Weekly Rewind 11.29.14

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 Tynga's 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've been home for the past week and it has been so awesome. All of my visits so far have been quick weekend trips, so to have a whole week at home, in my bed, with my husband and fur-babies has been amazing. Thanksgiving itself was nice and relaxing. We went over to a friend's house for a wonderful holiday meal with him, his girlfriend, and his family. We brought the green bean casserole (my favorite holiday dish), and didn't have to worry about cooking or cleaning the house this year. My husband has been doing some work on the house since I'm not there, so ours really isn't company friendly right now. 

I leave tomorrow (Sat), but because my Christmas break is literally less than three weeks away I'm not nearly as sad this time as I have been knowing that it will be four or five weeks before I'll get to see my loves again. He is flying down on my last day of school before the break and the two of us are driving back up to PA. My car inspection is up in January, so I have to bring it up to get the inspection done. It will be nice to have my car anyway as my break is two weeks and I don't want to have to rely on him to get everywhere, especially since I know he won't be off the entire time I'm here. 

New Books: I'm ashamed to admit that I barely read at all over this break. I was so excited to get in some reading time, but it just didn't happen. It's just gone by so quickly! This was seriously the fastest week of my life. Oh, well. I do have some review books I'm excited to read. Also, I snagged three books from the PA library that aren't in the FL system. It's awesome that I'll be back in a few weeks, so I was able to do that. I hope you all had fabulous Thanksgivings and are having wonderful holiday weekends! To those that work retail, I hope you survive the holiday weekend! 

For Review

 

 

No Place to Fall  by Jaye Robin Brown

I know this cover is a total rip-off of Paper Towns, but I just find it so charming regardless. I love a good contemporary and hope this one is a charming as its cover.

Top Ten Clues You're Clueless by Liz Czukas

I love stories that take place over the course of a single day, so this one is right up my alley. It's about a group of teens who work at a grocery store trying to clear their names when they are suspected of stealing $10,000...on Christmas Eve.

Suspicion by Alexandra Monir

Years after the death of her parents, a teen moves back to her family's estate to claim the role of duchess. I know a lot of people are/were pretty excited for this one. I hope it lives up to the hype.

For Real by Alison Cherry

Two sisters compete on an Amazing Race type reality show. I've been waiting to dive into this one. I hope it's awesome. 

Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay

Per GR: "Game of Thrones meets the Grimm's fairy tales in this twisted, fast-paced romantic fantasy-adventure about Sleeping Beauty's daughter, a warrior princess who must fight to reclaim her throne."

Now That You're Here by Amy Nichols

A parallel universe story whose upcoming companion novel will tell the "flipside" story. 

What I snagged from the library

All three of these were on the tippy-top of my most anticipated books of 2014. 

 

Glory O'Brien's History of the Future by A.S. King

This novel about a girl who drinks from a petrified bat which allows her to see into both the infinite past and infinite future sounds beyond amazing. If I'm honest, I've been putting off reading this one--even though I have the arc--because it sounds beyond amazing and I'm worried that there is no way it will be as amazing as it sounds...

The Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters

Also, super excited for this one. I got approved for the e-arc, but it was one of those that couldn't be sent to a Kindle. I'm hoping this one lives up to the hype in my head, too, because I've been dying to read it for months.

They All Fall Down by Roxanne St. Clair

Finally, I had the arc for this one, too, but I've heard the published edition had some significant changes, so I decided to hold off reading it until I could just snag the finished product. I love this cover, and have been looking forward to this one forever, as well.

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!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Winter TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme/original feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Click the link to go to their site to see the original list for today plus links to a whole slew of other blogs. After you read mine, of course.

Today's Topic: Winter TBR

It's been a long time since I've posted a Top Ten Tuesday list, but I just cannot resist the season TBR lists. Despite not reading nearly as much as I would like right now (which I know just comes with the territory of being a first year teacher), there are still several books coming out in the next few months I hope to make time for. If nothing else, I can snag them in the summer when I'll actually have some time to read. I have arcs for a handful of these, but not all of them.

 

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Vicious was my favorite book of 2013, so to say I'm excited for this multiverse adult novel is a total understatement. I cannot freaking wait to get my hands on this book. Release: 2/24

All Fall Down by Ally Carter

I love the Heist Society series, so I'm psyched for this new series by Ms. Carter. Release 1/27

A Wicked Things by Rhiannon Thomas

I'm excited for this one because instead of just being a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, it looks at what happens after she's been awakened. Release: 2/24

When by Victoria Laurie

A girl who can see people's "death dates" gets pulled into a murder investigation. I can't wait to dive into this one. It sounds amazing. Release: 1/13 

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

First of all, that cover is gorgeous. Second of all, it is about a girl whose very touch can kill because she is the goddess-embodied. Third of all, this makes her her kingdom's executioner. Sold, dude, completely sold. Release 2/24

We Can Work it Out by Elizabeth Eulberg

Penny Lane and her Broken Hearts are back. It's been a few years since I read the first book, so I'll definitely have to revisit it before Jan. I don't LOVE Eulberg's books, but they are always fun in a fluffy, forgettable way--which certainly has its place. Release 1/27

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

This love story sounds like it is full of the feels. I've heard nothing but good things about this author's debut (a book I've checked out from the library at least 4 times--ugh), so I'm excited to dive into this one. Release 2/3

What Waits in the Woods by Kieran Scott 

Four teens go on a camping trip in the woods. I'm sure it will all end happily ever after. I LOVE this cover. Release 3/31

Dead to Me by Mary McCoy

LA Confidential for the YA crowd. That's really all I needed to know about this one before I got a case of the grabby hands. Release 3/3

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver

A girl tries to find her missing, estranged sister. Release 3/10

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkowski

I was surprised how much I enjoyed The Winner's Crime as it isn't really my usual genre. I'm excited to see what happens next. Release 3/3

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

A year after the death of her boyfriend a girl tries to live a normal high school life. I still haven't read this author's debut, but I know a lot of my buddies enjoyed it. Release 3/31

Already released books I plan on getting to over Christmas break

Well that's it for me. What books are topping your Winter TBR piles? Link me up!

Hey lovely readers: I love meeting new bloggers. If you decide to follow, my preference is through Bloglovin'. If you are a new follower, please let me know and leave a link so that I can follow back. Thanks! 

 

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Waiting on Wednesday (76) Between Us and the Moon

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. Click the link to see the original post plus a whole slew of links to other blogs. After you read this one, of course.

 Between Us and the Moon

 
Authors: Rebecca Maizel

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: June 30, 2015

Link to Goodreads:

A luminous young adult novel that evokes Judy Blume’s Forever for a new generation.

Ever since Sarah was born, she’s lived in the shadow of her beautiful older sister, Scarlett. But this summer on Cape Cod, she’s determined to finally grow up. Then she meets gorgeous college boy Andrew. He sees her as the girl she wants to be. A girl who’s older than she is. A girl like Scarlett.

Before she knows what’s happened, one little lie has transformed into something real. And by the end of August, she might have to choose between falling in love, and finding herself.

Fans of Jenny Han and Stephanie Perkins are destined to fall for this story about how life and love are impossible to predict.

Why I'm excited: I love a good summer story--especially when they take place on the Eastern seaboard. I don't know what it is about Cape Cod or Nantucket, but it just evokes something in me...even though I've never been there. I'm also a fan of stories that look at the complicated nature of sisterhood. Put in a nod to Han and Perkins (I know, I know), and I'm pretty much sold. I'm crossing my fingers this one ends up in Harper's summer dump. 

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Weekly Rewind 11.15.14

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 Tynga's 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 pretty beat tonight, so I'm not going to ramble on too long. This week went pretty well. It was nice to have Veterans Day off in the middle of the week, and today was a silent working day where they just worked on their essays. One more week until Thanksgiving break! I fly out next Friday for the entire week. I cannot wait to be home for an extended break. 

New Books: Not too many books to share this week. November has been a pretty light month which is good as I'm so far behind. I've been reading a little bit more this last week, but not nearly as much as I would like. I'm hoping to read more over Thanksgiving break, but plan to spend as much time as possible with my honey and friends while I can. Anyhoo, hope you are all having fabulous weekends!

For Review

 

On the Edge by Allison Van Diepen

A girl witnesses gang members attacking a homeless man one night which makes her their next target. The leader of a rival gang decides to protect her.

What I bought

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

I've been meaning to read this one for quite awhile. I don't read a whole lot of fantasy, but this one sounds pretty interesting.

What I snagged from the library

  

 

Books:

I am the Mission by Allen Zadoff

I enjoyed Boy Nobody, the first book in this series. It was kind of silly, but fast-paced and fun. 

Audios:

Suck It, Wonder Woman by Olivia Munn

I read this when it first came out, but have been finding it hard to focus on narratives during my commute. I listened to Bossypants for the third time, and decided to give this audio a try. Any recommendations on memoirs--especially by comedians--are welcome!

Movies:

About Time

A romantic comedy starring Rachel McAdams and written by the dude who wrote Love, Actually. Sold. 

Stick It

I cannot help but find this gymnastics movie charming. Yes, it's cheesy, but some of the dialogue is pretty witty and it does make some good points about bringing gymnastics competitions and the confusing scoring system. 

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!

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Waiting on Wednesday (75) Saint Anything

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. Click the link to see the original post plus a whole slew of links to other blogs. After you read this one, of course.

 Saint Anything

 
Authors: Sarah Dessen 

Publisher: Viking

Release Date: May 5, 2015

Link to Goodreads:

Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.

Why I'm excited: Look, I know I'm not showing you anything you haven't seen before this week, but it's Sarah Dessen! And it finally has a cover! (Albeit a pretty generic, snooze-ville cover.) While I don't always LOVE her novels, I do admire how Ms. Dessen really tackles family relationships. If there is an absentee parent, it doesn't feel like it is just for convenience. She really understands true family dynamics which is truly spectacular gift for a YA author. In addition, I just cannot stomach any new series right now, so I'm flocking to contemporary stand-alones now more than ever.  I cannot wait to get my hands on this one. Nothing says summer like a new S.D. novel. 

Hey lovely GFC and new followers, please follow me by Bloglovin. (I like to follow back, so please let me know if you're a new follower--and leave a link!) Thank you!!!





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Weekly Rewind 11.8.14

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 Tynga's 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: Chugging along. All my classes are writing their major science fair paper which is pretty crazy because probably 20% of my students haven't done what they are supposed to have done up until now, and a lot of them are doing projects that will be impossible to really write about--like which football will go the farthest--which is fine for an experiment, but  not at all practical for a minimum 2-page research paper about the history, science, and application of their topic. See my school has this awesome (for real it's awesome) project that starts with the science department and goes through all four of the major disciplines. I love that all of the departments collaborate on one project, but the English department is the 3rd dept and it's hard trying to get some of the students caught up when so many of the other students are exactly where they are supposed to be. Blah, blah, blah. #teacherproblems

Two more weeks until I'm back home for Thanksgiving break! I get to be with my honey for the whole week. I seriously cannot wait. While, some days are certainly worse than others, but I just miss him so much and cannot wait to spend a whole week at home instead of just a long weekend. 

New books: Not a whole lot to share today which is good. I'm so behind on my arcs! I hope you are all having fabulous weekends!

For review

 

The Unhappening of Genesis Lee by Shallee McArthur

In this world people wear their memories as beads which are getting stolen...or something along those lines.

What I snagged from the library

  

Books:

In the Shadow of the Blackbirds by Cat Winters

A ghost story set in the 1910s during the Spanish influenza outbreak. I've heard nothing but good things about this one. 

Audio Books: 

Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen

I'm on the last audio book of the Harry Potter series, so I decided to snag the audio of this adult Peter Pan continuation. I have the arc for this, but just simply cannot find the time (or concentration) to read it.

Movies: 

The Spectacular Now

I tried and tried to get through this book. And I honestly liked it; I literally have no idea why I just kept losing interest. I've been holding off on watching the film, but the cover was screaming at me during my last library trip, so...

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!

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Waiting on Wednesday (74) The Edge of Forever

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. Click the link to see the original post plus a whole slew of links to other blogs. After you read this one, of course.

The Edge of Forever

 
Authors: Melissa Hurst Lane

Publisher: Sky Pony

Release Date: June 2, 2015

Link to Goodreads:

In 2013: Sixteen-year-old Alora is having blackouts. Each time she wakes up in a different place with no idea of how she got there. The one thing she is certain of? Someone is following her.

In 2146: Seventeen-year-old Bridger is one of a small number of people born with the ability to travel to the past. While on a routine school time trip, he sees the last person he expected—his dead father. The strangest part is that, according to the Department of Temporal Affairs, his father was never assigned to be in that time. Bridger’s even more stunned when he learns that his by-the-book father was there to break the most important rule of time travel—to prevent someone’s murder.

And that someone is named Alora.

Determined to discover why his father wanted to help a “ghost,” Bridger illegally shifts to 2013 and, along with Alora, races to solve the mystery surrounding her past and her connection to his father before the DTA finds him. If he can stop Alora’s death without altering the timeline, maybe he can save his father too. 

Why I'm Excited:

This sounds very similar to that movie Looper with Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon Levitt which I enjoyed quite a bit. It sounds very cool. Also, I'm completely drawn to the release date as the next day is the last day of the school year which means I'll be totally ready for some awesome summer reading. Definitely keeping my eyes open for this one.

What are you waiting for on this Wednesday? Link me up!

Hey lovely GFC and new followers, please follow me by Bloglovin. (I like to follow back, so please let me know if you're a new follower--and leave a link!) Thank you!!!





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