April ’20 wrap-up
Good morning bookworms!
April… jeez… I’m glad that’s over!! The world is still in isolation… Am I doing anything productive?? Not really!!
Let’s talk about what happened last month…
I survived the O.W.L.s, and managed to hit all the prompts I needed in order to go for the careers I want for my N.E.W.T.s!! I almost missed Potions because I couldn’t find a book under 150 pages – and at the last hour (literally between 11pm and midnight on 30 April) I just decided to reread a comic. But I had to be super careful because I have all 12 of the original single issues, AND they’re signed by Pacat. Treasured possessions indeed.
Did I stick to my TBR? Uhhh… not really. I did finish 3 books on the TBR (marked with an *), including a friend pick that has been on my TBR since February, so THAT’S a positive. But apart from that, I chucked the others and mood read my way through.
I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely sure where my priorities went in April, but I reread FOUR books. Which, is incredible, really. Especially if you know me. I think I reread four books total last year – if that. However, I’ve only ticked off ONE backlist book, which I’m pretty sure gives me a total of four books this year towards BTB… Which isn’t good because I set my target at 75… eeek!!
SYMBOLS
| Symbol | Key | Symbol | Key | Symbol | Key |
| ⚔️ | fantasy | ⛱ | contemporary | ? | sci-fi |
| ? | historical fiction | ❤️ | romance | ? | crime / mystery |
| ? | thriller | ? | classic | ? | non-fiction |
| ? | own voices | ?️? | queer | ♿️ | disability rep |
| ?♀️ | YA | ? | MG | ?? | Adult |
| ? | physical book | ? | ebook | ? | audiobook |
| ? | webcomic / graphic novel | ?♀️ | buddy read | ? | reread |
| ? | Beat the Backlist | ⏰ | ARC / review copy | ? | Aussie author / #loveozya |
| ? | O.W.L.s | ? | YARC | ? | friend pick |
Emoji table for reference
|
Book |
Author |
Series |
Symbols |
Rating (/5) |
Cover |
| Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow | Jessica Townsend | Nevermoor #2 | ⚔️ ? ? ? ? ? Dragon Training |
5 |
 |
| The Map From Here to There * | Emery Lord | The Start of Me and You #2 | ⛱ ❤️ ?♀️ ? ⏰ ? Herbology |
4 |
 |
| Date Me, Bryson Keller | Kevin van Whye | ⛱ ❤️ ?️? ? ?♀️ ? ⏰ ? Ancient Runes |
4 |
 |
|
| A Vigil in the Mourning * | Hailey Turner | Soulbound #4 | ⚔️ ❤️ ?️? ?? ? ? Transfiguration |
4 |
 |
| Southern Storms | Brittainy Cherry | Compass #1 | ⛱ ❤️ ?? ? ? Arithmancy |
3 |
 |
| Tweet Cute | Emma Lord | ⛱ ❤️ ?♀️ ? ? Care of Magical Creatures |
4 |
 |
|
| The Scorpio Races | Maggie Stiefvater | ⚔️ ?♀️ ? ? ? Defence Against the Dark Arts |
5 |
 |
|
| The Hating Game | Sally Thorne | ❤️ ?? ? ? ? |
5 |
 |
|
| The Seafarer’s Kiss * | Julia Ember | The Seafarer’s Kiss #1 | ⚔️ ❤️ ?️? ?♀️ ? ? ? ? Charms |
4 |
 |
| Fence #1 | C. S. Pacat | Fence #1 | ⛱ ❤️ ?️? ? ? ? ? ? ? Potions |
4 |
 |
It was so hard to pick a favourite this month without picking a re-read… but, I think I’m going to go with Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye. It’s a debut novel that will release in July, and I’ll post a review coming up closer to, but it was adorable (with just enough heartbreak) and I did love it.
I really didn’t do anything groundbreaking this month… I finished the 1000 piece Harry Potter jigsaw puzzle that was about 800 bluey-purple pieces, and 200 black pieces. That was hard. I went through three audiobooks while doing that. I did start the HP audiobook while doing it (because CUTTE), but I got so mad at Stephen Fry’s smug voice when I couldn’t find the piece I was looking for so I rage quit listening to it and started The Scorpio Races instead.
I played some more Animal Crossing. But I got cranky because I had only just started playing when the Bunny Day event happened, and I stopped getting iron ore from rocks and got 800 rock eggs instead and then I had to use flimsy nets because I had just handed over 30 ore to build the Nook’s Cranny, so I rage quit it too. But I picked it back up again at the end of the month and now I’m on my like 4th house extension so we’re good again.
Apart from all that, I really just worked. I don’t want to complain because I feel so lucky to still have a job at the moment, but there is definitely a thing about having your home become your workplace. I set up my work computer right next to my computer in my library / study, and so the room’s feeling has changed for me. It’s become less of a sanctuary. Which also means that I have been blogging less – so I’m sorry!!
We had Bookending Spring this month, which was so good!! I stepped in at the last moment as a substitute host, and I had a blast. There were so many great prompts that I think I’ll do some during May because … I didn’t really post a lot during April.
My three days that I hosted were 20-22 April, and the posts were:
It’s such a buzz trying to come up with original prompts to try and fit a theme, and I just want to take a minute to give a shout out to Sam @ Fictionally Sam, and Clo @ Cuppa Clo for always being such great leaders for these events, but also to the other hosts who are amazing and deserve a lot of love for all their hard work.
- Lauren @ Northern Plunder
- Kate @ Cover to Cover
- Isabelle @ Nine Tail Vixen
- Jayati @ It’s Just a Coffee Addicted Bibliophile
- Michelle @ Michelle Likes Things
If you get a chance, I highly recommend you check out some of the fun tags the team created.
So, it turns out I’m just a giant failure at blog-hopping (like we didn’t already know), but I’m still trying. I gave up on the going alphabetically, because I went to Isabelle’s blog and was reading through 63 (not an exaggeration) posts that I had to catch up on (since January though, it’s ok), and eventually WordPress decided that I was a spam-bot so about halfway through, and then for a week afterwards all of my comments went to the spam folders. (Please have a look on your blogs and see if my comments need rescuing, ok?)
Regardless, I am slowly making my way through. I am still around the 1,000 mark, but at least it didn’t go up in number!! So, some of my favourite posts that I read this month (even if they weren’t posted this month) were:
- Meaghan at Hail and Well Read let us know that she accidentally renamed her blog the wrong thing, and introduced us to Snail and Well Read!!
- Steph talked about three middle grade books she read recently, and I want to read all of them!!
- Kristina shared some lovely stories about her days working during iso. Seriously, it’s so good to know there are kind people around during this crazy time.
- Priyasha has been writing lists of cute, fluffy YA books to read during iso, and it’s EVERYTHING!! Seriously, this list is so good – it has some of my new favourites on it too!!
- Michelle has been writing lists of adorable queer contemporary books, and I’m so excited by them!! I’ve already read some, but there are others I am super keen for. You can find list 1 here, and list 2 here.
- Isabelle has a firm discussion on why you shouldn’t comment on the number of books that people are reading – I found this fascinating!!
- Way back in January (yep, that’s how far back my blog-hopping was to), Marie discussed what makes blog posts engaging, and this is so good!! She then wrote a post on commenting on other people’s posts, which I felt rang so true.
- Cait, or Paper Fury as you probably know her, wrote a list of 8 bookish opinions that had changed over time. Cait also wrote the most amazing review for A Heart So Fierce and Broken – if you didn’t love this book (or you DNF’ed it), I think Cait really explains why you felt this way, while at the same time explaining why I absolutely loved it. Really amazing review.
And finally, Kal at Reader Voracious started a new tag called “What my Favourite Characters Would Do in Quarantine“, and this series has been my LIFE. Every time I come across one I love it so much, so I need to share some of my faves.
Side note, if anyone wants to tag me in this, please do… but also, I’m not sure how creative I’m feeling!! ?
How was your April?
25 Comments
Kristina
Well, 3 books from the TBR is better than nothing – still a win if you ask me ! When I do one I literally pick like none of them xD ohh and a good reading month too!! I still need to read The hating game & Tweet Cute at some point..
Ouch, I feel you.. having your sanctuary moved as “work place” must suck indeed.. i’m still lucky enough that I need to “travel” to my actual Café to work soo – I get to leave the house AND see people! ahaha … but yeah- I mainly played animal crossing & worked too; SO HAPPY that bunny day is gone!! urh. ?
AHAHA omg- commenting so much you get taken for a spam bot is kinda funny xD
Thank you so much for including my link ❤️ I’m so happy that you enjoyed that little thing!
meeghan
Bunny Day was the WORST!! I had to use flimsy nets for ages because I just kept getting rock eggs and no iron ore!!
And yes, three books off my TBR was pretty good for me!! I was very pleased. ? I do recommend The Hating Game, it’s so good!!
_tirilu
I can picture you rage quitting HP for Stephen Fry’s smug voice so well, I just wanna laugh my head off. I hope it’s getting better for you soon and that the quarantine ends soon for you too. Take good care of yourself. <3
meeghan
Thanks Mari!! ?? It was a very cranky Meeghan (made crankier by the puzzle!!)
Louise @ Monstrumology
I saw so many people tweeting about the Bunny Day event in Animal Crossing and it kind of made me glad that I didn’t get the game until that event was over ?
meeghan
That is a VERY valid feeling!! ?
Rukky @ Eternity Books
I am seriously impressed that you’re still wading through your immense list of posts to catch up on!! I’d probably just quit, and cry for a little while ? Which is basically me right now with the posts that I have to catch up on ? Kal’s tag sounds so much fun, and I have to go check that out!! Congrats on managing to read 3 of the books that you had on your TBR, and completing that huge puzzle!! I wish I had a chance to participate in BE Spring, but I’m super excited to check out your posts!!
I hope you have an awesome May ?
meeghan
Thank you so much Rukky, you’re the sweetest, and always so supportive!! ?
Wishing you an amazing May ?
Mere
You had an amazing month!! I Yay to the OWLS!!
meeghan
YES!! YAY to finishing my OWLs in the month that the OWLs were on!! There’s a first time for everything!! ?
Sophie @BewareOfTheReader
As Kristina said 3 books is better than nothing Meeghan!
meeghan
Thanks Sophie!! (I’m actually very impressed with myself for reading that many from my TBR!!)
Kay | Hammock of Books
making a giant Harry Potter puzzle sounds amazing haha. hope you have a good may!
meeghan
It was equally amazing and frustrating!! ?
Sofii @ A Book. A Thought.
I think you did an amazing job with your readings, honey & I hope May is even better!! I’m equally terrified as excited by the NEWTs, because I’m going to be reading 10 books! luckily I have time to prepare myself ?❤️✨
meeghan
Oh!! Have I missed the NEWTs announcement?!
Clo @ Cuppa Clo
“I got so mad at Stephen Fry’s smug voice when I couldn’t find the piece I was looking for so I rage quit listening to it and started The Scorpio Races instead.”
I’m cackling I can just imagine you rage quitting the audiobook whilst looking for a puzzle piece and this amuses me greatly, The Scorpio Races was a good read though from what I can remember. Ah I wish I had animal crossing new horizons, I really like creating things and since I started playing the series back with wild world everything I’ve ever wanted (at least by the looks of things) is in acnh *sobs* I hope you have a good May and Bookending Spring was a blast so thank you and all the hosts for being amazing <3
meeghan
?? The Scorpio Races is my favourite book ever. I love the audio and the my hard copy. It’s so soothing, which is odd considering it’s a book about murderous water horses and death. But I love it.
Clo, I would buy you a switch if I could, just so you can play ACNH!! ?
Clo @ Cuppa Clo
Hahaha and awwww bless, its the thought that counts <3 I'll get one at some point I think…somehow xD
theorangutanlibrarian
Date Me, Bryson Keller sounds really good. Great wrap up!
meeghan
Thank you!! ?
Marie
Ahh well i think you’ve had a pretty good reading month as a whole! I’m happy you enjoyed Tweet Cute, it’s such a fun read <3
Thank you so,so much for sharing my posts, so happy you enjoyed them. and don't worry too much about being late to blog hop, I'm perpetually late too haahhaa 🙂
I hope May has been kind to you so far! <3
meeghan
Thanks Marie!! I loved your post!! ?
Kal @ Reader Voracious
Congrats on finishing your OWLS, Meeghan! You got a lot of reading done and who cares it a handful were re-reads? I think mood reading is great and I know for me personally, I let my guilt & responsibility of being an ~influencer~ with review obligations sap my enjoyment of my hobby sometimes. READ WHAT YOU WANT!
Also I TAG YOU IN THE QUARANTINE TAG! I will edit it into the original post if you need it, haha! <3
meeghan
??? That’s hilarious, The Orang-utan Librarian just tagged me today!! But I love you so much for being willing to go back and change this!!