Monthly Check in: April 2021

Happy April! I’m not going to deny I’m feeling smug that my monthly update can actually post on the 1^st of the month, and still stick to my normal schedule. It’s the simple things in life, right? But as it is that time of month again, time to see what was on my bookshelf in March.

After Feb being such a write-off, March has been a lot of self-reflection. My hope is that April will see me putting some of those thoughts into action across all different elements of my life.

I have strong blog intentions this month. It’s been frustrating me lately that I can’t seem to grow on any platform, so it’s time to turn things up a gear. I’ve been pouring back over the guides and resources I’ve been using to give myself a fresh outlook.

I’ve just introduced a mailing list, which is scary but exciting. After seeing my Pinterest crash, then mess it up further by accidentally deleting the wrong thing, I want to spend time figuring out this platform again. I also plan on changing up some graphics to give me more of a brand feeling for Twitter.

Honestly, I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been stuck for a while, but kept trying to do the same thing, so I’m excited to see what these changes will mean.

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March’s Reading

March’s Reading: 4 books

Year to Date: 13 out of 60 (1 behind)

Considering I’ve got my reading buzz back, I’m currently one behind on my reading challenge (at time of writing). I only got four books read in March which, to be honest, I’m disappointed about.

The Paris Library by Janet Skesien Charles

Plot: Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet has it all: her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.

Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy, never suspecting that a dark secret from the past connects them.

A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we are—family, friends, and favorite authors—The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places.

Thoughts: This has been on my reading list for a year before I finally got to it. I loved this book: heart-felt and moving, with great characters and relationships. Having the central plot set in a library also won me over. A review is coming, but I definitely recommend this one!

To Kill a Fae by Jamie A. Waters

Plot: The darkness holds more than just secrets…

Marked for death, Sabine escaped from her home more than ten years ago.  But the Wild Hunt will never give up.

It should have been easy to stay hidden. All Sabine had to do was keep her head down, avoid telling anyone about her past, and above all else — not let her glamour drop.

Even the best-laid plans eventually fall apart.

When a charismatic stranger arrives in the city, Sabine finds herself unwittingly drawn to him and the power she can sense hidden within him. Keeping her distance is nearly impossible, especially after a life debt is called due and she’s tasked into helping steal a rare artifact.

Sabine is the only one who can break the magical barriers protecting the item, but that means revealing the truth about her identity and exposing her darkest secrets. 

Unfortunately, the Fae aren’t the only ones hunting her. And the most dangerous monsters aren’t always confined to the dark.

Thoughts: Another long overdue ARC. This had potential and was ultimately enjoyable. But there’s elements I’ve explored in my review that gave me pause and it missed the mark in a couple of places. Still, I loved the number of magical creatures involved and the power (and egos) being flung about.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Plot: One boy… One dragon… A world of adventure.

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.

Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.

Thoughts: I have no defence. I really don’t. Only, it’s been about five years since I’ve read the series and it was long overdue a re-read? These books have always been inspirational for me, and I’m hoping for a writing burst, so what can I say? Needs must and all that.

The Doors of Eden by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Plot: Lee’s best friend went missing on Bodmin Moor, four years ago. She and Mal were chasing rumours of monsters when they found something all too real. Now Mal is back, but where has she been, and who is she working for?

When government physicist Kay Amal Khan is attacked, the security services investigate. This leads MI5’s Julian Sabreur deep into terrifying new territory, where he clashes with mysterious agents of an unknown power ­who may or may not be human. And Julian’s only clue is some grainy footage ­– showing a woman who supposedly died on Bodmin Moor.

Khan’s extradimensional research was purely theoretical, until she found cracks between our world and countless others. Parallel Earths where monsters live. These cracks are getting wider every day, so who knows what might creep through? Or what will happen when those walls finally come crashing down…

Thoughts: I’ve wanted to explore Tchaivosky for ages and was lucky to receive this from the publisher. A full review will be up later in the month but I thoroughly enjoyed it. There’s a lot to get your head around but the characters were fantastic and I liked the entire premise.

What have you been reading this month? Let me know in the comments below!

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You may also like:

• Monthly Update: March 2021
• 2020: My Year in Books

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