Weekly Rewind 4.23.16

Weekly Rewind
The new books on my shelves and my week in a nutshell.

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 don't have it in me to ramble on today. I've had a very long day, first at school...and then back at school to watch the spring musical. This week we started preparing the students for their state reading test in a few weeks, and I've had things to do at night the past couple of nights, too, which made the week go by fairly quickly, but it is 9PM and I'm so ready for bed. My husband is coming down this weekend either tomorrow or Sunday because he has a dentist apt Monday. I'm excited that I get to see him and didn't have to do the drive this weekend.

Blog and reading: A WoW this week. Have you seen this one? The cover is so interesting. I'm currently listening to The Smart One and am reading The Unexpected Everything, Love, Lies, and Spies, and The Hopefuls. I'm enjoying all 3 of them. I'll often start a handful of books once I finish something, but one of those books will eventually "win" and I'll put the others aside. I'm really into all of these, though.

New Books: I have a nice pile to share with you this week. So without further ado, I hope you are all having fabulous weekends!

For Review

     

    

Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes

I'm curious about this book that takes a closer look at the baddie of Wonderland.

Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman

Follows the daughter of John Milton! Paradise Lost certainly isn't the easiest, but it is just so interesting. I'm scared of this, but I hope it's amazing.

The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight

I've heard good things about the author's adult novel Reconstructing Amelia (a book I've been meaning to read for ages), so I have high hopes for this one.

Wild Swans by Jessica Spotswood

A girl looking forward to her senior year is shocked when the mother who abandoned her shows up with two young children.

Shuffle, Repeat by Jen Klein

Billed as When Harry Met Sally for the YA crowd. Sold. So very sold.

A Totally Awkward Love Story by Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison

The two authors dated in high school. Intrigued.

The Girl I Used to Be by April Henry

A girl who grew up believing that her mother was killed by her father years ago finds out that her father was murdered the same day.

Ruined by Amy Tintera

A kingdom and a girl looking for revenge. It might be time for me to admit that I'm not really into these stories...

What I snagged from the library

  

Books:

Love, Lies, and Spies by Cindy Austey

I'm only about 50 pages into this, but it is very charming so far.

The Smart One by Jennifer Close

After rereading Girls in White Dresses for the umpteenth time, I decided to snag this audio...which is also a reread.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I saw this in the theater, but am looking forward to watching it again.

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!

Read More

Waiting on Wednesday (147) Beautiful Broken Girls

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.

Beautiful Broken Girls

Author: Kim Savage
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Release Date: February 21, 2017

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Per the author: "Ben touched seven parts of Mira Cillo: her palm, hair, chest, cheek, lips, throat, and heart. It was the last one that broke her. In Beautiful Broken Girls, Mira sends Ben on a post-mortem quest to find notes in the seven places where they touched — notes that explain why she and her sister, Francesca, drowned themselves in the quarry lake. How Ben interprets those notes has everything to do with the way he was touched, once, by a bad coach years ago.

But the truth behind the girls’ suicides is far more complicated, and has to do with a dangerous infatuation, a deadly miracle, and a crushing lie. Beth Clark’s cover is delicately spooky, but the teens in the novel are not delicate. Rather, they love fiercely, protect one another unwaveringly, and risk everything to speak the truth. In the way that the hand on the cover hovers near the heart, there is a mystical secret at the heart of Beautiful Broken Girls that I cannot wait to share with readers."

Why I'm excited:
This synopsis sounds heavily reminiscent of The Virgin Suicides (a book I didn't love, but a movie that I did). I'm definitely curious about both the sisters and Ben. This cover is crazily eerie,  too, with the ripples, the communion dress, and the doll-like hands. I will definitely be keeping my eyes 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. (I like to follow back, so please let me know if you're a new follower--and leave a link!) Thank you!!!

Read More

Weekly Rewind 4.16.16

Weekly Rewind
The new books on my shelves and my week in a nutshell.

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 just got home. Today was a teacher workday because yesterday was the end of the quarter, so I was able to leave a couple of hours early. Three quarters down! Summer is right around the corner. I have so much to do in PA tomorrow and have hours of grading to do before I have to finalize the gradebook, so it is not going to be a relaxing weekend. It's always nice to be home, though, and the sun is shining and it's supposed to be in the mid-70s all weekend. So not all bad.

Blog and reading: A WoW this week. I finished listening to Me and Earl and the Dying Girl on the drive up. I love this book. I first read, and loved, this book when it first came out four years ago. I've been meaning to watch the movie, but definitely wanted to do a reread before I did. The audio was a great way to go. It was a cast, not just a narrator, and the whole thing was so entertaining. I'm currently reading The Unexpected Everything, Morgan Matson's latest, The Passion of the Dolssa, and The Hopefuls. I'm debating on what I'm going to listen to next.

New Books: I have a handful of books to share with you this week. So without further ado, I hope you all have fabulous weekends.

For Review

   

  

The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close

I love Jennifer Close's writing. I've read her debut, Girls in White Dresses, at least four times. I was so excited to get this one a couple of days ago and started reading it immediately.

The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

I still need to read The Wrath and the Dawn (I know!), but it is very high on my list.

The Incident on the Bridge by Laura McNeal

A girl doesn't believe a her sister committed suicide by jumping off a bridge. I love a good mystery.

The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian

I love Siobhan Vivian's writing (too). This one sounds really different, with a city that has flooded and is now underwater.

Down With the Shine by Kate Karyus Quinn

I started reading the first couple of chapters a few weeks ago. It is very different, but fun. I just got distracted and need to get back to it.

The May Queen Murders by Sarah Jude

I have no idea what this is about; the title and cover grabbed my attention.

What I snagged from the library

  

The Passion of the Dolssa by Julie Berry

I'm only a couple of chapters into this one, but I'm enjoying it so far.

Audio:
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
I own this...and had an arc...but just never got around to it. I've heard nothing but good things about this one.
Legend with Tom Hardy
I love me some gangster films (and Tom Hardy), so I'm super excited for 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!

Read More

Waiting on Wednesday (146) Pasadena

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.

Pasadena

Author: Sherri L. Smith
Publisher: G.P. Putnam
Release Date: September 13, 2016

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Award-winning author Sherri L. Smith returns with a riveting, noir-style thriller, perfect for fans of E. Lockhart

Bad things happen everywhere. Even in the land of sun and roses.

When Jude's best friend is found dead in a swimming pool, her family calls it an accident. Her friends call it suicide. But Jude calls it what it is: murder. And someone has to pay.

Now everyone is a suspect--family and friends alike. And Jude is digging up the past like bones from a shallow grave. Anything to get closer to the truth. But that's the thing about secrets. Once they start turning up, nothing is sacred. And Jude's got a few skeletons of her own.

In a homage to the great noir stories of Los Angeles, award-winning author Sherri L. Smith's Pasadena is a tale of love, damage and salvation set against the backdrop of California's City of Roses.

Why I'm excited:
If you follow me at all, you know I love a good mystery. When you say the words: noir-style thriller, my ears perk up like a dog who just heard the word: walk. e. lockhart is one of my favorite authors, so a comparison to her will also peak my interest. So basically, what I'm saying, is that my interest is very much peaked. Gimme.

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!!!

Read More

Weekly Rewind 4.9.16

Weekly Rewind
The new books on my shelves and my week in a nutshell.

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.

Life and Blog

Life: This is going to be a quick post. I thought my husband was going to come tomorrow, but he showed up today. Yay! It's supposed to be freezing here tomorrow, so I'm not sure what we are going to end up doing, but I'm just happy that I get to spend the weekend with him...without having to do the drive home. I'll be back to my rambling self next week, I'm sure.

Blog and rereading: Just a WoW this week. I finished my reread of The List this week and made progress on The Magicians. I've been listening to Illuminae, but am debating switching over to the regular book.

New books: I have a handful of books to share with you this week. So without further ado, I hope you are all having fabulous weekends!

For Review

   

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas

This psychological thriller set in PA sounds amazing. I plan on picking this one up next.
Scarlett Epstein Hates it Here by Anna Breslaw
A young fanfic author turns her attention to the popular kids in her school.
Land of 10,000 Madonnas by Kate Hattemer
Five friends backpack across Europe to fulfill a dying friend's final wish.

What I snagged from the library

   

Books:

When We Collided by Emery Lord

My husband was kind of nice enough to swing by the PA library where this was on hold for me. I can't wait to read Emery Lord's latest.

We Can Work it Out by Elizabeth Eulberg

I finished a reread of The Brokenhearts Club a few weeks ago, but haven't yet read this sequel.

Audio:

Me and Girl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

I read and loved this back in 2012 and am willing to bet the audio is awesome. I don't know why I haven't listened to it yet.

Movie:

Spotlight

I can't wait to watch this.

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!

 

Read More

Waiting on Wednesday (145) The Boomerang Effect

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 Boomerang Effect

Author: Gordan Jack
Publisher: Harper
Release Date: November 8, 2016

Synopsis from Goodreads:

It all started with a harmless prank. But now high school junior (and resident stoner) Lawrence Barry is one step away from reform school unless he participates in a mentorship program. His mentee? Spencer Knudsen, a Norwegian exchange student with Spock-like intelligence but the social skills of the periodic table.

Then disaster strikes—Homecoming week. When someone dressed as the school Viking mascot starts destroying the fairy tale–inspired floats, all suspicion falls on Lawrence. Add to the mix a demon Goth girl named Zoe, a Renaissance LARPing group, an overzealous yearbook editor, and three vindictive chickens, and Lawrence soon realizes that his situation may be a little out of control. But Spencer seems to have some answers. In fact, Spencer may be the one friend Lawrence never knew he needed. 

Why I'm excited:
This sounds like so much fun. I love a good book with a teen male protagonist. And I have serious cover love going on. I'll definitely have 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!!!

Read More

Weekly Rewind 4.2.16

Weekly Rewind
The new books on my shelves and my week in a nutshell.

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: This week was SO hard. I seriously struggled all week to get back into the swing of things after spring break. I'm not going to go into super bitch-fest mode because I can feel my fingers veering into that direction, so let me just say that I am so happy it is the weekend. I'm staying in VA this weekend. I just don't have the drive in me after this week, and my husband has stuff going on (like helping friends move), so I wouldn't see him that much even if I did go home. I'm most definitely looking forward to a weekend of just sleeping, reading, and watching bad tv. It's much needed after the week I had.

Blog and reading: Just a WoW this week. I'm currently on a major rereading spell. This week I finished rereading Tease which is just such a powerful and awesome book (seriously, if you haven't read it, I cannot recommend it enough). I've also been rereading 99 Days. A couple of days ago I picked The Magicians back up and have started making progress with it. I'm currently listening to Illuminae, a book I've owned since it came out, but haven't picked up yet.

New books: I've a handful of pretties to share with you this week. So without further ado, I hope you are all having fabulous weekends!

For Review

  

   

The Passion of the Dolssa by Julie Berry

This is one of my most anticipated books of the year. Unfortunately, it is one of those kindle arcs that just isn't formatted correctly, so I've been torn between trying to power through it regardless (I've had it for awhile) or just wait until it comes out.

Crossing the Line by Meghan Rogers

The synopsis starts with: If Jason Bourne were a teenaged girl, which is all I needed to snag this one. It is getting fabulous reviews, too, so I'm excited to start this one.

A Fierce and Subtle Poison by Samantha Mabry

I'm not exactly sure what this one is about. A poisonous girl and a missing one. Shrugs. Pretty green cover.

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

A girl spends time in Italy after the death of her mother in order to learn more about her father. I'm always drawn to books set in Italy...I'm not sure why.

Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins

I didn't read the synopsis of this because I need to read the second book still, but it is high on my list. This series is fun. I just reread the first book a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it (again).

Taming of the Drew by Stephanie Kate Strohm

If you write a retelling of a Shakespeare play, I'm probably going to read it.

Dreamology by Lucy Keating

A girl dreams of a boy every night, and then there he is in her new school. (I cannot help but feel kind of...yawn...about this synopsis. Has anybody read this one?)

What I snagged from the library

  

Books:

Rebel of the Suns by Alwyn Hamilton

After lots of trusted bloggers loved this one, I decided to give it a try (even though fantasy isn't usually my bag).

Audio:

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

This is interesting as an audio as it has a full cast. I've owned this book for months, but just haven't had the energy to pick it up...so audio it is.

Movie:

The Visit

I have to admit that while M. Night Shyamalan is hit or miss for me, he isn't nearly as hit or miss for me as he is to others. I quite liked both The Village and Lady in the Water (although I hated Unbreakable and found the plant one just silly). This seems like a wink to Hansel and Gretel (I haven't watched it yet, so I don't know if that's true...but I hope it is).

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!

Read More