April 2015: Recap + On My Shelves
People really weren't joking about that whole "April showers" thing! It seemed like it rained for most of the month, which was such a bummer. But it turned out to be a great reading month, so I was happy overall!
1. #NoSpendApril - In March, I went a little crazy with online ordering. I spent too much money on crafting supplies because I'm a #FoxyDoriAddict. But I was determined to clean up my act in April! Cassie suggested doing #NoSpendApril, and I decided to join. I'm so proud to say that I stayed on track for the whole month!
2. Dinner with Lindsey - Back in March, Lindsey mentioned that she was road tripping in April and would be spending the night in a city near me. When she suggested meeting up, I was sold! I had so much fun getting to know her and am excited about finding a new friend. Dinner was delicious, but the company was even better.
3. Watercolor Gift - One of my favorite people at work surprised me with an adorable and hilarious gift: a watercolor of my dog, Jackson, reading! She made it for me JUST BECAUSE. I almost cried when I saw it, and I've already picked out the spot where it's going to hang in my office/library at home. She's so talented!
4. Surprise from Rachel - I received the loveliest and most thoughtful surprise from Rachel! This picture doesn't even do the gorgeous Audrey Hepburn mug justice. And that's a Peeta candle!!! DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH I FREAKED OUT? I love finding people who share my obsessions, especially for Audrey and Anne!
Read 13 Books | Favorites:
The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
It's Not Me, It's You by Mhairi McFarlane
Lady Thief by A.C Gaughen
Honorable Mentions:
Here's Looking at You by Mhairi McFarlane
Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
Challenge Progress:
4 Fantasy for Flights of Fantasy Challenge
2 Re-Reads for The Re-Read Challenge
1 Diverse Read for Dive into Diversity
1 Series for Series a Month
"Instead of trying and failing, Delia never tried.
She told herself that failure was inevitable and she'd only look silly in the process.
It was fear, cloaked in rationalisations and self-deprecation."
It's Not Me, It's You by Mhairi McFarlane
"We're scared of all sorts of things that won't kill us, aren't we?
The things we live our lives around avoiding.
Then we realise when we get to the end that
what we should've been afraid of was a life lived by avoiding things."
Here's Looking at You by Mhairi McFarlane
"It can’t be a mistake if you didn’t have a choice.”
“Yes it can. Because we always have a choice, even when it feels like we don’t."
Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
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Overall: Buy the Book / No. 2
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Discussion: Reading Binges & Reading Blahs
Feature: Favorite Factor: April 2015 and Tune in Tonight: Belle
1. Quarterly Historical Fiction Round-Up by Lindsey from Bring My Books - When Lindsey told me she was thinking about this new feature, I was thrilled. I love historical fiction, but I feel like there's not enough on my radar. Thankfully, this post can help! Lindsey has rounded-up the best from January-March.
2. Building Better Relationships by Cass from The Casserole - I love reading posts about friendship, and this one was particularly timely. Every single relationship - whether with friends or family and whether near or far - takes work. But it's so worth it! Cassie's post was such an important reminder of that fact.
3. Twenty-Seven Lessons I've Learned... by Jen from Pop! Goes the Reader - In addition to the lovely graphics, I just adored the sentiments expressed in this post. In honor of her 27th birthday, Jen talks about the things she's learned over the years. I can relate to so many of these lessons and love the wealth of wisdom she shared.
Favorite Album: Chaos and The Calm by James Bay
In April, my obsession changed from Mat Kearney to James Bay.
I listened to this album more times than I can count. I'm in love with his voice!
The Longest Ride (2015) starring Britt Roberston, Scott Eastwood, and Alan Alda - While I'm not the biggest fan of Nicholas Sparks' books, I do love the movie adaptations of them. (Well, aside from Best of Me. That was awful.) I've been dying to see The Longest Ride since I first saw the trailer, and thankfully it lived up to my expectations. Scott Eastwood is a total hottie! And I really loved Oona Chaplin and the historical story!
Grey's Anatomy, Episode 21 - While I thought it might happen, I was totally unprepared for the events in this episode. McDreamy is a such a huge part of this show - and Meredith's story - and I'm so sad that this is how his story ended. I watched this video at least five times to wallow in my sadness, and now I want to start re-watching the show from the very beginning. It can be a mess at times, but I love this show.
I Have a Problem: The Hunger Games Boxset (The Logo Editions), The Hunger Games Boxset (The Classic Edition), and The Hunger Games Boxset (The Foil Edition) by Suzanne Collins
My Mom and Husband Love Me: The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord
From Grand Central and HarperCollins: The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (Thanks for the giveaway, Lindsey!) and The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows
Bought for Kindle: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir and Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen
NetGalley/Edelweiss: Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen, Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson
April was a pretty dang awesome month! I met most of my goals for #nospendapril (which makes me happy), and I finally feel like I'm on track with life and blogging and reading ;) So happy you had a great month, H! Here's to hoping May is just as amazing ;)
ReplyDeleteAww, I love Audrey Hepburn, too! What a cute mug. :) I read my first Emery Lord book this past week ... it was okay, but I'm eager to try The Start of You and Me. And I still haven't seen a Nicholas Sparks movie other than The Notebook ... for a romance lover like me, I probably should watch some more!
ReplyDeleteJAMES. BAY. Yes to all. YES TO ALL.
ReplyDeleteI've been dying to see The Longest Ride. Like you, I'm a Sparks movie fan, but not a book fan. His writing isn't for me, but clearly he's got something in the stories. This looks different from his other ones...was that the case?
Love that you and Lindsey got to meet!! Yay for #NoSpendApril! That's awesome that you stayed on track. I need to do that one of these months.
ReplyDeleteLady Thief!!! I'm glad you liked it! And ACOTAR :D I'm still dying to read The Royal We.
I want to watch The Longest Ride! I have a feeling I'll have to wait for Netflix and an early morning with Andy haha. But it sounds so good! And dude, Scott Eastman is a TOTAL hottie!
Excellent book aquisitions! I hope your May is turning out as lovely as your April :)