April and reading pair beautifully—it’s National Poetry Month in the U.S., so a lot of people take time to dive into poetry collections, write a few verses themselves, or revisit the classics. Spring is also settling in, so there’s this fresh, reflective energy that fits perfectly with reading outside in the sun, maybe under blooming trees. April showers make it cozy to curl up with something absorbing—like a mystery, a classic, or a comfort re-read. Here are some cozy reading ideas for spring.

🌦️ Cozy Reading Ideas

• Read outside with a warm drink on a breezy day.

• Start a spring reading journal – track books, favorite quotes, and how they made you feel.

• Now is a great time to host a mini book club with friends (even virtually).

What kind of vibe are you feeling for your April reading? Want recommendations? Private DM me and I'll help you select a book that's just right for you.

Until Next Month!

Happy Reading! 🤓📚🌷

This month, I am bringing some great new releases along with an audio book I really enjoyed. Broken Country is still hanging on as my number one read so far this year. I enjoyed the love triangle, dual timelines, and plot twists along the way. Another five star read for me was Abby Jimenez's newest book, Say You'll Remember Me. She is now an auto-buy author for me and I can't read to go back and read her backlist books. Stepping out of my wheelhouse a bit, I did enjoy, The Strange Case of Jane O. This one is a genre mash-up with a hint of sci-fiction. If you love Brit Lit, I think you'll enjoy, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper. Recently widowed, Arthur sets off an a journey to find out about his late wife's past through the charm bracelet he discovers after her death. We All Live Here is a wonderful family drama story with a fractured family you will come to love. Looking for a good audiobook, take a look at my review of The Favorites, in the listening section down below

Well, after devouring this book in 4 days, I can see why Reese picked it as her March book club pick. It is so good! From the beginning of the novel, we know someone is dead, and someone is on trial for their murder. The book fills in pieces of exactly what happens as the book moves forward. The dual timeline follows the beginning of the romance between Beth and Gabriel in 1955, and the rekindling of their relationship later in 1968. There is also a complicated love triangle and many plot twists that the author keeps hidden until the end. If you like books about young forbidden love, family drama, with a murder trial thrown in, then this a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale and it's my favorite book of 2025 thus far.

This book is definitely a genre mash-up. I would characterize it as literary fiction with psychological and sci-fi elements. The novel shifts back and forth between two narrators: psychiatrist, Dr. Henry Bird and patient Jane O. The novel also had a unique storyline. In the present, Dr. Bird is recalling and telling of his treatment of Jane O and her bizarre behaviors. While other chapters are told by Jane, as she writes down her daily events to her young son in a journal. I do not want to tell you too much else, as it may spoil the reading experience for you. However, I will tell you that I devoured this book in four days and gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale. Too me, it unputdownable.

Abby Jimenez did not disappoint me in her newest released novel, "Say You'll Remember Me". In this book, we meet Xavier and Samantha, two people that fall in love under unexpected circumstances but realize they can't be together. Sam' family is in crisis due to her mom's early onset Dementia forcing her to move back to CA. Xavier has just started his own Veterinary Clinic in MN, which is keeping him there. Only no amount of distance or time is nearly enough to forget that something between them can't seem to keep them apart. If you love funny, emotional, and life-affirming love stories, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale.

This was a charming book that was selected for the April "Get Literate Community" book club pick. Sixty-nine-year-old Arthur Pepper lives a simple life. He gets out of bed at precisely 7:30 a.m., just as he did when his wife, Miriam, was alive. He dresses in the same gray slacks and mustard sweater vest, waters his fern, Frederica, and heads out to his garden.
But on the one-year anniversary of Miriam's death, something changes. Sorting through Miriam's possessions, Arthur finds an exquisite gold charm bracelet he's never seen before. What follows is a surprising and unforgettable journey that takes Arthur from London to Paris and as far as India in an epic quest to find out the truth about his wife's secret life before they met--a journey that leads him to find hope and healing in the most unexpected places. If you like books with lovable crumudgeon characters, filled with adventures, and some plot twists along the way, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale.

We All Live Here is a character-driven mix of family drama and romance. Lila is an author of a bestselling book about marriage, when unexpectedly she finds herself divorced and trying to keep her family afloat. After her mom suddenly passes away her step- dad moves in and later her estranged father shows up needing a place to live. As we learn more about the characters through heartfelt moments and humor, we can’t stop cheering for this family to have a happy ending. If you like books about forgiveness, families, and learning from our mistakes, then this is a book for you. I devoured it in a week and gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩on the devour scale.

Did you know that April is officially recognized as National Arab American Heritage Month. This is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultural contributions of Arab Americans to the United States. With that being said, I am bringing a favorite backlist book from 2019, with characters from an Arab descent and how they try to conform to the ways of Americans. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devourscale and it was my favorite book of 2019.

Palestine, 1990. Seventeen-year-old Isra prefers reading books to entertaining the suitors her father has chosen for her. Over the course of a week, the naïve and dreamy girl finds herself quickly betrothed and married, and is soon living in Brooklyn. There Isra struggles to adapt to the expectations of her oppressive mother-in-law Fareeda and strange new husband Adam, a pressure that intensifies as she begins to have children—four daughters instead of the sons Fareeda tells Isra she must bear.

Brooklyn, 2008. Eighteen-year-old Deya, Isra’s oldest daughter, must meet with potential husbands at her grandmother Fareeda’s insistence, though her only desire is to go to college. Deya can’t help but wonder if her options would have been different had her parents survived the car crash that killed them when Deya was only eight. But her grandmother is firm on the matter: the only way to secure a worthy future for Deya is through marriage to the right man.

But fate has a will of its own, and soon Deya will find herself on an unexpected path that leads her to shocking truths about her family—knowledge that will force her to question everything she thought she knew about her parents, the past, and her own future.

Book Darts are pretty simple products, really. Each “Dart” is a paper thin, precision-cut folded metal clip that slides onto a page from your book or notebook. Since Book Darts are pointed, you can use them to mark entire pages or specific passages or lines. Because they’re so thin, you can stick dozens of Darts into a book without noticeably increasing bulk. Importantly, Book Darts are “archivally safe,” meaning that they don’t damage paper. The company states on their website that they “have tested our Darts on varieties of paper under accelerated heat and humidity conditions, and they have never imparted any stain to any page.

While a Book Dart is not the same thing as a standard bookmark, you can certainly use them that way. Most people, however, view them as replacements for dog-eared pages, paperclips, sticky notes, or whatever else you might use to flag pages in a book you’re reading, a journal, or a notebook. Book Darts are reusable, and you can remove them or move them about as you like.

This month, I found myself doing more reading than watching but I have a few suggestions for you. On my short flights back and forth to DC, I watched some of the newer episodes of Season 4 of Abbott Elementary. I forgot how much I enjoyed this show when it first came out. If you haven't watched it yet, you are in for a treat. I feel this show really is true to life of an elementary school and the real issues educators face on a day to day basis. I also watched a couple of episodes of With Love, Meghan on Netflix. If you like DIY type shows to just escape a bit from reality, then I'd give this show a try. Lastly, I am definitely hooked on the new show, Your Friends and Neighbors. If you are having White Lotus withdraws, then give this show a try. It's another rich people behaving badly type show with the hunky John Hamm thrown in.

A group of dedicated, passionate teachers -- and a slightly tone-deaf principal -- find themselves thrown together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible public servants may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do -- even if they don't love the school district's less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children. Watch Season 4 Trailer Here

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex invites friends and famous guests to a beautiful California estate, where she shares cooking, gardening and hosting tips. This inspiring series, produced by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, reimagines the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-to’s and candid conversation with friends, new and old. Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected. She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same.

Watch Trailer Here

After being fired in disgrace, Andrew “Coop” Cooper (Hamm), a hedge fund manager still grappling with his recent divorce, resorts to stealing from his neighbors’ homes in the exceedingly affluent Westmont Village, only to discover that the secrets and affairs hidden behind those wealthy facades might be more dangerous than he ever imagined. Watch Trailer Here

This month, I am bringing you an audio book and an author interview from one of my favorite podcasts. I am finally getting on the audio book train and listening to books in my ears. For the longest time, I found I couldn't concentrate while the story was being read. Well, I found that a full cast narration was just what I needed. While listening to the book, The Favorites, different people read the parts of the characters and I found myself being able to focus. It was like I was watching tv without the picture. If you are looking for a good audiobook, I highly recommend The Favorites. I also listened to an author interview of Clare Leslie Hall, the author of Broken Country (see review above). I always find it just that extra layer on the cake when I can hear from an author on the process of writing his/her books, especially an extra bonus, when it's a book I really enjoyed.

I will admit I usually have a hard time listening to audio books, especially fiction. My mind wanders and then I need to rewind to find my place again. However, I am here to say, I had NO problem following and listening along to this book. Maybe it was the full cast narration, maybe it was the romance story, or maybe it was just the escape I needed right now from the outside real world. What ever it was,I am so glad that I decided to give this one a listen to. The story is set around the world of figure skating and everything underdogs, Katarina and Heath will go through to try and win the gold in the Olympics. The narration of the book is told in documentary style, as Kat tells her and Heath's side while other minor characters commentate their viewpoints. If you like books with intense love stories and with scandals and tragedies sprinkled in, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩1/2 on the devourscale. **Highly recommend on audio

This month was definitely a month of learning for me. I finally took a Pickleball Introduction Course that I've been wanting to do for awhile now. Needless to say, I think I need another intro class before trying a full game. There is a lot more to it than I thought. I also signed up for a cookie decorating class. Those that know me personally, know that I am all thumbs in the kitchen. But Amanda, at Custom Cookie Creation, was a great instructor even helping ME make my cookies look cute and edible with her step-by-step directions. (See pictures below). Lastly, thanks to Stephanie Affinito for helping me create an Action Figure of myself. I'd love to know which one you like best. Post in the comments or DM me the number (1-3) of the one that you like the best. Just to see who is really reading this newsletter, I will enter those that vote into a little drawing to win a prize.

This month, I am LOVING some new high protein item foods that are actually low in sugar.Did you know that women require ample protein for various reasons, including building and maintaining lean muscle mass, supporting hormone balance, optimizing bone health, and maintaining a healthy metabolic rate? Protein also plays a crucial role in supporting a healthy immune system and managing weight management, and can contribute to improved mood and overall well-being.The Magic Spoon Protein Treats have the consistency of a rice krispie treat but with 12g of protein and 2 carbs per bar. The PB FIt peanut butter can be added to your smoothies or I like to mix 2 Tbs. with 2Tbs. of water and eat it with an apple every evening for my snack. Premier Proteins actually taste good on their own but even better when added to your coffee (instead of creamer) or blended in with fruit and ice for a smoothy.

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Did you happen to miss a month or two? Wish you could go back and find that show or book that I reviewed months ago? Now, you can go back to past issues of What's Dawn Devouring Lately? I will continue updating this section each month, so you can always go back without having to search on social media to find a past edition.

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Favorites of 2024

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