Always Me

Happy Thursday everyone! Today I'm sharing my my fourth update for my April progress for the year long reading challenge called  The 52 Book Club's 2026 Reading Challenge .  You can see my original tbr  here .  In April, I completed 3 books for a total of 25 read so far out of 52 total books on my tbr.  More excellent progress!  Keep reading to see my thoughts on the books I read in April: 19. A nosy neighbor character ❋   ❋  ❋  ❋ The Murder of Roger Ackroyd  ( Hercule Poirot  #4) by Agatha Christie  is a novel I've heard a lot about over the years.  I've been on a bit of an Agatha Christie quick lately - both the novels and with adaptations - so I'm glad I've had the chance to try this one as well.  I see why it's considered a classic Poirot story.  What an ending! My review is also on  Goodreads  and  The StoryGraph . 48. Related to the word "Nemesis" ❋   ❋ Nemesis  ( Project ...

  Happy Thursday everyone!  Today I'm sharing my my fourth update for my progress for the year long reading challenge called the  2026 Popsugar Reading Challenge .  In April, I completed 4 books for a total of 29 read so far out of 50 total books on my tbr.  I think I'm making some great progress.  You can see my original tbr  here .  Keep reading to see my thoughts on the books I read in April for this challenge: 25. A book that explores influencer culture ❋   ❋  ❋  ❋ Listen for the Lie  by Amy Tintera  is a novel I'm very glad I listened to on audiobook because the production is excellent. The story kept me hooked but I really wished it was full cast throughout rather than just for the podcast parts, but January LaVoy, as always, does an amazing job. I also wish there wasn't a romance element between the podcaster and the subject. I could have totally done without that. Otherwise, I loved this and I can't wait to re...

        Happy Thursday everyone! Welcome back to  Books from the Backlog , the weekly linkup I'm taking part of which is hosted by  Carole's Random Life in Books .  This is a great way to put a spotlight on books that I've had sitting on my shelf for awhile.  I don't know when I'll get to my weekly featured book, but I hope to some time hopefully soon. This Week's Neglected Book: The Storyteller by Kathryn Williams Published: January 11, 2022 Genre: YA Historical Mystery My Copy: Format: Hardback Pages: 368 Where I Acquired It: Goodwill Summary (From Goodreads): This story follows a teenage girl’s quest to uncover the truth behind her secretive great aunt Anna, who just might be the long lost Russian princess Anastasia. It’s not every day you discover you might be related to Anastasia…or that the tragic princess actually survived her assassination attempt and has been living as the woman you know as Aunt Anna. For Jess Morgan, who is ...

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Today I'm sharing my fourth update for my April progress for the year long Read Queerly 2026 which is hosted by Alexx @  Enthralled Bookworm .  In April, I completed 3 books for a total of 9 read so far out of 16 total books on my tbr.  You can see my original tbr  here .  Keep reading to see my thoughts on the books I read this month: 13. Film reel icon: A queer book about a movie/movie stars/celebrities OR a queer book with a movie adaptation ❋   ❋  ❋  ❋ The Price of Salt, or Carol  by Patricia Highsmith  is a slower paced novel, but it is absolutely worth sticking with.  I had no idea what to expect with it at all, but it was better and much more hopeful in regards to the ending than I guessed it would be.  You know, considering it was originally released in 1952 and everything.  Also, since I finished reading it, I've had the chance to watch the 2015 movie adaptation and it does an ...

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Today, I'm sharing my April update for  Bookforager's Picture Prompt Book Bingo 2026 .  In April, I completed 4 out of 9 read so far of a total of 16 books on my tbr.  Without further ado, keep reading to see my thoughts on the books I read in April for this challenge: 9. A griffin ❋   ❋  ❋  ❋   The Gryphon King  ( The Chaos Constellation  #1) by Sara Omer  is a fantasy series opener that I specifically decided to read for Bookforager's Picture Prompt Book Bingo 2026 to fulfill the gryphon prompt. I'm so glad I picked this one up because it was quite entertaining and well-written. The characters and the world, including the political intrigue, feel so real and three dimensional. I'll definitely be back for book two, The Harpy Knight . My review is also on  Goodreads  and  The StoryGraph . 12. An octopus ❋   ❋  ❋  ❋   ❋ The Deadly Grimoire  ( Arkham Horror  #16) by...

  Happy Tuesday everyone!  Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by  That Artsy Reader Girl .  This week's topic is a Freebie, so I've decided to feature Nonfiction I Want To Borrow From The Library.  I've seen quite a few interesting titles that I'd like to try and one day I hope to try all of these.  Here we go in alphabetical order by title: American Spirits: The Famous Fox Sisters and the Mysterious Fan That Haunted A Nation by Barb Rosenstock The CIA Book Club: The Secret Mission to Win the Cold War with Forbidden Literature by Charlie English Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming The Doctors' Riot of 1788: Body Snatching, Bloodletting, and Anatomy in America by Andy McPhee The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald by John U. Bacon The Improbable Victoria Woodhull: Suffrage, Free Love, and the First Woman to Run for President  by Eden Collinsworth In the Shadow o...

Happy Monday everyone!  Today I'm sharing my fourth update for my April progress for the year long  Beat The Backlist 2026  reading challenge, hosted by Austine Decker.  You can see my original tbr  here .  In April, I completed 2 books for a total of 9 read so far out of 24 total books on my tbr.  I'm getting there!  Without further ado, keep reading to see my thoughts on the books I read in April: 12. fave author rec: a book recommended by one of your favorite authors ❋  ❋  ❋  ❋ Kagen the Damned  ( Kagen the Damned  #1) by Jonathan Maberry  is a fantasy series opener I was really looking forward to, but had been putting off.  I'm glad I finally decided to read it because I think I'll really love this series.  Kagen definitely improves as a character over the course of the novel. If you're at all interested in grimdark fantasy, you can't miss this. I'll definitely be back for book two , Son o...

  Happy Monday everyone and welcome back to Music Monday!  Let's share some songs we've been enjoying!  If you would like to link up with me, please see the rules below. Rules: Every Monday share a few songs you've been enjoying.  It doesn't have to be a specific genre, new, or one of your favorites - just something you'd like to share with others.  If possible, share a music or lyric video of the song and your thoughts on the song(s), artist(s), and/or music video(s). If you would like to participate in Music Monday, please join the link up by sharing your post's url.  Hello everyone! Today, I'm featuring two unexpected tv song favorites.  The first is The #1 Trilly LOTR rap from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.  I know this is like 4 years old, but I just happened to see an old episode on tv a while ago.  I couldn't believe I had somehow missed it before now because it brings together so many of the original cast members from  The L...

      On Friday's I take part in two weekly link ups - The Friday 56, currently hosted by  Anne @ My Head Is Full of Books , and Book Beginnings, hosted by  Rose City Reader .  For The Friday 56, you choose a book, a book you have just finished, a book you are about to start, your current read, and share a line or a few lines that grab you (but don't spoil anything) from page 56 or 56% of the way through the ebook. Post it and share your post's url on Anne's most recent Friday 56 post. As for Book Beginnings, you share the first sentence or so and your initial thoughts, impressions, or whatever else it inspires, and then link up your post's url with Rose City Reader. Happy Friday everyone!  This week I'm spotlighting one of my Spell It Out Reading Challenge 2025   books,  Rogues' Gallery: The Secret History of the Moguls and the Money That Made the Metropolitan Museum  by Michael Gross .  This sounds like it could be interesting rea...

        Happy Thursday everyone! Welcome back to  Books from the Backlog , the weekly linkup I'm taking part of which is hosted by  Carole's Random Life in Books .  This is a great way to put a spotlight on books that I've had sitting on my shelf for awhile.  I don't know when I'll get to my weekly featured book, but I hope to some time hopefully soon. This Week's Neglected Book: The Outcast ( Summoner #0) by Taran Matharu Published: May 3, 2018 Genre: YA Fantasy My Copy: Format: Hardback Pages: 384 Where I Acquired It: Ollie's Bargain Outlet Summary (From Goodreads): When stable boy Arcturus accidentally summons a demon and becomes Hominum's first common summoner, he becomes the key to a secret that the powerful overlords would do anything to keep hidden. Whisked away to Vocans Academy so he can be kept watch over, Arcturus finds himself surrounded by enemies. But he has little time to settle in before his life is turned upside down ...

Happy Wednesday everyone! Today I'm sharing my thoughts on the book I read in April for  Choose Your Own Adventure: Year In Adelia 2026, The Boardgame , an additional challenge to  G. @ Book Roast 's  Magical Readathon .  You can see my full tbr  here .  Without further ado, check out my mini review below: April  - April's   book can be part of your Spring Equinox TBR if you’re participating and it fits both prompts. 4B Find your winter cloak (as the terrain changes you realise the clothes you left with just won't do - you need something much warmer!) -  book by an author with a W in their name ❋  ❋ Ashes in the Sun  ( Burningblade & Silvereye  #1) by Django Wexler  has such an interesting premise. I've been putting it off for awhile because I haven't had the best experience with this author, and unfortunately I didn't particularly care for this story either. I wish the story wasn't so long and drawn out, had more focu...

  Happy Tuesday everyone!  Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by  That Artsy Reader Girl .  This week's topic is April Showers and I'm featuring books with rain on the cover.  I think I've found a pretty good mix of them.  Keep reading to see my picks in alphabetical order by title, divided by books I've read and books on my tbr: On My TBR: First & Then by Emma Mills Made You Up by Francesca Zappia Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang The Rains ( Rains #1) by Greg Hurwitz Scattered Showers by Rainbow Rowell Very British Problems: Making Life Awkward For Ourselves, One Rainy Day at a Time ( Very British Problems #1) by Rob Temple Read: Crescendo ( Hush, Hush #1) by Becca Fitzpatrick The Guest List by Lucy Foley The Woman in Cabin 10 ( Lo Blacklock #1) by Ruth Ware Have you read any of the ones on my tbr?  How did you in did you interpret the today's theme?  As always, thanks for visiting my blog and perhaps...