What I Read ♥ April 2025

April was a regular reading month for me. I read three books, two lengthy books that have been sitting on my non-physical TBR list and one short story that I only read because I wanted something short and not-so-sweet to finish off the month.

I also thought it might be interesting to share my 2025 reading updates in my ‘What I Read’ posts. I forgot to post my quarterly update last month but I thought, why not post it now? Down below, I give an update on my 2025 reading goals, how many books so far, favorite reads, and any other reading bits I want to share.

Make sure to follow me on Goodreads to be updated on what I’m reading and on StoryGraph if you’re curious about my book statistics.

My star reading scale
★★★★★/5 – Loved it! Would reread and recommend it to others.
★★★★/5 – Kept me entertained. I would reread.
★★★/5 – Didn’t love or hate but would recommend to others.
★★/5 – Did not enjoy it and probably skimmed through most of it.
★/5 – I hated it and regret wasting my time with this book.
DNF – Did not finish. This will probably be rare because I like to finish every book I start.

DISCLAIMER: Links included in this post might be affiliate links. If you make a purchase with the links I provide, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

My 2025 Reading Goals
#1. Read 40 books ~ So far, I’ve read 16 books and 40% through my goal of reading 40 books! I’m almost halfway through! I’m really happy with my progress!

#2. Start a book journal ~ I have good intentions to start a journal to track and log all my books from 2025 but I just haven’t gotten to it yet. However, need to sit down and start this journal asap! I mean I have 16 books I already need to include!

#3. DNF more books ~ I haven’t DNF’d any book this year yet!

#4. Try not to be so critical of my ratings and reviews ~ Not going to lie, this is probably the goal I have the most difficulty with. Thankfully, I reread all my reviews before I schedule and publish my blog posts. haha

#5. Read more books off my bookshelf ~ I recently acquired many physical books so I’m due to reorganize my bookshelf soon. When that happens, I’m going to make a list of the books on my bookshelf that I’ve read and haven’t read to know which books I need to read.

#6. Reread some of my favorite books ~ No rereads yet! I only have like 1-3 books I want to reread, but they’re summery and autumn books, so I’m saving them for later this year.

#7. Attend a used book sale ~ Not yet! I have bought a few used books, I try to always buy my books secondhand now. However, I haven’t attended a physical location yet, but there is still time.

Favorite Reads of 2025
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman ★★★★/5
One of my favorite thrillers I’ve read in a while! I loved how creepy it was and already want to reread this novel!

Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison ★★★★/5
One of my top three Rachel Harrison books. This read was a good time and made me realize why I’m such a fan of Harrison’s work.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus ★★★★/5
Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results. 

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.

Content Warning: Sexual assault
After watching the Apple TV series Lessons in Chemistry, I was eager to read the novel! The series and novel are pretty similar, and there aren’t many differences, some of which I loved, others not so much. I approved of what they did with the neighbor character in the series rather than in the book. However, I preferred the mother-daughter relationship in the novel over that in the series. Personally, I preferred the series over the novel as I felt it approached topics of race and women’s rights in a way the book didn’t.

You can purchase Lessons in Chemistry here

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D. ★★★★/5
Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent over three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity. Based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists, The Body Keeps the Score exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal—and offers new hope for reclaiming lives.

Content Warning: Sexual assault and explicit content.
I’ve had a negative experience reading well-known self-help books from the past, such as The Power of Now, so I was hesitant to read The Body Keeps the Score because I thought I would be disappointed, however, it was definitely worth the read!

In The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel Van Der Kolk, how past trauma can affect your body if left ignored. Bessel recounts some of his most memorable patients and shares their stories of how he worked with them to lessen the pain in their bodies and minds. Along the way, Bessel shares the data associated with the treatment he gave his patients. Some stories are difficult to read, so if you’re someone who gets triggered easily, you may want to skip this one.

In the book, they mentioned how EFT tapping and yoga can help regulate the mind and body, and as someone who practices both of these every day, I can say that performing these has helped ease my anxious self tremendously!

You can purchase The Body Keeps the Score here

Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones ★★★/5
One last laugh for the summer as it winds down. One last prank just to scare a friend. Bringing a mannequin into a theater is just some harmless fun, right? Until it wakes up. Until it starts killing.

Luckily, Sawyer has a plan. He’ll be a hero. He’ll save everyone to the best of his ability. He’ll do whatever he needs to so he can save the day. 

That’s the thing about heroes―sometimes you have to become a monster first.

This was a last-minute read as I didn’t want to report back that I only read 2 books in April, so I quickly read Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones. Plus, it’s a short story that I’ve been meaning to read. This story is about a group of kids who prank one of their friends by placing a department store mannequin at their workplace, and then things get messy. This was a quick read, not only in length but it was also fast pace. The main character reminded me of Joe from the Netflix series YOU, which I’m currently watching.

You can purchase Night of the Mannequins here

Have you read any of these books? What did you read in April? How are you doing on your 2025 reading goals?