Monthly Wrap-Up: April ’21

Hello, friends! I feel like I’ve been more present in April, but am still struggling with the WordPress block editor, so I’ve been dragging my feet when it comes to sitting down and working on the blog. I will try to do better in May. I have several drafts that need to be rewritten with said editor and I’ve been procrastinating. Is there a WordPress block editor support group out there because I would like to join. I got my first covid vaccine shot earlier this month and am scheduled for my second next week. Crossing my fingers that I don’t have any side effects because the day after is my birthday. Speaking of my birthday, I really want to get to 900 followers on IG before then, so if you are into books by authors of color and florals, I’m your girl. You can follow me here. A little sample of the photos I take:

I didn’t read a ton this month (this is starting to become a pattern), but that’s because I picked up a new hobby. I got an early birthday present…roller skates! I have no experience, so this month has been really interesting trying to learn. I am such an overthinker and that does not always serve me well when I am trying to teach myself something where I could fall over any moment. A week ago, I went outside for only the second time and fell several times, but I got back up and that’s what’s important. If there are any fellow beginner roller skaters out there who want to start a DM group to support one another, hit me up. So I read three and a half books (I am counting this half because it’s a 500+ page book and it feels like it should count as two). Not a great number, but I am hoping to pick up the pace in May. I am still behind on my Goodreads goal and need to catch up. Wish me luck!

(Book covers below are linked to my reviews, unless otherwise specified.) 

Favorite Book This Month:

Anna-Marie McLemore’s The Mirror Season was heartbreaking and beautiful and one of the most unforgettable books I’ve ever read. My review for this one should go up this month. Cover linked to Goodreads.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

No book received lower than three stars from me.

Reviews Posted This Month:

(Covers linked to reviews)

Notable Blog Posts:

Top Ten Tuesday: 2021 Releases with Great Color Schemes – Take a look at some of my favorite colorful covers for 2021 releases.

What I Watched/Am Watching:

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – Well this was such a fun ride! I really enjoyed the dynamics between Sam and Bucky. There were times when I wished the show would go a little further with its storylines, but it’s Marvel, so I don’t expect it to make revolutionary statements. Still, I enjoyed it and am looking forward to seeing what happens next to these characters.

Teen Wolf – Like last month, I really wanted to watch something familiar. I haven’t seen Teen Wolf in years but really enjoyed the first few seasons and so I binged away. I am actually at the end of season 3b and am already crying knowing what happens at the end.

May Releases I’m Excited For:

Which releases are you looking forward to in May? Let’s discuss in the comments and feel free to leave me a link to your own wrap-up post and I’ll be sure to visit!

Monthly Wrap-Up: March ’21

March was going fine and then I had the rug pulled out from under me. You might have noticed I was MIA the last couple of weeks and that was on purpose as I had things I had to deal with and I did not have the mental capacity to deal with the blog as well. Still not doing all that great, but I wanted to get back into the swing of things to give myself something else to focus on. Also it looks like WordPress has finally made the leap to this new editor (where is my classic editor, I need you, I miss you) and I am utterly lost. It’s going to take some getting used to, so if posts look a little wonky for the next few weeks, you will know why. I only read three books this month, but I am going to let myself off the hook because this month was just so hard to get through. Patting myself on the back anyways.

(Book covers below are linked to my reviews, unless otherwise specified.) 

Favorite Book This Month:

My favorite read in March was Daka Hermon’s Hide and Seeker. I finished this at the beginning of the month which feels like something that happened a year ago. This had the perfect amount of horror for a middle grade and I know that younger me would have loved this one. Cover linked to Goodreads.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

No book received lower than three stars from me.

Reviews Posted This Month:

(Covers linked to reviews)

Notable Blog Posts:

Top Ten Tuesday: Spring ’21 Releases I’m Excited For – I am so excited for so many spring releases. Check out my top ten most anticipated releases this season.

What I Watched/Am Watching:

Crash Landing on You – I threw myself into my favorite comfort drama because I needed some comfort. Just in case you were wondering, Crash Landing on You is just as good the second time around and I got just as emotional rewatching it.

April Releases I’m Excited For:

What have you been watching lately? Do you have a comfort show or book? Let’s discuss in the comments and feel free to leave me a link to your own wrap-up post and I’ll be sure to visit!

Monthly Wrap-Up: February ’21

February was going so great and then I hit a wall around the 20th. A combination of migraines and insomnia made it impossible to fully function for like a week. I still feel like I am not getting enough sleep but at least the migraines have stopped. So I only got through three books this month. I could have made it four, but I really didn’t want to force myself when I still wasn’t feeling great. This is also why this wrap-up is a day late and why there won’t be a Top Ten Tuesday post today. I still got to some great books this month and am eager to pick up the ones I didn’t get to soon.

(Book covers below are linked to my reviews, unless otherwise specified.) 

Favorite Book This Month:

My favorite read in February was Tiffany D. Jackson’s Grown. It was powerful and infuriating and an important read for teens to pick up. I have to edit my review for this one but you can expect the review very soon. Cover linked to Goodreads.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

No book received lower than three stars from me.

Reviews Posted This Month:

(Covers linked to reviews)

Notable Blog Posts:

Top Ten Tuesday: Fake Dating Trope Edition – I take a look at some of my favorite books featuring one of my favorite tropes as well as those on my TBR.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Are Fun to Read – I talk about ten books that were just so much fun to read.

Talk Chisme to Me: Ten Most Anticipated 2021 Debuts By Latinx Authors – Check out my most anticipated debuts by Latinx authors. There are so many amazing authors debuting this year. If you are able, please consider supporting them!

What I Watched/Am Watching:

Mr. Sunshine – I finally finished Mr. Sunshine. I am not okay. I have been watching this K-Drama since December and have been savoring it because I loved it so much. It is now my all-time favorite K-Drama and nothing will ever compare. I feel like I’ve kept talking about this one but that I’ve also undersold it. If you like historical dramas that tackle imperialism and classism, this is a must watch. There are two main leads (who meet and give chase on a rooftop after trying to assassinate the same person), but also three secondary characters who all get their own arcs. There are stories of love, camaraderie, begrudging respect. I loved every single one of these characters and you can’t convince me that there were not all in love with each other as well.

Also side note, I am currently looking for sapphic recs that have this kind of vibe^^^ Hit me up with your fav books in the comments where the female leads have a fighting scene. I have a mighty need.

WandaVision – Well, Elizabeth Olsen is an absolute delight in this mini-series. I really enjoy the direction this one has gone so far in addressing the devastation and life-altering pain grief brings. Looking forward to the final episodes.

March Releases I’m Excited For:

What was your favorite February read? What are you currently watching? Let’s discuss in the comments and feel free to leave me a link to your own wrap-up post and I’ll be sure to visit!

Monthly Wrap-Up: January ’21

January was a month where I wanted to read so much, but I just could not find the time to get through a lot of books. I read four books this month, but it did include a near-600 page novel, so I feel like that kind of counts as two books. Let’s have a moment of silence as I got rejected for an eARC of The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore on NetGalley and will be crying about this until the book comes out, but on the plus side I did get offered an ARC of Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira by the publisher after being denied on NetGalley. We are a month into the year and I haven’t signed up for any reading challenges and I think I will keep it this way. I could use a less stressful reading year.

(Book covers below are linked to my reviews, unless otherwise specified.) 

Favorite Book This Month:

My favorite read this month was Hafsah Faizal’s We Free the Stars, the conclusion to her We Hunt the Flame duology. I loved, loved, loved it. Wish me luck as I will be spending the next few days writing a review for this one. I have not written a full review in like two months, maybe more. Cover linked to Goodreads.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

No book received lower than three stars from me.

Reviews Posted This Month:

(Covers linked to reviews)

Notable Blog Posts:

2020 Reading Stats: Who and What Did I Read This Year – This is my second year going over my reading stats, which is always nice to reflect on and see where I can improve.

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2021 – An overview of some of my most anticipated reads. I can’t wait!

Talk Chisme to Me: Ten Most Anticipated 2021 Titles By Latinx Authors – Take a look at my most anticipated releases by Latinx authors out this year!

What I Watched/Am Watching:

Mr. Sunshine – I haven’t started any new shows, but I am almost done with Mr. Sunshine which I just adore so very much. If you’ve seen it, let me know, so I have someone to discuss it with once I am done.

February Releases I’m Excited For:

What was your first 2021 read? What February releases are you most excited for? Let’s discuss in the comments and feel free to leave me a link to your own wrap-up post and I’ll be sure to visit!