nut free nerd

Somehow it’s already mid-May, and the reading outside season has fully begun where I live. I figured it was high time to chat about the books I read in April.

Saving Time by Jenny Odell. I read Odell’s prior book How to Do Nothing a few years ago and loved it. While I didn’t enjoy Saving Time as much as How to Do Nothing, it was still an interesting read. Odell challenges the way we think about time, how we categorize hours into “productive” ones and time meant to “recharge” us for even more productivity, and what roots this timekeeping structure has in history. I’ll be intrigued to see what Odell writes next.

Devotions by Mary Oliver. A springtime staple for me, this poetry collection is the perfect way to welcome in the new season. I love the simplicity of her language, her use of questions as a means to get to the truth, and, of course, her descriptions of nature. Devotions is a great place to start if you’re thinking of getting into poetry or Oliver’s writing in general.

Tell Anyone You Want That I Was Here by Gordon MacKinney. I don’t usually read thrillers, but this one was recommended to me by a friend so I thought I would give it a go. I really enjoyed it — the pacing was great, the characters were believable and real, and the twists and turns along the way kept me glued to the pages. (I think I read the last third of the book in just about one sitting.) I’d recommend this if you’re looking for a small town thriller with characters you can really connect with.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. Recently I’ve been attending book club meetings at my local bookstore, and this was the pick for the May meeting. I’ve had a bit of a love-hate relationship with Shakespeare’s plays over the years, but I actually really enjoyed this one. It’s a great springtime read, oozing with whimsy and mischief and humor.

The Overstory by Richard Powers. This was perhaps the best book I read in April, and definitely one of the best books I’ve read so far in 2023. The narrative structure, the writing, the characters, the constant undercurrent of trees running through this novel — it’s all so brilliant. I would highly, highly recommend this one! And if you have any recommendations for other books by Richard Powers, please send them my way…

How was your reading in month in April? What was the best book you read? I’d love to know.

Take care xx