April 2025 Reader of the Month

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Meet the C-SPL April 2025 Reader of the Month, Emma O’Donnell!

My name is Emma, I’m a licensed social worker and work as the brain-health liaison at Wahlert Catholic High School. In my free time you could catch me reading (obviously), eating or baking bread, dancing with my twin daughters, son, and husband to Taylor Swift, or wishing it was summer so I could do any or all of the above outside.

You should follow me on Instagram @emma_reads_twice for more book recommendations!

C-SPL April 2025 Reader of the Month Q & A:

Q: What book(s) are you currently reading?

A: “Water Moon” by Samantha Sotto Yambao

Q: What is the best book you have read within the last year (or ever)?

A: My favorites in the past year were the Shepherd King Duology: “One Dark Window” and “Two Twisted Crowns” by Rachel Gillig, and “The 7 Year Slip” by Ashley Poston. But my favorite book of all time would have to be “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen because I’m just an ordinary girl (where are my Hannah Montana girlies at?)

Q: What is your ideal reading environment (location, sound, snacks, etc.)?

A: Ideal reading environment would be outside on our porch swing, it’s approximately 80 degrees. I have a cup of coffee or glass of wine depending on the time of day, and a chocolate croissant. Now, this part is important…None of my children are screaming in the background.

Q: What book are you most excited about reading next, and what about it is exciting?

A: “Rebel Witch” by Kristen Ciccarelli because I LOVED “Heartless Hunter.” I am also very much looking forward to reading “Great Big Beautiful Life” by Emily Henry because she is the contemporary romance queen. I’d also like to check out “A Language of Dragons” by S.F. Williamson because “Onyx Storm” left a gaping hole in my heart when I finished it and I need more dragons.

Q: What format do you prefer and why (physical book, ebook, audiobook)?

A: D. All of the above. Different times call for different formats. Ebook on the go or when all my Libby holds come in at once, audiobooks when I’m cleaning, and physical books for every other time.

Q: Have you discovered any exciting new authors or genres?

A: In the past year I’ve rediscovered that I really love books with fae, dragons, and enemies to lovers. But in general I just love books that are very lyrically written and I can easily picture everything described. The book I am reading now is very much like this, “Water Moon” by Samantha Sotto Yambao. I’m really open to all genres though.

Q: What book has been the most challenging for you to read? How did it challenge you?

A: I recently finished “Blood Over Bright Haven” by M.L. Wang. It contains heavy political and cultural themes while still remaining a fantasy. In general I think it is always good to throw a heavier book like this in there because it challenges views and shows you how there are always multiple sides to a situation or political stance. Not a book I would read frequently recreationally but was written exceptionally well and I won’t forget it anytime soon.

Q: When do you decide to stop reading a book? In other words, do you read every book to the last page, or is there a moment when you decide to stop?

A: I always give a book 100 pages, if I’m not feeling it by then I put it down. Or if something happens that directly triggers me or hits upon a topic that I vehemently disagree with morally I set the book down.

Q: Do you remember when your love for reading began?

A: When I was in junior high I struggled with reading. My reading speed was low and so was my comprehension. My mom asked me if I wanted to take a class to help with my reading. Not only do I vividly remember this class, it made me feel confident about reading. Then I read “A Series of Unfortunate Events”  by Lemony Snicket. And the rest, my friends, was history after that.

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