April 2023 Wrap Up

Posted May 1, 2023 by Carole in Monthly Wrap-Up / 16 Comments

April 2023

I feel like I was barely able to catch my breath during the month of April.  I started the month by returning to work after taking time off to take care of my dog after her ACL surgery at the end of March.  It took me most of the month to get caught up with my work after being gone for a week and a half.  Stella has continued to improve and really wants us to let her take walks and run again.  She will have her second surgery on June 1st so we have a way to go.

I had a lot of small events.  I served a day of jury duty, went to a couple of author events, spent the day at a family gathering, went to my niece’s bridal shower, and visited some local bookstores for Independent Bookstore Day.

I have ended the month on a bit of a sour note with a diagnosis of shingles.  I felt horrible in the days leading up to the rash appearing and feel even worse now that I have had the rash for a couple of days.  There is a lot of nerve pain, sometimes stabbing pain, sleeping is incredibly difficult, moving is painful, and I am having trouble focusing on anything for very long.  

I am still working on growing my Instagram account and finished the month with 4,743 followers (This stat is for my own records).

I am linking this post to the Monthly Wrap-Up at Feed Your Fiction Addiction.

Books Read

Reading Stats
Books Read: 19
Audiobooks: 15
Digital Books: 2
Print Books: 2
Combination Print & Audio: 0
Re-Reads: 0
DNF: 0

Book Source for Books Read in April
NetGalley: 8
Edelweiss: 0
Direct from Publisher/Author/Narrator/Publicist: 11
Purchased/Freebie: 5
Kindle Unlimited/Audible Plus: 0
Borrowed/Library:  2
*Some books may fit into more than one category

Challenges
Goodreads: 97/100

End of the Month NetGalley Stats
Feedback Ratio: 94% 
 817 Approved | 770 Feedback Sent

End of the Month Edelweiss Stats
0 books to review | 99 downloaded

Favorite of the Month

Up Next

How was your month? Do you have any reading or blogging goals for May?

16 responses to “April 2023 Wrap Up

  1. You had a really busy month and I’m glad you got caught up, your dog came through well, and you read a pretty good-sized pile. Hopefully you’ll be over the shingles soon, Carole!

    Have a good May!

  2. It sounds like you had a busy April. So sorry to hear that you’re down with the shingles; I’ve not had shingles but I did get chickenpox in my mid 20s and that was horrid. Prayers for a speedy recovery!

    Simply Angela

  3. Oh Man! I am sorry to hear about your shingles diagnosis. I hope you will be able to get the meds to manage the pain.

  4. You’ve done an awesome job with your reading. I really struggled to do much while Lulu was healing. And now you and Stella are both healing. I hope things improve this month.

  5. I am sorry you have been suffering from shingles! And it seems indeed that you had a busy month! Also I can’t wait to read Fourth Wing!

  6. I’m so glad Stella is recovering so well but so sorry you have shingles. Nerve pain is absolutely the worst and so hard to deal with. I hope you recover quickly. Have a much much calmer May!

  7. Holy moly! Your audiobook game is on point. I am so sorry that you are suffering. Shingles is no joke. ((HUGS))

  8. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with shingles, Carole! It sounds miserable. I hope you’re able to find something to help with the pain and/or it goes away quickly!

    I loved Happy Place and I’m curious about that Justin Cronin book. I’ll be reading The Nanny soon as well.

  9. April was a seriously full month for you – lots going on! That’s terrible about the shingles. I hope it clears up quickly. Fingers crossed that some good reads can help distract you.

  10. My neighbor just came down with Shingles as well. Did you get the vaccine? I’m curious because I did and I wondered the liklihood that I could get it anyway. Take care of yourself and your puppy. Hope you both improve lots each and every day. It’s so hard to keep dogs calm isn’t it?

    • The vaccine is recommend for people 50 and over and since I have not yet turned 50, it had never crossed my mind to ask for it. I wonder if insurance would even pay for it before 50. I will definitely be asking for a vaccine the next time I am at the doctor. My great aunt had it 3 times and I definitely want to make sure that I never experience this again.