It’s time for a look back at the past month on the Oaken Bookcase.
April has flown by – how can it be May already?! It’s getting closer to winter here and it’s starting to be a bit harder to get out of bed in the mornings… or perhaps that’s just me not being a morning person!
Philippa and I have been super busy this month and have only managed to record one episode of Tea in the Treetops, but we are hoping to get another one out very soon – there’s lots to talk about! The great news is that you can now subscribe to the podcast in a few different ways, including iTunes, Stitcher radio and email. Check out the podcast page for more information, and as always, let us know if you’re enjoying it or if you have any questions we can answer on the show for you. Go ahead, pimp your blog!
This month I also went along to some fun events! Supanova Expo was on at the Gold Coast and once I heard that Tad Williams was going to be there, I had to go along. I ended up also running into Jay Kristoff at the Dymocks stand as well, and it was lovely to meet both of them! I came away with a stack of signed books and complete amazement at the number of people in various costumes.
Then there was the Penguin Teen Australia Live event. Philippa and I will be chatting about this when we get around to recording again, but we, along with thirty or so other bloggers and book lovers listened to the awesome Felicity of Penguin Aus talk about the young adult books to be released this year. It was great to be a part of it all and to add some great-sounding books to the list. Also, I’m assured that I really should read the Vampire Academy series, or revoke my YA reader card. One of these days…
Reviews for April:
- Jack Templar, Monster Hunter Academy, Jeff Gunhus – the second in this MG paranormal fantasy series. Action-packed and very enjoyable, if a bit over the top at times
- The Immortal Rules, Julie Kagawa – why didn’t I read this sooner? Loved it! Vampires and zombies ftw!
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, JK Rowling – one of my favourites. Who am I kidding, they’re all my favourites.
- The Dirty Streets of Heaven, Tad Williams – a different take on Heaven and Hell. Very funny and quite dark.
- The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett – a classic and one of my favourite children’s stories.
- Jinx: The Wizard’s Apprentice, Sage Blackwood – loved this MG debut.
- The Seers: New World Order, MD Kaczkowski – more angels and demons, but in an interactive online format.
- The Eternity Cure, Julie Kagawa – the second Blood of Eden book. I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first one, but still a great read.
Books I read but didn’t review yet:
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, JK Rowling – the re-read continues. I love this instalment!
- The Golem and the Jinni, Helene Wecker – a really lovely story of two mythical creatures living as immigrants in New York city in the very early 20th century. Review will be coming soon!
- These Old Shades, Georgette Heyer – our book club read for this month. The description of “frothy Regency romance” applies here, but this is the funniest historical dramatic romance I think I’ve ever read! The review doesn’t really belong here, but I’m planning to write one on Goodreads at least.
- Her Sweetest Downfall (The Forever Girl #0.5), Rebecca Hamilton – a novella telling the story of Ophelia and how she became Cruor. If you enjoyed The Forever Girl, you’ll love this.
I’ve been really lucky to read a lot of books lately that I loved, so it’s hard to name a favourite. I have to say that I really enjoyed The Immortal Rules and The Eternity Cure, but I also really loved The Golem and the Jinni.
Goal Update
- Goodreads challenge – I’m currently sitting at 36 books read – 4 ahead of schedule. It’s nice to be ahead, but that total might get a bit higher after the Bout of Books! We’ll see.
- I’m way behind on the Dark Tower read-along – I’ve just had so many other great books to read, I haven’t been able to fit the Stephen Kings in!
- I’m still only 6/27 on my master to-read list. Really need to pick a few books from there to go into the BoB reading list.
Coming up in May
Bout of Books v7.0 is coming up from May 13 to 19! The sign up post is already up, so get your reading list ready and prepare to read! I’ve loved being part of the past Bouts of Books so I’m really looking forward to getting into it again.
I know I’ve been saying this for the past few months but I really want to make this month my review copy cleanup month. I’ve made a good start with the last few books but there’s plenty more to come.
Keep your ears open for another Tea in the Treetops episode, coming very soon!
Have a happy May 🙂
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is my absolute favourite! They’re all awesome, but that one’s story I liked the most.
Have you seen the event hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Reviewer? She’s hosting an ARC sweep challenge this month (http://www.caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2013/03/clean-sweep-arc-challenge-may-2013.html). Maybe that’ll be the boost you need to finally tackle that pile of review books? (:
Ah, no, I hadn’t seen that! What a great idea, will go check it out! Thanks Celine 🙂
Agh sorry! I’m a bad friend/ Still haven’t managed to listen to Tea in the Treetops despite downloading both episodes and sticking episode 1 on my ipod! I will I will. Needs more book podcasts.
I’ve also heard the Vampire Academy books are amazing and will have to check this out for myself.. one of these days… thank god for libraries. 😀
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You should totally listen to it xD We’re trying to get a chance to record another one, but we’ve both been busy, and unwell, and have toddlers who don’t like to sleep… we’ll get there eventually!