Once again, I’m a few weeks behind on this, but that “To Write About” stack is still calling. Time for me to do a few more of these—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.
Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore
by Emily Krempholtz, Emma Ladji (Narrator)
DETAILS: Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group Publication Date: November 18, 2025 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 11 hrs. Read Date: March 31-April 2, 2026
A nice little story about a supervillain (however coerced into it she might have been) trying to go straight and live a quiet life. Naturally, it doesn’t go that well, people learn who she is/was and…things get dicey. It’s a very cozy little story with just a hint of danger. This is primarily a Romance with a streak of Fantasy. Not totally my cup of tea, but a very pleasant book.
Guns of Brixton
DETAILS: Publisher: Fahrenheit Press Publication Date: November 15, 2025 Format: Paperback Length: 181 pg. Read Date: April 15, 2026
This is a dark noir full of insane comedy and violence. Peopled by characters you love reading about and never want to meet the likes of in real life. The various plotlines and character arcs overlap and weave together in a way that is really impressive–and is very typical for this kind of read. Just kick back and enjoy it.
It’s fast and furious read that will make you want more from Brazill. I have to leave it for a catch-up post like this, where I’m forced to be vague, I’d end up telling you too much about it in a full-length post.
My only complaint is that as an American with little (read: no) understanding of FIFA history, I had to hit up a friendly-neighborhood search engine to understand the ending. I’d be clearer there, but I don’t want to ruin anything. It’s worth getting to that point and then learning what it meant–the delayed gratification is still gratifying.
Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy
by Mary Roach
DETAILS: Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group Publication Date: September 16, 2025 Format: Unabridged Audiobooks Length: 8 hrs., 37 min. Read Date: April 13-16, 2026
Overall, a really good look at the frontiers of human transplant technology—and other ways to replace broken/sick/malfunctioning human parts. Oh, and hair. There was a lot about hair replacement and the various technologies there.
As is typical for a book by Roach, there’s a lot of good information here. A couple of chapters that don’t seem worth it. Some jokes were winners. Some jokes didn’t seem worth the effort.
Frog and Toad Are Doing Their Best [A Parody]
by Jennie Egerdie, Ellie Hajdu (Illustrator)
DETAILS:
Publisher: Running Press Adult
Publication Date: October 5, 2021
Format: Hardcover
Length: 96 pg.
Read Date: April 17, 2026
As I recall, I always thought that the Frog and Toad were pleasant enough, but needed something more to be something I’d read when there wasn’t anything else handy. Things were similar with my kids and the books. This is a little better—only because it’s updated and vaguely amusing to see the pair in 2020s mode.
The art is as perfect as it could be, like it was by the original artists.
It’s not a must-read, but it’s a quick shot of pleasure.
Worse than a Lie
by Ben Crump
DETAILS:
Publisher: Bantam
Publication Date: February 17, 2026
Format: Hardcover
Length: 368 pgs.
Read Date: April 16-17, 2026
I had huge hopes for this one, expecting that I’d read the series to follow. That is not going to happen. The dialogue is atrocious. The plot was…fine, but executed messily, yet predictably. The bad guys are as evil as evil can be—no subtlety to it at all. Actually, that was one of my notes about the book as a whole—there’s nothing subtle about it. The solution and the aftermath were practically a fairy tale. I really can’t think of anything positive to say. The promising premise deserved a whole lot better.
This Book Made Me Think of You
by Libby Page, Zadeiah Campbell-Davies (Narrator)
DETAILS: Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group Publication Date: February 3, 2026 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 10 hrs., 26 min. Read Date: April 16-20, 2026
Oh, golly, this book was so heartwarming and sweet. It’s also a great look at grief and the way it lingers in the lives of those affected by death. Primarily it’s a sweet book about a (dead) husband’s love expressed through his wife’s passion for reading. Each month, a book is waiting for her at a local bookstore.
Oh, yeah—this is also a tribute to local bookstores and what they can mean for a community.
Grief, books, love, and bookstores. What more could you want?
A Memory Called Empire
DETAILS: Series: Teixcalaan, #1 Publisher: Tor Books Publication Date: February 25, 2020 Format: Paperback Length: 480 pg. Read Date: April 20-24, 2026
Oh, there were just so many great ideas packed into this volume. Several layers of political machinations—with two cultures that are new to the reader. A mind-blowing technology that raises all sorts of questions about identity, memory, and life. A character death that makes me mad months later. And a looming threat that’s so far in the background that few characters realize it’s a thing.
I did enjoy it, I’m just not sure how much —but I’m so glad that I read it. I need to find time for book two.
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