April Wrap Up // May TBR | 2014

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image source: here. edited by me.

Starting this month, I will start making Wrap-Up posts (following the footsteps of other book-bloggers out there) and also my TBR (To-be-Read) list for next month. Hopefully this can help me be more organized and see my reading progress each month - because I really want to start tackling my mountain-like TBR pile (although little by little, because each month I keep having new books to read...). April was a pretty good reading month for me, at least it was far better than March - I only got to read 4 books last month. In this post, I will show you what I have read and reviewed this month (as well as a short conclusion about those books), my non-review posts in April, as well as books I'm planning to read in May :)) Oh, and my wrap-up posts will also talk a little what happens to me during the month - and this month I'll talk about getting a-year older.

Read and Reviewed in April:

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks (Read in March, but reviewed in April) 

This one is a little bit disappointing; because I was so excited to be reading a Nicholas Sparks' book again after so long, but it turns out the story doesn't really fulfill my expectations. Nevertheless, I still gave this book a 4/5 stars rating because it was sweet :)

Scarlet Preludium by Silvia Arnie

This book I got for free from winning a Book Review Contest at Yes24.co.id, and it was also quite a disappointing read. I still had my hopes up for Silvia Arnie because I loved her debut books. I enjoyed the dark and gloomy tone of the book; but unfortunately I'm not satisfied with the ending :( Gave this book a 3/5 stars.

You're Only Human by The Gecko

A really quick and light read, it's an illustrated book with very little writing. Some parts are really funny, but I also couldn't relate to some of the jokes. Rated this one 3/5 stars.

The After-Dinner Mysteries by Tokuya Higashigawa

Got this book from the publisher, Penerbit Haru, to be reviewed; and I absolutely enjoyed it! It's a mystery book with a pinch of humor in it. The murder cases are really interesting, and the fact that the detectives are not that smart is what makes the book fun to read. Gave it 4/5 stars, and I'm anticipating the next book in the series :)

Wishing Her To Die by Jung Soo Hyun

Also got this one from Penerbit Haru, I totally love this book - because it makes me feel like watching a Korean melodrama series. I was hooked by the premise of two souls in one body, and there are a lot of other conflicts involved in the story. 5/5 stars for this book! ;)

God is Not Mad at You by Joyce Meyer

Finally I got to read another non-fiction book, and this time it's a spiritual/Christian book. This book is full of encouragement and makes me have a better understanding about God. 5/5 stars!

12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
This is officially the first e-book I read with my Kindle! YAY! I would talk more about my reading experience with Kindle after I got to read about 5 books with it. Back to the book; I actually picked this book up only because I wanted to watch the movie adaptation - because I heard amazing things about it. It's a non-fiction book, and I was hoping for the book to be a lot more intense - but it turns out differently. Although there are great parts in the book, I have to say I'm a bit disappointed. But still looking forward to the movie adaptation! 3/5 for this one.

Teater Boneka by Emilya Kusnaidi, Orinthia Lee, Ayu Rianna
Got this for free from the publisher, Gramedia, as a prize for #ResensiPilihan (a weekly review contest held by them). I was really engaged with the first-half of the book, but not so much in the second-half. I was also a little bit disappointed as to how the story turns out, but it's still a pretty entertaining and light read for me. Giving it a 3.5/5 stars :D *Oh, and one of the writers is a BBI member!

I also just finished reading The Maze Runner, but I will include it next month's Wrap-Up along with the review :)) I'm so proud of myself for reading and reviewing this much books in April - amidst all the craziness of thesis and internship. I guess I was too stressed out with things, so that's why I choose to spend more time with my books. And here are my non-review posts, as well as my May TBR.

Non-Review Posts in April:

Top 5 Wednesday: Top Genres
Top 5 Wednesday: Top Quotes
✮ Giveaway Hop BBI 2014 Winner(s) & Happy 3rd Anniversary BBI ! ✮
Top 5 Wednesday: Top Siblings
If I Stay: Official Trailer
The Book Depository Online Bookstore Review
How I Rate the Books I Read by Bookie-Looker
Movie Adaptation Review: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
Book Haul: April 2014
Top 5 Wednesday: Top Characters You Hate

May TBR (What I'm planning to read next month):
(I might have more books coming in next month, so this list can change and is quite flexible)

Sequence by Shita Hapsari
The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner, #2) by James Dashner
The Death Cure (Maze Runner, #3) by James Dashner
The Kill Order (Maze Runner, #0) by James Dashner
Seriously... I'm Kidding by Ellen Degeneres
 The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Now that the bookish wrap-up is done, I'll talk a little about what has happened to me in April. It was my birthday several days ago; and even though I'm happy I got through another year, I also feel burdened with my age. There are so much to think about, especially the future - which includes work, family, and life partner ㅋㅋㅋ. I am currently working on my (stressful) thesis, but I can't help but also think about what's going to happen after I finish my thesis and graduate. Anyways, I believe God will make everything beautiful in His time.

And lastly, I also want to thank all my family, best friends, and friends - who celebrated my birthday and congratulated me. I am forever grateful for all the love and care that I receive from you all :)))

Bye!

by.stefaniesugia♥ .