April 2025 staff picks

Amee: My Grammie’s House by Lana Button

I usually do not write about picture books but this is my new favorite. A little boy describes all his favorite things about his Grammie’s house to potential buyers. It is a very sweet story!

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

This is a Hunger Games novel and would be a prequel to the trilogy. This book focuses on the 50th annual Hunger Games and Haymitch Abernathy’s origin story. It is gruesome and sad at times, but also helps to explain Haymitch’s behavior in the original trilogy. If you have read the Hunger Games trilogy, you won’t be disappointed in the newest novel.

Karen: The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham

Woman moves back to her family hometown to care for her mother she encounters townspeople who will not forget past mistakes. This was also made into a great movie.

Megan: Nellie’s Big Splash by Cori Doerrfeld

After all the sea turtles hatched they made their way to the ocean. Except Nellie, she was scared of the crashing waves. Will Nellie work through her fears and make it to her friends in the ocean? Read and find out!

Jennifer: Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly.

Emma Knightley, classic Jane Austen character, is rewritten as an investigative sleuth. She’s married to the local magistrate and together they are trying to solve the murder of a local woman that no one really liked. As the chilling murder mystery blooms and chaos descends upon the tranquil village of Highbury, the question isn’t simply who committed the crime, but who wasn’t secretly wishing for the unpleasant woman’s demise.

Dawn: Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff by Matt Paxton.

This book has helpful tips and ideas to declutter and down size your home. Perfect for empty nesters or anyone who wants to minimalize their space.