April was a wild reading month for me. It was the month of easy breezy reads, poetry collections, and murder mysteries. Here's what I read in April.

Favorite of the Month: This is How it Always is by Laurie Frankel

This. book. right. here. I loved it and I've never read anything like it. The book centers around a family of 7. With 5 sons, Penn and Rosie definitely have their work cut out for them. They have everyday struggles and face everyday problems. Their youngest, Claude, likes to wear dresses and play with dolls and when he grows up he wants to be a girl. I loved reading about how this family, brothers included, navigate Claude's life and transformation with such grace. Laurie Frankel does a phenomenal job with her characters. I would highly recommend this book! 

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

Another April Favorite: The Witch Doesn't Burn in This One by Amanda Lovelace

A collection of poetry about true women empowerment, this book made me say "PREACH" so many times! This is Lovelace's second collection in her "Women are Some Kind of Magic" series (look for my thoughts on the first collection down below.) Lovelace does an outstanding job with these poems. I honestly loved every second of this collection. It's dark, deep, and sometimes disturbing, but I closed this book feeling empowered and lifted up. 

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

Heart Talk by Cleo Wade

Another poetry collection about women empowerment and loving your damn self (do you see a theme here?) I loved this collection. Wade is so inspirational and uses her words beautifully to make readers feel empowered, worthy, and loved. I bookmarked so many poems to refer back to on a daily basis. I would highly recommend reading this collection and then keeping it next to your bed and referring back to it whenever you need a pick me up!

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

I bought this book last year for my classroom library and have had it on my Want to Read list ever since. Woodson documents her life growing up in the 1960's and 70's in both South Carolina and New York in this eloquently written collection of poems. She paints beautiful pictures of everyday life in each poem, highlighting her childhood views on the Civil Rights Movement. I would highly recommend this book to any adult and to children! I put this book in the "Girl Power" book basket in my classroom library and you should too!

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

Love Her Wild by Atticus 

I have been wanting to read this collection of poetry for awhile now, but I'm going to be honest, I didn't love this. I'm not really sure why, I just didn't. I think after reading so many collections written by women, for women, this just didn't measure up. Plus, I didn't love the photographs in the book. I felt they were all of really skinny, half dressed white girls and I'm not into that (just being 100% honest and transparent with y'all). Atticus does do a wonderful job with his words, don't get me wrong. His poems are beautifully written. I just didn't love the content. If you're looking for something super romantic or super "lovey," this is definitely you're collection. It just wasn't mine. 

I originally gave this book a 3 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. After re-thinking it, I have changed my rating to a 2 out of 5 stars. 

The Princess Saves Herself in this One by Amanda Lovelace

How could I not want to read this collection of poetry? The title alone drew me in immediately! This is the first part of Lovelace's "Women are Some Kind of Magic" series and it's spectacular. Another great read for women, by a woman. As I've mentioned previously, Lovelace does a beautiful job with her words. You just have to read it. 

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Finally, a novel! I love Colleen Hoover and I've read quite a few of her novels. Sky is your average 17 year old teenager: young, restless, sneaky, care-free living a pretty normal life. Until she meets Dean Holder, a "bad boy" with quite the reputation. Sky and Holder quickly form a rather unusual relationship full of secrets. This book kept me intrigued and engaged, not wanting to put it down! I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a quick and engaging read. It is dark and there are some "steamy" moments, so I wouldn't recommend this for younger readers, but it's perfect for a Beach Read. There is a part two to this Hopeless series but I have yet to read it. 

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

Sworn to Silence (Kate Burkholder #1) by Linda Castillo

I found this Kate Burkholder series on Goodreads and I thought I'd give it a try. I was sucked into this book. A serial killer is on the hunt in Painter's Mill, Ohio, a sleepy town where the Amish and the English live together in what seems to be peaceful harmony. This serial killer has the same Modus Operandi as a serial killer from years before. Kate Burkholder is Chief of Police in Painter's Mill and begins investigating the killings but she also has her own dark past and experience with murder. Burkholder, along with her team, works diligently to solve these murders before it's too late. I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for an easy-to-read thriller/crime/mystery novel. It is pretty gruesome and vivid though, you've been warned!

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

Pray for Silence (Kate Burkholder #2) by Linda Castillo 

Because I loved the first installment in the Kate Burkholder series, I naturally had to continue and read the next book! This book continues to follow Kate Burkholder Burkholder is called on the scene to investigate the murder of a local Amish family of 7. Secrets and lies permeate this case and it's up to Burkholder, her team, and state agent John Tomasetti (whom Burkholder has grown fond of) to try and figure out what would prompt someone to murder a nice Amish family. 

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. It was good, but definitely not as good as the first intallment in the series!

Breaking Silence (Kate Burkholder #3) by Linda Castillo

I decided to continue on with this series because I really like the character Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti. They continue investigate murders together and their bond grows. Burkholder is called to the scene to investigate the death of three Amish people at their farm. What seems to be an accidental death turns into something much darker. This murder along with other Amish hate crimes in the area keep Burkerholder on her toes. 

I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. Still not as good as the first installment. 

I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

I was prompted to read this book after news of the recent arrest of the alleged "Golden State Killer." This true crime novel details the terror caused by this serial rapist and murderer in the 1970's in California. A very gruesome and detailed book, I would not recommend this to everyone. However, if you're into learning more about true crime, this is for you. It was haunting and scared the crap out of me a few times. 

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads

Well there ya go folks! A whopping 11 books in April. I hope you've found something here that you might be interested in reading, if so, let me know! What did you read in April and what are you reading now? I would love more book recs! 

Happy reading,

Emily