What I Read in April

In September 2019, Mr H and I started our own book blog; those posts are now merged with this blog, and in December 2019, I posted my very first quarterly reading round-up. I have continued to post quarterly summaries until this year, when I decided to switch to monthly posts.

Here is what I read in April 2026.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Riddle of Ages by Trenton Lee Stewart 🌟🌟🌟🌟
2024 was when I read the previous book in this series! I had no idea I'd left so long in-between and so this month I wanted to focus on series of which I need to finish. It was the Disney+ tv series that alerted me to these books in the first place, so an opinion is always squwed when you've seen an adaptation before reading the inspiration, however, this whole series of books has been great - particular this one! There was the perfect mix of 'mystery', intrigue and adventure. I found it well paced for my tastes and enjoyed the development of the characters and their relationships, and it ended out the series on a really lovely note. 


Incredible Journeys: Exploring the Wonders of Animal Navigation by David Barrie [Audio] 🌟🌟🌟
To some 3 stars will be a high rating and to others 3 stars sounds like the symbolic interpretation of 'meh', but for me, as someone who routinely rates rather highly, it is somewhat disappointing to 3-star a book.*
I really enjoyed the content of this and the subject was of great interest to me, however, I did struggle to follow the audiobook and the chapters felt quite disjointed. Just as I preferred the final Book of Dust in audiobook, I think I may have preferred this in physical edition. 


The Fire Eternal by Chris d'Lacey 🌟🌟🌟
The covers and descriptions of these books really don't do them justice. Nor, I feel, do they give the right impression of age suitability. This is the 4th book in a series of 7 and so far it seems they have gotten more grown up as they progress. There is nothing inherently inappropriate included but as this story begins five years after the previous ended, the characters have all obviously grown and the plot become slightly darker and more serious from the magic and whimsy of squirrels and dragons in book 1. I'm giving this book 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 because although I am still intrigued, I do feel certain parts have become a bit convoluted.

The Vengeance of the Witch Finder by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The 5th book in a series of 12, and the momentum isn't waning! I really like the Lewis Barnavelt series. The previous book didn't actually include the titular character instead focusing on Rose Rita and Mrs. Zimmerman, however the fact that books 4 and 5 are set simultaneously, showing us what Lewis and Jonathan got up to as well is really fun. 
A generally enjoyable, lightly thrilling, well rounded book!



(* I didn't want to take over what was meant to be talking about a specific book by rambling about ratings systems, I did want to explain my rating system though. For me a scale of 1 to 5 is just that, meaning 1 is the worst - a hard DNF or something I really hated. 2 would be a book I struggled to get through, not for me at all, but may have had a redeeming quality. Jumping up to 4, where I very much enjoyed it and 5 - I loved, a favourite, I highly recommend. That all being said 3 obviously sits right in the middle! Not a dislike, but not a love. A 'good' with a small drawback that knocks it down a star.)

Last year, I also had a stack of books that were laid out as daily, weekly or even monthly 'chapters'. This year, the stack is taller. I started six of those books in January, another three were added in February and I will rate and review them at the end of the year.

Year-Long Reads
Nature Writing for Every Day of the Year by Jane McMorland Hunter
Black History for Every Day of the Year by David Olusoga, Yinka Olusoga
Words for Life: To Boost Every Day of the Year by Susie Dent
Telling the Seasons: Stories, Celebrations and Folklore around the Year by Martin Maudsley
Urban Nature Every Day: Discover the Natural World on Your Doorstep Jane McMorland Hunter, Sally Hughes
Hettie Nettle's Handbook for Hedgewitches by Claire Barker
The Hidden Seasons: A Calendar of Nature's Clues and Signs by Tristan Gooley
The Wildlife Gardener's Almanac by Jackie Bennett

April Stats
April Pages - 1,027
Year-Long Reads Pages - 197
Total Pages - 1,238
Audio Listening Time - 22h 36m
Average Rating - 3.5

---

April was a slow reading months but as a stressful appointment approached my mind couldn't concentrate enough to read more than I managed. Three physical books looks like a pathetic stack, however page-wise this month was very close to last month's page total so I didn't fall too far behind!
Fingers crossed I can get caught up and devote more of my time to reading rather than worrying in May.
I hope you had a great reading month and would love to hear about what you read.

What I Read in March

 

In September 2019, Mr H and I started our own book blog; those posts are now merged with this blog, and in December 2019, I posted my very first quarterly reading round-up. I have continued to post quarterly summaries until this year, when I decided to switch to monthly posts.

Here is what I read in March 2026.


With Love by Jane Goodall 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
On World Wildlife Day I wanted to read something wildlife related so I chose this quick little read from Jane Goodall. With Love documents 10 short stories of particular Chimpanzees that Jane knew from her time with them in the Gombe, showing the respect, affection and emptathy shown by their actions toward each other. I only wish this were longer because I adored it. I have seen reviews critizing some of the themes mentioned in the book, stating they are not 'child friendly', however I disagree on two points; a book isn't only for children due to it having illustraions - people of all ages enjoy artwork along with lovely stories, and I'm sure children are exposed to much more violent, upsetting subjects in other media and everyday life. These are real moments in the animal world, not fairytales.

King Alfred and the Ice Coffin by Kevin Crossley-Holland 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I started reading this with a bit of confusion. I wasn't one hundered percent sure the premise of this but as the pages passed my confusion moved onto intruige and entertainment. It is a tale 'taken from history' which often makes stories a little more interesting to me. The beautiful illustraitions by Chris Riddell were the perfection addition too. 

The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Hmm, this book caused me many mixed feelings. It should be simple to review a 'childrens picture book' however due to the themeing it's a little more complex. Of course, having diverse and multicultural representation in media, including childrens media, is important, however the author isn't from the culture represented which presents some hiccups. The overall conversation surrounding death and grief is something I encourage being discussed, and the art work from co-author and illustrater  John Picacio is stunning, but some problematic moments overshadow the positives a little.

Animal Magic: Four Stories of the Great Outdoors by Michael Morpurgo 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This could be my favorite read of the year so far. Michael Morpurgo is a highly decorated author for a reason and although I rarely take to popular authors Michael Morpurgo is an exception. The emotional responses he can conjure through his storytelling (particularly when rearding animals) is an exceptional type of magic, and every story in this quartet possessed that magic. I want all adults to read this book, especially those disconnected from nature. 

The Rose Field by Philip Pullman [audio] 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Despite owning the hardcopy and reading the first two books in the series that way, I decided this time to listen to the audiobook. I really enjoyed the first book, more so even than the original 'His Dark Materials' in which it spins off from, however I struggled with the second (though after this expereince I feel I may have enjoyed it more had I listened to it) leading to my decision. Michael Sheen narrates the enterity of Philip Pullman's Lyra-related works and was a pivitol factor in my enjoyment. Even without the additon of the wonderful conversation between the pair at the end of the book, Sheen's understanding and love for the world is evident which contributes to a captivating reading. A thoughtful ending to the series.

Coming Home by Michael Morpurgo 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
When I ordered this book I didn't fully realize how young of an age range it was aimed at, non the less I enjoyed reading this to my cat and enjoying the short and sweet tale with beautiful artwork by Kerry Hyndman.

Goddess: 50 Goddesses, Spirits, Saints and Other Female Figures Who Have Shaped Belief by Janina Ramírez 🌟🌟🌟🌟
An interesting look at great range of devine female figures from across the world and multiple cultures. When the go to information is often focused on 'Gods', it's a refreshing change to have a whole book dedicated to all the feminine forms and not just the angelic, goody goodys! This was quite well rounded, gave me an opportunity to learn more about some names I was already aware of and introduced me to a few names I wasn't. 

Real-life Mythical Creatures and Their Stories of Survival by Anita Ganeri 🌟🌟🌟
I guess I was slightly disappointed in this. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it hence the rating; the premise is an exciting topic but at 48 pages it was far too short and surface level. Really, I suppose for it's target audience it's fine, but I can't help compare to other similar books which have had a bit more to them. 

Birds: Explore Their Extraordinary World by Miranda Krestovnikoff 🌟🌟🌟
Another 3 star book for me and I think for many of the same reasons as the book above. I am already a fan of the printmaker Angela Harding and so her additions to this book are what originally drew me to it, but in my unpopular opinion something just felt missing. 

Otherlands by Thomas Halliday 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A Gorgeous adaptation of Thomas Halliday's prize winning adult non-fiction book, that is still on my TBR. When it comes to timelines, especially those going back millions of years, a visual representation can be really beneficial. Overall I found this packed with information, brought to life with eye-catching artwork from  Gavin Scott, and a great introduction (or even companion book) to the adult version. 

Evolution: The Human Story by Alice Roberts 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Though the computer generated 'realistic model reconstructions' ancor this book fully in the early 2010s, the scientific information is presented in an accessible way to give the general reader an in-depth understanding of the human evolutionary journey. The physical size and style of the book may lead people to think this is a childrens book, however I think it is more suited to teens onwards who are not already versed in anthropology/archeology/bioarchaeology. Some reviews state it is not indepth enough, and I can understand that from a professional opionion, but I feel this is more for us with general interest and no PHDs! A fun and interesting read on a subject that more of the general public should know about.

Last year, I also had a stack of books that were laid out as daily, weekly or even monthly 'chapters'. This year, the stack is taller. I started six of those books in January, another three were added in February and I will rate and review them at the end of the year.

Year-Long Reads
Nature Writing for Every Day of the Year by Jane McMorland Hunter
Black History for Every Day of the Year by David Olusoga, Yinka Olusoga
Wonderland: A Year of Britain's Wildlife, Day by Day by Brett Westwood, Stephen Moss
Words for Life: To Boost Every Day of the Year by Susie Dent
Telling the Seasons: Stories, Celebrations and Folklore around the Year by Martin Maudsley
Urban Nature Every Day: Discover the Natural World on Your Doorstep Jane McMorland Hunter, Sally Hughes
Hettie Nettle's Handbook for Hedgewitches by Claire Barker
The Hidden Seasons: A Calendar of Nature's Clues and Signs by Tristan Gooley
The Wildlife Gardener's Almanac by Jackie Bennett

March Stats
March Pages - 1,027
Year-Long Reads Pages - 226
Total Pages - 1,253
Audio Listening Time - 22h 36m
Average Rating - 4.1

Another sucessful reading month complete, I'm happy to have gone through a lot of the physically larger books on my shelves and learned lots too! I will forever be a broken record in aggressively pushing 'children's' books onto anyone who will listen because they aren't just enjoyable and beautiful, but are captivating and knowledgeable in their own right. Many people stay away from non-fiction due to misconception it is difficult and boring to read, so I suggest finding a childrens book on the subject you are interested in to ease you into learning more. 

What I Read in February

In September 2019, Mr H and I started our own book blog; those posts are now merged with this blog, and in December 2019, I posted my very first quarterly reading round-up. I have continued to post quarterly summaries until this year, when I decided to switch to monthly posts.

Here is what I read in February 2026.


On the Marsh: A Year Surrounded by Wildness and Wet by Simon Barnes 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
[Audiobook]
Beautiful. A slow walk through the year, noticing the seasonal changes, the visiting wildlife and general joys of life 'on the Marsh'. Though Simon Barnes may be best known as a sports writer, he is just as eminent for his nature works, and this is a very personal example. I very much enjoyed listening to this, and the addition of his son Eddie's poems was the cherry on top! Just the relaxing, nature-filled read I needed right now. 


The Midnight Switch by Samuel J. Halpin 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I wasn't too sure about this book from the first chapter, but it soon sped up and was filled with magical adventure, fierce friendships and somewhat spooky suspense. There was a great mix of character types; a likeable lead (which is always helpful for me at least) and an interesting co-lead with a believable friendship development, as well as a few side characters who kept you guessing on their real intentions! 
Deep down is a dark plot centred around witchcraft, small village secrets and missing children, but Halpin managed to balance the suspense with lighter moments to make for an excellent example of why I love middle-grade.


My Cat is Called Odin by Francesco Bedini 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a super fun, quick read, based around the Norse Myth of Ragnarök...but with cats! Norse Mythology is a subject of interest in our house and obviously cats a huge love too, so this was an interesting and humerous mashup. My Cat is Called Odin was originally written in Italian and has been expertly translated into English managing to remain true to it's heart while being relatable from a British point of view. It was fast paced, packed with action and the cliffhanger for the sequel made me jump online to preorder it as soon as I closed the book. 


Heart-Seer: The Tale of Anise Star by Rowan Foxwood 🌟🌟🌟🌟
[Audiobook]
Talking of sequels, oh how I hope one for this appears one day! The ending was the perfect way to wrap up the story nicely, while also setting up for more to come should they decided to continue. 
Reading the world 'daemon' automatically sparks in the brain a connection to 'His Dark Materials', however animal companions is where the comparrison ends. With ties to Folklore, this fantastical tale is a lovely mix of heartwarming moments and light adventure, touching on the power and importance of believeing, and respecting the natural ways. 


Spellstoppers by Cat Gray🌟🌟🌟
I think that Spellstoppers was refreshingly unique. A theme and plot that I personally haven't read anything similar to. Like I said with 'The Midnight Switch', it took me a couple of chapters to get invested, but the setting of Yowling felt like an inviting village that I was rooting for and the overall premise of the 'Keepers' and their malfuncioning magical castle was captivating. Overall I dropped the book down to 3 stars because as it progressed I feel it was a little predictable and that the actual ending was slightly rushed. I understand that this is a middle grade book, but I have read many middle grade books that manage to keep you guessing and bring the story to a well-paced close. 

Skulkmoor by Hana Tooke 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Skulkmoor was published in September last year and I've been dying to get around to it! How many books from an author do you need to read for them to be classed as a favorite author? Because this is Hana Tooke's third release and the third I've rated five stars. Mysterious, dark, and full of adventure, this is everything I love in a book; from the map on the hardcover (a map is always a sign of a good book!) to the aknowledgements at the end, I was enthralled. Plus, support characters that are birds...? Yes, please!

Last year, I also had a stack of books that were laid out as daily, weekly or even monthly 'chapters'. This year, the stack is taller. I started six of those books in January, another three were added in February and I will rate and review them at the end of the year.

Year-Long Reads
Nature Writing for Every Day of the Year by Jane McMorland Hunter
Black History for Every Day of the Year by David Olusoga, Yinka Olusoga
Wonderland: A Year of Britain's Wildlife, Day by Day by Brett Westwood, Stephen Moss
Words for Life: To Boost Every Day of the Year by Susie Dent
Telling the Seasons: Stories, Celebrations and Folklore around the Year by Martin Maudsley
Urban Nature Every Day: Discover the Natural World on Your Doorstep Jane McMorland Hunter, Sally Hughes
Hettie Nettle's Handbook for Hedgewitches by Claire Barker
The Hidden Seasons: A Calendar of Nature's Clues and Signs by Tristan Gooley
The Wildlife Gardener's Almanac by Jackie Bennett

February Stats
February Pages - 1,236
Year-Long Reads Pages - 248
Total Pages - 1,484
Audio Listening Time - 18h 26m
Average Rating - 4.1

February was the month I finally said goodbye to Audible, replacing my audiobook service with Libro.fm! Having cut ties with Prime a few months back after using it less and less over the past year or so, I found it hypocritical of myself to still be giving them money through my Audible subscription. I'd been on the hunt for a while for a user friendly, more ethical alternative and Libro.fm fell into my lap when my favorite small business bookstore became a part of their platform meaning I could add them as 'my bookstore' and they could benefit from my audiobook purchases too. Libro.fm are also DRM-free which means when you buy a book it is yours!! Which is how it should be.
I know I am currently still a Goodreads user meaning the hypocritcalness lingers on, but as I don't pay to use it I feel less guilty about that. The switch will come but Autism and new things don't go well so I'll take it one step at a time. 
If you'd like to take a step away from the evil machine that is Am*zon, check out Libro.fm by clicking here! (If you decide to join via my referal link I will recieve an audiobook credit, FYI. Thanks in advance!)

What I Read in January

In September 2019, Mr H and I started our own book blog; those posts are now merged with this blog, and in December 2019, I posted my very first quarterly reading round-up. I have continued to post quarterly summaries until now, when I have decided to switch to monthly posts.
Here is what I read in January 2026.
 

Winter's Song by Angela Harding 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I'm happy to have started the year with a high rating. The last of this series, and I think it was my favourite. When so much focus is usually on people disliking Winter or describing it in miserable terms, it's refreshing and generally enjoyable to read of others' love for the season, as well as to see that love in art form. I dropped a star only as I would have liked a little more from the text, the same as with its predecessors. 

Winter: The Story of a Season by Val McDermid 🌟🌟🌟
After reading 'Spring' by Michael Morpurgo from this seasonal quartet, I was so excited for this book, but it left me a little disappointed. It lacked the enthusiasm for true Winter, instead focusing mainly on random childhood memories from late Autumn and the more popular secular holidays, which overshadow the final months of the calendar year. In place,s it felt an incoherent jumble of points disconnected from any story of the Winter season. 

Sherlock Holmes and the Three Winter Terrors by James Lovegrove 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
[Audiobook]
Considering this was Sherlock without the Conan Doyle, I was pleasantly surprised! A trio of short stories interconnected by one thing, it kept me guessing until almost the very end. The writing felt reminiscent of the Sherlock style, fitting in well with the original stories while also being an easy listen, keeping me coming back to find out 'who dunnit'.

Nature Tales for Winter Nights by Nancy Campbell 🌟🌟
I don't know where to start with this one...and looking back, I think those two stars are rounded up. This was a big nope for me, and after reading some reviews online, it would seem I'm not alone. I found this so tedious - a real slog to get through, but I was determined not to give up. A very fragmented collection of stories lacking context, direction, or much relation to the theme, some stories with no connection to Winter, minus a passing mention to the date. I was hoping for whimsical, magical and/or cosy tales but was left with boring, sad and even disturbing excerpts. 

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A truly lovely book, not only about the actual season of Winter but also winter in the aspect of a long period of difficult living. I enjoyed the cadence and layout of this book as well as the overall premise, something I already agree with and practise in my own life. 

The Gifts of Winter: How to Uncover Seasonal Joy, Health and Happiness by Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
[Audio]
My favourite book of the month! So much so, I had to buy a physical copy. Full of practical advice and activities to complete, I wanted to see the layout and be able to use the set questions, etc., without having to pause and note down while listening. As you've probably gathered, I'm already a Winter lover and don't need to be convinced of the joys and gifts the season brings, but I still got a lot out of it. I always love it when the author narrates their own audiobooks, too.

Last year, I also had a stack of books that were laid out as daily, weekly or even monthly 'chapters'. This year, the stack is taller. I started six of those books in January and will rate and review them at the end of the year.

Year-Long Reads
Nature Writing for Every Day of the Year by Jane McMorland Hunter
Black History for Every Day of the Year by David Olusoga, Yinka Olusoga
Wonderland: A Year of Britain's Wildlife, Day by Day by Brett Westwood, Stephen Moss
Words for Life: To Boost Every Day of the Year by Susie Dent
Telling the Seasons: Stories, Celebrations and Folklore around the Year by Martin Maudsley
Urban Nature Every Day: Discover the Natural World on Your Doorstep Jane McMorland Hunter, Sally Hughes

January Stats
January Pages - 689
Year-Long Reads Pages - 267
Total Pages - 956
Audio Listening Time - 17h 43m 
Average Rating - 3.8