Before I started law school, I went to lunch with my brother’s high school girlfriend (a lawyer) and I asked her for book recommendations. At the time, I liked to read Important Books with Big Ideas of the Nonfiction variety. She said that by the time her day ended at the office, she wanted an escape and she tended to read mysteries. At the time, I didn’t get it, but now I do. I have no interest in the giant history tomes that my husband reads. Of course, this is reflected month-to-month in my reading selections.
I read 14 books in April. Here are my thoughts. These aren’t in depth reviews, but you can probably get those if you click over on the Amazon affiliate links (which are the book cover pics). You can also check me out on GoodReads, where I track everything with stars.
A Catered Murder by Isis Crawford
While wandering around the library, I saw this series and figured I would give it a try. Typical cozy mystery series with small town caterers who fight crime. It’s fine. Out of the cozy mystery series that I currently read (5 including the Stephanie Plum books), I rank this one as tied for 3rd. If you like this style of book, it’s not bad. One of the sisters spews a lot of useless trivia, which is either very annoying or mildly interesting. I haven’t decided which.
A Catered Wedding by Isis Crawford
Second in the Mystery with Recipes series. It’s fine. I’ll read them until I run out. 
The Gatecrasher by Madeleine Wickham
Since I didn’t like one of the Madeleine Wickham books last month, I was a little worried about this one. She redeemed herself. This is more of the style that I’ve come to expect from Wickham/Kinsella. If you need a quick and easy read, it’s good.
Catering to Nobody by Diane Mott Davidson
The first in the Goldy Mysteries. It’s amazing that I kept reading after I figured out that the main character’s name is Goldy Bear. That’s simply awful. The series is fine. It is tied for 3rd in the series that I read.
Sleeping Arrangements by Madeleine Wickham
Not my favorite by Madeleine Wickham, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as A Desirable Residence. I’m glad that she ended it the way that she did, which I thought was realistic. 
Something Blue by Emily Giffin
I honestly thought that I had already read this, but I picked it up in the library and it didn’t sound familiar. I really like Emily Giffiin. I will admit it; I had tears in my eyes at the end of this one. It’s a sequel to Something Borrowed, so if you have read it (or even seen the movie), you will probably like this. 
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Another cozy mystery series. This is currently my second favorite series. (Lucy Stone is my favorite.) I don’t care at all about the recipes, but the story is good and I didn’t figure it out immediately.
Dying for Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson
The second in the (ugh) Goldy Bear mysteries. I liked this one slightly better than the first one. I’m hoping that they will continue to improve. Otherwise, we might have to break up.
Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes
I love the Walsh Family series. It starts with Watermelon and this is the fourth in the series. When I was in Barnes & Noble recently to pick up a gift, I saw that there is a new one out, so I need to get on the library waiting list for it. Each of these books is very different from the one before it. They’ve also been a bit more dramatic than I expected each time. This is my favorite so far.
Thin Rich Pretty by Beth Harbison
April took a turn for the worse with this book. I’ve liked every one of Beth Harbison’s other books. I remember seeing this in the store and thinking, meh, I don’t want to spend the money on this. Since the library is free, I figured I should try it. No. Bad choice. It was so predictable. I felt nothing for the three main characters. Not one that I would recommend.
Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich
A Stephanie Plum book. It’s the latest release in the series, so I figured that I should read it and stay up to date. Bad decision. This is now on my list with the 16th as being the worst in the series. Absolutely awful. I have to stop thinking that maybe things have changed and the series will be good again. It’s not. I think we have to break up.
Dune Road by Jane Green
One of the worst books that I’ve read in recent history. It was fine until page 100 or so. Then it took a ridiculous turn and never recovered. Things that tried to be exciting twists failed. The characters were very one dimensional. Not the Jane Green that I have enjoyed in the past.
Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella
The newest by my second favorite author, Sophie Kinsella. (Jennifer Weiner is the first. Sophie Kinsella is followed by Emily Giffin.) The plot is absolutely farcical at times, but I laughed and it was well executed. After reading three crappy books in a row, it was an absolute delight. Plus, a main character is named Fliss, which is close enough to Liss for me to feel happiness when I see it.
Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
The second in the Hannah Swensen series. I definitely like the series, although it has really cemented the idea in my head that I’m never going to Minnesota during the winter. (I don’t fully understand why they are plugging in their cars, but it makes me think it is abnormally cold there.)
As usual, I’m running out of things to read. If you have any recommendations, I would love to hear them. In May, I need to re-read The Great Gatsby (my favorite book of all time) before the movie comes out. We are still trying to wrap our heads around the fact that it is in 3D. I also want to read Brothers Emmanuel because Carla has recommended it. Anything else I should check out?
