Books I Read in April

This was an unprecedented month wherein I read THREE advance reader copies from publishers. I usually do not stray from one a month, tops, but I couldn't help myself requesting all the great spring reads! I have one more in the pipeline for next week and then I'm taking a break until mid June.

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
This book was such a cool departure from my usual literary fiction. I went in without knowing much about the premise and found it to be amazingly creative fantasy. It's thoughtful, entertaining and super creepy. In addition to the excellent world building, McGuire has some searing observations in her writing:
"Call it irony, if you like, but we spend so much time waiting for our boys to stray that they never have the opportunity. We notice the silence of men. We depend upon the silence of women."
"Parents don't always like to admit that things have changed. They want the world to be exactly the way it was before their children went away on these life-changing adventures, and when the world doesn't oblige, they try to force it into the boxes they build for us."
Now that I have the lay of the land at this school for 'wayward children' I think I will most likely check out the other books in the series that give them some more back story. At only 173 pages, McGuire was able to create vivid characters that I want to get to know. 

Heating & Cooling by Beth Ann Fennelly
Not only was this an unprecedented month with so many ARCs, but I read TWO story collections. I honestly can't say when I last read a short story collection! Heating and Cooling is a memoir written by Fennelly in these amazing little snippets that had me guffawing (her 'Married Love' stories are a hoot) and then holding back tears (mostly stories about her mother). It is uproarious, emotionally raw and searingly witty. It took me just over an hour or so to read it, and I would have spent ten hours reading her work - absolutely a favorite read this year.

The Magnificent Esme Wells by Adrienne Sharp
This was a surprisingly dark, yet mesmerizing novel - you can read my full review here.

Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
I gathered going into this that the second Anne of Green Gables is kind of an in-between book, before Anne really goes on her next big life adventure. Though it wasn't as linear with a clear story arc like the first book, I love, love, loved it all the same. One of the many reasons I enjoy the series, is that most of the chapters are fantastic little anecdotes in the life of the main character. I pick it up and feel like I check in on how my beloved friend is doing. The lovely, warm and humorous Anne is like a balm. It is the definition of comfort reading and solidified my decision to treat myself to the gorgeous Boxed Set with cover art by Elly Mackay.

You Think It, I'll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld
The second of the aforementioned short story collections I read this month, and I give it ALL THE STARS. It's totally going on my end of year favorites list and you can read my full review here. I suppose I should start reading more short story collections...

The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy
This was a fun read, despite the fact that I'm not usually a fan of thrillers! Full review here.