April Reads

April was a month where I completely was clearing off my shelves.  Heck, our book club book was a kindle book that I'd owned for a few months that I hadn't read yet either! Anyone else have a huge amount of kindle books for just in case moments? I will download books that are free or on sale but I rarely read kindle books.  Whoops.

I read two different Dorothea Benton Frank books, Shem Creek and Pawley's Island.  Her Lowcountry series is a favorite of mine that I read way out of order but they just put me in a summer / beachy mood! My favorite of the two was probably Pawley's Island.

Knit Two by Kate Jacobs, is the sequel to Friday Night Knitting Club.  I almost want to re-read Friday Night Knitting Club because I read it over a decade ago and it was a brand new world of characters as I read it! Funny, how fast the years can go by.  I love the characters.  I love the strong group of women.  And I'd recommend the series if you haven't gotten around to it.

Sister's First by Jenna Bush Hagar and Barbara Pierce Bush is written in sections by the Bush twins.  It's a sweet book.  It touches on the closeness of their family and memories from growing up.  As we discussed it at book club, we thought it was disingenuous that there wasn't any mention of a big fight or disagreement, because how in the world could have be sisters in their later 30s and not have tale to tell? I wasn't a huge fan of the flow of the book (it had none) but the stories shared were nice.

Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen is also a book about sisters, but fiction! Two sisters in NYC who live very different lives.  One of their lives blows up, the other learns how strong she is, and there is a lot of character growth.  However, it was a book I could easily sit down and did often.  The very last part of the book picked up and held my attention but, overall it was just okay.  I've been disappointed more than not with her books which is sad, because the ones I like are awesome!

So after four full months of the year, I've read 24 of the 52 books I've set as my goal.  Last year I read 4 books in April, as opposed to this years 5 and I had 23 of 52 completed at this point.  It appears I'm on track if last years numbers are any indication.  I do know that I better have more read by September, because that month might be a slow one for me!

the books I got for the kiddo from the library recently

The kiddo and I are reading a Dear America book together.  West to a Land of Plenty: The Diary of Teresa Angelino Viscardi.  Which we both are enjoying!  We take turns reading.  It's a good time together.  She has been keeping track of her books on her own goodreads account this year and has already read 55 books.  I'm so proud of her.  Lately she has been enjoying Dog Man and the American Girl books.

What did you read in April? What are you currently reading?