months, the overall quality of my reading was solid. I’m also pleased to see a pattern emerging: I’ve been consistently picking up at least a couple of nonfiction titles each month. Reading more nonfiction has been a long-standing goal of mine, so it’s satisfying to see that shift happening naturally. In March, in particular, I read two standout works of nonfiction.

Skinfolk by Matthew Guterl is a compelling memoir centered on his childhood in a large, multiracial adoptive family. What makes it especially thought-provoking is how he reflects on the ways this upbringing shaped his early understanding of race, identity, and privilege—and how those experiences ultimately influenced his academic and professional path.

Dare I Say It by Naomi Watts is both deeply personal and highly informative, focusing on menopause and women’s health. It’s striking—and frankly frustrating—how little attention menopause often receives in medical settings. This book does an excellent job of breaking down the biology while also empowering readers to better advocate for themselves.

One disappointment this month was The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. While some of his arguments about the impact of smartphones and social media on children are valid, the overall tone at times felt overly nostalgic—leaning into a “things were better before” narrative without fully grappling with the complexities of the present. I found myself wishing for more nuance and balance in the discussion.

On the fiction side, Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez was my favorite of the month. While I wouldn’t necessarily call her my go-to romance author, her books are consistently worth reading. They tend to go beyond typical genre conventions, often engaging with heavier themes while still delivering compelling, character-driven stories. In this case, the protagonist’s experience with anxiety was handled with care and authenticity, and I appreciated seeing mental health represented so thoughtfully in a popular romance.

February 2026 Reads

This semester has been exceptionally busy, and I’ve realized—somewhat belatedly—that I’ve fallen quite behind on updating my reading blog. Looking back, though, February was an outstanding reading month. I finished 12 books in total (7 audiobooks, 2 on Kindle, and 3 in print), and the quality was just as impressive as the quantity. Seven of those reads earned 5-star ratings (you can spot them in the “Yes” column above), while three were middling and two ended up being disappointments.

Let’s start with the latter—both of which may be slightly unpopular opinions.

• Game Changer by Rachel Reid, the first installment in a wildly popular MM hockey romance series (and the inspiration for the HBO adaptation Heated Rivalry), began with promise. Unfortunately, it quickly gave way to an overwhelming number of explicit scenes, with only a minimal plot holding them together. I’m not opposed to spice in romance, but it needs to serve the story. Here, it felt excessive and ultimately came at the expense of character and narrative development, which made it difficult to stay invested.
• Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe, another reader favorite, is a dystopian romance that had me genuinely hooked for about two-thirds of its length. However, the ending didn’t land for me. It felt forced, overly drawn out, and inconsistent with the story that had been built up to that point. The resolution lacked believability, and as a result, I don’t plan to continue with the series.

On a much more positive note, February also delivered some truly standout reads.

Red Clay by Charles B. Fancher was, without question, the highlight of the month. In fact, for readers who love Gone with the Wind, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Set in Alabama during the final days of the Civil War and the Reconstruction era, it tells the story of an enslaved family navigating a rapidly changing world. It’s a sweeping, deeply moving family saga—powerful, immersive, and unforgettable. A new favorite for me.

Vigil by George Saunders is a short but deeply impactful novel. A modern reimagining of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, it follows a powerful oil executive on his deathbed as he confronts the consequences of his life’s choices. It’s thought-provoking and quietly haunting—I still find myself thinking about it months later, and I already know it’s a book I’ll return to.

All in all, February was an excellent reading month—one that more than made up for my recent blogging lapse.

January 2026 Reads

I started 2026 by reading 7 excellent books in the month of January. This was definitely the month I got into historical fiction. The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon was a fast-paced historical crime mystery that follows a fiercely independent and outspoken midwife in the 18th century Maine. The Glovemaker by Weisgarber is a slower, somber read set in Utah in 1880s - I learned a lot about the Mormons and polygamy. Finally, my favorite read of the month was What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman. Set in the 1920s-30s it follows the fate of a young woman who is committed to an insane asylum simply for talking back to her father and wanting to make decisions about her own life. 

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy is set in a near future on a remote island off the coast of Antartica. An environmental disaster is ravaging the planet, and the rising waters and unusual weather patterns threaten the seeds vault that is housed on the island. 

This month I finally re-read one of my favorite fantasy novels The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden and read two non-fiction books: Mad at School by Margaret Price and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. 

Overall, this was an excellent reading month and I hope to read more historical fiction in February.

2025 Reading Results

As in 2024, I read a lot more books than I anticipated. My Goodreads goal was set at 75, yet, I ended up with 109 books read. Unsurprisingly, my most read genre was just like last year fantasy - 41 books; followed by romance (17 books) and non-fiction (16 books).

I read 65 books from my own library and 44 books were borrowed from the library or Kindle Unlimited.

In terms of medium: 41 were in paper, 23 e-books and 45 audiobooks.

I read 82 adult books, 23 YA and 4 middle grade.

Now, let's check on the goals I set for myself for 2025:

1. Read 75 books - COMPLETE

2. Read 50 books from my physical shelves - COMPLETE (65)

3. Read the entire Bible - COMPLETE (very proud of this!)

4. Read 10 non-fiction books I own (physical or e-books) - COMPLETE

5. Participate in the two book clubs I am a member of, but don't feel obligated to read every book. In fact, try to read those I already own if they are selected. - COMPLETE.

Below are my favorites for the year.

October 2025 Reading Wrap-Up

The month of October was busy due to school for me, however, I did read a few excellent books. 

1. I started the month with a a bookclub pick - Starling House by Alix E. Harrow. This novel was perfect for the spooky season: a haunted house in the countryside of Kentucky, a mysterious evil-fighting occupant of the house, and a spunky and at times reckless main heroine. I also really enjoyed the author's note in the back of the book that details the inspiration for the novel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 

2. Katabasis by R.F. Kuang was another book I read for the bookclub. This was by far my favorite read of October. I really think R.F. Kuang's books are getting better. I skipped her debut The Poppy War trilogy, did not really care for Babel, really liked Yellowface, and LOVED Katabasis. In this novel, we follow two PhD students as they journey into hell to rescue their professor. It is smart, engaging and I enjoyed every single chapter - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

3. The next book was a cover buy. It was $5 at the Barnes & Noble cafe and looked really appropriate for the season, so I could not pass it by. Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice is a cute YA novel and centers around two rival cafes. I thought the plot was very contrived, and the characters did not behave their age and frankly did not have any common sense, I only finished it because it was really short - ⭐️⭐️.

4. I am Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy is a gut-punching and raw memoir by one of Nickelodeon's child stars, who is best known for her role on the shows iCarly and Sam & Cat. McCurdy does not hold back and describes in graphic detail the abusive relationship she had with her mother. Some of the things she talks about are really hard to read about or even imagine. I highly recommend this for those who like non-fiction and Hollywood memoirs - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

5. I finished off the month by reading 4 short stories from Amazon Prime reading collection. Three of them were paranormal romances perfect for the season, and one - by Cheryl Strayed - was a contemporary women's fiction story that I really enjoyed. I definitely recommend all of them if you need something quick to read.

September 2025 Reading Wrap-up

September was busy for me both at work and at school, so I read fewer books. However, I enjoyed all the books I read in the month of September. 

I started our strong by reading Up at the Villa, a murder mystery by Somerset Maugham. I have enjoyed this author since college where I had to read a couple of his novels for my English class. His novels usually include interesting commentary on morals, marriage and romantic relationships. This one was no exception. I definitely recommend it.

I have already reviewed The Austen Affair - this was a fun romcom that any Austen fan will appreciate. 

The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther was an unexpectedly fun and beautiful YA romance that  included themes of grief and coming of age. I am now really interested in reading more from this author.

I finally read Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and it lived up to all the hype. It contains beautiful nature writing and includes a murder mystery and a love story. I think I will check out the movie adaptation when I get a chance.

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley was a bookclub pick for the month of November so I read it really early. This book is set in Upper Michigan on a Native American Reservation and we follow one girl's quest to bring back the remains of her ancestors and stolen artifacts from museums and private collectors.

Finally, Quicksilver by Callie Hart was book 1 in a romantasy series, and I really enjoyed it. Book 2 is coming out in November and am definitely going to pick it up soon after.