My Week in Review
This time next week I will be in North Carolina. Please forgive me if I am quieter than normal, because I have the drive from NJ to NC, graduation, and then packing to move my child temporarily home.
Speaking of graduations, congratulations are in order to the other three WLABBers. Kiersten, Noor, and Amrutha are graduating! Congratulations ladies, and I know the future holds lots of wonderful things for you.
Keeping with my theme:
10 of YA lit's truest quotes about the future. https://t.co/8ghOrlFnvI— B&N Teen Blog (@BNTeens) April 20, 2018
It's gonna be May!! Here are 36 of our most anticipated YA books of the month. https://t.co/gS4bCitmBP pic.twitter.com/wP4TKjpKqN— B&N Teen Blog (@BNTeens) April 27, 2018
— Epic Reads (@EpicReads) April 18, 2018
On the Blog:
- Monday: Nutshell Reviews - The Pros of Cons, The Poet X
- Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday - LOVE is in the Air
- Wednesday: Can't-Wait Wednesday - The Supervillain and Me by Danielle Banas
- Thursday: Discussion - HEA All the Way!
- Friday: Review - Royals by Rachel Hawkins
- Saturday: Blog Tour - Love Songs & Other Lies by Jessica Pennington
Harper had a BIG Edelweiss drop, and it was hard, but I showed great restraint with my requests. I also had a bunch of "wishes" come through on NetGalley, which made me really happy.
Edelweiss/NetGalley
- The Healer by Donna Freitas
- When We Caught Fire by Anna Godbersen
- The Deepest Roots by Miranda Asebedo
- Ship It by Britta Lundin
- Broken Things by Lauren Oliver
- The Kiss Collector by Wendy Higgins
- Four Three Two One by Courtney Stevens
- Summer Skin by Kirsty Eagar
What I Read Last Week
I was self indulgent and read tons of contemporary romances this week. No wonder I had such a fabulous reading week.
- Spies, Lies, and Allies by Lisa Brown Roberts: I really liked the family aspects of this story, and it hit all the right cute and fun notes for me. I just wanted more of the romance, which I actually loved. ★★★
- Shot on Gold by Jaci Burton (audiobook): Loved the Olympic setting. I got all the feels you expect me to get every time we attended a medal ceremony. I also adored Will and Amber together, and really loved how Amber grew with Will's support.★★★★
- Royals by Rachel Hawkins: I have always been a fan of Hawkins' wit and humor, and it was on grand display in this book. So. Much. Fun. ★★★★ 1/2
- The Trouble with Love by Lauren Layne (audiobook): I had a feeling this one would be the most powerful of the series, and it was. There was a ton of emotional strain on my poor little heart, but it was well worth it. ★★★★ 1/2
- White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig: I love the way Roehrig blends romance and humor into suspenseful story. ★★★★
- Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch: Why did I wait so long to read my copy of Love & Gelato?! This was such a signature "Sam" book. The combination of Lina's grief and the adorable romance was just a winning combination for me. I alternated between crying and smiling. Simply loved it! ★★★★ 1/2
- Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch: I didn't think this book would pack the emotional punch of its predecessor, but it delivered the feels via a sweet and touching story of friendship and family. I really want more of this. I mean, Addie has those four brothers, and Rowan has possibilities too, right? ★★★★ 1/2
- Maverick by Karina Halle (audiobook): This one needed more story and less sex, because I really loved the story, and thought Halle could have given us more. ★★★
- Bobby Sky: Boy Band or Die by Joe Shine: I am a fan of these kid secret agency stories, and the boy band aspect along with Bobby's snarky personality made this a winner for me. ★★★★
What I Am Currently Reading
I may be done with Leah when you read this. I am enjoying being back in Creekwood, and I am definitely a fan of Leah's, but I just wish Albertalli had gone about this a little differently.
I am just starting Noah, so not much to say right now, but I am very excited because I was enamored with Arnold's last book.
- Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli (audiobook)
- The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by David Arnold
What I Plan to Read
For some reason, I forgot to enter a week of books in spreadsheet, and they slipped through the cracks. I am glad I finally realized they were released, and am trying to sneak them into my line up now.
- The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo
- Not the Girls You're Looking For by Aminah Mae Safi
- On the Line by Liz Lincoln
- 9 Days & 9 Nights by Katie Cotugno
How was your week?
Let us know in the comments!
Hard to believe it's time for end of school/ graduations coming up... wow this year has flown! Good luck with thr moving and all that!
ReplyDeleteI forgot that Lauren Oliver had a new book coming out! I'm so glad that you liked Love and Gelato, and I'm glad t hear that Love & Luck is good also, I really want to read it soon!
I LOVED Love & Gelato. Both Welch's books were exactly "me". Very excited about Oliver's new book. She is always a good read for me.
DeleteCongratulations to your daughter on her grauation! And congrats to Kiersten, Noor, and Amrutha too. Enjoy all those new books, the Lauren Aoliver book is one that i would certainly like to pick up.
ReplyDeleteI am an Oliver fan, so I was pretty excited about that one. The book sounds great! I guess I never made that connection here on the blog, but Kiersten is my daughter, which I why I was so touched when she asked me to contribute to this.
DeleteI can't wait for Legendary, The Way You Make Me Feel, Anger is a Gift...okay, who am I kidding? May is another budget-ruining month. But, Mother's Day is coming and I'm hoping it's booked again!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely excited about Legendary and The Way You Make Me Feel. I have been hearing amazing things about Anger is a Gift. I think I have a million books I want to read, and there have been so many incredible releases.
DeleteCongratulations to all the graduates! What an exciting time! I remember when I was graduating college, my mom had her hotel room booked in September, she was so excited.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky, when my daughter finished her undergraduate degree, I stayed at her apartment and my family stayed with my aunt right outside of Syracuse, because it's really difficult getting a hotel room for graduation there. I am just staying in my daughter's apartment this time, and since it's graduate school, we will not be competing with the massive amount of undergrad parents.
DeleteCongrats to your daughter on her graduation! And to your co-bloggers! Such an exciting (and, let’s be honest, frightening) time. Be safe on your trip to NC. I’m excited for Leah on the Offbeat. I got my copy this week but I’m not sure when I’ll start it. So far I’ve seen one good review and one (from a friend) who was disappointed. But I think her expectations were unrealistic - seems like she just wanted another Simon story. :) Can’t wait to read your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteDriving + Me = NOT happy <-- gotta do, what you gotta do
DeleteI wasn't disappointed with Leah. It was entertaining. I just wish Albertalli had made a different choice. I know there are fans that will be happy with what she did, but it felt forced to me, and it destroyed something I had really loved from the first book.
Congratulations on your daughter's graduation Sam! Aveyard's series has really been a bit of a miss for me lately, I loved Red Queen, but it's kind of gone downhill for me since. But I still can't seem to stop reading the series, knowing me I will end up picking up War Storm too! I had a hard time staying away from Edelweiss too, so many great books! I look forward to seeing how you get on with Freitas and Oliver's new books! I hope you have a great week :)
ReplyDeleteI abandoned the Red Queen series after Glass Sword. That book was such a chore for me to read. Harper always shows the love to me, so I guess it's good that they seem to publish most of the books I want to read.
DeleteSafe travels to and from NC! That's a long drive. And congrats on your daughter's graduation! (Congrats to your co-bloggers, as well!) I have had my eye on both Summer Skin and When We Caught Fire, but I'm trying to not request any ARCs until after BookExpo, since I know I'll just overwhelm myself, hahaha (I obviously made an exception for What If It's Us, though. OBVIOUSLY.). I have heard such good things about both Love & Gelato and Love & Luck, and they sound so up my alley-- why haven't I read them yet?! I'm curious to hear your thoughts on Leah once you finish! I adored it, but I can see why people might have reservations. I hope you have a wonderful week, Sam!
ReplyDeleteThe drive to NC is made even longer because of DC. I need to reach the outer loop in the middle of the night to avoid the traffic, and well, that won't happen. Sadly, I am unable to attend BEA/BookCon. This is the first BookCon I will miss, because I will be driving my daughter out to Chicago that weekend, but I hope you have an amazing time! I love the cute contemporaries, and the "Love &" books just fit that niche so well. I enjoyed Leah. I love Creekwood and its inhabitants, but I wish Leah could have gotten her HEA without breaking something else. You know?
DeleteCongratulations to your daughter and co-bloggers! It's hard to believe it's graduation time. This year is going by so fast. I can't wait for Legendary. I'll be attending her book signing in a couple weeks and I can't wait to meet her. I hope you have a safe and fun trip! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYes, all the lovely WLABBers are going out into the world now. Scary! I love Garber. I hope you have a great time at the signing.
DeleteWow! You read a ton. I’m lucky to finish one to two books in a week. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteI am pretty consistent with 5 books a week. I snuck in an extra, because I was home sick on Wednesday.
DeleteSafe travels! <3
ReplyDeleteYOU HAVE LAUREN OLIVER'S NEW BOOK??? I might be screaming a little bit here, so sorry, but I am so excited for you! I can't wait to read that one, Lauren Oliver is one of my favorite authors of all times and I'm so, so eager to get around to reading it someday. Fingers crossed I get approved, maybe, haha. I hope you'll enjoy it :D
I have been watching Oliver's new book on EW and requested as soon as I could. I am glad she is on Harper, because I have good luck getting approvals from them. I hope you get a review copy too!
DeleteI'm super excited for War Storm to come out. I'm reading King's Cage right now!! On the line was soooo good. I hope you love it just as much as I did. I also received Kiss Collector. It looks super cute!!! Great week/post <3
ReplyDeleteI am excited about On the Line and Kiss Collector. Both look like good fits for me. I gave up on the Red Queen series after Glass Sword, but I hope the next book is satisfying for you.
DeleteFuryborn looks interesting!
ReplyDeleteI do not read a lot of fantasy, but when LeGrande talked about Furyborn, she totally sold me on that book.
DeleteCongrats to all of the graduates and I hope you have a safe trip to and from NC. There are so many great books coming out in May, some that I've already read and enjoyed like The Way You Make Me Feel and Girl Made of Stars, and then others that I'm anxiously awaiting like From Twinkle, With Love and Furyborn.
ReplyDeleteI hope to read Girl Made of Stars. It sounds like a gut punch, but in a good way.
DeleteA congrats to your daughter on her graduation!
ReplyDeleteI've never thought to use the wish for it function on Netgalley. I always figured they'd just be ignored but now I know they actually sometimes grant the 'wishes' I may start clicking that button! :)
I always click the wish. I don't always get the books, and sometimes when I get them, it is really close to publication, but I am happy to be granted a wish.
DeleteCongrats to the graduates! That's such an exciting time. I see you stocked up on some great Harper books. I hope you enjoy all of your new additions!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week, Sam. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Harper drop was awesome, and I always have good luck getting books from that publisher.
DeleteI'm glad to hear that you really liked White Rabbit. I haven't gotten Leah on the Offbeat yet, but it will be one I check out. :)
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I did like White Rabbit. I don't know, I am a fan of Roehrig's story blending.
DeleteShip It sounds like it could be a lot of fun! I hope you enjoy it. :)
ReplyDeleteLauren @ Always Me
I was pretty excited to get that "wish", because it was one of my anticipated reads for this year.
DeleteFirst off, congrats to the graduates! Wishing them all lots of success in the future!
ReplyDeleteThose Harper Edelweiss drops can be deadly. I'm SO tempted to go over there to see what's out ... trying hard to ... restrain ... myself ...
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
So many good Harper books. It took all that was in me to only request the ones I got.
DeleteSafe travels and congratulations on your daughter's graduation! I have wanted to read Love & Gelato forever I need to pick it up soon. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteLove & Gelato was so sweet. I absolutely loved it
DeleteCongrats on the graduations! Have fun in North Carolina! I’m curious to know what you think of Leah on the Offbeat. I need to read that one. I hope you’re having a great week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Dreading the drive to NC. Already stressing about it. I liked Leah. Solid 4 stars. I just wish Albertalli had gone about giving Leah her HEA in a different way
DeleteI keep seeing The Way You Make Me Feel and Not the Girls You're Looking For in the book community and my interest is definitely piqued! Not into a Contemporary mood at the moment but, I'm definitely picking them up soon!
ReplyDeleteElena @ Book Lady's Reviews
The Way You Make Me Feel was cute and heartwarming. I felt like there were a bunch of loose ends not dealt with, but the strong cast of characters made up for that. Girls was interesting. I loved all the family and friendship focus, as well as the infusion of the author's culture and religion.
DeleteGraduations all around then really, yay! I hope your daughters graduation went well and the (temporary) move home was a success. I'm very jealous you have Summer Skin, I've heard so many good things about that book and really want to read but it's still not been published over here. I'd debated going to Australia purely for book buying purposes but I may treat myself to a US copy instead. Hope you have/had a good week.
ReplyDeleteYeah, packing right now. Hoping to get out tomorrow morning. It's complete chaos in the apartment, but the ceremony was short and sweet. I would love to go to Australia for some of the books I have seen, which have yet to be published in the US. I have quite a long list.
DeleteCongrats to all the graduates! Sounds like a really busy week but very exciting. Great new books this week. I just picked up Noah so I am eager to see what you think of that one. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteMay = proms and grads. All good stuff. I am interested to see what you think of Noah. I was all about it, but I have nothing but love for David Arnold.
DeleteI have to be honest - I keep trying to get through Furyborn and just can't seem to do it. I have even joined up with a group on GR to read it and still can't seem to get through it. I don't know why. It's not like its bad - just can't seem to hold my interest for some reason. I hope you have better luck with it!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week!
Mary
I am not a huge SFF reader, so when I started seeing reviews come in, I thought I should sit this one out.
Delete