My Week in Review
This week, I felt sort of validated as a blogger. Two of the women I work with are readers, and I had brought them a few books last week. Both of them devoured the books and wanted the next book in the series. That made me feel pretty good.
I know I always lament about how hard discussion posts are, but I really enjoyed reading everyone't thoughts this week. A lot of good ideas exchanged there.
Other than that, more free food and stuff at work, and we have a wonderful three-day weekend to enjoy. I made myself miserable today by going shopping, and now my list of things I will never find has yet another item. My list: Unicorns, 100% cotton denim for women, and tailored pants.
Some things that caught my eye:
I've updated my "Latinx YA Book Releases To Add To Your TBR {2018}" posthttps://t.co/5NWct2lNTA— 24hr.YABookBlog (@24hrYABookBlog) February 17, 2018
I've added: @ibizoboi Pride + @MGarciaWrites The Resolutions ✨📚#DiverseBooks #OwnVoices #YALit pic.twitter.com/R6sBEmlTtS
12 swooningly romantic new books to read this Valentine's Day https://t.co/YXWjkslMdF— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) February 12, 2018
Bound spirits 🔥 Dueling reigns of terror 💀 Girls fighting evil ⚔️ Boys falling in love 💕 The fierce covers of FALL 2018 are finally HERE!! https://t.co/w5QmhrTeeK pic.twitter.com/Wu0fUWzoHX— Love, Epic Reads (@EpicReads) February 16, 2018
Outside of my bubble, it's been a tough week in the US.
On the Blog:
- Monday: Blog Tour - The Dating Debate by Chris Cannon
- Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday - Favorite Recent YA Romances
- Wednesday: Can't-Wait Wednesday - Everywhere You Want to Be by Christina June
- Thursday: Discussion - Why I Read Fiction
- Friday: In a Nutshell Reviews - Middle Grades Edition
I bought ZERO books, but I couldn't resist some freebies. I am blaming Samantha at The Book Disciple and her Freebie Friday for two of those downloads.
- Scenes from the Hallway by Penny Reid
- Lucky Kisses by Addison Moore
- Royal Player by Katie McCoy
I got SOOOO many good books this week, but I was really surprised I got Legendary.
ARCs
- When the Beat Drops by Anna Hecker
- Rush by Lisa Patton
- Let Me List the Ways by Sarah White
- Crossing the Line by Simone Elkeles
- Legendary by Stephanie Garber
- Moonrise by Sarah Crossan
- Pretty in Punxsutawney by Laurie Boyle Crompton
What I Read Last Week
I did a terrible job reading this week. I have been really tired and sleeping more. Good thing, because everyone at work was sick and I was not. I had two 5-star reads this week - Moxie and Flight Season. I expected good things, and they both delivered.
- See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson (audiobook): Though I loved Jane, this one was little bit of a slow start for me, but once Jane and Luc began interacting more, I was all in. The banter got better and I just loved these two together. The ending pushed this one up another half star, because it elicited my happy-tears. ★★★★
- Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu: I had hight expectations for this one, and Mathieu more than met them. This one made me nostalgic and stirred up my latent Riot Grrrl. ★★★★★
- This Tiny Perfect World by Lauren Gibaldi: This is a quiet, but very thoughtful story. I thought it was a very honest look at what happens when someone's world suddenly expands, and has them re-thinking their plans and goals. There was no real closure with the ending, but I did feel it was appropriate for this particular story. ★★★ 1/2
- Flight Season by Marie Marquardt: I loved this book! I loved every second of this book. It was so beautiful and tragic and hopeful and painful and so many other things. ★★★★★
- This Heart of Mine by C.C. Hunter: This book was a nice combination of many things. I loved the romance, and I shed some tears. I also like that it brings attention to organ donation, and this topic is done so well, since it's such a personal thing for Hunter. ★★★ 1/2
What I Am Currently Reading
I am listening to The Last of August, but I wish I was reading it. Not all audiobooks work for me, because I am more visual, but I am working it out. I am quite embarrassed by the mistake I made with my current book. I thought it was my next book, when I started reading it on the train, but I was supposed to read Where I Live. I have no idea how I mixed them up, but The Truth Lies Here is excellent so far.
- The Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro (audiobook)
- The Truth Lies Here by Lindsey Klingele
What I Plan to Read
I have some real emotional reads coming up, so I am mixing in one of my romances to even it out. A blogger I follow was gushing about Where I Live, and I have been dying to read Rev's story. So, I predict a fine reading week ahead.
- Where I Live by Brenda Rufener
- Not Quite Crazy by Catherine Bybee
- Honor Code by Kiersi Burkhart
- More Than We Can Tell by Bridgid Kemmerer
How was your week?
Let us know in the comments!
Love seeing all the up coming covers! There are s omany good ones... and yay for the 5 star reads! Moonrise looks good...
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to read Moonrise, but they didn't have the ebook option on Amazon, so I was really excited to get approved for the DRC. Harper and someone else did a bunch of fall cover reveals. All I know is that I added a bunch of books to my TBR.
DeleteHahaha I guess it depends on what kind of unicorn you're looking for xD if it's an inflatable one I'm sure you could find it xD of course, I am kidding :D have a great week, Sam :)
ReplyDeleteI want one of those big, ride-upon unicorns. XP
DeleteI'm the same way with audiobooks. I just can't seem to visualize and experience what the author intended by just listening to a narrator, and Wow! so many books. At first I thought the Caraval novel,Legendary,was a freebie. Too bad it's not.
ReplyDeleteContemporary romances work well for me on audio, and I thought this book being a contemporary would be ok, but I feel like I am missing details. --sigh-- It's totally me, not the book. Legendary was probably the ARC I was most excited about. My co-blogger stood in a massive stampede to get the Caraval ARC back at BEA 2016. NG was a lot easier.
Deletehmm I rarely read contemporaries but I should try one. I think you might of missed My real STS and
DeleteSunday Post. I have two blogs and this is what I get. Flummoxed. I'm really sorry and I regret to have to even explain but if you look down the sign up post links on the hosts blog I am Jackie's Forget Me Nots. My Blogger blog is Jackie's Bookbytes. You don't have to remember this, it's not your fault.
Anyway I'm really happy that you were able to get Legendary. That's awesome! I have never been to a book event.
I hit the link on your blogger profile (Book Bytes).
DeleteI know that pleasure when you share books with someone and then they come back for more. I LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteI agree when it comes to audiobooks - some books I just HAVE to read.
Have a lovely week!
Andreea @ cheekylines.wordpress.com
I was nervous giving them the books, but because I got to talk to them about books they had previously read, I thought they would work, and YEAH! They did!
DeleteOh nice! I was super excited to have gotten Legendary this week too! I naturally threw my reading lineup out the window when that one arrived so timely to my finishing my current read at the time! Lol! Hope you enjoy all the new reads!
ReplyDeleteHere's my STS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
I still have Feb books to read, and then I mixed up my last read with the one I was supposed to be reading, and read a book that releases in Aug. Getting myself back on track now.
DeleteI love when books I rec to friends are loved. I had that happen recently and it feels good. Love the fall cover reveals! Enjoy your new books and have a great week!
ReplyDeleteRight? It was such a great feeling. I felt a little ill when I handed them the book, but the results were great. So many beautiful covers and great books for the fall. I'm so excited!
DeleteI added Flight Season to my GR wishlist based on your love for it and other reviewers there.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what kind of unicorn you're looking for, but they seem to be all the rage nowadays. I remember my eldest loved the movie, The Last Unicorn, lol a long long time ago :)
I have heard mixed things about Marquardt's first book (which I have not read), but I absolutely loved her last two. So beautiful! LOL! Yeah, those elusive things, but I did watch The Last Unicorn back in the day and it was great.
DeleteI'm still quite hesitant about Legendary. I thought Caraval was very much overhyped, but I was intrigued by that ending. I'm going to wait to see if I can get it from the library. I hope you like More Than We Can Tell! I loved it so much, but maybe not as much as the first book.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a good week ahead!
I liked Caraval, and I am interested in seeing where Garber goes with this. I think I will like the Kemmerer book, because I fell in love with Rev in the last book.
DeleteI love the feeling when I recommend a book to someone and they end up loving it! Yay!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that Moxie was a 5-star read for you as well since that one has been on my TBR for a while.
I just finished More Than We Can Tell last night. Sooo good! I need to go back and read Letters to the Lost now.
I had Moxie since May of last year. It's one of my shame books, but no regrets there. It was fabulous. You didn't read Letters? It was so good. That book made me want to know more about Rev.
DeleteI love when friends devour books that I adore! ☺ You Have some really amazing new books! Happy reading
ReplyDeleteMy one co-worker was happy, because she needed a sci-fi book for her book-bucket list, and she was trying to read a book a month, and read the two I gave her in a weekend.
DeleteSo many awesome books!!! Sadly, none of my coworkers read the same books as me so I never get to share. But, mom my does, so sometimes she listens to me!
ReplyDeleteI guess sort of reading all over the place has its benefits. My mom doesn't read anything that I would read, but I think I could rec her a book based on what I know and reviews I have read from other bloggers.
DeleteThat's awesome your co-workers loved the books you recommended! I love when that happens.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's been a rough week in the U.S. for sure. Sigh.
I got Moonrise in the mail to read/review, and I'm excited! It sounds great.
-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I don't get books in the mail. *sad face* In all honesty, it's hard for me to read physical books, and I prefer ebooks, but I sadly don't get all the approvals I would like. I am always happy when I get a book I wanted, and Moonrise has been on my radar for a while.
DeleteIt has been a very sad week in the US. I hate that these events inspire others to copy.
ReplyDeleteThe Truth Lies Here looks interesting!
Mall shopping is never fun when you're looking for a specific thing. :( You're right, I rarely see 100% cotton jeans anymore. Levi's maybe?
Have a great week! :)
I worked in a high school for 12 years, and the two active shooter lockdowns we had scared the bejesus out of me. I admire those who are still in the profession. It seems like all women's pants have lycra in them, and it makes me nuts. I like pants that don't expand. They let me know when I am gaining weight.
DeleteIts always a great feeling when you're able to recommend books to friends and they end up loving them! Sam reading five books in a week is pretty decent! And I like that you had two five star books too, my reading has been all over the place, but I hope your good run continues and you have a great week :)
ReplyDeleteI usually read 5 and listen to at least 2, but I refused to fall victim to the flu. Sleep won out. Maybe I didn't read as much, but there was a lot of quality there.
DeleteWhaaaaat, you got Legendary? HOW?!?!? I can't wait to read that one! I hope Flatiron does a nifty preorder campaign like they did for Caraval. :D I hope you enjoy all of your new books!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend, Sam. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Legendary is on NG. I am sure you would get approved.
DeleteEnjoy your 3-day weekend. It’s always good when bookworms like the books we recommend. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I am just so excited to work with readers, and they like YA and romance, which are my niches.
DeleteI really want to read Moxie! 📚
ReplyDeleteI have learned in my old(er) age that when I love something I need to buy several because many times they turn into unicorns. This has included everything from soap to pants. I feel you pain. 😞
Have a wonderful Week.☺
Moxie was so wonderful! It could have turned into this really angry girl thing, but it didn't. Mathieu expertly balanced that angst, frustration, and sadness with lots of positive things. I am laughing about the soap, because apparently, they discontinued the bar soap I like, but I found it when I dropped my daughter in NC and bought a whole bunch. I will be clean in the event of a zombie apocalypse. XP
DeleteHa! 😀
DeleteI'm a fan of pretty covers. You have a nice set of books, I also got Legendary and Crossing the Line. Hope you a great week.
ReplyDeleteIf I am not familiar with the author's work, the cover is a huge factor in attracting me. I totally fall under their spell. Yeah! We can compare notes on those two books.
DeleteSounds like a plan :)
Delete=)
DeleteYay! Glad your coworkers enjoyed the books you suggested! I wish my coworkers were into reading like I am!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my Sunday Post!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays and Cover Spotlight!
When I teaching, there were a bunch of readers in my department, but they all read literary fiction. I love that I finally have co-workers, who like the kind of books I read, because everyone else talks about TV shows, sports, and movies, and it's never the TV shows I watch.
DeleteSuch a good feeling to recommend a book or series that the person ends up loving. It's like, my work as a book pusher is done here. LOL Hallelujah for the three day weekend! Too bad there's now such a long stretch til the next holiday. Boo. I've yet to read anything by Simone Elkeles despite owning a few by her. As much as I love YA contemporary romance you'd think I'd be on those by now. I can't wait to pick up More Than We Can Tell. I loved Rev in Letters to the Lost and he was such a stand-out side character.
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful feeling pushing the right books into their hands. Unfortunately, I don't have a ton of physical books, but they have gotten some of my recs from the library too. I have been working through Elkeles' backlist. As per the way I work, I have read a few from the library, but not the ones I own (I have no idea why I do these things). I feel like Rev has quite a dark background, which is what makes him so compelling to me. I love when someone can come out stronger and better after being trough some terrible things.
DeleteThat is wonderful that your coworkers want to read more of the books you recommend, what a great feeling for you :) Freebies are always welcomed. I've heard so many wonderful things about Moxie, glad you enjoy it. Have a wonderful week and enjoy all your new reads.
ReplyDeleteIt really was a wonderful feeling. Now I want to convert some of my other co-workers. XD Moxie was great, and I regret waiting so long to read it.
DeleteI also have a hard time coming up with discussion posts. It's why I haven't participated in the Discussion Challenge in three years! I'm trying my hand at it again this year, though.
ReplyDeleteThe struggle is real with discussion posts. My ideas usually come from things that annoy me, and I try to spin it in a more positive way. I sometimes will do a Tell Me Something Tuesday or Beyond the Books. Sometimes you can even spin a Top Ten Tuesday post into a discussion depending on the topic.
DeleteI need to quit messing around and read Moxie soon. Isn't it great when someone loves a book that you recommended?! It is a great feeling. You added some great books this week. Congrats on getting Legendary! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteRead it, read it! It stirred a whole lot of emotions in me, and I was nodding my head along a whole lot, thinking back to when I was teaching high school. Mathieu has some great insight from being a classroom teacher herself.
DeleteI am the same way on the audiobooks some just don't work for me. I can usually tell when I am about 10 mins in if I can't keep pace with it. I want to read More Than We Can Tell it looks great! I hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI love the story, but I find it hard to follow along without seeing the words. I even like the narrator. It really is a case of it's not you, it's me. I was really happy when I saw More Than We Can Tell was coming up on my spreadsheet. So far, I am hearing all sorts of good things, and I just loved Rev in the last book.
DeleteI got a few of these this week. You are a reading goddess Sam! You read so much more than I do... I love audiobooks, but for me it depends on the narrator AND sometimes if the world building is to complicated I don't understand it too well if I can't see it.
ReplyDeleteIt has indeed been a rough week :(
My bodily injuries keep making me have to quite all my other hobbies, so there's reading left right now. I have encountered some female narrators with voices I just couldn't stand, but for the most part, I have liked the narrators.
DeleteOoh! I hope you like Legendary! :)
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of the series, so I am hoping it lives up to the level of the first book.
Delete