I read nineteen books last month and although I’ve mostly given up on star ratings, two of them were undoubtedly five-star reads that’ll likely make an appearance on my best of the year list. It was a satisfying reading month all around, where I fit in some intriguing titles from the Women’s Prize list, picked back up a series that I started and enjoyed almost two years ago, and continued to integrate nonfiction back into my reading life. I also feel like I’ve gotten a little bit better at tuning out some of the bookish hype to focus on less well-known titles and deep backlist I want to explore, while only picking up buzzy books that I’m genuinely excited about.
My reading categories for April included:
Two queer romances: Solomon’s Crown by Natasha Siegel, Can I Steal You for a Second? by Jodi McAlister
Two books from the Women’s Prize longlist: Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville, River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure
Two books published before 1980: The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett, Some Tame Gazelle by Barbara Pym
And, per usual, one book by either Louise Erdrich or Maggie O’Farrell: The Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich, My Lover’s Lover by Maggie O’Farrell
For May, I wanted to pick a handful of vibes-based categories for my reading goals, so this month I want to read:
A chunky paperback with a satisfying flop
A short novel that packs a serious punch
A book best read in a cozy English cottage with a cup of tea
A book that feels like summer
And, vibes aside, something by Louise Erdrich or Maggie O’Farrell
Rereads
Beach Read by Emily Henry
I wrote an entire newsletter about my experience revisiting this! I’m hoping to get to Funny Story sometime in May so more Emily Henry reflections to possibly come? (Open door, low steam.)
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (Bridgerton #4)
I reread this in anticipation of Bridgerton season 3 and now that I’ve remembered just how much I like spending time with the Bridgertons, I’m thinking about finally picking up the last two books in the series. (In case you’re curious, my favorite is When He Was Wicked.) On reread, I still found myself frustrated with Colin, who loses his sunshine-y ways in order to be become a properly brooding 2002 historical romance hero but still loving Penelope, her friendship with Eloise, and the moving relationship she forms with Lady Danbury. (Open door, medium steam.)
Favorites of the month
The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn
A decade ago, Jess Greene’s mother ran away with a notorious con man and left Jess to care for her younger sister Tegan. Now, Jess finds herself reluctantly agreeing to accompany Tegan, a podcast host, and quiet, handsome producer Adam Hawkins in search of her mother. I loved this one with my whole heart. Clayborn masterfully blends a romance, a mystery, and a sister story and every single plot thread feels richly developed and satisfying. It's an absolute masterclass in writing romance, from the gorgeous line-level writing to the soft, slow way that Adam and Jess open up to each other to the rich characterization that all of our main players get. This is so beautifully crafted that I simultaneously wanted to devour and savor it. I think Clayborn is one of the very best writers in romance today and my “get everyone I know to read her work” agenda is thriving. (Open door, medium steam.)
The Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich
A beautifully designed puzzle of a book that plays in a wide variety of genres and masters them all, as Erdrich explores the repercussions of the unsolved murder of a farm family and the bloody revenge taken on the Ojibwe in response. The way Erdrich weaves together generations and stories here is stunning. I honestly had no idea how she was going to pull all of the various plot threads and perspectives together and was amazed at the elegant way she did. (I finished and wanted nothing more than to flip back to the beginning to marvel at it all over again.) Her characterization is subtle and rich, her writing luminous, and each of the different POVs we get feels fully realized and distinctive. This is a reflection on love, history, justice, and what it means to bear witness and it's Erdrich at the height of her powers.
Really liked
Dear Dolly by Dolly Alderton
Reading this collection of Alderton's advice columns feels like getting advice from your wise, cool older sister, the one who always has the best clothes, the best dating stories, and the best cures for heartbreak. Alderton is so smart and empathetic and I really enjoyed the way she blends her personal experience with practical advice and the nuanced, hopeful perspective she brings. These columns would also make for perfect bite-sized bedtime or subway reading.
Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville
An absorbing character study of a clever yet ordinary woman trapped by her time and circumstances and a deeply personal look at the author's own family history made all the richer by the perspective she brings to it. I had a lot of complicated feelings about Dolly but she makes for a fascinating, nuanced, quietly tragic protagonist. Grenville captures a very specific generation of women and Australia during a rapidly changing time. I'd be curious to read some more of her work.
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg
A fun and inventive fantasy set in a magical house with a mind of its own that has a dash of mystery, a sprinkling of intrigue and peril, endearing main characters, and a lovely slow-burn romance. I especially enjoyed the wonderful of setting, as Holmberg vividly renders not only the house itself but the small New England island it's located on. The writing is lively and elegant, the magic system creative and unusual, and the found family elements are cozy without ever being twee.
River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure
A thoughtful, complex exploration of familial love, what we leave behind and what we inherit, the relationship between China and the West, and the mythologies of success and self-reinvention. Lescure's writing is compelling and moving, making me feel deeply for these characters even at their most frustrating. I also thought the dual-timeline/POV structure was so effective at both unraveling these characters’ pasts and capturing China's rapid transformation. A gem from the Women’s Prize that I was delighted to see on the shortlist.
Here for the Right Reasons and Can I Steal You for a Second? by Jodi McAlister (Marry Me, Juliet #1 and 2)
I devoured the first two books in this series centered around one very eventful season of a Bachelor-inspired reality dating show. I’m a longtime Bachelor watcher and I especially enjoyed McAlister’s smart yet loving send-up of the show. Both books feature a heartfelt friends-to-lovers romance and I was particularly fond of the sapphic romance in book two, which overflows with warmth, compassion, and yearning. Note that these do take place during the pandemic but not in a way that feels like it overpowers the story. (Closed door.)
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
A powerful, emotional romance about a woman rebuilding her life and learning to love herself after a devastating betrayal. I adored our heroine Soledad: her strength, her vulnerability, her intelligence, and how fiercely she loved. To me, the book felt much more centered on her than on the hero Judah but the slow burn is still pleasingly electric. Every single one of Ryan's character beats is developed to its fullest and she writes with such power and compassion. (Open door, high steam.)
Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong by Katie Gee Salisbury
A fascinating look at the life and career of the first Asian-American movie star and at Hollywood history in the 1920's and 30's. I knew a little about Anna May Wong but this sweeping biography puts her at center stage where she belongs. It's both informative and entertaining and Salisbury obviously comes to the book with a great deal of love and respect for her subject. Recommended if you're interested in Old Hollywood, trail-blazing women, or the business of stardom.
Solomon’s Crown by Natasha Siegel
A dramatic, angsty, transporting historical romance very loosely based on the relationship between Richard the Lionheart and Philip II of France. If you care about what actually happened in the twelfth century, this is definitely not the book for you. But if you want high-stakes medieval romance with top-tier vibes, this is absolutely the book for you. Siegel nails the atmosphere, dialogue, and sense of place and time in a way that kept me totally immersed. I also just loved that this is trying something new and different in historical romance and can’t wait to pick up Siegel’s sophomore novel. (Closed door.)
Artificial Condition and Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #2 and #3)
I read the first installment in the Murderbot Diaries almost two years ago, really liked it, and never got to the rest of the series? But I was inspired to get back into it this month and I’m so glad I did. I’d recommend this series if you want a fast-paced, funny, suspenseful sci-fi adventure with an instantly memorable protagonist (the titular Murderbot) and some interesting reflections on the relationship between AI and humanity. Don’t wait two years between reading the first and second books like I did.
Two comforting reads with minor quibbles that I still really liked
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
This isn't my favorite of Jimenez's novels, mostly because I wanted a longer character beat before the HEA, but there's still a lot to love. Jimenez excels at writing relationship built on everyday moments that make the everyday feel special, thoughtful mental health representation, and deeply compassionate, caring heroes. The caretaking in her books is always so lovely to read and I also really enjoyed the family elements and the island setting in this one. Plus there's something about her writing that makes me just devour her books as fast as I possibly can. (Open door, low steam.)
Some Tame Gazelle by Barbara Pym
A witty, sharply observed portrait of two spinster sisters and the church community they're a part of, complete with the young curates Harriet dotes on, the pretentious archdeacon Belinda still pines for, and the gossip that runs through their little village. Pym is so good at both capturing her characters' surface foibles and deeper yearnings, as well as the petty dramas of this community. I laughed out loud several times and while I think Pym’s craft shines more in some of her later works, it still reaffirmed my ambition to eventually make my way through her entire catalog.
Glad I read it but not sure how well it’s aged?
The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett
This crime classic was stylish and satisfyingly snappy but also felt a little dated, especially in its portrayal of women besides the impossibly cool Nora and a few comments from Nick that I suspect came off as part of the cool guy detective act in the 1930's but just seem creepy now. I did really like the lightning-fast banter between Nick and Nora, the blend of a twisty mystery with a screwy comedy of manners, and the New York noir atmosphere and I’m convinced I need to watch the movie ASAP.
Not my favorite from this author but an interesting building block in their work
My Lover’s Lover by Maggie O’Farrell
After moving in to Marcus’ apartment and striking up an affair with him, twenty-something Lily finds herself increasingly haunted by the unknown fate of Marcus’ ex-girlfriend Sinead. A meditation on passion, obsession, and betrayal that's majorly moody but doesn't cohere as elegantly as some of O'Farrell's later works. There's some amazing lines and imagery and a bit of a fever dream haze that sweeps the reader up. It's also interesting to see her play with perspectives and timelines in a way that she does masterfully in her later work, like This Must Be the Place, but I finished this one feeling a little unsatisfied.
Currently reading:
Recommendations, miscellany, and little bits of joy (upstate edition, featuring my three favorite spots from the trip my boyfriend and I took last weekend):
Mel the Bakery in Hudson, home of some of the best pastries I’ve ever had in my life. Almost a week later, I’m still thinking longingly about their garlic knots and kouign amman.
Olana, the former estate of Hudson Valley School painter Fredric Edwin Church and my new favorite historic home in upstate NY.
The Merritt Bookstore in Millbrook, which has a large yet impeccably curated selection, gifts and craft supplies galore, hand-written shelf-talkers, and a bright, welcoming atmosphere that embraces you the minute you walk in.
I'm so impressed and inspired by your committment to the O'Farrell and Erdrich reading projects and love seeing what you get to each month! I'm about 100 pages away from the end of Just for the Summer and you summed up my thoughts (so far) perfectly. I'm finding it incredibly readable, breezing through pages, and the caretaking is a nice element, but Justin has been too 'puppy dog' for me and I wish it had even more summer-setting vibes to it!
I just put the Kate Clayborne book on hold upon your recommendation. I’ve only read her Missing Christmas book (novella) and I thought it was awfully lame. I started Love Lettering but couldn’t get into it.