Saturday, March 15, 2014

Weekly Rewind 3.15.14

Saturday, March 15, 2014 12:09 AM with 23 comments




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

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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

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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:
From around the interwebs:
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!

23 comments:

  1. I'm really excited for Love Letters, but it sounds a bit daunting now! I'll have to take a tip from you and keep something light nearby for a break while reading it! Ah Rebel Belle---I couldn't be more excited for a new series from Rachel Hawkins. Hex Hall is still one of my favorite series!

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  2. I really would love to read Love Letters To the Dead...because COVER and also blurb. :) And Tsarina! I had nooo idea that was written by Jackson Pearce until lately, but now I want to read it. :) I haven't heard terribly good things about Grasshopper Jungle, so I'm keen to see what you think. There are just WAY too many books I need to read. I'm cloning myself.

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  3. Just started Love Letters to the Dead and so far I like it but I've got other books I need to read first.

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  4. Some great books! Enjoy your reads!

    Stormi
    http://www.booksmoviesreviewsohmy.com/stacking-the-shelves-20/

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  5. I find non-fiction a little daunting to read. But good on you for giving it a chance. I must read Winger. I've heard some pretty good reviews.

    Anyway, have a great week.

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  6. Looks like a fun bunch! I hope you enjoy them.

    My StS.

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  7. Looks like a wide range of books to be enjoyed! I can't wait to read Love Letters To The Dead.

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  8. I wish my school had done interesting things like Hunger Games days! We did have a Robin Hood day which we learned songs for and the school gym had a few really bad fake trees in it! Better than maths though...

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  9. The cover of Rebel Belle is AMAZING!
    Great haul. Happy reading! :)

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  10. Love your background! I read Moonglass a while ago and really enjoyed it.

    ★ Under The Mountain ★

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  11. That subbing exercise with Hunger Games was awesome! I am so excited to read Rebel Belle!
    Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings

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  12. Awesome books! Can't wait to hear what you think of Rebel Belle and Moonglass is definitely an enjoyable read. I just finished Tempting Fate and thought it was pretty good--very emotional and very heart-wrenching, but good! I hear you about winter…so over it!

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  13. YAY new books! I am interested in Tsarina, but I didn't request it from Penguin, grrr, I regret that. Oh wellz. I am curious to know what you think of Nearly Gone, when you read it! I don't know much about it but it seems to be highly popular. Hope you enjoy all of your new books!

    Have a fabulous weekend!

    Check out my STS post!

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  14. SO MANY GOOD BOOKS! oh my gosh, I loved Moonglass! And I also got Love Letters From the Dead from net galley and can't wait to read it! And I love Jane Green! I hope you enjoy all you got :)

    Here's my STS!

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  15. Nearly Gone sounds so good. Loved Fringe and really enjoyed Bones so…yeah, that works. I liked Tsarina, I used to be fascinated with the Romanovs. Have fun reading! ~Pam

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  16. Thanks for including a link to my discussion post! The day you got to sub for the middle school library does sound like it would be fun!

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  17. Nice haul. I might be slightly, okay a lot jealous that you have Love Letters to the Dead as I am dying to read that one. I also love the look of Grasshopper Jungle. I like the look of Tsarina, but that comes from a childhood obsession with Anastasia and the Romanovs.... I blame the kids film! I hope you enjoy all your books :) My STS.

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  18. I read Rebel Belle and liked it a lot. I wasn't a huge fan of her Hex Hall series, but Rebel Belle was much better. I'm looking forward to Nearly Gone. I haven't heard of Jessi Kirby before, but the cover of Moonglass is pretty.

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  19. Thanks for the shout-out! I know exactly what you mean about Love Letters to the Dead. I was the same way. I kept getting all teary eyed and would have to go do something else for a while before I came back. I hope you enjoy Moonglass! I read that one after Golden as well, and personally, I liked Moonglass more. I can't wait to see what you think about it!

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  20. The Hunger Games day at the school sounds like so much fun - what an awesome school.

    I hope you enjoy Grasshopper, it was weird but good! And I cannot wait for Tsarina!

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  21. I'm totally over winter, too!
    Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Rebel Belle, it sounds like a fun read! I did enjoy her Hex Halls series. Tsarina also sounds awesome! Have an awesome week! Enjoy your new books (:

    Cyn @ Book Munchies

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  22. The Hunger Games library day sounds awesome! I wish my school had been cool like that. I hope you're loving being a sub!! I feel like I haven't talked to you in forever. Work has been exhausting and I hardly ever have time to just surf on the web anymore. But I'm slowly making my way through your blog, catching up on everything! I've missed you! Can't wait to hear what you think of GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE. Everyone seems to be raving about that book.

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  23. That THG activity sounds really cool! I need to play it someday, haha! :)

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Hello, there! Thanks for taking the time to comment. I read each and every one and will do my best to respond--usually on your blog instead of on mine. I will, however, always answer direct questions. Due to serious time restraints, this blog is now an award free zone, but I appreciate the thought!