It’s been a rainy weekend, so I took a break from organizing and gardening (since it was only sprinkling, it seemed silly not to garden) and decided to write up the books of April.

Unfortunately, Bad Things (too much death this year) have continued to happen, so I’ve been drowning my sorrows in books. Which is definitely healthier than drowning my sorrows in alcohol.

The best books of the month were Half-Resurrection Blues, Audible version by Daniel José Older, read by Daniel José Older (8.5/10) and Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs (8/10). I do enjoy the Mercy Thompson series very much, and since was another good addition to the series. I’d already read Half-Resurrection Blues, but we needed something to listen to while in the car, and we devoured the story in just a few listens. Which is pretty good for us.

I read a couple of new mystery series, once of which is fine, since it’s inexpensive, the other I definitely recommend, because it’s a time period I haven’t much read, and that’s the Susanna Horenbout and John Parker. In retrospect, I should have rated them higher than I did, but I’ll probably re-read them some time in the future, and will amend that then.

I read 15 books this month, which is pretty good considering that we went hiking most weekends.

Supernatural Fantasy

Alpha & Omega
Alpha & Omega (2007) Patricia Briggs (8/10)
Cry Wolf (2008) Patricia Briggs (8/10)

Mercy Thompson
Fire Touched (2016) Patricia Briggs (8/10)

Baba Yaga
Wickedly Ever After (2016) Deborah Blake (7/10)

Jane Yellowrock
Blood in Her Veins (2016) Faith Hunter (8/10)

Jinn and Juice (2014) Nicole Peeler (5/10)

Historical Fantasy

The Far West (2012) Patricia C. Wrede (8.5/10)

Audio Book (Supernatural Fantasy)

Bone Street Rumba
Half-Resurrection Blues, Audible version (2015) Daniel José Older, read by Daniel José Older (8.5/10)

Historical Mystery

Akitada
Three Tales of Love and Murder (2012) I.J. Parker (7/10)

Susanna Horenbout and John Parker
Dangerous Sanctuary (2012) Michelle Diener (7/10)
Keeper of the King’s Secrets (2012) Michelle Diener (7.5/10)

Captain Lacey
A Regimental Murder (2004/2001) Ashley Gardner (7/10)
The Glass House (2004/2011) Ashley Gardner (7/10)
The Sudbury School Murders(2005/2011) Ashley Gardner (7/10)
A Body in Berkeley Square(2005/2011) Ashley Gardner (7/10)

Here’s how the stats came out:

I read 15 ebooks and listened to one audio books–no paper books at all this month.

Genre-wise it broke down into a split between fantasy and mystery. It’s possible I’m shifting out of the historical kick I’ve been on for months.

Fantasy: 8
Mystery: 7
Romance: 1
YA: 1

Gender-wise, I only read one male author, Daniel Jose Older. That’s 86% female authors for the year so far. I’m sure that percentage will eventually drop, but not any time soon if I continue this Patricia Briggs re-reading binge.

And that’s the books of April.