April's Monthly Recap

It's May already! How did that happen? Here's what happened at Once Upon a Bookcase in April.


Reviews:

• I Call Myself a Feminist, ed. by Pepe, Holmes, Annette, Stride & Mosse (review copy) - This book was wonderful! Not as educational as I expected, but gives you a brilliant sense of solidarity as 25 women under 30 talk about why they're feminists. It made me angry, but also proud to call myself a feminist.
• Drown by Esther Dalseno (bought) - This book is incredible! Such a wonderful tribute to Hans Christian Anderson's original fairy tale, and I absolutely adore it!
• Cress by Marissa Meyer (bought) - Oh, this series just gets better and better! It's just getting so epic, and I can't wait to read Winter! But I don't want it to end! But it's so, so good!
• The Square Root of Summer by Harriet Reuter Hapgood (proof) - I really, really enjoyed this book! Sci-fi isn't my usual cup of tea, but the sciencey time-travel aspects appealed to the part of me that loves Doctor Who and The Big Bang Theory! I loved it!
• The List by Siobhan Vivian (review copy) - This is a brilliant novel that looks at how we react to ourselves and others based on what we're told is attractive and unattractive. A fantastic, subtly feminist novel.
• Be Awesome by Hadley Freeman (bought) - I couldn't stand this book. This feminist non-fic made some really good points, but I thought it was really offensive and tried too hard to be funny. 

Other posts:

• I discussed The Lack of Periods in Fantasy Novels, and how it's unrealistic. 

Reading Challenges:

Debut Author Challenge 2016:

• The List by Siobhan Vivian (YA)

Total so far: 8/12

Feminism Reading Challenge 2016:

• I Call Myself a Feminist (adult non-fic)
• The List by Siobhan Vivian (YA)
• Be Awesome by Hadley Freeman (adult non-fic)

Total so far: 6

2016 Diverse Reads Challenge:

• Drown by Esther Dalseno (biracial author)

British Book Challenge 2016

• I Call Myself a Feminist
• Be Awesome by Hadley Freeman

Total so far: 6/12

Retellings Reading Challenge 2016

• Drown by Esther Dalseno (The Little Mermaid)
• Cress by Marissa Meyer (Rapunzel)

Total so far: 6/12

Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge 2016

• Drown by Esther Dalseno

Total so far: 4/12

Read the Books You Buy Reading Challenge 2016

• Drown by Esther Dalseno
• Cress by Marissa Meyer

Total so far: 33.3%

Elsewhere:

• Holly Bourne wrote an incredible article, "Is It Normal to Have Sex When You Don't Want To?" Shockingly, There are Many Women Who Don't Know the Answer, Says a Writer Campaigning to Put It Right, in which she talks about educating young people about consent and rape.

While I'm writing a recap, you might have noticed that it's been a fair bit quieter on Once Upon a Bookcase. I've been focusing more on my writing and my blog, Jo's Scribbles. I've been trying to improve my blog, and get my name out there on other platforms. I'm writing about things I'm passionate about, and I'm really enjoying it. It's something I want to do more of, and I hope for it to become a bigger part of my life. So I'm working on both my book blog and lifestyle blog, and so I'm reading less often as well.

How has your April been?