Another month, another wrap up. I’m actually *happily* surprised that I managed to still read 10 books this month – maybe I’ll finish my eleventh read before midnight?? – just because I had so much going on academic and career wise. As you’ll probably see below, my TV life definitely lacked but I’m much happier knowing that my reading goals are still on track. I’ve read 40 books in 2021 so far, putting me well on track to read at least 100 books this year. My spring semester and grad program ends next week, so I’m hoping having a break from grad student obligations frees up more time for reading. Two of my highlights in April were receiving a review copy of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This & buying a copy of the Book of the Month version of Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation. Definitely sitting outside in my backyard with these on a warm day in May!
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig | 4/5 Stars
The hype surrounding The Midnight Library pulled me into this book and while I understand why this book is so big because of its messages about living life, but I had trouble engaging with some of the plot points and writing styles.
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter |(ARC) 4.5/5
I think Better Than the Movies is my favorite book of the month! This was such an adorable YA romance, following Liz’s mission to get her childhood crush to be her prom date with the help of her enemy. I loved Liz’s love interest so much and the development of their relationship was just so charming. As a huge rom com fan, I loved all the nods to rom com movies within the story and on the book’s cover! Better Than the Movies comes out on May 4th.
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary | 4/5
The Flatshare had a nice blend of lighter & serious topics that made it a really cozy & engaging read. I’m really looking forward to Beth O’ Leary’s June release, The Road Trip.
The Love Proof by Madeleine Henry | 4.5/5
One of my new goals is to get as many people as possible to pick up Madeline Henry’s The Love Proof. Following a physics prodigy & her first love when they first meet at Yale, I loved the story and writing style so much. If you’re looking for a binge read, pick this one up because you won’t be able to put it down.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang | 3/5
The Kiss Quotient was probably my least favorite read of the month. I loved the representation, but didn’t see the chemistry between the two leads and didn’t really like the male lead.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls | 4.5/5
I feel like I’m one of the last people to pick up Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle, but I’m so glad I finally read it. It feels weird to say that I loved a book that is so dark and somber, but this book is so thought-provoking. I didn’t include my thoughts on the movie adaptation below, but I have to admit that despite my love for the book, the film is one of my least favorite book-to-movie adaptations.
The Siren by Katherine St. John (ARC) | 4/5
The Siren is such a beach bag book for the summer. The Caribbean setting made me crave summer even more and while I didn’t think the mystery at the heart of the book didn’t bring anything new to the table, the book was still a really fun read.
Make Up Break Up by Lily Menon | 3.75/5
I liked the setting and focus on female friendship (and co-business owners) in Make Up Break Up, but I admit that the romance and even plot fell a little flat.
The Intimacy Experiment (The Roommate #2) by Rosie Danan | 4.5/5
The Intimacy Experiment is one of my favorite contemporary romances of 2021! This was such a strong book – I actually liked it more than the first book, The Roommate – & I loved Ethan and Naomi’s relationship which featured reflections on faith (Ethan is a rabbi and the book delves into Judaism), sex positivity, and self growth.
Educated by Tara Westover | 4.5/5
Another memoir I slept on while the rest of the world has read it, I read Educated since a few readers had compared it to Glass Castle & was recommended to me by a few people IRL. Educated was another book with dark and somber tones, as Tara Westover grows up in a conservative Mormon household where her parents refuse to send her to school until she goes to college. Warning that there were scenes with abuse and violence. This book was such a shocking and engaging read that I highly recommend to all non-fiction/memoir readers.
Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu) – My roommate and I finally got around to watching the TV adaptation of Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. I LOVED the adaptation, and it made me want to re-read the book to figure out what stayed true and what didn’t between TV and book.
Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil (YouTube) – Demi Lovato’s four episode docuseries on YouTube was probably the heaviest content I took this in this month. Warnings for sexual abuse, drug overdose, drug and alcohol abuse, and addiction, as Demi Lovato delves into her drug overdoes back in 2018 and her life since. This was an extremely somber watch, but it was interesting to learn more about Demi Lovato’s journey over the past few years and what she is doing now.
Sex and the City S3- S6A (HBO Max) – I’ve just been mentioning my Sex and the City rewatch, but I wanted to give it some more love here because Sex and City has been my go-to way to relax this month. It’s been fun getting into the last three (or four seasons since the sixth season is split into 2 parts) seasons because I love following the trajectory of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda as the show heads to its conclusion. I watched Sex and the City on cable in high school, so it’s been fun delving back into episodes I remember and those I might’ve missed. I’m definitely going to be re-watching the movies once I’m done with the show.
Continued Watching: Sex and the City S3- S6A (HBO Max), Below Deck Sailing Yacht (Bravo)
Reviews
A MUST READ ROMANCE: The Intimacy Experiment Review
ADORABLE YA READ: Kisses and Croissants Review
The Ex Talk Review & My Favorite Podcasts
ONE OF MY FAVE 2021 YA BOOKS: Kate in Waiting Review
A 2021 HIDDEN GEM: The Love Proof Review
TRAVEL MEETS BRITISH CONTEMPORARIES: April 2021 Mini Reviews
A MEMOIR FAVE AND HYPED CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES: April 2021 Mini Reviews Round 2
Bookish Fun
Best Books I’ve Read So Far: January – March 2021 Edition
25 Fangirl Facts About Me: 2021 Edition
ALL THE UPCOMING BOOKS: April 2021 Recent TBR Additions
What did you read and watch in April? Do you have any book or TV recs? Have you read any of the books that I mentioned? Share in the comments!
Fangirl Fury 
You had such a good reading month; now I really want to read Better than the Movies! I read Crooked Kingdom and the 2nd and 3rd book in the Grey Wolves series by Quinn Loftis.
(www.haleysbookss.wordpress.com)
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I LOVE Crooked Kingdom! Hope you enjoy Better Than the Movies!
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