April Recap

Where is the year going? The fact that we’re now in May is a shock to my system, but at least I can say I did more last month than I did in March, so it doesn’t feel like April flew by without me noticing it.

I got through six books in April, which seems to be my magic number because that’s how many I read last month as well, and I managed to maintain my blogging schedule and take part in Camp NaNo at the same time. I still took an unplanned mini-break from blogging, and I didn’t win at Camp NaNo but I’m doing better, and that something.

---

• Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan — Three stars
• Renegades by Marissa Meyer — Four stars
• Archenemies by Marissa Meyer — Four stars
• Last Bus to Everland by Sophie Cameron— Four stars
• Daisy Jones & the Six by Evelyn Hugo — Four stars
• The Near Witch by V.E Schwab — Four stars

Favourite read; Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid which probably shouldn’t be a surprise as Evelyn Hugo was my favourite read of last month but again this was just an incredible read.

Least favourite read; Archenemies by Marissa Meyer which I just expected so much more from, especially after the ending to Renegades. Still here’s hoping the third book delivers.

I may not be on top of things when it comes to blogging and writing, but at least I can say I’m on top of reading. Like the past couple of months I ended April two books ahead of my Goodreads Reading Challenge schedule, so let’s see if I can do it again this month.

---

This month I took part in Camp NaNo, hoping to ‘catch-up’ on my WIP because based on the goal I set myself at the star of the year I’ve fallen way behind. I set myself a goal of 34k words, and based on my previous writing updates this year it should come as no surprise when I say I didn’t manage to reach it. I wrote just under 15.5k words which I’m still proud of, it’s more than I wrote in January, February and March combined even though it fell short of my goal.

I’ve actually given up on trying to ‘catch-up’ on the goal I set at the beginning of the year. I’m not giving up on my WIP I’ve just realised that the goal I set myself is no longer achievable, every month I keep trying to catch up but I only fall further and further behind, so going forwards I’m going to re-set it.

---

So much seemed to happen in April, it was a busy month but busy in a good way (except for the few days I was bed-ridden thanks to a nasty stomach bug, but I’m not really counting that).

Highlights:

• I went to see Dumbo with my mum, which I really enjoyed despite the mixed reviews it’s gotten from critics. Like the classic animated version it still made me cry. I also went to the midnight showing of Avengers: Endgame the day it was release and it was incredible. There aren’t enough words, but it was an amazing conclusion to Infinity War and to certain characters’ stories.

• It was my friend’s birthday last month and to celebrate we went to see the Aladdin musical in London. I’ve been wanting to see it for ages now, me and my friend kept saying we’d go, but it was well worth the wait.

• I’m sticking with learning Dutch through the Duolingo app, which is a little surprising because I know myself and I do sometimes have problems seeing things through. Currently I’ve maintained a 95 day streak and I’m on crown level 71.
• Last is the most exciting news of April; I am officially a home-owner. The property I brought with my friend is now officially ours and we picked up the keys on the 30th. It’s been such a long process but now we can get started on the fun stuff; redecorating.

---

I only got two books in April but I’m really falling behind on reading my new releases. I have so many books, and not just from last month but from February and March too, which I still need to find the time to read.

• Defy the Fates by Claudia Gray
• The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

---

Last month I managed to catch up on blogging – somewhat. I still have some reviews sitting in my queue that I need to write – and I took part in Camp NaNo to help catch up on my writing so this month I feel like I can take a step back and focus on reading again. Maybe by the end of May I’ll be able to say I’ve gotten through more than six books.

I have one more eARC for King of Fools which I need to read and review so that’s a priority of mine, but other than that I’m not going to set even a rough TBR list, I’m just going to read whatever I feel like whenever I feel like it.

I also have a few day trips planned for May, something to feature in my next monthly recap so I don’t seem too boring, but other than that I think most of my time, money and energy is going to go on re-decorating.

---

How was your April?

How many books did you read last month, and what were your favourite and least favourite reads of April? Did you take part in Camp NaNo, did you manage to hit your goal or like me did you fall short?

Have you seen Avengers: Endgame? What did you think, were you happy with how things ended for your favourite characters or heartbroken? What was the most exciting thing that happened to you in April?

Happy reading.