TBR: April 2024

 

Better late than never? Here are the books that I am planning to read this month. I am not on pace to read as many as I'd like. With the uptick in garden work and huge increase in days with nice weather, I've got other things to do! I do have a good number of these on audiobook, so that should help me get through them quicker. Let's see what I actually get to!

You can click on the image of the book to be taken to its Amazon store if you want to know more.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: This is our book club's choice for April. Published in 1943, this is a Young Adult classic that pops up often when people are talking about the greatest YA books of all time. 

I read part of this story several years ago but then ran out of time to finish and never got back to it. I'm really excited to get another chance at this one! I remember it being so rich.

The Lincoln Highway: While I have yet to do so, I made a commitment to read more of Towles' work after reading and loving "A Gentleman in Moscow" last year. I'm finally making time in April. 

I've heard the story and writing are fantastic, but also know there has been some unhappy chatter concerning the ending. I don't know much, only that some people "loathed" it. Hearing that only makes me want to read it more! I gotta' see what the fuss is about.

Own Your Past Change Your Future: I recently saw an interview with this guy and thought some of what he said was very interesting, so decided to read his book. I'm not a big fan of the self-help genre, but occasionally will check out one that is about something I find interesting. 

The Enchanted April: Recommended by the "Close Reads" podcast hosts.  

I already finished this one! I really enjoyed it and would love to find more in this vein. Light, sunny, and set in a time and place that's different from my life. This is what I want to be reading right now!

This book is free to listen to on Audible if you have an active account.  

Starter Villain: Oh man, this one is gonna' be a fun one. I mean, the cover is a cat in a suit, looking like some kind of mob boss or something.  

This seems like a charming sci-fi book and I'm excited to read it. My hold came in from the library a few days ago and I've already started. While I'm intrigued, it's too soon to tell. We'll see!

Wrong Place Wrong Time: A woman in my aqua fitness class recommended this mystery thriller. She said it's one of her favorite recent reads, so I decided to give it a try. It has gotten a lot of buzz since becoming a Reese's Book Club selection and fits into the types of books I'm craving lately, so I say let's go for it!

All My Knotted Up Life: A Memoir: This one has popped up everywhere and been on my list pretty much since it came out. I don't know a thing about Beth Moore but her memoir has received so much acclaim that I gotta' have a listen. 

The Color Purple: I'm not sure if I'll get to this in April, but I've already purchased it. If not in April, then in May. 

I saw the movie as a child but don't remember much about it, other than one scene that was particularly impactful. 

This book received the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1983 and has two movie adaptations. I've heard that it is one of those books that changes you, that it's a very tough read (content-wise), but that it's worthwhile. 

Other plans in April include a very quick trip to see Cirque du Soleil with my girls. We're also planning a short visit to spend time with some family.

One other exciting thing for April: I get to have my eyebrows micro bladed again! After three years, the previous application has completely faded but I wasn't planning to have it done just yet. Then the kids surprised me with this as a gift and said they wanted to make sure I had eyebrows for summer!  

I'm not typically a crier but cried a good long while when they presented it to me, so touched was I by their thoughtfulness. I had no idea this season of having adult children would be so sweet! I can't get over the fact that they conspire to bless me behind my back, and are delighted to do it! I have so many thoughts about this, but am just so grateful for my family. They love me so well. Oh! And just look at the card Jordan made to present the gift to me!  She's so creative!

The eyebrows move up and down with the little tab at the bottom, and she wrote a sweet message on the back. I surely felt loved on. Posting this reminds me that I want to host a card-making party sometime soon. Who wants to come?