This past week on FYFA (and in my life):
This week was hectic because of all the back-to-school stuff going on. My daughter Danielle started high school this week. Public school will definitely take some getting used to, and we’ve had some bumps along the road, but I think she’s enjoying it for the most part. She joined the swim team, and she’s making friends, which is a huge win as far as I’m concerned (she sometimes has a hard time jumping into social situations when a lot of people are involved—and public high school is nothing if it’s not BIG!).
I discovered the musical Dear Evan Hansen this week, and I am LOVING it! It took me about thirty seconds of one song to be wrecked (and I hadn’t even gotten to my favorite yet). I’ve been listening to “So Big/So Small” over and over again now.
This week, I finally managed to get through all 87 July discussions—there are over 40 August discussion linked up, so I’ll be starting in on those!!
Here’s what you may have missed on the blog since my last Sunday Post:
- I Love Me Some Purple Prose. Let’s Discuss.
- Bite-Sized Reviews of The Book Thief, Crank, The Chosen One and Writing Irresistible KidLit
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.)
- August 20th – Aimee @ Aimee, Always‘s Birthday
- August 20th – Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf‘s Blogoversary
- August 25th – Book Haven‘s Blogoversary
- August 25th – Lola @ Lola’s Reviews‘ Birthday
For Review:
I keep forgetting to put my digital books in these posts, so these are the ones I’ve gotten from NetGalley and Edelweiss and for review in the past few weeks.
First off, I picked up Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss. I’m a sucker for Kasie West.
Next up is Misfits by Jen Calonita. I’ve been meaning to read her for a long time, so when I saw the preorder deal for this one, I decided to pick it up.
I’m finally reading Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor, so I got Muse of Nightmares.
My obsession with Dear Evan Hansen the musical is real, and it all started when I saw the novel version on NetGalley. Had to pick it up, of course.
And, finally, I am participating in the Two Dark Reigns blog tour. If you have read my blog practically at all, you know how excited I am about that.
Won:
I won The Darkest Legacy from Kathy @ My Nook, Books & More from her July of Books Giveaway! I got to pick any book that released in July, so I chose this one. Thanks so much, Kathy!
(I’ve been keeping track, and I’ve won 13 giveaways in 2018!)
While I’m talking about this series, has anyone seen the Darkest Minds movie? I really want to go see it, but it did so poorly in the box office that now I’m wondering if I should wait for DVD? I’ve seen NO ONE talking about it. Is it good? (And if you wrote a post about the movie, link me up in the comments!)
Purchased:
S.J. Pajonas has a short story in this collection. And Destination: Murder: A Travelogue of Cozy Mysteries
hit the USA Today Bestseller’s list!! Congrats Steph!!
Free:
Picked up The Replacement Crush when it was free on Amazon awhile back.
Great Discussions/Goings On Around the Blogosphere:
- Shealea @ That Bookshelf Bitch tells us (and especially the international blogging community) How to read more books legally and for free and she also gives us 2018-2019 Asian-inspired fantasy novels to drool over
- Ruby @ Ruby’s Books shares Five Things That Cleaning Her TBR Is Teaching Her
- Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books gives advice on How to gain followers and interactions
- Lory @ Emerald City Book Review asks Are classics the best books to review?
- Angel @ Angel’s Guilty Pleasures tells us How to Offer a Daily or Weekly Subscription Option in MailChimp
- AJ @ Read All the Things does a twist on the TTT topic this week with Why I Love Your Book Blog and she also tells us about Useless Mythical Creatures she’d like to read about.
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 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 SEAFIRE by Natalie C. Parker to receive a branded pouch! (US 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 MEET THE SKY by McCall Hoyle to receive 3 advance chapters, a *signed* bookplate & more! (ends 9/3)
- 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 your copy of JOSH AND HAZEL’S GUIDE TO NOT DATING to receive an exclusive signed bookplate! (US Only)(ends 9/3)
- Pre-order A ROOM AWAY FROM THE WOLVES to receive an 8×10″ art print with a quote, a 5×3″ sticker with a quote, and a signed and personalized “Property of Catherine House” bookplate. (US, CAN Only)(ends 9/3)
- Pre-order I’D RATHER BE READING by Anne Bogel (AKA Modern Mrs. Darcy) to receive her brand-new class, 7 Ways to Get More Out of Your Reading Life, the audio version of the book, and digital artwork from the book. Plus more goodies if you order two or more books. (ends 9/3)
- Pre-order SUMMER BIRD BLUE by Akemi Dawn Bowman to receive a signed bookplate, a bookmark featuring a quote from the book, an adorable enamel pin, and an exclusive promo card. (INT)(ends 9/10)
- Pre-order MERCI SUAREZ CHANGES GEARS by Meg Medina to receive an author-crafted bookmark, a laptop sticker, and a custom bicycle bell! (US Only)(ends 9/10)
- Pre-order AS SHE ASCENDS by Jodi Meadows to receive a signed bookplate, dragon stickers, a bookmark, and a dragon card! (INT)(ends 9/10)
- 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 ESCAPING FROM HOUDINI by Kerri Maniscalco to receive 8 limited edition character cards. (US Only). You’ll also be entered to win an INT giveaway. (ends 9/17)
- Pre-order FOR A MUSE OF FIRE by Heidi Heilig to receive a signed bookmark & sheet music to La Lumière, as well as fully orchestrated mp3s of all 4 songs featured in the book! (INT)(ends 9/25)
- ***Pre-order A MAP OF DAYS by Ransom Riggs to receive a collectible pin, and be entered to win an exclusive A MAP OF DAYS ViewMaster! (US Only)(ends 10/1)
- 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 THE LADY’S GUIDE TO PETTICOATS AND PIRACY by Mackenzi Lee to receive a digital, never-before-seen epilogue to The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. (US Only)(ends 10/1)
- Pre-order MISFITS by Jen Calonita to receive a Fairy Tale Reform School / Royal Academy Rebels crossover story—When Devin Met Gilly! (US Only)(ends 10/1)
- Pre-order THE SPY WITH THE RED BALLOON by Katherine Locke to receive nine character cards and a signed bookmark. (US Only)(ends 10/1)
- Pre-order THE DEVIL’S THIEF by Lisa Maxwell to receive character art, a map, a bookmark, and a signed bookplate. (INT)(ends 10/8)
- 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 ONE GIANT LEAP by Heather Kaczynski to receive a holographic character art print and a signed bookplate. (INT)(ends 10/22)
- 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 BIRDS, THE BEES, AND YOU AND ME by Olivia Hinebaugh to receive an enamel pin. (US Only)(ends 1/21)
- 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:
- Kim @ Caffeinated Book Reviews is celebrating seven years of blogging with an audiobook giveaway!
- Lexxie and Brandee have joined forces (and blogs!), and they’re celebrating with a giveaway of a Signed Paperback of Michelle Mankin’s book. There is both an INT giveaway and a US one!
- Lisa @ Lisa Loves Literature is celebrating nine years of blogging with a giveaway! And you can also head over there for a chance to win a copy of Echoes by Alice Reeds.
- Aimee @ Aimee Always is celebrating her nineteenth birthday with a giveaway, and you can also head over there for a chance to win The Land of Forgotten Girls by Erin Entrada Kelly (PH & INT’L).
- Are you one of those people who are fantastic at making graphics? Author Paula Stokes is hosting The Great Hidden Pieces Graphics Contest!
- Head over to Book Slaying for a chance to win a copy of See All the Stars by Kit Frick
- Anne @ Books of My Heart is doing a Series on Saturday feature with a giveaway. This week’s is the first book in a space opera series!
- AJ @ Read All the Things is celebrating her fifth blogoversary with a giveaway!
- And Alice @ Arctic Books is celebrating three years of blogging with a giveaway!
- Lots of blogs participating in the August New Release Giveaway Hop!
- Every week Mindy McGinnis has a giveaway on her blog Writer Writer Pants on Fire. This week’s is an ARC of What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera
- Head over to Angel’s Guilty Pleasures for a chance to win her 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).
- Enter Read It Forward’s weekly giveaway! This one is: One Day in December by Josie Silver
Lots of good stuff! Have any giveaways or great discussions happening on your site right now? Feel free to share them in the comments!
I did see The Darkest Minds, despite all of the negative reviews, and it was disappointing. I loved the book, but the movie really waters everything down, from the story to the characters, and it’s hard to see the film appealing to anyone who didn’t already enjoy the book. It’s such a bummer because the book, and the series as a whole, is so good.
Darn! I really love the series, so I’m disappointed. I’ll probably still see it, but I guess I won’t make it a priority.
Great links this week. Book theft bothers me. I even had someone comment on blog this week and they linked it to an illegal download site. When I stumble upon them, I make an effort to report it or notify author or publisher. I never finished the Darkest Mind series, but loved the books I read. I am not much of a movie goer.
Oh, gosh, I’ve never had anyone link me to an illegal download site, thank goodness!
I jumped up and down when I found out I got a spot on the TDR tour. I am 57% in, and lots of interesting developments. I am glad I read the novellas, because the background is sort of valuable. Good luck to you and your daughter. I am glad to hear she is doing ok with the transition.
I know, I was SO excited for this tour. I’m not reading it yet, but soon!!
Wow! That’s exciting for your daughter! She’ll do great there!
And whoa all the books! So many! Lots of new to me ones! I sadly, sadly just couldn’t get into One Dark Throne last week and had to DNF it. It’s a series I struggled with its first book. I think all the hype and love for it sort of unconsciously set my expectations too high. I haven’t seen The Darkest Minds movie either. I actually wanted to try reading the books before I did that but I don’t really pay attention to movie reviews by the critics! Ever since the trashed the live action Scooby Doo, I knew none of them knew what good movies were! LOL! Haven’t really seen any reviews for this one on blogs either.
Hope you enjoy all your lovely new reads!
Here’s my STS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
Yeah, I’ve been surprised that I haven’t seen more news about The Darkest Minds movie, especially with all the buzz about To All the Boys. I thought there’d be more chatter about it.
Glad your daughter is doing well in HS! Oh Kasie West. So jealous!! Can’t wait until it comes out. I love her books. Hope you enjoy it and the other bright and shinies. Have a great week!
First week down, and it didn’t go so bad. We might survive this public high school thing.
I’m glad your daughter is adjusting to public high school well. I imagine it was a big change. Congrats on your book win – and yay for all the fun books you got for review. 🙂
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Thanks, Lauren. It’s a big change for her, but going relatively smoothly so far!
So exciting that your daughter joined the swim team! As you know, it was my favorite part of high school (fine, of life in general ha). I hope she has a fabulous year!
HOW do you get to all the discussions!? I try to get to SOME and that is an accomplishment ahhaha. Good thing I have you to carry my dead weight 😉
I am SO JEALOUS of everyone on the Two Dark Reigns tour. My silly Australian copy will take forever to get here, so sad! I hope you love it though! And I have heard meh things about The Darkest Minds too- especially after watching the loveliness that was TatBILB Idk if I want to be disappointed. I’ll probably wait until it’s streaming somewhere honestly.
She had burnt out a bit on swimming with our community team, but I’m glad that she joined up with the high school team (with a little encouragement – though I did ultimately leave it up to her). I think it’s going to be a good way for her to make some connections at school.
As far as the discussion challenge go, it’s sort of an obsession for me. I feel the NEED to read and comment on them all — like it’s a weird blogging goal that I hold higher than other goals for some reason. I really do love discussions, and I’d hate to miss out on any of them (though I’ll admit every once in a while I’ll skim if it’s a topic I just can’t relate to at all.)
I can’t wait to read TDR!!! I was super excited to see that tour pop up in my inbox!
My last week was crazy, again, back to school for me as well! We had construction in our school this summer, and basically they tried to get a year’s worth of work done in two months. So guess what, it wasn’t done. Anyway. I got an ARC of Dear Evan Hansen at ALA, still need to read it! Glad to hear you liked it. I wanted to see The Darkest Minds, but it was only showing at like 9:20 pm on Friday night, so I was too tired to go that late. Wondering if it will still be showing this week. I might go. We’ll see. You’re right though, I haven’t really seen anyone talking about it. Hope you have a great week!
I haven’t read the Evan Hansen book yet, but I’ve been obsessed with the musical. It’s pretty heart-wrenching.
I’m glad the school stuff is mostly going well. Congrats on getting through all those discussions. I try to comment on a bunch of them every month, but there’s no way I could read all of them. Have a great week!
I make a point of reading all the discussions. It’s the one hard-and-fast rule I’ve given myself that I’ve stuck to. I really do love discussions, and it just feels like the best way to really support the challenge in a tangible way. But I certainly don’t expect anyone else to read them all! (I love it when I see familiar names popping up in a lot of the comments, though.)
Good luck with back to school for your daughter! And I am so excited about Two Dark Reigns- it’s almost here!!
I did not see the darkest Minds, but I want to- even though I haven’t read the books.
I still want to see the movie, but it just doesn’t seem to be getting any buzz at all. Sort of disappointing.
Hope your daughter continues to adjust well to public high school. It can be tough to find “your tribe” so I hope she’s making some good friends. Thanks for putting The Replacement Crush back on my radar! I’ve had it sitting on my Kindle for at least a year and had kind of forgotten about it. It seems perfect for the next time I’m in the mood for something light and fun.
Yeah, I agree that it can be tough to find people you really click with. I’ve been happy that she’s just regularly talking to people — sometimes it takes her a long time to warm up to new situations, but I think she’s matured a lot recently.
I am so sad I missed The Replacement Crush when it was free on Amazon!
So happy that your daughter is enjoying her public school and that she joined the swim team! I know it’s hard to make friends and it’s awesome that she managed to do it so fast!
Have a lovely week!
I’m sorry you missed it too! I think I found out about it on the Entangled FB group, in case you want to join.
oh yes I hear you! Om top of the self-imposed deadline to finish my MS… back-to-school madness! I’m ready to faint from exhaustion BUT at least for you… remember.. now you’ll have more time to write and blog!. I’m like 60% done with my MS but I’m moving sooooo sloooooowly now it ridiculous! Cannot wait to send it to my brand new CP 🙂 I can only imagine how challenging must be to join public after being home schooled but we are all rooting for Danielle! Send her hugs
It’s been nice to have some actual time to work. I’m taking a breather from my MG manuscript while I’m waiting to hear about #PitchWars (not looking promising so far 🙁 ), so I’ve been trying to spend some time reading craft books and figuring out what to write next. I’m sort of thinking I painted myself into a corner with the YA book I wrote, and I’m not sure if I should try to salvage it or start all over. I still love the concept, but I can’t decide if I went the wrong direction by making it paranormal instead of a contemporary thriller. I enjoy reading paranormal more (usually), but this book has always felt like a contemp to me. I can’t decide what to do!! (Oh, and I’ve been longing to write something in verse, and I have a couple of ideas for that too—but it seems daunting to write a whole novel in verse! Can I do it? I have no idea!)
I love it when Amazon randomly has a book I want to read for free! I feel like I’ve won something, haha.
High School is challenging on its own, and I’m sure you’re daughter will find her niche. My husband was on the swim team at his school and absolutely loved it! It’s a great place to make friends, too.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?
Yes, this book was a nice surprise because it was already on my radar!
Wishing you daughter Danielle lots of luck in High School! Our HS was small and we had known everyone from Kingergarten up but my husband’s High School had over 1,000 kids in his grade….I can’t even fathom. Hoping she has a wonderful, happy experience!
And now watching so many authors talking on Twitter and Facebook about To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, I’m kinda shocked that I didn’t see a single one talk about The Darkest Minds. I don’t get it…..
1000 kids in one grade! That’s huge!! Luckily, our school is more reasonable than that. My daughter’s class is the biggest freshman class the school has ever had at 477. That’s plenty big enough!