April 2026 Reading Update
I’m back with another reading update! It feels good to be accountable for what I’m getting through in 2026. We added 9 books to the list this month! Granted, The Emma M. Lions series are short volumes so I’m not sure they count as full books.
For May I’m adding back in some more personal development and have to find something to fill the void of Emma M Lions once I finish the 8th book.
What I Finished in April
Theo of Golden
This one was my book club pick and it wrecked me in the best way. I cried at the end. It’s a quieter, more peaceful read — not gripping in the way a thriller is — but it builds and builds until you realize how much you care. It left me genuinely wanting to be kinder, to build more community, to slow down and see people for who they really are. The message at the heart of it is that a meaningful life has so little to do with money or status or stuff, and everything to do with how we treat the people in front of us. We have so much power to change what people believe about themselves simply by how we see them. A beautiful book. Highly recommend.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lions — Books 1-7
Remember when I said book one was slow and I was committed to pushing through? I pushed through. And I am so glad I did. It picks up in book two and really hits its stride by book three. Now I am savoring them — genuinely giggling on the treadmill and choosing them over shows at night. That’s the highest endorsement I can give.
The God Who Weeps — Terryl and Fiona Givens
A reread, and it was just as beautiful the second time. This is one I’ll keep coming back to every few years. It’s a stunning, thoughtful take on LDS theology that manages to feel both intellectually rich and deeply personal. Fiona narrates the audio and her voice is lovely. If you’re even a little curious, start here.
What I’m Currently Reading
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lions — Continuing the Series
Still going, and still savoring every volume. I will either have to start Pride and Prejudice when this is over or start the entire series again as we wait for the next installment.
A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum — Emma Southon
Just started this one. It uses real murder cases from ancient Rome as a lens to explore what Roman culture actually valued and feared (written with wit and humor, and quite a bit more language than a dry history book).
Gifted and Distractible — Julie F. Skolnick
One of my picks from the Audible sale. If you have a kid who is twice-exceptional, this one keeps coming up in conversations and I finally picked it up.
Do Epic Shi*
Early days on this one but it caught my eye and I’m here for the energy. So far my interesting takeaway is not to focus on goals but to focus on habits. Then, you get the outcome AND the personal growth.
The Book of Awakening — Mark Nepo
Still working my way through this one. It’s less something I read and more something I take in from time to time. It has a daily thought and meditation and I’m currently in October.
What’s Up Next
The Anatomy of Peace
A recommendation from my brother that just made it to the top of my list.
