I only read four books in April. The last time I only read four books in a month? May 2016: the month after Elliot was born. I knew April had been busy, and looking at how little I read put it in perspective.

So what did I read?

Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser. This book has the plot line of a psychological thiller, without the tension of one. After a night of drinking with neighbors a woman and her two kids go missing. The book questions where they went, why they went, if they went (were they actually murdered). I was sucked in from the first chapter, but (thankfully) never got to the point where I needed to stop doing everything and finish the last 75 pages. I recommend this book. I give it four out of five stars.

American Princess: The Many Lives of Allena Tew by Annejet van der Zijl. I need to tell you off the bat that this book was incredibly fascinating and well written. That needs to be said first because as I describe it you will roll your eyes and think it sounds incredibly boring. Trust me on this, it’s not. It is really good. It’s about a woman in the Gilded Age who grew up in a small town, married rich (several times), and generally led a life unusual for the times in which she lived. I give this book five out of five stars.

Life in Motion by Misty Copeland. I knew that Misty Copeland was a history making ballerina. I had no idea how rough her childhood was. Reading this book makes me want to donate more money to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Des Moines. I give the book three out of five stars.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Wow. Just wow. When this book is described it sounds like homework, but it is amazing. It’s about a woman growing up in Nigeria, moving to the United States, and moving back to Nigeria – her relationship with her high school boyfriend, race relations in the United States, the immigrant experience. It was powerful, interesting, and informative. I highly recommend reading this book. I will happily lend you my copy. I give the book five out of five stars.

I still have a big stack of books to read. Not pictured are How to Walk Away by Katherine Center (My Book of the Month selection) and What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty (one of my book club selections this month). I am not setting a reading goal for this month beyond finishing my book club books on time.

What are you reading this month? Do you have any book suggestions?