Weekly Rewind 3.15.14

The Weekly Rewind
The new books on my shelves, the links I loved, and my week in a nutshell.





Since I started this blog I've participated in Stacking the Shelves, which is a weekly feature hosted by Tyngas Reviews, and I'm going to continue linking to that meme. Throughout my student teaching semester I was using my weekend post as a way to let people know what's going on in my life, so I've decided to rename my weekend post because this feature is more personal than just what books I've received. The Weekly Rewind will be about what's going on with me and my blog, as well as about the books I've added to my shelves, and the links I've enjoyed over the past week from other blogs and the interwebs in general.  

My Life and Blog

Not a whole lot to report this week. This was the last free week at the office as I start training my replacement on Monday. On the subbing front, I subbed for a fourth grade class at one of the charter schools, an AP US History class at the high school where I did my student teaching (where I had to watch the same super depressing Dust Bowl movie 4 times), and for a middle school library. The library jobs are my favorite which I'm sure is surprising to no one. This one was especially fun because the school was doing a Hunger Games day in preparation of the state exams. The library was district 13 and the students had to chose 5 items from the cornucopia that was on the board and then listened to a scenario which awarded points for certain items. So we saw all 13 districts over the course of the day with 18 minute periods. It was the easiest and most fun day of subbing I've had so far.

It got up to, like, 68 degrees on Tuesday, only to drop back down to 12 degrees with a negative windchill on Thursday. I'm so freaking over Winter. I'm so, so ready for Spring and nice weather. I'm over sweaters and my coat and having to start my car 10 minutes before I leave the house (although my hubby got me a remote starter a couple of years ago which is seriously the best present of all time for us cold weather girls).

On the blog front:

• Monday: I reviewed Uganda Be Kidding Me which is Chelsea Handler's latest. Like Chelsea herself, the book is pretty funny and entertaining, but I could only read a little bit at a time before getting annoyed by her over-the-top antics.
• Tuesday: An early review for Side Effects May Vary. I really enjoyed this unique look at cancer from the perspective of a not-nice girl who suddenly goes into remission.
• Wednesday: I'm waiting for Famous Last Words which is the newest book from Katie Alender. It's about a serial killer reenacting famous Hollywood murders and a girl who is being haunted. 
• Thursday: As much as I want to act like a grabby monster, I discuss how A Little Anticipation Never Hurt Anyone.
• Friday: Break day. I did watch a couple of movies this week though, so I should have a movie review for you next week.

New Books: 

I have a handful of new books to show you this week. A couple that I'm especially excited for. So without further adieu, I hope you are all having fantastic weekends. 
 

Review Books

Love Letters to the Dead  by Ava Dellaira

I'm roughly 40% of the way through this epistolary book about a girl whose older sister has recently died and who is writing letters to dead celebrities. While I'm enjoying it, the writing is so heavy that I have only been able to read a letter or two at a time before switching to something a bit lighter. I seriously love this cover.

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

I've started this one, as well. It's pretty fun so far. This is the first book by Rachel Hawkins for me, but I do know that her Hex Hall series is a favorite of some of my friends. Again, cover love.

Nearly Gone by Elle Cosimano

This is being billed as Bones meets Fringe. I don't watch either show, but that description is pretty awesome.

Shooting Stars by Jennifer Buhl

This is a memoir by a (I believe former) female paparazzo. I'm trying to read more nonfiction. It isn't working out too well for me so far. 

Tempting Fate by Jane Green

Even though I haven't read her last two books, I still consider myself a fan of Jane Green. I read maybe the first 5 pages of this, but the print on my e-arc is too small and closely formatted. I'm kind of picky about things like that, but I will pick this up when it comes out. 

What I snagged from the library

Tsarina by J. Noelle Patrick

Faberge eggs, Rominovs, Russia, that cover. Sold, sold, sold.

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

I seriously loved Mr. Smith's last novel, Winger (so, so good if you haven't read it), but passed on this when the arc was available because it just didn't sound like my cup of tea--it's about a teenage boy who accidentally releases some sort of plague that turns the people in his town into giant bugs--but after seeing some pretty high star-ratings by some trusted GR buddies, I decided to give it a try.

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

A girl and her father move to the beach where her parents met after the death of her mother. I really liked Ms. Kirby's Golden and wanted to check out her early books.

Link Love

Blogs:

• Amy from Ode to Jo and Katniss discusses What She Needs to Buy into a Romance 
• Gaby from Queen Ella Bee Reads posted an amazingly awesome infographic on How to Read Sarah Dessen Books.
• Rachel from As Told By Rachel admits that she's Sometimes Wrong When Judging a Book by Its Cover.
• Charlotte from Gypsy Reviews wrote a very informative about Advertising Proposals Bloggers Should Be Wary Of.

From around the interwebs:

• Author Jessica Brody discusses Conquering Writer's Block
• Buzzfeed interviewed one of my favorite comedians, Michael Ian Black, About His Writing.

Well that's it for me this week. Feel free to leave a link to whatever weekend post you do (Stacking the Shelves, In My Mailbox, etc). I love to see what books people have recently snagged and especially enjoy hearing about my fellow bloggers' weeks. I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend!