Hello, everyone! If you saw the outline for this post in your feed a few days ago, I’m so sorry about that! I’d accidentally scheduled the post without finishing it and forgot to fix it in time — very embarrassing but we persevere…
The oversight occurred due to my stepping back from my blog for the last week or so. I hadn’t planned on doing that but when my scheduled days to post came around, I realized that it was becoming laborious with all the stress I was putting on myself, and I needed a bit of a break. I might be narrowing posts down to once a week or might take a break altogether — I’m still trying to figure that out.
Whatever the case, I’d like to reflect on April!
Books
Since I’d already seen and loved the Fight Club movie, I’d figured I’d love the book too but was a little worried that it’d seem a bit redundant because of that. I’m happy to report that that wasn’t at all the case! The book is excellent source material for a great movie but it’s also an excellent novel period, and the movie does it justice more than the other way around. I really enjoyed it’s sharp tongue and pace. Highly engaging and acerbic!
I’ve been thinking a lot about darker, thematically heavy films that came out around the turn of the century and the books published earlier in the nineties that they’re based on, hence my picking up Fight Club and Girl, Interrupted (as well as The Virgin Suicides a few months back now). So far, I’m really enjoying these picks, even though they differ pretty vastly from the TBR I’ve kept trying to establish for myself…
Admittedly, since having seen the film adaptation of this memoir, it did seem a little stripped back which felt like a disservice to the author (completely my fault for watching the movie first). That being said, though, her experiences and documentation of it are still equally intriguing, and it was interesting weighing the facts of her life (at least as she portrays them) against the creative liberties taken by the film.
Keeping on track with shorter books, The Butcher of the Forest did differ in that it’s a recent fantasy novella. I’ve found myself reading a few more fairy tale-esque stories lately (such as Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher), and I quite liked this one! It follows a perilous journey through a dangerous, hungry forest, and it’s packed with vivid, unsettling imagery which I loved. I hoped it would’ve submitted a little bit more to the cruelty and tragedy but it is a fantasy before a horror story, and that’s okay! I still really enjoyed it and would recommend to readers seeking a fairy tale-type story.
Currently Reading
I did start my annual reread of The Raven Boys recently which I’m very happy about! I’m always looking forward to revisiting these characters and this world. Rereading in general also always help when I’m feeling particularly slumpy, and this is my first reread in an uncharacteristically long time for me. I’m definitely welcoming it!
Up Next
Since I’ve been very incapable of sticking to a TBR these last few months, I’ll wait to see what I pick up until I pick it up. Otherwise, I talk about books for many months again and again before I finally get to them. I’ll just see where the mood takes me!
Lights DNFs / Saving for Later
Since I’ve only been picking up books that I know I really want to read, I’ve mostly eradicated the need for this section at the moment!
Books Completed: 3
Average Rating: 3.67 stars.
Most Read Genre: Thriller / Memoir / Fantasy
Top Intended Audience: Adult
Films
I’ve been really craving some horror movies lately, especially slashers, so I had to indulge that craving a bit. I really enjoyed Bodies Bodies Bodies but was a bit disappointed with The Cabin in the Woods and There’s Someone Inside Your House. Also rewatched Spy Kids because that was an absolute childhood favorite, and I finally watched Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse! I put it off for so long but, of course, it’s as good as everyone says.
- Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022), dir. Halina Reijn [available on Netflix US]
- The Cabin in the Woods (2011), dir. Drew Goddard [available on Hulu US]
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), dir. Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, & Kemp Powers [available on Netflix US]
- There’s Someone Inside Your House (2021), dir. Patrick Brice [available on Netflix]
- Spy Kids (2001), dir. Robert Rodriguez [available on Tubi but I rewatched on DVD]
Films Watched: 5
Average Rating: 3.40 stars.
Most Watched Genre: Horror
TV
I finished the second season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and, despite the tragedies (or maybe because of them?), I really loved it and am looking forward to starting season 3! Also started season 2 of The X-Files but haven’t gotten very far in it yet, probably because I already felt the need to rewatch the entirety of The Bear. I’ve been watching Breaking Bad little by little for quite a long time now and am almost finished with the fourth season! Overall, I’ve really enjoyed the shows I’ve been watching.
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) [available on Hulu but I watched on DVD]
- The X-Files (1993-2018) [available on Hulu but I watched on DVD]
- The Bear (2022-) [available on Hulu]
- Breaking Bad (2008-2013) [available on Netflix US]
In my March wrap-up, I talked about still trying to find my footing for the year, and I think I’m finally (finally, finally) getting it a little more in order. This means I’m allowing myself to focus more on books I really want to read as opposed to quantity, and I’m finally okay with that! As I mentioned earlier, I may be posting on here less but we shall see. Everything’s always subject to change with me.
How was your reading in April? Any new favorites? Least favorites? What movies and/or shows have you been watching? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!
Little Bit of All That 
[…] a turn towards more fairy tale-esque novellas lately like T. Kingfisher’s Thornhedge (and Premee Mohamed’s The Butcher of the Forest) and have quite enjoyed them! This story is a bit straightforward but the characters are […]
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