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):
MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope everyone who celebrates the holiday had a wonderful Christmas. I know I did. We had a lovely week, filled with family, movies, games, and general good cheer. Instead of heading up to Wisconsin this year, we had our extended family gathering via Zoom—it definitely wasn’t the same, but that’s just the way things are right now. We definitely feel like we made the best choice.
As you can see, I didn’t post anything at all this week (though I did update the master list of 2021 challenges a few times.)
- Games We Played:
- Unstable Unicorns. We got this card game as a stocking stuffer for Jade and have played two games of it so far. We absolutely love the concept and the crazy fun cards, but we haven’t quite figured out how to make this game go at a reasonable pace. On Christmas night, we played for a good hour and a half or two hours and no one had won—we finally just gave up! Then we played again yesterday, and it was only marginally better. We definitely still think it’s a fun game, but we need to figure out a way to make it easier to win when you have a larger group (we played with 6). If anyone has any tips, I’d love to hear them.
- Trick Question. We had so much fun playing this game last night! I actually love that there’s no wiggle room in the rules—the answer on the back of the card is the only answer that counts, so there’s no debating everyone’s answers and no hard feelings if you lose. (At least it seemed to work out that way for us, and we have a particular family member who really likes to debate answers normally.)
- TV We Watched:
- Supernatural. We only watched a couple of episodes this week, but we did finish season 6. It will be interesting to see what happens now that Cass has gone over to the dark(ish) side.
- Christmas Chronicles. On Christmas Eve, we wanted to watch some Christmas movies we’d never seen, and we started with this one on Netflix. It was a cute story. We all enjoyed it.
- Noelle. This was the second movie of Christmas Eve, and we were so glad we watched it because we all loved this one!! It stars Anna Kendrick, and it was super cute—definitely a win for Disney+.
- Soul. Then, on Christmas Day, we watched the newly released Pixar movie, Soul. Not at all surprised about the buzz about this one—it was a sweet testament about what it really means to live.
- Books I Read
- We’re at the end of the Cybils Round 1 judging, so I fit in a few last books.
- I listened to Thirteens.
- I read Ants Don’t Talk, Do They and started reading The Candy Mafia and The Girl and the Ghost.
- The Dogs. Here are this week’s dog pics:
Noah used Bella as an iPhone stand, but she didn’t seem to mind. She didn’t even budge.
Digit was obsessed with Scott’s Santa hat—he absolutely would not stop staring at it (and pawing at Scott to try to get it). Digit thought it looked like an ideal dog toy!
Here’s what you may have missed on the blog since my last Sunday Post:
- Nothing. I took the week off.
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.)
- Dec 28th – Erica Robyn Reads‘ Blogoversary
- January – Tarissa @ In The Bookcase‘s Birthday
- January – The Emerald City Book Review‘s Blogoversary
- Jan 1st – Based on a True Story‘s Blogoversary
- Jan 1st – Brooke Reviews and Sweeps‘ Blogoversary
- Jan 1st – Sarah Withers Blogs‘ Blogoversary
- Jan 1st – The Reading Armchair‘s Blogoversary
- Jan 2nd – Aimee, Always‘s Blogoversary
Book Haul:
For Review:
I received Breaking the News: What’s Real, What’s Not, and Why the Difference Matters, a new National Geographic book about how kids can delineate between real news and fake news. I did a book blast with a quiz awhile back for this book, so feel free to go back and try the quiz!
Gifts:
My mom gave me When You Trap a Tiger and Lessons in Sleeping Alone for Christmas. (The second is a book of poetry by my good friend Megan E. Freeman.) Then, I also got a gift card from SCBWI for being a co-rep for Semicolon Bookstore (I actually mentioned this black-woman-owned bookstore in a post back in June, so I was excited to have the opportunity to order from them again). I used that gift card to go toward A Phoenix First Must Burn.
Great Discussions/Goings On Around the Blogosphere:
- Didn’t do any blog hopping this week!
Pre-order Campaigns
(Make sure you scroll to see them all!) Listed in order of release date. Any new deals I 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 THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE by Marie Benedict to receive a custom full-size Agatha Christie–inspired lipstick from Finding Ferdinand. (US/CAN)(ends 12/28)
- Pre-order BAD KITTY GOES ON VACATION by Nick Bruel to receive a Bad Kitty sticker and hand sanitizer! (US only)(ends 12/28)
- Pre-order MONSTERS & MIST by Taylor Fenner OR request it from your local library to receive a signed bookplate, a bookmark, and two quote prints. (US only)(ends 12/28)
- Pre-order THE DESOLATIONS OF DEVIL’S ACRE by Ransom Riggs to receive an exclusive map of Devil’s Acre and custom journal! You’ll also receive a phase 2 gift, which will be revealed on 1/1. (US only)(ends 12/31, but phase 2 starts in January!)
- Pre-order BLOOD AND HONOR by Miranda Lyn to receive a signed bookmark! (US only)(ends 1/3)
- Pre-order BE DAZZLED by Ryan La Sala to receive a digital deleted scene. You’ll also be entered to win one of three exclusive bedazzled copies of the book hand-crafted by author Ryan La Sala! (US/CAN)(ends 1/3)
- Teachers and Librarians: Pre-order BRAVE IN THE WOODS by Tracy Holczer to receive signed bookmarks for your class, swag and a half hour Zoom! (ends 1/3)
- Pre-order HAPPILY EVER AFTERS by Elise Bryant to receive a cute vinyl sticker sheet featuring original cover art by Michelle D’Urbano! (ends 1/4)
- Pre-order ONE OF THE GOOD ONES by Maika and Maritza Moulite and Inkyard Press will donate $1.00 to the Center for Black Equity. (ends 1/4)
- Pre-order LORE by Alexandra Bracken to receive a Liam prequel short story (to The Darkest Minds), cut scenes from TDL, and a special extra Liam POV if they hit 1,000 submissions. You’ll also get one LORE email a week for nine weeks that includes an early look at a chapter and some other aspect of the book. (You can opt out of this at any time and still receive the rest.) (INT)(ends 1/5)
- ***Pre-order ACROSS THE GREEN GRASS FIELDS by Seanan McGuire from a participating bookstore to receive a Wayward Children pin. (ends 1/11)
- Pre-order I DREAM OF POPO by Livia Blackburne, illustrated by Julia Kuo to receive a signed art print and postcard pack. (US only)(ends 1/11)
- Pre-order THE NIGHTMARE THIEF by Nicole Lesperance OR request it from your local library to receive a bookplate, bookmark, and custom dream recipe. (ends 1/11)
- Pre-order MANY POINTS OF ME by Caroline Gertler to receive a customized paint palette eraser! (ends 1/11)
- Pre-order OFF TO SEE THE SEA by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon to receive a custom bookmark and sticker. Plus, you’ll be entered to win a grand prize! (ends 1/11)
- Pre-order A VOW SO BOLD AND DEADLY by Brigid Kemmerer and you can choose to receive either the Emberfall or Syhl Shallow Kingdom Crest patch. (US, CAN, UK, IRE, AUS, & NZ)(ends 1/11)
- Pre-order INTO THE HEARTLESS WOOD by Joanna Ruth Meyer to receive an art print, two bookmarks, a sticker, and a signed bookplate. US entries will also be entered to win a giveaway. (INT)(ends 1/12)
- Pre-order TALES FROM THE HINTERLAND by Melissa Albert to receive a set of three postcards! (US only)(ends 1/12)
- Pre-order WE FREE THE STARS by Hafsah Faizal from Interabang Books to receive a signed, personalized copy plus an art print! (ends 1/15)
- Pre-order CLUES TO THE UNIVERSE by Christina Li OR request it from your local library to receive a bookmark and an exclusive 4 x 6 comic book cover print of Spacebound (the comic featured in the book). Pre-orders will also receive a signed bookplate and stickers! (INT)(ends 1/17)
- Pre-order REMOTE CONTROL by Nnedi Okorafor to receive a FREE enamel pin! (US/CAN)(ends 1/18)
- Pre-order WENCH by Maxine Kaplan to receive exclusive playable D&D builds based on three different characters from the book. (ends 1/18)
- Pre-order RISE OF THE RED HAND by Olivia Chadha to receive a signed bookplate and mini bookmark! Pre-orders from Boulder Bookstore will receive character illustrations and a signed copy of the book. (US/CAN)(ends 1/18)
- Pre-order WINTERKEEP by Kristin Cashore to receive an exclusive Graceling Realm Map. (US only)(ends 1/18)
- Pre-order CAST IN FIRELIGHT by Dana Swift OR request it from your local library to receive a bookmark and an art print. Pre-orders will also receive a signed bookplate and two character cards. Order from Books and Books to also get a sticker! (INT)(ends 1/18)
- Pre-order WIDER THAN THE SKY BY Katherine Rothschild to receive a library bookplate, signed sticker, and bookmark. (US only)(ends 1/19)
- Pre-order THE TRUTH ABOUT MODERN SLAVERY by Emily Kenway and Pluto Publishing will donate £1 to the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. (ends 1/19)
- Pre-order WINGS OF EBONY by J. Elle and Simon & Schuster will donate one copy to Project LIT! (US only)(ends 1/26)
- Pre-order DO BETTER by Rachel Ricketts to receive a link to an exclusive breath-work session led by the author, a guided meditation (if pre-ordered by 10/26), an exclusive yoga session video (if pre-ordered by 11/30), and a letter from the author about how to set intentions for the New Year (if pre-ordered by 12/28). (US only)(ends 1/29)
- Pre-order THE PROJECT by Courtney Summers to receive a signed bookplate and two stickers! (US/CAN)(ends 2/1)
- Pre-order THIS IS NOT THE JESS SHOW by Anna Carey to receive a signed bookplate, a “Stuck in the 90s” sticker, and a pop-up kit of Jess’s bedroom from the book cover. (US only)(ends 2/1)
- Pre-order ALL THE TIDES OF FATE by Adalyn Grace to receive a character art prints set. (US/CAN)(ends 2/1)
- Pre-order the trade paperback of ALL THE STARS AND TEETH by Adalyn Grace to receive a Keel Haul ship enamel pin. (US/CAN)(ends 2/1)
- Pre-order BOTH to receive the character art prize set, the Keel Haul enamel pin, AND an exclusive poster featuring two new crew members! (US/CAN)(ends 2/1)
- Pre-order EVERYTHING THAT BURNS by Gita Trelease to receive an exclusive poster! (US only)(ends 2/1)
- Pre-order MILK FED by Melissa Broder from Malaprop’s Bookstore to receive a bookplate, a recipe book and some nifty goodies! (ends 2/1)
- Pre-order THE GILDED ONES by Namina Forna to receive a gorgeous foiled & embossed limited edition print, plus a signed bookplate (first 250 preorders). (INT—excluding US, Philippines & CA)(ends 2/3)
- Pre-order A FLOOD OF POSIES by Tiffany Meuret to receive a custom bookmark, sticker, and thank you card! (US/CAN)(ends 2/8)
- Pre-order THE IRON RAVEN by Julie Kagawa to receive two special character prints of Puck and Grim! (US/CAN)(ends 2/8)
- Pre-order AS FAR AS YOU’LL TAKE ME by Phil Stamper to receive a signed bookplate, two bespoke stickers, and a bonus chapter from The Gravity of Us! (INT)(ends 2/8 US/AUS/NZ)(ends 3/3 UK/ROI)
- ***Pre-order SWEET & BITTER MAGIC by Adrienne Tooley OR request it from your local library to receive a signed bookplate, a double-sided character bookmark, and 5 die-cut herb stickers. (INT)(ends 3/17)
- Pre-order HOT BRITISH BOYFRIEND by Kristy Boyce OR request it at your local library to receive a signed bookplate, a bookmark with character portraits, a character portrait laptop sticker, an enamel pin, and a personalized thank you note! You’ll also be entered to win a grand prize! (INT)(ends 2/8)
- Pre-order NOT QUITE OUT by Louise Willingham to be entered to win multiple giveaways, including an annotated copy of the book. (INT)(ends 2/8)
- Pre-order AMELIA UNABRIDGED by Ashley Schumacher to receive an art print. (US/CAN)(ends 2/15)
- Pre-order UNWRITTEN by Alicia J. Novo to receive an exclusive winged dagger enamel pin. (US only)(ends 2/15)
- Pre-order A COURT OF SILVER FLAMES by Sarah J. Maas to receive an exclusive pin. (US/CAN/UK/ROI/IND/AUS/NZ)(ends 2/15)
- Pre-order WITCHSHADOW by Susan Dennard to receive SEVEN limited-edition character prints! (US/CAN)(ends 2/15)
- Pre-order HOLES IN THE VEIL by Beth Overmeyer to receive a button pin, a signed bookplate, three charms: 1 horse, 1 dagger, & 1 goblet. (US only)(ends 2/15)
- Pre-order WE ARE THE FIRE by Sam Taylor from River Bend Bookshop OR request it from your local library to receive a signed & personalized copy of the book, as well as a 5 x 7 inch character art print, a 5 x 7 inch full-color map of the Vesimaan Empire, and a bookmark. Here is the link for library requests. (ends 2/15)
- Pre-order WINTER’S ORBIT by Everina Maxwell to receive a limited edition “Space is Gay” enamel pin! (US/CAN)(ends 2/16)
- Pre-order A DARK AND HOLLOW STAR by Ashley Shuttleworth OR request it from your local library to receive a bookmark, a signed bookplate, and 4 rack-card sized character cards. (INT)(ends 2/22)
- Pre-order HONEY GIRL by Morgan Rogers to receive a free tarot love reading. (ends 2/22)
- Pre-order A DARK AND HOLLOW STAR by Ashley Shuttleworth OR request it from your local library to receive a bookmark, a signed bookplate, and 4 rack-card sized character cards. (INT)(ends 2/22)
- Pre-order CHAIN OF IRON by Cassandra Clare to receive a die-cut wooden bookmark! (UK/ROI)(ends 3/1)
- Pre-order EVERYONE’S SLEEPY BUT THE BABY by Tracy C. Gold OR request it from your local library and the author will donate a book to ShareBaby, a Baltimore-based charity that gives baby items to families in need. (INT)(ends 3/1)
- Pre-order I THINK I LOVE YOU by Auriane Desombre to receive access to special bonus content. Read the two scripts that Spark Emma and Sophie’s rivalry and join Team Emma or Team Sophie to vote for who should win the festival! (INT)(ends 3/1)
- Pre-order PHOENIX FLAME by Sara Holland to receive a double-sided Havenfall series bookmark. (US/CAN/UK/IRE/AUS/NZ)(ends 3/1)
- Pre-order CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY by Steven Salvatore to receive a Genderqueer Pride wristband and a LGBTQ Pride wristband! (US/CAN)(ends 3/8)
- Pre-order AMERICAN BETIYA by Anuradha D. Rajurkar from Boswell Books to receive 20% off plus a signed, personalized copy and a bookmark and a laptop decal! (ends 3/8)
- Pre-order IT’S KIND OF A CHEESY LOVE STORY by Lauren Morrill to receive a signed, personalized bookplate and exclusive stickers. (ends 3/9)
- Pre-order FRAGILE REMEDY by Maria Ingrande Mora OR request it from your local library OR create and share fanart to receive 3 character bookmarks featuring Alden, Reed, and Nate, and a holographic Queen of the Tinkers die-cut sticker. US pre-orders will also be entered for additional giveaways. (INT)(ends 3/10)
- Pre-order WHERE WE USED TO ROAM by Jenn Bishop OR request it from your local library to receive a signed bookmark and a personalized signed bookplate. Plus you’ll be entered to win more prizes! (US/CAN)(ends 3/22)
- Pre-order LAUNDRY LOVE BY Patric Richardson to receive a magnet of his laundry tips for your machine! (US only)(ends 3/29)
- Pre-order SHE’S TOO PRETTY TO BURN by Wendy Heard OR request it from your local library and get character cards and a signed bookplate! (US only)(ends 3/29)
- Pre-order PRIDE & PREMEDITATION by Tirzah Price from Schuler Books to receive a signed, personalized copy plus a sticker. (ends 4/5)
- Pre-order LIFE’S TOO SHORT by Abby Jimenez from Blue Willow Bookshop to receive a signed custom bookplate. (ends 4/5)
- Pre-order THORNWOOD by Leah Cypress from LOYALTY BOOKS for a signed and personalized copy. (ends 4/5)
- Pre-order SOMEWHERE BETWEEN BITTER & SWEET by Laekan Zea Kamp OR request it from your local library OR create & share fanart to receive recipe cards, bookmarks, and a sneak peek at the instrumental soundtrack. Plus, you’ll be entered to win more! (ends 4/5)
- Pre-order THE ONES WE’RE MEANT TO FIND by Joan He to receive swag (to be revealed). (INT)(ends 5/3)
- ***Pre-order LUCK OF THE TITANIC by Stacey Lee to receive a handmade book sleeve (many made of vintage fabrics!)(US only)(ends 5/10)
- Pre-order MISTER IMPOSSIBLE by Maggie Stiefvater to receive an exclusive art print designed by the author. (INT)(ends 5/17)
- Pre-order SIX CRIMSON CRANES by Elizabeth Lim to receive a swag pack! (US only)(ends 7/10)
Awesome Giveaways:
(Make sure you scroll to see them all!)
- Twitter Giveaways:
- @CelebratePicBks is giving away THE SNOW DANCER by Addie Boswell & Mercè López
- @Jarrett_Lerner is giving away 25 copies of his new activity book, Give This Book a Title
- @edwardanddamon is giving away one of her most anticipated releases for January (ends 1/29)
- On my blog, you can enter the giveaway for the December 2020 Discussion Challenge Link-Up & Giveaway and the November Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up & Giveaway.
- Lisa @ Lisa Loves Literature for a chance to win a book from her ARC pile
- Head over to BookHounds YA for a chance to win THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF JIMMY CRIKEY.
- Lots of blogs participating in the December 2020 Of Books Giveaway Hop!
- Head over to Bookcrushin’ for a chance to win Any Release Featured on Their Best Of Lists
- Head over to Two Chicks on Books for a chance to win OLIVER THE ORNAMENT.
- Book Riot has lots of giveaways, including a $100 BOOKS-A-MILLION GIFT CARD!
- Read It Forward does a weekly giveaway. This week you can enter to win their Favorite Books of 2020!
Lots of good stuff! Have any giveaways or great discussions happening on your site right now? Feel free to share them in the comments!
Those two games sound fantastic. I mean, with a name like Unstable Unicorn, it has to be good. Love your pup’s fascination with the hat. Such a cute photo.
Yes, the name of the game alone made me think it was perfect for my older daughter—right up her alley!
The Santa hat fascination is hilarious! Thanks for the tip on Luck of the Titanic preorder–I used my gift card to order this last week, and getting a gift from the author is a fun bonus. Happy holidays and best wishes for a safe and healthy 2021!
Glad I saw your tweet about it!
OH Lena got Unstable Unicorns too, I am excited to try it! The kids got SO many games that we haven’t worked our way to that one yet (but I put it on her wishlist so I am clearly the most excited for it bwhaha). I am glad that you had a nice Christmas, even if nontraditional. Hopefully next year will be more normal! Also, PUPPERS! They are too cute!
You’ll have to tell me what you think when you play! We really enjoyed it the two times we’ve played so far, even if we haven’t been able to figure out how to get it to end. LOL!
Your digit pic looks awesome! The perfect festive picture. 🙂
Glad you had a good Christmas even though it was a different kind of Christmas.
Soul is one we were supposed to watch on boxing day but still haven’t watched. Definitely will get to it this week though.
Hope you have a happy new year!
Hahaha, poor Bella. You can tell she’s used to putting up with nonsense from children. She just lets it happen. I’m glad you had a good Christmas!
Glad to hear you had such a good Christmas. The new games sound fun… even if the one is seemingly never-ending. 🙂
I’m glad you and your family had a lovely holiday despite all the changes this year! I am a huge fan of Semicolon Bookstore – they are now my go to for all book buying! Enjoy that gift card purchase!
I just love your dogs. Lol. They are so fun and so tolerant too. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
It sounds like you guys had a wonderful Christmas ♥! And I’m not familiar with either of those games but I’m going to check them out on Amazon. We love games so thanks for the recs! We got the boys Mastermind (one of our favorites as a kid) and Simon Sorry which is a ton of fun but last night our game took us close to 90 minutes ack! They went to bed wayyyyyy past bedtime lol.
Nice photos! I’m happy to hear you had a nice family holiday and some fun times together.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Anything out of the ordinary like a Santa hat is something my dog wants to play with too.
I watched the first Christmas Chronicles over the weekend and really enjoyed it. I need to check out the sequel. I also want to watch Noelle; glad you liked it.
Merry (belated) Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
-Lauren