Spring into Reading!
April is finally here and we are well into Spring. The grass is green, buds are popping out everywhere and the chirping of birds serves as an early morning wake up call. It’s a beautiful time of the year.
It’s also the month for the World Literacy Summit in Oxford, UK. The event is hosted by the World Literacy Foundation and is dedicated to promoting literacy and best practices for educators.
Why not celebrate the season, and the focus on literacy, with a reading challenge? It’s a great way to boost your reading and expose yourself to new books. If you’re new to reading challenges and are feeling a bit overwhelmed at the idea, keep in mind you can keep it as easy or complex as you’d like. Here are a few to try:
Spring: Celebrate the season by selecting books with Spring covers (think flowers, birds and so forth), take place in the Spring season or over Spring break, or are about new beginnings, Spring flings, gardening or even Spring storms.
Genres: Try a new genre every week. It’s a great way to expand your horizons and discover new authors.
Minutes: Go old school and set a goal for reading a set amount of time. It could be for each day or each week. You’ll be surprised at how fast it will take you to achieve it.
Holiday: April is filled with random holidays. Choose a few and read books related to them. Here's a list of holidays: https://www.calendarr.com/united-states/calendar-april-2025/
Lastly, while there are plenty of new releases out this month, there are also some great ones that came out last month. Be sure to check out our reviews for One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter and The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T. Wurth.
Happy Reading!
Booklist: Six Books to Check Out in April
I See You’ve Called In Dead by John Kenney – Humor
The story follows Bud Stanley, a middle-aged, down-on-his-luck obituary writer who, after one too many glasses of Scotch, writes and publishes his own obituary. Unsure whether or not he’s still got a job, Bud begins attending wakes and funerals of strangers to better understand the meaning of life.
Heartwood by Amity Gaige – Thriller
Experienced hiker Valerie Gillis is 200 miles from her final destination when she vanishes on the Appalachian Trail in Maine. Two women are searching for her. Beverly, who’s officially tasked with finding Valerie, and Lena, a seventy-six-year-old birdwatcher turn armchair detective. As the investigation moves forward, we learn Valerie’s disappearance may not have been an accident.
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner – Mystery
Haven Ambrose travels to Positano, Italy, to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks off the Amalfi Coast. However, Haven is looking for more than just artifacts; her father claimed he spotted a chest of gemstone on his last dive. As Haven digs into the history, she discovers an ancient tale of a woman harnessing the power of the sea to save her lover and her village. Could an ancient Amalfi Curse be causing the latest wave of unnatural storms that threaten to destroy the region?
The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose – Thriller
Sarah Morgan has a new career and a new husband, Bob. That is, until she discovers he had a one-night stand. As they muddle their way through messy divorce hearings, new DNA evidence emerges against Adam – her former husband who she had cleared of murdering his mistress – forcing the police to reopen the case. Things get even more complicated when Bob’s other woman goes missing. Everyone wants to know what really happened – then and now.
The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose – Cozy Mystery
Molly Gray is the Head Maid and Special Events Manager at the Regency Grand Hotel. With an upcoming wedding and the taping of a hit antique show, Molly has a lot to look forward to. When she has some items appraised on the show, Molly learns they’re worth millions. However, on auction day, the trinkets disappear. As Molly delves into the heist, she learns that the key may lie in her Gran’s long-forgotten diary.
The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig – Horror
Five high school friends discover a staircase in the middle of the woods during a camping trip. One boy walks up but never returns. Twelve years later, the staircase reappears and the friends are determined to not only find their friend who vanished but also learn where the staircase leads.
Coffee and a book
Coffee, tea and latte syrup combos to try with your next read
- If you're a coffee lover, consider checking out Coffee Emporium, https://www.coffee-emporium.com. They produce sustainably sourced coffee that is amazing. They're located in Cincinnati, Ohio but you can order online. One to try: Winter Solstice
- More of a tea drinker? Try the Bourbon Chestnut Herbal Tea or the Banana Nut Muffin Herbal Tea from The Spice & Tea Exchange at spiceandtea.com.
- If you're a latte drinker and make them at home (typically 2 shots espresso and 8oz steamed milk), consider adding the following flavored syrup combinations:
1T maple + 1T caramel
1T lavender + 1T vanilla
2T caramel + 1T shortbread
