April 2026 Book Bracket

 Book Bracket for April 2026

Looking back at the month of April, it seems to have spanned a large amount of time. Easter was several days into April? Well, whether it was long or short, I found I had read or listened to a mix of books, with many of them being pretty good or excellent. I also put down a greater number of books unfinished than usual, but I'm quite happy to have tried some of them and now to cross them off my to-read list.

Made for Heaven: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation, by Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR

This guided Lenten meditation book focuses primarily on the Sunday Gospel reading for the following week's short reflections, and includes reflection questions and space to journal.

Why I picked it up: I was overambitious in thinking I'd participate in my parish's second book club. I didn't attend a single meeting, but I read the reflection most days, and caught up when I'd misplaced the book or forgotten for a few days.

My impressions: This book wasn't my favorite Lenten read, but I think that if I'd put more into it (i.e., done some journaling in response to the questions), I would have gotten more out of it. I liked that Fr. Torres took a deep look at several Sunday Gospel passages, digging into them for the remainder of the week's reflections. He had some good insights, and a few personal accounts that stuck with me or are easy to recall. A few comments made it sound like the book was written shortly after the pandemic event, but it doesn't really date the book or interfere with the content - it's still good Lenten material. This is a good book for Catholics who want short daily reflections for the Lenten liturgical season.

The Art of Living: The Cardinal Virtues and the Freedom to Love, by Edward Sri

A theologian breaks down St. Thomas Aquinas' commentary on the four cardinal virtues, explaining and exploring what they are, as well as the vices they counteract and other virtues that fall under their heading.

Why I picked it up: I started listening to this as an audiobook because I wanted mostly religious books during Lent, but I read a good chunk of it because I have a physical copy that I picked up a while back. 

My impressions: This book came to me at the right time! I wasn't sure how I'd like it since I wasn't blown away by his book on the Mass the second time reading it (a month or two ago), but this one hit a sweet spot! It spoke to me where I'm at - so I am reminded to not disdain a book because a different one by the same author wasn't everything I was hoping for. This book does a great job of making St. Thomas' work accessible to lay Catholics - I don't know about other people, but I certainly find St. Thomas intimidating. I feel like I have a better understanding of how the cardinal virtues are "cardinal", meaning something like they are umbrellas that house a lot of other virtues within themselves, and combat a number of vices. I was called out, but also encouraged and felt like I was learning a lot. I think this book could speak to many Catholics, probably high school and up, and I'd recommend it to people who know they need to work on eradicating vice and growing virtue in their lives (so, all of us!).

Here is a quote that I liked: Magnanimity is "an inner movement of the soul, a stretching forth toward God and toward whatever great and noble tasks he may be inviting a person to do: fighting against injustices, shouldering important undertakings, serving a pressing need, confronting evils, building something that will serve the Church and bless many...people. Unfortunately, our culture is put off by this Christian heroic ambition. Instead of lifting our eyes toward doing great and noble deeds with our lives, we are sedated by comfort and pleasure. The incessant distractions and amusements of our age lower our vision for life, dull our pursuit of honorable things, and stifle magnanimity. We instead focus our energies on pursuing what is most enjoyable." -pp. 117-8

Glitch, by Laura Martin, narrated by Tara Sands and Ramon de Ocampo**

Regan and Elliot, rival time-travelers-in-training, find themselves forced to team up due to a time-traveling item that warns of future danger and sets of a string of mind-bending efforts to save the past and the future

Why I picked it up: I think I saw this one recommended somewhere, but not sure why this one specifically ended up on my to-read list, especially since time-travel stories aren't quite my thing. This one was available through my state's e-library. 

My impressions: I'm so glad I tried this one out! I should have known from her dinosaur dystopia books that I listened to last year that I like her writing style. Exciting from the start, it incorporates concepts like the Butterfly Effect and utilizes excellent world building. I found the entire first third of the book incredibly engaging - weirdly enough, I felt there was a lull in the middle part of the book, but the ending ratcheted up the stakes with some expected time-travel madness. I liked the start-as-enemies situation and how that developed. There were some questionable decisions made with shady ethical groundings, as well as some moments of lying or deception, but it was mostly free of questionable content. I liked this book so much that I discussed it with my husband as I listened to it and recommended it to a family member who I think will like it. This would be a good book for middle school and older.

Found, by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Jonah and other adopted children in his area receive strange letters about being some of the missing, and people coming to get them soon, so he and several children try to unravel the mystery of the letters as well as the mystery of where he came from.

 

Why I picked it up: A relative of mine really enjoyed the book, so I read it to discuss it with them. This copy came from my work's library.

My impressions: It was interesting to pick up a time-travel book after I'd just finished listening to one. I've decided that Martin's style of time-travel story is more my type than this one. The good parts of this were that there were intriguing, mysterious happenings from the start, and the mystery went through most of the book. What was happening? Almost every chapter felt like it ended on a little cliffhanger - I think it's impressive writing if you can do that, but it's not my favorite. I thought the characterizations were a little weaker than in some books, and I wasn't a fan of how the book felt like it had a little more negative of an outlook than other middle grade novels. Disrespect towards parents and deceit were some problematic elements. The book sets up for a sequel - for a whole series, in fact. While the book was interesting enough to finish, I wasn't keen enough on it to want to continue the series; the Wikipedia summary worked out fine for me. I think this book would be fine for most middle school readers, but I'd say go with Glitch over this one if you want a time travel story.

The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain, by Eugene Yelchin**

Eugene lives with his parents, grandmother, and brother in Communist Russia, finding that his drawings under the table may be a talent that helps make him more free in his country, but still lacking answers to his questions about why people live they way they do in his country.

Why I picked it up: This one was recommended on the Read Aloud Revival website, and sounded interesting. The audiobook version, read by the author, was available through my state's e-library. I listened to this during the time I was reading With God in Russia, by Fr. Walter Ciszek, and both are kind of heavy, so I'll probably be giving stories about Soviet Russia a break for a while.

My impressions: This is a good book to give you an idea of what life would be like for a child growing up in Communist Russia, long after peace had been established post-war. However, there were some comments and descriptions that made me think that some parts would have been more appropriate for an adult audience. A bathhouse experience was described, as were some comments like the author deciding not to say his mom loved a star ballet dancer mare than his dad (she wasn't really in love, just obsessed), and those were some bits that I just wouldn't be comfortable handing over to any kid. I do think that this memoir was well-written - Yelchin had a good sense of how different aspects of his life fit together - his lack of talent, Russia's obsession with talent, his Jewish ethnicity, tensions surrounding the scapegoating of Jews, art, expression, following the rules - so many things wove together really well in this work. I think this is a good book for exploring life in the USSR, but it would probably be good for parents to pre-read or read with their children if a child (probably no younger than middle school) is the one who will be experiencing it. 

When the Sea Turned to Silver, by Grace Lin, narrated by Kim Mai Guest**

Young Pinmei and her friend Yishan leave their burned-out homes to rescue Pinmei's grandmother from the cruel Tiger Emperor, and finds her voice on the adventure as she shares stories with those she meets - and finds the old stories are more than just stories.

Why I picked it up: I wanted to listen to another audiobook, but not one set in Communist Russia. This one was available through my state's e-library. 

My impressions: I don't remember much of Lin's other book that I listened to a few years ago, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, but I do think that I liked this one much more. I liked the interwoven stories that slowly started to come to life. It felt like listening to an anthology of Asian fairy tales that were all tied together by a pretty compelling problem. The imagery and some of the poetic language were excellent, but other analogies didn't flow as smoothly for me. Even with the clear problem and high stakes, I would say that this adventure is still a little slower paced than other adventure stories. It worked for me this time, but I could see some readers having a little more trouble staying engaged with this one. I did not like the deception practiced by one character towards the end of the book, even if it was the big baddie she was tricking - that was an uncomfortable scene. Other than that, I thought the book was free of concerning elements. This could be a good book for fairy tale and folk tale fans middle-school aged and older.

The Silver Chair, by C. S. Lewis, narrated by Jeremy Northam**

Jill joins Eustace in this adventure into Narnia, where they are tasked by Aslan to follow four signs in order to save the missing heir to the Narnian throne, but realize the completion of the task is much more difficult than they anticipated.

Why I picked it up: This is one of the two Chronicles of Narnia books my cousin group and I discussed this month. Yes, I finished it before I finished The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I read a small snippet of it, but listened to most in audiobook form.

My impressions: I used to really dislike this one because I thought the landscape was so dreary, but it's grown on me over time, and listening to it was a real treat! This book powerfully portrays the exhortation to follow Christ, and how difficult that actually is. It shows the struggle of the will to choose to do what is right, even in the face of physical desolation and spiritual attack. It shows the entrancing power of evil, and its ultimate failure in the face of those who rely on grace to resist it. This is a great book that everyone should read, starting with upper elementary and going through any age.

Beyond the Desert Gate, by Mary Ray

This somewhat-sequel to The Ides of April focuses on the youngest of the three sons of Apollodorus the merchant, named Philo, as he and his part-Jewish siblings find their place in a Roman-occupied Palestine of A.D. 70.

Why I picked it up: I needed a book to take with me to work that wasn't set in Communist Russia, and as this one is part of my "antilibrary" (the apparent term for owned books that one hasn't read yet), it seemed an appropriate one to try.

My impressions: This book has the trim focus of some middle-grade novels, but some descriptions of intense injury and violence make this one more appropriate for a slightly older audience. I liked this book better than The Ides of April and found fewer troubling elements in it - and I was pleasantly surprised to find out who the mysterious stranger Xenos was. Though the plot wasn't action driven, it pulled me in enough to have me wondering how things would end. There is a lot of loss in the novel, but I think it had the feeling of authenticity that one would hope for in a historical novel. This book would be best for mature middle schoolers and older, particularly if they are interested in the Roman Empire and the nations occupied by Rome soon after the time of Jesus.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C. S. Lewis, narrated by Derek Jacobi**

Edmund and Lucy return to Narnia with their cruel cousin Eustace in tow, and join King Caspian as he sails east to try to find the edge of the world and Aslan's country.

Why I picked it up: Cousin book time again! I started reading this book as a physical copy, but finished the last 2/3 of it in audiobook form.

My impressions: This book is alright, but the sea log narrative style means there's no driving plot. There are some episodic adventures, but towards the end, it feels more like an account of interesting places and peoples observed by the adventurers. I did come to love Reepicheep more than I have in previous readings of this book. I can't say that the audiobook was amazing - the performance, particularly of Caspian's actions at the end, didn't help me like him more. I was intrigued by the stronger use of religious symbols in this book at the end, but I think it makes sense, since Aslan is preparing the older children to recognize him by the name he goes by in their world. Any fan of Narnia should read this book, but it's not the best one.

Bracket Play

The bracket was a little difficult to figure out this month. All three of the finalists could have been the best for April.

Round one went as it usually does, with similar books being matched up with each other and the weaker ones being knocked out right away. Glitch came in between rounds, and beat the Chinese fairy-tale mashup When the Sea Turned to Silver. This second book was good, but it was a little slower-paced and more artistic. Glitch was exciting from the get-go, but it also had some of those good elements that Lin's book enjoyed, such as high stakes and strong character development.

In the second round, the young adult historical fiction book Beyond the Desert Gate was a pretty decent work, but did not compare with the fantasy classic The Silver Chair, which went on to the finals. It was the matchup on the other side that hurt to decide - Glitch, a middle grade time-travel action adventure, or The Art of Living, a Catholic work about the four cardinal virtues? I opted for the latter title since it was more meaningful than a book that was well-told, but not about things of eternal importance.

The championship round was also difficult to decide. The Art of Living took the title home today. It provided concrete applications and made St. Thomas Aquinas' writing on the cardinal virtues accessible. The Silver Chair speaks to spiritual realities in story form, and it does so at an amazing level of artistry, but it's not my favorite of the Narnian adventures. On another day, it would have won (and maybe Glitch would have), but The Art of Living is the standout book for this month.

Books Attempted and Put Down

The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation, by Rod Dreher, narrated by Adam Verner**

An Orthodox Christian considers the life of the monk, St. Benedict, and how his Rule, written in the sixth century, could help believers build small, strong communities in a wider society that has become hostile to Christianity.

Why I picked it up: I remember hearing this book was causing quite a lot of discussion when it first came out, and I finally decided to give it a go - almost a decade late.

Why I put it down: The book didn't resonate with me and I didn't think I was getting much out of it. I think society is, in some ways, still much as Dreher describes it, but I don't think it's as dire as it was looking in the fallout of 2016. Still dire, yes, but not a given that every good thing is on its last legs - easy to say when I hear about the surprising increase in conversions to Catholicism the past few years. This book may be a great book for some, but I think it spoke to a very specific time in American society, and that specificity has somewhat limited the book's readability.

Bloody Jack: Being the Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary 'Jacky' Faber, Ship's Boy, by L. A. Meyer, narrated by Katherine Kellgren**

Mary, a British orphan in the time of the Napoleonic wars, disguises herself and finds work as a ship's boy.

Why I picked it up: Oh, I'm sure I saw this recommended somewhere. Like the audiobook above, it was available through my state's e-library.

Why I put it down: This book had too many disgusting descriptions for me. There are details about dead orphans being sold to researching doctors who autopsy the bodies. Too gross for me, and it was sticking with me in a not-good way. Definitely okay with having put it down.

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, by Edmund Morris, narrated by Mark Deakins**

The first book in a trilogy recounting the life of President Theodore Roosevelt.

Why I picked it up: I remember my parents had enjoyed this series enormously.

Why I put it down: Very well researched, about a fascinating subject, but not for me right now...but hopefully it will be someday!

Homer Price, by Robert McCloskey

This series of episodic adventures is about Homer, a single child who lives at a tourist camp.

Why I picked it up: I saw this recommended in several places and acquired it very cheaply somewhere. It was part of my "antilibrary" and the second one for me to attempt reading from this collection.

Why I put it down: I read the first story. It was fine, but it was not super engaging for me. I think some children would have loved it (using a pet skunk to capture four robbers is fun), but I didn't feel the need to finish it.