What's Dawn Devouring Lately?
April 2026
April has me fully leaning into the magic of reading and the ways books can both ground us and carry us somewhere new. Lately, I’ve been drawn to stories that celebrate the power of storytelling itself and how books can offer comfort, spark connection, and even push back against the idea that certain voices or stories should be silenced. It’s been a month of getting lost in pages, reflecting on why reading has always mattered so much to me, and feeling especially grateful for the communities and conversations that grow from a shared love of books.
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Until Next Month!
Happy Reading! 🌷🌼📚
The Astral Library By: Kate Quinn
Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? That idea lies at the heart of Kate Quinn’s latest novel. Departing from her signature historical fiction, Quinn ventures into magical realism, crafting a richly imagined world centered around a mysterious library. Through this lens, she explores themes of escapism, the power of storytelling, and the importance of book advocacy and resisting censorship.
The story follows Alix Watson, a young woman who entered foster care at an early age and discovered that reading offered both comfort and an escape. Books became her refuge. When she stumbles upon a hidden door leading to the Astral Library, that sense of escape becomes something far more literal. Inside, she can step into stories and inhabit the lives of their characters. But this magical sanctuary is under threat, and Alix soon realizes she must help protect the library from forces determined to shut it down for good. If you like books with found family, books about books, and love to read to escape for a bit from real life, then this is a book for you. Not normally a genre I read, I gave it 🤩🤩🤩 1/2 stars on the devour scale.
The Night We Met By: Abby Jimenez
Did you ever have to make a split-second decision that could change everything? That’s the premise of Abby Jimenez’s newest novel, set in the Say You’ll Remember Me world. When Larissa needs a ride home from a concert, she chooses between Mike and Chris and in that quick decision, her life takes an unexpected turn. As she begins dating Mike, she can’t help but wonder if he’s truly the person she’s meant to be with.
In true Abby Jimenez fashion, readers are quickly drawn into the characters’ lives, feeling deeply connected to them by the final page. The story also thoughtfully explores mental health, with important content considerations introduced at the start. If you enjoy a friends-to-lovers trope, stories that navigate complicated romantic loyalties, and the warmth of found family, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale.
The Incredible Kindness of Paper By: Evelyn Skye
As my One Little Word for 2026 is grace, The Incredible Kindness of Paper was recommended to me as a perfect match and it absolutely lived up to that expectation, and more. This under-the-radar novel centers on childhood friends Chloe and Oliver, who first connect as elementary school pen pals. Their bond is meaningful and steady until a disaster strikes in their late teens which causes Oliver and his family to disappear without a trace.
Fast forward twenty years, and Chloe is living in New York City, recently laid off and feeling lost. In an effort to cope, she begins folding tiny yellow origami roses, while writing messages of kindness inside each one. What starts as a small, personal act soon grows into something much bigger, as her messages begin appearing all over the city and eventually across the country. When one of these roses finds its way into Oliver’s hands, he responds, setting off a chain of events that reconnects them in the most unexpected way. Even though the roses bring the two back together again, is it too late to forgive and forget the past?
With touches of magical realism and a sense of quiet whimsy, this story beautifully explores themes of hope, connection, forgiveness, and the power of small acts of kindness. If you’re drawn to stories that focus on giving grace and the impact of even the simplest gestures, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩 1/2 on the devour scale.
Yesteryear By: Caro Claire Burke
Besides being the Good Morning America Book Club selection, Yesteryear is everywhere right now, generating plenty of buzz across social media and for good reason. I found it to be the perfect vacation read, looking for every chance I could to read it on the plane or lounging by the pool. This dark, satirical thriller centers on modern “tradwife” influencer Natalie Heller Mills, who suddenly wakes up transported to the 1850s. In the present-day chapters, Natalie appears to be living a picture perfect, pioneer-inspired life on a ranch with her husband and five adorable children. But in alternating chapters, that same life is stripped of its glossy filter, no cameras, no phones, just the harsh realities of surviving off the land.
As the story unfolds, questions build: How did she get here? And what’s really going on? Caro Claire Burke keeps the tension high, pulling readers along with twists that keep you guessing until the very end. Cleverly written ,Yesteryear has already attracted major attention, with film rights secured and Anne Hathaway attached to produce and star in the adaptation. If you enjoy stories with unlikable characters, layered family drama, and a pointed take on the “tradwife” lifestyle, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale.
Upward Bound By: Woody Brown
Upward Bound is a remarkable gem, just under 200 pages long, and it’s already secured a spot as one of my Top 10 reads for 2026. Written by Woody Brown, the first nonspeaking autistic graduate of UCLA, this novel offers a powerful, fictional glimpse into life at Upward Bound, a dreary daycare center in Los Angeles for the disabled community.
What makes this book truly special is its structure as each chapter shifts to the viewpoint of different clients and staff members at Upward Bound. This unique approach allows readers to deeply experience the inner lives of individuals who may struggle to express their own thoughts verbally. Through Brown’s authentic voice, we gain profound insight into the minds of Walter and his colleagues, filled with empathy, care, and grace.
Be prepared for a heartwarming but occasionally heartbreaking journey. Jenna chose Upward Bound for her April Book Club, and I highly recommend watching the interview she conducted with Woody and his mother.
If you enjoy unforgettable characters, exploring life through others’ perspectives, and learning about the experiences of people with disabilities, this book is for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale.
Lake Effect By: Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
This was another audiobook I couldn’t get enough of and I found myself reaching for my AirPods any chance I had just to keep listening. This compelling domestic drama begins with a scandal between two neighboring families in 1977 and unfolds across the decades that follow, revealing the lasting ripple effects of a single decision.
Spanning seventeen years, the story gradually deepens our understanding of both families, showing how each member is impacted in different ways. As time passes, perspectives shift, relationships evolve, and long-buried truths begin to surface.
If you enjoy stories filled with family drama, scandal, and the lasting consequences of secrets, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale.
The Nest
I read this in 2016 written by the same author as, Lake Effect. This is a story about the power of family, the possibilities of friendship, the ways we depend upon one another and the ways we let one another down. In this tender, entertaining, and deftly written debut, Sweeney brings a remarkable cast of characters to life to illuminate what money does to relationships, what happens to our ambitions over the course of time, and the fraught yet unbreakable ties we share with those we love. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 back in 2016 on Goodreads.
Imperfect Women - Apple TV
Based on Araminta Hall’s novel of the same name, “Imperfect Women” examines a crime that shatters the lives of three women in a decades-long friendship. The unconventional thriller explores guilt and retribution, love and betrayal, and the compromises we make that irrevocably alter our lives. As the investigation unravels, so does the truth about how even the closest friendships may not be what they seem. Watch Trailer Here
Your Friends & Neighbors (Season 2) Apple TV+ (New every Friday)
In its second season, “Your Friends & Neighbors” ups the stakes, unveiling a world that Coop and his Westmont comrades hadn’t been privy to before. Though this season boasts several truly bonkers moments, particularly from Mel’s perspective, the series has never been more fun or shocking. It once again proves that with enough money and access, there are no rules, and the sky truly is the limit.
Margot's Got Money Trouble - Apple TV+(New every Wednesday)
Margo's Got Money Troubles is an American comedy-drama television series created by David E. Kelley, based on a 2024 novel by Rufi Thorpe. Margo's Got Money Troubles centers on Margo Millet, the daughter of a Hooters waitress, Shyanne, and a former professional wrestler,Jinx. After becoming pregnant by her junior college English professor, Margo turns to OnlyFans to support herself and her baby. Reconnecting with her estranged father, who shares wisdom gleaned from his wrestling days, Margo achieves remarkable success on OnlyFans. Watch Trailer Here
The Benefits of Daily Affitmations
I’ve always been a bit of a quote collector, highlighting lines in books, jotting them in my planner, or sticking them around the house on Post-its. This year, I’ve started leaning more intentionally into positive affirmations. A positive affirmation is simply a phrase you repeat to yourself to challenge negative thoughts and shift your mindset. Many people use them as a way to stay motivated or refocus their thinking, with the goal of training the mind to notice more of the good.
Lately, I’ve been writing one affirmation in my weekly planner and repeating it each day. It’s been a simple practice, but I’ve noticed it helps me start my mornings on a more positive note. I’ve also enjoyed learning more about why this practice can be so effective. If you’re curious, I’ve included a couple of links below to explore the benefits further.
