April 2016 Rewind

19:40 Cilla 10 Comments


Hello there! How did you go in April? For me, April was a balancing act (as always), but it was also a fun month.

In Life


  • My friend got me to sign up for Active April, which basically challenged you to do something active for 30 minutes every day. I failed quite miserably, but I managed to exercise at least once a week. That's an improvement from practically never, so maybe it's not a complete failure after all!
  • I've never been much of a cook, but lately I've been making myself try out new recipes. Really simple ones, of course, but I'll take my little victories. Like managing to cook a nice steak with mushroom sauce and roast veggies. 
  • Cor and I went to see a talk by Isobelle Carmody, which was absolutely fascinating. I'm not as familiar with her work as Cor is - read about what that experience was like for her here - but I always love listening to writers discuss their writing process. 

New to My Shelves


That's right, I only got one book this month, and it's from the library. I'm actually sticking to my book buying ban! A Court of Thorns and Roses is my first foray into Sarah J. Maas' writing, so I'm finally seeing what all the buzz is about.

Reviews

Other Things on the Blog


  • I celebrated my first blogoversary! 
  • I joined a cool new meme by Geraldine @ Coralling Books and Joan @ Fiddler Blue called Conversations! Every fortnight, they post a prompt to discuss. Check out my responses to April's topics here.
  • Not exactly on the blog, but related - I started joining photo challenges on instagram, for one. I'm still not very good at posting everyday (and for the most part I can't 'cause I don't have the right books anyway) but the challenges push me to be more creative with my photos. Check out my April photos here!  
  • I'm so behind on replying to comments and commenting back. D: Sorry! I really do appreciate the time everyone takes to comment, so I will be replying! 

Challenges Progress

  • Goodreads challenge: 16/30 books
  • Discussion challenge: 3/24 discussion posts
  • Diverse Reads challenge: 4 books
  • #RockMyTBR challenge: 4 books
  • Backlist Books challenge: 6 books
  • Around the World challenge: Book Map
  • Commenting 365 challenge: 44/365 comments 

In Store for Next Month

  • Reviews for some OzYA titles! And reviews in general. I've been reading a lot this last two months. It's quite intimidating to think of how many reviews I could write actually.
  • Hopefully some discussion posts, whether it's a response to Conversations or my own idea.
  • Another installment of Plucked: From Page to Screen. Technical difficulties have gotten in the way in April, but hopefully Cam and I can bring you the next one this month!

How was your April? Did you try something new? 
What was your favourite book you read last month?
Do you have a bookstagram? Leave me your username in the comments if you do!

10 comments:

  1. Julia8 May 2016 at 23:10

    I joined Conversations this month, and I love it! I'm so happy to see a good, quality bookish feature.

    And my favorite book from April was Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. It was just so profound and meaningful. (But also a super fun read!)

    Glad to see you enjoyed April! (Bookstagram: tree.of.books)

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    1. Cilla22 May 2016 at 17:22

      Yayy, I'm glad you've joined Conversations! I look forward to reading your posts :D Ooh I've heard mixed reviews about Ready Player One; I should check it out one day. Thanks Julia! (And followed you on bookstagram :D)

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  2. Lauren B9 May 2016 at 12:41

    Happy blogoversary and I hope you enjoy A Court of Thorns and Roses. It does take some time to get into it but its worth it in the end.
    Have a great week.

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    1. Cilla22 May 2016 at 17:25

      Thanks, Lauren! :) A Court of Thorns and Roses is so not what I expected, but I have enjoyed it! Hope you're having a great May!

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  3. Romi11 May 2016 at 19:42

    The Isobel Carmody event sounds really interesting. I haven't been able to go to many author events, since few authors I follow come to my part of the world, but hearing an author you love (or one you're interested in) talk about their work must be fantastic, and I can imagine you had a good time. Hopefully, if you read her work, you really enjoy it, too!

    I hope your cooking endeavours continue to go well! It's definitely all about trying a bunch of different things, and it certainly doesn't sound like you're going too badly at all! I really enjoy cooking, and it can be equally fun to make time tried favourites as it can be to make something completely new (even though sometimes that is more often linked to recipes failing, although that's a part of it, I suppose! Even if it can be a little disheartening). Good luck with whatever you cook up next! x

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    1. Cilla22 May 2016 at 17:38

      She was really fascinating to listen to! I understand what it's like; I used to live in what feels like Narnia when it comes to author events. I hope you get to go again soon! I have only read one or two of Isobelle's books, but I did have a good time :D

      My cooking endeavours is still going well, to my surprise! Though I did burn my thumb the other night haha, but the food turned out well. If you have a favourite, easy recipe, do let me know! :D Thanks, Romi! <3

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  4. Alecia 14 May 2016 at 10:59

    Sounds like a pretty good month it was for you in April! Congrats on your first blogoversary, the first is always the most exciting I think! I'm looking forward to your OzYA books you'll be reviewing as I am a huge fan of the Aussie books seeing as I am one myself ;) I really need to get started on A Court of Thorns and Roses as well, the craze for the series is unbelievable!

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    1. Cilla22 May 2016 at 17:42

      Thanks so much, Alecia! It was definitely very exciting :D I'm really enjoying the OzYA books, and hopefully I'll get the reviews up soon :D And I know right?? The love for that series is madness, though having read ACOTAR, I can see why!

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  5. Unknown18 May 2016 at 10:41

    Happy first blogoversay! Wow congrats on making to 1 year and I look forward to many more to come. Also good for you on sticking to your book buying ban! I'm in the same boat and although it's difficult it does give me an excuse to go to the library more. Hope you're enjoying your month of May so far!

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    1. Cilla22 May 2016 at 17:43

      Thank you, Deb! :D I've surprised myself with the book buying ban. I think the trick is to never walk into a bookshop alone haha, especially now that I've told most of my friends that I'm on the ban. It's always a good thing to be going to the library more, I think! :D Hope you're having a great month!

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