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It's April "Our Spring has come at last with the so laughter of April suns and shadow of April showers." - Byron Caldwell Smith As I sat wondering what to write about for this issue of the Library newsletter, I found myself focusing on the magical month of April. No wonder I was drawn to this month's book list, and in particular, to one of our new books, e Astral Library. I found that the word 'Astral' is related to the stars, celestial objects, and other worldly, ghostly and supernatural elements. I was also intrigued by the word "Library" in its title, and that the book was published recently, in February. I was ready to investigate them further. I discovered that Kate Quinn, a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, wrote a "fantastical adventure that poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? The main character, Alexander Watson, was raised in a foster care system as a child where she quickly learned that unlike people, books would never let her down. When her reality became too difficult to endure, she would seek nightly refuge in a reading room at the Boston Public Library. Here she would escape into her world of books. Here she would open a secret door to a hidden library and meet the librarian, an ageless guardian. Here is where the desperate and lost had escaped to find new lives within books." (Goodreads) The journey would not be without obstacles. She would confront an enemy that would threaten to destroy not only the library but the individuals who sought refuge there. The action increases, as twists and turns take the reader on an exciting adventure. The reader is left with some thought-provoking questions about the important roles that libraries and books play in multiple readers' lives. One has only to look at the current success of this novel to know that it is a must read. On March 3, 2026, the author, Kate Quinn, reported that her novel Astral Library was an instant New York Times Best Seller, debuting at #2 on the list in its first week on the shelves. The reviews keep coming: "I can recommend this book to everyone. If you are reading this review, you are one of us – I am a bibliophile and lover of all things book related. You are in for a treat. ~ Dorie – Cats and Books "e Astral Library is a love letter to readers, libraries and the quiet magic of stories themselves. It is immersive, emotional, and utterly enchanting. Five stars and more." ~ Bookish Dramas For those of you who attended Bill Toone's Afternoon with Authors presentation about his adventures in Madagascar and his motivation to start EcoLife Conservation, we thank you. The next presentation will be in June when Laura Corona will discuss her newest book, Aloha Wanderwell Takes the Wheel, about the first woman to drive around the world in a Model T. Written by Sally Benton and submitted by the Library Association | OHCC LIVING | APRIL 2026 | 13 Library Association APRIL BOOK BUYS Anatomy Of Alibi.......................................................Ashley Elston Bloodlust .................................................................. Sandra Brown e Bookbinder's Secret .....................................................A.D. Bell e Bookstore Diaries.............................................. Susan Mallery Burn Down Master's House .............................................Clay Cane Cold Zero ............................................... Brad Thor & Ward Larsen Daughter Of Egypt ..................................................Marie Benedict e Devil's Bible............................................................ Steve Berry Felicia's Favorites .......................................................Danielle Steel e First Time I Saw Him............................................. Laura Dave Jigsaw .............................................................. Jonathan Kellerman Judge Stone...................................... James Patterson & Viola Davis e Keeper ...................................................................Tana French More an Enough .................................................Anna Quindlen Nobody's Girl............................................ Virginia Roberts Giuffre e Rest Of Our Lives .............................................. Ben Markovitz Revenge Of Odessa......................... Frederick Forsyth & Tony Kent e Storm...............................................................Rachel Hawkins Tilt .............................................................................. Emma Pattee Vanished In e Crowd ..................... Rhys Bowen & Clare Broyles Written by Jean Heer