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April In One Word
We’ve finally had some nice weather so I’ve spent as much time outside as humanly possible!
5 Things About My Life In April:
1. I pulled off my sister’s bridal shower!!! It was nice to see family + friends to celebrate her getting married in June! Glad it’s done though!!
2. Will & I went to our first festival of the year — a food truck festival — NOMS. Just as you would expect.
3. I went to visit my family for Easter: It makes my heart so happy to be at my dad’s house.
4. Will & I went to the batting cages because he joined a softball league and I miss softball. It was fun though I realized how OLD I really am because I was SO sore the next day.
5. I was sick like 50 bajjllion times because the kids I nanny for are sick always. MY POOR BODY.
6 Songs That Were Most Popular On My Ipod This Month:
I put all my Monthly Rewinds In a Spotify playlist so you can listen to them here now ! I also have an April playlist filled with other AWESOME songs that wouldn’t fit on here. I’m really smitten with a lot of the songs on this April one!
I didn’t want to overlap too much (but HAD to had Twin Forks on here bc seriously they are my #1 obsession now that their full album is out!!) but check out my New To The Queue post because those artists mentioned should ALL be on this list.
1. Easy (Switch Screens) by Son Lux ft. Lorde
2. Kiss Me Darling by Twin Forks (Okay, so I shared their single Back To You in my December rewind and now their full album is finally out and I am a woman obsessed! THE WHOLE THING IS EXCELLENT)
3. A Call To Arms by Lauren Jansen ft. Ed Harcourt
4. Riptide by Vance Joy
5. Always by Panama
6. Dare The Night by Quiet Arrows
Honorable Mentions: Hundreds of Ways by Conor Oberst (HS & college Jamie are very happy!!), Sabotage by Amy Stroup, Give Me To The Waves by General Ghost, Coffee by Sylvan Esso, Falling For The Beat by Andrew Ripp
Follow my APRIL playlist
Top 3 Books I Read This Month:
Another good month!! This was so hard because I really loved a lot of what I read and I almost just didn’t want to pick my top 3!
1. Open Road Summer by Emery Lord (perfect summer book!!)
2. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta (post to come on this one!)
3. Far From You by Tess Sharpe
Most Popular Review This Month
Most Popular 5 Blog Posts Overall This Month
1. Ten Bookish Things I Need To Own— Mwahaha I made your wallets cry apparently. MINE TOO.
2. My “I’m Going To BEA & Will Answer Any & All Questions” post— Will still be answering questions up until BEA if you have any!
3. Diversity In YA post : I really appreciated your recs & your thoughts!
4. SELF DO NOT SUCCUMB TO IT!: Loved your responses to this. Glad I’m not the only one who has these freakouts sometimes!
5. Most Unique Books I’ve Read : I loved sharing some of the most unique books I’ve read.
3 New Obsessions In April
3 Things I’m Looking Forward To In May
3. EVEN WARMER WEATHER! Do I sound like a broken record yet??
Favorite Quote From A Book I Read In April
“Comfort zones are overrated. They make you lazy.” — Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta — I probably could have pick a quote that was more beautiful or swoony or more profound but I really loved this line right here because TRUTH.
5 Posts I Starred In My Reader That You Should Check Out
1. Creation, Consumption & Apathy: This was very, very relevant to me as a blogger who creates content and an avid internet-goer as I struggle with this — sometimes I’m inspired when I consume the work of others but sometimes I feel how she does. “The problem with over-consuming the work of other people (or even the lives of other people) is that it robs me of the energy and motivation to create. And when I’m not actively creating something — no matter what that something is — I feel less like me.”
2. Do Something poem: I needed this pep talk of sorts!
3. Book Blogging Organization Worksheet: I’ve shared Hannah’s organization posts before (namely her Goodreads plan which is AMAZING) but if you are a book blogger who struggles to get organized I definitely recommend taking a look at what Hannah created and so kindly shared with everyone!
4. The #1 Way I’m Able To Pack So Much Into A Day: If you follow the posts I pick each month during my Rewind you know I’m always sharing posts from my friend Jess! She always posts such great stuff and I loved her idea of energy management. I sometimes struggle with time management but this post made me wonder if it’s a different issue altogether. Must experiment!
5. Staying Interesting When Time Marches On: My friend Ginger, one of the bloggers I’ve been friends with since the beginning because we started at the same time, talked about something that has been plaguing me A LOT lately as I approach 4 years of this blog in June. It’s hard to keep up a blog long term and still feel relevant and in the know when there are a flux of new blogs and new trends always coming through. I keep wondering am I still interesting?? Are people sick of hearing my opinions after 4 years?? Am I not exciting because I’m not new and shiny?? I applaud Ginger’s honesty and it made me feel better in a way to know I’m not the only seasoned blogger struggling with this.
Pick a category (or 5… or all of them) and tell me what went on in YOUR life in April!! What sort of things were noteworthy for you in April? New obsessions? Any new song recs?? Best books you read this month? Great posts I missed on your blog?
Rebecca @ The Library Canary says
Oh my gosh, I love that quote! So true. I need to get out of my comfort zone more often. Time to get honest: I used to shy away from social outings and such. I’m a really outgoing person. But I’ve been burned pretty bad by people and I guess it’s made me pretty cautious. But I’ve been forcing myself out there more and more lately and it’s been great! I’m meeting people, making friends, having a good time, etc. A year ago, I NEVER would have gone to ALA by myself. And now I’m headed to BEA by myself! It’s really invigorating to be able to do these things and be that independent and feel sure of yourself (although most of the time I’m not, I just appear to be. lol)
Jamie says
I’m with you! I need to get out of my comfort zone more often too! I need to pin that quote up or something. There’s another quote I like, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” It’s easy to stay in our comfort zone but there is rewarding things that come along with doing it.
I’m so happy you are going to be at BEA!! You won’t be by yourself because you’ll end up with a variety of bloggers throughout your day! And I think blogging has definitely made me jump out of my comfort zone too. I’m pretty social and outgoing but blogging has made me do so many different things and give me confidence I didn’t know I have to network and give my opinions and talk to people I don’t know.
Can’t wait to see you later this month!!
Becky LeJeune says
Oh, I love these monthly posts! Let’s see – my top three books I read in April were: DELICIOUS! by Ruth Reichl, BLACK CHALK by Christopher J. Yates, and SEKRET by Linsay Smith. And I definitely left my comfort zone recently (March actually) by starting an early morning boot camp workout. Ugh! It’s hard getting up that early but I’m in my third month and I am actually really enjoying the class. Plus it makes dealing with work mess a lot easier.
Jamie says
Thank you! It’s hard to gauge interest on these posts!
Oooh glad to here Sekret made your top list bc I have that one and was really looking forward to it!
And good for you!! I would be so scared of book camp workout class!! I def want to try some sort of class bc I feel like it would be fun!
Ginger @ GReads! says
April in one word: EXHAUSTING. Last night as I was driving home from campus (my last night down there!), it totally hit me how exhausted I was. Finishing up all my classes + student teaching really drained me, this semester. I’m glad I can now focus on my state exam this month & a then its few months before student teaching begins again.
Top 3 books I read this month: Breakfast Served Anytime by Sarah Combs, What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick, and Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae.
3 thing I’m looking forward to in May: Pool time, passing my last state exam, and READING ALL THE BOOKS.
Jamie says
I’m so proud of you!! YOU ARE HERE. YOU ARE DONE. YOU MADE IT. I feel like it was just yesterday you were embarking on this journey! You are going ot be a fab teacher!! May is going to be so great for you relaxation wise!! I wanna come to the poooool!
I’m so interested by Breakfast Served Any Time!! And planning on reading Wish You Were Italian soon!
Candice @ The Grown-Up YA says
YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! To Saving Francesca! Seriously one of the best books I’ve read and favorite review I’ve written! Can’t wait to see your thoughts.
Also, Watermelon Cucumber cooler? OMG must find something similar down here for the summer!!!
Jamie says
MM is a goddess! I feel like I don’t have words for it!
I hope you can find something like it. It was SOOOO refreshing! It was funny bc some sips I felt like OHH WATERMELON and then the next would be OK I SEE YOU CUCUMBER.
ashley says
April was exhausting. I went on a road trip, four concerts, and multiple book signings. Minus May being my birthday month, I am pulling for sleep. Lots and lots of sleep.
Jamie says
GIRLLL I was so jealous of your April!! I was stalking your IG & FB pics so hard. Sounds FUN!!!!
Stefani @ Caught Read Handed says
I love your monthly roundup posts! I usually find something that I’ve missed or get some new music to listen to, so thanks! 🙂
This month, I’ve had a couple of songs stuck in my head: Lurk by The Neighbourhood (they’re my favorite band!) and I Don’t Love You by Eric Hutchinson (it will be stuck in your head for daaaayyyysss). I also got to see The Neighbourhood live for the third time, which was AWESOME.
My favorite book I read this month was Rivers by Michael Farris Smith, which I reviewed on my blog here
.
This month I’m looking forward to reading ALL the books and going to see Hands like Houses at the end of the month in Memphis.
Kaley @ Books Etc says
Death Cab’s a band, yes?
hahaha…so perfect as I’ve been bingewatching The O.C. with a friend for the last couple of months. SO. MUCH. FUN.
April has been…interesting for me. I got a job! Ahhh! It’s only a four month contract and the pay is shit BUT I HAVE A JOB. And today I got my first pay cheque since January 2013 (if you don’t include the two honourariums I got from my internship). EXCITING.
It was a fairly blah reading month but I did get to read ARCs of two of my most anticipated books…Landline (wheeee!!!) and The One and Only by Emily Giffin.
May is going to be insane. The major reason is hush hush and I’ll share with the world in June. But another reason is that it’s my birthday at the end of the month! And two of my best friend’s birthdays. And hopefully warm weather. It’s been so cold here!
Thanks for sharing your monthly wrap up, as usual. Sending healthy thoughts! 🙂
Alexa S. says
I will be seeing you this month for BEA, hooray! I love May solely for the fact that it’s brought me in close contact with authors + bloggers that I love so much at BEA. Can’t wait!
Jessica Lawlor says
Thanks, as always, for including me! I hope you try out energy management. It’s been life changing.
SO great to see you in April! Let’s make it happen in May! xox
Molly says
5 Things i did in April:
1 – I started my blog!! Thanks to you, I started up my first blog 🙂 and so far it has been really awesome!
2 – Went home for Easter. My first year in college is difficult, I was able to go home for a long weekend and it was a ton of fun.
3 – Sarted working out outside! Spril weather has been amazing! It’s finally warm enough to be outside 🙂 and I am loving it!
4 – I got my summer jobs squared away!! I now have a full time nannying job, a part time nannying job, and a night time fast food job 🙂
5 – I did my first polar plunge!! BRRRRRR, but sooomuch FUN!
Emmah says
I used to talk to the girl singer (Suzie) in Twin Forks all the time haha. Back when she just had The Narrative going on.
I was only able to read two books in April! They were “Along for the Ride” and “That Summer” by: Sarah Dessen. I’d tried to read her books before, but just couldn’t get into them. But I’m liking them better now! I’m going to read “Someone Like You”, by her next! I’m kind of going on a YA contemporary binge for a bit haha. I’m dystopianed out!
If you’re into the Marvel Comics world at all, you should check out the show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.! The first few episodes are kind of eh, but you just need to get past those and I promise it gets a whole lot more exciting!
Totally still obsessed with Reign.
You should check out the song “Stay Out” by: Nina Nesbitt! Oh, and Ed Sheeran came out with new music and it’s SO good! And I got tickets to see him in September, yay!
Cassie says
I need to look into the band twin forks! Never even. Heard of them. Also. April truly blew for me but I’m glad u pulled off your sisters shower! Hears to may beach days :)))
Alysia says
Love the music choices!!
Nicole Hewitt says
Love the picture of you guys enjoying the outdoors! I’m right there with you – yay for warm weather! FINALLY!
erinf1 says
sounds like you had a great month 🙂 I discovered Mio water flavorers and I’m sooo hooked!!!
Asheley (@BookwormAsheley) says
super cute picture! The BEA thing is killing me! AAAHHHHH
And Hannah is so awesome with her organizational stuff. All of it!
Elizabeth says
I feel like every time I read these posts of yours, my spotify playlists explode with like a billion more songs haha! I’m especially digging the Laura Jansen (although the bari sax in Easy makes me super happy haha)
Ashley F. says
I am definitely heading to Trader Joe’s for the watermelon cooler this weekend… I think it would make amazing margaritas!
I started a part-time job in April after more than a year of searching AND I got to see Ellie Goulding perform (she is FANTASTIC) at a small venue outside of Los Angeles. Needless to say, April was a good month.
Jess @ Such A Novel Idea says
This is hilarious, but the two things I’m going to comment on are food related. FIRST a food truck festival sounds amazing. Second that Watermelon drink – OMG. I have no Trader Joe’s but I may be getting a friend to smuggle it to me next time she is in town. Yum!
Stephanie H. says
Love your monthly rewind post!
My 5 favorite things that happened in April are:
1. My ARC of Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch that I won in a giveaway got here. So excited. (I started reading it the last day of April and finished the beginning of May. <3)
2. Anna Banks left a comment on my Fan Cast for Of Poseidon, which I think is amazing. And she shared it on her Twitter.
3. I read Shadow and Bone for the first time and absolutely love it! I can't wait to read Siege and Storm!
4. I participated in a Maze Runner Readalong and it was a lot of fun.
5. I also read Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens and liked it.