I thought March was busy, but April gave it a run for its money. Easter, Mouse's spring break, my mother's visit and my in-laws brief stopover. Mouse's postponed birthday celebration, my mom's surgery, Disneyland, Girl Scouts, Wizard of Oz rehearsals, dance classes and work. There was also sickness--again. We all caught colds in April, not to mention the hell called allergies. We are adopting a new kitten who will be coming home with us this next month, once she's a bit older. We have made frequent visits to see with her and will likely continue doing so until she comes home.
April was not the best reading month. You will notice that I was not able to finish April's TBR poll winner, Hazel Gaynor's The Girl From the Savoy, by the end of the month. I got a late start on it, but am enjoying it quite a bit.
Birthday Cake (take 2)
Wizard of Oz Rehearsal
Tom Sawyer's Island at Disneyland - Trapped in the Pirate's trap!
Mouse & Friends on the Teacups at Disneyland
Pixar Parade at Disneyland
Painting a Turtle with her Girl Scout Troop
New addition to our family (3 1/2 weeks old)
Our new baby at 4 1/2 weeks
My beauty
April was not the best reading month. You will notice that I was not able to finish April's TBR poll winner, Hazel Gaynor's The Girl From the Savoy, by the end of the month. I got a late start on it, but am enjoying it quite a bit.
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
- Dawn of the Flame Sea by Jean Johnson
- Demons of Flame Sea by Jean Johnson
- The Good Luck Sister by Jill Shalvis
A Wrinkle in Time was a re-read for me, although it had been many years since I last read it. My family and I saw the movie a couple weeks after I finished reading the book. It was a bit different, as expected, but we all enjoyed it. The Good Luck Sister was a lot of fun to read, but I found the Flame Sea novels to be just okay reads.
Book Reviews Posted in April (but not necessarily read in April):
- Bookish Thoughts: The Prime Minister's Secret Agent by Susan Elia MacNeal
- Bookish Thoughts: Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
- Bookish Thoughts: Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews
- Bookish Thoughts: One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews
- Bookish Thoughts: Hooked on a Phoenix by Ashlyn Chase
- Bookish Thoughts: My Tempting Highlander & My Seductive Highlander by Maeve Greyson
- Blog All About It & Discussion: Cover Attraction
Non-Book Review Posts in April:
- Wishing for Wednesday: Speakeasy & On a Cold Dark Sea
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (A Peek Into A Wrinkle in Time & My Best/Worst March Reads)
- Weekly Mews: Easter Loot & April's TBR List Poll
- Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Loved but Will Never Re-Read
- Wishing for Wednesday: Before Mars
- Weekly Mews: My New Kindle & April TBR Poll Winner!
- Wishing for Wednesday: Only Human
- Wishing for Wednesday: Perfect Mother & Social Creature
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (a peek into The Girl From the Savoy & My First and Last Read of 2017)
- Blog All About It & Discussion: Cover Attraction
Challenge & Read-Along Updates:
What's In A Name Reading Challenge ~ No new progress to report. I am still at having just read one book for this one. I guess it is good there are only six titles, I have to read. I really need to make more of an effort with this one.
The Grand World of Books Reviews Bingo ~ This month I was able to cross of a book made into a movie--A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.
Unruly Reader Bingo ~ I have the Outsider category covered this month with Dawn of the Flame Sea by Jean Johnson. Even among the elves with whom he has traveled, he is an outsider--not one of them. He is human, but not exactly.
2018 Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge ~ I debated whether to include the Jean Johnson books, Dawn of the Flame Sea and Demons of the Flame Sea, in my count for this challenge, but I think it they qualify. Even not counting the elves who are gifted at magic, the shaman like humans are able to manipulate fire and water to meet their needs as well. This brings my total for this challenge to five.
2018 Discussion Post Challenge ~ I combined this month's discussion post with the Blog All About It Challenge in which I discuss Cover Attraction.
2018 Blog All About It Challenge ~ April's topic is art, which I tied into a discussion titled Cover Attraction.
2018 Blog All About It Challenge ~ April's topic is art, which I tied into a discussion titled Cover Attraction.
Les Misérables Read-Along ~ I am loving this book! Jean Valjean and Cosette are making their way in Paris, trying to stay a step ahead of Inspector Javert. He and Cosette have taken refuge at the Bernardine Convent of the Perpetual Adoration.
War and Peace Read-Along ~ While not quite as captivated as my other year long read of the year, War and Peace is holding its own nowadays. The war scenes can be quite intense, and the drama on the home front just as much so. I feel a bit sorry for Pierre (I don't much care for his wife at the moment) and both rejoiced in Prince Andrei homecoming and was devastated by what he came home to at the same time. And poor Denisov, who was only trying to feed his troops, cannot now catch a break . . .
How did your April shape up reading wise? What was your favorite book you read in April?
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I may have been busy but it looks like there was a lot of fun. I love the cake. And yay for a new kitty.
ReplyDeleteChristy - The new kitty is super playful. I swear she never sleeps. Haha
DeleteI feel you on April going by too quickly! I'm a bit surprised that it's May now!
ReplyDeleteThe birthday cake looks amazing and I hope rehearsals are going well for Mouse!
Eustacia - The cake tasted good too. :-) The rehearsals are going well. She's having a fun time of it.
DeleteYou've done so much this month I feel exhausted just reading it! I'm in love with your new kitten though - and your older cat is gorgeous (even if they do look a bit miffed about the new arrival!).
ReplyDeleteVee @ Under The Mountain
Vee - Isn't she cute? It's fun having a new kitten in the house. My older cat was such a scruffy looking kitten, but she's a real beauty now. I love them both. :-)
DeleteI can see why April wasn't a great reading month. That's okay, though, because life happened - mostly in a good way.
ReplyDeleteKathy - Yes, it was overall a good month. :-)
DeleteWhat a stunning cake! Love the turtle picture--Mouse is getting all the details!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - She did a good job with the painting. It was quite a stressful experience for her though--and for me as I tried to reassure her she was doing a great job. She was so sure she couldn't do it. :-(
DeleteI love when you share this stuff, Wendy :) Since it's the back of the cake, that looks like a crown...and were they bracelets? SO colorful! And I hope your Mom's surgery went well. I wish I were in Disneyland, for sure, and what a cute kitty! :D
ReplyDeleteDonna Marie - I shared the front of the cake the month before. :-) It's a Wonder Woman themed cake. Mouse's favorite superhero. Thank you for the well wishes for my mom. The surgery did go well, thank goodness.
DeleteVery happy to hear it went well :) Just yesterday I saw a friend at the conference that--only two weeks ago--had a brain tumor removed! She looked great, but had to take it slower than she's accustomed. Health *sigh*
DeleteWow, you’ve been busy. I’m impressed that you were able to get so much reading/blogging done. That kitty is so cute! I want to snuggle it. Have a great May!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
AJ - I didn't do so well in May. LOL
DeleteLooks like you had an awesome April! I hope May is even better. :)
ReplyDeleteLark - It was a good month overall. :-)
DeleteWow you have alot of Challenges, good luck!! I haven't read Jill Shalvis in awhile. You did great I think!!
ReplyDeletehttps://justmeandmyblogreviews.blogspot.com/2018/05/april-wrap-up-post.html
Joann - Thank you! I think the month turned out well, considering.
DeleteSounds like a busy month with all the events you mentioned and the Disneyland trip looks like lots of fun! And your newly adopted kitty is a cutie. :)
ReplyDeleteMelody - It was a lot of fun. :-)
DeleteWow! You sure had a busy month in April! Glad you had a wonderful time at Disneyland! I really want to go there someday.
ReplyDeleteHere’s my April Monthly Wrap Up!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog
Ronyell - I hope you can. It's a great place to visit, albeit crowded!
DeleteI love Mouse's cake and all the Disneyland pictures. I've been to Disney World a few times but never Disneyland. It's on my list though! The new addition is soooo cute! I don't really consider myself a cat person but there's not much cuter than a kitten! April was not a great reading month for me either. Between stuff that had to be done and allergies I just want to sleep!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - The cake turned out well. And Disneyland was so much fun. Someday we may make it to Disney World. :-) I hope you've had a better time of it with allergies this month. Mine have been giving me trouble too unfortunately.
DeleteThat cake is just plain gorgeous!!! And the new kitty is super adorable---congrats on the new family member!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Nicole - I wish I could take credit for the cake, but I had to rely on the local grocery store baker for that one. :-) Thank you! We're enjoying our new family member.
DeleteLove the cake! You guys are going to have such a great time with your new family addition. That kitty is so cute. Hopefully May is going to be a bit more calm for you and most importantly, no illnesses to deal with!
ReplyDeleteIliana - Thank you! The kitten has changed so much just in the four weeks we've had her--at least appearance wise. She's still a little spitfire. LOL
DeleteYour new baby is so adorable, Wendy! I can’t wait to hear what you decide to name her. She looks just like my cat from when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteNicole - Thank you! She's adorable, but her energy level is higher than even Mouse's!
DeleteOh wow so busy. And that kitty is just the cutest. <3
ReplyDeleteAnnemieke - Thank you. She's adorable. :-)
DeleteWow, you've been keeping busy and Disneyland! *yay* Beautiful birthday cake. And awww the new kitten! So cute!
ReplyDeleteNaida - It has been a busy year. I need a break. LOL
DeleteYou were so busy! But you still managed to squeeze in some reading so I'm really impressed. I love Mouse's cake! Have you picked a name for the new kitty? It is totally adorable. I hope May treats you well.
ReplyDeleteTina @ As Told By Tina
Tina - Reading is my saving grace. It keeps me sane. LOL Our new kitten's name is Nina. Mouse got her way.:-)
DeleteYou had a whole lot going on during the month of April! It seems to go that way sometimes. I love your daughter's cake! And that new kitten!! I hope May turns out to be a great month for you.
ReplyDeleteCarole - Thank you! May was just as busy in its own way, but a good month overall.
DeleteThat cake looks awesome, and the kitty baby looks even better :) so adorable! And your bigger kitty is regal! Amazing fur.
ReplyDeleteI hope May is great too, both in terms of reading and everything else :)
Evelina - We've taken to calling my older kitty Queen Gracie. She's definitely got the attitude lately. LOL
DeleteI read A Wrinkle in Time for the first time last year and loved it. Glad you enjoyed your re-read. Have fun with your new kitten!
ReplyDeleteRebecca - A Wrinkle in Time is a good book. I hope to read it to my daughter if she becomes interested.
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