Book Talk, Etc. — April Books on the Radar (2026)

Hosts: Tina (@tbretc) & Hannah (@hanpickedbooks)
Release Date: March 31, 2026
Episode Theme: The best and most anticipated new book releases for April 2026, alongside current reads, bookish discussions, and lifestyle recommendations.

Episode Overview

This engaging and lively episode revolves around April 2026’s most exciting new book releases. Tina and Hannah share their most anticipated new titles, discuss their latest reading experiences, and sprinkle in personal, relatable anecdotes and recommendations (including skincare and games) for their audience of book lovers. Their candid, conversational tone creates a warm, inviting space for bibliophiles looking to expand their TBR pile.

Highlights & Key Segments

1. Opening Banter & Energy Checks [00:00–03:05]

• Tina jokes about post-workout energy and "crashing" during the recording after a HIIT workout.
  • “If I sound scattered right now, listeners, it’s because I am.” — Tina [01:01]
• Weather chat: Midwest springtime delivers surprises—Hannah notes the quick return to chilly temperatures.

2. Loving Lately: Lifestyle Favorites [03:05–14:26]

Tina’s Pick: Skincare Staple [03:05–07:25]

• Sunday Riley Lactic Acid Serum
  • Tina describes her long-term love for this premium chemical exfoliant, which makes her skin feel “so soft the next day because all the, like, dead skin has been sloughed away.” [06:35]
  • Shares story of using FSA funds to splurge on it.
  • Discusses differences between physical and chemical exfoliants in a down-to-earth, candid manner.
  • “I’m just a girl that likes serums. So if I’m wrong, listeners, feel free to correct me. But I think I have that right.” — Tina [07:25]

Hannah’s Picks: Thoughtful Gaming Options [07:51–12:36]

• PBS Kids Games (for children)
  • Educational, low-stimulation, promote collaborative learning and basic computer skills.
  • “It’s just really low stimulation, creative building, problem solving, skill building, learning, et cetera.” — Hannah [09:28]
• Inside (for adults)
  • Atmospheric, 2D narrative-driven puzzle platformer available on Apple TV, Switch, and other platforms.
  • “No dialogue in it, but it does tell a story with the graphics and the puzzles… it’s kind of fun to get back to those 2D games.” — Hannah [11:44]

3. Latest Mutual Read: Kin by Tayari Jones [14:26–25:55]

Book Summary [16:29]

• Two best friends, Bernice and Annie, grow up motherless in Louisiana but are destined for divergent paths—one toward stability and academia, the other obsessed with finding her absent mother.

Discussion & Impressions [16:11–24:08]

• Both hosts agreed the book was “different” than expected but ultimately compelling.
• Character connection was gradual; pacing begins slowly, building up to a rewarding end.
• Quote: “I would encourage people to stick with [the book] if they’re feeling that kind of distance between the reader and the work… stick with it.” — Hannah [17:20]
• Notable: The story stayed primarily within a “coming-of-age” window, not a "sweeping" lifelong epic.
  • “You're really leading up to this very impactful couple of years in these two women's lives and the way that one or two little choices can totally change the trajectory of your life.” — Tina [19:35]
• Ending described as “unexpected” and possibly divisive, with Tina wishing for an epilogue:
  • “The ending is going to give people pause… I'm a gal that loves an epilogue. I want more.” — Tina [21:36]
• Book is highly discussable—recommended for book clubs.
• Star Ratings: Tina: 4.25 stars, Hannah: 4 stars.
• Behind the Scenes: Noted the author’s unplanned writing process and her direct (but curious and respectful) interactions with readers on social media.
  • “[Tayari Jones] coming at it from a point of curiosity instead of combativeness… that’s the way to do it.” — Hannah [25:55]

4. April 2026 Books On the Radar [25:55–50:00]

Notable Honorable Mentions (mini-plugs) [26:26]

• Yesteryear by Carol Clare Burke (April community read)
• Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker
• The Caretaker by Marcus Kluwer
• Molka by Monica Kim (deals with voyeurism, much-anticipated)

Main Picks (w/ Timestamps):

1. Boring Asian Female by Shan Wen Shu [27:36]

• Release: April 28
• Story: Elizabeth Zhang, academically gifted, is rejected by Harvard for being “boring.” Jealousy of a peer’s acceptance turns into obsession and “light stalking.”
• “I can't wait for this. It reminds me so much of Julie Chan is Dead… it’s subversive.” — Tina [29:15]

2. Leave Your Mess at Home by Tolani Akinola [29:51]

• Release: April 14
• Four estranged siblings reunite at their Nigerian immigrant parents’ home for Thanksgiving amidst personal crises. Promised drama, secrets, and messy relationships.
• “I already want to be there. I’m already sat. I want to be a fly on the wall for those conversations.” — Hannah [31:10]

3. The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clark (pseudonym for Cat Clark & V. E. Schwab) [31:47]

• Release: April 7
• Premise: Six struggling authors summoned to a private island to compete for writing the ending of a deceased famous writer’s final book. High-stakes, buzzy, meta-literary setup.
• “It’s the perfect plot and all it needs is a killer ending. Excuse me. I accept.” — Tina [32:54]

4. Go Gentle by Maria Semple [33:55]

• Release: April 14
• Follow-up from Where’d You Go, Bernadette? (author, not plot). Focus on Adora Hazard’s upended, carefully organized NYC life—melding romance, intrigue, and wit.
• “I want to know about Adora’s backstory. I want to know how she went from Upper West Side to now suddenly black market art deals.” — Hannah [35:53]

5. Love by the Book by Jessica George [36:21]

• Follows a bestselling author struggling with writer’s block and social isolation, and a teacher cut off from her family, whose lives intersect.
• “I am just very excited for this one.” — Tina [38:15]

6. Permanence by Sophie McIntosh [38:43]

• Release: April 2
• A speculative love story: two women, both in secret relationships, awaken in a utopian “other city” for adulterers, exploring forbidden love and its costs.
• “Sounds really interesting, albeit not for everyone.” — Hannah [40:45]

7. The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu [40:45]

• Literary sci-fi in which a fractured family must literally fix the universe’s physics while grappling with generational trauma.
• “It’s only 226 pages, so not a huge time investment for science fiction when oftentimes—we know books in science fiction can be very long.” — Tina [41:56]

8. Morsel by Carter Keene [42:32]

• Folk horror novella—“Blair Witch Project meets The Menu”—following Lou, stranded in the Ohio woods with something lurking and survival at stake.
• “I love, like, creepy Appalachian woods books in general. Sign me up.” — Hannah [44:44]

9. Livonia Chow Mein by Abigail Savage Liu [44:47]

• Multigenerational saga investigating a deadly tenement fire in 1970s Brooklyn—and its reverberations through four generations of a Chinese American family and a gentrifying neighborhood.
• “Very interesting. Sounds like there’s a fair amount going on, but I… am certainly curious.” — Tina [46:36]

10. The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon [47:39]

• A sentient Roomba (renamed Scout), smart houses, and talking appliances embroiled in a fight to protect their elderly human owner from being evicted—reminiscent of The Brave Little Toaster.
• “It sounds like the wholesome thing that we need in tech conversations right now.” — Hannah [49:32]

Notable Quotes

• “We’re just girls. Girls. We’re just kids. And we’re talking to you like pen pals. You’re our pals.” — Tina [07:39]
• “If you like historical fiction, I highly recommend it. There’s plenty to discuss.” — Tina, on Kin [21:49]
• “2026 is so jam packed and it’s hard to keep up with all of them and share every single book that we are excited about…” — Hannah [27:30]
• “I want to know what the author and the book has to say about all of that.” — Hannah, on Permanence [40:17]

Quick Reference: April 2026 Book Recommendations

| Title | Author | Genre/Theme | Release Date | |------------------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------------|--------------| | Yesteryear | Carol Clare Burke | Literary fiction (community read) | April | | Japanese Gothic | Kylie Lee Baker | Gothic | April | | The Caretaker | Marcus Kluwer | Literary/Historical | April | | Molka | Monica Kim | Contemporary, Social Issues | April | | Boring Asian Female | Shan Wen Shu | Satirical, Literary fiction | April 28 | | Leave Your Mess at Home | Tolani Akinola | Family Drama / Contemporary | April 14 | | The Ending Writes Itself | Evelyn Clark | Literary Mystery/Thriller | April 7 | | Go Gentle | Maria Semple | Upmarket/comedy, Literary | April 14 | | Love by the Book | Jessica George | Contemporary/Relationship | April | | Permanence | Sophie McIntosh | Speculative / Romance | April 2 | | The Subtle Art of Folding Space | John Chu | Science Fiction | April | | Morsel | Carter Keene | Horror Novella | -- | | Livonia Chow Mein | Abigail Savage Liu | Multigenerational Lit Fic | -- | | The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances | Glenn Dixon | Whimsical / Lit Fic / Speculative | -- |

Memorable Moments & Unique Touches

• Tina’s story of FSA-fueled skincare splurge [05:35]
• Discussion of educational tech for kids vs. premium subscriptions [PBS vs. ABC Mouse] [13:19]
• Book club discussions extending into community platforms (Discord, Facebook) and the benefit of connecting beyond the podcast [02:00–02:35]
• Author Tayari Jones’ gracious response to critique and open engagement with fans [24:48]

Final Thoughts

Tina and Hannah’s blend of humor, relatability, and thoughtful analysis provides bookish insight for everyone—whether you’re stacking your TBR with upcoming new releases, hunting for discussion-rich fiction, or simply seeking a companionable bookish chat. Their recommendations cover a spectrum, from generational sagas and speculative fiction to meta-literary mysteries and cozy romance.

Key Timestamps

• [03:05] – Loving Lately: Skincare & Games
• [14:26] – April Community Read Recap: Kin by Tayari Jones
• [25:55] – April Books on the Radar (start of main book recs)
• [27:36–50:00] – Book Recommendations (see above for breakdown)
• [49:56] – Wrap-up & community reminders

For more information on all books discussed, visit the episode show notes or connect with Tina and Hannah at Book Talk, Etc. on their social channels.

Remember: Everything’s better with books.