April Wrap-up!

Copy of Copy of Copy of MINI-REVIEW-6

Hello everyone!

Wow, it’s the end of April already!? I feel like it was just yesterday when I wrote my March Wrap-up post! (I always say that but it is so true!)

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April was a busy, productive and rewarding month for me. What exactly was I up to?!

  • Did my own taxes!! (++ adulting skills level up!)
  • Participated in Camp Nano with 25K word count target (and succeeded! Yay!!) and…
  • Psssst……. I am aaaaaalmost done my novel!
  • Participated in a 10K race while fighting a cold (and ran non-stop!!)
  • Had an amazing, week-long stay-cation which ends today (sigh…)

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I read 4 books in April, which is below my average (5-6 books). However this month I did want to focus on writing, so no regrets. Also I really enjoyed the books that I read!

It is my goal this year to read more historical fiction, which usually isn’t my genre of choice. Because of this I picked up The Book Thief, which is a novel about the day to day life of a young German girl during World War II. I loved that it is about a bookworm (yay!) and the power of words. The Book Thief might just be my favourite book of all time, and I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.

After reading The Book Thief, I was inspired to read more World War II stories, which inspired me to pick up Sarah’s Key. In this novel, Sarah is a Jewish girl whose family is apprehended in the Vel’ D’hiv roundup by the French police. Although this is a slower book, I was able to connect with the characters and I enjoyed learning more about history.

Yes! I am re-reading Harry Potter! It’s been 10 years, so I feel that it is about time! It was a great feeling to crack open the spine of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and sink into a magical world that I enjoyed so much as a child. Check out my review of the first book here.

I also enjoyed Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, where Harry and his crew investigates the attacks on Muggle-born students. We are introduced to some new characters, like Dobby, Moaning Myrtle, and Ginny Weasley. I love the budding chemistry between Ron and Hermione in this book- they are too cute!

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One of my favourite parts about blogging is to read the incredible stuff written by other bloggers. Here are some of the posts that inspired me this month:

Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight muses about why she never gives 1-star ratings. I can relate to every point that she makes in this post!

Beth @ Reading Every Night raises the question: Do you have to buy books to be a good blogger? My answer is a definite “no” since I often use the library- what do you think?

Margaret @ Weird Zeal talks about re-reading and why we should all do it! Personally I don’t think I re-read enough!

Zeee @ I Heart Romance & YA identifies herself as a serial book hopper. At any given time, I am usually in the middle of 2 or 3 books. Do you finish a book before starting the next one, or do you read several at once?

Ever stuck while trying to write a review? Fear not, because Marie @ Drizzle and Hurricane Books tells us exactly how to write a review!

Norie @ Reading Under the Blankie shares tips about how to get over that reading slump!

Dani @ Perspective of a Writer shares some insights about moving to a self-hosted blog!

Are villains underrated? The Orang-utan Librarian tells us all about why villains should be our favourite characters.

For the writers out there: Dawn Gresko shares tips about staying motivated while writing. My favourite? Make writing a priority!

Fadwa @ Word Wonders shows us how she stays organized when it comes to reading and blogging. Be prepared for epic spreadsheets and awesome bullet journal pages!

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How was your April? Do you love to travel or do you prefer staycations? Do you read historical fiction, and if so, any favourites? Do you tend to buy or borrow books? How many books are you typically reading at one time? Are you a book hopper?

45 thoughts on “April Wrap-up!”

  4. Marie says:
    Reply

    Oh wow congratulations on already almost finishing your novel, that’s amazing, I remember when you finished your contemporary, you are on fire with all of the writing haha, that’s incredible 🙂
    I’m glad you overall had a productive month, Sophie, here’s to an amazing month of May 🙂 ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Beth (Reading Every Night) says:
    Reply

    Oh thanks so much for featuring my discussion in your recap Sophie. I’m so glad you enjoyed it enough to feature it (also based on the comments I think most people’s answer to that question is no. Mine is as well even though I don’t have a decent library!)
    I am so so glad you loved The Book Thief, hearing you call it one of your favourite books of all time is brilliant because it’s one of mine too. Also I really need to try and re-read Harry Potter at some point this year (knowing my luck I won’t be able to get to it until the very very end of the year though). 🙂
    Great post, and I hope you have an incredible May as well Sophie. 🙂 ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    • Sophie Li says:
      Reply

      Hello Beth! I really enjoyed the thoughtful discussion topic you posted which is why I featured it 🙂 That’s great to hear that most people are in agreement!
      Yes the Book Thief is really amazing and I am so glad that I finally read it 🙂 I just started book 3 of Harry Potter and in a way I can see how it is written for children, however I still enjoy the book.
      Thank you Beth! Wishing you a wonderful May as well ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  7. MichaelK says:
    Reply

    You achieved so much in April,well done!
    Easter dominated my April which was a good one bookwise. I love to travel but I can’t really afford it anymore so I have learnt to appreciate staycations!
    I only read one book at a time (with a possible sidekick of a purely technical/scientific one) and I don’t book-hop! Quite unremarkable I guess.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Sophie Li says:
      Reply

      Hello Michael! Seems like you enjoyed the books you’ve read this month which is great 🙂 Hope you enjoyed the Easter celebrations!
      Travelling is great but I am a big fan of staycations! I always dislike the feeling of coming home to a big mess (which is usually the case after a vacation!) and I feel like I can get much more accomplished when I just stay at home. Also, we can kick back and relax without feeling guilty about not doing anything 🙂 And we save money too!
      I book hop a little bit but only because I listen to an audiobook when I exercise. I think there are benefits of just having one book to focus on!

      Liked by 2 people

  9. Merline says:
    Reply

    Congratulations on almost finishing your novel and running a 10K! That’s exciting. I read 5 books this month, but I spent most of April focused on school and binge watching Parks and Rec for the first time. Lol

    Liked by 1 person

    • Sophie Li says:
      Reply

      Hello Jessie! Yes The Book Thief is such an amazing book and looking back I am surprised that I haven’t read it earlier. I’ve heard good things about the movie so far so it is absolutely on my to-watch list 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  12. Dani @ Perspective of a Writer says:
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    First thank you for featuring my post! I so appreciate that! 😀 And YAY to almost being done with you novel! You are such a trooper, you inspire me Sophie. The Book Thief seems to be a universal favorite… I haven’t read it and I fear to because the hype is so huge… *cries* Super fun that you are reading Harry Potter again… it sure is tempting to do that and see if I still have the same likes, etc…

    There are certainly posts that I missed this time around! I will need to check them out… ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    • Sophie Li says:
      Reply

      Hello Dani!
      Thank you ❤ Hope that your novel is going well too 🙂
      My expectations were up there before I read the Book Thief but I still really enjoyed it! The only thing I find is that the pacing is on the slow side however I think it is meant to be a slower book, and I loved every bit of it regardless. Hope that you will read this book one day and enjoy it as much as I did 🙂
      Rereading HP is such an experience haha. This time around, I can definitely tell that it is a series written for children but I'm still liking it very much. Dumbledore's wise quotes are ageless I think 🙂
      Wishing you a wonderful May!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Pingback: 20 Amazing Book Blog you ought to Follow!! – BOOKS AND CO.
  14. Beware Of The Reader says:
    Reply

    My April month was great but really busy. Who am I kidding it’s busy since I began blogging 😉 Thanks for the posts here above I’ll go have a look ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  18. justmejuls says:
    Reply

    I do tend to borrow books because I know I’ll take good care of them and the owner won’t hunt me down and kill me afterwards. I do not lend my books out because of the condition I always get them back in! I also buy books. I ma happy you had such a good month!

    Liked by 1 person

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