This past week on FYFA (and in my life):
Right now, I’m on vacation in LA! (Thanks, Mom, for taking care of the house and the dogs for us.) Our family is having a little fun in the sun before I go to the West Coast SCBWI conference. I’m especially excited for the conference because I’ll get to meet my agent and some of the other authors from the agency!
The vacation got off to a bit of a rocky start because the flight that my husband and two younger kids were supposed to be on got canceled. We had booked me on a separate flight so we could make use of miles, so I was blithely flying to California and didn’t know until I landed that their flight had been canceled and they couldn’t get another one until the next day! It was actually a good thing I was on a different flight, though, because my oldest was flying straight to LA from camp, and if I’d been on the canceled flight too, she would have been stranded on her own in LA! Not sure how we would have handled that. I mean, she’s mature and all, but she’s not really used to just fending for herself in a completely random city.
Anyway, hopefully the rest of the trip will go off without a hitch. I have a couple of posts scheduled for while I’m gone, but other than that, I won’t be around much until I get back on the 13th.
Oh, and in case you didn’t see it in my July wrap-up, I decided to make a little change on Wednesday. I chopped my hair off and got some purple highlights!! Check out the wrap-up post for pics!
Here’s what you may have missed on the blog since my last Sunday Post:
- July 2019 Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up & Make Me Read It Giveaway
- Amelia Fang Series by Laura Ellen Anderson: An Adorably Creepy Middle Grade Fantasy
- BLINK Summer Reading Tour: Giveaway & McCall Hoyle’s Top Ten Addictions – Still time to enter to win all FIVE books on this tour!
- Mid-Year Library Love Check-In and “Bonus” Connect Five
- August 2019 Discussion Challenge Link-Up & Giveaway
- July 2019 Wrap-Up & Best of the Bunch
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 4th – Czai @ The Blacksheep Reader‘s Birthday
- August 5th – Stephanie @ She’s Probably at the Library…‘s Birthday
- August 6th – Freda’s Voice‘s Blogoversary
- August 8th – Chana @ Paper Procrastinators‘ Birthday
- August 9th – Lisa Loves Literature‘s Blogoversary
Book Haul:
From NetGalley/Edelweiss:
Guys, I really need to Stop. Requesting. Books. (My NetGalley rating is still at 85%, but I get a lot more physical copies lately too, and I’m not keeping up with everything!) These are the ones I’ve gotten over the last few weeks.
My youngest is adopted from Haiti, so I couldn’t resist Dear Haiti, Love Alaine when I kept seeing it everywhere. It’s written by sisters Maika and Maritza Moulite, and the cover art was done by Lord Kpuri.
And a Twitter discussion about how few books portray kids who switch back and forth regularly between their divorced parents’ houses prompted me to request Every Other Weekend by Abigail Johnson (cover illustration by Marissa Korda).
Shadow Mountain Publishing contacted me about Paul, Big, and Small by David Glen Robb (I couldn’t find the cover designer for this one).
And finally, I was approved for Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson, and all I can say is YES! The cover is designed by Rebecca Syracuse.
Great Discussions/Goings On Around the Blogosphere:
- Sorry, but I didn’t have time to come up with a list this week.
Pre-order Campaigns
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 MIRACULOUS by Jess Redman OR request a library purchase to receive a bookmark, a sticker, and one of three art cards featuring the cover art. Plus, you’ll be entered to win even more! (INT)(ends 8/5)
- Pre-order TINY BUT MIGHTY: Kitten Lady’s Guide to Saving the Most Vulnerable Felines by Hannah Shaw to receive an enamel pin featuring the cover kitten. (US only)(ends 8/5)
- Pre-order HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN by Katy Upperman OR request a library purchase to receive a signed bookmark, a vinyl watercolor poppy sticker, and an exclusive bookplate (personalized and signed). If you’re in the US, you’ll also be entered to win a grand prize. (INT)(ends 8/5)
- Pre-order SWIPE RIGHT FOR MURDER by Derek Milman to receive a signed bookplate, cell phone grip-stand, and a button. (US only)(ends 8/5)
- Pre-order WILDER GIRLS by Rory Power, SPIN THE DAWN by Elizabeth Lim, or HOUSE OF SALT AND SORROWS by Erin A. Craig to receive an Underlined pillowcase. (US only)(ends 8/6)
- Pre-order THE MERCIFUL CROW by Margaret Owen to receive 3 character cards, 4 stickers, a signed bookplate, and a double-sided bookmark! (US) OR order internationally or request a library purchase to receive a lock screen for each of the character cards and an exclusive wallpaper! (US orders from indie bookstores will also receive the digital goodies.)(INT)(ends 8/6)
- Pre-order TO BE TAUGHT, IF FORTUNATE by Becky Chambers to receive an exclusive Travel Journal! (UK only)(ends 8/7)
- Pre-order FRANKLY IN LOVE by David Yoon OR send in a postcard to receive a collectible FRANKLY IN LOVE WITH BOOKS pin and be entered to win an exclusive Tote Bag! (US only)(ends 8/9)
- Pre-order WILL MY CAT EAT MY EYEBALLS by Caitlin Doughty from any participating independent bookstore to receive a SIGNED book plus a limited-edition 1″ enamel Caitlin pin. (US only)(ends 8/11)
- Pre-order THE DOWNSTAIRS GIRL by Stacy Lee OR request a library purchase to receive a sturdy door hanger, which also makes an excellent bookmark (US & INT) and a butterfly knot (hand tied by the author), which is long enough to use as a bookmark (US purchases only). (INT)(ends 8/12)
- Pre-order MIDNIGHT BEAUTIES by Megan Shepherd to receive a specialized leather bookmark, a cute sticker, a signed bookplate and an exclusive art print from Melanie Bourgeois. If you pre-order by 6/14, you’ll also get access to an exclusive eNovella about Cricket, “Tricks and Whispers”! (US & CAN)(ends 8/12)
- Pre-order THINGS YOU SAVE IN A FIRE by Katherine Center from Blue Willow Bookshop to receive a signed/personalized copy, a bookmark, and special SWAG. (ends 8/12)
- Pre-order THE BUTTERFLY RECLUSE by Therese Heckenkamp to receive an autographed bookmark, fridge magnet, butterfly charm, and sticker. (US only)(ends 8/12)
- Pre-order SUPERNOVA by Marissa Meyer to have your name printed in the paperback of Archenemies! Those who submit their receipt now will also receive an exclusive Universe of Marissa Meyer pin pack!! (US only)(ends 8/13)
- Pre-order ZIGGY, STARDUST & ME by James Brandon OR request a library purchase to receive an official bookmark and cover sticker. Pre-orders will also receive a “Gay is Good” vintage remake button, & a signed bookplate (hardcovers only). Plus, a $1 donation will be made to BAAITS. (INT)(ends 8/15)
- Pre-order REBEL by Mari Lu to receive an original art print. You’ll also be entered to win a trip to the REBEL launch event on 10/1 for both you and a guest! (US only)(ends 8/15)
- Pre-order THE TROUBLE WITH SHOOTING STARS by Meg Cannistra OR request it from your local library to receive a zeppelin sticker and star enamel pin. (US only)(ends 8/19)
- Pre-order WILD SAVAGE STARS by Kristina Perez to receive an EXCLUSIVE Tristan POV chapter! (INT)(ends 8/26)
- Pre-order BEST FRIENDS by Shannon Hale and illustrated by LeUyen Pham to receive a keychain set to share with YOUR best friend! (US only)(ends 8/26)
- Pre-order THE SPINNER OF DREAMS by K.A. Reynolds OR request a library purchase to receive a bookmark and sticker featuring the cover art (for pre-orders, the bookmark will come signed). The first 100 US pre-orders will receive two postcards, a signed bookmark, sticker, and a black crow feather enamel pin. You’ll also be entered to win a grand prize. (INT)(ends 8/26)
- Pre-order CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL by Mara Rutherford OR request a library purchase to receive two 4”x6” prints of character art. Plus you’ll be entered to win a grand prize. (INT)(ends 8/26)
- Pre-order THE BATTLE by Karuna Riazi OR request a library purchase to receive swag! (US only)(ends 8/26)
- Pre-order DARKDAWN by Jay Kristoff to receive a deleted chapter called “Three”. (INT)(ends 9/1)
- Pre-order SEEING AROUND CORNERS by Rita McGrath to receive an Opportunity Portfolio Toolkit. (US only)(ends 9/1)
- Pre-order THE MANY COLORS OF HARPREET SINGH by Supriya Kelkar to receive a signed bookmark & bookplate. (US only)(ends 9/2)
- Pre-order TIGER QUEEN by Annie Sullivan to receive an enamel pin, a signed bookplate, a creature guide and a digital poster. (INT)(ends 9/9)
- Pre-order SEEKER by Kim Chance to receive a bookmark, a signed bookplate, and a 4×6 print of an exclusive custom piece of artwork created by Gabriella Bujdoso! (INT)(ends 9/9)
- Pre-order THE LIAR’S DAUGHTER by Megan Cooley Peterson OR request a library purchase to receive a bookmark and a signed bookplate. (ends 9/9)
- Pre-order A MATCH MADE IN MEHENDI by Nandini Bajpai to request it from your local library to receive exclusive swag! (US only)(ends 9/10)
- Pre-order THE LAST KIDS ON EARTH AND THE MIDNIGHT BLADE by Max Brallier to receive special slime and a signed bookplate! Plus, your child’s name will be included in the acknowledgements of the next Last Kids on Earth book! (US only)(ends 9/16)
- Pre-order MOMENTOUS EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF A CACTUS by Dusti Bowling to receive a signed bookplate, bookmark, & bonus story. (ends 9/16)
- Pre-order THE SEVEN NECESSARY SINS FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS by Mona Eltahawy to receive a T-shirt, a 5×7 art print with a quote from the book, and a signed bookplate (first 50). Pre-orders submitted after that will receive the 5×7 art print and the signed bookplate. (US only)(ends 9/16)
- Pre-order JUST LUCKY by Melanie Florence to receive buttons and stickers and stuff. (ends 9/16)
- Pre-order THE LIARS OF MARIPOSA ISLAND by Jennifer Mathieu to receive a butterfly charm necklace, butterfly stickers, a postcard, and a bookmark. (INT)(ends 9/16)
- Pre-order HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE (Illustrated Edition) by J.K. Rowling via the Bloomsbury website to receive an exclusive Goblet of Fire tote bag. (UK/ROI)(ends 10/7) OR (AU/NZ)(ends 9/18)
- ***Pre-order THE FUTURE OF ANOTHER TIMELINE by Annalee Newitz to receive an enamel pin! (US/CAN)(ends 9/23)
- Pre-order THE INFINITE NOISE by Lauren Shippen to receive a downloadable phone background, a Bright Sessions original e-short story titled BLUEPRINT (featuring Caleb and Adam), and an exclusive audio interview with author Lauren Shippen Briggon Snow (the voice of Caleb Michaels). (US/Can)(ends 9/23)
- Pre-order A TREASON OF THORNS by Laura E. Weymouth to receive 2 deleted scenes from The Light Between Worlds and previously unpublished short fiction. (INT)(ends 9/24)
- Pre-order THE BEAST by Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs to receive a poster and 30 bookmarks to share! (US/CAN only)(ends 9/29)
- Pre-order OUTLAWS by Jen Calonita to receive a Royal Academy Rebels character card and a signed bookplate. (US/Can only)(ends 9/30)
- Pre-order THE GOOD LUCK GIRLS by Charlotte Nicole Davis to receive a limited-edition tote bag! (US/Can)(ends 9/30)
- ***Pre-order THE FOUNTAINS OF SILENCE by Ruta Sepetys to receive an exclusive keychain! (US only)(ends 9/30)
- ***Pre-order SCARS LIKE WINGS by Erin Stewart from The King’s English Bookshop to will receive a signed copy of SCARS LIKE WINGS, a poetry magnet, a temporary wing tattoo and a bookmark. Or order from any retailer OR request it from your local library to be entered in a drawing for a Prize Pack and a Kindle Paperwhite. (INT)(ends 9/30)
- ***Pre-order CRIER’S WAR by Nina Varela to receive an exclusive coded letter with wax seal, an Automa drawing, and a signed bookplate. (INT)(ends 9/30)
- Pre-order THE BEAUTIFUL by Renée Ahdieh to receive an exclusive La Cour Des Lion Enamel Pin! (US only)(ends 10/7)
- Pre-order THE BURNING SHADOW by Jennifer Armentrout to receive an original e-short story “Like the First Time.” Experience the moment Evie and Luc first meet in the club from Luc’s point-of-view. (US/Can)(ends 10/7)
- Pre-order THE WINTER QUARTERS by Anna Veriani to receive a postcard designed by a Japanese artist with a message from author Anna Veriani. You’ll also be entered to win a grand prize. (INT)(ends 10/14)
- Pre-order CALL DOWN THE HAWK by Maggie Stiefvater from specified bookstores to receive a signed limited edition bookplate (I believe it features Maggie’s art?). (INT)(ends 11/4)
- Pre-order THE QUEEN OF NOTHING by Holly Black from select indie bookstores to receive a signed hardcover of the book and an enamel pin with bookmark. (US only)(ends 11/18)
- Pre-order THE KILL CLUB by Wendy Heard OR request a library purchase to receive a Blackbird Killer lapel pin, a Blackbird Killer playing card, a bookmark, a signed bookplate, and secret swag. (Form to submit can be found HERE.)(ends 12/16)
- Pre-order A HEART SO FIERCE AND BROKEN by Brigid Kemmerer to receive a designed art print of a quote from the first book. (USA–not PR, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand)(ends 1/6)
- Pre-order THE GRAVITY OF US by Phil Stamper to receive a signed bookplate that’s been sent to space! (US/Can only)(ends 2/3)
- Pre-order CRESCENT CITY: HOUSE OF EARTH AND BLOOD by Sarah J. Maas to receive an exclusive art print! (US, Can, UK, ROI, AUS, NZ, and India)(ends 3/2)
Awesome Giveaways:
- Twitter Giveaways:
- @kimventrella is giving away a signed copy of OLLIE OXLEY & THE GHOST.
- On my blog, you can enter the giveaway for the July 2019 Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up & Make Me Read It Giveaway and the July or August Discussion Challenge and Giveaway. You can also enter to win all FIVE books on the BLINK YA Summer Reading Tour!
- Head over to Lost in Storyland for a chance to win a final copy of The Merciful Crow + a book-themed make-up bag
- Head over to Literary Flits for a chance to win Blue Tide Rising by Clare Stevens
- Freda @ Freda’s Voice is celebrating her 10th anniversary with an Amazon ebook giveaway
- Head over to PragmaticMom for a chance to win The Miraculous by Jess Redman
- In honor of Lauren @ Shooting Stars Mag’s 12th blogoversary, Audrey @ Life as Louise is giving away an illustrated Harry Potter book of your choice.
- Every week Lisa @ Lisa Loves Literature gives away three books from her giveaway/trade shelves.
- Head over to A Dream Within a Dream for a chance to win an autographed copy of Witches Protection Program and a $100 Amazon Gift Card
- Lots of blogs participating in the August Of Books Giveaway Hop
- Head over to Shooting Stars Mag because Lauren is celebrating her 12th blogoversary by giving away 12 books!
- Head over to XPresso Book Tours to enter to win a $150 Amazon gift card!
- Read It Forward does a weekly giveaway. This week you can enter to win The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
- 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!
Yay for vacation! That was a rocky start, indeed. All I can say is God knows and is in control. He knew you needed to be on a separate flight to be there for your daughter 🙂 And once again, I love your hair!
Yeah, I was thinking that God had that all planned out for me better than I thought I did. 🙂
Have fun on vacation! Yeah, having a kid stranded in a random place would be stressful. I’m glad that didn’t happen.
Yes, I’m very glad we didn’t have to worry about that!
Yikes, that was a bumpy start to vacay but thank goodness you flew separately and were there to meet your daughter. That worked out well, at least. Hope the rest of the trip is fantastic! And how exciting to meet up with your agent in person!
Yes, it all ended up working out for the best. 🙂
Sorry to hear about the airline snafu, but I am glad you were there to meet your child in California. Whew! That’s exciting that you get to meet your agent. That must feel so official. I adore Johnson’s book and was happy when she sent me the widget for that one. Looks like a good crop of books up there.
Meeting my agent was great, and I was excited to meet other people she represents too!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new hair! Enjoy LA and I can’t wait to see a wrap up post of the conference 🙂
Thanks so much!!
Have fun in LA! It’s so cool that you get to go to the West Coast SCBWI conference and that you get to meet your agent and other authors there! It’s wonderful that you were on a separate flight and able to meet up with your oldest in LA.
Thanks! It was a fantastic trip!!
You’re blogging while on vacation?? Isn’t that a little like work? 😉 My wish was granted for Vow of Thieves and I read it in a single day! It was so good, and I loved the conclusion for the duology. I hope you love it!! It definitely kept me on my toes, and I went through so many emotions! Have fun in LA!
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ?
I actually did VERY little blogging while I was in LA—I’m usually much worse about taking time off. I did write one review and finished up my Sunday Post while Scott and the two younger kids were still traveling, but that’s the only time I really even looked at the blog!
Sorry to hear about the cancellation. The airlines are too up in the air for me to ever fly again. Too many bad things happening and the TSA is crazy. Have fun on your vacation.
We drive on most of our vacations, but it would take up too much of our time to drive all the way to California, so airplanes it is!
Sorry to hear about the airplane scuffle! that is why I always get myself to wherever I am going early as well! Event wise, and book the earliest flight for the possible delays. You never know! Glad you were there for your daughter too! I didn’t start traveling solo myself until I was like 22? RT 2010 was my first solo trip!
Nice new reads too! I hope you enjoy them all! I loved Vow of Thieves!!
Here’s my StS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
Yeah, my daughter is relatively independent, but I still couldn’t see just having her stuck in LA alone. It would not be a good situation.
Hope you have a WONDERFUL time in LA and enjoy meeting everyone! And so glad that it wasn’t a *complete* disaster with the flights, how scary that would have been! Can’t wait to hear all about your trip!
Yes, I was glad that it worked out the way it did. I don’t know what we would have done if I hadn’t gotten to LA when I did.
I hope you are enjoying your time in LA! You are practically in my backyard. 🙂 Well, about 90 or so miles away, anyway. I hope you enjoy the West Coast SCBWI conference. I am glad you were able to be there for your daughter! That would have been scary if youre flight had been cancelled too. I hope you have a great time!
Yeah, I was really glad that the flights worked out the way they did so she wasn’t stuck (in your backyard) alone. 🙂
I’m glad you were on a different flight and could meet up with your daughter – bummer the other flight was delayed a day. I hope you are having a great trip though, and that’s so exciting you get to meet your agent!! I think Dear Haiti looks great, so I’ll be curious to see your thoughts.
-Lauren
Yeah, I’m really glad it worked out that way. And the trip was fantastic!!
Flights are always so stressful but hopefully you’re all have fun in the sun now! I love your purple highlights!
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
We ended up having a fantastic vacation, so it was all worth it. And thank you!!!
your adventure had begun…gotta stay flexible in this day and age when flying. i hate it, and only do it when i absolutely have to to get where i want to go
Yes, I’m glad it all worked out in the end.
Hope you had a great time at the conference! I went to the NY SCBWI conference a long time ago and it was a lot of fun. 🙂
The conference was fantastic! One of the best parts is all the wonderful people you meet!
Ooh, that does sound a bit tricky about the flights but I am glad you all got there after that start! Enjoy your holiday and time in LA. Have all the fun because you definitely deserve it <3
Thank you! It was a very nice break from the “real world.”