I think I started the month with Shadows of Pecan Hollow by Caroline Frost. I had looked forward to this one and waited for its release for a while because I am a Texan and it is a Texas tale. It did not disappoint in that sense. She mentions lots of real locations, even smaller places by name. That was fun because I live near some of them. It was a wild ride. Some rough & tough characters! I gave it ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️. Could almost go to 4, but I am trying to grade a little harder in 2022. Some of the story gets a little crazy, but it was a fun read and her writing was great!

I also red Run, Rose, Run. Not something I would typically read. As a matter of fact, my first time reading James Patterson. This book was pretty hyped because of Dolly Parton being a co author. Who doesn’t love Dolly?! It includes original songs by Dolly. Again, a fun ride. I read through it very quickly. Another ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. The main character is likeable and you want to find out who she is and just what is making her run! The character’s quick rise in the country music business is not believable, but once again, you go along for the ride in this one. And the “fairy godmother” character might be a mix of Dolly & Reba .

I also read a memoir that my husband finished after working on it off and on for 20 years! I will not list the name, because it is all in Portuguese. Hoping he can get it translated in future. He is Brazilian and wrote about his childhood. He was inspired to write (as I am sure countless others were) after reading Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes. I had read McCourt’s memoir first & actually suggested that he could tell stories from his own childhood. So proud he finally got it done. This is obviously a very personal read for me. We met when my husband was an exchange student in my hometown and he concludes the book with his time here.

I don’t know about everyone else, but although I do lots of reading, I am not sure I could write. Certainly not an entire book. So this gives me a new appreciation for all the authors, having seen the time and effort that my husband put into his book. It really makes rating the books that much more difficult.

I quickly read my husband’s book bc I needed to get back to my library holds. I am always aware of my due dates & know that some of the more popular new releases cannot be rechecked. I read the latest Anne Tyler: French Braid. Another one I waited for when I heard she had a new one out. I really love her books. I can probably read many of hers multiple times. This one was a comfortable read for me. This is set in Baltimore, which any fan knows, is often the case. I gave her ⭐️⭐️⭐️ also. This seems to be a 3 star month for me. This was not Anne’s best, but was very similar to previous books & I always enjoy her writing. Really cute cover.

I have too many TBR to list all. Currently, I have finally gotten around to Greenwich Park. I heard it lives up to the hype. Still trying to get the characters straight. There was a blurb by Ashley Audrain (author of The Push), so I am a little nervous, knowing something is coming. So far, so good. I like the fact that it is coming together in bits.

I have a copy of Amanda Eyre Ward’s The Lifeguards. Another cute cover. This one got my attention bc it is set in Austin and mentions Zilker Park and Barton Springs. The author is a Native & I currently have a UT student in Austin.

Enjoyed Jennifer E. Smith’s The Unsinkable Greta James. This was her first adult fiction. She’s done lots of YA. I am not a YA kinda gal, and was pleasantly surprised by this book. I thought it was a very charming story and very well written.

I do have True Biz waiting as well. I feel like I am running a little behind this month and next month is creeping in. I seem to average 3 books a month, sometimes getting in 4.

I have a really, really bad habit of letting the new releases get the better of my reading time.

All in all, I have enjoyed my April reads. I feel like they were a little “easier.” I may need to ramp it up with some more serious books. I have 10 books in the wings on my library wait lists.

Memphis & When I’m Gone Look For Me In The East are in transit. Has anyone else noticed the supply chain things to be a thing of the past & books are arriving rapid fire?!

Waiting on the new Douglas Stuart, Young Mungo. That will probably be my darker read. He is the author of Shuggie Bain, probably one of my top reads of the last couple of years. He got the Booker Prize for that one.

Hope I was not too long winded. I always enjoy seeing what everyone is reading!