Hello everyone! Do you still remember me? Welcome to my April Reading Recap! A year later, here I am again, sharing all the books read in April. Like the last time I ever wrote here.
Over the past year, life has been a whirlwind, and I can’t wait to share more about the past year’s travels and books. But, today, it’s all about the books read in April 2025.
This was a transformative month as I decided to uninstall Instagram and TikTok. What started as a challenge with a friend turned into a refreshing lifestyle change. Without the constant scrolling, I found myself more present, more focused and, most importantly, reading more books. This digital detox gave me back some of my time and allowed me to reconnect with the joy of reading.
Let’s dive into the April Reading Recap! Covering a wide range of genres, from magic and mysterious worlds to deeply personal essays, each book brought something unique into my reading experience.
Here’s a quick overview of April reads:
- “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern,
- “Leme” by Madalena Sá Fernandes,
- “The Age of Magical Overthinking” by Amanda Montell,
- “Invierte en ti” by Natalia De Santiago,
- “A Profeta” by Maria Francisca Gama.
That’s a total of 1 325 pages, with an average of 265 pages per book. Here are, also the usual reading stats:
If you want to follow my reading journey real-time, feel free to add me either on Goodreads or in Storygraph. This way, you won’t have to wait for the next reading recap to know what I’m up to!
Before we dive deeper into each book, spoiler alert: From this moment on, this post contains details of the read books so, if you haven’t read them yet, proceed at your own risk!
“The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
“The Night Circus” was a magical journey. I read this book as part of a digital book club I’ve been a part of for almost two years. After a long time without joining a monthly reading, I’m glad I returned for this one. It’s a fantasy novel that immerses you in the enchanting world of “Le Cirque des Rêves,” a magical circus that appears without warning, only open at night. At the heart of the circus, a high-stakes competition unfolds between two illusionists, Celia and Marco, bound by a challenge set by their powerful mentors.
As the narrative jumps between different timelines, backgrounds, and characters’ perspectives, it creates a puzzle-like story that slowly comes together beautifully. It’s a story of magic, love, and sacrifice, but it also explores themes of destiny, control, and the consequences of power.
One of my favourite quotes by one of the circus’ rêveurs (a term to describe the followers and closest fans to the circus) perfectly captures the magical essence of this book: “I find I think of myself not as a writer so much as someone who provides a gateway, a tangential route for readers to reach the circus. To visit the circus again, if only in their minds, when they are unable to attend it physically. I relay it through printed words on crumpled newsprint, words that they can read again and again, returning to the circus whenever they wish, regardless of time of day or physical location. Transporting them at will. When put that way, it sounds rather like magic, doesn’t it?”.
If this didn’t bring your attention to this book, I don’t know what will!
“Leme” by Madalena Sá Fernandes
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
“Leme” is an emotional and raw memoir that takes you through the author’s childhood and adolescence, marked by trauma and resilience. Madalena Sá Fernandes shares her deeply personal story, highlighting the emotional scars left by an abusive stepfather and the impact it had on her and her mother.
Reading this book felt like being invited into Madalena’s most intimate and painful memories. A story of survival, healing, and breaking free from the cycle of trauma.
The author’s vulnerability makes this memoir a powerful read, reminding us of the strength it takes to overcome one’s past.
I was left in an absolute awe.
“The Age of Magical Overthinking” by Amanda Montell
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
In “The Age of Magical Overthinking”, Amanda Montell dives into how our hyperconnected, information-saturated world has turned many of us into chronic overthinkers. Through a blend of memoir, psychology, pop culture, and social commentary, Montell unpacks how we often resort to what she calls “magical thinking” — a way of making sense of chaos using irrational beliefs.
Montell uses cognitive biases like the halo effect, confirmation bias, and the Dunning-Kruger effect to show how our minds can deceive us, especially in moments of anxiety, grief, or insecurity. Her writing is sharp yet compassionate, inviting readers to reflect on their own tendencies while also sharing her personal experiences with overthinking and anxiety. Her balance of humor and insight makes even the heaviest concepts feel relatable.
From the cult of self-optimisation to online identity, performance, grief, anxiety, and the constant pursuit of control, Montell’s analysis feels both timely and timeless. I found myself completely absorbed in her narrative, turning pages without realising how far I’d gotten until I reached the acknowledgements section.
This book is as consuming as the behaviours it describes. Montell’s ability to weave complex psychological concepts with cultural observations makes it an addictive read. It didn’t feel like a distant, clinical analysis — rather, it was a mirror, reflecting patterns I’d recognised in myself, especially lately.
“The Age of Magical Overthinking” is thought-provoking, and I know I’ll find myself reflecting on it long after closing the final page. If you’ve ever caught yourself spiralling in anxious thoughts or striving for perfection in a chaotic world, this book will resonate deeply.
“Invierte en ti” by Natalia De Santiago
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
“Invierte en Ti” is a practical and accessible financial guide that demystifies personal finance. Natalia De Santiago does an excellent job of making complex financial concepts easy to understand, covering everything from budgeting to investing.
Despite my usual aversion to finances, this book felt like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend who genuinely wants to help you take control of your financial future. I finished it feeling more confident and ready to invest in myself.
“A Profeta” by Maria Francisca Gama
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
“A Profeta” by Maria Francisca Gama is anything but what I expected it to be. I went into this book blindly and what unfolded left me genuinely surprised.
In Maria Francisca’s debut, we meet Mariana, a woman in her 30s, living a quiet, almost monotonous life. Her world is defined by routine: a bar where she smokes, sips whiskey and reads. But, her routine is touched when she meets Joana, a stranger burdened by the weight of caring for a sick, dependent grandmother.
Mariana’s unexpected advice is to end her grandmother’s suffering using a painless poison. Joana becomes grateful, viewing Mariana as a saviour. Soon, others follow. Cristóvão, trapped with an abusive stepfather; Bernardo, a victim of medical negligence that left him blind and Matilde, who was drugged against her will by a friend. For each of these suffering souls, Mariana becomes a liberator. With each person helped, a new follower is gained.
The story climaxes when Mariana dies unexpectedly on Christmas Eve, struck by a car. Her followers, now bonded by their shared experiences, gather at her funeral, sealing her role as a prophet.
What strikes me the most about “A Profeta” for a debut was its bold concept. Yet, despite its originality, the narrative felt a bit too repetitive at times. We watch Mariana help person after person, but we never see her truly evolving. Her actions seem isolated, lacking a sense of how each encounter impacted her.
The abruptness of her death, also felt underwhelming, sudden and almost insignificant moment for a character position as high as a prophet.
Still, for a debut, it’s impressive. Having read her second book, I can already see her growth as a writer.
One lingering mystery I couldn’t tell was the book Mariana constantly carried and read.
I hope you enjoyed as much of this April reading recap as I enjoyed being back here writing you. I had forgotten about the therapeutical effect and the join of reliving the books I’ve read while sharing about them.
Which was the best book you read in April? Let me know in the comment section!