Monthly Wrap Up | April 2020


WHAT HAPPENED IN APRIL
  • April was another looong month. How is it possible we're only four months into 2020? This year already seems endless. 
  • I shopped online all month and apparently considered the delivery guys my connection with the outside world. Whatever works, amiright?  
  • I went into the office twice during the month, only briefly - an hour or two each time, and it was surreal. Empty parking lot, empty hallways... and each time my boss and I had a big reunion (from a distance) and acted as though we hadn't seen each other in a year. LOL
  • My younger sister had a birthday and The Husband retired. We couldn't celebrate either of those events but we'll make up for it when we can. 

WHAT I READ IN APRIL


I read eight books in April, same as March, so apparently that's my new normal. (I was watching a BookTuber last night who read 31 books in April. What the heck? That's more than a book a day!) I had one that I struggled to get through, but I also had a few that were big hits so I'm calling it a successful reading month.

Hold on Tight (Sea Breeze #8) by Abbi Glines | 3.5 stars
Risky Play by Rachel Van Dyken | 3.5 stars
Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon | 5 stars
Until the End (Sea Breeze #9) by Abbi Glines | 3.5 stars
Cake (Cake #1) by J. Bengtsson | 4.5 stars
The Coppersmith Farmhouse by Devney Perry | 4.25 stars
A Stone in the Sea by A.L. Jackson | 2.75 stars
Sure Shot (Brooklyn #4) by Sarina Bowen | 4.25 stars

FORMATS
Total Read: 8
2 physical books
3 audiobooks
3 Kindle/e-books
(2 ARCs: Where the Lost Wander, Sure Shot)

TOP OF THE HEAP
Where the Lost Wander
I did a post in March, I think, of five star predictions and Where the Lost Wander was on that list. I'm happy to say it totally lived up to my expectations, and even exceeded them. Amy Harmon always impresses me and she truly wowed me with her latest. Where the Lost Wander was tough to read at times because these characters on a wagon train from Missouri to California had more then their fair share of danger and loss and heartache. But it was also a phenomenal story of courage and family and endurance and love. It was also a pretty great reading experience because The Husband and I read it at the same time and discussed it as we went.  

THE ONE THAT WAS A CLOSE RUNNER UP
Cake
I'd had Cake sitting in my Audible library for ages before I finally decided to give it a listen. I'm not sure what I was expecting but I for sure wasn't anticipating a story that had me so completely sold on both characters. Casey was so down to earth and Jake's background was heartbreaking. I was pulling so hard for those two... and Bengtsson strung me along till the very end. LOL I'll definitely be continuing on with the companion books in the series.

THE ONE THAT INTRODUCED ME TO A NEW AUTHOR
The Coppersmith Farmhouse
I've been saying "I really want to read something by Devney Perry"  for at least two years. And in April I finally made that happen. The Coppersmith Farmhouse was such a good reading experience. I can't even say that it was super original or remarkable, but I just enjoyed reading it so, so much. Loved the female main character, loved the protective nature of the male MC, loved the sub-plot, the writing, the romance. It was just a great read and I'm ready to read more by Perry.

THE ONE THAT TURNED ME OFF AN AUTHOR
A Stone in the Sea
I'd actually forgotten that I'd already read something by A.L. Jackson. Or rather, that I'd tried to read something by Jackson. Because I disliked the writing style so much that I DNF'd it in the second chapter. So there was that. I started A Stone in the Sea and quickly took a dislike to the writing style but I stuck with it because I was curious about the story. Not only was there so much about the writing that annoyed me, but the story was overly dramatic and ended on a cliffhanger. So it's official: I am d-o-n-e with A.L. Jackson. 

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE BLOG

I had 16 blog posts in April and shared four reviews: 

WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING

Big Summer - Jennifer Weiner
So when I first requested Big Summer it had a release date of May 19. I started it last Friday knowing that I had plenty of time to read and review it. Well, surprise, sometime in the interim the release date changed to May 5. I'm only about 30% in so obviously my review won't be posted by release day (which is probably when this post is going up) but what can you do?  


WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE READ IN APRIL?

40 comments

  1. You've got some celebrations to look forward to! I really want to read the Amy Harmon book! Glad to hear Devney Perry was a win. Sorry to hear about AL Jackson, but I'm not surprised.


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    1. I'm looking forward to when we can have some family over to celebrate. That'll be a good day for many reasons! :)

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  2. Whoa, I didn't realize they moved the release date up on Big Summer. I haven't even started it yet. But after hearing that you liked it, I am excited to try it out!

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    1. I know! I'm not sure when that happened but I didn't realize it until Sunday. Not a good feeling, but nothing I can do at this point. On the plus side, it's a great read. :)

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  3. Congrats on the hubby's retirement! I also saw people hitting huge numbers for books... I am like how?! Then I remember I used to do that 15 years ago too... LOL.. Happy May, stay safe!

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    1. Thanks Freda! I'm impressed you used to read that many! I don't think I've ever read a book in a day... much less one a day for an entire month.

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  4. I did a lot of online shopping too. I guess it’s good to know that I can be a complete hermit if I ever wanted to. I haven’t been to a store since March 17. I hope you have a good May.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. Yep, that's one thing I've learned... me + hermit life get along just fine. :)

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  5. I read 34 books in April :D But that does include kids books.
    Sounds like a fun month, sorry about not being able to celebrate. I feel like it's an apocalypse outside anytime I go anywhere. It's eerie.

    Ash @ JennReneeRead

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  6. 8 books is nothing to shrug off. I'm really looking forward to reading big summer as well!

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    1. I hope you'll enjoy Big Summer when you get to it, Ethan!

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  7. This year has felt really long, and I don't think it's going to get better any time soon! Can we just fast forward to 2021?

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  8. I feel like Cake got better in my mind as I went along in the series and more was revealed. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series.

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    1. I loved Cake so I'm super excited to continue with the series.

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  9. I mean, I read 35 books last month. I really do less than normal these days, and I don't watch TV. Lots of time to read. I am surprised to hear they moved up the release date for Big Summer. Everyone else seems to be pushing back releases. Weird.

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    1. I find that just amazing, Sam! Even with plenty of time to read, you must be a very fast reader. I wish so much I could read that much. I used to think I was a fast reader but I think I'm really not. I just used to spend a lot of time reading - it wasn't that I was reading fast, just often.

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  10. Yeah this whole thing has really affected most of our reading. Good for you though, it looks like you read some great ones. I can't wait to read Where The Lost Wander :) Especially after reading your review and that is so awesome you read it with your man. It sounds similar to books by Rosanne Bittner. But I will say I normally read a book a day...heck I used to read 2 or 3 some days hehe those were the days before I had a blog. My favorite read in April was The Siren and the Deep BLue Sea by Kerrelyn Sparks.

    Happy Reading in May....stay safe and blessed!

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    1. I hope you'll love Where the Lost Wander if/when you get to it, Renee. I'll have to look up Rosanne Bittner, I've not heard of her. I'm so impressed that you're able to read a book in a day (or even more!). You must be a very fast reader. I love the cover of The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea. So pretty!

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    2. Oh yes I plan on it this month. If you are intrigued by Rosanne Bittner....check out the Outlaw Hearts series. 3 of the 4 books are on a sale right now. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075V9JLV9?searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt

      Its a series starring one couple, and we see them get married, have kids, work through conflict together and grow old together. Its so beautiful. Probably one of my favorite pairings I have ever read. And it really shows the grittiness of the wild west and the strength and courage of the people that lived through that time. :)

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  11. I really wish that I was one of those bloggers that can read 30 or more books in a month. There is just no way. April was weird. A big congrats to your husband on his retirement! It sounds like I need to move Cake up on my tbr pile. I hope you have a great May!

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    1. Same here, Carole. If I ever manage to read 10 in month it's like cause for celebration. LOL

      I hope you'll love Cake!

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  12. UM 8 books is really good Tanya!

    I wonder what the working world will look like once we get all of this under control.

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    1. Believe me, I'm not complaining. LOL Averaging two books a week (reading one and listening to one) is pretty much my norm. But it blows my mind when I hear about others reading 20+ (or even 30+!) books a month. Reading must be their super power. Ha!

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  13. Yes, this year feels neverending! I wish we could rewind to last year. My reading has slowed down a lot, and I don't know how a person can read more than a book a day. I've been having fun with online shopping lately too. They moved up Big Summer by a lot. I'm having trouble keeping up with due dates, without dates being moved up. Happy Reading Tanya!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. With so many books having their release dates pushed back, I was super surprised that Big Summer got moved up. Definitely took me by surprise!

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  14. 31 books sounds like a lot. I saw another one that said 75. 75!!! And they were very clear that that was last month, not the whole year. I have only read 78 for the whole year so far. I have trouble remembering a lot of books as it is already. My brain doesn't have that sort of capacity.

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    1. Whoa, 75 is staggering. Like, how does that even happen? I'm at 30-something for the year (34, I think?) so she's reading roughly 6 or 7 books for every 1 that I read. Crazy!

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  15. Well Tanya seeing your ratings for Amy and Devney's books only confirms that we are book twins!

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  16. I'm surprised Big Summer is being released EARLY. I feel like so many books are just being pushed back. Hope you're enjoying it though - I'm curious!!! April went faster to me than March, but still a strange little month. LOL

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I know, so many release dates are being pushed back and naturally the one I had for review got moved up. LOL

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  17. 8 books is pretty good going!
    The year really is dragging but I'm also saving up things that need celebrating once things settle...
    I bought Where The Lost Wander because of you and Sophie's reviews. I'm hesitant and not sure but I'm giving it a go! :)

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    1. I think there are going to be a whole lot of delayed celebrations this year: birthdays, graduations, anniversaries.

      I'm so excited you got Where the Lost Wander!

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  18. It's the being stuck at home that's making this year drag. I know we're only in May but I am totally ready for 2021, 2020 has been a write off so far. Delivery drivers have totally been my contact with the outside world as well. I have bought so many things and my excuse is that I have a new house to furnish, but I don't know how long that excuse is going to fly for.

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    1. LOL We've been in our house for a year and a half and I still use that excuse. I've decided it's good for two years. Ha!

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