Arts & Entertainment
10 Books To Read In April
From Rebecca Serle's new romance novel to Joanna Gaines' new cookbook, these books are a welcome distraction you need.
If you're stuck inside doing the same thing day in and day out, you'd probably like nothing more than to get out and go on an adventure. You might think that's not possible due to the new coronavirus and the necessary restrictions in place to stop the spread of the disease. But with a good book, you can safely immerse yourself in a whole new world.
This month's reading list — a mix of picks from from Patch staffers and Amazon editors — has thrillers, romance, historical fiction and everything in between. You can still order a physical copy of each book, but if you want to get your read on right away, just add the Kindle version to your cart. If you don't already have an e-reader, you can still read your new book using the free Kindle app on your phone.
Happy reading, and be well!
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, Patch may earn a small commission.
#1 "In Five Years: A Novel" by Rebecca Serle
One night, Dannie Kohan falls asleep after having accepted her boyfriend's marriage proposal. She thinks she'll wake up the next morning and head in for the most important job interview of her life, but this isn't case. Dannie wakes up five years in the future in a different apartment with a very different man. She spends one hour as her future self before returning to her own home just before midnight. Dannie can't just forget about this hour, even if it looks completely different from the life she thought she wanted. "In Five Years" is a riveting, surprising love story — and it's probably not the one you expected.
#2 "Code Name Hélène: A Novel" by Ariel Lawhon
It's 1936, and Nancy Wake is an Australian expat working in Paris for Hearst newspapers. She falls for wealthy French industrialist Henri Fiocca, who convinces her to marry him and take on a code name. As Lucienne Cartlier, Nancy smuggles documents and people across borders, narrowly evading capture herself. A bounty is placed on her head, and she has no choice but to escape France and leave Henri behind. This incredible work of historical fiction is also a riveting love story based on the real life of socialite spy Nancy Wake.
#3 "How Much of These Hills Is Gold: A Novel" by C Pam Zhang
As the newly orphaned children of immigrants, Lucy and Sam find themselves alone in a western mining town that makes it clear they're not wanted there. Fleeing the threats of their new neighbors, they set off to bury their father. On this journey, Lucy and Sam discover family secrets and encounter racism they never expected, but they learn incredible things along the way. The San Francisco Chronicle said this book was "[l]ikely to be the debut novel of the year."
#4 "Pretty Things" by Janelle Brown
Nina and Vanessa come from totally different walks of life. Nina, who was raised by a con artist mother, steals from rich kids in L.A. with the help of her boyfriend, Lachlan. Vanessa, an heiress, is an Instagram influencer whose glamorous life is actually marked by tragedy. After a broken engagement, Vanessa flees to her family's sprawling estate on the cold shores of Lake Tahoe. Here she discovers dark secrets about her own past and unexpectedly collides with Nina and Lachlan. The result is a dangerous game of destruction and deceit that neither Nina nor Vanessa ever expected to play.
#5"Conjure Women: A Novel" by Afia Atakora
Miss May Belle is a wise woman with a talent for healing and conjuring curses. She and her daughter Rue — both enslaved during the Civil War era — share in an intense secret with their master's daughter Varina. The bond between these three women is tested with the birth of an accursed child. Miss May Belle and Rue's newfound freedom is also threatened. "Conjure Women" is a haunting, beautifully written story about friendship, loyalty and the lengths people will go to save themselves.
#6 "Magnolia Table Volume 2" by Joanna Gaines
If you liked Joanna Gaines' original "Magnolia Table" cookbook, you're going to love Volume 2. This version is filled with 145 new recipes for everything from breakfast to dinner, plus breads, soups and sides. The cookbook is beautifully photographed, with easy-to-follow recipes sure to bring joy to your family's table.
Related: 10 Cookbooks For Quick, Easy And Delicious Recipes
#7 "Valentine: A Novel" by Elizabeth Wetmore![]()
In February 1976, 14-year-old Gloria Ramírez appears on the porch of Mary Rose Whitehead’s Odessa, Texas, ranch house after having been viciously attacked in a nearby oil field. The town, which is on the cusp of a great oil boom and the prosperity that comes with it, wants justice, but it proves elusive. This heart-wrenching novel, told through the alternating viewpoints of several characters in Odessa, tells a story that illuminates women's strength and vulnerability in the most trying times.
#8 "The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s" by Andy Greene
Take a trip down memory lane and revisit all your favorites at Dunder Mifflin. This book provides an in-depth oral history with memories and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the cast, crew and writers of "The Office." Fans will get the inside scoop on key episodes from "The Dundies" to "Threat Level Midnight" and "Goodbye, Michael." It also includes details on the battle to keep the show on the air when NBC wanted to cancel it after just six episodes.
#9 "The Gift of Forgiveness: Inspiring Stories from Those Who Have Overcome the Unforgivable" by Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt
This book is based on more than 20 in-depth interviews and stories with people who have forgiven the seemingly unforgivable. It includes experiences from Elizabeth Smart, who learned to forgive her kidnappers, and Sue Klebold, whose son was one of the Columbine shooters, as well as many others whose stories you might not know yet. Their journeys are raw, but the lessons learned from being able to forgive and let go are beneficial to us all.
#10 "The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires: A Novel" by Grady Hendrix
Book club is the only thing keeping Patricia Campbell sane. Her husband is a workaholic, and her teenage kids have their own lives, but she still has her regular get-togethers with a close-knit group of Charleston women. These ladies are obsessed with true crime, but it comes as a shock when violence impacts them in real life. One evening after book club, Patricia is viciously attacked by an elderly neighbor. This brings the neighbor's handsome nephew, James Harris, into her life, and she can't help but be charmed. But when kids go missing on the opposite side of town, Patricia begins to wonder if something sinister and even supernatural is going on with James. Then little by little, he tries to take everything from Patricia — even her book club. But, of course, Patricia isn't about to give that up without a fight.
Looking for more great books? Check out last month's reading list!
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.