April Book Reads!

Shelved my first cart of books at the library. Only messed up a couple!

I haven't read a cookbook from beginning to end in years... This one is so well put together and truly does pay homage to the traditional Mexican cooking I grew up enjoying. It's fancy but still authentic recipes.

I'm so glad he put all his work in a compiled book! Been browsing it for hours.

Loving how the book breaks down realistic ways of dealing with anxiety.

I highly recommend listening to the audiobook version, it is narrated by Chad Burris and he makes it so engaging and fun. I didn't read Dumplin but watched the Netflix movie and both stories translate well beyond the YA crowd. So many quotable parts!

I never really considered myself a fan of her even though I love Being Mary Jane but after listening to her stories, I am in love with her. She really does go all in and tells everything, good, bad, and ugly ugly, with a perspective and sense of self that left me wanting more.

If you enjoy true crime podcasts, get this one in audiobook form. The narrator does an excellent job telling the story, I often forgot it was fiction and started to piece together details like I do when I listen to podcasts. The twist comes pretty early in the story so I was a bit let down by that but it still held up.

Some weekend reading. I feel myself rushing through my reading lately, I want to take this one slow while doing some self care.

There are parts I wish didn‘t exist, parts I can‘t look away from now. In one way or another, this is the deal we all sign when we love someone. For better or worse. It‘s the deal we have to sign again and again to keep that love. We don‘t turn away from the parts of someone we don‘t want to see. However quickly or long it takes to see them. We accept them if we are strong enough. Or we accept them enough to not let the bad parts become the story.

I'm so glad I watched the show first and then read the book, because it allowed me to be amazed at how much richer the story is through the author's own words. I finished it in just 2 days.

"I‘d sunk to a new low, but I wouldn‘t let it sink."

Going from work to the gym and this book got me pretty hooked. The accents the narrator puts on are a bit funny. Lol

I am glad I gave this one another chance in audiobook format. It felt like listening to a true crime podcast, I was hooked. Plot is clean and it keeps you guessing till the end. The unreliable narrator angle really works for this story.

"When in doubt, go to the library."

Researching how to protest property taxes for my coworkers who are getting hit with massive spikes.

Getting comfy for some reading time while doing school picks ups.

Some hot chocolate and easy, comfort reading.

Audiobook has a nice flow. Perfect for listening while lifting.

I love these moments! I keep a diary where I write down small excerpts that I find as I'm reading. I want to look back and see beautiful words in every page.

Absolutely loved this one. So well paced and developed. I listened to the audiobook and it has alternating narrators, which was brilliant. I was hooked and could not stop myself.

Spending the day at the library as a volunteer is pretty much my favorite activity!

I need something light and fluffy to distract me. I haven't been into the Stephanie Plum series in a loooong time.

I struggled with this one. Partially because the narrator in the audiobook was not my favorite and because the story felt a bit unfinished and scattered towards the end. I never really got that feeling of "walking in someone's shoes" that I love from memoirs. Her story IS outstanding, her ability to overcome and heal such a extremist household is to be applauded.

Has anyone watched the movie?

I have high hopes for this book, it looks cool, it sounds cool, and I'm in the mood for werewolves.

Hmm, I may need to get the hard copy for this book because the narrator for the audiobook version is making it hard to get into this book. I've had it recommended by so many people but I'm struggling.

At least my buddy, Bones, is keeping me company.

I'm glad my local library is posting these all over the facilities!

Controversial or not, the story is solid but nothing I would want to re read or would be remembering past this week. Yes, it's a heartbreaking take on an immigrant's journey but the writing was a bit heavy handed while really not giving me much to sink my teeth into. The author seems to have all the details, mostly accurate, about what the happens when trying to cross illegally to the US, but for me, it needed a bit more of something...

This was a tough one to get into. I ended up switching to audiobook because the pace was too slow and the writing a bit muddled. However, the narrator does an outstanding job and hooked me in, I ended up really enjoying the storyline. It's a good mix of love and self discovery, with a heavy dose of small town politics and racism.

Oh yes, this was more my speed. Finished it in just 3 days. It reminded me of Lisa Ling's storytelling style on her shows, like you are getting a glimpse into someone's uncommon lifestyle. Similar to The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner. Highly recommend both of these memoirs.

I'm not the target audience for this author's perspective but this book will resonate deeply with anyone who has felt out of place within their family, their peers, their culture, their country. I highly recommend listening to it, rather than reading, because it's narrated by the author himself and his voice, rhythm, and emotion heightened the power of what he was communicating, I almost felt in a trance while listening.

Boba & Books with Bestie 🤓

300 year old contraption to keep 7 books open at the same time. Let's bring it back! 📚

Love looking at my blooming flowers as I read a quick HP chapter for comfort. 💖

The only book that stays on my nightstand permanently. 💕

New textbooks means new toy for Bones. 😺

"But he needed a story and she needed to tell one. So she did, until he didn‘t care whether she was lying or speaking the truth."

I'm loving the narration for this audiobook. Every word is rich and fluid.

I have been trying to finish this book for about 3 years... 😬 I'm hoping to at least make some progress this new year!

"Eventually all you're left with is somebody who sees you for who you really are. And sooner or later, they hold up a mirror and you're forced to see for yourself. And who the hell can live with that?"