In the third week of April, summer has arrived to London quite abruptly. On Monday I was still wearing my winter coat, and then Thursday found me almost half naked, getting a tan in the parking lot on our smoke break at work. Anarchy in the UK, pretty much.
We are back to shitty weather though, so all is well.
So let’s see what happened in April on Reading Under the Blankie, shall we.
On account of having three days of summer, I haven’t read a lot this month. Excuses, am I right? After a mediocre start with The Good Twin I managed to pick some truly awful books, but then Baby Teeth swooped in, and saved the day. The Other Couple was pretty awesome too, however now I can’t stop obsessing about my upcoming holiday and how I’ll be murdered there.
Skin Deep by Liz Nugent
A dark, chilling story about the most despicable women I’ve come across for quite some time.
Meet Me In The Strange by Leander Watts
A super bizarre story about strange teenagers in a weird setting.
Ragdoll by Daniel Cole
Blood, gruesome murders and a bunch of wiseass characters. Much love!
Autumn Killing by Mons Kallentoft
An atmospheric Nordic noir, third in the Malin Fors series.
The Other Couple by Sarah J. Naughton
A twisty, uncomfortable holiday suspense.
Savage Spring by Mons Kallentoft
Family secrets, vicious killers on the loose… Fourth in the Malin Fors series.
My Husband’s Lies by Caroline England. I went as far as 30% before dropping it like a hot potato. I expected an intimate first person view on some sinister secret, but instead I got a messy story of a bunch of irritating people I could not connect with. I must say, the husband’s lies were the least of our concerns in this one.
The Suicide Forest by Jeremy Bates. I was intrigued by the premise: Aokigahara, a forest just outside Tokyo, where every year a lot of people commit suicide. Expecting a gruesome horror, I was disappointed to find some boring group of people arguing about stupid shit, and being annoying tossers right from the beginning. There were just so many of them, and I was like “Who dat… and why should I care?” But it’s set in a real place, and it’s scary! Yeah… don’t think so.
So, The Ninth Rain by Jen Williams is still on the table. I’ve been going at it for a solid month now, without much success, but I refuse to drop it, because Vintage… she’s awesome.
Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson is not something I’d normally read, but I needed a break after the abundance of thrillers I consumed recently. I only just started it, so we’ll see how it goes. Love the song with the same title, so that’s promising…
None of the books I’d read this month would fit into the Popsugar Reading Challenge prompts (I think…?), but I made a list of books written by local (London) authors for future reference.
Reading Challenge Prompt #20: A book written by a local author
I also participated in #ApTHRILL, but it didn’t go as I planned. I’m not usually good at setting a TBR, but I managed to go through most of the books I thought I will be reading for this one. Two of them were downright terrible! Like, so bad, I would probably set fire to them if they weren’t digital copies. Ugh. I did read some thrillers I originally hadn’t thought I will, so I guess I’m still winning?!
I still haven’t gotten over my obsession with dystopia, and in April I made a list of some adult dystopian books, and got quite a few nice suggestions from you guys as well. Thank you! Also, I’m doomed…
I also made a list of things I do when I’m in a reading slump, or trying to avoid getting into one. I think we all agreed that watching TV series is one of the winning option! On that note, all you crime-mystery fans: watch Marcella on Netflix if you haven’t yet. It’s awesome!
7 Tips For Getting Over That Reading Slump
20 Books To Satisfy Your Cravings for Dystopia
Kathy @ Books & Munches has come up with yet another brilliant monthly theme. Moody May was literally invented for me. Moody is my middle name! Well, not really, but it really should be.
The Outsider by Stephen King is coming out on the 22nd May! I repeat: a new Stephen King book is coming! I’m clearing my calendar for that week, and my clients can forget about me.
My birthday at the end of May! Cheesecake, ice cream, all the jazz! I don’t normally throw a party with friends, instead, for the last couple of years I’ve taken up the habit of going on a lil’ trip to celebrate. Last year I went to Lisbon with my bestie, and the year before that I visited Cornwall. Took me eight bloody hours to get there, but fuck it. I got the most amazing tan, and everyone in the office thought I was on some exotic beach.
Trip to Brussels! That’s my birthday trip this year, and I’m super excited about all them waffles and beer. I don’t particularly like chocolate, but when I went to Belgium a few years ago, I found (in the grocery store, of all places) a nice one with lavender. I love weird shit!
Continue improving on my Greek skills… Although, ever since I learned that cheesecake in Greek is also cheesecake (just with cute accent), I pretty much feel like I don’t need to know anything else…
I look forward to seeing what you guys are up to!
I loved Ragdoll!! I wasn’t sure about picking up The Family at No.13, so I’m glad you mentioned it 😊😊 aaaand yay for birthdays!!!
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Yea, i expected a thriller but it really wasn’t that. More like family drama, but the annoying kind 🙈
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First blogger I’ve seen who also is doing the PopSugar reading challenge! I keep track of mine in a notebook instead of posting my progress, though…. c:
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I have a notebook too, and a Google sheet 😁
Hows your progress going? I feelvlike i wontIbe able to read for each prompt unless i i cou books twice if they fit two of them for example.
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18 prompts done so far, including one from the “advanced” section!
I felt like that for a while, too, but then I just started reading more short books. They’re cool and my TBR list is thankful that it’s getting smaller in size faster!
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Oh nice! Great progress!
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9 books a month is a lot of reading, I’m currently on 3. 😊👏
I can’t belive we are back to this shitty weather. We are currently freezing whilst climbing in near arctic temperatures.. ok, 5C is not freezing per se but add cold bitter wind to the mix and those few glorious summer days feel like a very dear yet utterly distant memory. 😂😂😂
So cool you have a fun Birthday trip coming up! I’m sure it will be lots of fun.
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Forgot to add: I have put Ninth Rain on hold but also love Vintage. And I do want to finish it. Fancy doing a buddy read so we motivate each other so how? 😂
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I think id just hold you back most likely. Have read one chapter this month 🙈🙈 how far are you?
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I’m more than half way through. On chapter 27 but haven’t read it in a few months as got distracted by other books, I’m happy to wait till you catch up as it’s been on hold for a while. I’m in no hurry but equally understand if you yourself want to put it on hold / take it easy! 😊
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Ah… i i made it to 15% in 2.5 months 😂😂😂
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That’s still progress, it is a long book! 😉😂
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Ugh, that 5C doesn’t sound like fun… ☹️
I just hope the weather in Brussels will be nice and warm!
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Fingers crossed! 🤞🍀
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Brussels sounds like a wonderful birthday trip. I get frustrated sometimes when my reads can’t fit into the reading challenge I created for my friend and I. But damn, some books are just too inticing to not read. Right?!
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I know, exactly!
ImIa mood reader and never know what i will feel like reading so just kinda hope something will fit 😁
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That’s so me too. Lol
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I would so pick up Since You’ve Been Gone too. I hope it turns out to be a good read! I hope you’ll enjoy the trip to Brussels and the waffles and pancakes and beer. And a good steak with French fries for dinner!
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Ooh yesss, fries with mayo!! ❤️ I remember the last time i was in Belgium i ate a lot of rabbit. Over here it’s not a thing, sadly. My fave local pub does it as a special but not very often. The owner is french and he said it’s not popular cuz people think rabbit is too cute to eat… 🙈
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Whaaa, rabbit? Where did you go to eat! It is too cute ;-). It’s not a regular dish here either but horse steak is though.. and I heard that’s not done in the UK. I don’t know if that’s right though.
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I was in Bruge and saw it in most places. Horse sounds interesting but it is indeed frowned upon here 🤐
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Cheesecake! Ice cream! Awesome.👍👌
I am shocked, you wrote that you were walking around half naked! You chose to write that out on the Internet where there’s loads of freaks and weirdos or as they are also known bloggers.😂
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Lol… i was wearing a sleveless dress and no tights which is considered half naked as per office standards. should have specified 😂
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I like to help out my fellow bloggers so I’ve just posted the that on twitter.😂😂😂 Joking, obviously.
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ooooh. What did you think of the Altered Carbon book?
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It was awesome! I loved it. 😍. It was very gritty.
Even liked the series up to a certain point, until they decided to invent some stuff that was not in the book just for more drama…
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Aww The Good Twin looked really interesting (and that cover, oof) And LOL at your Greek cheescake! 😂
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Good Twin was ok, but not what i expected. I’ll post a review soon ☺. I think it would work better as a tv film
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Great wrap up, Norrie! I really hope you love Since You’ve been gone! It was a really sweet book! Also, the cover for Altered Carbon disturbs me. Hahaha!
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I managed to read half of Since You, and it’s pretty good. Kind of cute, but refreshing.
When i bought that book, it came with that cover and i didn’t like it either. About a week later i turn on my kindle, and suddenly it has a blue cover… much better 😂
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I’m glad you like it so far!
That must’ve been a nice surprise! Hahahahaha. 😂
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Love your round-up! At this point I’d just be happy with some consistent weather. And since it is almost May Happy Birthday Month!
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Thank you! 😀
Weather’s been crazy! Kinda stormy right now. Ugh…
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Just finished reading The Good Twin. I can’t wait to read your review. Sad to hear that Husband’s Secret didn’t work out for you. Its one of my May reads so I am just going to push it down my list for now lol.
Enjoy your birthday month and I hope some awesome reads will find their way to you this May. Happy reading 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂
I’ll post my review for Good Twin later on this week 😀 We can compare notes!
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I know! It’s 28 degrees here – I do not mind it, but it might a bit too hot for this time of year.
I want to read The Family at No. 13 and I got it from NetGalley but I did not have time for it yet.
A new Stephen King book? Oh, I am excited!
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I hope you’ll have more luck with that No 13 book than i did… 🙂 I wasn’t impressed.
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Wow, you had quite a mix this month! I really wanted to love Baby Teeth, but it didn’t really work for me.
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I can see why it’s not for everyone. It was quite a stressful read i must say, but i do enjoy those for some odd reason 😀
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Ohh birthday trip, how sweet !!
im however unlucky to be born in the last days of december .. between christmas and new year at that ! so when people are not gone visiting family well … we have a snow storm xD merp.
The cover of the altered carbon is just SO cool !! but yeah, I just refuse to read/watch horror stories about the suicide forest.. mainly because it’s a bit unrespectful of them, you know ? Nobody was murdered, rather went there to “end it” in peace .. not much “based on a true story” so kinda eh. However I did watched the movie, and it just .. was a mess xD so im not really trusting of thoses .. I feel like it’s more of a “what in hell is this” ..
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Ugh, bummer… maybe one day you’ll move to the Caribbean and have a birthday pool party with cocktails 😀
I don’t think i’ll watch the movie version of that foresty horror thing… doesn’t sound very good.
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That’d be so crazy to get to see christmas and my birthday not only without snow, but heat aswell !! that’d be a dream to be able to swim in a pool then 😍 but just so wierd aswell, as i’m so used to snow and cold, you know ?
yep, good thinking .. this movie wasn’t making any sense xD
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I grew up in a country with -20C during winter. England is no carribbean, but i don’t miss that cold at all! 😀 Now, when it’s 5C degrees during the day (like yesterday) i’m complaining…
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hahaha yeah .. we can get to -40 sometimes xD I bet I wouldn’t miss that either !
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I remember that Since You’ve Been Gone was one of the books everyone was talking about when I first started blogging! I still haven’t read it, but I might. I’m actually already on a break from my usual literary fiction to read more contemporary fics, so let’s see. I might read this one if your review convinces me. 😆
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I’m around 60% with it, and surprisingly i quite like it. It’s really cute and far less romancey than i thought it will be 😀
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Fantastic wrap-up! I need to start putting in my monthly reviews, that’s something I always forget!! 🙂
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I’m always super in delay… like by the time i publish my review often 3-4 weeks passed since i actually finished the book. Usually i do review it closer to the actual review writing, but then i just schedule. I do have books from march i started reviewing but haven’t finished. Heh.
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I do that too! I like to post my reviews on Wednesday (and Sunday if it’s getting busy!) so they’re always out of time with when I’ve read them. I’ll have to add the feature to next months wrap-up!
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You’re lucky you can tan. I just burn…
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Aww… ❤
I have a friend in the same situation. We always have to hide her in the shades 🙂
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Yay for birthdays and awesome travels! 😀 I love your idea of doing a nice trip for your birthday each year. I hope you have an amazing time. ❤
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Thank you! Can’t wait!
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Ragdoll was a nice fast-paced thriller! Do you plan on checking out the sequel soon? And Altered Carbon?! You read it?! Or just saw the show? What did you think about it? 😮
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I will defo read the second book, just not sure when.
Altered Carbon was awesome! The book i mean. I love a good cyberpunk and this was a prime example. The series was good, up to the point where they totally butchered the story line to include some weird family drama that never happened in the book.
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