Monthly Wrap Up: April

April Monthly Wrap Up

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tyngas Reviews, visit the official launch page to find out more. Sunday Post is hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer see the rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

I can’t believe we’re at the end of another month already! Two full months of blogging 💪 You’re probably sick of me saying this, but I’m honestly so glad I decided to start this blogging journey. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Here’s to many more months to come ♥

April was a bit of weird month for me. On the bright side it was my birthday month and the start of my 2 favourite seasons (Autumn & Winter #SouthernHemipshereRepresent 🙌) and then on the negative it took me like 2 weeks to be able to read something and my anxiety was really high.

Most importantly though I had so much fun blogging and talking to all of you and spending too much money books.

BOOKS I BOUGHT

Just going to include physicals because this post will go on forever if I mention e-books 😂

Yes, I know I have a book buying problem but

Reaction GIF: don't care, Anna Kendrick, Pitch Perfect

and in my defense A LOT of these were for my birthday.

Books Books

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli // The Haters by Jesse Andrews // 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher // Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard // The Special Ones by Em Bailey // The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor // Possessed, Fire and Leaving Poppy by Kate Cann // The Selection by Kiera Cass // American Gods by Neil Gaiman // Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin // Nightfall by Jake Halpern & Peter Kujawinski** // You by Caroline Kepnes // Demon Road by Derek Landy // Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas // Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden // Cinder by Marissa Meyer // The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North // Demigods & Magicans by Rick Riordan // Night Film by Marisha Pessl // Frankie by Shivaun Plozza // Seventeen & Gone by Nova Ren Suma // Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

** Recieved from a Goodreads Giveaway via Allen & Unwin

👍💸 I purchased 13 more books than last month. 💸👍

BOOKS I READ/REVIEWED

Like I said above it took me almost 2 weeks before I managed to read a book this month. So I didn’t read as many books as I did in March. To no one’s surprise I only read 2 books that I had on my April TBR 😂 Like last month most of these are graphic novels because I don’t know how to attention span. I’m not including single issues of comics, just trades.

Clicking on a cover = Goodreads.
Clicking on a title = Review.

Total books read: 11

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater Gotham Academy Vol. 1 by Becky Cloonan We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater (★★★★★) // Gotham Academy, Vol 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy by Becky Cloonan (★★★★★) // We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (★★★★★) // Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater (★★★★★)

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater Nimona by Noelle Stevenson Asleep by Krystal Wade Complete Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll & Leah Moore

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater (★★★★★) // Nimona by Noelle Stevenson (★★★★★) // Asleep by Krystal Wade (★★★★☆) // The Complete Alice in Wonderland [Graphic Novel] by Lewis Carroll & Leah Moore (★★★★☆)

Paper Girls Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan Death House by Carole Avila Amulet Vol. 2 by Kazu Kibuishi

Paper Girls, Vol 1 by Brian K. Vaughan (★★★★☆) // Death House by Carole Avila (★★★★☆) // Amulet, Vol 2: The Stonekeeper’s Curse by Kazu Kibuishi (★★★★★)

Despite not reading many books I did something I rarely do – I COMPLETED A BOOK SERIES! After some serious binge reading (which is also super rare for me) I completed The Raven Cycle series and I am a MESS. I still don’t know how to process everything. I have the biggest book hangover ever.

I’m also calling this month a success because look at all those 5 star ratings???

5 Stars

My favourite reads of this month were: The Dream Thieves, Nimona, Gotham Academy and We Should All Be Feminists

👎😔 I read 9 books less than last month. 😔👎

Here’s hoping for a better May! Despite not sticking to a TBR this month I’m going to give it another go next month so my May TBR will be up tomorrow (which is pretty much just all the books that I never got to on my April TBR lmao).

OTHER APRIL POSTS

Weekly Wrap Ups:

March Monthly Wrap Up // April 10 // April 17 // April 25

Discussions:

So… You Want to Star Reading Comics & Graphic Novels? // Let’s Talk: Blogging Anxieties

Book Tags & Awards:

The Sunshine Blogger Award // The F.R.I.E.N.D.S Book Tag // Real Neat Blog Award // The Harry Potter Book Tag // Scavenger Hunt Book Tag // The Inside Out Book Tag // This or That Book Tag (Version 2) // Book Sacrifice // Burn, Rewrite, Reread // This or That Book Tag (Version 1) // Dragon’s Loyalty Award, The Miranda Sings Award & The Entertainer Blogger Award // #FemmeFriday Book Tag

Top Ten Tuesday:

10 Delightful Bookish Posts // 10 Books That Will Make You Laugh (or at least chuckle) // 10 Books to Try Out if You Want to Start Reading YA Horrors & Thrillers // 10 BookTubers People You Should Follow

Top 5 Wednesday:

5 Books You’re Intimidated By // 5 Books with “Hard” Topics (ie mental health, sexual assault, illness, etc)

Misc:

3 Days, 3 Quotes – Day 1 // Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon // Waiting on Wednesday – The Merciless II // Sunday Post & April TBR // Stacking the Shelves

Next Month:

• More tags because I’m trash
• I recently discovered a PUBLISHED BOOK OF FAN FICTION IMAGINES BY ANNA TODD and I read it and oh boy, look forward to a post on that one!!
• A discussion about The Raven Cycle series because how do I even BEGIN to review that weird, magical series
• Maybe some reviews lmao

And y’know

If you read any of the books I read this month or are planing to I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Link me to your Wrap Up posts so I can drop by!

I hope you all had a fantastic April and have an even better May xx 

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64 thoughts on “Monthly Wrap Up: April

  1. Stuff… Things… AHAHAHAH That gif killed me!!
    This was a great reading month even if it is 9 less books or mostly graphic novels. You loved most of them and that’s the important thing here. And GREAT blogging month as well, I’m impressed Lauren ❤

    Like

  2. Ooooh, you have got a great haul this week! I am planning to start The Raven Boys this month, as I now own the entire series but have yet to start the series. I am currently reading Nimona and am really enjoying it, it’s so much fun! I hope you enjoy all your reads when you get to them 🙂 You can check out my STS post here.

    Like

  3. Happy belated birthday! There’s so many pretty books! *_*

    The Lunar chronicles is on my tbr list for May I’ve heard so many good things about it so I’d be interested to see what you think when you read it too!

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  4. Yeah, yeah, use your birthday as an excuse. I can see right through it! 😀
    By the looks of this post, you had a busy April! How do you post so much???
    I’m glad I discovered you blog because it’s like every post is a stab in the eye saying ‘read more graphic novels!’
    Also glad to see that most of your reads were 4/5 stars which is brilliant!

    Like

    1. Shh, Astra, don’t give away my secrets 🙈

      I honestly have no idea, haha. Sometimes I worry that posting every day is too much, but I really enjoy it so 😀 It probably helps that I’m not at school and I work (kinda??) from home (permanent baby sitter!!) so it gives me time to just sit around on my laptop when my younger siblings aren’t being completely annoying.

      And haha, YES! Everyone needs to read more graphic novels 😀 Gotham Academy was AMAZING if you haven’t read that. The art was gorgeous and it was super addicting.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I try to post everyday, but I always make sure to give myself the Wednesday off so that I can try to catch up on posts and comments (and other unimportant stuff like school work hahaha!)
        I would never be able to become a babysitter, my patience is non-existent!
        I’ve seen some love for Gotham City so that is at the top of my list to buy next, along with the Lumberjanes!

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        1. That’s actually such a good idea and I think I’m going to start doing something similar!

          My patience is definitely non existence too so it’s a struggle, haha. The past few days my siblings have been more annoying than usual and I’ve had no time do anything.

          Yay! Can’t wait to see what you think of them 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  5. Oh man that is a lot of books, and I thought I’d overspent this month. I did buy a copy of Wolf by Wolf this month, completely on a whim, and I am so excited to start it because I have heard so so many great reviews for it! Also I cannot wait to read what you think of Cinder and Throne of Glass and Daughter of Smoke and Bone. All three are parts of my favourite series and I really really hope you enjoy them as well!
    I am so jealous that your copy of The Raven King has arrived, and that you’ve read it too! I’m still waiting on mine and god it feels like such a long wait to, I can’t wait to see your review for it (only after I’ve read it myself of course!)
    😀

    Like

    1. Haha, I knowww! I have a problem 🙈 I think it’s because I’ve only just got back into reading and I forgot how good it is buying books and I want to catch up on everything. I picked up Wolf by Wolf for the same reasons too! Hopefully we both enjoy it 😀 And I’m so excited to read all of those especially Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

      I ordered it on my Kindle because I have no patience 😂 but I heard about the Amazon drama and delayed orders which sucks! I really hope you can read it soon!! It was so amazing.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I have the very same problem, I think everyone has the very same problem, at least on this site 😀 I know what you mean though, I think that for me I just see so many books with so many positive reviews I have to buy them to see what all thrusts is about!
        I’m sure we’ll both love Wolf By wolf, I am so excited to start that one 😀
        I do that with some books I can’t wait to read! But yeah it really sucks because there are two books in that order I can’t wait to get my hands on and they still haven’t been dispatched!

        Like

  6. I really want to read the raven boys and Nimona. They seem awesome and you obviously enjoyed them, which makes me want to read them even more! Seems like you had a good reading month and read lots of awesome books and graphic novels. 😀

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  7. Wow! You read a ton of books this month. And all the books you haven’t read will keep you busy for a while. 😊 I bought The Raven Boys last night. I’m hoping it will help get me out of this funk. Nothing I’ve read lately, except for one book has worked for me.

    Like

    1. Haha, yes! It’s definitely how I justify buying everything.

      I really hope you enjoy The Raven Boys! It’s a bit of a strange and weird book, but it’s so magical and unique. It sucks when you haven’t been able to find any books that you can really fall in love with. I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it!

      Like

  8. I am new to The Raven Cycle too. I’m currently on The Dream Thieves, but I’m really hoping I can be through Blue Lily, Lily Blue before I meet Maggie. We shall see though! hah

    You bought/read some awesome books this past month. I love Daughter of Smoke and Bone and the rest of that trilogy, so I hope you do too! I need to read more comics. Gotham Academy looks like a ton of fun.

    -Lauren
    http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com

    Like

    1. The Dream Thieves was definitely my favourite of the series! And ahh that’s so cool that you’re meeting Maggie!! 😀 Good luck with getting to Blue Lily, Lily Blue!

      Thank you!! I’m so excited to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone. It’s one of my best friend’s favourite books and I’ve heard lots of great things about it. Ahh yes! I’m all about promoting the comic love, haha. Gotham Academy was so good! I’m so glad I decided to read it. It had the most gorgeous art and was super addicting.

      Like

    1. Haha, I know!!! It’s so bad. I think it’s because I’m just getting back into reading and buying books after like almost 18 months and it’s all new and exciting. There’ll probably (maybe) be a lot less purchases made this month.

      It’s gonna be so much fun writing it, haha.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. yay! Two full months of blogging! so… a belated welcome to the super fun world of book bloggers Lauren [and Happy belated birthday :)]

    ! there is NOTHING better than book blogging! [well maybe chocolate but since you should eat chocolate when you blog is all the same] I don’t understand how I didn’t find your blog before. I LOVE ALL YOUR BOOKS! Cinder, DoSB, Red Queen.. ALL GREAT STUFF! I’m giving the Raven Boys another try 🙂

    Like

    1. Aw, thank you so so much! ♥

      I’m having so much fun and I’m so glad I decided to give blogging a go. Even though it’s only been 2 months I can’t imagine not having it!

      Yay! I hope you enjoy it 🙂 It’s a bit of a weird one, haha, but I love it so much.

      Like

    1. Thanks so much! I am so excited to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone! I’ve heard so many good things about it and it’s one of my best friend’s favourite books so I’m sure I’m going to love it. The Raven Cycle series destroyed me in the best way. It was so magical.

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  10. Your April haul is series drool worthy! Is haul envy a thing because I think I have it, haha! I’ve been so intrigued by Daughter of Smoke and Bone lately, but I swear every time I go to the bookstore they only have the second and third books. My fingers are crossed for next time 🙂

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    1. Aww, thank you so much! I kinda didn’t even realise how many books I’d accumulated this month until I put them all together for this wrap up, haha!! I totally get the haul envy thing though. That’s how I’ve felt before watching BookTube and seeing their crazy book haul unboxings.

      I’m really excited to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone! I’ve heard lots of great things. I hope you can get a copy of it soon!

      Like

  11. Happy birthday! Looks like you got a ton of new books. I kinda wanted to try Paper Towns but I did hear it was a little weird, and your review seems to confirm that. 🙂 I guess I thought it was more of a contemp too, so that’s good to know. I may still…

    Glad it was a great April. Have a good week. 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much! Yes. I didn’t realise how many until I put them together for this post, haha. Paper Girls was definitely a bizarre one. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I knew what I was getting myself into? I loved the art though and it was strangely addicting so I’m definitely going to read volume 2.

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  12. Look at all of the beautiful books! You’ll have to let me know how you like Wolf by Wolf. I have heard so many amazing things about it, but I’m not the biggest fan of historical fiction. I’m probably going to give it a try though due to the amount of goodness I have heard about it. Congrats on two months! I have been blogging for almost a year (WOW,has it really been that long?), and you are doing a lot better than me. Keep on blogging! Have a good week!

    ~Anna @Adventures with a Book Nerd

    Like

    1. Ahh, I know! I kind of didn’t realise how many I had purchased until I put them together for this post haha. Yeah, I’m not that into historical either which is why I wasn’t going to pick it up. I can’t resist the hype though and I was seeing everyone give it 5 stars so I caved. I’ll definitely post a review when I can get to it!

      And aw, thank you so much ♥ I’m sure you’re doing brilliant! A year is awesome! Honestly, the past two months have mostly just been me pretending to know what’s going on, hahaha.

      Like

  13. Wow, that is a massive book haul and I spy some of my favourites! You managed to read heaps of books though, I’m glad you loved The Raven Cycle books and Nimona which I’ve heard so much about. I’m glad you’re enjoying blogging, Lauren!

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    1. I didn’t even realise how many books I had accumulated over the month until I put them together for this post, haha. We Should All Be Feminists is such a great read! Super quick too, I think it’s only like 40 pages. Thank you, you too ♥

      Like

  14. Wowsers, what an incredible haul! So many beautiful covers and fantastic reads! I’m so excited to see you bought Throne of Glass, Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Frankie! Three of my favourite reads. Can’t wait ti see what you think of them. Thanks so much for sharing 3

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    1. Haha, thank you ♥ I didn’t realise how many books I’d purchased this month until I put them together for this post. I’m super excited to read them! It’s great to hear that you enjoyed Frankie 😀 I love supporting and hearing positive things about Australian YA!

      Like

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