Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: April 2026

Hello, everyone! It feels like it's been a long time since the last time I updated you. April was a pretty busy month for me, as I started on a new job and I needed some time to adapt my routine around that. Despite this however, I did manage to finish 6 books, which I will tell you more in this post.

Here is what I read this month: 

Books I've Completed in April 

• The Seventh Heaven: Stories of the Supernatural - Naguib Mahfouz: I started April with this short story collection, thus making prograss on my Reading Around the World and the Buzzword Reading challenge. Overall, it was an interesting collection, with some stories stronger than the rest. In many instances, they felt more like a folktale/myth, rather than supernatural stories, an element that I enjoyed a lot. 
• Κάτω απ' τα Κάστρα της Ελπίδας - Menelaos Lountemis: If you've read one of my wrap-ups before, then chances are that you've also seen me talk about this Greek author. I believe the last time I'd mentioned him was in January's wrap-up. During last month, I picked another book by him, this time a full-length novel. This is the fourth and final instalment of a series I was in the middle of, so I'm happy that I finally read it in its entirety. 
• Spread Me - Sarah Gailey: Then, I decided to read this novella, as I was very intrigued by it. It's a sci-fi horror erotica, and it delivered in all aspects. I have to say that the parasite element reminded me of The Thing a lot, which is something that even the author acknowledges within the story. Having said that, I will admit that it wasn't my favourite read of the month. 
• The Castle - Franz Kafka: This was April's book club pick, so I decided to reread it, since I'd read it many years ago. Having just started a new corporate job and reading The Castle was a surreal experience, and I deeply felt the themes of the book. Kafka has always been one of my favourite authors, and my opinion didn't change with this reread. 
• The Nickel Boys - Colson Whitehead: This was my other book club's pick, and a book that I'm very conflicted about. I believe that its themes and story are important and should be told. However, I didn't love the execution, at least as much as other readers do, and I feel bad about it. I have to admit though, that the twist did get me (but I'm not going to say more on that as you need to experience it for yourself). 
• The Children Act - Ian McEwan: I finally decided to pick this book up that had been sitting on my self for years. I actually have a signed copy of it! And I have to thank the Buzzword Cover Challenge for that. This was my favourite book of the month, and it reminded me why I love McEwan's books so much. It talked about the law, religion, children's rights, and their upbringing. I was reading it while commuting to work, and I almost started crying in the bus.

Books I'm Currently Reading

• Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension - Matt Parker: This is actually the third book I'm reading in May, but since I'm doing this wrap-up a bit late, you will have to wait for the next one to find out which were the first two. As you might be able to tell from this title, this is a nonfiction book on maths. So far, I really like how the author approaches the subject, making math sound actually fun. I'm excited about all the things I'm going to discover in this book!
• The Only Good Indians - Stephen Graham Jones: My track record with Stephen Graham Jones has been a good one (with 2/2 5*reads). Initially, I was planning on continuing The Indian Lake trilogy, until I heard the news that The Only Good Indians is getting a sequel and it will be published in October. Plus, this is considered the author's best book (or at least his most popular one), so I just couldn't resist). I've only read one chapter so far, so I can't tell you much about it yet. 

What did you read in April?

And what are you currently reading?