April Wrap-Up

This is where I talk about how the month went for me when it came to reading and some events that maybe sparked me to read more (or stopped me from reading as much as I wanted to). I also link all the reviews I did in the month, update any reading challenges I've signed up for, discuss my plans for the following month, non-book things I've enjoyed, and give updates of my life. This year I have decided that I am not making a big deal on how many books I read or letting myself feel any guilt for the amount I didn't read. I am just going to read what sounds good in the moment without any guilt or pressure.

* = favorites for the month

Book Reviews

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black*
Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce*
Jessica Jones Vol. 1 by Brian Michael Bendis
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X. R. Pan*
This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab*
In The Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
Love, Hate, and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll*
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor*
Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertali*
How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid*

Movies/TV Shows

Raise Your Voice - I watched this movie in high school like ten years ago and I loved it. It was the first time I watched Kat Dennings in anything, an actress I love, and I had (have) a giant crush on Hillary Duff. It's a cheesy movie but in the best ways and it was really fun to revisit it.
Justice League - Honestly, I don't think this deserved the amount of hate it got. I found it to be enjoyable. Granted, far from perfect, but not the dumpster fire the internet lead me to believe it was. I mean my love for Gal Gadot is stronger than any movie so I was bound to at least enjoy her parts.
Shape of Water* - I was super hesitant to watch this initially. It sounded a bit weird and not something I'd be into but I am so happy my fiancé really wanted to watch it because it's definitely one of my favorite movies.
Catch That Kid - Another movie I watched way too long ago that I wanted to revisit. This is another one where I had a huge crush on the actress (Kristen Stewart) and I fell in love with this movie as a kid. I remembered very little so it was kind of like re-watching it for the first time. As an adult, although I liked the movie, the weird dynamic between Kristen Stewart's character and the two male main characters felt  a bit weird and gross to me. The rest of the story was great and the actors were great.
Netflix's Lost in Space* - My fiancé and I are about half way through this remake and we are loving it. I wasn't sure how I'd feel because I am not a huge science fiction fan but I have really been loving it. Penny is my favorite character and I will protect her forever.
Steven Universe (season 4)* -  Steven Universe is my favorite cartoon kid's show that has come out in the last decade or so. It's so damn good and I cannot get enough of it.
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir - This kid's show is so frikkin cute. I had to get used to the art style but once I did I started really enjoying it. It's cheesy and a bit predictable but I think it's really sweet.
The Voice - My fiancé Matt and I have a love/hate relationship with The Voice. Our favorites always end up going home and then the musicians we ended up hating end up winning. It is a bit frustrating to watch. However, my favorite girl is still hanging on (I refuse to jinx it by saying who) so maybe we have a shot this year.
Siren*- We are still loving Siren so much. It's this dark mermaid show on Freeform that is actually really good. Sometimes Freeform shows can be hit or miss but we are enjoying it.
Shadowhunters - Although I know diehard fans of Cassandra Clare books hate this show, as someone who has only read the first three TMI books, I am enjoying the show. They've obviously gone completely off track and I have no real idea where the story is headed but I love the actors. I'm easy to please, but I understand I am also not as attached to the original story.
Dancing With the Stars - This started this week. It's only a four week season (so weird!) but I am really excited for Adam Rippon and Mirai Nagasu to kick butt.

Music

Cute Without You - Emma Blackery* - I love this song. I have been really enjoying all of the music Emma has been releasing lately but this one has been my favorite so far. Of course, she's releasing another song May 4th so maybe I'll like that one more! I highly recommend both Cute Without You and Dirt.
No Tears Left To Cry - Ariana Grande* - I've been a huge fan of Ariana's music and I love her new song!
Queendom - Aurora* - I love Aurora's music! Her music videos are always gorgeous, and the one for her new single Queendom is so pretty! I love it.
Expectations - Hayley Kiyoko* - I know this was a favorite last month but after listening to it on repeat, I need everyone to really understand how amazing this album is. Listen to it! It's amazing.

Apps/Game

Harry Potter Mystery Game - I have been incredibly hyped about this the moment it was announced, and I am really enjoying it. I do get annoyed with how quickly you can run out of energy and I wish the game had...more. It's basically this tapping game. I have just started dueling, and that's a weird new version of rock paper scissors, and there's a Gobstone game that I find really strange and not at all what I remember it being like in previous Harry Potter games. I'm enjoying it, but not 10/10 loving it.

Life Updates

Life has been okay. We have been having some financial issues with car stuff unfortunately but I think we finally got that handled. I have been reading a lot and writing not as much. I have been writing but I am not sure what's up with me. I think I just need to push through. My mom is coming up for a few days the first week of May and I am hoping a nice visit from her will get me out of my funk.

May Plans

Life has been pretty good so far! My fiancé and I booked a venue for our wedding! It was so much fun. My mom came up for a few days and we went to tour a gorgeous venue and it was perfect for us. So we have our venue and we've picked our colors. So now the wedding planning is finally beginning and I am so excited. Other than fun wedding stuff, it's also my fiancé's birthday late May so that's exciting. For reading, I have a few things on my TBR that I need to get read. I have three library books in my possession currently, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, Every Heart a Doorway, and The Way I Used to Be. I have a few I am waiting for also, but we will see when they show up. I want to read Prince of Flames by Ben Alderson, which is the novella of the Dragori series. The second book, Found in Night, is coming out in June so I want to be prepared. I may even re-read the first book, Cloaked in Shadow, too. Other than that I am just going to pick up what interests me. I am thinking of reading Red Rising because that's such a hyped series and I have the first one on my kindle.

Overall, May is going to be a pretty packed month. But I am excited for the warmer part of spring and I am even more excited to read all these books I have on my TBR!

Thanks for reading!

How was your April? What do you have planned for May?