The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on my blog and share news about what’s coming up in the week ahead.
This past week on FYFA (and in my life):
This post is going up very late because I just got back from my vacation in Michigan. We had a fabulous time at the house we stayed at, which was right on a strip of private beach on Big Bay (a small bay in Lake Superior). This was a SUPER relaxing vacation, with very few planned activities (we spent plenty of time on the beach and kayaking, plus we did a few hikes and saw Pictured Rocks, which was gorgeous!). The internet was very spotty, and this turned out to be a good thing because I didn’t end up working or blogging at all. On my trip I:
- Wrote 0 blog posts.
- Responded to 0 comments.
- Wrote and/or edited 0 words of my WIP.
- Read 3.5 books (all review books, but 0 that I was rushing to get read for a deadline).
- Did 3 puzzles (with my mom and daughter 2550 pieces in all!)
- Watched 1 movie with my family. (Coraline)
- Played several family games/card games, etc.
I’ve never had a vacation where I unplugged so completely, and it was really good for me. I actually feel refreshed and ready to jump back into things now! I did miss you guys, though. 🙂
Here’s what you may have missed on the blog since my last Sunday Post:
- Nyxia Unleashed by Scott Reintgen: Review & GiveawayNeanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe – Still time to enter to win a copy of the book!
- Goodreads’ Mid-Year Book Lists. Let’s Discuss.
Book Blogger Birthdays and Blogoversaries:
Here are the birthdays and blogoversaries for this week! I hope you’ll go wish these bloggers well on their special days! Make sure you check out the calendar to see what you might have just missed or what’s coming up. (If you want to be added to the calendar, it’s easy! Just fill out the birthday/blogoversary form.)
- July 30th – Tizzy @ Dusting the Soul‘s Birthday
- July 31st – Bee @ Quite the Novel Idea‘s Birthday
- August – ShootingStarsMag‘s Blogoversary
- August 1st – Keep Reading Forward‘s Blogoversary
- August 1st – Terri @ Second Run Reviews‘ Birthday
- August 2nd – Awesome Book Assessment‘s Blogoversary
- August 3rd – Arctic Books‘ Blogoversary
- August 4th – Czai @ The Blacksheep Reader’s Birthday
I did get one book this week, but I didn’t have time to take a picture. I’ll be sure to put it up here next week!
Great Discussions/Goings On Around the Blogosphere:
- Chana and Malka @ Paper Procrastinators share 10 Ways to Convince People to Read Your Favorite Books
- AJ @ Read All the Things tells us she’d Love To Read About: Watery Places And The Afterlife
Pre-Order Deals:
Listed in order of release date. Any new deals that I just added to the list this week will be denoted with a *** so you can easily find them!
Please note: Almost all pre-order giveaways run “while supplies last,” so I can’t guarantee that they’ll be open until the date listed. Pre-0rder early for your best chance to get all the goodies!
- Pre-order THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF US by Katy Upperman to receive a signed bookmark, a sticker with a quote from the story, and a signed, personalized bookplate. (INT)(ends 7/30)
- Pre-order GRACE AND FURY by Tracy Banghart to receive an enamel pin, a postcard with a hand-lettered quote, a book map poster & a signed bookplate. (US only)(ends 7/30)
- Pre-order SEA WITCH by Sarah Henning to receive a signed bookmark and a postcard. Plus you’ll be entered to win a grand prize. (INT)(ends 7/30)
- Pre-order VENGEFUL by V.E. Schwab to receive your choice of a VENGEFUL or VICIOUS tote. (US, District of Columbia, Canada)(ends 7/31)
- Pre-order THE LAND OF YESTERDAY by K.A. Reynolds to win one of several prizes. (INT)(ends 7/31)
- Pre-order THE CHEERLEADERS by Kara Thomas to receive a creepy but cute iron-on patch! (US Only)(ends 7/31)
- Pre-order HOSTILE TAKEOVER by Cristelle Comby to receive a copy of the prequel novelette Redemption Road, a signed digital high-res poster of the book cover, a secret link to read the first 3 chapters of the book and a chance to win a signed copy of the paperback. (INT)(ends 7/31)
- Pre-order THE DARK BENEATH THE ICE by Amelina Bérubé to receive swag including an enamel pin. You’ll also be entered to win a grand prize. (US & CAN only)(ends8/6)
- Pre-order TEMPER by Nicky Drayden to receive Trading cards, a 4×6 postcard, and a signed bookplate. (US only)(ends 8/6)
- Pre-order #MURDERTRENDING by Gretchen McNeil (or request a hold at your local library) to receive an official “Killing It With Words” signed bookplate, and a bookmark, sticker, & button. (INT)(ends 8/6)
- Pre-order DANCE OF THIEVES by Mary E. Pearson to receive a special, die-cut bookmark. And one grand prize winner (and a guest) will be able to attend Texas Teen Book Festival this October, where Mary is a featured author. (US)(ends 8/6)
- Pre-order CATWOMAN: SOULSTEALER by Sarah J. Maas to receive a cat-tastic PopSocket! (US Only)(ends 8/6)
- Pre-order CATWOMAN: SOULSTEALER by Sarah J. Maas to receive a limited edition cosmetic bag! (UK/ROI Only)(ends 8/8)
- Pre-order A TOUCH OF GOLD by Annie Sullivan to receive a digital download of the map of the world and an awesome rose compact mirror. (US/CAN only)(ends 8/13)
- Pre-order FAKE BLOOD by Whitney Gardner to receive a signed bookplate and lapel pin. (INT)(ends 8/20)
- Pre-order TO BE HONEST by Maggie Ann Martin or request it at your local library to receive a signed bookmark, sticker, and personalized bookplate. Plus you’ll be entered to win a grand prize. (INT)(ends 8/20)
- Pre-order CITY OF GHOSTS by Victoria Schwab for a chance to win a signed copy of the book, a book themed necklace/pendant, and a secret treat from Edinburgh. (INT)(ends 8/27)
- Pre-order MIRAGE by Somaiya Daud to receive a set of Mirage-inspired nail polishes and a signed bookplate. (US Only)(ends 8/27)
- Pre-order RUIN OF STARS by Linsey Miller to receive a swag package and to be entered to win a grand prize. (US & CAN Only)(ends 8/27)
- ***Pre-order HIDDEN PIECES by Paula Stokes to receive 2 signed bookmarks, a signed bookplate, a magnet, and 2 stickers. (INT)(ends 8/28)
- Pre-order MISS KOPP JUST WON’T QUIT by Amy Stewart to receive a signed bookplate and a chance to win the grand prize! (US Only)(ends 8/31)
- Pre-order A SPARK OF WHITE FIRE by Sangu Mandanna to receive an exclusive short story set in Esmae’s world and a chance to win a grand prize. (INT)(ends 9/3)
- Pre-order IGNITE THE STARS by Maura Milan to receive an enamel pin. (US only)(ends 9/3)
- Pre-order UNCHARTED by Erin Cashman to receive a bookmark, signed bookplate, 3 stickers and a card. Plus you’ll be entered to win even more! (INT)(ends 9/3)
- ***Pre-order THE NAVIGATOR’S TOUCH by Julia Ember to receive a signed and personalised postcard, a set of five character cards, a badass Viking warrior keychain, two stunning cover stickers and entry into a Grand Prize Pool! (USA, Canada, UK and EU)(ends 9/12)
- Pre-order LEADERSHIP IN TURBULENT TIMES by Doris Kearns Goodwin to receive a signed bookplate. (US Only)(ends 9/17)
- Pre-order WHAT THE WOODS KEEP by Katya de Becerra to receive a themed digital wallpaper, a short story of “Smoke and Mirrors,” and a query critique. (INT)(ends 9/17)
- Pre-order THE LAST WISH OF SASHA CADE by Cheyanne Young to receive a signed bookplate, a bookmark, a sticker, and a wish bracelet. (US/CAN only)(ends 10/1)
- Pre-order GRIM LOVELIES by Megan Shepherd to receive a branded tote bag. You’ll also be entered to win the grand prize! (US Only)(ends 10/1)
- Pre-order BRIDGE OF CLAY by Markus Zusak to receive a book club kit containing a Collectible Print, a
Book Thief/Bridge of Clay Discussion Guide , 6 Coasters, a Debossed Notebook and 6 Pens. (US Only)(ends 10/9) - Pre-order ALL THE WANDERING LIGHT by Heather Fawcett to receive an exclusive world map, a signed bookplate, a bookmark and two stickers. (INTL)(ends 12/3)
- Pre-order THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE by Samantha Shannon to receive an exclusive signed poster. (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand)(ends 2/25)
More Awesome Giveaways:
- Every week Mindy McGinnis has a giveaway on her blog Writer Writer Pants on Fire. This week’s is an ARC of Impostors by Scott Westerfeld
- Head over to Pink Polka Dot Books for a chance to win Sanctuary by Caryn Lix
- Head over to XPresso Reads for a chance to win HIDDEN PIECES by Paula Stokes
- Head over to Zach’s YA Reviews for a chance to win an ARC of Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes
- Ink Scratchers is celebrating its eight blogoversary with a giveaway of a book of your choice!
- Lots of blogs participating in the CHRISTMAS IN JULY Giveaway Hop
- Lots of blogs participating in the July New Release/Of Books Giveaway Hop
- Head over to Angel’s Guilty Pleasures for a chance to win a Book of your choice! Plus, every Wednesday, she does a Win It Wednesday giveaway.
- Head over to Bookish for LOTS of giveaways!
- Anne @ Books of My Heart is doing a Read-Along of the Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series and she’s giving away a Signed print copy of Magic Triumphs (US only) or an Amazon digital copy (INT). She also has several other giveaways going on with the event as well, so check them out in her sidebar!
- Enter Read It Forward’s weekly giveaway! This one is: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Lots of good stuff! Have any giveaways or great discussions happening on your site right now? Feel free to share them in the comments!
Sounds like you had an absolutely amazing vacation 🙂 that’s great! I should also unplug soon… Might be able to when I go to London later in August 🙂
Ooh! That sounds like the perfect time to do it. Sometimes you just need to sit back and enjoy your vacation.
I’m glad you had a good vacation! Unplugging is the biggest reason why I love camping. There’s no electricity, no internet, and spotty cell phone coverage. I just get to read and hike without being bothered.
Exactly. The spotty internet was actually a blessing because it forced me to set everything aside.
I’m so happy you enjoyed da UP, eh! Pictured Rocks are gorgeous and definitely worth the trip. My parents are having health issues so we didn’t get a trip up there yet.
I was SO glad we got to see Pictured Rocks. It was gorgeous and well worth the drive over there!!
I haven’t unplugged for a vacation in a long time! I probably need one of those. The closest is when I went to Branson with my family, but even then I got on my laptop and blogged. Glad you enjoyed your vacation!
Yeah, I can’t usually unplug completely. I did go through and delete some emails from my inbox, but that was about it.
I’m so glad you had a great vacation! I’m sure it was much needed and appreciated. 🙂
Yes, it’s definitely nice to take a break now and again. 🙂
It’s always great to unplug. Glad to hear you had a wonderful vacation. I love puzzles! I miss doing them.
I haven’t done a puzzle in years, and I was sort of addicted on this vacation. It was great fun!!
It sounds like you had a wonderful vacation, which is great. We all need those relaxing, mostly un-plugged vacations sometimes!
-Lauren
Yes, I’m not very good at unplugging, but it was actually a great feeling.
Your vacation sounds absolutely fantastic! I’m glad to hear you had such a relaxing time. 🙂
Sometimes it’s nice to just take a break from it all. 🙂
Glad you had a great vacation! Sounds very relaxing. Sometimes unplugging and getting away is just the thing! Have a super week!
Yes, I was glad that I took some time off without stressing about the blog, writing, or anything else!
Aww that’s great that you had a good vacation! And also super good that you just managed to unplug and focus on having fun with your family! I so struggle to turn off from aaall the blogging and things that it demands.?But I’m going away in a few weeks and lowkey thinking of at least hiatusing from blogging?! I haven’t properly in years so it’ll be a bit scary but probably good for me.?
I think a hiatus now and again is a good thing. I hadn’t really done it before either, but it was very relaxing and helped me recharge.
What a great vacation! I think we need those unplugged vacations to recharge – and reconnect!
Yes, it was so relaxing!