Michigan City Public Library: Must-Read Books: April 2026

Adult Fiction

Daughter of Egypt
by Marie Benedict

In 1919, Lady Evelyn Herbert defies expectations and accompanies her father, Lord Carnarvon, and archeologist Howard Carter on digs in Egypt, where she seeks the tomb of Hatshepsut. In 1400s B.C.E., Hatshepsut becomes pharaoh against the odds. Following the lives of two women whom history almost forgot, this evocative novel is the latest from acclaimed author Marie Benedict. Read-alikes: Gill Paul's The Collector's Daughter; Saara El-Arifi's Cleopatra.

I Will Kill Your Imaginary Friend for $200
by Robert Brockway

Downtrodden Maksim "Ivan" Ivanov has the unique ability to see (and kill) other people's imaginary friends, a skill he utilizes to make a quick buck. But when he's pitted against violent prankster Eddie Video, the imaginary friend of 8-year-old Kay Washington, he discovers that Eddie is unlike any foe he's faced before. For fans of: Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman; Mister Magic by Kiersten White.

The Ending Writes Itself
by Evelyn Clarke

Six struggling authors are invited to the private Scottish island of bestselling novelist Arthur Fletch, a recluse known for his fiendish plot twists. Upon arrival, they learn Fletch has died and left a manuscript unfinished. Now, it's up to one of them to write the best ending. Whoever wins gets money and publicity, but they only have 72 hours, and then there's a murder. For fans of: Knives Out; Ande Pliego's You Are Fatally Invited.

In Her Defense
by Philippa Malicka

A London libel trial becomes a psychological chess match in this debut novel. As celebrity chef Anna Finbow battles her daughter’s controversial therapist in court, the truth emerges through the unreliable testimony of Anna's former assistant -- revealing obsession, manipulation, and the uneasy power dynamics binding three women at the center of a public scandal.

How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder
by Nina McConigley

Growing up in 1980s Wyoming as Reagan rules and the tabloids follow Charles and Diana's engagement, sisters Georgie and Aggie face racism as the only Brown kids around. Then, when their uncle and his family leave India and move in with them, the sexual abuse starts. The girls blame the abuse on various things as they plot to kill their uncle in this inventive short debut novel featuring magazine-style quizzes. Try these next: Essie Chambers' Swift River; Betty by Tiffany McDaniel.

The Summer War
by Naomi Novik

Furious at her beloved brother for leaving home, musically gifted Celia had no way of knowing her childish curses at him would doom him to a life without love. Celia desperately searches for a way to undo her mistake, until she uncovers a centuries-old secret about the immortal beings known as the summerlings. For fans of: magical curses, suspense, and in-depth worldbuilding as found in The Prince Without Sorrow by Maithree Wijesekara.

A Sociopath's Guide to a Successful Marriage
by M.K. Oliver

Lalla Rook, a suburban London mother, is determined to secure wealth, status, and a perfect family -- by any means necessary. When an intruder disrupts her plans, she kills him, then juggles body disposal, birthday parties, and social climbing. This twisted, darkly comic first-person thriller explores ambition, manipulation, and a disturbingly unflappable protagonist.

The Glowing Hours
by Leila Siddiqui

In 1816, British Indian housemaid Mehrunissa Begum accompanies her employers, Percy and Mary Shelley, to Lake Geneva, where Mary begins writing Frankenstein. But as the summer progresses, Mehrunissa begins to notice the supernatural events plaguing not only the villa, but Mary herself. For fans of: Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles; Frankenstein-inspired novels like Eynhallow by Tim McGregor.

Adult Nonfiction

Kennedy's Coup: A White House Plot, a Saigon Murder, and America's Descent Into Vietnam
by Jack Cheevers

In his richly detailed latest, political reporter Jack Cheevers (Act of War) utilizes previously unavailable government documents to chronicle the Kennedy administration's role in the 1963 ousting and assassination of South Vietnam president Ngo Dinh Diem. Try this next: All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror by Stephen Kinzer.

Youth Fiction

Lena the Chicken (But Really a Dinosaur!)
by Linda Bailey

Lena lives in a chicken coop, and she looks a lot like a chicken. But deep down, she's convinced that she's a--DINOSAUR! She can feel it in her bones. Lena just doesn't understand the scaredy chickens in her family, and they don't understand her either, with her ferociousness and big ideas. The people on the farm are also baffled, except for little Madeline, who thinks Lena has personality. And then, when a dastardly weasel turns up and threatens the coop, Lena's fearful family chickens out again. It's up to Lena to unleash her inner dinosaur like never before--to save the coop and show this silly bunch of chickens how to stand up for themselves--

Lies We Tell about the Stars
by Susie Nadler

In near-future San Francisco, “The Big One” has rocked the earthquake-prone city. Although everyone else believes Nicky perished in the quake, Celeste hasn’t lost hope that she may find her best friend alive. Read-alikes: Cassandra Newbould’s Climate of Chaos; Jen Storm’s Little Moons.

Contact your librarian for more great books!