Happy May, friends 🌷 Summer’s near and, honestly, I’m all here for the sunshine and long days. If only it could hurry up on my side of the world, it’d be absolutely FANTASTIC. If you’re reading this, I guess you’re all curious soooo… let’s recap the busy, busy month of April!
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April has been actually quite a good month, which still surprises me after so many months feeling like a struggle. Work has been getting better, little by little (and also gave me some good news and signs I’m doing a good job so YAY me). I’m thankful for that and just hopes it continues being alright.
The highlights of the months definitely were moments I got to spend with my family. I’m living across country from them and don’t see them as often as I’d like, so it was such a wonderful breath of fresh air to spend days with them exploring, eating and just, be with them for a bit.
My sister’s birthday was on April 16th and, honestly, I sweated and screamed at my computer to get THE perfect birthday gift. It wasn’t easy and almost lost my mind, but I DID IT. I scored tickets to see our favorite band of all times, in our favorite city of all times. We ended up going on a couple days’ getaway to London (UK) for the occasion. The weather was gloomy but our moods were perfect and yes, I did cry at the concert because, well. Emotions.
I can’t wait for summer to be here – first comes May and some more time with my sister coming back to see me again (!!), then the wonderful summer months which I’ll try to plan out very soon. I’m excited.
Monthly Reading Wrap-Up
I thought I wouldn’t end up reading a lot, this month, with everything happening, but it turns out that I still managed to read 4 BOOKS, so.. I’m pretty happy about that.
Especially given the fact that I felt a slump coming on by the 3rd book. I can always count on a Wibbroka book to get me out of a slump, I guess.
THIS TIME IT’S REAL ☂️ I think that Ann Liang is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I just had SO much fun reading this fake-dating with kind of a celebrity story, I loved the characters and yeah, definitely recommending this. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can read my full review here!
THE GOOD GIRLS ☂️ I have been really into YA mysteries again and this one was certainly unique. Loved the storytelling and was hooked from page one. Recommending it for fans of the genre! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can read my full review here!
THE NO-SHOW ☂️ I loved Beth O’Leary’s The Road Trip, so I had high expectations for this one. Let’s just say: they weren’t met. The book wasn’t quite what I expected it to be and I felt a bit, disconnected from it all. The twist messed me up a bit, though, so… why not? I don’t know, I liked it at times, but also, not. Very conflicted. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
NEVER VACATION WITH YOUR EX ☂️ My favorite author duo did it again. I don’t know how they do it, but I always end up adoring their characters, the romance, the chemistry. I especially loved and felt like I could relate, on a deeper level, to the main character here, so. Yet again a new favorite. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Discoveries of The Month
I added TWO new books to my TBR this past month, but… I unfortunately don’t have covers to show, for them. It’s two books from favorite authors I can’t wait to read, next, but obviously they’re releasing in 2024. Don’t ask me why I keep on adding books coming out ages from now on my TBR. I DO NOT KNOW.
THE BREAK-UP TOUR ☂️ I mean, this is the new Wibbroka book and it has Taylor Swift vibes. I might need to be picked off the floor now. Find it on Goodreads.
THE ATLAS OF US ☂️ I really enjoyed Kristin Dwyer’s debut and apparently this one will make me cry, so obviously I’m here for it. Oops. Find it on Goodreads
Goodreads challenge: 16/50 books
I’m on track, so, yay!
Writing has been quite alright this past month, I’m really happy about it. I’m slowly, but surely making progress on the first draft of what I’m calling, the revenge WIP. While it has its ups and downs, as always, I’m kind of proud and excited to see where this story goes.
As I’m writing this, my manuscript is almost at 40k words. I’m hoping to finish this by the summer, so… on track, for now, yay!
Also, hoping to talk a bit more about writing, maybe, on the blog, on my instagram account and definitely in my newsletter (which I WILL revive, like, this week) so, if you feel like subscribing to hear more about it, it’s right here:
My blogging continues to be sporadic at best. I haven’t felt too inspired in the past month – and I know I’ve been busy, as well, and prioritizing other things like writing a lot more.
I’m not really mad about it. I feel like I might need a bit of distance, as well – I mean, seeing someone copying my latest monthly wrap-up to put on their blogs didn’t help, either. (make it make sense? It’s a WRAP UP? about my life? anyway).
I think I’ll keep on trying – in fact, I know I’ll keep on blogging, because this is MY space and I’ve grown so fond of it in the past 8 years. Still, I’ll do it at my rhythm and if inspiration strikes and if not… I guess it has to be alright.
If you want to support our work, you can tip us on ko-fi or check out our wishlist. It means everything to us. ❤️
I want to focus a bit more on other things, like my writing, which I’m really excited about, lately. My Notion for writing blog post has been working AMAZINGLY, by the way, so I wonder if I should just talk more about writing on here?! I guess I’ll see how I feel in the upcoming month.
In the meantime, THANK YOU, with all of my heart, to those of you who are still reading good old book blogs. I appreciate you SO MUCH, really, you have no idea. Thank you. xxx
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On the blog this month: book reviews
On the blog this month: blogging, books & more
Since you all seemed to enjoy my fall and winter aesthetics paired with YA books, I thought I’d continue with the seasons and do one with spring aesthetics & YA books! For full transparency, this one didn’t work as well as the others, AT ALL, which made me a bit sad because I love spring, but well. I’m happy I’m finishing this series either way, because even if it takes me AGES, I kind of like this idea!
My sister & wonderful co-blogger is finally back with a new blog post! She talked about how her reading changed as she grew in the past 10 years. It’s such a cool read.
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On instagram
I’m still finding my footing on instagram. I’ve been wondering about brand, lately, as well. Like, am I supposed to talk about books, writing, travel? Should I continue posting everything all at once, or just focus on a specific niche?
I don’t know if I’m made to be a bookstagrammer, if I’ll ever reach the tiny little 1k follower level, but I also don’t want to put pressure on myself. So. Let’s see what next month brings here, shall we?
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As always, I’m trying my best to keep up a little bit with book blogs, with everything else going on. Here are a couple I enjoyed reading lately and please, feel free to share a blog post you’re proud of in comments below! 💛
- Tiffany @ Read By Tiffany shared 5 romance books to add to your TBR!
- 24hYABookBlog shared 15 YA books to read for spring.
- Sophie @ MeandInk shared an excellent list of 40 books about writers.
- Sam @ We Live and Breathe Books talked about some bookish confessions.
How was your April? What were the highlights of the month, for you? What were your favorite reads?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
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Same with me and The No-Show! LOVED The Switch and The Flatshare and then found The No-Show to be a let-down. No idea when I’ll get to The Road Trip but am hoping that’ll be better.
Ohh damn! I’m sorry you felt the same way – but also less alone, so thank you ahah. I need to read The Switch, next. I loved loved The Road Trip, hope you will, too! <3
Looks like it has been good month. I enjoyed No-show. I agree everything before climax feels weird and I wasn’t happy with main characters but everything made sense after climax. It was quite smart and clever twist.
Thank you so much! I agree that everything made much more sense after that climax, I just didn’t see that coming, AT all ahah.
Thank you!! Have a wonderful month <3
It sounds like you had an amazing April! That trip and concert sound like it was so much fun! 😄
I’m with you, I can’t wait for the warmer weather and summer vibes. Currently we’ve had nonstop rain and it’s so dreary and cold. 😩 Can’t wait for it to pass!
I can’t believe someone copied your wrap up… that makes ZERO sense… they aren’t you! I’m sorry you had that happen to you though, that’s not cool and I hope it doesn’t happen again!
Have an amazing May, Marie! 💜
Thank you so much, it was really a lot of fun! I’m all ready for summer and warmth as well, hope it hurries up!!
I don’t get it, either… thank you. I hope May has been lovely to you so far! <3
It was a great way to jump start your summer! 😄
Thank you, May has been pretty good, I hope it’s been good to you too! 💞
It’s been really lovely, thank you so much!! <3
You’e very welcome! 💞
i’m so happy that you had such a wonderful time seeing the jonas brothers in concert!! and that you had such a lovely writing month. definitely can’t wait to see your writing updates, whether here or on instagram or in your newsletter! and i’m so sorry to hear about someone copying your monthly wrap-up—that really makes no sense at all, but i’m sure it felt even more invasive than a typical plagiarized post since it’s your life 😞 can’t wait to see whatever you post whenever you post, though <3 happy may!!
thank you so much!! i hope i can share some more writing updates, I’m just so nervous and uncertain about where, how much and so on. i hope i’ll find the way that feels right 🙂
Thank you so, so much! I hope you’ll have a wonderful month and take care!! <3
no way, someone copied your wrap up??? that’s so weird! (i mean… out of everything…) i’m sorry that happened to you! hope you’re having a good May 🙂
It’s just weird and very invasive and, well. Anyway, I guess I’m done being angry, I’m just, tired. Thank you so much! I hope that May has been good to you so far <3 <3
My April was pretty wonderful as well and I’m really glad you got to spend time with your family as well as your sister and go for a concert 🙂
And oh my gosh someone copied your monthly wrap-up?? That makes absolutely no sense to me. I hope that issue is taken care of though. Take some time off if you need it. I’ve just decided to blog whenever I want to and can because any more than that makes it feel like a burden and I’m enjoying this so far even though I’ve still not found my footing with it. Because with academics I realised the only other option was to stop blogging which is the last thing I want to do.
Anyway, congrats on the writing bit as well. I hope May is as good as April!
Thank you so, so much <3 <3
It doesn't make any sense at all, and I just don't feel like fighting, anymore. I just don't get some people.
Thank you so much!! I hope that May has been really kind to you so far, sending you lots of love <3
Have a great May reading month.
Thank you so much, you too! 🙂
Glad to hear that you had a good April! 🥰 I really liked Ann Liang’s first book, so I’m glad to see that you liked This Time It’s Real!!
Thank you, Caro! I hope you’ll read This Time it’s Real sometime, I have a feeling you’d LOVE it! 🙂