Weekly Rewind 10.25.14

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 byTyngas 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 was so nice being home last weekend. I got in on Thursday night super late and stayed until Monday evening, so I had 3 full days with my husband and kitties. It was the perfect time to be in PA as the leaves were turning and it was absolutely gorgeous out. I got to see some friends on Friday and Sunday nights, too, which was awesome. I really haven't made any friends here. I really like a couple of the women in the English department--really, everyone has been nice and welcoming--but I haven't made any real friends. I just work all the time. Every night I'm planning lessons for the next day or two while grading papers from the last day or two. It is none stop. Luckily, I'll have some material that I will be able to use next year, so the stress of planning will definitely be less. I've been focusing on the Salem witch trials the past couple of days and plan on staying on them for the next couple. It's such an interesting part of our history, and the students seem to be enjoying the lessons. 

This weekend I'm going down to my sister's house for my niece's birthday party. My sis and her husband are going to a Halloween party Sat night, so I'll probably join them. It will be fun to be around her and her family. One perk of FL is definitely being closer to her and her kids. I usually only see them once a year which isn't nearly enough.

New books: November isn't too crazy, thankfully. After September and October where I literally had more ARCs than days in the month, I only have a couple review books for the whole month. I'm honestly still not really reading. I'm just so tired by the time I've finished what I need to do for the next day, that every night I kind of watch TV for a little while and then go to sleep. I'll try to read for a little while before I sleep, but I never get through more than a couple of pages before I just crash. That said, I am really excited about the books I have to share this week, and Thanksgiving break will be here before we know it. I get the whole week off and already have my plane ticket. 

Well, that's about all I have to share with you today. I hope you are all having fabulous weekends! 

Review Books

  

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

A girl whose now dead parents found the key to crossing into alternative dimensions is chasing the boy suspected of killing them through said dimensions. So, I just read that sentence and it could have been much more eloquent, but I'm tired and lazy and have now typed out a whole new sentence instead of changing it. *shrugs* This cover! Am I right? So gorgeous. I would hang this one on my wall. I also like the whole multiverse thing although it is starting to get a bit old. Regardless, I'm excited for this one, and am going to try to make a real effort to get to it.

Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

This series that follows a group of teens with special abilities that help them profile suspects for the FBI is pretty fun. I didn't love The Naturals, but I did like it, and am excited to see where the series goes next. Although the love triangle is annoying and I heard that this one really focuses on it. 

Science...For Her! by Megan Amram

Per GR this book written by one of Parks and Rec's writers is: "Part hilarious farce, part biting gender commentary, Amram blendsCosmo and science to highlight absurdities with a machine-gun of laugh-inducing lines that leave nothing and no one unscathed."

What I snagged from the library

 

Books:

Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham

I've been dying to get my hands on this book for months. I was so happy when my hold went through. 

Movies:

Divergent

Finally! 

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 (72) The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly

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 Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly

 
Authors: Stephanie Oakes

Publisher: Dial

Release Date: June 9, 2015

Link to Goodreads:

When seventeen-year-old Minnow stumbles out of the woods one winter morning, she is haunted and handless and covered in someone else’s blood. She has just escaped the strict religious commune run by a cruel man named the Prophet. In exchange for freedom, she leaves behind her family, her home, and Jude--an outsider boy who changed everything. 

But the real world isn't the sanctuary Minnow imagined. Soon, she gets arrested and placed in juvenile detention. Now, Minnow is being questioned by an FBI psychiatrist about the night she escaped, the same night the Prophet was burned to death in his own home—a murder Minnow may be responsible for.

A modern retelling of the Grimm fairy tale, "The Handless Maiden," in which the Devil orders a girl's hands cut off, The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly is the story of a girl growing out of the wreckage of corrupted faith.

Why I'm Excited:

I have to admit that I've never been that interested in the whole cult thing. I'm definitely one who would never drink the kool-aid. This book, however, sounds so intriguing. I love that it is a retelling of a fairy tale while still sounding so original and different. I love a good mystery, and this sounds dark and awesome. I will most definitely be 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!!!





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Weekly Rewind 10.18.14

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 byTyngas 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 home! This is going to be short because we are meeting a couple of friends tonight and I want to squeeze in a nap before we go, but it is so so awesome to be home and I'll definitely give a longer update next week. I hope you are all having fabulous weekends! 

New books: Just a couple to share this week, but I'm excited to read them.

For Review

Compulsion  by Martina Boone

The blurb is: Three plantations. Two wishes. One ancient curse. That sounds pretty cool, but mostly I snagged this because that cover is so puuurty. I want to go there, please.

Atlantia  by Ally Condie

I'm not going to lie--I'm a little wary of this one. I hated Matched and didn't continue with the series. That said, I love the idea of Atlantis and Sirens and so on and so forth. I think that cover is pretty boring, though.

Get Happy by Mary Amato

A young song writer finds out that the father she thought had abandoned her has been trying to contact her for years.

What I Bought

My True Love Gave to Me by various authors
I just couldn't resist this short story compilation. One of my favorite books is Girls Night In, a chick-lit short story compilation. It does feel a little early for holiday stories, but the cover is so charming and I love all the authors. Fat Kitty approves. 

What I Snagged From the Library

Books:

Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

I was so excited to snag the e-galley for this, and then just never got to it. I know it has little chance of being read right now (it's huge!), but I couldn't resist snagging it from the library. Maybe I'll find some time to read it...once I get through this next round of essays. 

Afterworlds  by Scott Westerfield

I have this e-galley, as well, but again I just couldn't resist snagging the gorgeous hardcover when it became available. 

Movies:

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

I'm excited for this one. For the most part, I love Marvel movies, and I've heard great things about this one.

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 (71) Zero Day

 

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.

 Zero Day
 
Authors: Jan Gangsei 
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: May 12, 2015

Link to Goodreads:

Eight years ago, Addie Webster was the victim of the most notorious kidnapping case of the decade. Addie vanished—and her high-profile parents were forced to move on.

Mark Webster is now president of the United States, fighting to keep the oval office after a tumultuous first term. Then, the unthinkable happens: the president’s daughter resurfaces. Addie is brought back into her family’s fold, but who is this sixteen-year-old girl with a quiet, burning intelligence now living in the White House? There are those in the president’s political circle who find her timely return suspicious.

When the NSA approaches Darrow Fergusson, Addie’s childhood best friend and the son of the president’s chief of staff, he doesn't know what to think. How could this slip of a girl be a threat to national security? But at the risk of having his own secrets exposed by the powerful government agency, Darrow agrees to spy on Addie.

It soon becomes apparent that Addie is much more than the traumatized victim of a sick political fringe group. Addie has come with a mission. Will she choose to complete it? And what will happen if she does? 

Why I'm Excited:

This sounds very Homeland, don't you think? I've only seen the first season, but I can definitely see the similarities. I'm always down for some intrigue. I love any kind of double agent/spy-type story. I'm not crazy about the cover, but I think it is fine if that is what they decide to go with. Either way, I'll be keeping my eye out 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!!!





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Weekend Rewind 10.11.14

 

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 byTyngas 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: One quarter down! I have (another) hundred essays to read this weekend that need to get into the online grade book by Wednesday--plus a few other last minute grades--but the first quarter officially ended on Thursday. Today (Friday) was an in-service day. I had a three hour ethics training this afternoon, but was able to get a few things done this morning. I'm definitely feeling good about being 1/4 of the way through my first year of teaching. 

Six days until I'm home! I think I may have mentioned this already (ahem, once or twice), but I was smart and took Friday and Monday off this time, so that the long weekend will actually be three full days. I'm excited for some autumn. It has been so hot here! Again, a little over four weeks after that, I'll have 8 whole days at home for Thanksgiving. Then just 19 days after that I'll have 16 days at home--well, probably more like 14 because I plan on driving up for Christmas break. I need to get my car inspected and don't want to have to be at my husband's mercy to get rides. I plan to spend some quality time with some of my friends over the holidays, too, and he will be working for at least some of the time, I'm sure. While it is seriously so hard to be apart, it does help to have trips home planned to look forward to. Also, I really am loving the school where I work. The district, principals, and other teachers are all awesome, so that helps out a great deal, as well.

My slump is breaking a little bit. I have a few books that I'm pretty excited about in my possession, and have tried to read at least a few pages before I go to sleep. This weekend is definitely going to be dedicated to getting through the essays and entering in grades, but I do plan on going to see Gone Girl this weekend, and hope to get at least a couple of chapters read here and there. Maybe I'll reward myself with a chapter for every 10 essays I get through or something. Rewarding reading with reading: the life of an English teacher. 

New books: I have a few fun books to share with you today, so without further adieu I hope you are all having fabulous weekends. 

For Review 

  
 

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

So, I still need to read the second book (I'm actually reading it now), but just could not resist. I didn't really understand the first book--even though I read it twice--but I really did like it. 

Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker

A boy goes into a creepy swamp and a girl comes out in his place--and nobody remembers the boy except his sister...or something. Love this cover with the cool tree and font treatment. 

Famous in Love by Rebecca Serle

A behind-the-scenes look at a YA teen movie being filmed. The movie has a "famous love triangle", which sounds very Twilight/Hunger Games. Sounds like fluffy fun.
Loop by Karen Akins
Time traveling romance. Sounds cute. The cover makes me want rainbow sherbet.

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

So apparently this woman is a famous YouTube figure, but I'm not familiar. This book sounds funny, though, and I love a good memoir/advice book--especially an illustrated one.

What I snagged from the library

   

Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

I'm SO excited to finally have this in my hands. I love this series, and it was a loooong wait after that second book's cliffhanger. I can't wait to see how this series ends. 

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

I'm annoyed with myself for putting this off. I started this a couple of days ago, and while I'm honestly not that far into it, I am enjoying it quite a bit. 

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 (70) Radiance

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.

 Radiance
 
Authors: Catherynne M. Valente 
Publisher: Tor 
Release Date: August 18, 2015

Link to Goodreads:

The first adult novel in more than three years from the bestselling author of the Fairyland books,
Radiance is a decopunk pulp SF alt-history space opera mystery set in a Hollywood—and solar system—very different from our own, from the phenomenal talent behind the New York Times bestselling The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.

Severin Unck’s father is a famous director of Gothic romances in an alternate 1986 in which talking movies are still a daring innovation due to the patent-hoarding Edison family. Rebelling against her father’s films of passion, intrigue, and spirits from beyond, Severin starts making documentaries, traveling through space and investigating the levitator cults of Neptune and the lawless saloons of Mars. For this is not our solar system, but one drawn from classic science fiction in which all the planets are inhabited and we travel through space on beautiful rockets. Severin is a realist in a fantastic universe.

But her latest film, which investigates the disappearance of a diving colony on a watery Venus populated by island-sized alien creatures, will be her last. Though her crew limps home to earth and her story is preserved by the colony’s last survivor, Severin will never return.

Aesthetically recalling A Trip to the Moon and House of Leaves, and told using techniques from reality TV, classic film, gossip magazines, and meta-fictional narrative, Radiance is a solar system-spanning story of love, exploration, family, loss, quantum physics, and silent film.

Why I'm Excited:

I'm not going to pretend to understand what I just read, but this certainly sounds intriguing. I love that it is told using "techniques from reality TV, classic film, gossip magazines, and meta-fictional narrative". Mostly because I have no idea what that is going to sound like. I've always meant to read the Fairyland books, but never have. Also, that cover is gorgeous.

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!!!





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Weekly Rewind 10.4.14

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: 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.

The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm

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!

 

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