April 2016 in Reflection - Best and Worst Reads

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Let's reflect on the best and worst of the previous month's books.....

I know I can get so focused on what is next that I forget about all the wonderful books I read for the previous month's challenges! April can be so busy with spring beginning and all that means - throw in a couple of weddings for me, but I know we all still managed our favorite pastime!

Did you find some gems? DNF a few? Find your new book boyfriend or a heroine who personifies TSTL? Come on, we all want to know! What were your standouts for April?

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I had two five star reads in April and lots that were almost there too! I gave five stars to The Beast by J.R. Ward - Rhage and Mary were always one of my favorite couples and I loved this book! I also gave five stars to To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - it was my first time reading it. I know, I know, but I'm sure I've read some that you haven't too! =P I listened to the audio while driving to one of those weddings I mentioned earlier, it was the perfect length and neither my hubby or I had read it in school. (If it wasn't for school, he never read anything except how to type books.) I thought it was pretty perfect! It made me cry and it was so subtle and in your face at the same time. It made me think, in a good way!

I had one I enjoyed but it fell flat because it wasn't up to the standards I have come to expect from the author - The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn. It was just not as good as the others in the series or that I have read by her. It ended well, so that helped, but I wanted more.

Only Rescue Me by Serena Bell disappointed me last month - but it was so short it would have been hard not to. It wasn't bad, just not that good. I would be willing to try something by the author again, but I think it would have to be longer.

[Connie N.]

I started keeping a list in the group, sorted by rating, so it was easy to remember what I enjoyed and what was lacking this past month.

There was only one 5-star read and--no surprise--it was another in the In Death series:

But there were also a couple of good solid 4.5 star reads, both from series that I've made some progress on and have been well worth it:


The biggest disappointment was an ARC that I received from NetGalley. I thought the premise sounded fun, but the author was less-than-ideal, leaving me feeling as though I had been condescended to throughout: Loved the cover though.

I've been on a reading slowdown this month, for some reason, reading several less than my usual monthly total. But I feel inspired again (and can't wait for the next M&G) so I'm ready to get back into the swing of things.

[Sandra]

I read so many books in April. I had 2 weeks holiday's from work so I got to read a lot more than usual. That can only be a good thing!!

Some of the best were - - Very hot and very funny!!
, , all great too!

I read for a challenge and I just HAD to read the whole series! In fact I had to read 3 whole series that are related , , , , . Waiting on the last book now. Can't wait for it!

Halfway through i realised the 2nd book is only available in America on ebook. I finally found it in paperback on Book Depository. It arrived the other day, so I'll get stuck into that in May.

I read 4 books in the Seals Undone series , , , . Loved them all!

Of course Deborah Bladon never fail's if your looking for a 5 star read , , .

As does M S Parker .

All in all April was a great reading month. Hope May is just as good!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Connie N. wrote: "There was only one 5-star read and--no surprise--it was another in the In Death series: Witness in Death (In Death, #10) by J.D. Robb."

I loved that one too Connie!!

Sandra - you had a great reading month!

[Sandra]

MountainKat wrote: "Connie N. wrote: "There was only one 5-star read and--no surprise--it was another in the In Death series: Witness in Death (In Death, #10) by J.D. Robb."

I loved that one too Connie!!

Sandra - yo..."

Sure did!! I had a great time!

[Fran, Moderator]

My favorite read of April was Ninth Key . I am really enjoying this series :)

[Connie N.]

Geez, Sandra, I've just added a whole bunch of books to my already-overloaded TBR, just based on your great month. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Sandra]

Hope you enjoy them as much as I did Connie!

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Looking back on my April reads I have a mixture of 3 and 4 stars with nothing standing out for new to me books. My 5 stars were all re-reads. On the plus side no shockers either.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Rereads count! Sometimes you need something you just know will be good!

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

I ended up with 2 5-star reads in April, and one that I waffled between 4 and 5 and ended up rounding down. My 5-star reads were both m/m titles, but other than that they were about as different as 2 books can possibly be. How to Walk Like a Man is light and cute, PNR involving dog shifters, and just plain fun, with great characters. Into Deep Waters was serious and emotional, spanning 60 years and dealing with issues like gays in the military in WWII, among other things. Both just struck a chord with me for some reason. My close call was The Beast. I really liked it a lot, but there were just a couple of relatively minor issues with it that had me not quite willing to go with all 5 stars. No disappointments in April, a couple of 3 star books, but they were books I didn't really expect to love so no surprises, and they weren't bad, just not as good as the rest of the books I read! :D

[lorii (Loriidae)]

MountainKat wrote: "Rereads count! Sometimes you need something you just know will be good!"

So very true. I carry my favourite ebook on my phone. So I can stand in line at the bank etc, and disappear for a while. :)