First of all, I can't believe I didn't post a retrospective for March! It makes me sad (since I'm a teensy bit OCD about stuff like that, and I'm disappointed I failed). But, since this is my blog and I can do whatever I want - I'm doing a double retrospective for March & April today!
March was a month that blew hot and cold for me. There was a mix of wonderful and awful things going on during that time, and I was super homesick for the Philippines and family and friends. It ended on a high note though, since the Teen Author Festival happened towards the end of the month and I got to hang out with awesome people.
April, on the other hand, was a total treat! This, of course, is in spite of the awful back-and-forth weather and the battalion of pollen that has just now arrived. I enjoyed a few author events, hung out with a lot of friends and generally just felt more positive about life. There are a few more big things in the works, but I'm feeling hopeful and excited.
Okay, so since this is a double retrospective, please see my top 5 for March + April. March's top 5 is located on the top of this collage, while April is on the bottom.
Reviews
Going Too Far - Jennifer Echols
Timespell - Diana Paz
Shadow & Bone - Leigh Bardugo
A Night Like This - Julia Quinn
Hooked - Liz Fichera
The Truth about Breaking Up, Making Up and Moving On - Chad Eastham
Safe Haven - Nicholas Sparks (This also has my thoughts on the movie!)
Defiance - C.J. Redwine
Finnikin of the Rock - Melina Marchetta
Me Before You - Jojo Moyes
Throne of Glass novellas - Sarah J. Maas
The Nightmare Affair - Mindee Arnett
Destroy Me - Tahereh Mafi
Forsaken Dreams - MaryLu Tyndall
Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality - Elizabeth Eulberg
A Corner of White - Jaclyn Moriarty
Dragon Run - Patrick Matthews
The Mark of Athena - Rick Riordan
Something Borrowed + Something Blue - Emily Giffin
The Ward - Jordana Frankel
Catching Jordan - Miranda Kenneally
Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood - Abby McDonald
The Wanderer - Robyn Carr
And Then I Found You - Patti Callahan Henry
Odette's Secrets - Maryann Macdonald
Out of This Place - Emma Cameron
Revolution - Jennifer Donnelly
Riptide - Lindsey Scheibe
Strands of Bronze and Gold - Jane Nickerson
Froi of the Exiles - Melina Marchetta
Moonset - Scott Tracey
Features
Discussion: Finnikin of the Rock, Weeks 3 + 4
It Takes Two: March 2013
A Song of Ice and Fire Read-Along (You should definitely join in!)
A Sunday Retrospective (15)
Interview: Diana Paz
A Sunday Retrospective (16)
10 Books on My Spring TBR List
A Sunday Retrospective (17)
10 Books I Have But Haven't Read Yet
Character Analysis: The Little Mermaid
A Sunday Retrospective (18)
The Colors of Madeleine Blog Tour
The Monday Mix || April 8 2013
Companion Novels Challenge: April-May
The Monday Mix || April 15 2013
2nd Blog Anniversary (Giveaway 1, Giveaway 2&3)
BEA Part of It/New York, NY: Bookstores for Bookworms
Dear Cassie: A Letter about Fantasy Novels
BEA Part of It/New York, NY: So You Want To Be A Tourist
Discussion: Currently, I Have a Series-ous Problem
The Monday Mix || April 29 2013
Life, Love & Other Stuff
My Trip to the Philippines
Remembering Lolo Joseph
Mom
A Tale of Two Teachers
NYC Teen Author Festival 2013
Across the Brooklyn Bridge
My Bookshelves, Part I
Sisters & Books
Happy Birthday, My Love
WHOA. ALEXA. YOU HAVE HAD A BUSY TWO MONTHS GIRL!!! I keep meaning to try and format a post like this, but it's such a monstrous task, I can't even! You are, as always, my inspiration. Anyway, I'm sorry March was such a mixed bag of a month, glad April was better and KNOW MAY WILL BE AWESOME. ^_^
ReplyDeleteMay will most definitely be awesome, mostly because (a) YOU'RE BACK, (b) BEA is happening, (c) I get to go to Boston, (d) YOU'RE BACK. I just know we will have mac and cheese, sushi, book dates in store. And also dates where we visit museums and work on our blogs and just hang out together. NYC needs to get ready for our AWESOMENESS.
DeleteLots of awesome reviews for both months! I hope you have an awesome May :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Cindy! So far May is off to a sneezy start (literally, because of my allergies), but I hope it gets better :)
DeleteShadow and bone <3
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read some of the other books (like Finnickin & Defiance) you've reviewed. I hope this month is going to be great for you! :D
Mel@thedailyprophecy.
I'm SUPER excited for Siege and Storm. I can't wait to see what Mal, Alina and the Darkling get up to and meet the new characters too!
DeleteI hope you enjoy the books, especially those two. They're slow to start with, but I personally find that they get better.
I am dyyyyying to read Defiance and Shadow and Bone! I'm so behind everyone else. I need to read this giant pile of review books and then I can finally get to them. I hope May turns out to be AWESOME for you :D
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely read Shadow and Bone! It's absolutely wonderful, and thoroughly imaginative. Defiance is also good, but it took me a while to really get into it. Hope you have an awesome May too!
DeleteBwahaha, it's your blog, you do what you want! I love that Froi and Finnikin made your top 5 lists, they made mine as well. AND I'm totally pumped that I'm finally (hopefully) going to get the chance to meet you this month at BEA!
ReplyDelete