Bookworms I am BACK! No this is not an April Fool’s joke – I apologize profusely for my newsletter neglect over the past couple of months, but we are SO back! Spring has sprung and we have an extreme amount of book to screen news to get into this month; so without further ado…
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The Friend by Sigrid Nunez follows the adventures of Iris, a struggling author, who inherits her mentor/best friend’s Great Dane after he passes away – the novel is being adapted into a movie starring Naomi Watts, and one of my hometown’s heroes Bill Murray – check it out in theatres beginning April 4, 2025
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The FINAL season of The Handmaid’s Tale (based on the Margaret Atwood book of the same name) will be available to stream on Hulu starting April 8, 2025 – three episodes will drop at once and then one will be released every following week thru May 27th
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The Amateur by Robert Littell – follows a CIA cryptographer who blackmails the agency to train him as a field operative so that he can avenge his wife who was lost in a London terrorist attack – this is actually the second time this book is being adapted into a movie, the first was in 1981 – the new adaptation stars Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, and Caitríona Balfe – releasing in theatres on April 11, 2025
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Ransom Canyon by Jodi Thomas – follow along in this romance/drama about ranching families in Texas Hill Country – starring Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly – stream on Netflix April 17, 2025
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On Swift Horses based on the Shannon Pufahl novel of the same name is being adapted into an original movie coming to a theatre near you – the story revolves around newlywed Murial who has moved from her hometown in Kansas to the much bigger city of San Diego, California, where she begins to miss the presence of her brother-in-law Julius who is discovering himself in Las Vegas. How will Murial and Julius’s dual stories of discovery end, and will they lead them back to each other; you’ll have to read the book or watch the movie to find out – the movie adaptation stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter, Diego Calva and Sasha Calle – view it in theatres beginning April 25, 2025
May the odds be ever in your favor if like me, you survived reading the latest book in the Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping. I was a bit skeptical going into this latest iteration in Suzanne Collins’ series as The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was a bit of a disappointment, in my opinion, because it was too long, I honestly wasn’t that invested in President Snow’s backstory because he is the ultimate antagonist so my only real feeling toward him was always anger and hatred, but let me tell you – Suzanne Collins has MORE than redeemed herself!
This prequel had everything you could have hoped for and more if you’re a fan of The Hunger Games. I won’t get into any spoilers as this book only recently came out, but I will just say that this was my first 5-star read of 2025 – so if that holds any weight with you – go out and grab yourself a copy (and a box of Kleenex) ASAP!
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A new collection of never-before-seen stories will be released later this year from Harper Lee – author of the Pulitzer Prize winning classic To Kill a Mockingbird. These pieces were discovered inside Lee’s New York City apartment after she passed away in 2016. I recently read To Kill a Mockingbird for the FIRST time in my life and am beyond excited to dive into these new stories!
Barnes & Noble – Pre-Order Harper Lee’s Latest Story Collection
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Where are my Twihards at? In honor of the 20th Anniversary – a beautiful Deluxe Collector’s Edition of the vampire book that started it all will be released on September 30, 2025. Pre-Order at the link below!
Barnes & Noble – Twilight Deluxe Collector’s Edition
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As the owner of an ADORABLE St. Bernard – this news has me conflicted (if you know, you know). Netflix is planning to do a remake of the classic Stephen King novel Cujo. The writer, director, and cast are still TBD.
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Netflix just can’t get enough of Elin Hilderbrand! After the success of The Perfect Couple Netflix has decided to create an anthology series, and the latest entry in the Hilder-verse will be Swan Song. No casting has been announced yet, but fingers crossed Nicole Kidman will return in some way!
MSN – Swan Song = Entry #2 in Netflix’s Elin Hilderbrand Anthology
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In honor of the 20th Anniversary of Joe Wright’s 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice – Focus Features will be re-releasing the film in theatres on April 20th and April 23rd!!! Some limited-edition merch has also been released to commemorate the anniversary; be still my Jane Austen loving heart!
Pride & Prejudice 20th Anniversary Theatrical Re-release
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BREAKING NEWS: on April 10th my wonderful city of Chicago will celebrate the opening of the official Harry Potter Shop located on the Magnificent Mile! The Harry Potter books and movies made up an integral part of my childhood and I can’t believe MY city is one of the very few that will have an official shop! I’m planning on attending the opening day festivities and if I’m able to pull that off I will surely share all of the magic with you!
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As everyone’s favorite aardvark once said, “Having fun isn’t hard, when you’ve got a library card!” – and this April you can put that library card to good use during National Library Week (April 6th thru April 12th). Check out the link below for more information on the history of this bookish holiday – in addition, be sure to hop into your local library and see what festivities they have going on that week!
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In addition to National Library Week; April is also the month that we celebrate Independent Bookstore Day (April 26th). For a history of this holiday, check out the link below and be sure to mark your calendar and go support YOUR local independent bookstore that day!
Independent Bookstore Day 2025
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If you’re into books, you’re also most likely a fan of stationary, and in my experience most avid readers always have the best stationary. Since Spring has sprung it’s a perfect time to do a stationary refresh, and one of my favorite stationary companies, Rifle Paper Co., recently released a Dahlia collection that is absolutely magical!
Rifle Paper Co. Dahlia Collection
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The Winnie the Pooh book series by A.A. Milne and the Walt Disney animated adaptations of those books are some of the most adored children’s stories in the world. I personally remember saying “TTFN; ta ta for now” more times than I can count as a child, and laughing hysterically (shout out T-I-double guh-er)! If you’re also a fan of the 100 Acre Wood gang – I suggest checking out the new bracelet collection by the popular Little Words Project (link below)!
