Weekly Rewind 2.7.15

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: It's my birthday weekend. Another year. For the first time in my life I am spending my birthday alone. I decided to fly home next weekend because I get President's Day off, so taking two vacation days next weekend will give me a five day weekend instead of a four day one. While I'm a little bummed to be alone, he surprised me with a gorgeous bouquet that he had delivered to my school (which my principal and vice principal hand delivered). I was surprised by how excited my students were to wish me a happy birthday. I even had a few students sing me energetic renditions of happy birthday. The other ladies in the English department also surprised me with a lovely cupcake and a B&N gift card. I did a little early book shopping this week, which I'm going to share today, and now I get to take another trip. I might save it for a rainy day when I need a pick-me-up, though. We'll see...

Last weekend my sister and her family did end up taking me to Universal Studios. It was pretty crazy there because it was Harry Potter Day, but we got on all the rides we wanted to. I got to see Diagon Alley and Gringotts for the first time and rode the train between the two parks, all of which were amazing.

At school my classes are finally done reading A Wrinkle in Time. I saved the movie for Thursday and Friday (so I could just show a movie on my birthday--lol). What's crazy to me is that when I asked my classes if they enjoyed it, most of the classes either all did or all did't. I had a couple of classes where almost all of the students said they liked it, and a couple of classes where they all said they didn't. It made me think about how the classes that did enjoy it had a couple of students who were enthusiastic about it which made the other students enthusiastic. Funny how that works. 

New books: Despite having so many new books to read in February, I have been rereading Fangirl. I didn't mean to, but I saw it on the shelf at the library and just couldn't help but snag it. Oops. I am excited about the books I have to share today, so without further adieu, I hope you are all having fabulous weekends!

For Review

   

The Bargaining by Carly Anne West

This sounds pretty scary with its broken down cabin and the visions children that beckon the protagonist into the woods. I put aside the author's debut last year, but I'm hoping to connect with this one more. I love the cover.

The Distance Between Lost and Found by Kathryn Holmes

This one is about a group of teens who get lost in the woods when separated from the rest of their group. I don't think this one is a thriller, so much as a realistic read about a girl overcoming bullying.

Better Than Perfect by Melissa Kantor

I actually just bought this author's debut Maybe One Day which recently came out in paperback. This book follows a girl on the path to Harvard who begins to realize that maybe there is more to life than striving for perfection.

The Deep End by Julie Mulhern

This was one of those random snags. I like the occasional mystery, but usually pick up dark ones when I feel like one. This sounds like a chick-lit mystery, and pretty fun. Did anybody read those Red Dress Ink books when that publisher was around? There was this one series that followed a girl named Rachel Benjamin that were chick-lit mysteries. I was bummed when that publisher folded.

What I Bought

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

This was my favorite book of 2013, so of course I had to snag it now that it is out in PB.

Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor

This book about friendship and cancer seems to be hit or miss for most readers, but I'm hoping to love it.

DUFF by Jodi Keplinger

I've been meaning to read this one for years. Yes, I bought the movie cover, it was on sale...

What I snagged from the library

   

Book:

Grace's Guide: The Art of Pretending to be a Grown-Up by Grace Helbig

While I had the e-arc of this, it is definitely a book that should be read in the traditional form as it is full of big glossy photos. 

Audio:

The One and Only by Emily Giffin

Emily Giffin was once my favorite chick-lit author. I loved Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and Baby Proof, but was really disappointed with her last couple of books. I'm on the fourth cd of this book and will probably end up DNFing. *Spoiler--although you'll see it coming from a mile a way* It is headed in an icky direction of a woman in her early 30s falling for her best friend's father after he was recently widowed. Just ew. For real.

Movie:

Annabelle

Nothing like watching a scary doll movie when you have the house all to yourself...

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!