My Week in Review
My week started with tears, when I had to drive my daughter to the airport. It was so nice having her home. I will miss her, and am looking forward to seeing her in May. We survived the snow cyclone. Congratulations, everyone! AND, I heard the temperatures are going to be in the 30s soon. Yes, this has me excited.
On the Blog:
- Monday: Review - A Taxonomy of Love by Rachael Allen
- Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday - New-to-me authors
- Wednesday: Can't-Wait Wednesday - Flight Season by Marie Marquardt
- Thursday: Giveaway - The First to Know by Abigail Johnson (still open!)
- Friday: In a Nutshell Reviews - Love and Other Train Wrecks, Busted, Together at Midnight
So now that the holidays are over, all the publishers are back to approving and declining requests. I was "declined" for a book I so dearly wanted, but I got approved for a bunch of other books on my anticipated reads list, which helped ease the pain of rejection.
ARCs
- Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry
- Checked by Cynthia Kadohata
- The Summer of Jordi Perez by Amy Spalding
- Honor Code by Kiersi Burkhart
- Bookish Boyfriends by Tiffany Schmidt
- See All the Stars by Kit Frick
- Puddin' by Julie Murphy
- Mariam Sharma Hits the Road by Sheba Karim
- Invisible Ghosts by Robyn Schneider
- A Lite too Bright by Samuel Miller
- 9 Days and 9 Nights by Katie Cotugno
- Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry
- All of This Is True by Lygia Day PeƱaflor
- I Stop Somewhere by T.E. Carter
- I Liked My Life by Abby Fabiaschi
What I Read Last Week
It was a good week, a very good week. No 5-star reads, but I had four 4.5-star reads. Not too shabby. I anticipated Long Way Down being a stand out, but I found myself pleasantly surprised by A Quite Kind of Thunder and The Upside of Falling Down. They book were made-me-happy books that just made my face hurt. Loved them!
- A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard: I do not believe I can clearly express how much I adored this book. I loved the characters and the sweet, adorable romance, but I also appreciated how much I learned about Deaf culture and selective mutism. I need all Barnard's books now! ★★★★ 1/2
- Nice Try, Jane Sinner by Lianne Oelke: This book was hilarious, thanks to the amazing character that is Jane Sinner. She was my kind of character. Snarky and witty (think Daria from the 90s). It wasn't all about laughter though, there were deep parts too as Jane tried to navigate her way back from rock bottom. Absolutely solid debut! ★★★★
- Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds: Extremely powerful book exploring the violence that plagues inner cities, which made me cry quite a few times. I shed tears, because I know all the things he talked about were some child's reality, and that pains my heart. ★★★★ 1/2
- The Upside of Falling Down by Rebekah Crane: This one made me happy. At the heart of it, this was a story about finding yourself and your path, and it wasn't just the girl with amnesia who was searching. The book's setting delighted me, because it took me through many of the sites I visited when I vacationed in Ireland. ★★★★ 1/2
- Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry: Another solid McGarry book. As always, I adored the characters and the "family" McGarry gave them. The romance was sweet and the friendships were strong, but I also really liked the social issues McGarry chose to highlight, because her passion for them really shined through in the story. ★★★★
- Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles (audiobook): This was a satisfying sequel. I liked it just a little bit less than the previous book, because I felt there was unnecessary drama, but I was pleased with the path Elkeles gave to Maggie and Caleb. ★★★ 1/2
- Into the Bright Unknown by Rae Carson: This finale had all the things I loved from the previous books, and I will agree with others, that the book didn't have as much action as the previous two book, BUT that ending was so great. The Hallmark movie sap in me just loved it. ★★★★ 1/2
What I Am Currently Reading
I just started both of these, so I don't have much to say. I had been wanting to check out Kemmerer's backlist, because Letters to the Lost was so awesome, and it's been a while since I read a paranormal romance.
- Thicker Than Water by Brigid Kemmerer
- Last Year's Mistake by Gina Ciocca (audiobook)
What I Plan to Read
I should be reading by release date, but I have no discipline. I am suffering from FOMO, and all the good early reviews for Truly Devious has me wanting to read it NOW. I also need a little romance in my week, so I am hoping The Wedding Date satiates that need for me.
- Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
- The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
- The Dangerous Art of Blending In by Angelo Surmelis
- The Last to Let Go by Amber Smith
How was your week?
Let us know in the comments!
I love that little graphic about the air- so true! It's so cold! Glad you survived the snow cyclone though. :)
ReplyDeleteSay You'll Remember Me looks good, love that cover.
It really does make my face hurt, lol. The cover for Say You'll Remember Me is nice and I like that it references the fair that they attend in the story. If you have ever read and like a Katie McGarry book, you will like this one.
DeleteGlad you survived the storm. We are a balmy 30 right now also, but of course that’s 30 Celsius. Summer :-) what a great week of reviews and giveaways you had. I’m in the middle of Say You’ll Remember Me and loving it, so it’s good to hear it’s a solid read. I loved Thicker Than Water, so I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
ReplyDeleteI just don't like any extreme weather. I am a moderate person by nature, and I need my weather to be moderate too. I am more than halfway through Thicker Than Water and it's excellent. I am in love with both MCs and Charlotte's brothers are quite the handful.
DeleteLooking forward to temps in the 30's is just... wow. We had a couple days in the 30's this past week and everyone lost their minds. LOL Hooray for getting approved for 9 Days & 9 Nights! I'm excited for that - but got declined. Boo hoo. I'm loving Say You'll Remember Me but I'm not surprised - I've never been disappointed by Katie McGarry. I'm interested in The Last to Let Go. I read Smith's The Way I Used to Be a year or so ago and it was such a powerful read. I still think about it.
ReplyDeleteMy Sunday Post
The publishers have been ruthless this past week, huh? I got declined for Starry Eyes and pouted about it and Penguin rejected ALL my requests. I think they are trying to tell me something. I am trying to focus on the great books I did get and will work on backlist in between.
DeleteThe air hurting your face is a sad reality where I live xD the most annoying bit about that is how brittle your skin turns. And I already have dry skin. Meh! So I bundle up, and only my eyes are visible :D I call my winter coat "my spacesuit"... It does look kind of like it xD
ReplyDeleteToo bad you had to say bye to your daughter! But I hope reading makes you feel better :)
My nose is so chapped. I wrap a scarf around my face, but still, it's not enough right now. Warmer days are (supposedly) on the horizon. I have a long wool coat, but I keep eying those lovely long down coats. I may buy one.
DeleteSorry about your daughter going back, but hopefully she'll back soon!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my Sunday Post!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays!
She graduates in five months, then I will get to see her again.
Delete30 degrees sounds warm! I mean this morning it said -2. I am not about that kind of cold!!! You got a lot of great books. Can't wait to see what you think of Puddin' and 9 Days & 9 Nights. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAt least we are not alone in all this cold weather. Everyone in the US is pretty much experiencing lower than normal temps. I just hope we don't get too much snow. Thursday was really stressful.
DeleteAs someone who generally loves winter, I have to say I am not enjoying our weather lately! It's been below freezing every day! I like my cold just above freezing thank you! Lol!! I know soon I will actually miss these days when we get into the high 90s and humidity and just general disgustingness that is summer. Eck, I feel sick just thinking about it!
ReplyDeleteOoh nice new reads! Not recognizing too many of these but I hope you enjoy them all!!
Here's my STS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
I don't like extremes. I like moderate temperatures and only liquid precipitation. My favorite summer vacations were to places that were NOT hot in the summer (Alaska, France, Ireland).
DeleteI live in Brazil, but I have lived in the US when I was younger and I remember LOVING the cold weather (snow and everything). Maybe too much of anything will make you tired of it though ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's not usually this cold. We are dealing with temps in the -20 Celsius range. And the wind! I wouldn't mind, but I have a four block walk to the bus stop, then I have to wait 5 - 10 mins for the bus. I am a veritable popsicle by the time the driver gets there.
DeleteYep, I feel the same way about this darn cold. I like cold weather, but this has been extreme. Thankfully the temperatures are supposed to go up a little this week, so I'm looking forward to ANY increase in temperature haha.
ReplyDeleteAnd aww! That's sad about your daughter leaving for school again. I always get sad when I have to leave my parents too. Hopefully, that giant book haul will cheer you up! Have a good week ahead, Sam!
Why do you children leave us! š Books definitely help.
DeleteI don't think I've ever related to a comic more than the one you've shared. I don't live in a climate where it normally feels like that, but the single digits we've experienced all this week have done me in. We're supposed to hit 40 tomorrow and it's going to feel like a heat wave!
ReplyDeleteWe may have to don our shorts and tank tops with temperatures that high.
DeleteUgh, it's terrible that temps in the 30s are something to look forward to! But that's what I'm hoping for this week, too!
ReplyDeleteAt least 30s is our normal winter. This has been brutal. Let's welcome the heat wave.
DeleteSorry your week began not so great but at least you got to spend sometime with your daughter. And yay for surviving the weather which hit the US. I heard a bit about it and I didn't think it sounded pleasant at all. Hopefully you'll get through the cold and some warmer weather will hit for you. At least you got plenty of good books to read.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed the weatherman is right about the temperatures this week, because they are more like the winters we are accustomed to. Ah, there will always be books.
DeleteOh, great haul! I haven't yet figured out why I get approved for most books, and then not others. Like Karen White's newest book...I have reviewed books FOR the author, so why did NetGalley not approve me? It doesn't make sense.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I'll buy the book when it is released. Sigh.
Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
I guess the author needs to get you on the approval list. I get that everyone cannot get every book, but this one I was rejected for was one I really, really wanted. It still stings right now, because everyone who did get approved had it on their STS, but I'll get over it.
DeleteSorry to hear you had to say goodbye to your daughter! May is just around the corner, though. Time flies by so fast!
ReplyDeleteA Quiet Kind of Thunder and Nice Try Jane Sinner sound fabulous! I'm going to see about getting copies. Hopefully audios. I hope The Wedding Date is good because I got a copy of that, too. I'm a little hesitant about it for some reason.
It's very tragic when your children leave you, but you know, growing up. --sigh-- A Quiet Kind of Thunder was soooooooooo good! If you love cute and adorable romances, you will enjoy QKoT. I saw some positive things about The Wedding Date and I pretty much love that kind of book, so I am staying optimistic.
DeleteOh I still always feel such crushing disappointment when I get denied for a book on NG or Edelweiss! It never gets easier. But, you got a lot of good looking books this week so that eases the sting a bit, yes!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
Rejection is rejection, and then when you see other bloggers get approved for those books, you wonder - why them and not me? Especially if their twitter/bloglovin/subscibers are similar to yours. I did get a lot of good books, and this ache will pass. I sort of got of the mass Penguin rejection. At least Harper loves me.
DeleteLots of great books this week! I only had one approval but I haven't let myself request anything lately either. Sorry you were declined for one that you really wanted. That always hurts. Too bad your daughter had to go back to school but May is right around the corner. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYeah, the rejection still stings, because everyone was showing it on their STS this weekend, and I am seeing everyone's updates on Goodreads, but I will get over it eventually.
DeleteOh very interesting picks darling
ReplyDeletexx
Thanks! I hope I like them all.
DeleteI am sorry your daughter had to go back that is always rough! YAY on new approvals. Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry looks great! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteWe bring these beautiful babies home and then they leave us. Wahhh! Now I just have to hope she gets a job in this area. If you like an angsty contemporary romance, you would enjoy it.
DeleteI'll be reading Nice Try, Jane Sinner soon - glad to hear you enjoyed it! I've received ARCs for Bookish Boyfriends and See All the Stars, too! :)
ReplyDeleteJane was such a great character. I hope you like that book as much as I did. Can't wait to compare notes on the others.
DeleteSo many books, holy moly. I hope you´ll enjoy them. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Vi
Yeah, I had a ton of pending requests from before the holidays and now they are all starting to roll in. I am so excited to read them all.
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