To read or not to read? April Book Club

Let’s be honest – the world is falling to pieces and we all need a fictional escape in our lives right now.

I don’t know about you, but when my life gets busy, or I get overwhelmed, reading for leisure is (unfortunately) often the first thing to fall by the wayside. Lately I’ve been finding myself falling into a late-night scroll hole before bed and it’s not doing any wonders for my sleep.

I know all about sleep hygiene and how scrolling is destoying our brains and all the rest of it but my little dopamine seeking squirrel brain continues to do it anyway. One of my goals for May is to get back to putting down my phone an hour before bed (I mean it this time) and pick up a book while I unwind.

So without further ado, welcome to my monthly book blog where I keep myself accountable to my goal of reading more, and I ask you what’s on top of your reading list right now.

Currently reading:

Sunrise on the Reaping – Suzanne Collins

I bought a hard copy of this the week it came out and I just haven’t managed to get properly stuck into it yet! Normally I’m a big physical book fan but with travelling overseas for Easter and dealing with a potentially fractured wrist, I’ve found reading on my Kindle easier. In saying that, with this beautiful weather starting to tease us, I can definitely picture myself taking the book and a picnic mat down to the park for some Vitamin D and me time.

Fourth Wing – Rebecca Yarros

This is my current Kindle read! I’m still in the early stages and I’m trying to get into it but I find it so hard to immerse myself into a different world after falling in love with a previous series (*cough* ACOTAR *cough*). I can see myself getting into it, but right now it feels like a slow burn – although it also took me nearly all of A Court of Thorns and Roses to really get hooked on that world too.

Recently read:

‘The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times’ – Michelle Obama

I read her first book a couple of years ago and I absolutely loved it. Michelle has such a raw and honest way of writing that reminds you famous people are really just like us. She blends humour and honesty in a way that makes you feel seen, and inspires hope when you thought you were all out. If you’re feeling burnt out with the current state of the world, I really recommend giving this book a try. It’s a reminder than even when things seem to be bad everywhere we look, we still have the choice of how to respond.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid

I know I’m a few years late with this one but now I finally understand what all the hype was about. I put off reading this for ages because honestly the title didn’t draw me in – BUT as we all know, you can’t judge a book by it’s cover (or title).

I’ve seen some mixed reviews on this book lately and some of them are valid. Was it the best book I’ve ever read? No, but I did genuinely enjoy it. I found it gave me new insight to what Hollywood was like in the 50s, particularly for women and LGBTQ+ people, and while it is a bit of a slow burner it does pull at your heartstrings.

Recently re-read:

A Court of Thorns and Roses (The Whole Series) – Sarah J. Maas

I’m a big comfort book girl, and there’s something about this series that keeps me coming back (Hint: It has wings and starts with R – IYKYK). If you’re into fantasy – or as my husband likes to jokingly call it, ‘faerie smut’ – these are a great comfort read.

Full disclosure: I don’t think the writing in this series is particularly high quality and it took me nearly all of the first book to start enjoying it. BUT, once you get into it I think the world-building is great. By the second book, I found myself so deeply involved with the characters and their relationships that I didn’t mind the average writing.

PS. Can someone give me any news about this TV Series? I desperately need it in my life!

What’s on your TBR right now?

I’m always looking for new books to add to my (ever-growing) to-be-read pile and I’d love to know what you’re loving right now! Drop your fave books in the comments <3