Weekly Rewind
The new books on my shelves 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.
My Life and Blog
Life: I'm swamped with work right now. Every day to start off class, I have students write in their journals for the first five minutes about a prompt I display on the screen. This gets both their minds working and me the opportunity to take roll and any other "housekeeping" tasks I may need to do. I decided to collect their journals for a participation grade--something I always intended to do--but I waited WAY too long to do it. The students have done 25 prompts...and I have a 100 students, leaving me with a ton of reading to do. Not to mention the 100 essays they wrote for the county assessments hanging over my head with its looming deadline. So, yeah, I have a lot of reading to do this weekend, and it isn't the fun kind.
Today was so weird. The school has this tradition that the students get to go outside during one of their periods (my "livliest" period incidentally) to watch the high school parade. I've never heard of this before. While my kids were better than I thought they would be, it was still SO hard to get them back into a school mindset after being outside for 20 minutes on a Friday.
I have two more weeks until my next trip home. It could not go quickly enough. I'm so ready to see my husband again. If I really think about it, though, I think the next couple of months will go fairly quickly. Two weeks until I get to go home for a long weekend, then Thanksgiving break (for a whole week!) four weeks after that, and then it is only three weeks until I get two whole weeks off for Christmas. It will be 2015 before we know it. I'm trying to stay positive about it all. It works most days. Lol.
New books: While I'm still not really reading, I do have some great new titles to share. Honestly, I'm excited for each and every one of these. Before I do, though, I do want to say a special thank you to those of you who are taking the time to read these posts and who leave me words of encouragement in the comments. They TRULY make my day. It means so much to me to know that I have blogging buddies who still come by to check in on me even though I'm not posting any reviews at the moment, especially because I haven't had much time to reciprocate. It means more to me than you will ever know. While I am enjoying my new job as an English teacher, it really is so hard to be so far from my awesome husband, house, and cats, and just having friends like you in my corner helps. I love you all! *HUGS* Alright, without further adieu, here are my new titles. I hope you are all having fabulous weekends!
For Review
The Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters
One of my most anticipated titles of the year. Suffragists and hypnotists. Yes and yes, please.
Glory O'Brien's History of the Future by A.S. King
This is another of my most anticipated titles of the year. About a girl who is able to see into the infinite past and future. It sounds amazing.
Snow Like Ashes by Sarah Raasch
Early positive buzz about this book from trusted bloggers has me excited about this new fantasy series, but I really am trying to avoid starting new series right now. I just don't have the brain space for them (but I might make an exception for this one).
Even in Paradise by Chelsea Philpot
Described as a Gatsby-ish story. Can't say no to that.
They All Fall Down by Roxanne St. Clair
Another seriously anticipated title. I adore this cover. I've only glanced at a couple of reviews, and they aren't nearly as positive as I'd like, but I love a good thriller, so I'm hoping to be the black sheep on this one.
The Doubt Factory by Paolo Bacigalupi
Per GR: "A YA thriller about a teenage girl who discovers that her father is at the helm of an organization providing dangerous false messaging to society about global warming and other issues."
Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis
A sci-fi retelling of Snow White. Love that gorgeous cover.
I just couldn't resist yet another volume of the Brothers Grimm. I might have a problem.
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!
It must be hard to be away from your husband like that, you're very courageous, Natalie! And wow, I don't envy you all those essays and journals to read and grade...
ReplyDeleteYou definitely got some very nice-looking books this week! Both Snow Like Ashes and The Cure for Dreaming have been on my radar for a little while.
Have a fantastic weekend.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
Grading the journals is HORRIBLE. I finally realized one year that instead of reading every journal entry, I tell them I am going to check the "second entry" of everyone's journal or check random journal entries, so I didn't have to read them all. I would tell them this after I collected them, of course, so that way they would put forth effort into each entry w/o knowing which entry/entries would be graded, etc. It worked out well w/o me wanting to go insane! We called them "Writer's Notebooks" in my district…loved them, but hated all the grading. Plus, sometimes I would find information I would have to report to the counselor. That was always fun. ha. Anyway, good luck with the grading! I have been there…it's hard work!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your books! I am looking forward to reading Even in Paradise and The Cure for Dreaming!
Been wanting to read Snow Like Ashes. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteMy STS
Snow Like Ashes is awesome. I really enjoyed that book a lot. I have heard some mixed things about Stitching Snow. Great haul.
ReplyDeleteGrace @ Books of Love
Snow Like Ashes looks so good! I really like the look of Dreaming as well. Good luck for all of your grading!
ReplyDeleteSorry life has been a bit hectic / busy! Hope things balance out soon :)
ReplyDeleteSO jealous of Glory O'Brien's History of the Future - I love her writing. Even In Paradise is a good book, and I've heard Snow Like Ashes is amazing.
Hope you enjoy your books and get all of your work done :D
Snow Like Ashes, Stitching Snow, and They All Fall Down look so good. Enjoy them! My STS.
ReplyDeleteLook at all the beauties! I hope you enjoy your new babies!
ReplyDeleteCome and check out OUaT's STS and if you're a TWITTER user don't forget to enter to win the LAST BOX OF BOOKS giveaway!
Ahhh, yes for Even in Paradise! Hope you enjoy all these books! <3
ReplyDeleteStacking the Shelves
Dress Up That Cover: Maybe Someday
Oh wow Natalie- I didn't realize you were working away from home. That must be really difficult, but I'm sure teaching keeps you busy! I'm thankful I didn't go the English route bc I hate grading papers as it is! I would die grading essays. :)
ReplyDeleteYou got some awesome books this week though! I'm excited for Snow Like Ashes and Even in Paradise. Happy reading girl! (When you get to them!)
Grading has got to be the worst part of teaching, I have to say. I hate it so much. But at least you'll be so busy the time will go by super fast and you'll be home to see your husband before you know it! :)
ReplyDeleteHistory of the Future…cannot wait to read that book, it sounds so good. And Snow Like Ashes and Stitching Snow…I'm really excited about both of those. Hopefully you'll have time to read soon! ~Pam
I can't wait to read Snow LIke Ashes, I got approved for it as well. Hope you enjoy all of the boks :)
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Wow, this post reminds me of staying up late at night to help my mom (a junior high school English teacher) grade papers. Teachers work SO hard! Good luck on all that reading :)
ReplyDeleteAll of the books you mentioned sound great. I can't believe how many awesome ones are coming out in the next few months. So many books, so little time!
SO many good books! I cannot wait to read Stitching Snow and the Cure for Dreaming :)
ReplyDeleteAshley @ The Quiet Concert