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1. I got sunburned: I’m not particularly excited about THAT but I’m excited about the fact we had a beautiful 80 degree day in which Will and I went to our favorite brew pub, sat out on the deck and the walked around that part of the city. And I got the most amazing cookie ice cream sandwich EXCEPT for the fact that moment was tainted by a guy who came INTO the store with a very big snake wrapped around his neck and I had a panic attack. COULD NOT GET OUT OF THERE FAST ENOUGH. But yay cute outfit weather?? Unleashing my pasty legs on the world!!!
2. I had a walk down memory lane that was kind of hard — So, my stepdad is getting remarried (my mom passed away in 2006 for those of you who don’t know that). My sister and I are still very close to my stepdad and we both still have stuff there at his house in our rooms. BUT the new wife and her kids are moving in soon and so we had to go clean out our stuff and also go through some of my mom’s stuff. It was really, really hard to clean out my mom’s stuff and watch all the things that still made me think of my mom in the house basically be taken down. It feels like another part of the grieving process. Another piece I’m losing of her and it was hard. Going through my stuff made me all nostalgic but I found some childhood books and stuff. It’s a weird feeling to realize you won’t have a room in your childhood home anymore. I will go there and basically be a visitor.
3. I have been consistently working out this month: I had gotten out of habit this year but April was definitely the month of getting back on the wagon and I feel GREAT. It takes a lot for me to motivate myself to do it but once I’m doing it and after I feel great (even if I’m dying and sore).
4. I got to see my dad TWICE in one month– My dad lives 4 hours away and Will & I went up and visited him for Easter but then he and my stepmom just came down this past week for my niece’s 18th birthday party.
5. I officially decided I’m going to BEA: I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen this year — money-wise and just if I WANTED to go but over Easter weekend I officially decided that I would especially since next year is in Chicago and that will be way harder for me to go if I’m still blogging and interested in going.
I put all my Monthly Rewinds in a Spotify playlist so you can listen to them here !
1. Let Me Down Easy — Max Frost
2. Bros — Wolf Alice
3. Still Want You — Brandon Flowers
4. Carried Away — Dionysia
5. What’s Real — Waters
6. Painted — MS MR
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Until We Can’t (Let’s Go) by Passion Pit, Shame by Young Fathers, Wild Eyes by Matthew Mayfield, 1999 by Active Child, Change Is Everything by Son Lux
Check out the rest of my April playlist
I read 11 books this month (2 of them being via audiobooks)
99 Days by Katie Cotugno: I LOVED Katie’s debut How To Love and I seriously enjoyed this one as well as HARD it is to read. The character is uber flawed and makes mistakes and does shitty things and I loved it. Katie is the queen of writing uber messy and complicated stuff. Especially in this case to make me like a character who does things I am so not down with. Post to come on this one!
All the Rage by Courtney Summers: SUCH AN IMPORTANT BOOK. I vote it should be required reading for all teenagers (and adults obviously).
Things We Know By Heart by Jessi Kirby: What a sweet and heartfelt book this was! Post to come on this one!
I really enjoyed my second Heather Demetrios book, Something Real, (I was backwards and read her debut after I read I’ll Meet You There). Such a good discussion starter!!
“The great thing about this life of ours is that you can be someone different to everybody.” — All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
I was really thinking about this one. It’s SO true.
1. If We Were Having Coffee — I love this chats with you all. Thanks for letting me talk and thanks for sharing stuff with me!
2. Whatcha In The Mood For: I’m so excited for my new series on this blog and I’m glad you loved it too!
3. I Need A Recommendation: Audiobooks: You guys are CLUTCH! Thank you for all your suggestions. STILL going through them all weeks later!!!
4. 10 Inspiring Quotes From Books: LOVE THESE QUOTES SO MUCH.
5. My 3 Part Series Trying to Explain Where My Head Has Been At Lately With Reading: I’m glad I broke this into 3 parts rather than the mess of a post it was before. Post 1, Post 2, Post 3!
ANY of my book talks! I keep trying to figure out if it’s that people don’t care about things that resemble reviews (my book talks) in general or if it’s me.
Oh HEY I posted a video this month:
1. Notes On Authenticity: This blogger has been one of my favorite travel blogs for years because she always writes such thought-provoking posts.
2. Because I Don’t Want To: I really loved this post. So many times I feel like I need to come up with good reasons not to do something and, you know what, sometimes the fact that I just don’t want to is a good enough reason. Also, the idea of doing things just because you HAVE been really resonated with me. “Just because you’ve been doing something a certain way for a month or a year or 10 years doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it that way. If you want to stop, you can stop. If you want to change, you can change.” Especially in relation to my blog. It’s given me motivation to take a step back and look at the things I’ve been doing “just because it’s the way I’ve done things for 5 years” rather than because I actually still desire to.
3. 9 Life Lessons From Kimmy Schmidt: I just bingewatched and LOVED The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt so I loved this post!
4. Always One More Time: I needed this little reminder!
5. Remove One Word From Your Vocab & It Will Change Your Life: Oh my gosh I say this ALL the time. I’m trying to experiment with banning this from my vocab.
I ‘ve got two questions this month because one is definitely more blogger specific:
Are you going to BEA this year???
Who is one author you wish you could meet?
Pick a category (or 5… or all of them) and tell me what went on in YOUR life this month!! What sort of things were noteworthy for you this month? New obsessions? Any new song recs?? Best books you read this month? Great posts I missed on your blog? Answer to my question of the month?
Holly says
Still Want You has been my jam recently. Oh my goodness, how I love Brandon Flowers! Happy May!
Jamie says
RIGHT? So good. I tried to win tickets to his show here in Philly but NOOOOO I AM SO UNLUCKY.
Lauren @ Bookmark Lit says
I’m going to BEA!! EEEK its going to be my first and I’m so excited. I’m only going down on Friday but I really hope to meet up with you!
ALSO on the Book Talks – I’ve noticed a lot of commentary around on blogs about review reading/writing. People seem to not like doing it anymore or feel like it’s pointless. I still like/read book reviews (esp yours, TBH) so I need to get around to showing the love more often. It’s DEFINITELY not just you, as far as that goes. I write reviews that get zero comments so I just chalk it up to the way things are going for now. Who knows, maybe it’ll change!
Jamie says
AHHH I CANNOT WAIT TO MEET YOU!! Will definitely make sure that we get a chance to meet on Friday. You’ll have to let me know what your plans are!
YEAH, it’s hard. Like when I first started reviews were the STAPLE. Like most people pretty much just wrote them. Back a few years ago I could easily get 20 comments on a review and they got way more views. I do think it’s the dynamic nature of blogging (lots of convo has moved to Twitter and Instagram) and I’m fine with that. Just gotta figure out what that means for me I guess? Also, I think I have to remember back then there wasn’t as many people and we were all reading SOOO many different books bc access to galley wasn’t as wide as it is now so people actually WERE looking to reviews for book discovery. Now we all seem to know what’s been published and see the SAME books everywhere. And re: commenting, I am so bad at doing it so I can’t even fault anyone honestly! I do a lot of reading from my phone so I forget to go back.
Guess it’s time to reevaluate what I’m doing. I mean, I already did that when I gave myself permission to not be labeled as a book reviewer..because I’M NOT. I’m just a girl who likes to talk about books however I want to. And I don’t feel compelled to review every book or do a formal review (ie I can feature a book in another way besides a book talk) but I still find myself asking, “are people even reading this? Is it helpful?” i like writing about books I read and always will so I don’t really care about the format..I just care about if the format is useful to readers if that makes sense.
Leanna says
Heyyy!! We both have Wolf Alice on our April playlist! #musictwins Love the pose in the cute outfit pic! 😉
Jamie says
YAAAS. THIS MAKES ME HAPPY. Also, can you link me to your playlist?? I like seeing what others are listening to! And thanks <33 It's funny because I wanted Will to take a pic of me and the one I ended up liking is one he took before I was ready for him to snap it. We were talking and I was trying to fix my hair lol
Leanna says
Ha! I so knew that’s what you were doing with the pose! So, I haven’t made an April playlist per se – but I star songs that I love each month, so you can take a look here: https://open.spotify.com/user/11158423603/starred
Jamie says
Oh excellent thank you!!
Jackie Lea Sommers says
Jamie, I think the ARC of my debut novel Truest (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books) will be available at BEA. I hope you’ll get a copy. It would mean the world to me to have you read it.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23879893-truest
Jamie says
Oh that’s so exciting!! I typically don’t pick up Harper books from BEA because they pretty much send me huge packages of their books and I don’t need duplicates haha so I would imagine I would be getting yours soon within the next month or two. If not I’ll ask my contact for it!!
Jackie Lea Sommers says
Ahhhh! That’s so exciting!! I’m not kidding: I’ve followed your blog for forever, and I always think, “Gosh, I hope someday Jamie reviews my book!”
You’re the best.
Jamie says
It sounds SO up my alley so I cannot wait to read it! Totally did not know you had a book coming out!!! I’m so excited for you!
Alexa S. says
I’ll be seeing you at BEA, and I’m looking forward to that! But April looks like it was a great month — especially with all this warm weather 🙂 As for one author I want to meet, I’d say Tamora Pierce. I’ve met most of my favorites (including JK Rowling, though I wouldn’t mind spending MORE time with her), but Tammy is the one that’s eluded me!
Jamie says
YEAAAY cannot wait to get to play! I’m similar to you..I’ve met pretty much ALL my fave authors but there are a couple who elude me. And that is super cool you met JK Rowling. I feel like she would be really cool and like down to earth?
Candice @ The Grown-Up YA says
Hey, I’M going to BEA! 🙂
I don’t know about meeting authors… Probably Meg Cabot. Or maybe Amy Poehler (who is not just an author, obvs). I’ve met a few authors, but feel so super awkward introducing myself. Granted, I feel awkward introducing myself regardless. 🙂
Emma @ Miss Print says
I will be at BEA–maybe this year we’ll actually meet!
For authors to meet I am so incredibly spoiled and have met most of them already for which I am very fortunate.
Trina says
One author I wish I could meet is Sarah J Maas and I’m going to one of her ACOTAR tour stops, so yayyyyy! Finally!!
DON’T feel discouraged about your booktalks not getting many views. It’s not you, that’s just the norm for book reviews. A smaller percentage of your readers/viewers actually click on reviews because so many of us try to avoid spoilers so vehemently. (And if they know yours are spoiler free, there seems to be a big focus right now on nobody wanting to know anything about books before going into them.) Typically, I will only read/watch reviews if I’ve already read the book and want to share discussion, or if I’m really on the fence about a book and need encouragement about if I should pick it up or pass. (Sometimes I scroll through your booktalks just to glance at the scale rating and review on a post it, but then I feel like I can’t offer anything toward the comment other than a “I want to read this!” which is not a very thoughtful comment, so I just balk and leave.) But if I already know I want to read a book I usually skip reviews because I like to not hear too much of a synopsis or opinion that my sway my thoughts while reading. But in that case I usually do bookmark reviews to come back to later. And then sometimes even if I come back to a review, the post might be several months old by then and I feel like the reviewer might not want to talk about it anymore, so I don’t always leave a comment. Obviously, these are just my habits, but it’s definitely standard that reviews get fewer views. But the people who DO read/watch the reviews really appreciate them, so don’t be discouraged! I like knowing how my favorite bloggers and vloggers felt about a book I’ve also read to see if our preferences line up, which helps me know if I can trust their other recommendations. 😀
Emmah says
Best thing about warm weather is that the cute outfits get to reappear haha. Basically all I wear this time of year is dresses and sandals!
You’re so lucky that book events actually come near you haha. I’d have to travel like 3+ hours to get to one :/
I’m not going to BEA 🙁 It’s 7 hours away from me and too much money!
One author?! I can only narrow it down to two haha. Morgan Matson and Sarah J. Maas!
Noteworthy? Nothing, really! But I went to my local ice cream shop this past Sunday! It’s been open for almost 2 weeks (it’s only open during the Spring, into early Fall)!
New song recs? “Let It Go” by: James Bay, and “Nothin’ Like You” by: Dan + Shay!
Best books I read this month? Just One Day/Just One Year/Just One Night (Gayle Forman), and “I’ve Got Your Number” by: Sophie Kinsella!
Frannie Pan @ In Clouds of Pages says
That quote from All the bright places is just SO beautiful and real! <3
And I'm so glad you'll go to BEA! :3
Svea says
Two things – 1) I keep thinking that you look so much like Ellie Kemper and you watching Kimmy Scmidt just makes it more perfect 😀
2) I LOVE your book talks, your blog is the main place I check for recommendations and I trust your opinion because our tastes are similar. The thing is, I rarely comment after reading but now I am thinking maybe I should start taking part in those discussions to get a fresh perspective! 🙂
Killian says
This month has been an interesting one for me. Firstly, I had no school (two weeks of Easter holidays, two weeks of work experience in Dublin and a three day school trip to London). Secondly, this was the month where I decided that I was listening to music, attempted to not listen to any music for two weeks, and failed almost immediately. This month I also bought a comedy book about Hitler. I never, ever thought I’d say that sentence in my life.
Your month seemed pretty good. I haven’t really been paying much attention to the new releases in music in April, mainly because I still haven’t quite gotten over how indescribably amazing March was, music-wise, but I did listen to that Young Fathers song that you mentioned, Shame, and I really love it. I also bought a few albums too (In The Aeroplane Over The Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel, The Moon And Antarctica by Modest Mouse and The Powers That B by Death Grips), which is always a good thing.
Lastly, HOLY CRAP FREE CONCERTS! It is one of my constant regrets and annoyances that I still haven’t been to a concert, even though I love music. Basically, every music venue in Dublin seems to be over 18’s, and seeing as I am 16 I can’t go to any of them. If I was two years older I could have gone to see Modest Mouse, Father John Misty, iceage, Viet Cong, Courtney Barnett, The Mountain Goats, Sleater-Kinney and a few other but, alas, twas not to be. Guess I’ll just have to wait.
Kristilyn (A Little Time To Read) says
I’m currently reading Jessi Kirby’s book now and loving it!! And I’m in love with the cover, too – so pretty! I’ve been seeing really good things about 99 Days, so I’m going to have to check that one out …
Pili @ In Love With Handmade says
YESSS! I’m going to BEA!!!! It’s gonna be a hardship with the money and my apartment and my mum will get upset with me, but I NEEEEEED to go to BEA and I’ve been planning for it FOREVER!! I’d totally be keeping an eye out for a meet up Jamie!
I want to meet so many authors!! Sara Raasch, Susan Dennard, Leigh Bardugo, Wendy Higgins, Josie Angelini… SO MANY MORE!!
Bekka says
I miss 104.5! (I’m pretty sure that’s the station you’re talking about.) So jelly. I hope you have a great time at the Block Party!
Annie says
Sorry about the sunburn – that SUCKS – but yay for the nice weather! It’s getting nicer here in Canada too which is fabulous after such a harsh winter. And Jamie, I love your outfit in that picture! Your shirt satisfies the polka dot maniac in me and your hair looks fantastic!
Also re book reviews: I am one of the few who do like writing and reading them (though reading them – much less) but the general consensus of late on reviews seems to be that they’re not that interesting. Personally I do think it’s interesting to see what bloggers think of books though I think it also does depend on the type of blogger that’s writing bc there are some styles of reviewing that appeal to me more. Most of the time I end up very very quickly scanning the review (or just skipping to the rating / final paragraph) but with some bloggers whose opinion I trust very highly, I’ll definitely read the whole thing. And in maybe three years now of reading your blog, I’ve come to really love and trust your judgement. Your book talks are ones I make sure to read from start to finish every time and a lot of times, they’ve helped lead to me books I love (ie How to Love / Love & Other Perishable Items). So anyway that’s just my opinion 🙂
Also have fun at the concert! I’m so so extremely jealous right now bc none of our radio stations do anything like that and especially not for free. So that is super cool. And also have fun at BEA! I will be living vicariously through all of you! 🙂
Alaa says
Hi Jamie, I live in the Philly area and I was wondering, I looked everywhere but I found nothing about Sabaa Tahir coming to Philly. Can you please tell me the time/date of Sabaa’s event? Thank you!!
Jamie says
Hi there! It’s actually in the suburbs of Philly at the Doylestown Bookshop 7pm this Thursday — http://www.doylestownbookshop.com/event
Erin @ Paperbackstash says
I’m very sorry about your mom Jamie, that sounds incredibly hard.
I’m not going to BEA and never have been – it sounds neat though, have seen other bloggers go through the years. Pretty far away from me.
Good for you for starting to work out, I need to do that myself.
Hayley @ Bookblogher says
Jamie — I love your monthly wrap-ups!! I always get introduced to great new music, items, and blog posts from you. Thank you so much for putting in the effort to do these! Because you’re sort of my blog idol, I don’t comment very often, only when I feel like I have something to truly add to your conversations.
However, I feel like it’s pretty consistent that you say you want your book talks to get more love. So I had a couple of thoughts on that. First of all, I love your book talks. I usually don’t read the whole thing because I’m really paranoid about accidental spoilers (like things that don’t seem like spoilers after you’ve finished the book but really change the reading experience if you know beforehand). I always always skim yours though. And usually I end up reading a lot more of it than I intended to. Your talks are so engaging and I’ve never hit the moment reading your talks where I’m like ‘ooops, wish I hadn’t read that’. I always check where the book fell on your spectrum of likes. And I love the bolded points about each book. It’s obvious that you put a lot of time and effort into your book talks. So this brings me to my second point. I pledge to be better about acknowledging your book talks. It’s sometimes frustrating when you make a post which you think is really great and nobody responds. And while I’ve enjoyed your shift from book reviews to book talks (and I would never want to pressure you to keep doing something which no longer makes you happy), I don’t want to lose your book talks. I really enjoy them, and as I move forward in my career as a librarian, I think I’m going to need them even more to know about books which I haven’t read. So thank you for being so dedicated, and don’t worry about your posts: it’s not you, it’s us.
Brandyn says
Unfortunately I’m not going to BEA, Again. For the opposite reason – Chicago is way closer to me so I’m going to wait until next year. I really don’t like to fly and Chicago is drive-able.
What have you been listening to for audio books? I just finished “Yes Please” by Amy Poehler (would love to meet her BTW).
I still haven’t gotten the hang out of how to review a book without spoiling it. I end up being too vague and saying I loved it too much. What I really want is to discuss books with people, not choose what books they read or don’t read. Honestly there are times I want people to read books I didn’t like so we can talk about them!
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
NO 🙁 This will be another year where I look at all the pretty bookhauls and great meetings from some of my favorite bloggers. Oh well, I’m just going to live again through all you guys, so definitely make lots of pictures and Tweet about everything 😀 And *hug*
Cassie (Happy Book Lovers) says
DUDE. I am WITH you on giving book talks/reviews more comment/view love. My reviews are my least viewed and commented thing. I know this is the case with most book blogs, and it doesn’t make ANY SENSE to me. Like, that’s the whole point of this right? I want to have long conversations about the things books make me think about, and I never get to because no one comments to me! Ugh! I will make an effort to comment more on your book talks! 🙂