Reading Wrap-Up: April 2025
The nine books I've read this month, plus a few thoughts on each to help you decide if you'd like to read them, too!
First, thank you for the feedback regarding my first quarter bookish check-in and superlatives! It was a fun exercise putting that together and I’ve loved hearing some of your responses to the prompts, too. I hope everyone’s Q2 reading is off to an excellent start!
April brought some unexpected twists to my schedule, including time in waiting rooms and ‘holding patterns’ of sorts where my ability to focus was not always the best. Regardless, I still had a few outstanding reads this month that I predict will appear on my top ten list at the end of the year. I also rekindled my appreciation for books that may not appear on that list but felt easy to dip in and out of, didn’t seem too taxing on my brain, and/or provided a helpful distraction during some of those aforementioned times. I love how books can still serve a valuable purpose and offer a worthwhile reading experience even if they don’t end up as books of the year.
As always, thank goodness for books!
Here’s what I’ve read since my last wrap-up:
Hard Times Require Furious Dancing by Alice Walker
As I’ve mentioned before, one of my reading goals this year is to pick up more poetry - and what better time than during National Poetry Month? I went to my library’s poetry section, peered over all the available titles, and decided on this one by Alice Walker which I ended up really enjoying. Her poems cover everything from love to disappointment to gardening to making art and more. I believe this is my first reading of Walker’s work (The Color Purple is definitely on my to-read list) and I found her poetry moving, relatable, and very accessible.
“I do not
regret
that I am
imperfect.
In each crack
there is
an orchid
growing…”
Alice Walker, from the poem “The Taste of Grudge”
The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann
How serendipitous to get this on Libby the month after reading Evan Friss’ The Bookshop! This provides a wonderful collection of stories by librarians and booksellers around the U.S., sharing about their love of books, the importance of literacy, the joys - and definite challenges - of working in the field, and so much more. So enjoyable to read! I was already such a huge fan of booksellers and librarians, and this only serves to strengthen that appreciation. I loved hearing the passion shine through their stories and am so thankful for their role in our society.
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton
An absolute beauty of a memoir covering Dalton’s discovery of a baby hare (or leveret, as I now know they are called) left alone and in view of predators, her decision to try and nurture it to safety and health, and what ensues from there. I posted briefly about this on my Substack Notes earlier this month, where I described the book as a “beautiful story, gorgeous writing, and such a thoughtful reflection on life, nature, and - in an incredibly unique way - the power that can be found in silence.” I received so much feedback that I decided to write a stand-alone review, which you can find here.
“The hare has taught me patience. And as someone who has made their living through words, it has made me consider the dignity and persuasiveness of silence.” - Chloe Dalton
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
A lovely story about a fairly wide cast of characters brought to books, to their local library, and to one another by finding a reading list of unknown origin and working their way through the various books on it. I started this one a while ago on a flight, then put it aside while library due dates and such took precedence, but I easily fell back in step with this community when I picked it up again to finish it. I enjoyed joining these characters on all their trips to the library, and I had also read five of the eight books on their mysterious reading list, so it was fun to feel like I had a bit of an insider view!
A Little Devil In America by Hanif Abdurraqib
How does Abdurraqib write such consistently impressive, enlightening, thoughtful works of nonfiction that I can’t seem to get enough of? This is my third book of his so far this year, and I’ve already got his newest release (There’s Always This Year) on deck. A Little Devil takes an insightful look at Black performance in America - including music, athletics, art, and other forms - and views it through lenses of cultural significance, joy and challenge, racism and oppression, creative expression, history, and so much more. There were many moments in this book where I remembered a particular event (a performance at an awards show or a commercial, for instance), but had no idea what was going on behind the scenes or what that moment led to until reading this book. From Whitney Houston to Octavia E. Butler to numerous other well-known and new-to-me Black performers, Abdurraqib has once again educated and enlightened me while also sending me down all kinds of new paths of exploration. I’m glad he has a fairly hefty backlist and continues to write more - I plan to read them all!
Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan
A fun second-chance romance by an author who has quickly made her way into my top three list of romance authors! Monaghan seems to master the blend of poignant, fun, touching, and real in a way that I don’t always find in contemporary romance books. I believe this is my third book by her and I see she has a new one coming out next month, so I’ve already got a hold on it at my library!
“Putting a person back together isn’t easy, but if you’re smart about it you can reassemble yourself in a totally different, better way.” - Annabel Monaghan
Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin
There are twelve ‘official’ books on our 2025 nonfiction book club list (plus many alternative titles and bonus suggestions along the way!), and I had read all but two before creating the list - one of those two being Secrets of Adulthood, which just released earlier this month. Having read several of Gretchen Rubin’s previous books (The Happiness Project still remains in my mind fifteen years after reading it!), I trusted that I would gain value from her newest release as well. Secrets is quite a different format from her earlier works - a small book that can be read in an afternoon and is filled with brief life lessons Rubin has gathered over the years. This is our June book club pick, so be sure to join us to hear my full thoughts and takeaways and to share your own!
The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore
A show of hands, please (or better yet, a note of validation in the comments below!): Who else listens to Christmas music all year long? I definitely do, as my family members will tell you (possibly while rolling their eyes?? :-)), and I’m not against reading out of season, either. So when my library hold on The Christmas Tree Farm arrived, I was game. This is the third in Gilmore’s “Dream Harbor” romance series, and the books are typically quite light with a healthy dose of small town charm. An enjoyable read.
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
And I guess since we’ve dipped into Christmas mode, we might as well run with it! This was a pleasant story about a young woman who helps turn things around for a bookstore in trouble at Christmastime, and it was fun to be transported to winter in a charming area of Edinburgh, Scotland. Also, I listed a different winner for the Most Stunning Cover award in my first quarter superlatives, but I believe The Christmas Bookshop may now take the crown! I absolutely love this cover.
A quick reminder that we’ll be discussing the incredibly poignant little book, The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer, at our May book club meetings. I adore this book and you can find my reading guide/reflection prompts here. All paid subscribers become automatic members to the Reading And Purpose Nonfiction Book Club, and new members are always welcome!
What have you read recently that struck a chord? Have you read any of the books listed above? What did you think of them? As always, share your thoughts and feel free to add to my must-read list in the comments below!
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Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC, and self-proclaimed book nerd, is a certified coach who helps achievers work with meaning, live with purpose, and reach bold + difference-making goals. Feel free to share your questions, comments, or topic/book suggestions below or via email to readingandpurpose (at) gmail (dot) com.
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Great month! Love seeing readers enjoy The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians and Raising Hare as well.
I'm so glad you've continued to work your way through Abdurraqib's catalog! The Reading List has been on my list for awhile, I always enjoy a book celebrating books/libraries/readers!