Monthly bookish wrap up: April 2023

So that was short lived…the new job role I spoke about in my March bookish wrap up is already over. I resigned yesterday after being bullied and treated like absolute garbage for the last 7 weeks. I’m having a week to recover…maybe lose myself in some good books and indulge in some self-care…before I start another new job. Hoping this one is better than the last but the childcare industry is an absolute mess at the moment so who knows?

Anyway, this month I was working 15 hour days and reading was not a priority. Although I haven’t read as many books as I would have liked, I’m not too disappointed with what I have accomplished.

Books read:

• Wild things by Laura Kay (ARC) ★★★
• Really good, actually by Monica Heisey (Audiobook) ★★★
• Carrie Soto is back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Audiobook) ★★★★
• The 7 Chakra Crystals by Luca Apicella (ARC) ★★
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (Audiobook) ★★★★
• Super Bloom by Megan Tady (ARC) ★★★

Favourite read: Carrie Soto is back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

As reluctant as I was to actually read this book…sport meh!…I am not suprised that it was this month’s favourite. Taylor Jenkins Reid has long been a favourite author. I am easily drawn to her writing and even if I’m not that interested in the subject matter I always end up enjoying the characters.

Least favourite read: The 7 Chakra Crystals by Luca Apicella

This started out as an interesting read but ended up being just a quick flick. A simple introduction to the 7 main chakras and a range of crystals that can be used for healing; the information shared was limited. More of a picture book than an informative read; the pages mostly taken up with artistic representations of crystals, healing properties and people engaged in healing.

Special mention: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

To fill a POPSUGAR reading prompt – a book I read more than 10 years ago – I reread one of my childhood favourites. A children’s literature classic that still gives me all the feels. Rather than being curled up in bed reading as I did as a child, I listened to The Secret Garden in audio format. Although some of the magic may have been lost in this way, it still deserved 4 stars for the memory of how much I loved this book.

Goodreads Reading Challenge: 25/40

I’m actually pretty happy that even with my reading slowing down I am still well on track for my goal.

How is your Goodreads challenge going so far this year?