My Goings On in July:
- I worked on planning a vacation to LA (we leave today!) and a backyard renovation that keeps growing and growing. (Check out this Sunday Post for details on how the scope keeps creeping and this Sunday Post for pics of the first step of the project.)
- I finished the editing project I’ve been working on (a book called Momoire by Alyssa DeRose. It’s not in Goodreads yet, but I’m sure it will be soon!).
- Things I watched:
- I continued watching Game of Thrones (a little bit), I’m still on season 5.
- I’ve been watching the new season of The 100!
- I watched way too many episodes of Married at First Sight. This show is ridiculous and also strangely addictive. I think I might have maxed out on it, though. I’ll probably give it a break once I’m done with the season I’m watching right now.
- I watched the Democratic debates.
- I chopped off my hair and got purple highlights!! And I’m LOVING it! Here are a couple of pictures (the lighter purple is actually my gray, which got a bit of purple on it and turned a lavender color):
Features & Discussions:
July 2019 Discussion Challenge Link-Up & Giveaway
June 2019 Wrap-Up & Best of the Bunch
Why Don’t Illustrators (and Cover Artists) Get More Attention? Let’s Discuss.
In Memory of Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog
July 2019 Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up & Make Me Read It Giveaway
My 2019 Reading Progress:
I’ve read 110 books so far this year, which puts me 24 books ahead of schedule.
July 2019 Reviews
- Storm Blown by Nick Courage | Review | Rating: Fed My Addiction
- After Zero by Christina Collins | Review | Rating: Fed My Addiction
- Breath of Flowers by Caly | Review | Rating: Fed My Addiction
- George by Alex Gino | Review | Rating: Devoured It
- Carry On by Rainbow Rowell | Review | Rating: Fed My Addiction
- Before I Disappear by Danielle Stinson | Review | Rating: Absolutely Addicted!
- Birthday by Meredith Russo | Review | Rating: Absolutely Addicted!
- Soul of the Sword by Julie Kagawa | Review | Rating: Fed My Addiction
- My Fate According to the Butterfly by Gail D. Villanueva | Review | Rating: Fed My Addiction
- Teen Titans: Raven by Kami Garcia, Illustrated by Gabriel Picolo | Review | Rating: Devoured It
- Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball by Laura Ellen Anderson | Review | Rating: Devoured It
- Amelia Fang and the Unicorns of Glitteropolis by Laura Ellen Anderson | Review | Rating: Devoured It
July Best of the Bunch:
(Best of the Bunch is hosted over at Cocoon of Books. We link up our favorite reads of the month!)
My MG favorite was Amelia Fang and the Unicorns of Glitteropolis. This series is absolutely adorable—I loved them both, but the second book was even better than the first!
My YA choice was a little tougher because I absolutely loved both Before I Disappear and Birthday. They’re very different books! I ended up choosing Birthday, though, just because I feel like this is a really important book that could help a lot of people understand someone who’s transgender.
2019 Reading Challenges/Goals Progress:
Progress: 16/21-30 Discussions (Chatty Kathy)
I wrote three discussions this month (including my tag post). Looks like I won’t have any trouble hitting my goal!
Bookish This or That Tags (x2!)
Goodreads’ YA Books Lists: 2019 Edition.
Why Don’t Illustrators (and Cover Artists) Get More Attention?
How Often Do You “Randomly” Visit New Blogs?
Bookish This or That Tags (x2!)
Goodreads’ YA Books Lists: 2019 Edition. Let’s Discuss.
Have Books Ruined Me for Movies?
“Other Stuff” I Like Reading About on Your Book Blog.
I Want to Post It NOW! (AKA One Reason I Almost Never Blog Ahead.)
I’m Addicted to Exclamation Points!!
The Challenge of Running a Successful Meme (or Challenge!)
How Much Is Too Much? Sometimes Life Is Stranger Than Fiction.
Why Audiobooks Are Important.
Bookworm Confession: Swag Isn’t My Thing.
Why I Love the Book Blog Discussion Challenge (Even When I Fail)
Things I Learned About Fairy Tales By Reading the Grimm’s Versions
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Feed Your Fiction Addiction & It Starts at Midnight
Progress: 2/12 Classics Read
Nope. None this month. I’ve kind of set this challenge aside since I’ve been so busy, but I’m leaving here because I’m hoping I might have more time in the fall.
19th Century Classic
20th Century Classic – Catcher in the Rye
Classic by a Woman Author
Classic in Translation – Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Classic Comic Novel
Classic Tragic Novel
Very Long Classic
Classic Novella
Classic From the Americas (includes the Caribbean)
Classic From Africa, Asia, or Oceania (includes Australia)
Classic From a Place You’ve Lived
Classic Play
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Books and Chocolate
Progress: 42/48 Library Books Read
Five books from the library this month:
After Zero by Christina Collins (audio)
Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli (audio)
Soul of the Sword by Julie Kagawa (audio)
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan (audio)
Birthday by Meredith Russo
Earlier books for this challenge:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Twilight by Joss Whedon, Brad Meltzer, & Georges Jeanty (reread)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Retreat by Joss Whedon, Jane Espenson & Georges Jeanty (reread)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Last Gleaming by Joss Whedon, Scott Allie & Georges Jeanty
Peasprout Chen, Future Legend of Skate and Sword by Henry Lien (audio)
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (audio)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: No Future for You by Joss Whedon, Brian K. Vaughan, & Georges Jeanty (reread)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Wolves at the Gate by Joss Whedon, Drew Goddard, & Georges Jeanty (reread)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Time of Your Life by Joss Whedon, Jeph Loeb, & Georges Jeanty (reread)
Winter by Marissa Meyer (audio)
Stars Above by Marissa Meyer (audio)
Far From You by Lisa Schroeder
Rebound by Kwame Alexander
The Color of Lies by CJ Lyons (audio)
A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always by the Ocean! by Kir Fox
Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Cinder by Marissa Meyer (audio, reread)
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (audio, reread)
Cress by Marissa Meyer (audio, reread)
Fairest by Marissa Meyer (audio)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home by Joss Whedon & Georges Jeanty (reread)
The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story by Marie Kondō & Yuko Uramoto
We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan & Brian Conaghan
The Lonely Ones by Kelsey Sutton
The Language Inside by Holly Thompson
Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels by J. Warner Wallace (audio & ebook)
Slayer by Kiersten White
Oblivion by Jennifer L. Armentrout (audio)
Release by Patrick Ness (audio)
The Whispers by Greg Howard
Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd (audio)
Solo by Kwame Alexander & Mary Rand Hess
Educated by Tara Westover (audio)
City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab (audio)
Finale by Stephanie Garber (audio)
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (audio)
George by Alex Gino (audio)
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures
Progress: 7 (~1 Connect 5 per month)
I just posted a “bonus” Connect Five on the 31st (Eastern/Southeastern Asian Stories) to make up for a month I missed earlier in the year, so check that one out too!
My July Theme: Weather/Seasons
Hurricane Season – The title pretty much says it all. Storms and hurricanes are a central theme in this book (and an actual physical reality).
Storm Blown – Another hurricane book. This one is actually all about the storm, though, and the main characters’ struggle to survive!
Far From You – This verse novel revolves around a huge snowstorm that strands the MC in her car for days!
Midsummer’s Mayhem – Again, you can see the tie-in here right from the title. The climax of this book takes place on midsummer’s eve.
Stealing Snow – Snow is actually the main character in this book; however, since this book is based on “The Snow Queen” there’s also a definite winter-magic element.
(NOTE: I haven’t reviewed Far From You and Stealing Snow on the blog, but they are 2019 reads!)
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Book Date
Progress: 5/12 Books Read
I didn’t manage anything from this list in July. I plan to pick up History Is All You Left Me very soon, though!
- Truthwitch by Susan Dennard (2016)
- The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner (2016)
- Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab (2017)
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (2015)
- Winter by Marissa Meyer (2015)
- Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (2015)
- UnBound by Neal Shusterman (2015)
- Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes (2016)
- Geekerella by Ashley Poston (2017)
- History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera (2017)
- Every Last Breath by Jennifer Armentrout (2015)
- Alienated by Melissa Landers (2014)
Alternates:
- The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis (2016)
- The Princess Bride by William Goldman (1973)
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Roof Beam Reader
My bookish resolutions for 2019:
- Write the first draft of new MG. I did a teensy bit better this month? I’m hoping once the kids are in school, I’ll be more focused with my writing.
- Read 1 review book for every 1 that I receive. Still moving in the wrong direction. I got twelve books for review this month!! (Again, a few of them were surprise bookmail.) Which means, so far in 2019 I’ve received 63 books for review. I read/reviewed 11 this month, putting me at 55 for the year, so I’m still 8 behind. This is starting to feel a little insurmountable. I really need to Just. Say. No. 🙁
- Read at least 6 books on the craft of writing. Um, no. I’ve still only read 1. But I do read articles online and magazines, and I’m going to another conference in August … excuses, excuses.
- Read at least 12 books written in verse. (Since I’m writing my next book in verse.) None this month, but 7 so far, so I’m still on track.
Query 50 agents. Or get an agent. ? (I was a wimp and I only queried 12 agents in 2018. At that rate, I might get an agent in like 2050.)Crossed this one off in February when I signed with East/West Literary!! Will I leave it here, crossed-off, for the rest of the year? I just might.
Non-bookish resolution for 2019:
(This one doesn’t count for the challenge, but I’m putting it here so it’s with my other stuff and I’ll hopefully pay attention to it.)
- Work out 3 times per week. Well, I shouldn’t have said I was doing decent at this last month because I went right back to failing this month. Sigh. Wish I could be more consistent.
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Because Challenges Make Reading More Fun
Wrap-Up Round-Up!
Don’t forget to link your July wrap-up posts up to the Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up. And enter the giveaway!
The hair looks great. Purple is one of my favorite colors. I hope you have tons of fun on vacation!
Purple is my favorite color and it always makes me smile, so why not see it in the mirror everyday?
Purple is my favorite color and it always makes me smile, so why not see it in the mirror every day?
Waaaaaah I miss L.A.!!!! Haven’t been home in almost 3 years. What all are you going to do while you’re there?????? Have a great time!!!
I love your purple and lavendar hair. So much!
We had a great time in LA!! We spent most of the time on Venice Beach, but we also visited Universal Studios, and my husband and kids attended a taping of a new Netflix sitcom. I also attended an SCBWI conference while I was there, which was wonderful!
Oh my gosh, I absolutely love your hair!!!! Love, love love! It looks amazing and I think the lavender on the gray is what really gives it that extra something special.
Also I’m kind of jealous of your month of reading, sounds amazing! Hehe.
Thank you so much!! I’m still definitely loving the hair, even though it does take a bit more upkeep than my old non-hairstyle. It’s totally worth it! 🙂
Soul of the Sword is one I need to read! You had a great month though. Happy August!
I definitely recommend Soul of the Sword!
I love your hair! Man, you have read a lot of books!!!! that’s impressive girl! I personally have stopped watching Married at First Sight. I got bored.
Yeah, I did stop after the season I was on. It was weirdly addictive at first, but then there’s SO much repetitive stuff in the show. They could easily make it half as long and lose nothing.
I love your hair, Nicole! Congrats on all the wonderful books you’ve read in July 🙂
Thank you!! I’m definitely still happy with the purple!
I love your hair color. It’s so pretty.
Thank you!!
I’m loving your hair!! Especia the lavender part! Looks so good on you! ? And yay for a vacation to LA! I’ve always wanted to go!! Keep watching GoT! I hope you keep enjoying it!
Thank you!! And, yes, I definitely plan to keep watching GoT!
If you haven’t read it, I would recommend reading Waiting for Godot for your Classic Play. It’s short but pretty profound. Wow 24 books ahead of schedule. I was pretty proud when I was 4 books ahead. Of course, then I started a non-fiction history book that has me a book behind schedule now.
Donna @ Girl Who Reads
Oh, I read Waiting for Godot many years ago (I was a theater major), but I think I’d like to read it again. I love that play! (And there’s nothing in the challenge that says rereads don’t count.)
I saw your hair on Instagram. It’s so fabulous! You look amazing! Have a safe and wonderful trip.
Thank you!!
Yayy! It’s so great that you’re going on vacation, I hope you get in some relaxation! I saw your new haircut on Instagram and it looks so good!
Thank you!!
YOUR HAIR LOOKS ACTUALLY SO GOOD AND AMAZING!! I got a haircut too, and my hair’s about the same length as yours, so are we twinning? absolutely.
Also, I didn’t hear about the synopsis of Birthday, but it sounds absolutely incredible? I had no idea it had transgender representation. I just looked and I saw so many people on Goodreads really loving it!
Yay for twinning!! Now you just have to go purple. 😉
Hope you have a fantastic vacation! And I love the hair! If I didn’t work in a rather conservative office/field I’d consider doing something like that. Wow, twelve review books in just one month! Ack! That would be totally overwhelming for me! Good luck getting caught up!
I’m lucky that I don’t have to worry about work environments when it comes to my hair—the writing community is just fine with my purple. 🙂 And, yes, I’m completely overwhelming myself with review books and I need to STOP!!
Saw and loved your hair on IG – it just looks amazing. Hope you enjoy your holiday break. Great Connect 5 as well with the weather theme. Your library challenge is really rocking – the library challenge is helping me to focus more on going there before buying.
Thanks once again for hosting Connect 5—I love that it really makes me think about the books I’m reading!
Your hair looks fabulous, love the purple highlights. I also went short this past week, cut about 8+ inches off… love it. Have a safe and wonderful vacation.
I had short hair for years, but then started growing it out and just never really cut it again. I think I prefer short.
LOVE the hair! Love love love! So excited to read your favorite YA books this month, too. And YAY for the current The 100 season! I am so giddy excited to chat about it!!
Thank you!!! I definitely have to go catch up on your posts about The 100 (and catch up with the series while I’m at it—I’m not too far behind, though!!)
I LOVE your hair. I always wanted to put blue in my hair…maybe one day. Purple is my favorite color though, so you’re rocking it well. 😉
-Lauren
My daughter Danielle is thinking of doing blue, but she needs to finish out the swim season first.
Purple is my favorite color, so I absolutely LOVE your hair!!!!! Hope you have the best time on your LA Vacay!!! 🙂
It’s my favorite color too!
Your hair is amazing! I love the color of it. I hope you have had an amazing vacation.
Thank you!!!
Oh I like your new hair. I hope you have a great vacation.
Thank you! I’m definitely still loving the new look. 🙂
Oooh! I love your new hair look!
Thank you!!