Weekly Rewind 8.29.14

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 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: Is it horrible that I'm already dying for a three-day weekend? Lol. This week was a bit better, but I've had to start doing a couple of parent phone calls about kids that are already failing my class from not turning assignments in, or due to behavior. The first couple weren't too bad, thankfully, but it is still freaking nerve-wracking! This week actually went pretty quickly, which is awesome. In two weeks I'll be home with my love for a friend's wedding. I cannot wait to be home with my husband and kitty cats. I miss them all so much.

So, yeah, I'm very much looking forward to three days off. I plan on doing some reading, and planning out the next week at least. I'd like to get further ahead, but I already have classes ending at different points, so I know I can't plan too far ahead because there is no way all my classes will stay on any road map I plot out...but I can at least try to stay a week ahead, and this holiday weekend will help me with the planning.

Blog: I actually got a couple of posts up this week. Yay! I'm not reading nearly as much as I would like to be, but I hope that once I get in the groove, I'll be able to read more. I'm just so tired every single night when I get home that I can barely move. I'm without cable at the moment, so I bought one of those Rokus, or whatever, to stream Netflix and Hulu. It's not bad, but I'm definitely missing cable now that football is starting up, and something will definitely have to happen when hockey starts in a month. I can't live without my Avs. Plus, there is nothing better than the hockey package for the perfect background noise when I am trying to read or do work--as long as it's not the Avs. If they are playing, nothing else is getting done. This past week I've been watching Criminal Minds almost non-stop even though it makes me roll my eyes at least twice an episode. Each episode is pretty much the same: 1. start with murder (usually) 2. bring in the team 3. they figure out who it is at the last minute and 4. burst in to save the next victim in the nick of time. Kind of lame, but strangely addictive. I just love that Mandy Patinkin. He's the best.

Anyway, this week on the blog:

• Wednesday: WoW: Everybody Knows Your Name
• Thursday: Why, Publishers, why?!

New books: Like I said last week, September is out-of-control. There is no way I'll ever get to all my arcs; not to mention the books I don't have early copies of that are coming out this month. I'm looking at you Ashes to Ashes. Anyhoo, I hope you all have fabulous holiday weekends!! I'm going to apologize now that only the first couple of books are linked. This computer is not at all cooperating, and I frankly don't feel like sitting in front of it for the next 2 hours...

For Review

    

   

Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White

I'm not sure exactly what this is about. I know it's historical fantasy, and that cover is beyond stunning.

Rites of Passage by Joy Hensley

I wasn't going to snag this, but a couple of trusted GRers gave it pretty positive star-ratings, so I decided to give this book about a girl who joins the first class of girls in a prestigious military academy.

Of Monsters and Madness by Jessica Verday

About Edgar Allen Poe and Annabelle Lee!

Kiss of Broken Glass by Madeline Kuderick

From what I can understand, this is a book in verse about a girl who is a "cutter."

Blood of My Blood by Barry Lyga

I have the first two books, as well, and cannot wait to dive into this series about a son of a serial killer. I'm loving this cover, too.

Paper Airplanes by Dawn O'Porter

I've heard nothing but good things about this Aussie book that follows two 15 year-olds and their somewhat troubled friendship/lives. I'm excited.

People I Want to Punch in the Throat by Jen Mann

For that title alone.

Falling into Place by Amy Zhang
This book about a girl who commits suicide, or maybe just tries--I'm not exactly sure, looks pretty sad, but I've heard some good things. Definitely a "in the mood for" type, I think.



What I snagged from the library

 

Fool Me Twice by Mandy Hubbard

This looks super fluffy...Maybe a little two fluffy, but I'm going to give a shot.

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

On audio. I'm not sure if this is going to happen because I also snagged...



Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I periodically listen to this series, and once I listen to the first one, I have a hard time not listening to the rest. It truly is the best audio book series of all time. This is my third go at the audio...actually maybe my fourth...and I just love everything about listening to this series. The narrator is perfect, PERFECT, and it is just such a relaxing and enjoyable way to deal with this way-too-long commute.

 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!



Why, Publishers, why?! (Episode 6)

My biggest pet peeve is when beautiful HBs turn into lackluster PBs. I completely understand that publishers may choose to change the cover due to various reasons, low sales especially, but the thing for me is: I don't buy new hardcover books. Ever. I can't afford them and I just simply prefer soft covers. Trade PB has always, and will always, been my preferred format. So when I'm salivating over a HB cover only to have it change before it comes out into PB it makes me CRAZY. Publishers would probably make MORE money on PB sales if they kept the amazing HB covers!


So I stand by my title for this post:

Why, Publishers, Why?!

Today's pick:

The Art of Wishing

  

I'm at a loss on this one. The HB is so charming with the beautiful blue sky, those fluffy clouds, and the shooting star in the font. I don't understand this redesign at all. What's with the NA looking buff dude? What are the red splotches? Is that blood? Is it supposed to be, like, cherry blossoms or something? Why are their feet so faded? I just don't get it.

Which one do you prefer? The HB or the PB? Neither? Sound off below!

Waiting on Wednesday (65) Everybody Knows Your Name



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.

 Everybody Knows Your Name
 
Author: Andrew Seigel & Brent Bradshaw
Publisher: Viking
Release Date: March 10, 2015



Meet Magnolia.

Her father’s dead, her boyfriend’s ditched her to commit himself more fully to surfing, and her mother’s depressed because she can’t get cast on The Real Housewives of Orange County. All Magnolia wants is to reinvent herself.

Meet Ford.

Half his family is in jail, the other half probably should be, he shoplifted his way into a job at a record store, and his brother pawned his 1953 Telecaster for a quick buck. All Ford wants is to reinvent himself.

Ford, meet Magnolia.

When the two teens are cast in Spotlight, a reality TV singing competition, both see it as their chance to start anew. With each episode, as they live together in a Hollywood Hills mansion and sing their hearts out, Ford and Magnolia fall in love. But how genuine can that love be when a television audience is watching their every move—and when their pasts are catching up them so much faster than they can run?

Perfect for fans of Pitch Perfect, and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Mindy Kaling, and Meg Cabot, Everybody Knows Your Name is a romantic comedy that delivers an unforgettable cast of characters (and way more laughs than any episode of American Idol).
 

   
Why I'm Excited:

This sounds adorable. I'm in love with the idea of two singing competition contestants falling for each other. Both of their families sound like total messes, but maybe in an endearing way (being depressed because she can't be a housewife, etc). Also, I love everything they listed as "for fans of": Minday Kaling, Meg Cabot, AND Pitch Perfect. Yes, yes, and yes. I'm not completely sold on the cover, but it's pretty cute. I like her illustration more than his.

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

Hey lovely GFC and new followers, please follow me by Bloglovin as we all know Google Reader has gone/is going by the wayside. (I like to follow back, so please let me know if you're a new follower--and leave a link!) Thank you!!!





Weekly Rewind 8.23.14

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 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: SO glad it is the weekend. I was told over and over and over how hard it is to be a first year teacher, and it is no joke. Again, I'm in a good school/district, but I have one class that is 75% disruptive kids that just giggle and talk and make noises the moment I turn my back. I seriously just flat out asked them today: What can I do to make you behave in this class and learn? I want to talk about this with you! What can I do to make you want to behave appropriately in this class? Nothing. Total crickets. When I'm looking at them, total silent angels. The minute I turn my back to say, write on the board, they immediately begin talking and making noises again. I'm so glad my other 4 classes are not even close to that hard. It could be so much worse. They could all be like that, but they really aren't. In my other classes I don't have to act like Professor Umbrage. I feel like I'm actually teaching them something. I seriously don't even want to talk about this anymore. Like you guys are making me talk about it. Lol.

I am missing my husband like crazy. It is so hard to be away from him when I have bad days like the one I had today. It's hard to be away from my life in general. My husband, cats, and friends. The people and things that would make me feel better about myself when these kids are just chewing me up and spitting me out. That sounds melodramatic, I know, and it's not like every day is as bad as this one was, but it just makes the miles between us feel so much further. I have tickets to go home in mid September for a friend's wedding. I cannot freaking wait.

I'm slowly getting over my book slump. I started reading Anna for the billionth time last weekend before buying Isla--I'm almost done and definitely plan on spending my weekend with Isla and Josh. I'm also still listening to books on CD during my commute which is awesome. Like I said last week, I've only been listening to books I've already read, but I have a few books on order at the library that I've not read before.

New books: My September TBR pile is insanely out-of-control. I would literally have to read more than a book a day in order to read them all...and that just isn't going to happen in my current state of life. I'm truly excited about a lot of these, but I also know that most of them will have to wait. So without further adieu, I hope you are all having spectacular weekends!

Review Books

   

   

  

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

So I have both Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight, but haven't read them yet (I know. I know). I had every intention of getting through them before this one came out. I don't think its going to happen, but I do totally plan on binge reading this series in the very near future.

Girl Defective by Simone Howell

I've been wanting to read this Aussie book for forever. I'm so happy it's getting published over here!

Trial by Fire by Josphina Angelini

I always like the idea of witch books more than I actually like them. I've heard some positive buzzing about this although I haven't read any reviews yet. Fingers crossed.

The Dolls by Kiki Sullivan

The premise of this voodoo-y, witch-y, mean girl-y book sounds intriguing, but early star reviews are mediocre at best.

Mary: The Summoning by Hillary Monahan

I was so excited about this one--Bloody Mary!--until I found it was a series. I'm still excited to read it, but not nearly as much as I was.

100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith

I don't have a clue what this is about, but Winger was amazing so I have high hopes.

Starry Night by Isabel Gillies

I had no idea that this was written by the woman who wrote the memoir Happens Every Day which I quite liked. This is getting dismal star ratings, but so did that, so...

Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts

Billed as The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor & Park. That sounds like a tall order, but I've heard nothing but good things.

The Jewel by Amy Ewing

I'm not going to lie, sometimes I get grabby-hands when Harper does their EW dump. I'm not sure this is a book I'd really enjoy, but I'll give it a shot.

The Secret Place by Tana French

I know this is the fifth book in a series I've not read, but mystery series are usually ok to start in the middle since each mystery is its own. This one sounds amazing. I'm really excited to read this one.

What I Bought

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Mine. All mine. *Pets*

Five Summers by Una LaMarche

I love books that focus on groups of friends and their separate POVs. The synopsis reminds me a bit of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants...if they stayed together at a summer camp all summer instead of getting separated. We'll see.

What I snagged from the library

 

Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski

I adore this book about a senior girl who drops a phone in a fountain who can suddenly call her freshman self and starts to try to change her entire high school existence. I've read it a few times and snagged the audio for my commute.

Second Chance Summer

I have to admit that I'm a bit weary of this one. It just sounds so sad. I'm not sure if it will happen right now or not. With all I have on my plate, I feel like I need to read happier books.

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!

Waiting on Wednesday (64) Sophomore Year is Greek to Me

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.

 Sophomore Year is Greek to Me
 
Author: Meredith Zeitlin
Publisher: Putman
Release Date: April 21, 2015

Link to Goodreads:

A laugh-out-loud high school adventure set in Greece, perfect for fans of Meg Cabot 
High school sophomore Zona Lowell has lived in New York City her whole life, and plans to follow in the footsteps of her renowned-journalist father. But when he announces they’re moving to Athens for six months so he can work on an important new story, she's devastated— he must have an ulterior motive. See, when Zona's mother married an American, her huge Greek family cut off contact. But Zona never knew her mom, and now she’s supposed to uproot her entire life and meet possibly hostile relatives on their turf? Thanks... but no thanks.

In the vein of Anna and the French Kiss, Zona navigates a series of hilarious escapades, eye-opening revelations, and unexpected reunions in a foreign country—all while documenting the trip through one-of-a-kind commentary.

   
Why I'm Excited:

This sounds pretty cute. Maybe a bit young, but cute. Greece is in my top 3 places I would visit if possible. It might even be the top one. I don't take comparisons to Cabot and Perkins lightly, so this better be amazing. I'm not loving the cover, but it isn't terrible. That water sure looks nice. FL is HOT as hell right now. 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 as we all know Google Reader has gone/is going by the wayside. (I like to follow back, so please let me know if you're a new follower--and leave a link!) Thank you!!!





Weekly Rewind 8.16.14

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 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: Holy beat, you guys. I'm seriously so exhausted that it is hard to even type this post up. I knew being a first year teacher was going to be difficult, especially while away from my husband, but I wasn't quite ready for the level of tired I am right now--and I'm teaching good kids. I have a couple of kids that are acting out a little bit, but I just keep reminding myself that they are only eighth graders. For the most part, the kids I have in my classes are sweet, good kids. I can't even imagine trying to work in a school where the students really acted out. I would fall apart!

I'm enjoying it so far. This week was a bit rough, I'm not going to lie, but my fellow teachers have continued to be very welcoming and helpful, and I love the assistant principal. I need to do some more exploring, but my commute is about an hour each way, and the days are just go, go, go, that all I want to do when I get home is eat a bowl of cereal and watch back-to-back episodes of Parks & Rec or ANTM on my new Roku.

Anyway, I made it through my first week as an official English teacher! Yay! Now bring on the 13 hours of sleep I'm about to get.

New Books: I'm sure I'll be featuring Isla next week (provided the bookstore has it when I go in tomorrow). All week, I just kept telling myself, "Just get through this first week, and you can buy yourself the book you've been waiting three solid years for as a reward." I never buy new HB books, but you better believe I'm treating myself to that. I've managed to avoid a single word about it (so, please, for the love of God, don't say anything in the comments!!), and cannot wait to spend the weekend curled up in bed/on the couch/etc. I have some curriculum to work on--which is going to be the recurring theme this year, I'm sure--but luckily I don't have any grading to do yet, so I'll be able to find some time to get into this weekend.

I'm still in one of the worst slumps ever, but I haven't given it TOO much thought with the moving and the starting a teaching career and so on and so forth. I'm sure Isla is exactly what I need to snap my ass out of it. On the plus side, I have been listening to audio books during my commute. So far I've listened to the first two books in the Heist Society series (books I've read a half a dozen times already). I love audio books, but I sometimes find that I need to listen to books I've already read because I will space out while driving and will realize I haven't heard a word for the last 3 minutes or so. If I'm listening to something I've already read, then it's really no big deal.

Other than that, I do have some books I'm excited to feature this week, so without further adieu, I hope you are all having splendid weekends!

Review Books

   

  

Amity by Micol Ostow

I'm intrigued by the idea of a Amityville Horror YA book, but I have to admit that the early star ratings have me a bit worried.

Six Feet Over It by Jennifer Longo

I've always been drawn to books/stories that take place in funeral parlors. It's what makes me fun at parties.

The Furies by Natalie Haynes

A woman connects with the rough students she teaches through Greek tragedies.

Can't Look Away by Donna Cooner

A girl with a popular online personality deals with the death of her sister.

Feral by Holly Schindler

GR says: The Lovely Bones meets Black Swan in this haunting psychological thriller with twists and turns that will make you question everything you think you know.
Finding Ruby Starling by Karen Rivers
It's the Parent Trap, basically.

What I snagged from the library

I was going to skip this this week, but an hour after I originally posted this, I found out that the library purchased over a dozen e-books I suggested for them. Made my night! I couldn't get them all, of course (damn limits), but here are a few...

   

Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

I skipped this when it was available, and then kicked myself when all the raves started pouring in. Definitely excited for this one.

The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May and June by Robin Benway

I've been meaning to read this book about a trio of sisters with super powers for AGES.

A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

This one, too, has been on my TBR pile for forever.

Shadowlands by Kate Brian

Yeah, also this one. I've tried a couple of times to read this one, but haven't been able to get into it. Now that the series is completely out, hopefully I'll get through it this time. I adore--adore--the covers for this series.



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!




Weekly Rewind 8.9.14

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 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: Well, I made it to FL in one piece. I drove straight from PA--which was brutal--but I didn't want to stop anywhere by myself with all my stuff in the car, so I just powered through. Things are going ok. My parents left on Wednesday, so I have their house to myself for the next couple of months. I will decide after they return what I am going to do. The commute to my school is a monster (about an hour each way), plus, again, I just don't know if I can handle living-living with them. On the other hand, it would pretty much eat my entire salary to pay for an apartment here while still paying for  half of our house in PA. We'll see how it goes.

So the school. Everyone has been so nice and helpful to me. There really is some serious Southern hospitality here. I was so distressed on my first day, though. They had put in a module (a mobile home type unit) that was covered in this hideous dark wood paneling and smelled horribly. Thankfully, a woman in my department took another position at the last minute, and the principal was nice enough to offer me her old room. I adore my new room and spent all day today putting it together--organizing the desks, putting up posters, etc. Monday is open house and Tuesday is the first day of school. This week was crazy and exhausting, so I really just plan on taking a bath and relaxing tonight, but this weekend I definitely plan on buckling down and getting a handle on the curriculum.

I miss my husband horribly already, of course. Talking on the phone is just obviously not the same as being able to kiss his face, but, again, everyone has just been so welcoming and wonderful that it does make it a bit easier. I plan on going back for a friend's wedding in September and then Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before we know it--you know it's true.

Blog: Obviously with the move and starting a new job, I haven't had the opportunity to sit down and do anything with this blog. I do have at least one review I would like to pound out, maybe this weekend, but I've really decided that for now my beloved blog will have to be placed on the back burner. Again, I will try to post at least my Weekly Rewind every week, so I can keep in touch with my blogging buddies and let you all know what is going on in my life as I live this new adventure.

New Books: I just have a couple of books to show you today. Luckily, my mom's library has a self check-out option, so she gave me her card before she left. This is awesome because there are a few books coming out this fall that I'm dying to get my hands on, plus I want to stock up on some audio books for that killer commute. Because I don't have an actual address here or a FL DL, there is no way I'd be able to use the library without her help. So, yay! Anyway, I've yammered on enough. I hope you are all having fantastic weekends. Mwah!

Review Books

   

Famous Last Words by Katie Alender

I've been excited for this one for quite awhile, so I was thrilled when I got the approval this week. I have soooo many books I should read before this one (seriously my September pile is INSANE), but it got bumped up immediately. I've only read the first couple of chapters, but it's pretty cool so far.

Looking for Jack Kerouac by Barbara Shoup

After reading On the Road, a 60s teen drives to FL in search of Jack Kerouac. I love that cover. Those old cars are so awesome.

The 100 by Kass Morgan

I've been meaning to read this forever. It got some middling reviews, but the premise is interesting.

Day 21 by Kass Morgan

I hope I like the first book because I went ahead and snagged the sequel, too, as I am wont to do.

What I snagged from the library

    

Just Life the Movies by Kelly Fiore

I've heard that this YA romance is pretty cute and full of movie references. As you may gather from my name, I'm quite the film buff, so I'm excited to read this one.

Something Real by Heather Demetrios

I was over half-way through this in PA, but I was slumping so badly before I left, that I just didn't finish it. I honestly started this months ago, so I plan to start over. I was really enjoying it, so it doesn't make any sense that I didn't finish it. Oh, well. Life. I was happy to snag it again.

Heist Society by Ally Carter

I've literally read this book half a dozen times, but I just wanted to snag something easy to listen to for my commute, and saw this. I love this series so much. Does anyone know when the fourth book is coming out?

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!