Happy April, friends🌷 I’m back again to share what happened in the past month, what I read, some exciting writing news and more!
It felt like spring for a hot minute in March in my corner of the world, and on April 1st it snowed.
I guess that’s a good metaphor for how the last month’s gone, as well. It’s been a difficult month at work again and I’m just, really tired. I’m looking forward to have a couple of days off this April, to see my family again, finally and, hopefully, for spring to come back soon.
Not much to share here otherwise, sorry for being a bit of a downer here!
Monthly Reading Wrap-Up
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March has been a pretty good month when it comes to reading, so, yay! I read 5 books in total, which is a record to me lately, so YAY. I also read a mix of adult and YA, contemporary, thriller and mysteries and, overall, I’m pretty happy with the books I read. I also found my first 5-star reads of the year, finally!
HONEY GIRL ☂️ I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed by this one. While I loved the themes and how it explored academic burn-out, I felt a bit, underwhelmed by it all?
💧 Read my review – Buy on Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
WITH AND WITHOUT YOU ☂️ My favorite author duo has yet to disappoint me. This is a particular book, for me, as it really echoes with me for so many reasons and… well, they nailed it. I loved it so much and this is my first 5-star read of 2022!
💧 Read my review – Buy on Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
HOW WE FALL APART ☂️ This was one mystery book I hoped to read this year and I did! I was really entertained from page one, but maybe would have liked a bit more depth with these characters. Still, a really fun mystery!
💧 Buy on Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
THE EX-TALK ☂️ My 2nd 5-star read! I didn’t expect to love this book so much, but, I did. I loved the chemistry between the characters, the main character’s journey and I just loved so much about this book okay. Rachel Lynn Solomon is an auto-buy author, adult AND YA books, now.
💧 Buy on Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
THIS IS NOT THE JESS SHOW ☂️ Oh what a surprise! While this book took a little bit to kick off, once it did, wow. I loved the concept so much and definitely recommend it to all YA mystery/thrillers fans.
💧 Buy on Amazon – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Book Discoveries of The Month
BAD INFLUENCE: MONEY, LIES, POWER AND THE WORLD THAT CREATED ANNA DELVEY ☂️ Okay, now that’s a bit different from what you’re used to, but. I watched the Netflix show INVENTING ANNA this month and it’s exactly the kind of story I get really, really fascinated about, okay. As soon as I was done watching, I immediately added this non-fiction book about it. Releases this summer and I’m excited okay.
💧 Find the book on Goodreads
THE AGATHAS ☂️ I’m getting more and more into YA mystery/thrillers lately and this one sounds SO good. It has a missing-girl kind of mystery and two teen detectives and it sounds like a lot of fun!
💧 Find the book on Goodreads
PEOPLE TO FOLLOW ☂️ Apologies for getting you all hyped about a book that releases in 2023, but I fell upon this info on my twitter timeline and screamed. This is an upcoming YA thriller about teen influencers being stuck on an island and there’s murder and secrets and I’m just, okay. I need this.
💧 Find the book on Goodreads
Goodreads challenge: 14/50 books
I’m ahead of my goodreads challenge, which is awesome to me. Didn’t expect that!
Well… I finished writing my second draft.
I realize now that I’ve written THE END a couple times already and yet, it never ceases to amaze me. Even if I’m taking half a year to write or revise anything at all, I’m still getting to the end and… that’s good.
I know this second draft is still messy and that it will probably need another couple of drafts, but… I’m still a little proud of myself for working on this story and bringing it, every time, closer to what I really want it to be. For now, it’s off to some beta readers and I’m sweating because I’m very nervous okay.
I don’t know what’s next. Maybe I’m just going to write a first, messy draft of something new, maybe I’m going to tackle another story I started and revise, I don’t know. I’m thinking, but I know I want to continue writing.
The beginning of the month was okay when it came to blogging and, by the end of it all, I felt a little… out of place and burned out, to be honest.
I’m late at replying to my own comments and late at blog-hopping, as well, but I guess I finished writing my book and survived and I can’t do it all?
I still wrote some blog posts I really enjoyed this month, I hope you did (or will!), too!
On the blog this month: book reviews
On the blog this month: blogging, books & more
My sister wrote another amazing blog post this month about YA books that would be amazing on Netflix. Obviously, I agree with all of her choices!
I shared another author interview this month with Lillie Lainoff, debut author of One for All. I really loved doing this interview and I hope you’ll enjoy it, too!
You all know I’m a big, big fan of YA contemporary reads, so it was about time I made a list to show off my love! I shared some of my favorite YA contemporary authors.
My favorite book list lately, it’s one that matters a whole lot to me, too: YA Books about Sisters. You all know how much I love my stories with sisters, after all!
On blogging, I shared some advice on how to write an SEO-optimized blog post.
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On instagram
I’m still not the best at bookstagram, but… I’m still trying every now and then, I guess!
You can follow my instagram account here!
Once again, I haven’t been the best at blog-hopping in the past month. If there’s a blog post you’re proud of, please feel free to share it in comments!
- I loved May’s post about her reading experience, disconnected from social media. This really makes me think about my reading habits and just how much they’re influenced by the community.
- There’s an amazing post on 24hryabookblog wondering if book bloggers are still relevant in the Tiktok era and I really enjoyed it!
- My friend Kat wrote an amazing post about The Atlas Six, a book that’s been really, really hyped lately. If you’re wondering whether or not this book is for you, read her post!
How was your March? Did you find a new favorite read this month?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
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You had a great reading month ❤️
Thank you so much, it was a good one yes! I hope you did, too! 🙂
I’m looking outside my window and despite some sunshine, there’s snow there and I don’t like it. I really was ready for it to get warmer, so that I could go out more.
Congrats on being ahead for your reading challenge and finishing your second draft!! That’s amazing <3
Don't worry about blogging. All things need balance and you can't be everywhere at the same time. Last month you wrote more, and that's just as alright!
Thank you so much, Kat, you always have the words to make me feel better ahah. I guess I’m dedicating time to what I’d rather be doing lately and that should be okay, yes!
Thank you <3 I hope April has been kind to you so far!
Hopefully the dark days (and snow days) become sunny again soon for you. ❤️ Congrats on the second draft though, that’s huge!! Also heads up, the review link for Honey Girl goes to a different review. I was also pretty underwhelmed by that one though, especially after all the hype and love for it. 🤷♀️ They can’t all be winners, right?
Thank you so, so much Jennifer, you’re too kind! 😭😭 I’m glad you felt the same way about Honey Girl, I expected so much more from it, I was a little sad.
I hope you’re having a lovely April! <3
Back atcha doll 🤗
I loved reading your wrap up and am definitely planning to check out some of those books. I’m just getting back into reading and am looking for all kinds of books to read! I read a lot of Kathryn Ann Kingsley this past month so I’m getting ready to find another author I love! I hope your April is as good as your March!
Oh thank you so, so much, I appreciate this so much! 😭 I hope that you’ll find some great reads and always here if you need any recommendations. Have a fantastic month!
hahaha, i can’t believe snow in APRIL?!??! that’s crazy!! the weather has been as hot as ever over here and i am scared we won’t get much of fall/winter this side of the hemisphere :/
i do agree that how we fall apart could’ve used a bit more depth. i feel like the consequences only lasted for a few pages, before all characters had moved on pretty unscathed. but i did like the slight dark academia vibes!!
i am also really glad you enjoyed with and without you! i can’t wait for this one to come out, the premise sounds so good!! the same goes for people to follow. it’s a shame that it only comes out NEXT YEAR, because i love this idea! i am not typically a fan of influencers stories, but the fact this one involves island and murders hahah yes, sign me up!
so happy you got to finish your second draft!! wishing you an amazing april, marie! 💕
It really is, I NEED summer ahah, so I can’t wait for the weather to get better.
I’m so happy you agree abobut How we fall apart! It had so much potential and I felt like it lacked a little something. And I’m such a HUGE fan of influencer stories ahah I can’t wait to read that one.
Thank you so, so much <3 <3
I hope you can enjoy your days off and the time with your family! <3
I read Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle this month and I loved it so much! It's an adult romance but it really is the sweetest and has such a wholesome couple and it is definitely a new favourite (also perfect to reread when in a bad mood because it's just so… WHOLESOME :D) 🙂
Thank you so much, Kat! I’ve heard incredible things about Sarah Hogle’s books, I need to add this one to my TBR, thank you!! <3
It sounds like you had a pretty busy month! I hope you have a wonderful April! ❤️
I can’t wait to read One Last Stop, it’s on my shelf waiting for me!
Thank you so much, I hope April will be kind to you, too! <3
Aw thank you! ❤️😊
This is such a great post! I always enjoy your wraps up so much 🤩🤩
Ahh thank you so much, you’re too sweet! <3
Thank you so much for shouting out my discussion on your wonderful blog Marie, hope you enjoyed! 🥺💕 Love the style to your wrap-ups, lots of fun posts on your blog from this month, will have to catch up. Happy April to you!
It was such a wonderful post, thank YOU for writing it! <3 I hope you'll have a beautiful month!
The weather has been so strange lately! I’m hoping it will warm up soon! *crosses fingers* With and Without You and This Is Not the Jess Show sound so good.
Hope you have a good April! <3
I hope you’ll give these two books a try, Kyra, they’re fantastic!
Have a wonderful month! 🙂
I love snow, but it was SO weird that it happened at the beginning of April … maybe an April Fool’s joke by the weather? 😂 I’m so glad that you loved The Ex Talk so much! I read Weather Girl in February, but didn’t get around to reading The Ex Talk, so it’s still sitting unread on my Kindle 🥺 I also got invested in Inventing Anna and you definitely have me intrigued by Bad Influence, it sounds like such a fascinating read!!
Congrats on finishing your second draft, that’s awesome! 🥳 I hope you’ll be able to rest a bit in April 💜
Ahh Caro I can’t wait for you to read The Ex Talk, I loved it SO much! I hope you’ll love it as much as I did.
Thank you so much <3 I hope April has been kind to you so far!
Ah I feel you about the weather, we had a brief fling of spring like weather before we had snow and then rain xD Still waiting for the spring like weather to return to be honest 🙁 I’m so proud of you for finishing that second draft, you’re doing amazing and you may have fallen behind/felt a bit burned out with blogging stuff but you are human Marie. You can’t do everything and writing a story takes a lot of energy out of you so you did your best and that’s what matters!
I am actually behind on blog hopping because March was such a struggle with feeling unmotivated to do anything that I spent a lot of time playing Genshin Impact. I finished rereading a book (Anna Dressed In Blood) but that was it for my reading to be honest. Here’s to you having a lovely April with spring weather (pls world no more snow in April) 💜
I can’t wait for spring to really be here, I need it so badly ahah.
Thank you so, so much for your kind words and for all of your support, Clo, it honestly means the entire world. Thank you! I hope you’re having a lovely April!! <3
ahh congrats on finishing your second draft!! you’re an inspiration and i’m so so happy for you ❤️ and i agree with feeling underwhelmed by honey girl! i think the hype really built up my expectations for it but i felt disappointed by it 🙁 i hope you have the loveliest april!!
Ahhh May🥺 thank you so much! I’m so sad about Honey Girl, but I think I expected a bit too much from it, as well.
I hope April has been kind to you so far!
I’m so sorry to hear that you got snow in April! We’ve had a chilly spring as well. Today we had our first really warm day in weeks, so that was super exciting. I lounged outside in the sun, and I felt…rejuvenated. I hope you get your warm weather soon! Sending you all the positive vibes to get you through these tiring work days xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Thank you, Melina! I hope that the warm weather will keep on coming your way! It’s been a bit sunnier here lately and it’s been so, so good. I’m a summer plant as well ahah. Thank you so, so much love! xx