Hello everyone!! How was your weekend? I was calculating how many books I read in the month of April and it’s a little crazy… I read 18 books! I’m not even sure how that happened. One was a kids book for a publisher and one was a graphic novel, usually my average is about 10 a month. So go me! I’m already halfway to my Goodreads goal for the year. How are you doing on your reading goals for the year so far??
My April month wrap up in no particular order..
1. Stacked Up by Sidney Halston – This is the book all Sidney Halston fans have been waiting for. The end of the Worth The Fight series…. it just happens to end with one of everyone’s favorite characters Travis. I gave this book 4 stars only because I don’t think anyone can measure up to Cain’s book he’s my personal favorite 😉
2. You by Caroline Kepnes – I gave this book 5 stars! I was really afraid that it wasn’t going to live up to the hype it created when published. However…. it was amazing. I couldn’t believe I was actually rooting for the bad guy?? What is wrong with me?? If you haven’t picked this up yet it follows a stalker/psycho from his POV . It was sooo good…
3. The Only Pirate at the Party by Lindsey Stirling – 5 stars!! I’m getting into the whole memoir/biography thing this year. This has to be one of my favorites so far. I have met this beautiful and talented lady on multiple occasions and she so nice. It was really great to see how she transformed from little girl into this lovely young lady. This book also has tons of pictures!!
4. Nobody But You by Jill Shalvis – An obvious 5 stars!! I have yet to be disappointed by anything that Jill Shalvis has written. I was so excited to dive right back in to Cedar Ridge. I had to wait for a full day off so I could just sit down and read this book from cover to cover. Loved every minute of it….
5. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman – Only a 2 star read for me. This book overall was a huge miss for me. From the world building to the whiny female character. This book has really good Goodreads ratings but it just wasn’t my cup of tea… However I do find this cover gorgeous!!
6. After You by JoJo Moyes – I so wanted to rate this one higher than 3 stars but just couldn’t 😦 I loved the first book in this series. This one was lacking the character growth that I needed to see. I felt the main character was still acting like a child… just not enough character development for me. Again I’m in the minority according to Goodreads
7. Soulless by Gail Carriger – 4 stars! finally creeping back up towards five stars! I really enjoyed this book. From the language to the atmosphere it was everything I needed. I loved how the main female character was not exactly a damsel in distress and she could think on her own. The steam punk, paranormal mixed in with the era it was set in was perfect!
8. Good Girl by Lauren Layne – 5 stars! I love it when an author spreads her wings and tries new things. (that totally rhymed lol) Lauren Layne has been venturing into NA and I love it. While it may be a little steamy than the rest of her stuff it still holds the same content standards… fantastic characters, great plot, and wonderful atmosphere building. I would highly suggest this book
9. Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson – 5 stars! amazing book!! if I could’ve I would’ve given it a ten. Not only does Jenny Lawson discuss hard topics in this book, she does it in a way that makes you say… yup that is exactly just like me. Her book deals with depression, anxiety, self harm.. etc. Honestly everyone should read this book.These things have such a stigma in the world and they shouldn’t. It’s so nice to feel not alone with my struggles… so read it!
10. The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts by Maja Safstrom – I gave this book 5 stars. I honestly could not find fault with it. It was super cute fast read full of crazy animal facts. I loved how both the kids and I could enjoy this book.
11. Return of the Bad Boy by Jessica Lemmon – 5 stars!! I was so excited I won this advanced copy in a contest on the author’s page. This book was so good, this is probably the most angst ridden couple with so many things in the way of their happiness. I devoured this book in an afternoon, honestly once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. I loved how in this one it was the female lead running away instead of the Bad Boy 😀
12. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas – 4 stars.. You would think by now when my SIL suggests a book I should read it immediately. Not going to lie she always picks really good books. I loved how this is a series about a girl assassin and how she doesn’t need romance to get things done. I enjoy series with really strong women who can do things without a romance being a big part. I have bought the rest of the series…
13. The Redhead Revealed by Alice Clayton – 4 stars!! this book is actually not on my blog yet. I buddy read this with a bookish friend and we haven’t been able to discuss it yet. When we do I will post a joint review. I will say I’m still enjoying the banter in these books immensely.
14. The Rat Queens by Kurtis J Wiebe (writer) and Roc Upchurch (Illustrator) – 4 stars! I loved this graphic novel. I am just starting to enjoy the graphic novel world and this one was a definite hit. The women in this book definitely hit all of my strong female character stars. They are so witty and real it was amazing. I can’t really explain it with out spoiling the novel for you.
15. From This Day Forward by Lauren Layne – Shocker another Lauren Layne book! 5 stars for sure! While this is more a novella it had a ton of information in it. This book is setting up her new series. After reading this lovely novella I am unbelievably exited for this series now. The covers for this series are gorgeous!!
16. Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson – 4 stars! Superheros are the bad guys!! WHAT?!? Brandon Sanderson never ceases to amaze me with his world building skills. He always has these things so well plotted out in his head on how things will twist and turn. I really enjoyed this first book in the new trilogy by him. I will be reading the rest.
17. Grave Mercy by Robin Lafevers – 4 stars! Another great start to a new to me series. I actually just requested the second book from my library. I assume they could be read as stand alone books since this one kind of wrapped up the whole story for Ismae. I can only say so many times that I enjoy really strong female characters. This one was a slow start for me but when it picked up the book just flew by. The thought of people working for death let alone being his children just blows my mind…
18. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – 3 stars.. I really wished this would’ve been more to my liking. I do not enjoy giving low ratings however I just couldn’t connect to anyone one of the characters in this book. I liked the history through out the book but at some points it seemed like the author was trying to make everything that could possibly happen to these two characters actually happen.. this is another book on Goodreads with great ratings so it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
I had a lot of hits and misses this month. How was your reading month?
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