April’s reading wrap-up is here for 2026! I was happy to read at least four books for this month. It was a decent collection of random, too. If you haven’t guessed yet, I also read a book I will not be sharing in this wrap-up. Instead of being mysterious however, I will at least name it: Kiss of Seduction by Rawnie Sabor. It is long (over 500 pages) and very good, but the content warnings and themes are very intense and adult-focused. I got half-way through the second book from Sabor, A Little Sin, before I took a reading break to focus on work.
Still, I’m happy with what I accomplished for April. Teaching this new year is giving me a more realistic look at how many books I can actually read.
4. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Published March 1, 2005
Rating: 4.75 stars
Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir
Summary: A look into the deeply dysfunctional and especially vibrant Walls family from the view of Jeannette Walls, one of four children. Jeannette’s father is brilliant when he’s sober, teaching the children various lessons. When he’s drinking, he’s violent and chaotic. Her mother, on the other hand, never seemed to want to raise a family and prefers to be a free-spirited painter instead. With this tumultuous parentage, the Walls children learn to take care of themselves from young ages. Eventually, they find their way to New York, with their parents not far behind.
Maybe it’s not fair to include a book that I taught to mostly unenthusiastic sophomores, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t read it. I also technically read this through the entirety of March and finished it officially on April 1st. It is still counted in my yearly count on Goodreads anyway. Even though I’m not a nonfiction person generally, it is very good. The Walls family adventures paint a visceral image of loyalty, perseverance, and abuse/neglect. It is both difficult to read and so important. At times, I find myself in disbelief that these things happened to real people. As for teaching The Glass Castle, it’s hard because of the content and the length. The middle has some slow points which knocked .25 of a star off for me. Even if some books higher on this list might have lower ratings, I still prefer them over a nonfiction book.
3. Warriors: Changing Skies #3: Chasing Shadows by Erin Hunter
Published March 31, 2026
Rating: 4.25 stars
Genres: Fantasy, Cats, Children’s
Summary: Moonpaw finally has to confess to her Clan who Morningkit is and why she’s been acting so strange. As her Clan rallies around her and she gets closer to fellow apprentice Goldenpaw, her sister’s threats begin to become scarier. Moonpaw begins to worry that perhaps ThunderClan is better off without her. Meanwhile, Tawnypelt is sure that Bluestar’s warning is dire and begins to converse with Clan Elders’ to get to the bottom of it. Amidst all of this, Starlingpaw grows bolder in his conviction that he’s the one to save the Clans.
The third book of the Changing Skies arc delivered what the other two have, a stillness that borders on uninteresting. It makes me feel awkward to describe it that way because I don’t want to slander the series, but it is what it is. For a full review, check out “Changing Skies: Chasing Shadows Review.”
2. Halo by Moira Darling
Published April 7, 2026
Rating: 4.5 stars
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Second Chance, LGBTQ+, Sapphic, Lesbian
Summary: A paranormal sapphic romance with a magical girl pop idol group and a second-chance, childhood friends situation. Kaia is the head of world renowned pop group, but this is all a ruse. Their choreography is really fighting, while their special effects are magically manifested weapons to defeat demons. When Kaia and her group are sent back to her hometown Harbor Lights Festival to defeat the Chorus demon, she finds herself entangled with her ex-best friend and first love, Evie. Evie, working late shifts at the hometown diner and taking care of her sick grandmother, never wanted Kaia back in her life, especially not with the complication of demons. While Kaia struggles to protect Evie and keep her job, Evie struggles to forgive.
I have been reading Moira Darling since their debut novel and I cannot tell you how much she improves each and every book. Halo was inspired by KPop Demon Hunters, but since I haven’t seen that movie the world Darling created is fresh for me. I loved the magic system, the grief and regret portrayals, and the distinct personalities for each of the characters both major and minor. The figurative and poetic language that Darling uses always brings me further into the story, and the setting was perfectly balanced for the plot. My only issues with the story was the repetitiveness in the writing itself and the fight scenes. I also felt like the vibe of the intimacy wasn’t super fitting. Still, I was so pleased with the entirety of the book and I cannot wait for a sequel.
1. Savage by Chaos Davie
Published April 10th, 2026
Rating: 5 stars
Genres: Dark Romance, LGBTQ+, Sapphic, Lesbian
Summary: Book Two in Davie’s The Triarchy Collection follows London’s Triarchy ruler, Erynn Loxley. She is ruthless, like steel, and has climbed her way to this spot through blood. Her life is controlled until the chaotic Helena tumbles into her sphere as everything falls around her. Erynn didn’t plan on falling for anyone, ever, but this woman with her infuriating cheekiness and a shadowy past slips through. As Erynn tries to steer everything back on track, Helena helps and hurts. Will she choose her throne or this feral woman she loves?
Chaos Davie’s work are some of the only dark romance books that I must include on reading wrap-ups or other book lists (like my “10 Best Sapphic Reads of 2025”). I want to stress though, this series is very mature (18+ scenes) and includes many trigger warnings. I sing the praises of this series, but not without acknowledgement that it is a little out there for my usual reading wrap-ups.
Anyway. Erynn Loxley is the perfect ice queen that holds herself together with steel and a violent tongue. Helena is a gorgeous chaotic mess on the end of Erynn’s leash (barely controlled ). I loved getting a deeper dive into the intricacies of the Triarchy, too. The physical connection was steaming, with that restrained yearning only lasting for the perfect amount of time. I loved how fluidly they fell to each other’s comforts, and I could feel the bond between them snap together. The story line was more emotionally charged than I was prepared for, with turns that literally twisted the knife in my gut. Even when I knew some of the events from Sadist, reading them from Erynn’s perspective hurt. Helena’s energy was very appreciated. A feral, dangerous, and impulsive woman was a good opposite to Erynn. This was an excellent ARC read, and I can’t wait until the third installment, Sinner.
2026 monthly wrap-ups: January, February, March
2025 monthly wrap-ups: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
