What I’ve Been Reading Lately: April 2019 Edition

Hi friends! I’m coming off a pretty wicked reading slump in March but April is seeming to be a little bit better minus last week when Riley was sick AND we took a trip to the ER which was beyond scary to me. I’ve just wanting to dive into some fiction after that stressful experience. 

BUT I have another roundup of books I’ve read lately and want to share with you and I’m REALLY trying to be timely with these now that I caught up with my backlog. So, let’s jump to it:

[Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click on a link and purchase something I’ve talked about or recommended, I’ll receive a very small percentage of the sale. Please see my disclosure policy for more info.]

How To Make Friends With The Dark by Kathleen Glasgow

*A free copy of this book was provided for review consideration. As always, this doesn’t affect my opinion of the book!*

This one hit real close to home in the grief/loss of a mom department — which is why it was one of my most anticipated young adult book of 2019. Even as many years as its been for me…I find certain books that can hit a spot that makes it all feel so raw again. I really felt for Tiger immediately — how can you not? She loses her mom who is her EVERYTHING (despite certain rocky aspects of their relationship) and gets bounced into the foster care system — while grieving and mourning. I found the little moments of grief and loss portrayed to be what made this book for me on a personal level. There’s just little things that if you’ve lost someone you will recognize even if it’s not exactly the same (Tiger wearing that dress her mom picked out….might seem silly to someone else but I’d say all of us grievers have that one thing we can’t rationalize or let go of in our minds). It’s a unique book and I know it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but it was definitely mine.  (FIND IT: Amazon // Barnes & Noble)

Rating: 4/5

Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce

Oh this one was so delightful!! Definitely going to recommend it to people who say all the historical they read is depressing because, sure there’s a sad part and it’s set during a war, but this is NOT that at all. I loved this story of our twenty-something main character during WW2 who has big dreams of being a war correspondent and applies for a jobs she think will get her on that track only to realize she’s really taken a job as typist for a small, out of touch women’s magazine where the boss only prints “acceptable” advice column letters and that bothers the main character who sees all these women looking for real help in such a hard time and makes her decide to help them.

The MC is plucky and the rest of the main characters are wonderful. I loved how this book shows every day life and normalcy in a time that is NOT normal…when people are trying to find a new normal as their city gets bombed during the war. This one made me smile a lot and I thoroughly enjoyed it. (FIND IT: Amazon // Barnes & Noble)

Rating: 4/5

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Gosh what can I even say about this?? One of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. I loved getting to know her childhood and her life through this book! She’s got a knack for storytelling and I couldn’t put it down. She’s candid and real and I admire her even more!! I always struggle when people ask me who my role model is but put her down as one because I truly feel she is after reading this. Inspiring and a great look into the life of this wonderful woman.   (Amazon // Barnes & Noble)

Rating: 4.5/5

Confessions of A Domestic Failure by Bunmi Laditan

Oh this one was so fun! It was our book club’s pick after a few people said we needed something lighter after some of our last reads. We are all moms so this one brought an amazing discussion. I thought this book was really fun (albeit silly and over the top sometimes…which it obviously was trying to be) and I really could relate so much to this fictional stay at home mom as one myself. So many aspects of motherhood where I was like OMG YES THIS IS ME I FEEL THIS WAY. It was a lighter read and, while I wasn’t excited about it when it won the poll and became our pick, I am SO glad I picked it up. If you are looking for a fun book that touches on motherhood in a tender yet hilarious way, I highly recommend. (Amazon // Barnes & Noble)

Rating: 3.5/5

When You Read This by Mary Adkins

I liked this one but I SO wanted more! I loved the format — basically told via a person’s digital footprint so emails/texts/messages. It does keep you a little bit at a distance but I really enjoyed the format and how these things told the story. But I just wanted more?? Definitely kept my attention and I loved the premise of this blog being left behind by the main character and becoming the point of connection for her sister and her boss that she was close with. I felt for both of them and felt their loss. I didn’t really connect so much with them as much as I wished…like sure I rooted for them..but not wholeheartedly. I finished and was like well okay I don’t regret it but I don’t love it — though plenty of people did! I did love that even though it was sad in some parts overall it was a lighter read.  (Amazon // Barnes & Noble)

Rating: 3/5

Have you read any of these books? If so, thoughts?! Putting any of the ones I talked about on your TBR? Tell me what you’ve been reading!

Need more reading inspiration? Check out this list of books for adults to read in 2019 or this list of book to movie adaptations in 2019!