April 2021 Wrap-up

Happy 3 month blogiversary (I don’t think that’s a thing)! I had a great month. I read 12 books, and most of them were 4 stars or higher (but no 5 stars, sadly) and I read 4 non-fiction books. 4. I’m so proud of myself, and I really enjoyed them as well! I also did a bunch of blog-hopping, and commented on a lot of blogs which I loved. I was in a small blogging slump but I’m back and feeling good.

And on a more serious note, please stay safe. The pandemic is lessening in some places but in others it’s becoming a lot worse. Please stay safe, everyone.

April 2021: 12 Books
Average Rating: 4 Stars

Fiction

• The Midnight Star (The Young Elites, #3) by Marie Lu: ★★★★1/2 | This book broke me and I loved it so much. The writing, the pacing, the characters, it was all done so well. I was never bored and it made me feel all the emotions.
• Moxie by by Jennifer Mathieu: ★★★★ | I really enjoyed this. Vivian could annoy me, but she changes so much throughout the novel, and finds her voice which I loved. I didn’t like the romance or love interest though, which is the main reason Moxie isn’t a 4.5 star read [Review]
• Fable (Fable, #1) by Adrienne Young: ★★★★1/2 | I loved this. Fable herself was such a strong person, and though I didn’t like West at the beginning, I started to like him in the last 3rd or so. And I loved the side characters.
• Sunkissed by Kasie West: ★★★★ | This was a sweet, light-hearted summer read. I’ve only read 2 Kasie West books, and I really loved this, so I’ll be reading more of her in the future. Recommend this for fans of contemporary romance or summer romances!

• Namesake (Fable, #2) by Adrienne Young: ★★★★ | I feel like this was . . . underwhelming compared to the first book. I still really enjoyed it, but it just didn’t have the same action and plot as the first book. I was really happy at the return of a minor character from book 1, I feel that he was a great addition to the book. Overall, a good book, just not as good as the first.
• Gemina (The Illuminae Files, #2) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff: ★★★★1/2 | That was way better than the first. Nik and Hanna were amazing characters and I loved how we were able to see Kady and Ezra in this one too. This story was much easier to understand since you’ve already got used to the format in book 1.
• Made in Korea by Sarah Suk: ★★★★1/2 | I loved this. For a debut, it was amazing. Sarah Suk’s writing was nuanced and her characters were incredible. I really related to Valerie and her feeling like she wasn’t good enough, at least compared to her sister. And Wes was so sweet. Charlie and Pauline were also awesome. Overall, a solid book. I’m excited to read more of Sarah Suk in the future. I buddy-read this with Saniya.
• A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park: ★★★1/2 | I had to read this for school and I actually liked it. This was really but so powerful. Salva’s story is so sad but also really inspiring.

Nonfiction

• How to Be an Imperfectionist by Stephen Guise: ★★1/2 | This had such an interesting idea, but it just fell short in terms of execution. There was lots of repetition, and I wish the author had used new ideas instead of rewording what he had already said. It just wasn’t engaging enough.
• The Princess Saves Herself in This One (Women Are Some Kind of Magic #1) by Amanda Lovelace: ★★★★ | This was my first dive into modern poetry and I’ll definitely be reading more. I loved the messages of love, and I think the reason this isn’t 5 stars for me is because I can’t really relate, but I’ve heard that the 2nd book is more relatable, so I’m excited for it.
• For I Pity Them by Potterhead Aanya: ★★★★ | This was such a good book. Aanya’s writing is mature beyond her age and she brings up different ideas with no hesitation. And the poems were so perfect and poignant.
• Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall: ★★★★ | This is a fascinating book on the concept of how mainstream white, cis feminism ignores or even sustains racism among women. I really, really loved it [Review]

Currently Reading

Here are the top posts of this month:

~April Goals~

• Read at least 13 books
• Read 2 nonfiction books ✅
• Find 3 book blogs that I really like and follow them ✅
• Finish up my blog design/redesign ✅
• Finish planning out my story, so I can start writing in May ❌

~May Goals~

• Read at least 11 books
• Read 3 nonfiction books
• Find 3 book blogs that I really like and follow them
• Drink more water?
• Exercise more
• Do better at school

Life Updates

• I reached out to an author asking for an interview, and she accepted! I’m so excited. Look for that post May 11.
• So instead of actually going to school, I’m still doing online for the rest of the year. It’s just because it’s only 2 more months, so there’s not really a point. Besides, I don’t want to have to get up early.
• I had April break for a week so me and a friend spent 2 hours at a bookstore. I bought a couple books so I’m feeling good.

TV Shows

• The Falcon and the Winter Soldier | I’m kind of disappointed. Bucky and Sam are awesome characters, and the idea of this was so good. But I don’t like it. There’s barely a plot and they threw in Sharon for ~spice~ It’s not working. But the last episode was pretty good.
• Shadow and Bone | I loved this! The crows were amazing [Review]
• Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D | I finished season 1, and am really loving it. I just love Marvel in general.

Movies

I only watched one movie this month, sadly.

• Moxie | I loved this one. The feminism, the characters, everything was amazing. Except for the romance. I didn’t really like that. But overall it’s a great movie.

Music

• Tears of Gold by Fauozia
• Symphony by Clean Bandit and Zara Larrson

I did a lot of blog hopping this month! Sorry at the length of this, but I loved your guys’ posts!

Ahaana @ Windows to Worlds had a really interesting post about diversity and representation in YA. She talks about some offensive representation and also recommends some diverse reads.

Susana @ Susana Loves Books had an amazing list of sapphic book releases and F/F Romances.

Sarah @ Girl on Books shared her DNF list so far this year.

Rania @ Rania’s Rambling Reads did the sunshine blogger award and the aesthete blogger award.

Ariel @ Gemini Book Nook had such a thoughtful discussion on toxic relationships in literature.

Saniya @ Sunny Side Reviews did the Three Bookish Things Tag.

Lotus @ Pages of Starlight was nominated for The Aesthete Blogger Award.

Madeline @ The Bookish Mutant did the How I Choose My Books Tag.

Phoenix @ Books with Wings interviewed author Maggie Tokuda Hall.

Amanda @ Bookish Brews recommended some great diverse mysteries.

Nehal @ Nehal Says shares 7 popular books she doesn’t think she’ll read.

Brooke @ The Reader’s Game wrote a list of characters that would be great leaders in the world today.

Lia @ Chain of Novels reviews Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan.

Ashmita @ The Fictional Journal shares a list of characters who would be likely to jump-scare you.

Emily @ Frappes and Fiction did the “Goodreads Was Wrong” Book Tag.

Have you read any of these books? Any recommendations? How was your month? Leave your thoughts on this post in the comments below!