April has been a quieter month for reading, which is totally fine—I’ve read so much earlier in the year that I’m sure it will all balance out in the end! I’m still loving the process of combining two of my favourite things—books and crochet—in my 2025 Crochet Book Blanket project. Each square represents a book I’ve read, and even with fewer additions this month, I feel that the squares for the blanket are coming together beautifully.
This month, I’ve picked up some new-to-me reads, but I also felt drawn to revisit a few favourites I’ve read in the past—books I wanted to include in the blanket because they’ve meant so much to me over the years. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the re-reads; there’s something so comforting about slipping back into a story you know so well.
Pin for later:
The Vision for the Book Afghan
To maintain cohesion, I’ve used the same block pattern for the entire afghan (grab the free pattern here), working with yarn from my stash and selecting colours that reflect the book’s cover design. The ultimate goal? A warm, meaningful blanket that doubles as a literary keepsake.
Here’s what I accomplished in April:
- Total Books Read: and Squares Completed: 6 books read / 12 squares made
April Reads and Squares
Book 21: The Maid by Nina Prose
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: The Maid follows Molly Gray, a socially awkward but endearing hotel maid who takes pride in keeping everything perfectly clean and in order. Her routine life is upended when she discovers a wealthy guest dead in his room, and her unusual demeanour quickly makes her the prime suspect in the investigation. As Molly tries to clear her name, she uncovers unexpected secrets —and learns more about friendship, trust, and herself along the way. Really enjoyed this charming and cleverly written mystery – I’ll be certainly looking to read the sequel.
Book 22: The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth’s Children #1) by Jean M. Auel
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: The Clan of the Cave Bear is a prehistoric fiction classic that follows Ayla, a young Cro-Magnon girl who is orphaned and taken in by a group of Neanderthals known as the Clan. As she grows up among them, her intelligence, independence, and differences set her apart. This book is the beginning of a sweeping saga that blends survival, early human history, and emotional depth. It was one of the first fantasy series I got into when I was younger, and I’ve returned to it many times over the years—it never fails to draw me back in.
Book 23: The Valley of Horses (Earth’s Children #2) by Jean M. Auel
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: With the 2nd Earth’s Children series we continue with Ayla’s journey as she sets out alone after being cast out from the Clan. Surviving in the harsh wilderness, she discovers a hidden valley where she forms incredible bonds with animals—including a horse and a cave lion—and begins to forge her own path. This book also introduces Jondalar, setting the stage for a powerful connection that will shape the rest of the series. Of all the books in the Earth’s Children series, this one is one of my absolute favourites!
Book 24: The Mammoth Hunters (Earth’s Children #3) by Jean M. Auel
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: The next book of the series follows Ayla and Jondalar as they leave the Valley and find shelter with the Mamutoi, a tribe of mammoth hunters. As Ayla begins to form bonds with the group—and catches the attention of another man—tensions rise, testing her relationship with Jondalar and her place in this new world. Full of rich cultural detail, emotional depth, and dramatic twists, this book is a key part of Ayla’s journey. I’m really enjoying re-reading these books—they’re just as captivating now as they were the first time around.
Book 25: Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Bright Young Women is a gripping reimagining of the Ted Bundy murders, told from the perspective of the women affected by his crimes. When a brutal attack shatters a Florida sorority house, its president, Pamela, joins forces with Tina, a woman whose friend disappeared under similar circumstances. Together, they seek justice and reclaim the narrative from the killer (which I really liked), in a powerful story about the strength of women.
Book 26: Day One by Abigail Dean
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Day One is a psychological thriller set in the idyllic Lake District town of Stonesmere. The story unfolds around a tragic school shooting during a primary school play, leaving the community devastated. At the heart of the narrative is the daughter of a teacher who dies heroically trying to protect her pupils. As the town grapples with grief, conspiracy theorists begin to question the events of that tragic day.
All the books so far
Don’t want to scroll and look for all the books that I’ve read so far? Well I’ve put together a list in my Amazon storefront so you can see all the books in one place: Go to the book list
Looking Ahead to May
As we head into May, I’m excited to see what new stories will inspire the next additions to my Crochet Book Blanket. Each book brings its own spark of creativity, and I can’t wait to see how May’s reads will take shape in yarn and colour. If you’re joining in, don’t forget to share your progress using the #KCACOUKBookCAL2025 hashtag—I love seeing how everyone’s blankets are coming together!
Have you ever combined your love of reading with a creative project? Let me know in the comments!
Stay tuned for next month’s updates. Until then, happy hooking and happy reading!
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