May was about grieving for me and my family. My husband had lost his aunt to COVID-19 in the last week of April and her funeral was in the first week of May. And yes there was Mother’s Day, my sister’s birthday, my husband’s birthday – some happy moments and then again…grief, watching George Floyd’s life snuffed out on video. I don’t even remember what I read for May…it’s been chaos.

We were social distancing and locked down and now in Hawaii we are almost fully open (only tourism is closed) so before Memorial Day, I was feeling less anxiety. Then we started June with protests, anger, rage, grief, tears, and now…change. I see the change and it gives me hope. I love seeing the activism in young people so I will cling to that hope.

With that May update…(it’s been crazy right?)…here is what I read in May:

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The 3 book series were so short, it could have been combine to make a duology so I read those fast. Two of the books in the list also were read months ago but posted nearer to their publication dates. But yeah, not bad for a rough month. At least I got to escape for a little bit. How did you do in May?

It’s been a stressful month everyone and so my motivation to read was not there at all. You’ve gotten into a routine which is in a way good – some ways, bad (like my son is so lazy to go outside to play 🤦🏻‍♀️). My husband works at home and in the office when he needs to. I still go out and get groceries and necessities. I still get my favorite coffee from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (it’s been my lifesaver dealing with homeschooling haha…thank God they stayed open!). Hawaii is in pretty good shape compared to the rest of the USA, so I’m happy yet it’s staying that way that will be the challenge.

But my husband’s aunt who lives in Pennsylvania, sadly, is losing her battle with covid-19. Her conditioned deteriorated this week and so she is in hospice now. The heartbreaking thing about this virus? People die alone, without their loved ones beside them. I’ve seen two of my aunts die from cancer, but we could be there in the room, hold their hands, say what we wanted to say until the end. Not with this virus..😞. So my husband and his family, have to deal with grief but so far apart from one another.

And that depressing news brings me to my reading numbers for this month.

Here is what I read:

A bunch of the series I read could have been made into one or two books so they were really quick reads.

I’m working on finishing up my NetGalley shelf, which only has about five books on it. So that was April. Not my best month, I lack the motivation to read right now, but I know it will get better. May was supposed to be when we took our big family trip but that was cancelled of course but it’s truly okay. We’d rather be safe than sorry. So I’m wishing all of you good vibes and positivity! I hope you had a better reading month than I did, and let’s home it all gets better!

*P.S. I stopped paying my upgraded wordpress account so it went to default free settings and everything is just thrown off with ads, HAHA… Anyway I’m trying to fix formatting as I go along, but sometimes I miss something.

I almost forgot to do a monthly wrap up for March! I want to forget about March altogether. It’s been the most anxiety filled, stressful month ever and April might be worse. All the news about the coronavirus is messing with my ability to concentrate on a book. I have so many books piling up on my nightstand, they do not hold my interest right now. 😞 It’s frustrating but I’m trying not to force anything. If I don’t want to read it, I put it aside and pick up another. I have a lot of books haha – maybe I need a book cleanse and not read for a good week. What will keep me occupied? Probably the new Animal Crossing game on the Nintendo Switch that I’ve been playing ~ plus home schooling my son takes up more than half the day.

Another thing I forgot because of everything going on? My one year anniversary for my blog! Yup, my first post was on March 13, 2019!! Oh how time flew by and how much has changed in one year exactly. I was bored and starting a blog last year, and today I’m worrying about my loved ones, friends, strangers – everyone in the world and pray, pray, pray for a vaccine or anti-viral to help with this deadly virus.

But thank you so much to my followers who stuck through with me as I find my way in this book review blogging world. It’s been fun meeting so many bloggers and book lovers out there. I’m grateful to all of you!

Anyway let’s see what I read in March 2020:

The next titles I had read months ago but reviews were posted in March 2020:

I think I did pretty good and read more than I expected. Let’s see if how I do in April. At least I can somewhat escape the news of the day with a book, even if I don’t finish it – I just keep trying to find one that will take my mind off current events for awhile. Stay safe everyone and stay healthy. Positive vibes to you all!

Well I totally forgot to do a monthly wrap up post for February! I’ve been doing resin crafting and my brain has mostly been on that and also this coronavirus or COVID-19 news. We finally have a first confirmed case in Hawaii…but I’m pretty sure it’s been in the islands since February when a tourist went back home and his symptoms appeared. So…it’s been crazy right?

This was the year I was supposed to go on my first trip since becoming a mom 8 years ago! I haven’t gone anywhere, stayed home raising my first child, then number two came alone and yup have been chillin’ here in Hawaii dying to go on vacay. Planned a Disney Alaska cruise with my whole family (mine, my sister’s and my parents)…we’ve been so excited and now this. The cruise is the first week of June and this thing looks like it isn’t dying down soon but ramping up here in the USA…SO…that’s that. I’m sure our trip isn’t happening and now I’m wary of even being on a cruise ship. Oh well…it is what it is. Safety/health first, right? Yes.

So this is what I read and/or posted a review for in February:

I didn’t read a lot in February but that’s okay. 😍 I’m itching to buy so many new books but I’m trying to control myself and finish reading what’s still waiting on my shelves. Hope everyone has a good reading month in March!