April Wrap-Up // May TBR | 2015

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image source: here. edited by me.

We're almost halfway through 2015 !! Like, what? Where did all the time go? These days I felt like 24-hours is not enough, because I still have so many things I want to do—so many books I want to read. And a lot of things happened this month, including me getting a year older. I was quite busy in April, but thankfully I was able to maintain my reading progress this month. So far I've read 7 books (and 2 novellas) this month and reviewed 7 books in total (some are from last month's read). I read almost all of my April TBR, which is great, so I can schedule to read other books for next month :) Now let's get straight to the books I've read and reviewed this month, non-review posts in April, and a list of books I'm planning to read in May.

Kismet by Nina Addison

This is a very enjoyable read and it's quite an easy read. Even though the conflict of the story is a bit mainstream/cliché, I love the characters and how the story develops. And I think the best part about this book is probably Nina Addison's writing that I enjoyed so much. Hopefully I can read more books by her. 4.5/5 for this one :) ✮✮✮✮½

Priceless Moment by Prisca Primasari

A lot of people recommended this book to me, and I'm actually a bit late in reading this book because it was published last year. It's a heartwarming story of a single father who never knew how to face his own children. And since his wife's death, he had to learn how to become the father that will make his children happy. I also gave this a 4.5/5. ✮✮✮✮½

Intertwine by FLOCK (Fei, Lia Indra Andriana, Orizuka, Clara Canceriana, KP Januwarsi)

This book is a short story collection written by five different authors, but all the stories are related to wedding dresses. Of course all the stories are about romance; and even though all the authors have different styles of writing, I still enjoyed this book overall. So in the end I gave this book a 4/5. ✮✮✮✮

Bulan (Bumi, #2) by Tere Liye
I was highly anticipating this sequel because I really enjoyed the first book last year! Thankfully I don't have to remember much of the detail from the first book to get into this one. However, I was a bit disappointed because the overall story doesn't get much development in this book. I still enjoyed it quite well though, because the adventure is so action-packed. I also gave a 4/5 rating for this book :) ✮✮✮✮

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
THIS BOOK. It's the best book I've read this month, and it's one of the best books I've read in 2015 so far. I regretted not reading this book sooner, because this book is just utterly wonderful—just like the title. It's a very heartwarming middle grade book that's also inspiring. You can read my super lengthy review to know how much I love this book. Obviously a 5/5! I also wouldn't mind giving it a 10/5 :)) ✮✮✮✮✮

Pay It Forward by Emma Grace
I was kindly offered to read this book by the author and of course I gladly accepted it. It's a young adult story that revolves around a girl who's facing a conflict with her family; but it's also mixed in with a little bit of romance. It's a very heartwarming story and I rate it 3/5. ✮✮✮

Gloomy Gift by Rhein Fathia
I've been very curious about this book since I read my friend's review about it, and it turns out to be really action-packed and thrilling (mixed in with a pinch of romance). I thoroughly enjoyed it, but the best part for me is probably the part towards the end. And I really appreciate that plot twist at the end. 4.5/5 for this intense book! ✮✮✮✮½

I also finished A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han this month, hopefully I can publish the review for it early May. I think I read a decent amount of books this month; more or less the same like last month. I'm hoping I could read more English books next month though, because I still have SO MANY English books on my TBR pile :( In terms of non-review posts, I did a little bit of Top 5 Wednesday and Top Ten Tuesday—but I wasn't able to join every single week. I have some movie adaptations I need to watch soon, so hopefully that will be published next month :) Below I also listed some of the books I'm planning to read in May :)

Non-Review Posts in April:

Movie Adaptation Review: Cinderella
Top 5 Wednesday: Books You Wanted to Start Yesterday
The Wind Leading to Love Giveaway: Winner Announcement
Happy 4th Birthday, Blogger Buku Indonesia ! ♥ #BBI4thAnniv
Top Ten Inspiring Quotes from Books

How to Fit Reading into Busy (Life) Routines 

Top Ten All Time Favorite Authors

Intertwine Giveaway: Winner Announcement

April 2015: Book Haul

May TBR:

(I might have more books coming in next month, so this list can change and is quite flexible)

The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami
Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern
Legend (Legend, #1) by Marie Lu
Paper Towns by John Green

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One of the best things that happened to me this month is that I finally bought my first succulent (or cactus) ! I have constantly told my family and friends that I want a little cactus plant in my bedroom; but most of them said that it's useless. Well, I know that it can't produce anything—but I find it extremely adorable ♥ I don't know, I think I have some kind of obsession towards plants. Long story short, when I saw this booth called ONNI at Basha Market; I instantly squealed to my friend because they sell little potted succulents ♥ I thought this one is the cutest out of all they had available for sale; so even though it was a littlee bit expensive, I decided to bring it home with me. Succulents are the easiest plant to take care of, because you don't need to water it often and it will stay strong. So say hello to my cute little potted plant 八(＾□＾*) ♥

On the down side though, some not-so-good things also happened to me in April. About a week into April, my throat hurts really badly when I woke up—especially when swallowing. At first of course I thought it was a normal sore throat thing, but even after I ate some medicine, it still hurts when I swallow. About a week or so after, I went to the doctor and surprisingly, the doctor said that it was gastric acid that made it hurt to swallow. So...with the news of my gastritis problem, what hurts the most to me is the fact that I was banned from spicy food ㅠㅠ I did try eating a very small amount of chili (to test myself), and my stomach hurts really badly after. But thankfully it's a lot better now; although I still avoid eating spicy or sour food too much.

About a week or two ago when I was going out with my friend, my car tire suddenly hit something on the road and it exploded. It happened to me once before, so I realized it instantly. I was also with my friend so I was less panicked—even though it was around 7PM that day. I did ask around for help to see if the tire can still be saved. I went to the gas station, Pertamina, but the people there kind of ignored me (I know that if Shell is still open in Surabaya, they wouldn't ignore me like that). I went on a search for people who can patch up my tire, but everyone said they can't or closed. But I learned something that day, when the only person who genuinely wanted or tried to help us is a man who's hearing impaired and could not communicate well. Even though at the end he wasn't able to help us (because of how bad the tire was damaged), he was the only person who cared enough to try and helped check the tire for me. It's really ironic and sad for me to see this; and I made a promise to myself not to stop the kindness that I received from this man. This man might not think he's doing anything special, but for me it was definitely a huge help/blessing that touched my heart.  I know that I probably won't see him again anytime soon, but I do hope that his kindness to me will return to him someday :')
 

It was my birthday several days ago! Thank you so much for everyone who kindly sent me greetings and good wishes ♥ And another happy news is that my blog finally reached 800,000+ pageviews this month! It's been almost four years since I was very excited when I reached 1,000 pageviews; and I have never imagined that my blog can reach this point. So I'm always very grateful for everyone who supported me and especially to those who kept reading my blog :')) I hope that I can keep doing this for a very long time :))

As for the entertainment I enjoyed this month, mostly are music; because I haven't watched Fast and Furious 7 or Avengers: Age of Ultron yet. Below are some of the songs or albums that I constantly put on repeat on my phone. I really enjoyed EXO's new album EXODUS—despite all the controversies surrounding the group. And I also kept repeating Hillsong's latest album, No Other Name. I enjoyed most of the songs in that album; so if you like listening to gospel music, I really recommend it :)) Lastly, I also really liked two rookie K-pop girl-groups: CLC and The Ark. They have really nice voice, in my opinion. If you're interested in listening to any of the songs/albums, click on the image below and it will take you to the Youtube links :)

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Phew, April was a month full of ups and downs, but that's what makes life isn't it? I hope that everyone had a great month in April! If you're going through something rough this month, I hope it will make you stronger. And most importantly, don't give up! Let's gather our courage and get ready to face the new month. It's definitely going to get a lot more hectic for me at work in May, but hopefully I can still read enough books to keep up with my Goodreads reading challenge. Okay, bye now!

  by.stefaniesugia♥ .