April TBR
I’ve been on a little bit of a romance kick lately, but I’m absolutely itching to get back to my roots with some fantasy this month! Historically, I’ve been a fan of high fantasy over urban fantasy. I always liked really getting lost in a new world rather than reading about fantastical things happening in the one I already know. However; that’s really changed for me in the last year or two and now I find myself really drawn to urban fantasies as you’ll see reflected on my list for this month.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn - First up is a book that’s been on my radar for months as a book I knew I wanted to read but wasn’t prioritizing. However; I simply can’t ignore all of the people I see absolutely raving about this book any longer. This is an urban fantasy novel following sixteen year old Bree Matthews who tries to escape her family life by attending a residential program for high-schoolers at UNC-Chapel Hill. While there she discovers a whole world of magic and demons and learns that there may be more to her mother’s death than what she was told.
Jade War by Fonda Lee - This is the sequel to Jade City that I read and loved earlier this year. It’s another urban fantasy following two rival clans in an asian inspired setting. They are fighting within their city for control of its businesses and resources including jade, a heavily sought after substance that gives the wearer super-human abilities. This series has the most wonderful combination of family drama/politics, action, and a really fascinating setting and I’m so excited to keep reading in this world.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller - This is a beloved book and a retelling of the story of Achilles from greek mythology and the Trojan war. I read Circe by Madeline Miller soon after it came out and loved it, but I’ve been avoiding this one a bit because a lot of reviews talk about how it’s the sort of book that will rip your heart out and tear it to pieces and I’m honestly not always in the mood for that. However; I do really want to read it so hopefully this is the month!
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - This book was a 2020 Goodreads Choice Award Winner which is where it initially caught my attention and I’m honestly just a sucker for a book that features any sort of library (or bookstore). The basis of this novel is the idea that between life and death there is an endless library of books. These books can show our protagonist Nora how her life could have turned out if she had done even the smallest thing differently. It seems like one of those books that really examines exactly what it is that gives someone’s life definition and purpose and that’s totally up my alley.
Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire - This is the 6th book in Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children series and the first I haven’t read immediately upon publication. I’ve noticed that a few people who had loved the first few books in this series are slowly losing interest and perhaps not finding the most recent couple of books as engaging and special as the first 3-4 were for them and I’m worried that’s the case for me as well, but I still want to give this one a try. The first book in this series Every Heart a Doorway is set at Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children which is a fascinating place. It’s full of children/teens who have gone through portals to other worlds and upon returning to Earth have had trouble adjusting back or accepting that the world they discovered is no longer available to them. Imagine if Alice fell down the rabbit hole and then returned home unable to tell anyone where she had been or what she experienced without coming across as absolutely insane. I love the premise of this series and it’s so fun glimpsing all of the worlds that the characters have visited so I hope I continue enjoying these books.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry - I was undecided on my Book of the Month pick for this month so I ended up choosing this book and the next one to read. I’ve yet to be led astray by a Book of the Month pick so I have high hopes for both of these! I read Beach Read by Emily Henry earlier this year and really enjoyed it so this book has been on my radar ever since. It follows Poppy and Alex. They had been best friends since college and for 10 years every summer they got together for a vacation. Then, on their trip two years ago they ruined everything and haven’t spoken since. Poppy convinces him to go on one more trip with her to make things right (or cement them as ruined forever) and she’s determined to bring them back together again.
Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala - This one follows Lila Macapagal who just moved back home after a terrible break up where she starts working at her family’s restaurant. While working there she encounters her ex who just happens to be a food critic there to critique the restaurant’s food. Moments after his confrontation with Lila at the restaurant he drops dead, having been poisoned and naturally Lila is the primary suspect. She then must embark on a mission to prove her innocence. This is a mystery novel, but one that’s very much on the cozy and funny side of things rather than thriller or adventure style mysteries and it’s the first of a series.
What are you hoping to read this month??
