This past week on FYFA (and in my life):
We’re almost there—almost to 2019!
This week was all about holidays with the family for me. We all served at church on Christmas Eve (my husband played drums, my older daughter did lights, my younger daughter did graphics, and my mom and my youngest and I served in the children’s ministry—this is a pretty typical weekend for us, though sometimes my one daughter sings instead of doing graphics). Then my dad came over for Christmas day. Unfortunately my husband was sick with a fever and a sore throat (Possibly strep? He had leftover antibiotics and self-medicated. I know, not great—but the sore throat went away.) The next day we all went to my sister-in-law’s to celebrate the holiday.
And then we topped it all off by going to Mastermind Escape Room as a family. That was such fun (even though we lost)! So much fun that we think we might make it a yearly holiday tradition. Oh, and we watched lots of holiday movies together too—Elf, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Home Alone 2.
Here’s what you may have missed on the blog since my last Sunday Post:
- December (& Year-End) Wrap-Up Round-Up & Make Me Read It Giveaway – Link up your December AND year-end wrap-ups here! (& enter the giveaway of course)
- 2019 Reading Challenge Sign-Ups – Find out what challenges I’m participating in!
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.)
- December 28th – Erica Robyn Reads’ Blogoversary (I just found out, so I thought I’d add this one since we just missed it.)
- January – Tarissa @ In The Bookcase‘s Birthday
- January – The Emerald City Book Review‘s Blogoversary
- January 1st – As Told By Tina‘s Blogoversary
- January 1st – Based on a True Story‘s Blogoversary
- January 1st – Sarah Withers Blogs‘ Blogoversary
- January 3rd – Heather @ The Frozen Book Blog‘s Birthday
- January 3rd – Milky Way of Books‘ Blogoversary
- January 3rd – Novel Knight‘s Blogoversary
For Review:
I got this beauty in the mail right after Christmas. And it came with an enamel pin—the only swag I covet. (The mug and the typewriter were added to the pic to hold down the flaps on the box, which can be seen in the pic on the right.) Thanks to HMH Teen for Bloodleaf!
Merry Christmas to Me!:
I asked for several writing books for Christmas, and all my wishes came true! I will now be kept busy with reading Plot Versus Character, Guide to Literary Agents 2019, Story Engineering, and The Anatomy of Story. These were all recommended by authors I trust and respect (except the literary agents one—that one I just decided to ask for).
I also received Winter, so now I can finally finish The Lunar Chronicles! (I didn’t get it right away because I owned the others in paperback … and then time just sort of slipped away from me.) And the adorable typewriter coasters!! (The snowmen I already owned.)
Purchased:
I found out that Trent Reedy (who ran my WIFYR workshop) was signing his new book at his local bookstore, so I decided to order one from them so I could get it signed and personalized. I’m really looking forward to reading Gamer Army!
Great Discussions/Goings On Around the Blogosphere:
- B&N Teen blog gives us 50 of Their Most Anticipated YA Fantasy Books of 2019
Pre-order Incentives:
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 EVERMORE by Sara Holland to receive 1 of 3 Exclusive Character Cards, a signed bookplate, and access to an exclusive online interview with Sara Holland (filled with spoilers and juicy details!). Plus, you’ll be entered to win more. (INT)(ends 12/30)
- Pre-order FIRESTARTER by Tara Sim (or request for your library to purchase it) to receive an exclusive poster of Danny and Colton by artist TJ Ryan. (INT)(ends 12/31)
- Pre-order THE GILDED WOLVES by Roshani Chokshi to receive a pack of character tarot cards designed by Yoshi Yoshitani. (US/CAN only)(ends 1/6)
- Pre-order TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET by Karen M. McManus to receive an exclusive short story set in the aftermath of ONE OF US IS LYING, “The Bayview Four: Where Are They Now?” (US only)(ends 1/7)
- Pre-order WHEN THE TRUTH UNRAVELS by RuthAnne Snow (or request for your library purchase it) to receive a signed bookplate and an art print (first 50). Plus you’ll have the chance to win more if at least 200 people enter. (US only)(ends 1/7)
- Pre-order THE WICKED KING by Holly Black to receive an enamel pin and bookmark. (US only)(ends 1/7)
- Pre-order THE WINTER OF THE WITCH by Katherine Arden to receive a signed bookplate. (US only)(ends 1/7)
- Pre-order EVEN IF I FALL by Abigail Johnson to receive a bookmark, a signed bookplate, a cloud charm necklace with quote card and a digital copy of the original flash fiction piece that inspired the book. (INTL)(ends 1/7)
- Pre-order BLACK ENOUGH edited by Ibi Zoboi to receive an exclusive BLACK ENOUGH themed button, courtesy of Epic Reads! (US only)(ends 1/7)
- Pre-order ANALIESE RISING by Brenda Drake to receive a signed bookplate, bookmark, sticker, and a couple’s Red String of Fate bracelet set. (ends 1/9)
- Pre-order CRISIS DESSERTED by Katherine Laurin to receive a signed bookmark and sticker. (ends 12/31)
- Pre-order THE BLOOD SPELL by C.J. Redwine from Parnassus Books to receive a signed and personalized copy and a free gift. (ends 1/10)
- Pre-order LOLA DUTCH: WHEN I GROW UP by Kenneth Wright to receive a PDF “Curiosity Kit” which will include activities, games, lesson plans, arts and crafts and other fun interactive play for children to enjoy alongside the book! (INTL)(ends 1/14)
- Pre-order ECHO NORTH by Joanna Ruth Meyer to receive a bookmark, sticker, magnet, postcard with original artwork, and a signed bookplate. (US only)(ends 1/14)
- Pre-order STAIN by A.G. Howard to receive the “Alice the Absent” short story, a rose enamel pin, and a signed bookplate. (US only)(ends 1/14)
- Pre-order OUR YEAR OF MAYBE by Rachel Lynn Solomon to receive a bookmark, signed bookplate, vinyl sticker, and adorable dandelion enamel pin! (INT)(ends 1/14)
- Pre-order SONG OF THE DEAD by Sarah Glenn Marsh to receive a signed bookmark, an 11×17 beautiful map of the world of the Reign of the Fallen series (art by Jessica Khoury), and four new character cards including everyone’s favorite bear, Lysander! (art by Jo Painter) (INTL)(ends 1/21)
- 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 KINGDOM OF COPPER by S.A. Chakraborty to receive a short story that takes place between this and the first book in the series. (INT)(ends 1/21)
- Pre-order CIRCLE OF SHADOWS by Evelyn Skye to receive a set of Limited Edition character art and a chance to win a $1,000 VISA gift card! (US only)(ends 1/21)
- Pre-order THE FINAL SUMMONS by the New England Speculative Writers to receive cell phone and computer backgrounds as well as a Sci-Fi and Fantasy story collection by the group. (INT)(ends 1/28)
- Pre-order THE LOVE AND LIES OF RUKHSANA ALI by Sabina Khan to receive a bookmark, a signed bookplate, and two postcards. You’ll also be entered to win a grand prize giveaway! Request your library order it to receive a bookmark and postcard. (INT)(ends 1/28)
- Pre-order A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY by Brigid Kemmerer to receive exclusive bonus content and the chance to win a Cozy Winter Reading Box! (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and India)(ends 1/28)
- Pre-order KING OF SCARS by Leigh Bardugo to receive an enamel pin! (US only)(ends 1/28)
- Pre-order ONLY A BREATH APART by Katie McGarry to receive two exclusive original eNovellas from the author e-mailed to you! (US & CAN only)(ends 1/28)
- Pre-order THE LAST LIFE OF PRINCE ALASTOR by Alexandra Bracken to receive three character art prints. (INT)(ends 2/4)
- Pre-order VORTEX VISIONS by Elise Kova to receive a signed postcard, and you’ll be entered to win a grand prize. (INT)(ends 2/4)
- Pre-order CRAB CAKE by Andrea Tsurumi (from Indiebound or B&N) to receive a signed print of sea lion, a signed bookplate, a sticker, and the chance for a signed original drawing of Moray Eel. (ends 2/4)
- Pre-order THE WEIGHT OF OUR SKY by Hanna Alkaf to receive an enamel pin, a bookmark, a signed bookplate illustrated by the author, and a pop-up card featuring scenes of old-school Malaysia. (INT)(ends 2/4)
- Pre-order ENCHANTÉE by Gita Trelease to receive an exclusive hot air balloon print. (US only)(ends 2/4)
- Pre-order THE DECEIVERS by Kristen Simmons to receive an enamel pin. (US & CAN)(ends 2/4)
- Pre-order COURTING DARKNESS by Robin LeFevers to receive a notebook, enamel pin, bookmark, temporary tattoo, and stickers. (US only)(ends 2/5)
- Pre-order BLOODWITCH by Susan Dennard to receive two exclusive Witchlands creature enamel pins! (US & CAN)(ends 2/11)
- Pre-order IMMORAL CODE by Lillian Clark OR request it at your library for a chance to win one of three tote bags and annotated ARCs! (INT)(ends 2/19)
- ***Pre-order THE LAST LETTER by Rebecca Yaros to receive a FREE signed & personalized paperback of GIRL IN LOVE, an upcoming, exclusive release co-written by Jay Crownover and Rebecca Yarros as well as a signed, personalized, The Last Letter bookplate. Open to the first 300 submissions. (US only)(ends 2/25)
- 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)
- Pre-order FOUR DEAD QUEENS by Astrid Scholte to receive an exclusive Welcome to Quadara Pin from your favorite region. (US only)(ends 2/25)
- Pre-order AN AFFAIR OF POISONS by Addie Thorley OR request that your library purchase it OR let her know you are a teen reader who cannot pre-order to receive a bookmark, a signed bookplate, and 3 limited edition character art cards. (INT)(ends 2/25)
- Pre-order A QUESTION OF HOLMES by a signed, personalized copy, plus an exclusive illustrated print. (INT)(ends 3/5)
- Pre-order BEWARE THE NIGHT by Jessica Fleck OR or request it from your local library to receive a signed bookmark, a sticker with quote, and a glass fish. Plus a chance to win more! (INT)(ends 3/11)
- Pre-order TO BEST THE BOYS by Mary Weber to receive an email download including a labyrinth maze, a playlist, bookish Rhen Paper Doll, and a new STORM SIREN NOVELLA ebook. (INT)(ends 3/18)
- Pre-order THE NEXT TO LAST MISTAKE by Amalie Jahn OR request it at your local library to receive a bookmark and a signed bookplate (first 25). After those first 25, there will be giveaways! (US only)(ends 3/18)
- Pre-order DESCENDANT OF THE CRANE by Joan He to receive 3 swag items (they won’t be all paper-made–actual items TBD closer to release date). (INT)(ends 4/1)
- Pre-order THE GIRL HE USED TO KNOW by Tracey Garvis Graves to receive a signed bookplate. (US/CAN only)(ends 4/1)
- Pre-order AN ANATOMY OF BEASTS by Olivia A. Cole to receive an enamel “who’s the beast” pin. More goodies are available if you order the first book as well or if you order from an independent bookstore. (ends 4/15)
- Pre-order BRIEF CHRONICLE OF ANOTHER STUPID HEARTBREAK by Adi Alsaid to receive a personalized, autographed postcard from the author’s travels. (ends 4/30)
- Pre-order SPIN THE DAWN by Elizabeth Lim to receive exclusive art, an official bookmark and a signed bookplate. (INT)(ends 7/29)
More Awesome Giveaways:
- Twitter Giveaways:
- @gingerlyreview is giving away a book of your choice (Amazon/BD) up to $15.
- @SoniaHartl1 is giving away a pre-order of NATALIE TAN’S book OF LUCK AND FORTUNE
- @booksandladders is giving away any book you want!
- @LoriMLee is giving away book swag
- @RebeccaPodos is giving away an ARC of THE WISE AND THE WICKED and a badass Baba Yaga pin
- @Megan_Manzano is giving away a 2019 preorder of your choice.
- On my blog, you can enter the giveaway for the November Wrap-Up Round-Up, the December (& Year-End) Wrap-Up Round-Up, and the December Discussion Challenge Link-Up & Giveaway.
- Head over to Lisa Loves Literature for a chance to win $5 worth of e-books from Amazon
- Holly @ The Fox’s Hideaway is celebrating 6 years of blogging with multiple giveaways!
- Head over to Mary Had a Little Book Blog for a chance to win a signed hardcover of My True Love Gave to Me
- Lots of blogs participating in the MIDWINTERS EVE GIVEAWAY HOP
- Head over to It Starts at Midnight for a chance to win one of three Paperback or three ebook copies of THE PRISONER
- Freda @ Freda’s Voice is celebrating her birthday with a $10 Amazon gift card giveaway!
- Enter Penguin’s Cozy Up with Jane Austen Sweepstakes!
- Head over to Book Hounds for a chance to win My Almost Flawless Tokyo Dream Life
- Head over to Lisa Loves Literature for a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card and Paper Girl themed journal
- Head over to Here’s to Happy Endings for a chance to win STRONGER, FASTER, AND MORE BEAUTIFUL and more!
- For Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight’s birthday, she’s giving you a book of choice (INT) and letting YOU pick a book for her to gift herself!
- Dani @ Perspective of a Writer is celebrating her I Heart Characters meme with a giveaway of a Book Depository Book up to $10
- Read It Forward does a weekly giveaway. This week you can enter to win The Last Year of the War!
- Head over to Bookish for LOTS of giveaways!
Lots of good stuff! Have any giveaways or great discussions happening on your site right now? Feel free to share them in the comments!
Aww I love the birthdays and blogoversaries section!! What a great idea! Happy belated holidays! I hope you are all healthy going into the new year 🙂
Yay! I’m glad you submitted your birthday and blogoversary so that I can celebrate you! 🙂
Niiice! Sorry your husband got sick over the holiday! I’m right there with him. I woke up Christmas morning and had a sore throat and stuffy nose. Still have the stuffy nose too. It sucks! Especially since I had time off, I’ve basically just been laying in bed. Can barely read too since I can barely breathe.
Nice new reads though!! Winter was a fun one! I hope you enjoy how that series wraps up!! Happy Reading and Happy New Year!
Here’s my STS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
Sorry you were sick for Christmas! How miserable!
Your poor husband. I am glad a little antibiotic had him up and running. How much fun are escape rooms! We did one last year (?) for work, and I had a blast. I never want to read physical books, but I still envy the packages you guys get in the mail. Nice. If I was into swag, pins would be my thing too.
I don’t love most swag, but pins are the one type that gets me excited. I’ve pinned them all to one of my book totes.
Aw, how terrible to be sick on Christmas Day. Hope your husband is feeling much better now. The escape room sounds like so much fun – and what a great idea for a new tradition. 🙂 Hooray for the writing guides. Always great to receive just what you wanted. Sounds like a wonderful holiday, Nicole.
The escape room was super fun—we’ll definitely be making it a tradition!
Oooh! Bloodleaf has such a beautiful cover! And I love when the ARCs come with those great covers and swag from the publishers! I just added another giveaway to my blog tonight, so now I think I’ve got 5 or 6 of them going! All over tomorrow night at midnight! Looks like you got some great writing books. I got a calendar by Writer’s Digest and so hopefully I’ll get some help with my writing this year as well. Have a great new year tomorrow night!
Sorry I’m getting to this comment so late so I missed those giveaways (I think I had one or two of them?). I try to check as many blogs as I can each week (at least those that I know post a decent number of giveaways), but sometimes I run out of time!
Poor husband. Being sick on Christmas is not fun. I got sick on Christmas, too, but it was my own fault for eating too much bad food. Enjoy your new books! Happy 2019!
Ha! Sorry you ate yourself into a Christmas stomach ache!
Sorry to hear your husband was sick on Christmas — that’s no fun. (My daughter was, too.) But it sounds like you all had a pretty good holiday week anyway. And what great bookish presents! Good luck with your writing, too.
Thanks for posting all the blogoversaries and giveaways; I will definitely check some of them out.
Have a happy and healthy New Year!
It’s always nice to see that people are paying attention to the blogoversaries and birthdays—I love to spread the word about them! 🙂
The escape room sounds like a lot of fun. I’d like to try that sometime with my family. It sounds like a pretty nice holiday. Happy New Year to you.
It was so much fun! I’m really glad that we did it, and we’ll definitely do it again. Lately I’ve been into escape room games on my phone too. 🙂
I’m going to read Winter soon too Nicole. I like a little time between books in a series and its about the right month… Sorry to hear your husband had some flu but it seems to be going around this season. >.< We had it hear too! ❤️ Happy New Year!!
I’m “rereading” the series now via audiobook, and I’m loving Cinder just as much the second time around!
Sounds like wonderful family time on Christmas. It is definitely cold/flu season around here too, it seems everyone is sick. I love holiday movies too 🙂
Great pics, enjoy the books and Happy New Year!
Yeah, unfortunately the sickness got passed around a bit, but luckily it wasn’t too horrible.
I love how holidays were a great time for you to spend with family. It sounds like you’ve had a great week in books as well. I hope you enjoy all of the books that you got! Winter actually slipped my attention as well. I didn’t read it until this year.
I’m listening to the first three books in the series now so I can read Winter. I’m loving revisiting them.
Oh no! I hope your husband is doing better! It may be strep… since that seems to be going around. Glad you had fun at an escape room – hope it becomes a tradition!
It was strep. Luckily it went away quickly.
It sounds like you had a great Christmas except for your husband feeling ill. I love all of your cute pics. Enjoy all of your new reads!
Thanks, Carole!
Sounds like you had a lovely family Christmas, and got some good gifts. Enjoy your books and Happy New Year!
Thanks! Hope you’re enjoying the new year so far!
nice to list blogiversaries! There are a lot of good things going on on your blog, happy New Year!
I love celebrating birthdays and blogoversaries with people!
It sounds like you guys had a fabulous Christmas! I am so happy for you! Plus yay for no one else catching your husband’s cold! And an escape room sounds like so much fun! I’m beyond claustrophobic so I don’t think I could ever do one but I love living vicariously through others lol. Plus fabulous book haul, happy reading!! ♥
Escape rooms don’t feel particularly claustrophobic. The room we were in was small, but there was plenty of room for everyone to move around without bumping into each other or anything. You might want to inquire about it somewhere if you’re interested in doing it. They might even be willing to let you check the room out ahead of time to see if it would work for you.
That’s a good idea to check out the room ahead of time! Thank you so so so much for that idea *hugs*!
Good luck!
I am glad you had such a lovely Christmas! We are also at church on Christmas Eve but wow, I love how involved your family are when it comes to participating and contributing to church! I am glad you had some good times with family and were able to enjoy the Christmas movies 😀 Love those, Elf and The Grinch especially. I am so sorry your husband was ill on the day though and I hope he is all recovered now.
Yay for Winter! I love that book and the whole series altogether. Enjoy finishing it off ^.^
Yeah, we really enjoy the serving that we do at church. It’s a great way for our family to be a part of the church family.