What I Read In April
Did April fly by for you too? Time sure seems to have its foot on the gas pedal this year. Somehow, it’s already May, and I’m back to share the books I devoured last month.
If it were up to me, I’d laze about, reading all day. But alas, there are so many other things that need to be done. : )
Related post: How to find time to read when you’re just too busy
I was able to fit 4 books in during April, and really liked them all!
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Here was my April reading list:
When Never Comes by Barbara Davis
The plot (no spoilers): Christine learns that her famous author husband has died in a car accident. She is shocked to discover that he wasn’t alone in the car. Once the story leaks, the media camps out outside Christine’s house, harassing her. Always wanting to be left alone, she flees and hides in a small town in another state. She soon comes to learn that her husband and his mistress actually have a daughter, who is now an orphan. Having gone through the foster care system herself, Christine is horrified that this child will have to endure the same fate. She must decide whether or not to help the child in some way.
This book hooked me from the beginning. I initially thought it was going to be a more suspenseful read, but it actually ended up to be a heartwarming story. It’s not life-changing, but I would definitely recommend When Never Comes. And I’m going to add Barbara Davis’s other books to my reading list.
This was my April Kindle First Reads choice. If you love reading and getting free books, you should definitely be signed up for Kindle First Reads.
Kindle First Reads is available through Amazon Prime. (Don’t have Prime? Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
.) With Kindle First Reads, I get an email on the 1st of every month with early access to 6 brand new ebooks to choose from. I get to “buy” one of them for free, and they’re always editor’s picks due to be released the following month.
If you don’t have a Kindle but wish you did, this is the one I got for my birthday a couple years ago. If you aren’t interested in purchasing an e-reader right now, you can get the Kindle reading app for free, and use your phone to read ebooks! I have it on my phone and it’s so convenient when I get stuck somewhere without a book. Click here to get the FREE Kindle Reading App.
If listening to audio books is more your style, you could check out an Audible free 30 day trial here, and get 2 free audio books.
My (Not So) Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
The plot: Katie just wants to live the perfect London life. Her glamorous boss, Demeter, has it all – the career, the clothes, the home, and the family. Katie works very hard to keep up the appearance of her own ‘perfect life,’ but in truth, she’s miserable. When Demeter fires Katie, she is shattered, and retreats to her father’s farm to help him start a vacation business. Everything is going smoothly until Demeter shows up as a guest.
I adored this book. I read everything that Kinsella writes, and love them all. The main characters are always hilarious, and they’re always fun, entertaining reads. She also wrote The Shopaholic series, which I own. Plus, I’m a sucker for any story that takes place in England.
Even though this and other Kinsella books are light-hearted, funny reads, there’s always depth and a good lesson. If you want a quick, entertaining read, I recommend My (Not So) Perfect Life.
You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero
A couple months ago, I read Sincero’s You Are A Badass At Making Money, and really enjoyed it. I think the original You Are A Badass is even better.
The point: With refreshingly blunt delivery, the author cuts through the BS lies we tell ourselves, and proposes that our woes are illusions we create. We can create a life we love by changing our mindset. We have to go from wanting to change our life to deciding to change our life.
Sincero has awesome messages about gratitude, fear, and forgiveness. She talks about procrastination, perfectionism, and other ways we all sabotage ourselves. The examples and stories from her own life are hilarious.
The tagline is ‘How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life’ and I think she delivers. She has such a frank, funny way of stating things, and I totally appreciate that. She writes the truth we all need to hear. I wanted to put this book under my pillow while I slept, in hopes that the message would seep further into my brain.
If you or your life needs an overhaul, I’d read this book. And even if it doesn’t, I’d read this book.
The Bootstrap Va by Lisa Morosky
I’ve been interested in starting a Virtual Assistant business for a little while now, so I thought I’d check out The Bootstrap VA: The Go-Getter’s Guide to Becoming a Virtual Assistant, Getting and Keeping Clients, and More! by successful VA, Lisa Morosky. It really was quite helpful! It’s well-organized and detailed, and is full of actionable steps than anyone can implement if they wanted to get started as a VA.
In case you don’t know what a VA is, it’s a person who offers services to a variety of professionals, business owners, bloggers, and more. Everything from administrative tasks, to social media management, graphic design, or whatever else is needed. The VA is an independent contractor who sets his or her own hours and rates, and the business owner doesn’t have to offer benefits or collect taxes.
Morosky doesn’t sugar coat what it takes to be a VA, but offers tons of advice and guidance to getting started and being successful. I received it as part of the Work At Home Super Bundle, which is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in starting an at-home business.
If you’re at all intrigued by or interested in becoming a VA, I’d check out The Bootstrap VA.
Reading resources:
Amazon Prime: Free 30 day trial
Audible: Free 30 day trial (+2 free audiobooks)
Other Reading Lists:
I really enjoyed the books I read in April. I’ll be back next month with my May reads!
Linking up with Jana and Steph for Show Us Your Books
I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading, and if you have any recommendations!
The Bootstrap VA sounds like a great tool.
I sometimes think about doing that in my off hours but wonder how much time I’d actually a) have to put into it b) want to put into it.
Hi Steph! I just love Show Us Your Books day : )
From my understanding, VAs can work as much or as little as they want, taking on as many or as few clients as works best for them. But I totally get it – sometimes our time feels so precious that it’s difficult to imagine taking on more tasks!
I’m a Kinsella fan as well! So happy to hear you liked her newest one. I’ll have to get my hands on it.
It’s so nice to hear from a fellow Kinsella fan, Rachel! I think you’ll really enjoy My Not So Perfect Life : )
I loved my Not So Perfect like soooo much!!!! I have badass on my TBR and I’m thinking maybe I need a physical copy instead of ebook or audio so I can go back and reread parts? When Never Comes sounds really interesting, adding it to my list!
Hi Nadine! I do recommend a physical copy of Badass. I may purchase it so I can have it permanently. And I don’t purchase many books!
I have You are a Badass on audio to read sometime soon. So glad to hear a positive review of it. Is the money one worth reading too?
Heather, I definitely think the You Are A Badass At Making Money is worth reading too. She talks a lot about manifesting, which not everyone enjoys, but in my opinion, she has lots of good advice to offer.
I really want to read My Not So Perfect Life. I’m thinking this summer will be a great time for that – it seems like an enjoyable pool read. 🙂
-Lauren
Hi Lauren! You’re right, summer is actually the perfect time to read My Not So Perfect Life. I think you’ll really enjoy it!
My friend is a VA and makes a really good living doing it. She has a course, $10K VA, that teaches you what to do. I get no money by recommending that; she’s just great at what she does and might be helpful to you.
Jen Sincero doesn’t connect for me. I think mindset is important but so is action. You can’t just wish things into being and I feel like that’s what she preaches.
Thanks so much for the tip about that course, Jana! I’m heading to check it out right now…
I agree that the ‘manifesting’ side of Sincero’s message can be difficult to get behind. But I just love her amusing writing style and did feel inspired after reading it. I can totally understand that she’s not for everyone though.
The Badass book is on my list!
That’s awesome, Heather! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it : )