I might have only posted four articles in April, but I’m getting my monthly recap out on the second day of the month again so maybe this is a good sign for May?

Things got a little more back to normal for me in April. In some ways, anyhow. I didn’t make as much time for reading, but I was busy preparing for my first craft/vendor show and with work. When I shared my March update, I said I was hoping I would go home for Easter, but those plans fell through. Before one commits to a weekend away, one should look at their Monday calendar. Oops. Of course, every one of those Monday meetings was canceled on Monday but I’m not TOO bitter. (Okay, I maybe I am.) It ended up working out for the best though. It gave me more time to prep for the craft show and my mom ended up sick with bronchitis anyhow so she really wasn’t up for a visit anyhow.

The craft show was a new experience for me. It was mostly positive. It was a pretty small show and didn’t have a ton of traffic, but I made enough sales to cover the cost of the products sold and my half of the table fee. (I shared a table with my bestie Shannon.) If nothing else, it was fun to catch up with her in person. This was the first I had seen her since before Covid started. Plus it was a lovely day and the show was outdoors.

My biggest news from April is that I invited a new friend into my home. I always knew I would adopt after C.A.T. passed, but I didn’t know how soon I would be ready. Well, I was ready so I started the search. Last Monday I met an adorable cat over Zoom and I took her home on Tuesday. She’s 11 months old, super sassy (and sometimes sweet) and absolutely adorable. She came to this shelter in Virginia from a rescue in West Virginia. I think we were meant to be. Her shelter name was Starling, but I decided to rename her Muffin (from The Wall of Winnipeg and Me).

Now, onto the books…

By the Numbers

• Total number of books read — 8
  • Contemporary romance: 6
  • Historical romance: 2
• Format —
  • Audiobooks: 4
  • Print books: 4
• Library books: 4
• Review copies: 3
• New-to-me authors: 2
• Re-reads: 1

Top Reads

Reading Challenges Update

The Goodreads Reading Challenge is first up! Even though I read fewer books in April, I’m still feeling pretty good about my reading for the year.

My goal for the 2022 Tackle My TBR Reading Challenge is four books each month. I read 7 in March.

Total: 31/48

• It’s in His Kiss (Julia Quinn) ★★★★★ 🎧
• On the Way to the Wedding (Julia Quinn) ★★★★ 📖
• Justified (Jay Crownover) ★★★★ 📖
• Cherish Hard (Nalini Singh) ★★★ 🎧
• Rock Bottom Girl (Lucy Score) ★★★★★ 🎧
• The Knockout Rule (Kelly Siskind) ★★★★★ 🎧
• Love, Lists & Fancy Ships (Sarah Grunder Ruiz) ★★★★★ 📖

The only other long-term challenge I’m doing this year is #12Reads12Friends (created by @bookwormgram). The gist of this one is that you solicit recommendations from friends and select twelve of them to read. Yes, that’s one per month. I started my April pick way too late in the month to finish it. Is May the month I get caught up? Only time will tell.

Total: 2/12

While not an official challenge, per se, one of the things I’m doing this year is tracking how much money I’ve saved by using my library cards. I have a feeling my mind is going to be blown when I see the yearly total.

April savings: $81.47
2022 total: $481.44

ICYMI

Five Things Friday [163]
That’s a Wrap: March 2022
Five Things Friday [164]
Five Things Friday [165]

Looking Ahead

There are two things I’m really looking forward to in May — my allergies lessening and temps warming up so I can enjoy my balcony again. I don’t have anything much else on my calendar for the month. At least for now. You know how I am about making plans at this point. I’m sure I’ll find a few things to get into, but I’m just not committing to anything yet.

May releases I’m excited about

Side note: I read a super early copy of this book and you absolutely need it in your life.

If you want to know more about what’s going on in my world, follow me on Instagram. Depending on what you’re looking for, I have three to offer you: a bookish one (@kimberlyfayereads), a non-bookish one (@kimberlyfaye_) and one for my Etsy shop (@createdbykimberlyfaye).

Stay safe and healthy!

Let’s Chat

How was your April?
What are some of your favorites you read?
What are you looking forward to this month?