I don’t know about you, but I found that April went by very fast! Considering we’re in a pandemic, I think because the days are all rolling into one, this year seems to be getting away from me. But, on the bright side, I managed to read a lot of great books this month! I got through 11 books (8 from my backlist) so I’m am happy that I am speeding through all the unread books on my shelf!
Frankenstein
I co-read this with my lovely friend @thehelsproject and I think we both agree that we thought it would be a tad more “monstery” than it was. It was quite a short book, so didn’t take me long to get through, but I have to say, I was pretty lost most of the time with where the storyline was going. We only actually meet the monster a handful of times, and the rest of the book seems to dictate Frankenstein’s decent into madness, and to be honest, I was just never gripped. I’m glad I’ve read it to tick it off the list, but I don’t think I’ll be reading it again!
A History of the World in 21 Women
I picked this book up a little while ago in Waterstone’s because I love a good biography and I thought this would be a great way of learning about some inspirational women. Each woman’s chapter is about 10 pages or so and the author does a good job of concisely summing up their life and giving the reader a good overview of why she deserved to go down in history. I learnt some really interesting things while reading and I will definitely be picking up the rest of the books in this series!
The Break
I actually read this as an audiobook, which I’m pretty sure I started back in January! It’s my first foray into Marian Keyes, and I was not disappointed. As I said in the review, I think I loved this book so much because I read it as an audiobook as the Irish author just added such charm and authenticity. It was funny and also very real and down-to-earth and I loved the characters. I’ll definitely be looking to read one of her books again! Read my full review here.
American Royals
I realised this month that despite the fact it’s my favourite genre, I really haven’t read much romance this year. So, when @travelsinfiction and I decided to co-read American Royals together, I couldn’t wait to get started! This book was everything I needed in a good romance: slushy, cliché, loveable, and to make it just a tad more interesting, just happened to involve the fictional royal family of America. I really enjoyed reading this and can’t wait for the sequel, and yes, it was a little predictable and comfortable, but I think that’s exactly the kind of book we could all do with right now! Read my full review here.
Reasons to Stay Alive
I was bought this book years ago, and while I have always heard good things, just had never got around to reading it. A self-help guide or manual to mental health, Matt Haig tells a very honest story in this book and while he admits what worked to help his mental health won’t necessary help everyone, his candour and straight-forward approach to improving your mental health was such a refreshing self-help book to read. I will be writing a full review soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
As you may know from my last wrap-up, I am currently hosting the #HPQuarantineReadathon on my Instagram where we are all re-reading the entire Harry Potter series. I’m really enjoying it, especially because I’m reading the illustrated editions cover-to-cover and I can’t wait to discover even more things I’d forgotten. For The Chamber of Secrets, I loved reading about the Deathday Party again, and Lockhart is even crazier than he is in the films!
Neverwhere
I was recommended this book as I had never read any Neil Gaiman and was told this was a good place to start. Concerning a world where both an above ground London, and underworld London exist, this book is all kinds of crazy! With angels, rats which talk, and people who can come back from the dead, I really wanted to love this book… unfortunately though, I just didn’t – I think mainly because I just didn’t like the characters much, but I’m hoping I may like his other books more. Again, full review coming soon!
Unfold Your Soul
Unfold Your Soul is the prescriptive memoir of Thea Woods and was sent to me by Midas PR. I really like reading memoirs (probably because I’m nosy) and this was unlike any other memoir I’ve read before, but I absolutely fell in love with the writing. Woods’ re-telling of her life may not be relatable for everyone, but what I loved was how she used her life events to shape her future, and I found that truly inspirational. You can read my full review here.
The Keeper of Lost Things
This book had always intrigued me because it had a stunning cover, and an interesting title. Concerning the life of Anthony Peardew and how he became “The Keeper of Lost Things” I fell in love with this book because it showed human connection in such a raw and compelling way. Covering themes of grief, mental disability, love, familial relationships, and Alzheimer’s, this book will pull at your heartstrings but also just warm it a little bit too.
Vox
This is a book I’d seen everywhere on Instagram when it first came out so have always wanted to read it. Set in a dystopian world where all women and girls are only allowed to speak 100 words a day, this book comments on the misogyny in society in such a powerful way. For lovers of The Handmaid’s Tale you will be hooked on this story and what it says between the lines, and I think it’s an important book for all readers to be exposed to right now.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
As we’re reading a book every fortnight for the #HPQuarantineReadathon, I read two this month! I have to say the Prisoner of Azkaban is the one so far which is the most different from the film. Just from little plot points and details, there was so much I’d forgotten and was very happy to read about again! Bring on the rest of the series!!