Here I come, swanning in to your lovely May morning with a wrap up for April – WHICH IS LATE. I’m would say that I’m sorry that I wasn’t punctual in getting this wrap-up to you, but I’m not. Life is a busy dragon to ride, kids. ANYWAY let’s not delay the fantastic work of marvellousness that it my post any longer.
April was . . . not a great month for reading. That terrible tyrannical tyrannosaurus rex called University gobbled up all my time and meant that I floundered in my reading. The wonderful achievements of 10 books a month during the summer vacation are but a distant memory. April was filled with assignments, work, and reading through old Norse literature. Yikes. But fear not! I’m sure things will perk up in May (what a funny joke).
- Progress for RMTBR challenge
- Progress for Fairy-Tale Retelling challenge
- Progress for the 2016 Pop Sugar Challenge
April was also one of those months for me where I started reading about a million books because I was so impatient that I just couldn’t wait to finish one. It’s a very inefficient way of reading, if you’re wondering. I think you’ll be pleased with me, though, because despite the lack of reading I did read some most excellent books that I should have read at least 300 years ago. Feel free to applaud.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy (paranormal)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Published: March 2007
Publisher: Walker Books
Pages: 442 {paperback}
Will I continue the series? YES
Look at me, finally catching up on the world. I can’t believe it took me so long to read this series. The reason that I finally picked it up is actually because one of my mates asked if I wanted to have a bit of a marathon session of the TV series (you know that terrible thing?). So I tried to be cool and read the whole thing before going to her house (in a day) and failed. Of course. But I did whip through this really quickly. I’m sort of angry with myself that I did watch the series – well, about 4 episodes – because it definitely impacted upon my reading experience and I know that I would’ve enjoyed this more if I hadn’t watched first. I’m hoping this mind confusion will clear up throughout the next few books.
The Challenge Count:
RMTBR challenge points award: 1
Fairy-Tale Retelling: 0
Pop Sugar: N/A
Women at War 1939-1945: The Home Front by Carol Harris
Genre: Historical Non-Fiction, Academic, War (home front)
Author: Carol Harris
Published: October 2000
Publisher: The History Press
Pages: 128 {paperback}
My reason for reading this comes in two parts. One, I want to read more non-fiction particularly in the history area of things because I looove history (hence my studying of it at university) – I just find reading about it so much fun. And two, because I actually read this for an assignment for uni. We had to do a book review, funnily enough. However, a very different review to the one you’ll see on my blog (notably without the gifs, I can’t see my professor being too impressed by those).
The Challenge Count:
RMTBR challenge points award: 0
Fairy-Tale Retelling: 0
Pop Sugar: N/A
Wards of Faerie by Terry Brooks
Genre: Fantasy (epic), Adventure
Author: Terry Brooks
Published: March 2013
Publisher: Orbit
Pages: 486 {paperback}
Will I continue the series? YES
This book was nothing short of awesome. I would say that this is a standout book for me, not in that it’s an all-time favourite, but one of those books I consistently find myself thinking back to. I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed the story and I love Brooks’ writing style. I really am shaking my head that I haven’t read this sooner. I will most definitely be continuing the series and reading everything else Brooks has put out. This is so up my alley when it comes to fantasy and I cannot wait to continue the adventure.
The Challenge Count:
RMTBR challenge points award: 2
Fairy-Tale Retelling: 0
Pop Sugar: N/A
The Vanishing Throne by Elizabeth May
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy (faerie)
Author: Elizabeth May
Published: November 2015
Publisher: Gollancz
Pages: 363 {paperback}
Will I continue the series? YES
I really enjoyed this sequel to The Falconer. I hadn’t actually intended on reading this one this month, but I had a notification from the library saying my requested book was available. Clearly I’d asked for it some time ago and forgotten about it. Yippee! I’m really glad that I got this through the library because it forced me to read it and omg, this series just gets better and better. I think I may possibly die in anticipation of the third and final (possibly?) book to The Falconer series. Guys, this is 19th century Edinburgh with faeries. Can you see my smile? Can you?
The Challenge Count:
RMTBR challenge points award: 0
Fairy-Tale Retelling: 0
Pop Sugar: A Book From the Library
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Genre: Historical Fiction
Author: Makus Zusak
Published: 2008
Publisher: Pan MacMillan Australia
Pages: 584 {paperback}
Will I read more of this author’s work? YES, A THOUSAND TIMES YES
If you haven’t read this book, and are perhaps like me just a lazy person when it comes to reading the books that everyone tells you to, RECONSIDER YOUR WAYS. This book blew my mind and destroyed my soul in the best possible way. I loved this book to the moon and back. And the writing, oh wow, the writing. This is THE BEST WRITING STYLE I’ve ever read – when someone starts talking to me about the words “I’m sorry” being balanced on someone’s head before toppling off to the ground on either side, just yes. You are speaking to my soul, Zusak.
The Challenge Count:
RMTBR challenge points award: 1
Fairy-Tale Retelling: 0
Pop Sugar: N/A
The Mirror and the Maze by Renée Ahdieh
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Retelling (1001 Nights), Novella
Author: Renée Ahdieh
Published: April 2016
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young
Pages: 7 {e-book}
Will I continue the series? YES
This was a really cute novella that I enjoyed muchly so. I was defiitely pleased with this one, it being very small and the last very small novella in this series having disappointed me. It’s got me super excited to start reading The Rose and the Dagger and I can’t wait to take a pick axe to my heart. Hooray!
The Challenge Count:
RMTBR challenge points award: N/A
Fairy-Tale Retelling: N/A
Pop Sugar: N/A
// GOODREADS //
What else did I blog about this month?
- I threw books in the air in my April Haul
- I did not throw my e-reader in the air in my April e-book Haul
- I set up my RYBSAT Round 8 TBR
- I hosted a giveaway!
- I talked about How I Review
- I reviewed some books:
- I did a couple of super fun tags:
- My Top Ten Tuesdays for April:
- My Waiting on Wednesdays for April:
- My Wishlist Wednesdays for April:
- My Exploring My Bookshelves for April:
The Statistics
Genres Read:
Pages Read:
Total: 2,010
Progress Towards Goodreads’ Challenge:
49%, or, 34/70 books
I decided to up my challenge to 70 from 60 books. I think that’s a good goal for now but I may up it again in the future. We’ll see.
Overall progress of RMTBR challenge:
Points accrued in April: 4
Number of books read in April that counted: 3
Total points: 19
Mini challenges completed: 1/10
The Fairy-Tale Retelling Challenge:
Retellings Read This Month: 0
Total Retellings Read: 3
Level Achieved: Enchanted Moura
Overall progress for Pop Sugar Reading Challenge:
17/40
What about me?
April was defintiely a bit of a crazy month for me when it came to uni. I’m really getting to the crunch of the semester and assignments are due left right and centre but I’m still loving it. I’m hoping that May will be somewhat more chill – but I imagine it’ll probably just end up being just as stressful, *sigh*. I would’ve love to have read more in April but I’m pretty pleased with what I did read and I really enjoyed what I read.
I’m also getting really excited for my trip in July! I’ve beeen planning furiously all the things that I want to do when I get to London and I seriously cannot wait. I’m pretty excited to see family again, too. If any of you have suggestions of what I should do then let me know! Or if there are any cool bookstores to see – I’m hoping to visit all the funky ones and document it all in photos, so finger’s crossed I can make that happen!
I attended a YA April Release book night at a bookstore called Boffins. It was a really fun night where I rampaged through and bought many a book. It definitely has me excited to read all the amazing books coming out soon. I also went out for dinner before hand to a really cool restaurant called Bam Bam Boo which serves Asian food and you ordered your food on an iPad and then they text you when your food is ready and, well, it was just very cool.
I’ve also bought a couple of cool bookish things but you’ll have to wait to see those. It might involve pillows and a mug . . .
I’m finally on Instagram! This month I gave in and finally got it. And I’ve surprised myself with how much I’m enjoying it. If you want to follow me then you can find me here: ozbooksnail. I’d love to see all your bookish photos so let me know what your page is on Instagram!!!
TV Series I watched:
- Dickensian: I’m plugging through this one solidly with my dad and IT’S AWESOME. This series is addictive to watch.
- The Night Manager: It’s finished! I thoroughy enjoyed watching this series and had many a nail-biting moment.
- Masterchef Australia: I’ve just started following this one along and it’s so much fun. I haven’t watched Masterchef for a good few years but I’m determiend to get back into it this time.
Movies I watched:
- Zootopia, 2016: 8/10 stars
- This. Was. Hilarious.
- Belle, 2013: 9/10
- This is just a must see.
- Mrs Doubtfire (rewatch), 1993: 10/10
- I love this movie and I always will.
- Allegiant, 2016: 4/10 stars
- Oh wow, this was disappointing on many levels.
- The Jungle Book, 2016: 10/10
- Wow. Just wow.
- The Hunstman: Winter’s War, 2016: 7/10
- Look, this wasn’t fantastic but I really enjoyed watching it.
Tick! April done!
What was your favourite book that you read in April?
Upside-Down Books 
I JUST posted today that I need to read a Cassandra Clare book! I hear her name EVERYWHERE! I assume there is a order I need to follow?
So glad you loved The Book Thief! I just finished The Shadow of the Wind, which is also very much a “book lovers book.” I cant remember if you were the one who told me you loved it or not? If not, look into it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! You should probably give her a go to avoid any angry mobs of her fans who want everyone to read it haha City of Bones is the first one so start with that 🙂
I loooooooved The Book Thief!! And yes I really enjoyed The Shadow of the Wind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Omg so I was just scrolling along reading your awesome writing and then — MY MUG DESIGN. *FLAILS WILDLY* THIS JUST MADE MY DAY OMG. OKAY I SHALL BE CALM NOW. Ahem.
Aaaanyway. YAY for reading! And for upping your challenge. That’s awesome. ;D I’m like 10 books ahead right now and I’m happy to keep it that way. ahhaha. Ahem. (I’m such an overachiever though that I actually like to go over my goals. I know, I know. I’M WEIRD. 😂)
Ugh, sad to hear that about Allegiant but not even remotely surprised. 😦 I thought Insurgent was hilarious because it was so bad.
TALONNNNNN. That is the prettiest picture of Talon’s scales! AHHHH. (I love that book. 😂)
Good luck with all the uni craziness though! May is looking to be entirely overwhelming with busyness for me so basically Im just hiding under my bed and getting nothing done. #logic
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your mug so much! I always parade around the house to show it off whenever I drink from it 🤓 and I’m patiently waiting for another of your mugs to arrive now mwahaha
I totally understand you liking being ahead. I like to see that I’m a comfortable 10 books ahead too just so I can feel great about myself haha
Thank you!! Talon was amazing 😮 and hiding under the bed sounds like a good plan.
LikeLike
Ooh this is such a great wrap up post! I love how much detail you put into everything 😀 Those charts are seriously awesome.
Fantastic reading month too! I struggled with City of Bones and actually prefer the TV series 🙈 but I do plan on reading the rest of the series eventually. I’m also super jealous about your London trip, haha. That must be so exciting though! I hope you have an amazing time 😀 I also really need to read The Book Thief!
I followed you on Instagram too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw thank you! (It takes forever to write 😖).
Oh really? Goodness I have to admit I struggled through the episodes! I feel like I’ve missed the experience of them by only reading them now. At the moment I can’t quite work out all the hype.
I CAN’T WAIT. It’s going to be so awesome! Thanks 🙂 And you really must!!!
Wicked! I’ll follow you back 🙂
LikeLike
Ahh, I can imagine! You can definitely tell how much effort you put into it 😀
I’ve heard the books get better so I’m definitely going to keep trying the series! I did read the first book like two or three years ago? I kept putting the series off because I struggled so much with the first, haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s good to hear! Definitely encourages me to continue on with it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person