Welcome to a celebration of the books I loved this month! 

In April 2026, I read 29 books, including 9 picture books. I listened to 14 audiobooks and worked to read my shelves this month, reading 7 books I own. 

Here are the titles I gave five stars this month. A list of all the titles I read this month is at the end of this post. 

Tell me – what have you read that you enjoyed?

Booking for Trouble by Jenn McKinlay

Book 16 and the last (!?!) in the Library Lover’s Mystery series. I have read this series since the very start – right when I was a brand new library director and it has held a special place in my heart. I adore Jenn’s writing style – wonderful cozy descriptions and characters I love. Each character has grown throughout the series, and while I’m sad to say goodbye, the series ended in such a lovely way that I can imagine life going on in Briar Creek. I’d love to visit. 

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

I’m late to the party on this one and I loved it with my entire heart. I’m not someone who usually wants to mark up books but if I had been reading with a pencil in hand, I would have underlined so many lines about the love of books and reading. And I’ve never wanted a magically sentient spider plant more. I didn’t want this wonderfully cozy story of found family and books and magic to end. 

The Market Girls of Petticoat Lane by Patricia McBride

I love Patricia McBride’s writing so when I saw a new historical series out by her, I jumped at the chance. Her books are especially good on audio and my only complaint is that I can’t stop listening to them so I finish them too soon! If you are a reader who loves character driven, saga like historical stories, this is another one not to be missed. Patricia brings the setting and people to life and I feel as though I am right there with them. And she does an excellent job of pairing heartbreaking stories with stories of hope and strength. I can’t say enough good things about this!

Vengeance in Venice by Erica Ruth Neubauer

A Jane Wunderly Mystery #7. At long last, Jane and Redvers have arrived in Venice, the famed city of love, for their honeymoon. But can these two actually go anywhere without helping to solve a murder? The answer is no, and for that I am so glad. I adore this historical mystery series – especially delightful on audio. I love to travel with this couple and they are the perfect pair. They know each other so well, and support each other. This mystery had a more scandalous nature than others, but that didn’t stop this duo. Wonderful historical details made me feel like I was actually in Venice in the year 1927.

An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear

Maisie Dobbs #5. I love this historical mystery series and it is especially wonderful to listen to. I wish I had even half of the calm and thoughtfulness that Maisie has. These are fascinating and thoughtful mysteries that Maisie solves with deliberation. 

Here are all the titles I read in April 2026:

Love A Comeback Ruthie Knox, Annie Mare

Floors Patrick Carman

Here One Moment Liane Moriarty

Without A Clue Melissa Ferguson

Murder, Local Style Leslie Karst

Two Purloined Pillows Allie Pleiter

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter Heather Fawcett

Yesteryear Caro Claire Burke

The First Time I Saw Him Laura Dave

Poached Stuart Gibbs

Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line Elle Cosimano

52 Ways to Walk Annabel Streets

Apple Pie Tired Beth Charles

The Curious Garden Peter Brown

Dog vs Strawberry Nelly Buchet

The Boy Who Found His Voice Tyler Gordon

When Green Becomes Tomatoes Julie Fogliano

Maid For Each Other Lynn Painter

Beautiful Things Emily Rath

Mistakes Were Made Lucy Score

Booking for Trouble Jenn McKinlay

The Spellshop Sarah Beth Durst

The Market Girls of Petticoat Lane Patricia McBride

Vengeance in Venice Erica Ruth Neubauer

An Incomplete Revenge Jacqueline Winspear

A Crown for Corina Laekan Zea Kemp

A Garden in My Hands Meera Sriram

All the Books Hayley Rocco

Goldfinches Mary Oliver