The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on my blog and share news about what’s coming up in the week ahead.
This past week on FYFA (and in my life):
I returned from the SCBWI conference in New York on Sunday night! The conference was fantastic! Lots of inspiration; plus, it was wonderful to meet with writerly friends!! I actually headed off to another SCBWI event yesterday! (This one was a meeting for the Illinois reps and a going-away celebration for our previous regional advisor.)
Meanwhile, my youngest played in a Special Olympics basketball tournament yesterday, and their team won, so they get to go to State in March! (I actually ended up missing the tournament because of the SCBWI event and my husband is out of town for work, but my mom was there to cheer him on!) And my younger daughter finished up her gymnastics season and started track. Busy, as always!
We also continued work on the house this week. My husband finished the new trim around two of the windows in the dining room (see the pic below), which was a big accomplishment since he stained and built the trim to fit this mission style himself. And then I painted the pantry and closet and then painted the area around those areas the new color so that we can hang the doors there and get them out of the hallway! This project is definitely getting done in a piecemeal manner, but it’s getting done!
Here’s what you may have missed on the blog since my last Sunday Post:
- Bite-Sized Reviews of Don’t Read the Comments, Find Me Their Bones, Snug, and The Real Boy
- Pippa Park Raises Her Game by Erin Yun: Review & Giveaway
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.)
- February 21st – Cilla @ Paved With Books‘ Birthday
- February 22nd – Charlie @ Girl of 1000 Wonders‘ Birthday
Book Haul:
For Review:
I received The Deadly Omens by Jennifer Bell from Crown Books for Young Readers. The inventive cover is illustrated by Kirbi Fagan. This series looks super cute, but I’ll confess that I sigh a little when I receive a book in the mail that’s the third in a series I haven’t read. Still, I’m thankful to Penguin Random House for sending me so many delightful reads!
Purchased:
I purchased Pie in the Sky and The Bridge Home at the conference. Both of these were Golden Kite winners! I also purchased Race to the Sun on an excursion to The Strand Bookstore!
Free:
At the conference this past weekend, those of us who attended the Golden Kite Awards all received a signed copy of Max Einstein: Rebels With A Cause by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein. (James Patterson also spoke at the awards!) The book is illustrated by Beverly Johnson.
Great Discussions/Goings On Around the Blogosphere:
- Katie @ Doing Dewey gives Nonfiction Recommendations For Harry Potter Characters
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 they might not be open until the date listed. Pre-0rder early for your best chance to get all the goodies!
- Pre-order BEGINNERS WELCOME by Cindy Baldwin OR request it from your local library to receive a digital download of sheet music and recording for “Beginners Welcome” song, a bookmark, and a sticker. If you pre-order from any retailer, you’ll also get a signed bookplate. Pre-orders through AnnieBlooms.com will also receive a music-themed elastic charm bookmark. Plus, teachers and librarians ordering for their class can get a special gift. (ends 2/11 for library 2/18 for pre-orders)
- ***Pre-order THE LIFE BELOW by Alexandra Monir to receive a book from Alexandra’s backlist, an extended ending, an exclusive art print, a signed bookplate and a bookmark! (US) OR an extended ending of the book, a PDF of illustrated character cards, and a signed bookplate. (INT) Teachers can also get a Skype session with the author! (INT)(ends 2/17)
- Pre-order BREAK THE FALL by Jennifer Iacopelli OR request it from your local library to receive a signed bookmark and a teal Sexual Assault Awareness enamel pin! (INT)(ends 2/17)
- Pre-order OF CURSES AND KISSES by Sandhya Menon to receive two GORGEOUS custom art postcards. (US only)(ends 2/17)
- Pre-order GLITCH KINGDOM by Sheena Boekweg OR request the book at your local library OR email the author fan art to receive five character art stickers, a bookmark, and a personalized and signed bookplate! You’ll also be entered to win a custom Funko Pop! (US only)(ends 2/17)
- Pre-order THE SEVENTH SUN by Lani Forbes to receive a signed bookplate, a button, a bookmark, a handmade worry doll (purchased through NOVICA to support local artisan families in Guatemala), a princess character card (varies), and an EXCLUSIVE deleted chapter from the perspective of one of the other princesses. There will also be a grand prize. (INT)(ends 2/17)
- ***Pre-order FIRE IN THE STAR by Kamilla Benko to receive a bookmark and signed bookplate! (US & Can)(ends 2/18)
- Pre-order TO SLEEP IN A SEA OF STARS by Christopher Paolini to receive an art print! (US/Can)(ends 2/18, but other goodies will be available until April 14th)
- ***Pre-order THE NIGHTSHADE CABAL by Chris Patrick Carolan to receive a free short story. (ends 2/23)
- Pre-order THE KING’S JUSTICE by Susan Elia MacNeal to receive an exclusive King’s Justice digital book club kit with all you could need: Maggie Hope facts, discussion questions, behind the scenes research information from the book, recipe ideas, cocktail recipes, and much more! (US only)(ends 2/24)
- Pre-order THE DARKEST KING by Gena Showalter to receive a digital William poster. 50 people will also receive swag, and everyone will be entered to win a grand prize! (INT)(ends 2/24)
- Pre-order THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US by Tricia Levenseller to receive a postcard pack featuring stunning character art by artist Diana Dworak.a postcard pack featuring stunning character art by artist Diana Dworak. (US/Can only)(INT)(ends 2/24)
- Pre-order THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA to receive a magnet featuring the book’s gorgeous cover art! (US/Can)(ends 2/24)
- Pre-order THE ADVENTURE ZONE: PETALS TO THE METAL by Clint McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Travis McElroy, Justin McElroy, and Carey Pietsch to receive a digital version art print and an exclusive recording of the live show from the McElroys SDCC Book Launch for Murder on the Rockport Limited. You’ll also be entered to win a grand prize. (US/Can)(ends 2/29)
- Pre-order THE DRAGON EGG PRINCESS by Ellen Oh to receive a set of limited edition character cards! (ends 2/29)
- Pre-order ANNA K by Jenny Lee to receive a twin hearts hair barrette. (US only)(ends 3/2)
- Pre-order THE VANISHING DEEP by Astrid Scholte to receive an exclusive waterproof phone pouch! (US only)(ends 3/2)
- Pre-order THE MIDNIGHT LIE by Marie Rutkoski to receive an art print signed by Marie! (US only)(ends 3/2)
- Pre-order WICKED AS YOU WISH by Rin Chupeco to receive a signed bookplate and an enamel pin. The first 500 submissions will also receive a character card of the book’s main character, Tala. (US/CAN only)(ends 3/2)
- Pre-order WITCHES OF ASH AND RUIN by E. Latimer from Books Inc. to receive a signed, personalized copy and witchy enamel pin. (ends 3/2)
- Pre-order HAVENFALL by Sara Holland to receive a silver key necklace and a “DO NOT DISTURB WHILE READING” door hanger bookmark! (US, Can, UK, Ire, Ind, Aust, NZ)(ends 3/2)
- Pre-order CHAIN OF GOLD by Cassandra Clare to receive a limited edition wooden bookmark! (UK & ROI only)(ends 3/2)
- 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)
- Pre-order THE KINGDOM OF BACK by Marie Lu to receive a custom book pouch! (US only)(ends 3/2)
- ***Pre-order THE QUEEN BEE AND ME by Gillian McDunn to receive a set of 30 bookmarks and 30 bee erasers. (US & Can)(ends 3/2)
- ***Pre-order BONE CRIER’S MOON by Kathryn Purdie to receive an 11×17 poster of the book cover, a set of two double-sided bookmarks featuring the characters from the cover, and an autographed bookplate. (INT)(ends 3/3)
- Pre-order THE RAVEN AND THE DOVE by Kaitlyn Davis to receive an exclusive double-sided art print! Print pre-orders will also receive a bookmark and a signed bookplate/sticker to attach to your book. (US only)(ends 3/8)
- Pre-order DEFY THE SUN by Jessika Fleck OR request it from your local library to receive a bookmark, a signed bookplate, and a custom dye-cut sticker. US pre-orders will also be entered to win a grand prize! (INT)(ends 3/9)
- Pre-order A PHOENIX FIRST MUST BURN by Patrice Caldwell to receive an exclusive enamel pin! (US only)(ends 3/9)
- Pre-order THE JABBERWOCKY PRINCESS by Cece Louise to receive two autographed bookmarks and a silver Forest Tales tree charm. (US only)(ends 3/11)
- Pre-order SPARROW by Mary Cecilia Jackson from Fountain Bookstore to receive a signed limited-edition bookplate and vellum bookmark and ballet charm. (ends 3/15)
- Pre-order THE ELECTRIC HEIR by Victoria Lee OR request it from your local library to receive an exclusive scene. Choose Hero to read an original Noam/Dara story set after TEH or Villain to read a young Calix + Adalwolf Lehrer novella deleted from TFK. (INT)(ends 3/16)
- Pre-order ALL YOUR TWISTED SECRETS by Diana Urban OR request it from your local library to receive a key necklace, a signed bookmark, a signed bookplate, and access to an exclusive author Q&A on 3/17. (US only)(ends 3/16)
- Pre-order DRAGON HOOPS by Gene Luen Yang to receive a downloadable print-at-home Gene Luen Yang READ poster. You’ll also be entered to win a limited edition Dragon Hoops mini backboard. (US/Can only)(ends 3/17)
- Pre-order THE DERBY DAREDEVILS by Kit Rosewater OR request it from your local library to receive a special letter about the pre-order (or libraries being awesome) and some fun facts about the book, a bookmark featuring a Daredevils player, an official roller derby glossary, and a blank postcard for dropping a line to friends. Pre-orders will also receive a signed bookplate and a die-cut sticker of the Daredevils logo! You’ll also be entered to win a grand prize. (ends 3/23)
- Pre-order THE EDGE OF ANYTHING by Nora Shalaway Carpenter from Malaprop’s to receive a gorgeous postcard print of an original book-inspired piece of art, a bookmark, and a pop-up, inspirational note by Thoughtfulls. (INT)(ends 3/23)
- ***Pre-order CRAVE by Tracy Wolff to receive a “CARPE KILL-EM” To-Do-List notepad! Plus you’ll be entered to win Apple Airpods. (US only)(ends 4/1)
- Pre-order SWORD IN THE STARS by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy to receive a Knights of the Rainbow enamel pin, a signed bookplate, and a digital bonus short story featuring the book’s characters. (US only)(ends 4/6)
- Pre-order THE PERFECT ESCAPE by Suzanne Park OR request it from your local library to receive a signed bookplate, and a sticker sheet and bookmark designed by the talented Korean-Am artist Lela Lee. (ends 4/7)
- ***Pre-order THE LUCKY ONES by Liz Lawson OR request it from your local library to receive a signed bookplate, a bookmark, and $1 donated in your name to Sandy Hook Promise. US pre-orders will also be entered to win a grand prize. (INT)(ends 4/7)
- ***Pre-order TIME OF OUR LIVES by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka to receive an exclusive “Write Your Love Story” pen set! (US only)(ends 4/20)
- Pre-order HEARING HAPPINESS: DEAFNESS CURES IN HISTORY by Jaipreet Virdi or request it from your local library to receive a limited edition retro hearing aid advertisement button a limited edition retro hearing aid advertisement button (first 100 submissions). You’ll also be entered to win a grand prize! (ends 4/30)
- ***Pre-order KEEP IT TOGETHER, KEIKO CARTER by Debbi Michiko from Bank Square Books to receive a signed book, a bookmark, and an exclusive Keiko Carter-themed button. In addition, each book you preorder will gain you entry for a grand prize drawing. (ends 5/4)
- ***Pre-order THE EXTRAORDINARIES by TJ Klune to receive a limited-edition enamel pin! (US & Can)(ends 5/4)
- ***Pre-order ALWAYS HUMAN by Ari North to receive an exclusive digital bonus comic. Plus, there will be chances for more goodies depending on the number of people who pre-order! Hardcover preorders will also receive a bookmark, a signed bookplate, and a postcard print. (ends 5/18)
- Pre-order THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES by Suzanne Collins from Book People to receive a limited-edition Hunger Games patch. (ends 5/18)
- ***Pre-order CEMETERY BOYS by Aiden Thomas to receive 5 Character Cards featuring Yadriel, Julian, Maritza and Lady Death, and a signed bookplate. 50 random US preorders will also receive a limited edition pin! (INT)(ends 6/15)
- Pre-order THE EMPIRE OF GOLD by S.A. Chakraborty to receive a set of six pins featuring the tribal sigils of each tribe of Daevabad! (US only)(ends 6/29)
- Pre-order UNRAVEL THE DUSK by Elizabeth Lim to receive swag (to be announced later). (US only for now–but check back in future)(ends 7/13)
- Pre-order TRAITOR by Amanda McCrina OR request it from your local library to receive pre-order goodies (details forthcoming). (ends 8/24)
- Pre-order SCRITCH SCRATCH by Lindsay Curry to receive access to the exclusive content section of the author’s website, which includes a “sleuth sheet” to help solve the mysteries, a downloadable poster, a crossword puzzle and more! You’ll also be entered to win other prizes. (INT)(ends 8/31)
Awesome Giveaways:
Twitter Giveaways:
- Twitter Giveaways:
- @LoriDegman is giving away a copy of Just Read
- @edwardanddamon is giving away one of her most anticipated February releases!
- On my blog, you can enter the giveaway for the January 2020 Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up & Make Me Read It Giveaway, and the February 2020 Discussion Challenge Link-Up & Giveaway. You can also enter to win Malice by Pintip Dunn and Pippa Park Raises Her Game! Plus THREE 7th Blogoversary Giveaways of Any Book You Want!!
- Head over to The Infinite Limits of Love for a chance to win a Romance Book of Your Choice
- Lots of blogs participating in the Favorite Things Giveaway Hop!
- Head over to Beware of the Reader for a chance to win The Queen’s Assassin by Melissa De La Cruz
- Head over to Shooting Stars Mag for a chance to win A hardcover copy of HERE IN THE REAL WORLD and a paperback copy of PAX.
- Head over to Do You Dog-Ear for a chance to win SCAVENGE THE STARS
- Head over to Stuck in Books for a chance to win Aru Shah and the Song of Death and much more (check the sidebar)!
- Lots of blogs participating in the February of Books Giveaway Hop!
- Read It Forward does a weekly giveaway. This week you can enter to win The Body Double by Emily Beyda!
Lots of good stuff! Have any giveaways or great discussions happening on your site right now? Feel free to share them in the comments!
Wow, you’ve got a lot going on. Congrats to your son! I’m glad you had fun at the conference, and I hope you have a good week!
Thanks! I should be used to having a lot going on by now. (I’m not. LOL!)
I love the trim around the window. Have fun in your travels.
Thanks! The house has been a lot of work, but it’s coming along!
Yeah for a successful writing conference and for your son’s team! And, how lucky he was to have grandma there to cheer him on. That trim looks fantastic! You may have to wait awhile, but I can already tell you home will look incredible when everything is done
It’s very nice that my mom is around so much. She basically feels like a member of our immediate family.
Oooh! The trim looks amazing!! My husband and I were working on hanging curtain rods and curtains this weekend. We got two done and then stopped. The first one went well. The second one we didn’t think through and once the curtain is on it, it’s going to be a major pain to get it back off… So we’ll have to remove the whole thing, spackle, paint, and restart someday. The third, we started and quickly decided to wait for another day. I would have never guessed hanging curtain rods would be SO frustrating! lol
Sometimes the simplest (seeming) jobs can turn into a HUGE pain! We did trim in the family room last night, and it took way longer than we expected! I love all the changes, but I’ll be happy to have all this home improvement finally done!!
The window trim is gorgeous and I love the wall color too. Home projects DIY always take longer than expected.
Thank you!! Yeah, we knew it was going to be slow going because we can only do things in the evenings and some weekends. I’m getting used to the mess. 🙂
Glad you had a good time at the conference and well done to your son! You all sound so busy!
The window looks lovely and I really like the wall colour! 🙂
Yes, we really are crazy busy. Sometimes I wonder how it all gets done! (Well, I guess sometimes it doesn’t.)
Congratulations to your son. Enjoy your travels!
Thank you!!
Man, you are one busy mamma! But it’s so cool to hear that your kids are doing great in all their extracurriculars! And I’m glad you had fun at the conference! It sounds like such a blast!
Have a great week! ?
Yes, my kids definitely keep me busy!
Oh wow! The trim is gorgeous! Glad everything is going well for the kiddos! Congrats to them all on their sporting achievements and best of luck in the next steps!
Nice new reads too! All new to me ones but I hope you enjoy them all!
Here’s my StS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
Thanks, Jessica! I’m really loving all the changes to the house, but it’s been A LOT of work. I will be relieved when we’re finally done with it all!!
Glad to hear you had such a great time at the conference and congrats to your son and his teammates on their victory. That’s so great!
Thank you!!
deadly omens looks great. glad the work is going well. slow and steady wins the race. 🙂 especially when you’re doing the work yourself
Yeah, slow and steady is the only way it’s all getting done. We were going to hire someone to do part of the painting, but we keep running into circumstances where it’s like, “Well, in order to do this, we really need to do this other thing first…” and so now it’s looking more and more like we’re just going to end up doing it all ourselves. Oh well!
wow, gorgeous work on the window!!
My husband is very handy, which is nice for me because it means I get pretty windows. 🙂
It sounds like you’ve been extremely busy this week! I do not envy you, haha. We’re still trying to settle in at the new house, explore the neighborhood, get into a groove. I fall asleep before reading 5 pages these days.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ?
Hope you’re loving the new place!!
Congratulations to your son!
Your conference/events sound like they have been fun!
Wishing you a great reading week
Thank you! And, yes, the conferences have been great!
Aww, congrats on the conference and the Special Olympics win! that’s awesome. Love the window pic- you guys did a great job with that! It looks nice.
Your new books look fun too. 🙂
Thanks so much—we’re really happy with how the windows turned out. Can’t wait to have them all done! 🙂
So glad the conference was such a success! And thank goodness for grandmas who can step in in a pinch. 🙂
My mom is awesome like that—she basically lives with us half time (I joke that we share custody with my dad), so she’s very involved in the kids’ lives.
YEAH! I was able to LIKE this post. You did it! Brava!!!!
Thanks for making sure it’s working!! 🙂
Congrats on your youngest Nicole! It’s amazing! You must be a very proud mama! And I would love to attend such conference. Enjoy your week (and the snow judging by the view through your window) 😉
Ha! Yes, definitely snowy here. The view from my window does not lie.
Congrats to your son, and it sounds like your younger daughter is super busy and having fun!! I’m glad you had a great time at the conference. 🙂
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Thanks!! Yep, both kiddos definitely like to stay busy! (My oldest does too, but she mostly wants to stay busy with her new VR headset. LOL!)
Yay for the conference being so good, inspiring and also being able to meet up with your writerly friends again. And congrats to your son’s team for winning their game! I love basketball so I love hearing about his experiences 🙂
Writerly friends are the best!!
We actually just found out today that the state basketball tournament is canceled because of Coronavirus. He’s sad, but I guess I’m not surprised it was canceled.
Yay for your son! And I like the new trim and the peek through your window at the snow. I wish you could send some my way.
Ha! I’d be happy to send all of our snow your way.
Knitted Yoshi! Aaaawwww…
The window looks great! Sometimes piecemeal home repair is the best way to do it. 🙂
The knit Yoshi is actually a special Nintendo Amiibo that came with one of my kids’ video games. He’s super cute!!
He looks super cute! I never played the Mario games (we gamed on PC, never had a console) but some of the Mario characters (especially Yoshi) are really cute.
We’ve had Nintendo consoles since the kids were very little, and they’re still big fans. 🙂
Oh my goodness, you’ve been so busy! Sending a huge congratulations to your son! That’s so amazing! And wishing him and his team all the luck at state!
Thank you! We actually just found out today that the state basketball championship has been canceled because of Coronavirus. Very sad, but I guess I can’t blame them.
Aww, thanks so much for including me in your recap post! I really appreciate it 🙂 I had a lot of fun writing that post and I don’t think I’d have come up with it without your discussion challenge.
I’m so glad the Discussion Challenge encouraged you!!