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Best Books of April 2022
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Getting in early but there's been a clear favourite for me this month so far. - Title: The Cartographers
- Author: Peng Shepherd
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): eBook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): 48. a book related to the phrase "here there be dragons"
- Brief reason why it was the best: if you grew up loving maps and wishing they were magical, this is the book for you. But it's also an excellent mystery
- Title: Those Who Prey- Author: Jennifer Moffett
- Rating: 4 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Print
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): A book by an author with two sets of double letters in their name
- Brief reason why it was the best: It's a YA story of a lonely girl who joins a cult. It does a good job of showing how subtly they begin to manipulate her. There's a little bit of a mystery too.
Mod
- Author: Dana Stabenow
- Rating: 4 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): eBook (Kindle)
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): 37. All five vowels in the title and/or author's name
- Brief reason why it was the best: This has been on my bookshelf for years, and I'd been putting off reading it, as it was something of a departure for the author - historical adventure, rather than crime/thrillers set in Alaska. I needed a book for a historical fiction prompt for another challenge, so I finally got it off the metaphorical shelf. I was immediately grabbed by the sense of time and place (the Silk Road in the 1320s), and completely drawn in. So I'm listing it here as it was such an unexpected pleasure.
It's part one of her Silk and Song Trilogy trilogy, and as it ended on something of a cliffhanger, and I intend to read the others straight off.
- TitleThe Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep: A New Way of Getting Children to Sleep- Author Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin
- Rating 5 star
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) kindle
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) book related to the mind ( uses pyschology to induce sleep
- Brief reason why it was the best: quite snugly and honestly a thin month
Title: The Bread the Devil Knead
Author: Lisa Allen-Agostini
Rating: 5 🌟
Format: ebook
ATY Prompt you used it for: tarot cards ('the devil')
Brief reason why it was the best: Loved the setting (Trinidad), the writing style (Trinidadian Creole) and the strong and well-developed protagonist. In terms of content this is a very bleak and often uncomfortable story but is so well-balanced and readable thanks to the Creole narrative which brings out so much personality and humour.
TitleThe Bungalow
Author
Sarah Jio
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format
Print (from library)
ATY Prompt you used it for
A book published at least 10 years ago (2011)
Also: main character's name starts with A, T, Y (Anne), historical fiction genre, without a person on the cover, set during 1900-1951, on or near a body of water, small town or rural area, character in the golden years
Brief reason why it was the best
I am a sucker for historical fiction anyway, but when you through in romance, murder, and the beautiful setting of Bora Bora, then it's even better.
Mod
Author: Richard Osman
Rating: 5 stars
Format: Print
ATY Prompt - not sure yet
Brief reason why it was the best: I love this series. Maybe because I am a retired person myself, I enjoy the idea that the oldsters can use stereotypes about them to manipulate others. In this book, we get a deeper look at our characters, including Bogdan and Elizabeth's husband Stephen. Also, Joyce who seemed mainly an observer in the first book, is much more central here. The humor is great and much of the story is heartwarming in a non-sentimental way.
- Title: The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot- Author: Marianne Cronin
- Rating: 5 Stars
- Format: Audio
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): A book that uses all five vowels in the title and/or author's name
- Brief reason why it was the best: The book is both comical and bittersweet, with an uplifting feel.
I have 2 this month, one fiction and one non-fiction:Non-Fiction:
- Title: Washington: A Life
- Author: Ron Chernow
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Audio
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): n/a
- Brief reason why it was the best: Extremely detailed cradle-to-grave biography of George Washington that provides an excellent idea of his character and how he was perceived during his lifetime. Chernow is a beautiful writer with a great grasp of language. It humanizes the man, and provides information that is not often mentioned, such as his family life and life outside of the war and the presidency.
Fiction:
- Title: Sepharad
- Author: Antonio Muñoz Molina
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): e-book
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): n/a, but could be used for 20. A fiction or nonfiction book that is set during 1900 -1951 or 22. A book with a Jewish character or author or 31. A book published at least 10 years ago
- Brief reason why it was the best:
This is a book of reconstructed memories related to Spain during the Spanish Civil War, WWII, and Stalin’s regime, based on eye-witness accounts. Rather than write a non-fiction, the author ties everything together through various fictional narrators traveling on trains. The overall effect is that of a montage of memories. I had never read anything by Antonio Muñoz Molina. What an amazing writer! He creates a vivid sense of place, establishes atmosphere, and strings words together in a pleasing lyrical manner.
- Title Travel Light- Author: Naomi Mitchison
- Rating: 4 stars
- Format eBook
- ATY Prompt you used it for: It works as a book with fewer than 5,000 ratings, the mythology prompt, or the dragon prompt. Not sure which one I’ll end up using it for.
- Brief reason why it was the best - It’s a charming little tale about a feisty little dragon girl and it was written by a friend of J.R.R. Tolkien. What’s not to love?
Title: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the DeadAuthor: Olga Tokarczuk
Rating: 4.25 stars
Format: Print, borrowed from my cousin
ATY Prompt you used it for: The "fauna" part of the flora and fauna multiweek prompt. (#35)
Brief reason why it was the best: Slow burn start, extremely compelling finish. I thought it was the perfect amount of "weird" and the characters were odd and charming and complicated.
- Title - The Song of Achilles- Author - Madeline Miller
- Rating - 4 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) - ebook and audio
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) - A book related to mythology
- Brief reason why it was the best - I didn't have any 5 star reads this month but this was close. I just got a little bored from time to time once they grew up but overall it was really lovely story.
- Title: Broken- Author: Jenny Lawson
- Rating: 5
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): audio
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): I used for a Rejects prompt: a book mentioned in the Reading Women podcast
- Brief reason why it was the best: Jenny Lawson is so funny but also tells about her mental illness struggles. I'm always amazed by her ability to tell her story.
Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui was so much more than I expected! Very moving, evocative, and educational, and I am feeling motivated to swim again, which is saying something! Five star nonfiction is a bit rare for me.
Title A Deadly Education
Author Naomi Novik
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format Hardcover
ATY Prompt you used it for Academic setting.
Brief reason why it was the best I've seen this described as Murderbot meets Harry Potter and it really does fit. The MC is a teenaged girl who is antisocial, sarcastic and has a natural talent for dark and destructive magic. She's at a magical school where the students are under constant attack from monsters. And then the class hero takes an interest in her.... This is the opening line: "I decided Orion Lake had to die the second time he saved my life." lol😋
- I added it to the listopia.
Title: The Grand Unified Theory of BullshitAuthor: Cecil Cicirello and Tom Curry
Rating: 5 stars
Format: Ebook
ATY Prompt you used it for: N/A, but could be used for #3, a book with more than 22 letters in the title, #14. A book with fewer than 5000 ratings on Goodreads, #37, a book with all five vowels in the title, or #51, a book published in 2022
Brief reason it was the best: Definitely not a book for everyone, but I really enjoyed Cecil & Tom's writing (they are the hosts of the skeptical/atheist Cognitive Dissonance podcast). This is a critical thinking toolkit for navigating past the abundance of nonsense in the world, from the paranormal to medical quackery to conspiracy theories.
- Title - In the Days of Rain: A Daughter, A Father, A Cult- Author - Rebecca Stott
- Rating - 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) - Print
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) - n/a but could be used for #3 a book with more than 22 letters in the title, #4 an author with two sets of double letters in their name, #14 a book with fewer than 5000 ratings on Goodreads, #37 a book that uses all 5 vowels in the title and/or the authors name
- Brief reason why it was the best - I loved the way this dealt with being a cult without glamourising or horror-ising the story. It explained how normal day to day life went on. I thought it was very well written and referenced. I kept stopping to find out more information about the events which had been referenced. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to know how extreme religion operates. Or anyone who is interested in the history of society/education in the UK.
- Title: Ran Away- Author: Barbara Hambly
- Rating: 5/5
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): I read it ebook, but there's also definitely a print version
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): 31. A book published at least 10 years ago
- Brief reason why it was the best: I always really enjoy the Benjamin January books and this one was just great. A lot of flashbacks are used to build up a really compelling mystery.
Title: Dog On ItAuthor: Spencer Quinn
Rating: 5 stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio) Print
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) 30 related to flora/fauna
Brief reason why it was the best It's a delightful story told from the POV of the dog half of a small detective agency. Chet the dog is funny, easily distracted, adores his owner Bernie, and does his best to keep up while on the case. This is the first of a series and I can't wait to read the rest.
Mod
Author: Spencer Quinn
Rating: 5 stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio) Print
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) 30 related to flora/fauna
Brief reason why it was the best It's..."
I love this series and it's wonderful on audio!
Title: The Last CuentistaAuthor: Donna Barba Higuera
Rating: 5 Stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): eBook
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): Did not use for a prompt
Brief reason why it was the best
This was a well written dystopian novel that keeps your interest from beginning to end.
- Title: One Good Earl Deserves a Lover
- Author: Sarah MacLean
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): print
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): didn't use it
- Brief reason why it was the best: one of the good old historical romance books, a fun and quick comfort read for rainy days
Kahlia wrote: "Getting in early but there's been a clear favourite for me this month so far. - Title: The Cartographers
- Author: Peng Shepherd
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Prin..."
I need to get to that soon!
Title: Festival Days- Author: Ann Beard
- Rating: 5 *
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): audio
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): no ATY prompt.
- Brief reason why it was the best :
Surprising, moving, very well written - I am very selective with my 5 starts - but this one totally earned it!
- Title A Master of Djinn- Author P. Djèlí Clark
- Rating 5 Stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) Ebook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) 48. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2021 or 2022 (July 2021)
- Brief reason why it was the best I really enjoy this author's work. It is very different from anything else I have read.
Fifteen Dogs by André AlexisI listened to the audiobook (wonderfully narrated by the author) and gave it 4 stars.
I used it for the "A book with a non-human main character" prompt.
Really imaginative premise - dogs suddenly given human intelligence - beautifully realized. Surprising and unique, with some intriguing poems included.
I had a really good reading month! Here are all my ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reads:
📖 The Stars Are Legion by Kameron Hurley (audio)
📖 A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik (audio)
📖 The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (audio)
📖 The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik (audio)
📖 Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (audio)
📖 The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin (print)
🦩
🦎
🕷️
🦒
🐾
Non-Fiction:- Title: I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer
- Author: Michelle McNamara
- Rating: 4 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Audio
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): n/a
- Brief reason why it was the best: I'm not typically a true crime reader. This book was highly recommended by a friend in another group. McNamara wrote a true crime blog and gradually focused in on a serial rapist in the Sacramento area in the 1970s and 1980s. She researched information and clues about this man in the middle of the night while her family slept. It became an obsession with her and she was sending/receiving information to the police after writing a magazine article about the man. McNamara was mostly done writing her book about the Golden State Killer, a name she gave him, when she died in her sleep. Her research was exhaustive and included visits to survivors and sites of attacks. Over time he is tied to other crimes as police realize he has branched out from small thefts in his youth to rape to murder in addition to geographical movement that kept all of his crimes from being tied together. It was interesting to see the evolution of this case as police gradually pieced it together in days before linked databases and DNA evidence. The case drags on long enough that both of those eventually come into play and are essential to the arrest of the Golden State Killer only four days after McNamara's death.
Fiction:
- Title: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
- Author: Mildred D. Taylor
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Print
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): 28: A book that won an award from Powell's list of book awards. This book won the Newbery in 1976.
- Brief reason why it was the best:
This book is about growing up black in the Deep South (Mississippi) during the 1930s. Cassie Logan is only nine years old and doesn't understand why she is expected to behave differently than her white peers. Why is her whole family expected to never stand up for themselves? Why shouldn't they shop in a different town where prices are cheaper? (This last results in middle of the night violence and financial repercussions). Taylor addresses Jim Crow laws, segregation, the fear caused by Blacks owning their own land, racist violence, and different ways Black youth attempt to find their own way in addition to the hardships of the Great Depression.
- Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper- Author: Kerri Maniscalco
- Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Print
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): It works for a main character whose name starts with ATY, historical fiction, gothic elements, and woman in STEM
- Brief reason why it was the best: Suspenseful, well written and likable characters, and great to anyone who is interested in true crime (even though this is fiction)
Looking back, April was jam packed full of books I really loved, however I think I want to elevate on specifically- Title This Poison Heart
- Author Kalynn Bayron
- Rating 5/5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) eBook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) 35. 2 books related to flora and fauna (the flora portion. This title also works for a loving LGBTQ+ relationship, related to mythology, takes place in a rural area/small town, and probably more if I think about it
- Brief reason why it was the best
I love Briseis and her moms and seeing Bri explore her family's past. The relationships are written so lovingly, the mythology exploration and the interesting plant magic drew me in. I cannot wait for the sequel to come out in June to pick up where it was left off.
This was a tough decision as April was a very good reading month for me, I read 21 books (including graphic novels) and only had 2 books that rated below 4 stars. I had 3 five star books which I narrowed down to 2. One of them is the, objectively, best book of the two and the other is my favorite book of the two. :) I recommend both of them for future reading!- Title:
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea- Author: Axie Oh
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Fairyloot Hardcover Edition
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): #24 - A book related to inclement weather
- Brief reason why it was my favorite - This was a beautiful reimagining of a Korean fairytale about a girl who decides to take her brother's love's place as a bridal sacrifice to the Sea God in order to stop the storms ravaging their homeland. Gorgeous writing and I thought the main character was very relatable. I read this book in one sitting and adored it. While it wasn't as technically strong as the other book listed, I just find myself more fond of it, maybe due to my love of fairytales in genteral. :) I will be definitely be checking out further books by this author.
- Title:
Skyward- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Print Paperback + Audible narration
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): #34 - A book with an academic setting or with a teacher that plays an important role
- Brief reason why it was the best - I read this to dip my toes into reading Brandon Sanderson and it was amazing. I loved the characters who all had distinct personalities. This book centered around Spensa, whose father was labelled a coward when he 'abandoned' his flight squad while battling is a major battle for humankind, and how she handles being ostracized socially while growing up and the struggles this causes her while applying for and attending Flight Academy to become a pilot. It's a fantastic read and I plan to read the rest of the series and also, more books by this author. I loved it!
I read a lot of Alien romances by Viki Storm and Presley Hall in April, and those were pretty much all 5 stars from me. But if I have to pick a best book from April it would be: - Title: The Hoboken Chicken Emergency
- Author: Daniel Pinkwater
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format: Print
- ATY Prompt you used it for: I didn't, but it would fit in #22 A book with 22 or more letters in the title; 14. A book with fewer than 5000 ratings on Goodreads; 25. A book less than 220 pages OR more than 440 pages; 31. A book published at least 10 years ago; 35/36. Two books related to Flora or Fauna; 46. A book with a non-human as one of the main characters
- Brief reason why it was the best: I love Daniel Pinkwater. This book is cute because Arthur goes out to get a turkey for his family's Thanksgiving and comes home with a giant pet chicken. Henrietta stays with him until his dad says she has to leave, but Henrietta doesn't want to leave Arthur, so she sticks around Hoboken to find him.
Mod
Title: A Court of Mist and FuryAuthor: Sarah J. Maas
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): eBook
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): none
Brief reason why it was the best: A rare case where the second book in a series is better than the first. Still a little mad that I waited so long to read these.
Title: In Other LandsAuthor: Sarah Rees Brennan
Rating: 5 stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Audio
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): A book connected to the phrase "here be dragons" - Elliot reads that phrase on a map
Brief reason why it was the best: I will admit this was a reread, but also I can't put into words how amazing this story is. I love and adore Elliot, Luke and Serene and I would live in this world forever if I could.
Mod
Author: Kate Stayman-London
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Audio
ATY Prompt you used it for: The NPR list
Brief reason why it was the best: I don't watch The Bachelor so I wasn't sure I'd like this book, but it was exactly the right type of light and fluffy that I needed going into May!
- The Relic Master- Christopher Buckley
- 4 stars
- Format - Print
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) - none
- Brief reason why it was the best - just what I was in the mood for at the time: adventure/romance, a little history, and political/religious satire of the reformation
I have two to add for April! - Title: Shadow and Bone
- Author: Leigh Bardugo
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): print
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): 22 - A book with a Jewish character or author - the author is Jewish
- Brief reason why it was the best: It is a fantastic story - captivating, a smooth read, interesting characters. I'm pretty sure it's actually a YA book, but I loved it.
- Title: The Travelling Cat Chronicles
- Author: Hiro Arikawa
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): audio
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): I am doing a challenge to read 20 books set in 20 different countries, but I did not use if for an ATY prompt.
- Brief reason why it was the best: It is sweet, funny, and heartbreaking. I was sobbing at the end - which was probably not a good thing since I was driving. LOL.
A little late, but here were my 3 favourite books in April:- Title: Lore Olympus: Volume Two
- Author: Rachel Smythe
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): ebook (WebToon)
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): 2 books with the same word in the title - Book 1
- Brief reason why it was the best: I love how Perse and Hades' relationship progresses and everything in this book was exciting!
- Title: The Tea Dragon Society
- Author: Kay O'Neill
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): ebook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): A book connected to the phrase "Here (There) Be Dragons"
- Brief reason why it was the best: Such a diverse graphic novel covering a lot of topics and such cute illustrations.
- Title: Heartstopper: Volume One
- Author: Alice Oseman
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): ebook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): A book that features loving LGBTQIA+ relationship
- Brief reason why it was the best: Best LGBTQIA graphic novel I read lately, and I totally hyped Nick and Charlie.
- Title: You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It's Making the World a Weirder Place- Author: Janelle Shane
- Rating: 4.5 stars?
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): eBook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): A book with fewer than 5000 ratings on Goodreads
- Brief reason why it was the best: Quirky and fun exploration and explanation of the strengths and limitations of AI. I find myself reflecting on this book a lot as I run into AI content and discussion in the wild.
Title: House of Sky and BreathAuthor: Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 5 Stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Print
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): Your most anticipated book of the year (for another challenge)
Brief reason why it was the best: While I still think I liked the first book in this series a little more overall, I ultimately loved the direction that the author took and loved the characters, especially Ruhn.
- Title : We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast- Author: Jonathan Safran Foer
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Kindle
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): 16. A book related to Earth Day
- Brief reason why it was the best: I learned a lot about how our food choices affect climate change and the planet. I always thought veganism was more about your own health and/or animal welfare. Also, this book does not push that you need to go "full vegan", but just that you can help climate change my limiting the amount of animal products you eat/use. Seemed very balanced.
Title: Jessamine
Author: Eugenia O'Neal
Rating: 5 stars
Format: ebook
ATY prompt: Alternate world or reality/ less than 5000 ratings/ historical fiction
Reason: This was a gripping dual timeline historical romance set in the Caribbean by an amazing British Virgin Islands author. Here is my review
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Jessamine (other topics)We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast (other topics)
House of Sky and Breath (other topics)
You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It's Making the World a Weirder Place (other topics)
The Tea Dragon Society (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Eugenia O'Neal (other topics)Jonathan Safran Foer (other topics)
Sarah J. Maas (other topics)
Kate Stayman-London (other topics)
Sarah Rees Brennan (other topics)
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