April showers bring afternoons and days inside, but you will not hear us complaining. As refreshing as a warm and sunny day is, any excuse to cozy up and unwind with your drink of choice and a worthwhile read is welcomed. Cue the rain! Our team has some fresh recommendations for your next few rainy or sunny afternoons if you cannot put it down.
Elizabeth: The Women by Kristen Hannah
Set in the era of the Vietnam War, The Women is a story of one woman who has gone to war, but shines a light on all women who were selflessly brave and dedicated to helping and serving others. It richly depicts the terrors and chaos of not only the reality of war, but the change and political divide in America at the time, shining insight on the heroes of the Vietnam War, both men and women, and life after. Women’s sacrifices and commitment to their country in this time are sadly easily forgotten, but this tale commemorates their character and influence on our nation.
Lex: The Wedding People by Alison Espach
A heartfelt story with absurdly funny and devastatingly tender twists. Phoebe Stone arrives without a bag in sight in Newport, Rhode Island, with the intention of one last decadent splurge on herself at the Cornwall Inn after losing her husband. But she is mistaken for a wedding guest, being the only person not attending the wedding being held at the hotel. The bride has accounted for any and every detail and disaster, except for Pheobe and her plan, making it surprising when the two women cannot stop confiding in each other. It’s a story that highlights the ever-changing paths we take to places never imagined and the unexpected encounters that can reroute us.
Megan: Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner
A Historical Fiction set in 1938 shows a young mother’s fight to keep her daughter and the terrible injustice that tears them apart. After losing her parents in an accident, sixteen-year-old Roseanne is taken in by the Calverts at their vineyard in California, moving in with a secret of being able to see colors with sounds, but the loneliness and isolation caused Rosanne to let her guard down, resulting in a pregnancy. Banished by the Calverts, Rosanne believed that she was being sent to a home for unwed mothers, but her hopes were far from right, and her new reality was worse. Truman Calvert’s sister, Helen, returns to America in 1947 after witnessing the horrors of Adolf Hitler. After learning about what happened to Rosanne, whom she befriended years earlier, she is determined to find her. In her efforts, she discovers the terrifying battles that still need to be fought in the States, even after the war has been won in Europe.
Tabitha: Verity by Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover’s Verity is a psychological thriller that has been awarded and praised since 2021. Jeremy Crawford, husband of the bestselling author Verity Crawford, hires Lowen Ashleigh to complete his injured wife’s unfinished yet successful series. As Lowen sorts through years of Verity’s notes to start working and stumbles upon an autobiography written by Verity filled with bone-chilling admissions, intended for no one to read. Lowen keeps this a secret, but it becomes difficult as feelings start to emerge between Jeremy and Lowen; maybe the secret autobiography would make it easier for Jeremy to lose his devotion to Verity. The movie adaptation of this novel is set to hit theaters in May 2026.
Katy: Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton
It’s not just a book, but an invitation to discover the life-giving relationship promised to you and won for you on Jesus’s behalf. Being a source of astounding promises, prayer does not have to be boring, obligatory, confusing or all of the aforementioned. Staton’s book explores the meaning and preconceptions around prayer for most Christians and shows a new way to approach and live in constant communication with the Lord through the gift of prayer.
