2025 Popsugar Reading Challenge - Update #4

Happy Wednesday everyone and welcome to my fourth 2025 Popsugar Reading Challenge update with mini reviews!   In April, I read 12 books for a total of 33 completed out of 50.  I'd say I'm doing pretty well so far.  Keep reading to see my thoughts on the books I read in April: 

❋ ❋ ❋ ❋

I've never read the original novel, but this graphic novel adaptation, Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass: The Graphic Novel by Meg Medina, Adapted and Illustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas was gut wrenching. I was so mad and upset to see what Piddy was going through.  One day I may have to try the original novel.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

❋ ❋ ❋ ❋

Memorials by Richard Chizmar isn't my favorite from this author, but I still love his style and the audiobook production is excellent. I feel like I should have read this for Halloween.  I don't want to give anything away, but you have to check this out if you're a fan and haven't already.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

❋ 

DNF'd @ 12% 

I pretty quickly realized that Before I Let Go (Skyland #1) by Kennedy Ryan wasn't for me. I definitely am not the target audience for this.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

❋ ❋ 

The Man Who Spoke Snakish by Andrus Kivirakh has an intriguing premise, but this historical fantasy never quite worked for me as well as I wished I did.  I don't know but I just felt like I was missing something with this one.  I wish that the female characters could have had more to do.  Maybe I need to know more about Estonian history to really appreciate this one?

My review is also on Goodreads, The StoryGraph, and my Read Around the World Challenge: Europe - April Update.

❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ 

Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear (Wayward Children #10) by Seanan McGuire was another fantastic installment of what has become a favorite series.  I'd say this is one of my favorites of the series.  It was great to see Nadya again, and the world-building of her of Belyyreka is intriguing.  You know, I wouldn't mind if this series just kept going on and on and on!  I don't know how I'll be able to wait until January 6, 2026 for Through Gates of Garnet and Gold to see Nancy again.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ 

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix isn't quite an all-time favorite for me although I'd say it's in my top three of all of his works so far. I'd go so far to say I'd probably really rate this a 4.5 as it wasn't quite a full 5 star read from me.  This one took a little while for me to get hooked, but once it did I was totally locked in.  The real-life elements of this are just as terrifying as the witchy.  Still, after making it to the final chapter, I'd say good for her - good for all of those girls who made it through.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

❋ ❋ ❋ ❋

In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick was fascinating. I really appreciated all of the details of this. I don't often say I love the world building with nonfiction, but that's definitely the case here.  The author does a fantastic job of making it all real to the reader.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

❋ ❋ ❋ ❋

We Shall Be Monsters by Alyssa Wees is a fantasy romance that I feel like I kind of inhaled.  Well, as much as possible with an audiobook.  If you're a fan of eerie fae, this one shouldn't be missed.  It really reminded me of Labyrinth and that really worked for me.  The world-building in this is great, but I think my favorite aspect is the mother-daughter relationship.  I'll have to be on the lookout for more from this author in the future.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

❋ ❋ ❋ ❋

The Raven King (All For the Game #2) by Nora Sakavic was really good and a bit heartbreaking.  I'm not particularly into sports, but this is definitely engrossing.  Then again, though, I honestly don't think I'm interested enough to continue along with the series.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

❋ ❋ ❋ ❋

I found Silver Sandals by Clinton H. Stagg at a yard sale awhile ago and I'm glad I took a chance on it because it a clever mystery. I like that some of the classic elements you expect are flipped in this in one way or another. It definitely makes me want to try more stories featuring this character, if I can ever find them. Maybe I'll get lucky at a yard sale again.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ 

My Man Jeeves (Jeeves #1) by P.G. Wodehouse  is absolutely delightful. I don't know why I've never read any of these original stories before now. I feel like I need to watch the tv series with Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry again. That was exactly what I needed.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

❋ ❋ ❋ 

The Elementals by Morgan Llywelyn wasn't quite what I was expecting it to be. The four interconnected stories it features can get a little heavy handed at times, but knowing this was released in 1993 puts that a little more in my favor. Overall, I'd say the best stories were the 1st and the 3rd ones. I think I'll have to try more from this author in the future.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

Are you taking part in this challenge?  Have you read any of these books?  As always, thanks for visiting my blog and perhaps even commenting down below!