Turning the Page on April 2017

-As you can see, I didn't do a whole lot in April besides work and hang out with Alohi. We've finally gotten into a good rhythm and she's been a pretty good girl lately. We're navigating the adventures of teething (which are a bit bloodier than I expected!) and she's doing as well as could be expected. We also started a puppy training class at Petco, and we're continuing to take her to their Saturday puppy playtime, which she loves. She absolutely adores everyone -- human, dog and cat alike. It's been so fun to watch her grow; at her last vet appointment she weighed 21 pounds (and I'm sure she's more now) -- almost four times bigger than when we brought her home at the beginning of February!

-My hours at work changed the last week of April, and now instead of working three 8-hour shifts a week I'm working four 6-hour shifts. It doesn't sound like a huge difference, but I think it'll be a very positive change. Since I won't be taking a lunch, I'll be getting home three hours earlier (3 p.m. instead of 6, 4 p.m. instead of 7). That's great for me, but it's also good for Alohi because Jarrod's schedule is about to change, too. He's been working 4 a.m. to noon (which means he was home in the afternoons with her) but starting May 1 he'll be working noon to midnight (blah!).

-I'm continuing to watch "This is Us" on the DVR -- I'm through the Thanksgiving episode now. What an awesome show! I'm so glad I decided to record it. And together we've been watching "Survivor," "Designated Survivor," "Elementary" and, now that the new season's begun, "Deadliest Catch." We also finally finished season 1 of "House of Cards" on Netflix and started season 2. Movie-wise we watched several decent DVDs: "Fences" (depressing), "Lion" (sad), "Moonlight" (sad), "Moana" (fun to watch while living in Hawaii!) and "Doctor Strange" (so weird to hear Benedict Cumberbatch speak with an American accent).

Books read: 10
"The Weight of Feathers" by Anne-Marie McLemore (for book club; 2 stars)
"Sputnik's Children" by Terri Favro (4 stars)
"The Dry" by Jane Harper (4 stars)
"Swimming Lessons" by Claire Fuller (4 stars)
"March" volume 1 by John Lewis (4 stars)
"Gone Without a Trace" by Mary Torjussen (2 stars)
"Exit West" by Mohsin Hamid (4 stars)
"Bleaker House: Chasing My Novel to the End of the World" by Nell Stevens (3 stars)
"A Terrible Beauty" by Tasha Alexander (Lady Emily #11) (4 stars)
"March" volume 2 by John Lewis (4 stars)

Currently reading: "A Conjuring of Light" (Shades of Magic #3) by V.E. Schwab

Favorite read: I enjoyed "The Dry" by Jane Harper -- it'd been a while since I had read a good, classic mystery (as opposed to the now-ubiquitous psychological thriller). And I was also really impressed with the "March" graphic novels, about Congressman John Lewis's participation in the Civil Rights Movement.

Biggest let-down: This was definitely not a banner month for reading; I read two 2-star books (and while we're on the topic I've yet to read a single 5-star book in 2017)! But I'd have to say the biggest-let down was "Bleaker House" by Nell Stevens. I'd been anticipating it for so long and totally expected to love it, but it turned out to be just-ok.

May release I'm most excited about: Tough choice! There are so many great-sounding books coming out in May. Maybe I'll go with "

Book I'm most looking forward to reading in May: Another tough choice! I've hit the jackpot with library holds, and I've got some great reads coming up: "A Conjuring of Light" by V.E. Schwab (the conclusion of her Shades of Magic series), "American War" by Omar El Akkad, "America Gods" by Neil Gaiman. And I'm finally going to read "Maisie Dobbs" by Jacqueline Winspear. I'm excited about all of them!

Books added to to-read list: 17

Most intriguing TBR addition: "The Immortalists" by Chloe Benjamin. (Out next January.) From Goodreads: "If you were told the date of your death, how would it shape your present? It’s 1969 in New York City’s Lower East Side, and word has spread of the arrival of a mystical woman, a traveling psychic who claims to be able to tell anyone their date of death. In search of one thing they can know for sure, the Gold siblings -- four adolescents on the cusp of self-awareness -- sneak out to hear their fortunes. Their prophecies inform the next five decades. Golden boy Simon runs away to San Francisco, where he lives a life of decadence and unmitigated sexuality; chameleonic Klara becomes a magician obsessed with blurring fantasy and reality; Daniel, a natural leader, rises in ranks as a prestigious military doctor; and shy, bookish Varya throws herself into longevity research, where she tests the boundary between science and immorality."

Favorite bookstagram: I finally bought a couple succulents! And I love the muted color scheme of the photo below, the first picture I took featuring one of my new purchases. Plus, I almost never get cold drinks at Starbucks, so that was a change. (Find me on Instagram @knittinglindsay!)

I didn't have a ton of time for crafting in April, but I did work just a bit on the Newt Scamander scarf I'm knitting for a friend (Alohi likes to "help" me knit, so that severely decreases my knitting opportunities!). I also ordered three embroidery starter kits from Etsy and I hope to get to work on one of those soon. I did do some crafting at work, though! I made a huge April Showers Bring May Flowers display with giant paper flower and clouds, and I also crafted a pretty wreath out of leaves made from paper grocery bags.

Favorite post: 12 Magical Harry Potter Items on Etsy. I had a lovely time looking back through my favorite items -- and, of course, adding a few more!

Book reviews:
Sputnik's Children by Terri Favro
The Dry by Jane Harper
Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen
Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
Bleaker House by Nell Stevens