2018 Reading Updates: April Update

The good thing about April: it usually involves at least some free days or just regular holidays. Which, of course, should be put to excellent use. Through reading. Of course 🙂 And in this case? That’s resulted in quite a bit of books to be discussed in this 2018 reading updates april edition!

What I read

I guess we could say April was a bit of a good reading month for me. And let’s be real: that’s all thanks to the Easter break. And, you know, reading on average a book a day, during those two weeks 🙂

Good at Games, Jill Mansell
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Becky Albertalli
Between Sisters, Cathy Kelly
tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom
the witch doesn’t burn in this one, Amanda Lovelace
Charmed Life, Diana Wynne Jones
the witch doesn’t burn in this one, Amanda Lovelace
The Lives of Christopher Chant, Diana Wynne Jones
The Magicians of Caprona, Diana Wynne Jones
Witch Week, Diana Wynne Jones
Conrad’s Fate, Diana Wynne Jones
The Pinhoe Egg, Diana Wynne Jones
Mixed Magics, Diana Wynne Jones
The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
The Day Is Ready For You, Alison Malee
The Cosy Teashop In The Castle, Caroline Roberts
84, Charing Cross Road, Helene Hanff
The Faust Act, Kieron Gillen
Fandemonium, Kieron Gillen
Commercial Suicide, Kieron Gillen
Rising Action, Kieron Gillen
Imperial Phase Part 1, Kieron Gillen
Imperial Phase Part 2, Kieron Gillen
Persuading Annie, Melissa Nathan

What I thought

I remember writing in my March update that I felt like I’d had a bit of a down month, reading-wise. Not with the number of books I’d read, that was straight on track with the previous months. However, I just didn’t really feel as if I really enjoyed my reading that month. This month, however? That’s a whole other story!

For one thing, I read and completed two series. The Chrestomanci-series, written by Diana Wynne Jones, had been on my read-list for a while. Going on a mini-holiday seemed like just the moment to read it again. And what do you know, a week later I’d finished the entire thing. And a good week later, when we were in the midst of a “mini-heatwave” (28 degrees in April is hot in Belgium) I read the entire The Wicked and the Divine series. Naturally, that one ended on a cliffhanger and a revelation (the size of that revelation warrants sparklers and capitals, just so you know). So now I have to wait for the next book – but I guess that just gives me something to look forward to, reading wise, right?

Two more highlights would definitely have to be poetry: Amanda Lovelace’s sequel to her The Princess Saves Herself in This One, The Witch Doesn’t Burn In This One was released. I also got the chance to read an e-ARC of the first collection of Alison Malee, which I enjoyed a ton. The second highlight is Persuading Anie, which is not only a retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion but was also just as good as I remembered. It’s not often that happens, so a highlight it is!

What have you been reading this past month? Are there any books you think I might enjoy? Any I had better stay away from? Be sure to let me know below!

-Saar