Did this month feel long, or is that just me? Welcome to my April monthly recap, filled with challenges, memories, and 5-star reads.
This series on my blog gives you a little peek behind the screen into the life of a blogger, basically, my not-so-secret diary.Â
Let’s take a look at the month of good reads and reevaluations.
My April Diary Entry
The Highlights
As always, I’ll start this April monthly recap with the high notes. There is always something good to look back on, and it is important to acknowledge the good moments; otherwise, you get caught in the riptide of life.
- Autumn Market – We have an annual autumn market near me, and I never miss it! It is filled with a variety of stalls and amazing food. What more can a girl want? And it’s cheap! I got an old money-style watch for R80, i.e. about $4.
- Family Time – April was the month of family. Just to name a few excursions: we met our cousin’s French Bulldog (of course), a mall outing with my sister and brother-in-law, and so much more. I am through and through a family girl, therefore, April equalled bliss.
- Bible Study – I am attending a women’s Bible study group 3 times a month now, and it is so insightful!Â
- Audible – I jumped on the audiobook wagon… So here is another obsession I need to keep reeling in lol. So far, I am not regretting it.
My Favorites
Yeah, buckle up, cause I have a LIST, in all caps. The reading bug bit me, and now I am obsessed. So my April monthly recap is like 49.9% books.
Quick question: Would you be interested to see book reviews on my blog? I get that they are all fiction, so not really personal development, but I am considering sharing them here. What do you think?Â
Okay, so the favorites:
- Favorite Movie: I have watched the sum total of zero movies this month, lol. But I have The Death of a Unicorn on my list for May.
- Favorite Book: Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann – This book made me experience every emotion possible. Be sure to check the trigger warnings if you want to read it. It is a dark book, but Jennifer Hartmann is now my favorite author by a mile.
- Favorite Song: Mystical Magical by Benson Boone, What Was That by Lorde, and Options by Cameron Whitcomb
- Favorite Blog Post: 15 It’s Okay Moments: Permission To Be Human
- Current Series: Niggies – A true crime Afrikaans series
Yup, here is a whole section about books...
Like I said, a lot of reading occurred this month…
- Current Reads: June First by Jennifer Hartmann and Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez
- Books Read:
- Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood – 5 stars! By far my favorite Ali Hazelwood book.
- Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh – My first 6-star read ever!
- Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh – I mean, I cried, laughed, and gasped out loud. 6 stars.
- The Sweetest Oblivion by Danielle Lori – 3.75 stars. It was okay, but I would probably not finish the Made series soon.
- The Boyfriend by Freda McFadden – my gateway drug to thrillers. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! I am yet to read a book by Freda that I love more. 4.5 stars.
- The Inmate by Freda McFadden – a solid 4.25 stars. I adored this book and the MMC, however, I am not a fan of the ending, iykyk.
- Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann – Of course, I have to give this 6 stars and title it my all-time favorite book. I died a little inside reading this (in the best way possible)… I couldn’t finish it in one sitting because I needed breaks to recuperate. That should say enough.
- The Bodyguard by Katherine Center – After being traumatized from Still Beating (thank you, Jennifer), I had to settle on something lighthearted, and The Bodyguard was the perfect remedy! 10/10 recommend, especially if you are looking for a book with a closed-door romance. A well-deserved 4.5 stars.
- My First Ever DNF – I didn’t finish Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage. Loved the concept, but I had the same problem with Wild Love by Elsie Silver – the spice just isn’t for me.Â
The April Goals Recap
My goals are kinda in their savage era… And not in a good way, lol. Anyways, that doesn’t mean I’m giving up.
I am changing my strategy...
As you can see, my goals are well… Not cooperating. So, a change in strategy is evident. After my reevaluation, I have planned to incorporate a few new things:
- Pinterest – I am including more ‘aesthetic’ pins, such as quotes and infographic summaries of blog posts
- Content – I am incorporating a new category of posts, i.e., blogging tips. And I might throw in some book reviews under the lifestyle section
- Affiliates – I applied for more affiliate programs in an attempt to run a more lucrative blog
- Blog Refresh  – I’ve been wanting to change up my home page a bit in the hope that it will be more condensed and draw readers in.
The Goals For May
I have decided to dial back on my goals completely. I see it as ground zero. At this time, my analytics are very stable. Like, straight line stable. I am grateful for that, but I miss seeing spikes. So, for May, we are recuperating:Â
Conclusion
That’s a wrap for my April monthly recap, the month of recuperating and family. Let’s tackle May with full force and chase our dreams like there is no tomorrow.
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Have a great day wherever you are in the world!
Love, Steph ♥
