And just like that it’s April 1st of 2026! This year is going by so fast. I’ve been meaning to update you on some things, but this week is a crazy week. That’s why this blog didn’t come out on Monday, like I had planned. So many new things, like starting on my new blog series, and working the other assistant manager’s shifts while she is away with family for spring break. But, that’s not why you clicked on this blog. Let’s recap March reading and look ahead to what we will be picking for our 2026 April Picks.
March Recap
Well, if you’ve been following my book review blogs, you already know that March did not go according to plan. I was trying too hard to finish books that were not on the TBR list and everything got away from me. So, I might add those books onto the shelves to potentially be picked for a different month, or just go crazy and keep them as books I need to read in April, on top of my April picks. However, I did read one book – my book club book. The Road to Tender hearts. You can find my review on it here: The Road To Tender Hearts
2026 April Picks – Book Club
Let’s start with the first pick, our book club pick. Our book club picked this book a while back, as we always try to pick 2 months in advance. So, when we meet in April we will pick our June read. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. What did we pick for April? We picked Shady Hollow by Juneau Black. The basic premise of this book is murder mystery, but make the characters woodland creatures instead of humans. I’m interested to read this one and see what it’s like. Will it give me nostalgic feelings, like when I read the Redwall Series back in school? Or will it give off a completely different vibe?
The First Prompt
So, we have so much range with this first prompt. A book I didn’t buy on Amazon. Well my friends, I didn’t buy a single one of my books from Amazon! So, for this prompt I could literally pick any book from my shelves or from the library books that I currently have. And this pick has to be returned to the library by April 6, and has been renewed the max amount of times. For this prompt I picked Project Hail Mary. I know, I’m behind because the movie just came out. Well, my husband and I want to go see it, but I want to read the book first. So, I am very happy that I could pick this one.
2026 April Picks – Second Prompt
The second prompt had me stumped. It was a book with a number in the title. Well my friends, I searched my shelves AND my GoodReads TBR. There was nothing on my shelves, and none of my library books had a number in the title. So, I looked at my GoodReads TBR and the only one with numbers in the title is a book that isn’t out yet. Next, I looked through the library’s audiobook selection, because I have the app. I found a thriller that interested me. 1st to Die by James Patterson. This is book one of the Women’s Murder Club series. Yes, I’m counting audiobooks. Otherwise I am in trouble.
Our Third Prompt
Keeping with the theme of open choices for reading, the next prompt was a book with an odd number of pages. At first, I thought I could choose a book from last month’s list. But then I thought about my library books that are due in 6 days. They have been renewed the max amount of times. So, I picked The Poppy War from R. F. Kuang. I have heard so much about this book, including that it is traumatising. And I have 6 days to power through it. Wish me luck.
2026 April Picks the Last Prompt
At first I wasn’t that excited about this prompt. A book with a low GoodReads rating. Going through all my books to see the rating didn’t seem like a fun way to spend my packed afternoon. But then I remembered – I have a book from a newer author. She only has 2 books out, the 3rd one is in the editing stages. I have both of her released books, and I read the first one last year, if memory serves me correctly. I looked on GoodReads and sure enough, it has 1 review. I won’t get lower than that. So, I have picked Finding Elaina by Nicholle Realle for this prompt.
A Good Month
I am so excited about all the books on my TBR this month. 2026 April picks have made me a lot more excited than March did. Maybe that’s the key to successfully reading your monthly TBR. I am currently 83% through an audiobook that I renewed, so I will finish that before starting this month’s audiobook. And, if by some miracle, I read all the books on my April TBR before the end of the month, I will see if I can make my way through the rest of March. Yes, I have decided those will be bonus reads. As for the library books that didn’t make it onto the TBR, I guess those will just be returned….ah, but I was half way through a real thick one.
2026 April Picks Bonus Reads
Okay, so I just checked my account with my local library. The thick book I am halfway through still has another renew available. So, I will undo what I said I would do with reading one book, and continue to power through that book at the same time that I’m trying to read this month’s picks. Why am I doing this? Who knows. For your entertainment I suppose. Maybe I should have a YouTube channel so you can follow along with the chaos. We’ll see. But, for now that is it for this blog. I hope I have a better reading month. Comment below what’s on your April TBR? Did you finish your last month’s reading? Can we do it this month? Anything can happen if we try.
