Notes from the Shelf

April went by in a flash, and with a quieter work month, I managed to finish five books! That brings my year-to-date total to 24. This month’s reads included two nonfiction and three fiction titles, helping me stick to my goal of reading at least one of each from my own shelf.

I’m making slow progress on my physical TBR, although my book-buying habit may be outpacing it (oops). Four of the five authors were American, so I didn’t hit my goal of reading more globally this month—but there’s always May!

What I Read

Mickey7 by Edward Ashton

296 pages | Science Fiction | 2 stars

This was my library book club pick. It was a fast, entertaining read but ultimately left me disappointed due to its lack of depth. If you’re into light sci-fi with a cool concept but don’t need much substance, it might work for you.

Read my full review of Mickey7

The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister

336 pages| Gothic Horror | 3 stars

One of the fiction books I already owned, purchased through Book of the Month. I had high hopes, but it leaned too melancholy for my taste. That said, the atmosphere was eerie and unique.

Read my full review of The Bog Wife

Supermaker: Crafting Business on Your Own Terms by Jaime Schmidt

309 pages | Nonfiction-Business | 4 stars

This library nonfiction pick shares how the founder of Schmidt’s Deodorant built her business from scratch. Her entrepreneurial journey was inspiring and a refreshing look at startup life outside Silicon Valley.

Work Simply: Embracing the Power of Your Personal Productivity Style by Carson Tate

304 pages | Nonfiction- Personal Development | 3 stars

This was the nonfiction book from my own shelf. While the productivity types were interesting, I found some of the style distinctions repetitive. Still, there were a few useful tools and takeaways.

The Sun was Electric Light by Rachel Morton

211 pages | Literary Fiction | 4 stars

This was another from my personal TBR. It’s a quiet, contemplative read—slow in pace but thoughtful in theme. Not much action, but if you like introspective stories, it’s worth your time.

Read my full review of The Sun was Electric Light.

Favorite Book of the Month

My favorite April 2025 read was The Sun Was Electric Light by Rachel Morton. While it wasn’t a page-turner, it lingered with me in the best way.

Catch Up on Past Monthly Wrap-Ups

What was Your Favorite Book in April?

Have you read any of the books I mentioned? What stood out for you in April? Let me know in the comments or tag me on Bluesky!

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