Well, I guess April 2021 will be known as The Month I Took A Break From Blogging. Or maybe the month when I finally gave in and just gave up on things for a bit. I will say the break was needed. Work has been super slammed and my brain is basically useless when I’m home. I spent a lot of time watching mindless TV (hello, The Circle) and Kdramas. Also, I think I finally have pandemic fatigue. I’m just tired. I got my second covid shot! And then got sick from it for a couple of days. And one of my cats is dying. I mean, she’s been sick off and on for a while but now my fears have been confirmed and we’re just going to do our best to take care of her until she gets too sick and then that will be that. I spent a lot of time this past week and a half crying. Anyone who has ever had pets knows what I mean.
Anyway. I somehow managed to finish 12 whole books? Despite all that? Even though it’s all kind of a blur. It was an interesting mix in April too–not just my usual blend of SFF and Romance.
The breakdown:
- 7 novels, 1 novella, 2 graphic novels, 1 nonfiction book, 1 epic poem
- 7 Speculative Fiction–4 Fantasy, 3 Sci-fi.
- 2 Romance–1 Contemporary, 1 Historical
- 1 Self-help
- 1 Thriller
- 1 Classic (The Odyssey as translated by Emily Wilson – quite enjoyed her lengthy notes!)
FAVORITE READS OF THE MONTH:
It’s been such an odd month for me, like things felt really foggy in some ways. I couldn’t even remember what all I had read so I had to go back and rely on goodreads.
- Network Effect by Martha Wells. I have NO idea why I had waited so long to read this but it was an absolute DELIGHT and my love for all things Murderbot is still going strong.
- All the Murmuring Bones by A.G. Slatter. Holy crap this book. THIS BOOK. It’s soooo very atmospheric and WEIRD. The main character is both relatable and somehow off-putting at the same time? It’s just such a strange, dark, gothic little book. I’m all about it, tbh. I have to thank my fellow bloggers for putting this one on my radar.
APRIL’S BOOK REVIEWS:
This may be the fewest reviews I’ve ever had in a month since I first started blogging back in late 2017. Yikes.
- The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers – 5/5 stars
- Spellbound by Ophelia Silk – 4/5 stars
OTHER POSTS:
Still managed to get out a couple of non-regular posts. Yay?
- 2021 r/Fantasy Book Bingo Reading Challenge
- My Personal Plans for Tackling the Rest of 2021 (LOLOLOLOLOL)
- Wyrd & Wonder Announcement
PLANS FOR MAY:
Let’s just scrap whatever April’s plans were because they got thrown right out the window. I didn’t even finish my April TBR. Although I am still in the middle of reading two of the books! Hopefully I can get my crap together and finish them in May.
Speaking of May. Well, I’m going to ease back into things. Try and get some reviews written. Try and enjoy reading as much as possible. Enjoy Wyrd & Wonder and just see what happens. I suppose it will be better than April but I guess we’ll find out. Honestly don’t know if I’m ready to come back full time yet. So….we’ll see how things go. I do have my first family function since Christmas of 2019 coming up this weekend but other than that my plan is to start out this month with getting back into my blog. It sorely needs some TLC. And not to mention I miss talking to y’all!
And, that about sums things up. How was your month? Leave a note in the comments, I’d love to chat!
Way Too Fantasy 
I’m so sorry to hear about your cat – that’s awful news, what a blow. Sending big hugs and much love.
I’ve been weirdly productive without feeling like I’ve got anything done, and my brain doesn’t know how to reconcile that. But, yay?
…and I’m back to being really curious about All The Murmuring Bones now. I was curious pre-release then saw a couple so-so reviews and forgot about it and then this week it’s jumped back on the radar sounding awesome. Maybe a Spooktastic Reads pick for me this year 🙂
Thank you. It’s sad but that’s also life.
I can’t really say that I’ve been all that productive but I did manage to get my house mostly cleaned so I guess that counts for something? LOL. I really need to get back to blogging. I have definitely not gotten anything done blogging wise for almost a month! Hope you can start feeling productive soon.
I really loved All the Murmuring Bones. It would make a great pick for Spooktastic Reads.
I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. Our pets are part of the family so I understand how hard it is to lose one. I managed to read more than I thought I had but several of them were graphic novels.
Thanks, yeah that is how it is. It’s tough!
I had actually wanted to read even more graphic novels but things just got away from me.
I feel like April was a weird month for everyone for whatever reason.
Yeah….
I truly believe that blogging is more about the quality of your posts than about the quantity. So if you have to chose, go for quality. If I have to downsize on activities to have more time for other issues, blogging is among one of the first things to get chopped. A little tip: cats have a tendency to hide themselves when they feel that their time has come. Best to let them. It’s their way.
Sorry you had such a rough month😥 Maybe the Wyrd & Wonder energy will rub off on you. Take care and give your kitty a kiss for me😁
Thanks, Tammy! I’m really looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and I’m hoping Wyrd & Wonder will help with that.
I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. This pandemic has had such an effect on my family too. I feel like we’re in the home stretch now though. Congrats on your vaccines! I’m now fully vaccinated too. The second shot put me down for a day.
Have a beautiful May and take care. Hugs ❤️
Yeah, I think we’re finally starting to get back to some small sense of normalcy. I had company for the first time since January of 2020 so things might be looking up!
Thank you. ❤
I am so sorry about your cat. As someone who is very close to my pets, I understand the pain you must be feeling. All the best to you and yours, and give that cat all the love you can give, and just take some time to yourselves and try not to worry about other things for a while.
Thank you ❤
i’m so sorry to hear about your cat, i hope you’re doing okay. hope you have fun with your family!!
Thanks, Kaya! ❤
I’m so sorry about your cat, it’s hard to watch them in pain. But yay for the second covid shot. I hope you take it easy and can escape a little into your books. 🙂
Thank you!
I’m really glad to have the vaccine over and done with. Phew!
I’m so so sorry to hear about your cat, that really sucks. *hug*
If you need a pick me up and haven’t gotten to Fugitive Telemetry yet, DO IT. It might be my favorite in the series.
Thanks. I haven’t read that yet! I need to get to it.
Can’t wait to continue with the Murderbot series. I’m only 1 book in but I love the fact that you live them. It makes me really excited.
Yay for your second shot! Nay for you not feeling well after. That sucks. Also the cat situation – not good. No wonder you’ve been taking time off blogging so much. I hope May will be better for you!
Oh they are all so much fun! There’s another new one that just came out and I need to get to that soon.
Thanks, Ivy. Yeah I’m glad I got thr shot even though I was sick a bit–beats the alternative!
Sending you so much love, Lisa! ❤ Cats are truly the most wonderful animals in the world.
I also barely managed to get through my April TBR, although I was taking it pretty easy and am doing the same thing as I embark on May. Easy, apparently, is trying to read six 500+ page books, but ah well, it is what it is, haha!
Thank you, Mary! ❤
I don't think I finished one from my April tbr but I am partway through 2 so I am going to count that as a win at this point 🤣
Good luck with those chonks!
Oh so sorry April wasn’t great and I’m sorry to hear about your cat too. That is tough
The more I read about All the Murmuring Bones the more curious I get. I just might get myself a copy.
Thanks!
All the Murmuring Bones was just my sort of weird. 🙂 If you check I out I hope you enjoy!
All the murmuring bones is on my tbr !
Also so sorry for your cat, sending all the love to you
It’s very weird and gothic–if you’re into atmospheric books then I definitely recommend. 🙂
Thank you! ❤
I’m so sad about your cat and I know exactly what you’re going through. My little dog passed last month and I virtually did nothing for a full month. TBH reading is helping to distract me a little. I hope you’re okay.
Lynn 😀
Thank you, Lynn. I’m so sorry to hear about your dog, sending you all the love right back. It’s so tough dealing with the loss. I have just thrown myself into reading lots of cheesy and entertaining things and that seems to be helping. Hope you are doing well. ❤