Wait, how did I read five whole books in April?! I didn't realize that I'd read that many especially after a zero-book month in March. Granted, the middle grade and graphic novels helped but still. Proud of myself! I even read a pretty diverse selection of genres and heritage representation. 

Surprisingly 4/5 were ebooks. While I prefer physical books, it's a bit impossible now with baby wanting to literally rip everything out of my hands. 😩

Here's what I finished reading in April:

The Shipikisha Club by Mubanga Kalimamukwento (Zambian, Fiction)

Overall, I enjoyed the glimpse into Zambian culture. A lot of the women's experiences and issues highlighted were relatable to what I see in my West African culture as well, such as purity, double standards, pressure to marry and bear children (esp. sons), etc.

The novel is written in three POV, three generations of women: Peggy, Sali, and Ntashe-grandmother, mother, and daughter. It shows us how one's decisions as women impact not only our relationships with our daughters but their future relationships with men/marriage. It's a lot of pressure to think about! But so important! 

These women were also a product of a society that doesn't value women as individuals but only in their roles to men. Incredibly frustrating. I wanted to scream at the casual acceptance of men's infidelity, violence, and censure, as well as the ways other women perpetuate it. 😖

Read Synopsis & Get This Book on Bookshop.org

The Art of Scandal by Regina Black (Black/African-American, Romance)

Great read! Finished in just two days. 

Rachel and Nathan was richly developed characters with distinct flaws. I usually don't enjoy romance where the characters are cheating but their story was so authentically written that I quickly became invested. While I didn't agree, I could definitely understand. 

Rachel and Nathan's relationship was sweet and sexy, raw and real. I also enjoyed that Nathan's sensitivity and vulnerability wasn't hidden from readers. Enjoyed his character all the more because he wasn't the "perfect book boyfriend". 

The novel also explored important topics, such as the impact of respectability politics for Black women, parent/child relationships, and grief of losing a parent. So it's not all fluff. 

The climax was hella chaotic, but I loved it! Go Hailey! 😅

Read Synopsis & Get This Book on Bookshop.org | Libro.fm

The Hollowed by Amilea Perez (Mexican, Dystopian Romance)

This one is an indie/self published book. I found it to be an enjoyable read. I liked the characters and the pacing was good. Nice world building and interesting plot. Romance was well developed as well without taking over and overshadowing the dystopian storyline. I just wished it was more clear the characters were Latine. Other than their names and knowing the author's heritage, there wasn't as strong a cultural representation as I'd expected. I appreciated the author's note at end that explained intentions. I wish some of that was explored a bit more clearly. Overall, would recommend! It was fun.

Read Synopsis & Get This Book on Amazon

Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimienta (Mexican, Middle Grade Graphic Novel)

This one was a Book Club read, hosted by @onedetailedteacher on IG. We read middle grade graphic novels together. I liked this one overall but I wanted some parts of the storyline to have been more fleshed out. There were a lot of themes explored such as nature, US/Mexican border changes, divorce, nonbinary identity, mixed citizenship families, etc. but readers couldn't really sit with it. I still think it was a good read and I learned more about topics I haven't previously thought about much before but affect a lot of people.

Read Synopsis & Get This Book on Bookshop.org.

Sisters Alone by Shifa Saltagi Safadi (Syrian, Middle Grade Novel in Verse)

I absolutely LOVED this one! You can read my full review here but the characters were rich, authentic, real, and relatable, protraying authentic, Muslim representation that felt natural and not forced. I connected instantly with Rama's struggles with the responsibilities of an older sister. It's also a beautifully written, age-appropriate but realistic portrayal of grief (loss of a parent), mental health struggles, sister bond, and friendship. Lastly, it is an adventure story that isn't Fantasy or centering boys! I feel like it's so rare to see female protagonists in survival stories. I was holding my breath for most of the book and so proud of the girls for thinking on their feet. 

Read Synopsis & Get This Book on: Tuma's Books | Bookshop.org | Librofm

My favorites were Sister Alone and The Art of Scandal, but all of them were interesting in their own ways. I recommend you shop Tuma's Books, our Bookshop.org or Libro.fm pages or borrow from your public library!

⁉️ What were your favorite April reads? Let me know in the comments below: