This past week on FYFA (and in my life):
I’m in a serious slump here, guys. The only thing I’ve really gotten done is organizing my house. I’ve gotten a little crazy about it (in a good way—mostly). I have thrown out bags and bags of junk and donated even more. So far, we’ve gone through the basement (there are still a couple of problem areas I need to go through, like under the stairs), some of the dressers, the front coat closet (that one was a challenge!), some of the kitchen (when we had to relace the dishwasher I cleared out a few of the cabinets that we needed access to and then ended up doing a few other things in there as well), and the office/homeschooling room. I had TONS of homeschooling books that I now need to get rid of because we’re never going to use them again. Plus, a million school supplies in disarray. But, basically, this has eaten all of my time this week. I haven’t really felt like reading or blogging because I’m so tired after all the organizing. I did manage to get a couple of posts up and finish two books (one that wasn’t for me, so I skim-read half of it), but very little other blogging stuff got done. I’m way behind on comments again and I haven’t gotten to any of the January discussions yet. Sorry!
Here are a few pictures so you can see my progress:
Note the use of the Marie Kondo method of folding. I’m LOVING being able to actually find the clothes I need. How had I never thought of this method before? It’s a life-saver!
This office may not look very tidy, but all that stuff in boxes is going away. And if you look at the cube organizer thingy—that used to be overflowing with books, papers, supplies and randomness. The bookcase now has lots of room for more books! I’m considering moving my color-sorted bookcase down into the office because it’s so much easier to get natural light in there and take pictures. Plus, more people have a chance of seeing it in the office than in my bedroom (though I will miss staring at it at night. Hmmm… I’m still debating).
And the coat closet. Once again, this may look full to the brim, but if you’d seen it before I organized (darn, why didn’t I take before pictures?) you’d understand what a huge transformation this is. Now all of our winter stuff is organized beautifully in the hanging thingy and snowpants are in the bin (along with dog stuff). This used to be an explosion at the bottom of the closet in an overflowing giant box and a basket. It was impossible to find anything you actually needed and in the process of looking, you almost always made a bigger mess. We’re saved!!
Here’s what you may have missed on the blog since my last Sunday Post:
- Top Ten Books on My 2019 TBR
- Bite-Sized Reviews of Dragon Pearl and The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary
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.)
- January 23rd – Tomes Project‘s Blogoversary
- January 24th – Christine @ Captivated Reading‘s Birthday
For Review:
I received this one in the mail from Simon & Schuster, and I’m in love just from the title: The Revenge of Magic.
Purchased:
I wanted a copy of the story “The Selfish Giant” and I found that the collection (The Happy Prince & Other Stories) was available in the Macmillan Collector’s Library. Since I received several of these for review awhile back, I was happy to add to my collection!
Won:
My first win of 2019! I won The City of Brass from Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight. She had wonderful things to say about this series, and I’m excited to start it. Thanks, Kristen!!
Great Discussions/Goings On Around the Blogosphere:
- Laurie Halse Anderson talks about what teenage boys still don’t know about sexual assault
- Briana @ Pages Unbound shares 4 Reasons to Focus on Your Blog Images in 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 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 DEATH PREFERS BLONDES by Caleb Roehrig to receive a bookmark, an art card, a signed bookplate, and an original digital short story (emailed as a pdf). (INT)(ends 1/28)
- 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 FEVER KING by Victoria Lee OR request it from your local library to receive a signed bookplate, a bookmark, a sticker, a flair pin (US only), and character art cards. (INT)(ends 1/31 for pre-orders, 2/28 for library requests)
- Pre-order LOVE SUGAR MAGIC: A SPRINKLE OF SPIRITS by Anna Meriano to receive stickers, pins and more! (ends 2/4)
- 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 WATCH US RISE by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan to receive an exclusive and inspiring poetry poster featuring excerpts from the book! (US & CAN)(ends 2/14)
- 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 WARRIOR OF THE WILD by Tricia Levenseller to receive a quote magnet, a signed bookplate and a download of the first chapter of the book with annotations by the author. (US or INT)(ends 2/25)
- 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 YOU ASKED FOR PERFECT by Laura Silverman to receive one of four different magnetic bookmarks designed as the characters. (INT)(ends 3/4)
- Pre-order THE SHADOWGLASS by Rin Chupeco to receive a limited edition tea sticker and a Bone Witch series pin. (INT)(ends 3/4)
- Pre-order THE FAIREST KIND OF LOVE by Crystal Cesari to receive a bookmark featuring a quote, a sticker set featuring logos from the series, a cover-art postcard, and a signed bookplate. (INT)(ends3/4)
- 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 WINTER WAR AWAKENING by Rosalyn Eves to receive an enamel pin designed by the author, a signed book plate designed by the author, and a set of bookmarks. (ends 3/18)
- 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:
- @swatiteerdhala is giving away your fave 2018 YA read
- @Jarrett_Lerner is giving away two copies of ENGINERDS, plus one copy for each of TWO friends of your choice!
- @PickMyYA is giving away a copy of Dear Martin
- @ShootingStarMag is giving away a book of your choice!
- @carliesorosiak is giving away a pre-order of one of her most anticipated MG books of 2019.
- @adriennetooley is giving away one of her most anticipated f/f YA releases of 2019
- @esmooglereads is giving away any 2019 pre-order you choose
- @tonyaleeh is giving away your choice of book from her 2018 READ SHELF!
- @mybookishsecret is giving away any book you wish!
- On my blog, you can enter the giveaway for the December (& Year-End) Wrap-Up Round-Up and the January 2019 Discussion Challenge Link-Up & Giveaway.
- Head over to Multicultural Children’s Book Day for a chance to win My Year in the Middle
- Head over to Do You Dog-Ear? for a chance to win one of 3 finished copies of TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET
- Lots of blogs participating in the January New Release Giveaway Hop!
- Enter the #ShelfQueens Sweepstakes!
- Head over to Here’s to Happy Endings for a chance to win Lady Smoke.
- Alexandra @ Milky Way of Books is celebrating her blogoversary with a giveaway for a Big Swag Pack for fans of Sarah J. Maas
- Read It Forward does a weekly giveaway. This week you can enter to win The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell
- 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!
I really need to organize stuff, too. But I have absolutely zero motivation to get started. Maybe once my exams are over I can get to it – I know I’ll feel better with a de-cluttered house! You have done great so far, Nicole! Way to go!
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading 🙂
It definitely does feel better, but it’s hard to get motivated when you know it’s going to be a huge undertaking!
Yaaayyy City of Brass, I’m loving this series!
I saw your photos and could definitely see the Marie Kondo influence. I plan to do a major organization/cleaning project come March. Marie has shown me that I need more organizational boxes/dividers. I got rid of two bags of clothes last week.
Yes, the boxes are a big help. In the coat closet, we used to have a bag where all of the mittens and hats and things went, but the problem was that nothing stayed organized and inevitably everything would get thrown around while someone was looking for a matching glove. With the hanging organizer, pairs of gloves actually stay together and you can always find what goes with what. Same with the bin at the bottom of the closet. The bottom one has boxes in it to divide things up by type (it’s our dog stuff). It makes a big difference!
That’s great you got a lot of organizing finished, even if you didn’t do much of anything else. It happens!! I’m really hoping to figure out a better blogging/reading/writing schedule so I can work on my novel more without wanting to throw my computer out the window because I’m on it too much. LOL
Thanks for sharing my Twitter giveaway.
-Lauren
It can be really hard to balance everything. I’ve barely written this month at all because I’ve been so focused on the organizing—but at least I’m getting something worthwhile done. 🙂
Reorganizing can be very uplifting I think! Lol. I don’t do it quite the Marie way in terms of folding because I think I have too much in that area and only one tiny dresser. I need another one apparently in order to fit my clothes. It’s hard cramming all four seasons of clothes into 5 drawers! Lol.
I’ve been doing my own organizing and shifting of things today! We’re getting rid of old VHS tapes and I’m filling the spaces with books from my closet! Lol!
Nice new reads and congrats on your win! That was fast! Lol! I’ve entered a few contests but no dice. I’m actually getting annoyed with Goodreads for telling me I lost one. It doesn’t seem necessary, I rarely remember which ones I enter to begin with so I don’t need that kind of reminder!
Hope you enjoy all your new reads and that your reading slump comes to an end! 😉
Here’s my STS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
You should try the Marie Kondo method with just one or two drawers and see if it works for you. I thought for sure that it wouldn’t for me because my drawers were so stuffed. I was amazed (truly shocked) at how much better things fit using her folding technique, AND I can actually find stuff now.
That’s weird about Goodreads telling you about books you haven’t won. I don’t think it does that for me. Maybe it’s a setting you can turn off?
It always feels so good to sit back and admire your work after a good spring cleaning. Good for you! I really need to catch that bug now that all my daughter’s stuff is gone.
Ah, yes, your daughter moving out presents a good opportunity to get things reorganized again. I’d recommend watching the show and seeing if it inspires you!
Hooray for weeding out and organization! I did a lot of that last summer/fall when we moved and it felt great!
Moving is a great opportunity for purging.
I have done absolutely nada re: decluttering. I’ve been so busy this month helping other people/trying to rest from all the holidays that I haven’t thought much about organizing until it was evening. Marie Kondo’s folding technique is definitely my favorite! It’s so clever that I, too, was so disappointed I’d never thought of it before!
I’m not into pre-ordering books at this time, but Immoral Code looks enticing, sooo it’s gonna get added to my TBR!
Yes, I was shocked at how well the folding works and how much you can fit into your drawers that way! It’s okay to take a break for a while to try to rest and recover from the holidays, though. 🙂
You organization is looking good! I’ve been doing the Marie Kondo organization method about… 2 years now… I think. I read her book a while back and I found it very fascinating! (Although, if I’m honest, I completely skipped the part with the books because I couldn’t bear to let any of them go. Lol.)
Yeah, I’m definitely not following all of her advice perfectly, but I’ve found her general methods and tips to be inspirational. (I haven’t tackled books yet, and I probably won’t get rid of all that many of them). Just the way she advises putting clothes in drawers has made an amazing difference for me, though. I never thought it would have such an impact!
Wow, that is a major organizational project. I really need to do that to. We tackled the kitchen right after the new year and got that into shape but the rest of the house is calling me now, lol.
It seems like once you start to organize, you just want to keep going and get everything cleaned out. It’s a good feeling!
Congrats on getting so much organizing done! I wouldn’t have the energy to read after doing all that, either. I have a closet that I really need to clean out. I’m dreading it. Have a great week!
Yeah, it’s been fantastic to get so much done, but it’s definitely draining. And I’m still not even done with the house (though I think most of the true problem areas have been finished). I’m going to keep going, but maybe at more of a relaxed pace.
I’m seeing Marie Kondo inspiration everywhere! I love that folding! I have cleaned out a bunch at my home, but I need to do more. I must catch some of her shows for some ideas. I understand why reading took a backseat, but I’m sure it felt wonderful to put things in order. Bravo! 🙂
I was so impressed by how much the folding helped. My drawers were a jumbled mess and stuffed to the gills–it never even occurred to me to fold my clothes in thirds so you can stack them against each other and see everything you have. No more scrounging around for that pair of pants you know is in there somewhere!
Ha. I think everyone’s had been bitten by the Kondo bug. I know it’s my project next weekend. 🙂
Yes, she seems to be all the rage. I, for one, am glad to have been inspired by her, even if I’m not following her step-by-step process. It’s amazing what a little motivation can do!
Haha I think you’re not alone in formerly having an explosion in a closet! Been there! Marie Kondo has been taking the world by storm and I haven’t seen the show but I think she has a lot of good ideas, from what I’ve heard.
I was in a reading slump too for about two weeks and finally found a book that worked for me. Hope your slump passes soon!
I think most of my reading slump just has to do with not having a lot of extra time or energy. I’ve been resorting to playing games on my phone instead of reading in my spare time, which is unusual for me.
I’m glad that you can relate to my closet explosion. I’d hate to think I was the only disorganized one! It’s given me a real sense of satisfaction to finally get a lot of the clutter cleared out.
I need to get busy and do some organizing. I go through spurts but haven’t felt the motivation lately. I need to sort through and get rid of worn out clothes and work on the basement. Maybe I should watch Marie Kondo’s show and see if that motivates me. I hope you have a great week!
I was already doing a bit of decluttering, and I found that watching the show definitely gave me that inspirational push to keep going.
Oh wow !
Though you haven’t done much reading/blogging speaking, that’s still quite the productive thing to do! We just need that sometimes, don’t we?
I totally should do some closet cleaning too … I hardly fit in some things, own too much pajamas/etc but errh… I don’t really feel like it right now xD
Pajamas were my nemesis. That drawer was like the black hole of death and totally stuffed to the gills. It’s a nice sense of accomplishment to have it organized now.
I’m so happy for you that you’ve gotten so much organizing done,it’s the best feeling ever! And one of my roommates in college taught me to put my clothes like that in my drawers….she worked for a Saks 5th Ave outlet and learned lots of neat tricks there that I never would have thought of. My closet is rainbow organized because of what she taught back then too lol. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Oooh, rainbow organized! Love it!
seeing your first picture, I knew right away Marie Kondo was behind it! I’ve been doing that too, it really helps
You can easily spot her style. 🙂
All that organising is so productive though! So you have done quite a lot even if it wasn’t necessarily book or blogging related. It must be so good to get rid of a lot of the things you don’t need anymore and have things sorted out. And yay for winning City of Brass. I have heard such brilliant things about that series and I am sure you’re going to enjoy it too. It’s one I want to read so I will be curious to know what you think of it ^.^
Yes, sometimes I do need to get OTHER things done in life besides blogging and writing. (My family likes to remind me of this now and again. LOL!)