April Reading Plans (Finlay Donovan, Olga Dies Dreaming, and More)

I never wanted to create a tbr again but here we are. I'm feeling good and if I don't read these books I'll move them to read in May if anything. I'm attempting to read more physical books than I have been since I've mostly listened to audiobooks this year. I've picked a few popular books so library due dates are affecting this list as well as what looks good. 

Finlay Donovan Knocks Em' Dead by Elle Cosimano - How I have not already consumed this book is beyond me. I've been having a hard time starting books but once I get to a certain point I race through them. I loved the first book in this series last year about a mother and writer who accidentally becomes a hitwoman. 

Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala - Another mystery I enjoyed last year whose sequel recently came out. I'm all about the food and many romantic interests. Should be fun once I crack it open.

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez - I have to get on this one quick since it's pretty popular at my library thanks to Book of the Month. I think I'm drawn to this book because of the Latina lead, the title, and the cover more than anything. Olga Dies Dreaming just makes me think of the American dream and the immigrant experience so I am hoping it goes down that path.

Paradise on Fire by Jewell Parker Rhodes - I've had this one out from the library since February so I think it's time. It's a survival story which I don't read enough of and one of my most anticipated middle-grade books of last year. I just have a feeling like I'm going to love it which is ironically why I probably haven't started it.

Sparrow Rising by Jessica Khoury - I just finished this a couple of days ago and absolutely loved it. The way economic/social status is discussed is brilliant. There are high born and low borns and our main character wants to break out of the box that everyone has put her in. Plus the magic and mystery are really intriguing. And oh so much drama!

The Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street by Lauren Oliver - I've had this on my tbr since it first came out and have been dragging my feet to read it. Since I've been listening to lots of audiobooks and this is available I'm finally going to give this a true chance. 

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye - Might seem like a weird pick and it is. My brother randomly got the second book as a present years ago and I've wanted to give it a try ever since. I already started the audiobook and it feels very Harry Potter/The Lightning Thief to me.

Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah - I randomly remembered that this book was a thing and got it through my library. Apparently, it's like the Muslim Are You There God, It's Me Margaret? so I can see myself enjoying it. I miss reading contemporaries.

Life in the Balance by Jen Petro-Roy - Speaking of contemporaries... apparently, I missed ones that will make me cry as this one is about a mom going to rehab because of her alcoholism so the MC's baseball dreams may be dashed because they can't afford the fees. I oddly love sports fiction so I'm drawn to this one.

What are you reading this April?