Hello everyone!! I want to start doing these at the end of the month. I always do one in my book journal so it makes sense for me to make one here in this space as well!
This month, I read 7 books, that were a mix of genres.
I read two nonfiction, one poetry book, two cozy mysteries, a cozy fantasy, and a middle grade. I also had on DNF, sadly.
I was able to add the nonfiction books to my nonfiction challenge goal of Nonfiction Nibbler in Shelleyrae’s Nonfiction Reading Challenge. I seem to be stuck on memoirs but that is ok, this is the most nonfiction that I have read in a while.
As for settings, I visited rural France, 1920s Montreal, California, the Hudson Valley NY, and Long Island.
Faves:
Of course it was. Magic and cats and cat rescue and Montreal and the 1920s. It was such a great book! I will be reviewing it soon.
I am a cohost with Lisa at Boondock Ramblings, who thought of the monthly bookish linkup A Good Book and a Cup of Tea for all things book, not just books read or reviews, but bookstore visits or author visits or whatever else bookish you can think of!
We have decided we will be featuring our favorite posts from the month here. I do read all the posts even if I don’t comment. I only like to comment from my actual laptop and not from my phone, which is a problem sometimes when I read the post on my phone. ( I am working on more time to read and comment though. )
Here are my four favorites from this past month!
A First for the Blog Marsha at Marsha in the Middle’s Wuthering Heights post. She mainly posts about her life and fashion so it was so cool to hear from her about her favorite book.
A Curated Reading List to “Savor” in 2026 I loved this list of books to read and enjoy from Paula at Between the Bookends
The Strawberry House Marg at Intrepid Reader shared her review of The Strawberry House by Rachel Burton and I have to say it sounds amazing!
From My Children’s Book Cabinet – Finchen I love when Cat shares about vintage books in her collection!
And for some non-book related faves….
Covergirl Bliss You Berry Lip Balm – if you are not really a lipstick person but still want some color, this is the answer.
My newly short(er) hair
Getting happy mail from pen pals
Homemade pancakes with fresh from the farm syrup
Spotting snow drops and rabbits on walks
Journaling
And that is it from me today! I hope that whatever you do today, you do something that makes you smile!
Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs.. 
I popped over to Cat’s blog and the Finchen book does sound fascinating! I had several dolls when I was little. Detest those creepy Victorian dolls that people collect. Snowdrops and rabbits, both lovely.
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Uck, I am so creeped out by dolls in general! Lol. And Cat has such interesting books that I have never seen before!
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I am not a big non-fiction unless it’s a topic that really interests me…like the Tudors! I do love a good memoir, though. Try some by Jen Lancaster. She is hilarious and moved, when she was young, to the town where I taught! Thanks so much for featuring my post. I need to write another one soon.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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That’s how I am as well! I am not a big nonfiction reader for the most part. I thought I would try the challenge because it seemed pretty accessible and I am really enjoying the books I have read so far.
Oh I think I have read one of her books before! It was pretty funny!
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Ahh, glad you enjoyed Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter! It’s a fun one.
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I really did! I love a cozy fantasy, I love cats, it was a almost a given I would like it.
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Most of my non-fictions are biographies or memoirs as well. My former boss, a historian and librarian, once said they were just a great entrance to history.
Thank you for the feature! I’m glad you like my vintage children’s book stories, for me it’s re-visiting old friends.
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That is very true! I watched that documentary about James Garfield and it took me down a rabbit hole and about that time in history. And that is generally how I hook Wyatt in as well!
I do love your vintage children’s books! They are always so interesting!
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I’m very excited to read Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter and I’m so happy to see you loved it!! Can’t wait to get my copy but it looks like it may take a while.
Haze
https://thebookhaze.com/
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I really enjoyed it!! I loved everthing about it. Lol. The library holds list in our system is a long one too. 😦 I hope it gets to you soon!
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Was The Hounding the DNF? I’m just wondering if it’s readable.
A Year in Rural France looks good.
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The Hounding was my DNF. I have mixed feelings on it. I think it was partly the time I was reading it- my mom was in the hospital and the book itself was very grim and bleak and stark. There was also animal violence which is one reason I will put a book down as well. But, I do think that the book would have had good parts too, in illustrating the isolation of women, or the isolation in rural areas and how insular certain communities can become. So, I couldn’t read it at that time, and I don’t know if I will but I wouldn’t discount it 100% for other readers. If animal violence is a trigger for you just know that that is in there.
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Sounds like a nice month! I am going to check out that lip gloss and I don’t wear lipstick, but might like that. Here’s to all of us having a good April.
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2026/04/05/weekly-wrap-up-april-5th-2026/
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OOps, gave you my weekly wrap-up link, not my monthly, so here is that: https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2026/04/07/the-looooong-and-the-short-of-it-march-2026-wrap-up-post-and-looking-forward-to-april/
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I really like it! It gives just a touch of color and is only like 5 bucks!
And yes, here is to a good April!
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