April brought some of the best reads of my year so far—and, unexpectedly, my first DNF of 2026. Have you come across a book this year that you just couldn’t finish? Historical fiction has long been one of my favorite genres, in large part because it blends learning with storytelling, and that was certainly true … Continue reading April Top Books
This week’s prompt is centered on family history fiction — a genre that can be deeply moving because it so often explores buried secrets, generational relationships, and the parts of family stories that still echo in the present. These books can be beautiful and meaningful, but they can also feel especially personal, so please feel free to skip this prompt if needed.
Readers who enjoy coastal small-town settings, found-family dynamics, and character-driven romance may find much to appreciate here. Salt Air Promises balances warmth and tension while centering a heroine whose decisions—and growth—are easy to invest in.
Discover 7 famous bookstores and libraries every book lover should see, from Powell’s City of Books and The Strand to the Bodleian Library and Trinity College Library.
In honor of National Library Week and Independent Bookstore Day, this week’s theme spotlights books set in bookshops and celebrates the spaces—public, independent, and fictional—that connect readers to stories.
Jungle of Ashes by Brynn Barineau is a compelling work of historical fiction that brings to life the rise and fall of Fordlandia, Henry Ford’s ill‑fated rubber plantation in the Brazilian Amazon. Blending meticulously researched history with a character‑driven narrative, the novel explores ambition, cultural collision, and forbidden romance against the lush and unforgiving backdrop of the rainforest.
Discover 4 essential western novels by era, from early frontier fiction to modern westerns. Start with one standout book from each stage of the genre.
News and Updates We’ve officially reached the midpoint of the month, which always feels like a good moment to check in. How are you doing with April’s reading prompts—have you found a favorite yet, or is there one you’re quietly sidestepping? I love historical fiction, but found myself enthralled with western fiction a few years … Continue reading This Week: April 12th
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. The mob as we imagine it—shaped by Hollywood giants like The Godfather and The Sopranos—often obscures its earliest roots in the labor unions of America’s coal towns. With major figures such as Jimmy Hoffa and Carlo Gambino … Continue reading Bufalino: Revelations of a Mafia Family, The Teamsters, and the Final Resting Place of Jimmy Hoffa
The history of traveling libraries is one of the most fascinating stories in library outreach. Long before digital collections and online library catalogs, librarians found creative ways to bring books to people in remote and underserved communities. In places where a traditional library building was too far away, traveling libraries helped close the gap. From … Continue reading The History of Traveling Libraries
