the sweet spot of my reading year☀️
what i read in april 📚
There’s something about the shift into spring and early summer that makes me crave a different kind of book, stories that are a little lighter, warmer, maybe even a bit more romantic. This time of year brings a soft reset to my reading life. My favorite authors start releasing new books, the summer reading guides start rolling in, and I find myself daydreaming about which stories I’ll spend my sunny porch afternoons with.
Sometimes, I wish my reading life could always be like this — easy, sweet, and fun. But then I remind myself I’d miss out on so many wonderful books that don’t fit that mold. And honestly, knowing me, I’d get bored if I stuck to just one kind of story. Like everything, it’s about balance. So, I’ve learned to embrace and be grateful for my spring and summer reading rhythm.
Here’s a little peek into what I’ve been reading lately and what I’ve loved (or not) as I settle into this cozy, seasonal rhythm.
Back After This by Linda Holmes
I’m not sure Linda Holmes will ever top Evvie Drake Starts Over for me. That debut hit every sweet spot—it was charming, heartfelt, and felt just right. I’ve read her subsequent books, including Back After This, and while they’re perfectly enjoyable, they haven’t captured me in the same way. The spark and delight that Evvie Drake held isn’t quite there.
Back After This was a fine read, but one that may end up being forgettable for me. Still, I know reading is deeply personal—if you’ve read this one, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
I’ve loved following Abby Jimenez for years. As a fellow Minnesotan, I’m thrilled to see her gaining the national recognition she deserves. She really is one of Minnesota’s literary gems.
Her books hit the perfect balance: emotionally charged romances filled with heart and humor. They explore family and personal challenges without feeling too heavy. The characters are whip-smart, lovable, and easy to root for.
Say You’ll Remember Me tackles some challenging issues, but in Jimenez’s capable hands, it never feels bogged down. At its core, it’s still a love story. I especially appreciated how steady and sure Xavier and Samantha’s relationship felt. There’s no will-they-won’t-they drama. We know they love each other, and that grounding makes the rest of the story shine.
Also, a shoutout to Jimenez’s side characters—they’re always fantastic. Great supporting characters elevate a book from good to great in my humble opinion.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Like so many readers, I fell in love with Emily Henry after Beach Read and have eagerly picked up each of her books since. There’s something so delightful about having an author whose new releases feel like events, like catching up with an old friend.
What I also love is that every reader seems to have a different favorite Henry novel. Great Big Beautiful Life just might be mine.
I adored this story. Alice and Hayden, two writers “competing” to write Margaret’s story, pulled me in from the start. The gentle dual timeline, slipping in and out of Margaret’s past, was so well done. And the subtle mystery kept me lingering in the story longer, savoring each piece. (Bonus: I didn’t even peek at the ending, which I’m usually tempted to do!). It was one of those rare books I didn’t want to finish. A true delight.
I also read a handful of middle-grade books for work. Here are two that I will enthusiastically hand-sell every chance I get.
The New Girl by Cassandra Calin
This graphic novel (published June 2024) has been on my TBR for a while, and I’m so glad I finally picked it up. Customers are always looking for more realistic coming-of-age stories like The Baby-Sitters Club, and this one absolutely fits the bill.
Based on Calin’s own immigration experience, The New Girl follows Lia as she’s uprooted from Romania and dropped into a whirlwind of change, a new home, new country, and new language, while also dealing with a shifting body, unpredictable periods, and the emotional chaos of middle school. Toss in new friendships, a crush, and all the awkwardness that comes with adolescence, and you’ve got a wonderfully relatable story. Calin’s expressive, vibrant art captures the confusion and charm of middle school perfectly. Tween me would’ve devoured this.
Growing Home by Beth Ferry and The Fan Brothers
Oh, my heart—I ❤️ this book. If my adoration for Beth Ferry and The Fan Brothers isn’t clear by now, let me shout it louder: I gasped when the ARC landed in our shop.
Beth Ferry, who gave us one of my all-time favorite picture books, Swashby and the Sea (seriously, if you haven’t checked it out, run to your nearest library and tell me you didn’t just fall in love with curmudgeonly Swashby), has teamed up once again with the brilliantly dreamy Fan Brothers (remember The Scarecrow? Swoon). But this time? A middle-grade novel! Be still my book-loving heart.
A grumpy goldfish, two chatty houseplants, and a bookish spider band together to save their family, and in doing so, they discover the power of friendship. Throw in a touch of magic, plenty of dad jokes and puns and you have an absolutely delightful read. The vocabulary is rich without being overwhelming, making it a perfect read-aloud for younger readers (5–7), but still a treat for middle-grade fans. My 10-year-old was skeptical at first, but one chapter in, and he was hooked. Older readers might find it a touch young, but still absolutely worth the read.
As I wrap up this little roundup, I’m reminded why I love this time of year so much. The books I reach for in spring and early summer might be softer around the edges, but they still carry emotional weight, wit, and wonder. They remind me that comfort and depth can go hand in hand. That joy, in books and in life, is often found in the details. I’ll no doubt shift gears again as the year rolls on, but for now, I’m happy right here: in the sweet spot of my reading year.
What have you been reading lately? I’d love to know!
As always, each book is linked, so you can read more about the book if you are so inclined. If a book was not linked, the book most likely is out of print, so I highly encourage you to check for the book at your local library. All the books mentioned today can be found here. I receive a small percentage if a book is purchased through a link, and bookshop.org supports independent bookstores, so your purchase is doing double the good! Of course, the other options are to check for these books at your local library or your favorite independent bookstore. Thank you, as always, for supporting the work I do here.
You must have requested Abby’s and Emily’s books awhile ago to have already gotten them from the library. I think I’m in spot 1,273 for both of them. 🤪