Ah, April. What happened?Welcome to my worst reading month in probably more than 10 years and worst blogging month since I started blogging nearly 9 years ago. And you know what? Whilst I do wish I had read more because now I feel like I am behind, I also don't really regret not reading much at the time. I know that sounds contradictory but while I wasn't reading I was having a good month doing other stuff. And as far as blogging goes, well, we will see what happens with that. In the last two days I have managed to write more blog posts than I did for all of last month! No idea if I can maintain this or not!
I spent April reconnecting with old friends, and I went back to Adelaide on holidays. Whilst I was away I basically didn't check emails, write any posts, read or anything. Now, the reading part is not unusual. When I talk to people about going on holidays they always assume that I will read more than usual but that is very rarely the case. I generally don't read anything when I am on holidays and that is true whether I am away or just hanging around home.
Going back to Adelaide used to be something of a stressful time for me but these days it is a much more pleasant experience. This time my mum was away and my son went to stay with his dad and so basically I was able to do whatever I liked for the duration. This means that I was able to spend time with friends, some of whom I hadn't seen since before I moved overseas 20 years ago, some of whom I see most times I go to Adelaide. I went out to breakfast, for dinner, for coffee, to the beach, drove the new road (which excited my friends no end) and more.
Now when you look at the list of books I read it does look as though there are a number of books here, but that is kind of misleading because four of those are audiobooks and one is a cookbook. Yes, that does mean that I only actually read one book for the whole month. One!!
Here's my monthly summary
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith 4.5/5 (audiobook)
A Feast of Ice and Fire by Chelsea Monroe-Cassels and Sariann Lehrer 4/5
Blood Safari by Deon Meyer 4/5 (audiobook)
Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer 4/5 (audiobook)
Sylvester by Georgette Heyer 4/5 (audiobook/reread)
Bellagrand by Paullina Simons 3.5
In terms of challenges, there obviously was not a lot of progress although A Feast of Ice and Fire counted for the Once Upon a Time Challenge and Bellagrand counted for the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.
Currently Reading
A Star for Mrs Blake by April Smith and listening to Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Up Next
I am Livia by Phyllis Smith
Might have been your worst reading month, but it sounds like you were having a great time :-) And you managed to make me move The Cuckoo's Calling up on my audiobook queue - after seeing the high rating you gave it :-)
ReplyDeleteThe Cuckoo's Calling audiobook is very good. I hope you listen to it and enjoy it.
DeleteIt's Adelaide - so much to do here! (And I'm excited about that road too) ;-)
ReplyDeleteFor me, it is more so many people to see! And lots of them asked me if I had driven it yet! I did wonder where the tolls were and of course where the traffic was. The road was empty every time I drove it which was probably half a dozen times.
DeleteAlways enjoy the news you share.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good holiday!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good holiday, and if reading came last that sounds a good thing. That said, 5 books, cookbook or not, is pretty good :)
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling Marg ! I've been somewhat stuck myself ,didn't feel like reading . Then my choices were sort of scattered .
ReplyDeleteI'm the same -- I read much *less* on holiday (whether away or home) because I'm doing stuff! What a great trip you had.
ReplyDeleteYou've listened to two Georgette Heyers which are ideal holiday reads - glad you enjoyed the holidays and relaxed.
ReplyDeleteYou've listened to two Georgette Heyers which are ideal holiday reads - glad you enjoyed the holidays and relaxed.
ReplyDeleteAh Adelaide - is it's where you lived once, it's good to go back to see people. I'm going next weekend for a family 70th - will be good to see everyone in the one place (Victor H), then I'll spend some time catching up with other friends in the city. I hope you find your reading MoJo again soon, and meanwhile - enjoy other aspects of life!
ReplyDeleteIt's ok not to read - I didn't read a page for over a month when I went on a big holiday. (Nobody believed me when I got home!)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had fun - hope you are well :)