Welcome to Quick Lit: April 2026 Edition, where I share books I chose for my own reading enjoyment in a mini-review format. These are not books I received for review, but books I’ve wanted to read or that have caught my attention. Most of them have been talked about ad nauseam or have been on my to-read list for a long time, so they don’t really need a full review. But I’d still like to give them some space here on the blog, so instead, I’m offering mini-reviews of the books that won’t get full-page space here on the blog.
I’ll be sharing with Modern Mrs. Darcy and her monthly Quick Lit post. Be sure to head over to see others share their Quick Lit posts in her comments.
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Did you know I also regularly review children’s books? Check them out HERE.
I’m currently reading LITTLE PIECES OF HOPE as my daily non-fiction read, MAD MABEL on my Kindle, and I’m listening to THIS BOOK MADE ME THINK OF YOU.
I recently reviewed THE BELGIAN GIRLS, a WWI/WWI historical fiction, and MADE FOR MORE, a devotional written by my sister-in-law.
Since returning home from Florida, I’ve only had time to watch American Idol and Survivor every week and some episodes of Modern Family. We are on Season 3 right now and enjoy watching a few episodes together before going to bed.
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Since returning home, it’s been a whirlwind playing catch-up, subbing, and all my other responsibilities. This month’s Quick Lit includes some older historical fiction, a newer fiction, and one of the most buzzed-about books right now.
HALF HIS AGE
By: Jennette McCurdy
Published: January 20, 2026
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Fiction
Format: eBook
I read and really enjoyed McCurdy’s memoir, I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED. I found it raw, real, and insightful as well as heartbreaking. I was anxious to read her first novel and soon found it to be quite uncomfortable. A student quickly becomes obsessed with her teacher, and even though the teacher tries to avoid the inevitable, they begin a relationship. As someone who works with high school students, I found this to be very disturbing, yet I can see how quickly something like this can happen and has happened.
There are a lot of graphic scenes that I found unnecessary, and I think they were there for the shock value. But there was also a lot of real depth and emotion. Neither character was likeable, and both had the strangest names. Waldo is a 17-year-old student, and Mr. Korgy was the teacher. Strange names can take attention away from the story because, as a reader, I was so focused on getting used to them.
Overall, I was happy with the way the story ended, but I felt like I needed a shower after reading it. It left me feeling gross and uncomfortable while also leaving me in awe of McCurdy’s writing, if that is possible. She definitely nailed the voices of a needy and desperate teenager begging for attention and a selfish and horribly disgusting teacher. Read this with caution.
PROJECT HAIL MARY
By: Andy Weir
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Published: May 4, 2021
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Science Fiction
Format: Audiobook
I knew I wanted to get this read before watching the movie (which I haven’t seen yet). After absolutely loving THE MARTIAN, I purchased this audiobook a few years ago, but hadn’t gotten it read. Well, the audiobook is the way to read it. The voice of Rocky and all the extras make the narration spectacular.
Even though this has a little more science than THE MARTIAN, the friendship between Ryland Grace and his alien friend, Rocky, was so heartwarming. I flew through the audiobook and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen to Grace and Rocky.
“I am happy you no die. Let’s save planets.” ~ Rocky
IF THE CREEK DON’T RISE
By: Leah Weiss
Published: August 22, 2017
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Historical Fiction
Format: Paperback
Fans of Elizabeth Strout and the way she tells her stories might want to check out this book. 1970s rural Appalachia is not for the weak, and Baines Creek is one of the harshest areas to live and raise a family. Sadie Blue is young, newly married, and pregnant by one of the meanest men in Baines Creek. Each chapter focuses on one character in Baines Creek, leading up to the arrival of a new teacher and the possible murder of a young woman. Sadie Blue loves Loretta Lynn and wants to learn how to read so she can read all the magazines about Loretta Lynn. When she meets the new teacher, she finds that there just might be hope for a different life.
“She sits upright like she swallowed a rod but not the divining kind. She turns her head and stretches out her chicken neck to cut ugly looks at the teacher on the other end.”
I loved the way this story was told and its setting. You could imagine the forest, the tiny musty cabins, and the worn-down schoolhouse. Weiss has a great talent for describing characters so you can imagine them in your mind. She creates characters to root for and to hate in a place where there is little hope. I think my favorite part was Marris telling Sadie the rosebush story. I teared up and just felt such love for Marris in that moment.
“I look at Sadie looking at Roy, and I see how brave she must be to face that volatile danger of him every day. I watch her face shift, turn to granite, resigned. I want to cluch her arms and shout, You deserve more! You are more! This is not your life!”
Note this book has scenes of domestic violence. This was our book club read and offered lots to discuss.
THE HOUSE OF EVE
By: Sadeqa Johnson
Narrated by: Ariel Blake and Nicole Lewis
Published: February 7, 2023
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Historical Fiction
Format: Audiobook
In 1950s Philadelphia, we meet Ruby, a high schooler who has been given a chance to be the first in her family to attend college by completing the prestigious We Rise program. When her mom’s boyfriend makes a move on her, she leaves and moves in with an aunt, with the one goal of going to college to be an optometrist. A chance meeting with the landlord’s son may just derail everything she has worked hard to achieve.
Eleanor attends Howard University and meets William in the college library. Eleanor, a history major, hopes to become an archivist one day. William has plans to be a 3rd generation doctor. William and Eleanor fall in love, but William’s mom doesn’t approve because Eleanor isn’t from the right kind of family.
Each chapter alternates between Ruby and Eleanor as they face love, racism, prejudice, and tough choices. Black women in the 1950s had very few options for their future, and both of these women are bucking the trends. At some point, their stories come together, and the ending was such a fun surprise. I loved this one, and the narration with different voices for each girl was excellent.
I look forward to discussing this one with my book club.