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
Life: So I had two interviews this week, both for schools in Florida. I've already heard back from one that I didn't get the job, but I'm completely ok with it because I was going to turn it down if I got the offer anyway. I'm chalking it up to good experience--interviewing can be so nerve-wracking! It was the first teacher interview I've done and I felt really positive about it when it was over. When the principal called to let me know they were going in another direction he told me that I did a great job during the interview and they were all impressed which made me feel good (even if it was only said to make me feel good). I won't hear about the other job for a couple of weeks--and it is one I actually would take--but I feel pretty good about it. There are still a couple of schools in my area (and a few from out-of-state) that I'm dying to hear from. We'll see. At least for today I'm feeling pretty zen about it. You can only get so stressed out before you reach a breaking point, right? I have faith that it is all going to work out like it should. (No matter how zen I'm feeling, I would still love those good thoughts and crossed fingers!)
My mother-in-law has been staying with us for the past week. She does the books for my husband's business so comes out every other month or so. Listen, I'm pretty lucky as far as my in-laws are concerned, but it's just hard to have anybody in your house for more than a few days. Especially somebody who thinks that every word that comes out of my husband's mouth is hilarious--especially when he is ragging on me for some reason. I'm trying to come up with a game plan for tomorrow to be out of the house for as long as possible. I'm so close to the edge a feather could knock me over. Deep breaths. Zen. You are being zen...
My mother-in-law has been staying with us for the past week. She does the books for my husband's business so comes out every other month or so. Listen, I'm pretty lucky as far as my in-laws are concerned, but it's just hard to have anybody in your house for more than a few days. Especially somebody who thinks that every word that comes out of my husband's mouth is hilarious--especially when he is ragging on me for some reason. I'm trying to come up with a game plan for tomorrow to be out of the house for as long as possible. I'm so close to the edge a feather could knock me over. Deep breaths. Zen. You are being zen...
Blog: The week started out pretty slow, but I got my act together by mid-week.
- Wednesday: Have you heard of The Third Twin? It looks creepy and fun.
- Thursday: I bemoan cover changes in my discussion post: Why, Publishers, Why?!? (Part 1). Part 1 because I know there are covers I forgot to bemoan.
- Friday: An early review for The Fever. This started out strong, but ended up being disappointing.
New Books: I have a lot of books to share, so without further adieu...Hope you are all having fabulous weekends!
Review Books
On the Fence by Kasie West
I was trying to hold off starting this one, but I can't do it. I'm only about 3 chapters in, but I'm really enjoying it. That cover just screams summer which is exactly what I need right now.
Followers by Anna Davies
I've been looking forward to this one since first seeing that creepy cover months ago, but it isn't super impressive yet (at about 20%). Hopefully it will pick up soon.
I am the Mission by Allen Zadoff
The second book in the Boy Nobody series. Boy Nobody was a fun teen spy novel, so I'm excited to see what happens next.
I am the Mission by Allen Zadoff
The second book in the Boy Nobody series. Boy Nobody was a fun teen spy novel, so I'm excited to see what happens next.
The Stepsister's Tale by Tracy Barrett
A re-telling of Cinderella from a not-so-evil stepsister's POV. I'm starting to feel like Cinderella re-tellings are a dime a dozen, but hopefully this one is good.
Loot by Jude Watson
A long lost brother and sister break out of an evil orphanage after their cat burglar father dies.
Wickedpedia by Chris Van Etten
So Followers (above) is about a girl whose Twitter feed is hacked and deaths that are tweeted actually occur. Wickedpedia is about two guy friends who make up a Wikipedia page about a classmate dying on a soccer field only to have it happen. Weird, right?
What I bought
Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas
I've been wanting to read this book about a girl charged with her friend's murder in Aruba. I've heard it's awesome and can't wait to start it.
Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday
I've read this breezy murder mystery already, but snagged it for a dollar at HPB. Can't beat that.
So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti
Also on clearance at HPB. I'm a bit wary about this novel about a girl who moves across the country to NYC to follow her crush to his new school (hi, teenage Felicity), but again, you can't beat a dollar.
The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
When a girl's boyfriend breaks up with her she literally dies of a broken heart. The cover is lovely. I've been eyeing this one up for ages, so was thrilled when it was also on clearance--for two dollars.
What I snagged from the library
The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller
I've checked this one out a couple of time, but I'm determined to read it this time. Those shoes are so cute.
Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews
A wedding florist who doesn't believe in love...can't you just see Katherine Heigel's ears perking up for the movie rights.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
No, I've never read this. Yes, this is the fourth time I've checked it out. Will it happen this time? *Shrugs* Maybe.
Link Love
- Mands @The Bookish Manicurist reviewed Deep Blue Sea and showed off some beyond gorgeous nails to match (like, for real, she painted a mermaid on her nails and it looks awesome).
- Modcloth Blog had a fun look at 13 Reasons Why We Love the Original Freaky Friday. The original was a bit before my time, but the remake was a bit after my time, so I've never seen either movie. This post made me want to seek out the original.
Upcoming Reviews
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!
Dangerous Girls is a great read. I loved it so much! I got Dangerous Boys this week by the same author. I'm so excited. Good luck for the job hunt!
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of The Stepsister's Tale for review, I know what you mean about there being loads of Cinderella retelling but this sounds interesting. Hope we both enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteOoh, Loot looks like fun. Love a good heist story. Hope you enjoy all of these! And good luck with the teaching job interviews.
ReplyDeleteMy StS.
I recently read On the Fence and while I didn't enjoy it as much as Kasie West's other books, I liked it enough. Ooh yay for Dangerous Girls! That is such an awesome book. I hope you'll love it as much as I did. Speaking of Deadly Cool, are we ever going to get a 3rd book in that series?!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your lovely reads this week and I hope you get an awesome job really soon! :)
Nick - My Haul
I think it's great that the school took the time to contact you with some positive feedback about your interview. That way you know you are doing it right and getting good imput and interview experience. fingers crossed for your other interview. Enjoy your books!
ReplyDeleteOohh, you have a sufficient amount of creepy books here. x) I'm jealous, lol! All I seem to be collecting right now, are contemporaries. I need to find some more epic books. OH. But I DO love The Catastrophic History! I was surprised at how much I enjoyed that one. And I love City of Bones. I have the sequel out right now. ;)
ReplyDeleteMy StS!
LOVEEE On The Fence!!! And I am curious about I Am The Mission!! I enjoyed Boy Nobody :)
ReplyDeleteAnd good luck about that second job! Everything WILL work out how it's supposed to sometimes we just can't see it yet to understand it :)
Nicole @ The Quiet Concert
I'm hoping The Stepsister's Tale is good, fairy tale re-tellings can be amazing if done right. On The Fence is in my TBR list. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteMy StS:
http://wendimlee.blogspot.com/2014/06/stacking-shelves-5.html
Nice haul. Heard good things about The Stepsisters Tale. Fairy Tale Retellings are always fun to read.
ReplyDeleteGrace
Books of Love
On the Fence is definitely on my TBR list. I will have to look for your review. The Summer I Became a Nerd also looks really cute.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely read City of Bones. I've read the first two books in the series so far and really enjoyed them.
I hope you enjoy all of your new books!!
Here is my STS: http://www.jacquesbooknook.blogspot.com/2014/06/stacking-shelves-challenge-update.html
I can't wait to read On the Fence, I wouldn't have been able to wait either if I had it. Love Kasie West! Read City of Bones!! You could binge read now that the whole series is out (although before the last book, I would recommend reading Infernal Devices because you'll learn certain things that may ruin it for you). Although now maybe you won't read it because that's 9 books you're committing to. Unless you've read Infernal Devices already?? The Summer I Became a Nerd…so cute, I really enjoyed that one. A perfect summer read.
ReplyDeleteDangerous Girls…I just requested that one from the library, I keep hearing great things about it even though I wasn't planning on reading it at first.
You have such a good attitude about searching for a job (and about your mother-in-law)! I went through a period of time when I was interviewing for jobs and whenever I heard I didn't get the job I basically went to bed. Sleeping was my way of dealing with it. And yes, it will all work out like it should, at least that's what happened with me. Good luck! ~Pam
I hope real life, off-the-blog stuff figures itself out soon. Interviewing sucks and it's exhausting. I can only imagine how tiring and stressful the combination of doing that while you have a houseguest would be. *fingers crossed for good news soon*
ReplyDeleteI've been holding off on On the Fence. I think I'm going to have to cave soon, though, because I keep seeing so many good things about it. I enjoyed The Catastrophic History of You and Me and Deadly Cool. The Summer I Became a Nerd was freaking adorable. I hope you enjoy all your new books – and that you find a peaceful place to do it. :)
My STS
On the Fence is so freaking adorable, and it sounds like you kinda need that in your life right now. I have terrible in-laws for the most part, but even if they were great, I know I'd be in the same boat. I hate having people stay with us for more than a weekend, and I know what it's like to have a mother-in-law who believes her son can do no wrong...especially when he's being specifically irritating towards me. Grrr. I hope you find something lovely to do with yourself today to escape that.
ReplyDeleteYou got so many awesome books this week, I don't know where to start. I loved Catastrophic History when I read it a couple of years ago. It was one of my first forays back into contemporary novels after so many years of fantasy and paranormal reads. Oh, and don't feel bad if you never finish City of Bones. I liked it when I read it several years ago, but my tastes have changed quite a bit and I don't think I could read it now. I actually rec'd it to my sister ages ago, and she's been reading it here and there, and I just told her to give up on it. Except that the last book is narrated on audio by Logan Echolls, er, I mean Jason Dohring. And we're both huge VM fans, so we might end up going that route instead. At least then we'd be done with THIS series, lol.
I feel the exact same way about "City of Bones". I keep checking it out at the library (no go) and then I purchased it for Kindle at 2.99 but still it sits. Hope you get to it this time!
ReplyDeleteTsuki’s STS
Hmmm….which explains the Instagram picture of you hiding out in your own yard. lol. Anyway, crossing my fingers that you'll get the posting that you want.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading, Natalie!
Great haul! I hope you hear back from the school soon, I've got my fingers and toes crossed for you. I can't wait to read On the Fence, it looks so good. I recently read Dangerous Girls and absolutely loved it, such an amazing read and that one really kept me guessing. I hope you enjoy all of your books :)
ReplyDeleteGood feedback is always nice, hope you hear back from the other school soon!
ReplyDeleteAwesome haul, I'm so excited for On The Fence, I've been waiting until closer to July, but I think I'll start it soon, too haha. Loot looks really cool, and same with Wickedpedia. The Summer I Became A Nerd is pretty cute, typical, but cute! Hope you enjoy!
Here's my Sunday Post & STS at Bookmunchies (:
I would read Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices trilogy first. I don't know....I just prefer them better to TMI.
ReplyDeletelol I am glad you picked up City of Bones!!
I am kind of the same way I will check out a book from a library, multiple times, and not end up reading it.
~Maura @ http://yaaddict.com
great books this week. I wish you luck on your upcoming interviews. I know how nervewracking they can be ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading!
My Weekly Wrap up Post
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I want to read ALLL of these books. ESPECIALLY Followers and Wickedpedia. They kind of remind me of creepypasta.
ReplyDeleteNew follower via bloglovin and GFC.
Here's my Stacking the Shelves if you'd like to check it out.
Rebecca @ Vicariously!
I got Followers and The Stepsisters Tale too! City of Bones and The Summer I became a Nerd are both goo. Hope you enjoy them if you get to reading them. I know how it is to check out books and return them before you get to reading them.
ReplyDeleteHere are my newest additions.