April 2024 Wrap-Up and May TBR
Plus May releases on my radar and our next Booker of the Month pick
Hi, book friends.
I would have liked to get this newsletter to you a few days sooner, but alas, I was overwhelmed by a truly beautiful weekend surrounded by great friends and loving family. Our baby shower was on Saturday, people filled the house with laughter and delicious food, and all my books were moved to make room for the nursery thanks to the power of friendship!
Between my NYC trip for work and a nasty cold, April was a tough month for reading, and May doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down either. Still, I read eight books in April and have a big ol’ TBR for May, true to form. I just can’t help myself, ya know? I blame the publishers who refuse to pause and give us all time to catch up. Smh.
What I Read in April
Click each title to read the full review!
Loved
Funny Story by Emily Henry* 🎧: She’s done it again. I personally loved Happy Place, but I’ve also heard those who didn’t say that this one felt back on track. Pick it up if you’re a romance reader (or even if you aren’t); you won’t regret it!
Real Americans by Rachel Khong* 📖🎧: This one sticks the landing between literary and commercial book club fiction. I was a big fan.
Fed Is Best: The Unintended Harms of the “Breast Is Best” Message and How to Find the Right Approach for You and Your Baby by Dr. Christie del Castillo-Hegyi and B. Jody Segrave-Daly, RN* 📖: If you’re expecting a child, this is required reading. Full stop. Click over to the full review for a list of just a few of the hard-hitting facts I learned.
Liked a lot
Sunbringer (Godkiller, #2) by Hannah Kaner* 📖🎧
A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke* 📖🎧
Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh 📖🎧
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods (To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods, #1) by Molly X. Chang* 📖🎧
The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng 📖🎧
*gifted to me by the publisher
My May TBR
Truth be told, the TBR is really more of a wishlist this month. I’m definitely not going to have time to get to all of these, especially because we’re already a week in and I haven’t even started. But every single book listed here is one I am genuinely very excited to read! We’ll see how it all shakes out.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley*: Out TODAY! I am so excited to read this that I honestly can’t believe I managed to wait until it was published, but man, life got busy! It’s time!
We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons*: Out 5/14. I loved King’s NBA finalist Blackouts and can’t wait for this one, too.
All the Little Bird-Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow: This month’s Booker of the Month.
The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma*: Out 6/4. Obioma is a powerhouse and even before reading it, I fully expect this to land on the Booker Prize longlist.
Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland*: Out 6/11. Another one I’ve been anticipating for months! Yay for queer pirates!!
Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi*: Out 6/18. I’ll read literally anything Emezi writes, so.
Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo*: Also out 6/18. The Most Fun We Ever Had is still one of my favorite books, so I am HYPED for this.
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright: Women’s Prize shortlister #1. (The award is announced in mid-June.)
Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville: Women’s Prize shortlister #2.
Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad: Women’s Prize shortlister #3.
Witch King by Martha Wells: This month’s pick from the list of Hugo nominees. I’ve only ever read Wells’ Murderbot books, so I’m excited to see how her fantasy holds up!
*gifted to me by the publisher
May Booker of the Month
ICYMI, I run a book club called Booker of the Month, where we read one book from the Booker Prize longlist each month. There are 13, so we double up just once, and by the time next year’s longlist is announced, we’ll have read them all.
This month’s selection is All the Little Bird-Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow. Join us!!
Find it on The StoryGraph or Goodreads
Sign up for our Zoom discussion on Monday, May 20 at 8 PM ET (NOTE: This is a week earlier than usual due to Memorial Day!)
May hot releases
I keep a running list of new releases I’m excited for on my Bookshop storefront, plus a list of recent releases I love or expect to love.
A few books that I have my eye on in May include:
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons
This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud
Exhibit by R. O. Kwon
Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel
The Second Coming by Garth Risk Hallberg
As always, thanks for sharing your corner of the internet with me! It would mean a lot if you were to take a second to like this post. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments, too.
Finally, if you like this newsletter, please send a few friends my way.
See you on Instagram!
— Deedi (she/her)
Loving the TBR!