What I Read in April 2025
Yikes! This was NOT a good month for reading. I barely finished three books—and it wasn’t for lack of trying. I even started one, Lincoln in the Bardo, and stopped about a third of the way through. This was a first for me! Normally, I push through to the end, but this time I just couldn’t stay with the story. Maybe I’ll revisit it when I have more time to truly follow along.
The other books I finished were more practical reads—focused on preparing for our new puppy!
Even though April’s reading didn’t exactly go as planned, it was something- especially the puppy-focused books that will (hopefully!) set us up for success with our new girl. Sometimes reading time looks different, and that’s okay. Read on to see what I picked up this month and whether I’d recommend them or not!
For more recommendations, don’t forget to check out my Bookshelf page!
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Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
This book is on the NYT Best of the 21st Century list and every synopsis I read had me interested, but for some reason I just couldn’t follow it. I think it has to do with not really having the time to focus on the book. I was having a hard time following where it was set, who was talking, and what was really going on. I only got about a 1/3 of the way in when I gave up. I will try to come back to it and read it, but for now its a DNF for me.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
I loved The Hunger Games series, so I was excited to dive into this prequel—and it did not disappoint. Sunrise on the Reaping tells Haymitch’s story, and I was completely drawn in. Learning how he ended up in the Games and who he was before mentoring Katniss gave me a whole new appreciation for his character. His Games feel very similar to Katniss’s, and now it’s clear why: they shared the same goal—take down the Capitol. Where Haymitch doesn’t succeed, we know he will play a crucial role in helping others do so later.
The book also offers commentary on the power of propaganda and how media can manipulate public perception. Suzanne Collins makes it clear she’s speaking to our own world—how information is curated, distorted, and served to support a single narrative.
Like the original trilogy, the emotion of the story lies in the experience of the Games themselves—shared struggles, unexpected bonds, and deep loss. That’s what pulls you in and doesn’t let go.
Puppy Brain by Kerry Nichols
TBH - I’m still making my way through Puppy Brain because I keep going back to revisit sections—there’s so much valuable information packed in here. Kerry Nichols, who breeds Golden Retrievers, offers a science-backed, thoughtful approach to raising confident, happy puppies.
The book dives deep into puppy development, and while it’s a lot to take in, it’s absolutely fascinating. It’s eye-opening to see how much our understanding of dog training has evolved thanks to new research. Since we’re hoping to start off right with our new pup, this has been an incredibly helpful resource for laying that foundation. Puppy’s are constantly learning, so making sure you are taking advantage of every interaction is crucial for their development.
If you’re even thinking about getting a puppy, I’d recommend reading this book first—before you choose a breed or start your search. Kerry provides so much insight into what you’ll need and what to expect. Honestly, I wish I’d had it back in March when we first decided we were ready. It’s full of practical, prep-worthy advice for future dog parents.
Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy by Steve Mann
If you’re looking for a quick and easy read on how to train your puppy, this is a great start. Steve’s approach is all about reward and learning how to let your puppy be a puppy. What they do naturally and how we can use that guide them to the behaviours we want to see. It’s about using positive rewards when they act like we want them to and having no reaction when they do something we don’t want them to do. I think the biggest learning for me from this book was consistency and understanding every interaction is a chance to either train your puppy or create a bad habit. A lot of what he shares makes you go “duh” that makes sense, but being diligent and putting it into action is where the magic happens.
