April Goals

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I mentioned last week that March was month work took top priority, and most of my March goals fell to the wayside. I did cut expenses (as in, I didn't buy anything except for necessities with the exception of beer on St. Patrick's Day), open a savings account (which I thought I had done months ago, but apparently didn't), finish Erin's Reading Challenge and started the bonus round, and made a delicious no bake Oreo-crusted peanut butter pie on Pi Day. I actually made two, one for Blue and one for work. Blue said it was like a more decadent over-sized Reese's, and my coworkers (who didn't know I baked) all made a point of finding me and telling me how good it was. It was perfect timing too because it was my boss's birthday, so double win! I also researched renter's insurance options, but didn't get it yet.  

Here's what I'm hoping to accomplish in April:

• Get renter's insurance already!
• Clean out dresser
• Clean out and reorganize kitchen
• Make 3 new recipes
• Make eye doctor appointment

Keeping it short and simple this month. What are your goals for April? Linking up with The Peaceful Posse!

Show Us Your Books: March Reads

Hello friends! Unlike my diverse reads last month, this month I stuck to mainly YA (with one classic thrown in, for a reading challenge). Make sure to link up with the hosts so I can see what you've been reading too! 

On the Come Up- Angie Thomas: 5 Stars
Category: 52 Weeks Book featuring music, PopSugar Book that should be a movie, BCBE Bonus Freebie
library e-book

I was unsure how to rate this one since I had given THUG 5 stars, but I liked this one even more. I think one thing I've seen other readers comment on was feeling a disconnect with these characters and storyline, but I didn't feel that way at all. I don't listen to rap music, but each time Bri mentioned a song, I played it immediately to get a full sense of what she was describing. I think that swayed me quite a bit. I also liked all the nerd talk (particularly the Star Wars bits). Such a well-told, important (and timely) story.

The Sun Is Also a Star- Nicola Yoon: 5 Stars
Category: BCBE/ Soon to be a movie
library e-book 

Loved the alternating POVs, and bits of brief histories. Loved the short chapters. Loved all of connections. And always love a good HEA! Can't wait to see the movie. 

Two Can Keep a Secret- Karen McManus: 4.5 Stars
Category: 52 Weeks/PopSugar Book Published in 2019
library e-book

Another one I was skeptical about because I enjoyed the author's debut so much, but this one was equally as good. Just like the other one, I had no idea about the ending until the absolute last sentence. And even then I needed a lot of time to digest! Solid psychological YA thriller. 

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating- Christina Lauren: 4 Stars
Category: PopSugar Book Written by Two Female Authors, 52 Weeks Starts with "J"
library e-book

My first Christina Lauren- finally! And I totally get all the hype! It reminded me a little of an updated and younger When Harry Met Sally. I thought the character development and growth was excellent and the dating stories funny, but also heartbreaking because I wanted Josh and Hazel together. Romantic comedy at its best. Can't wait to read more from this dynamic duo! 

The Field Guide to the North American Teenager- Ben Phillipe: 4 Stars
Category: BCBE Cardinal Direction in Title, Author Debut, Setting in Southern U.S.
library hardback

"To my mother, Belzie. I would have made a terrible doctor, Mom. People would have died."  

"He had a literal red neck and close-cropped hair hiding a prematurely receding hairline. It was a strong recession too. Like Obama's first term."  

"She smiled at him. 'Look, you still like her, right?'Norris nodded in spite of himself. He did. At this point, life would be much simpler if he didn't, but even the brief second that he'd seen her in the cafeteria had been enough to make his heart skip a stupid beat. Arrhythmia was giving a confirmation that there was still some active liking in his bloodstream."  

"'Do you think you're a good liar?' she asked, checking her watch again. 'Because you're not. Your face is like a pop-up book for every feeling in there.'"

I didn’t like the ending, but it left me feeling... hopeful? Overall I loved Norris and everything else about this story! I liked all of the pop culture references, particularly the movies- Can't Hardly Wait, 10 Things I hate About You, Mean Girls, Beverly Hills: 90210, Friday Night Lights. A great debut and I hope to read more by this author. 


The Adventures of Tom Sawyer- Mark Twain: 3 Stars
Category: BCBE Published 100+ Years Ago, 52 Weeks Challenge Author Who Uses a Pseudonym, MMD Published Before I Was Born
Kindle Unlimited

If it weren’t for Erin's challenge I would have quit at 21%; it was sooo slow and didn’t pick up for me until nearly 60%. I guess I just don't like stories about kids? I don't know, but none of it really grabbed me and made me want to keep reading until more than halfway through. Even by the end I didn't really care about the characters. I haven't read Huck Finn yet, but I can already imagine why this is the less popular of the two. 


Currently reading: The Paris Wife- Paula McLain

What are you reading? 

Linking up with Steph and Jana! 

Currently and What's New With Me

Another unintentionally long absence... my bad! Currently work has been taking top priority and I have just not been making the time to sit and write in this space even when I do have time. I feel like I've been more interested in reading and not thinking too much when I get home, so I've been letting myself do that, which is kind of a grace in itself. But I'm back-ish, so here's what's currently going on. 

Reading: Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West and Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

Listening to: Sweet but Psycho- Ava Max

Watching: Just finished Top Chef and loved the final three and the ultimate winner. I thought it was interesting how they moved the show to China and the contestants had to use new ingredients they've never heard of before to make their dishes and try to communicate in the markets. The OA is back and... wow. I think I'm only one episode into the new season but I'm already confused! I'm also two episodes behind of The Walking Dead, so no spoilers please! 

Appreciating: Neighbors who get me tissues, a thermometer and food when I'm sick, and paid sick days from work. It's all about the little things :) 

Wishlisting: Nothing at the moment! 

Posting: Inconsistently lately. I would say I'll get better but I'm not sure I will anytime soon, and that's okay. 

Considering: When to get my hair cut. Every two years or so I do a big chop (anywhere from 12-15 in, to donate). I usually like to do it when it starts getting warmer because it's really thick and keeps my neck warm in winter. Should be soon now! 

Experiencing: Not much besides work (which was brutal last month), but calming down a bit now. Work talk is boring though, so here's what else I've been up to. 

Went to see Captain Marvel which was AWESOME. Brie Larson even showed up to my hometown theater and was serving popcorn- how crazy is that?! And we were supposed to go see it that day too, but work- argh! Anyway, I loved her, badass female heroes, and all the 90's references. Already got tickets to see the new Avengers later this month! 

Blue has been nagging me to play the Super Nintendo I got her for Christmas, so we finally did that. Apparently I've lost all of my Mario Kart skills, but I'm still decent at Donkey Kong! (Gotta love that old school 16-bit resolution!)

Obligatory food pics! We checked out this brunch place called Toast City Diner in Montclair and it was DEEEE- LICIOUS! Blue got the Lucky Charms pancakes and I had a crab hash topped with eggs. Also made an easy, no bake Ore-crusted peanut butter pie for Pi Day, enjoyed a rare weekday off with sunshine, beer, and a book, Michael introduced me to my new favorite beer, Gunner's Daughter Milk Stout, and made it to Mickey D's in time for Shamrock shakes! 

St. Patrick's Day is always a big deal for my group of friends. I don't know if it's the green beer or spring in the air (surely it's not because any of them are actually Irish), but we always do a bar crawl and the whole town comes out. This year local former NFL player Plaxico Burrell (Steelers/Giants/Jets) also came out. You may know him better as the guy who caught the game-winning catch of Super Bowl XLII (Giants vs. Patriots), or the idiot who accidentally shot himself in the thigh. He was a total jerk but otherwise it was a successful Sunday Funday! 

I ended the month with a work conference in Denver, CO. I'll write a recap of the trip soonish, but overall I found it enlightening, through-provoking, and slightly stressful, particularly the part where they asked you to chart out where you are now, where you want to be, and your "Big Dream" (you know, what you would do if money and/or family was no issue); and then breaking each track down further by where you'd be in 3-5, then 10 years, what skills you'd need to get or keep in each track, how it'd affect home life, and if you'd have any regrets. It allowed the time and space to really think about these things, and then share with someone else. I'd never even been to an all-women's conference, so it was definitely a great experience overall! 

And now I have a cold. Blergh. 

What's new with you?

Linking up with Anne and Kristen!