Q1 Recap

It's April. April means taxes, spring, Easter (or Passover)... and it also means the first quarter of the year is over - crazy! If you checked my last week's post, you know I had a shitty week. And now you know that the end of Q1 was one of the reasons for the shittiest time I've had this year. 

I've been thinking about writing a 'Q1 recap' of the books I've read during the first quarter for a while. Maybe it is a good way to refocus the energy corporate America is trying to take from me. 

I've read 23 books so far in 2026. I am going to share the ones that marked my first quarter somehow.

English reads: 

- The Tell: A Memoir by Amy Griffin: Nonfiction. This was an amazing Memoir, and a very good first read of the year. I was visiting Amarillo, TX, for work- where most of the Amy's life story happened and consequently the book - just a few days after reading. I love the little coincidences of life. 
- One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune: Fiction. What a delicious romance! This was fun and refreshing, and I did not mind the third act break up. 
- Go as a River by Shelley Read: Fiction. I love a good historical fiction, and this book was a true find. I did not know much about it before opening it to read, and it kept me so interested. This is a historical fiction that deserves more hype! 
- Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo: Fiction. This was on my radar for a while, and I found it while 'Libby shopping' on 'Available Now'. It's worth the read. 
- How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley: Fiction. One of the books that I loved from beginning to end but took me so long to finish. I 'gave up' on it for a while before picking it back up. It's hilarious. 
- A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara: Fiction. This is brutal. I have been not recommending to people because it is truly never-ending suffering. And so well written. (I recommend if you can stomach a lot of constant pain). 
- Weyward by Emilia Hart: Fiction. This book made so many recommendation lists in 2025, it took me a while to get it! I listened to the audiobook, which I recommend. It was fun and different from the other books I had read before (a.k.a A Little Life). A good refresher! 
- My Friends by Fredrik Backman: Fiction. By far the best I read this year and on my top 5 for life. I am head over heels for this book; deserves all the hype and love it is getting. 

Portuguese reads: 

- Primeiro Eu Tive Que Morrer by Lorena Portela: Fiction. This was a great companion during a business trip. Quick, easy to read and got me hooked. 

- Coisa de Rico by Michel Alcoforado: Nonfiction. Michel Alcoforado is an anthropologist and did extended research about the rich people and communities in Brazil. The book brings it all together and it's fun to read (and desperate at some times too).  

I have other Brazilian books on my to-be-read list, I want (and really SHOULD) read more of motherland's authors this year. I collected some paperbacks from my trips to Brazil in the past couple of years, so I have no excuse now (just work, hobbies, house chores, puppy, etc, ...).  

                                    

I haven't shared my Goodreads account here but if anyone wants to connect, please leave a comment!