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.
What’s been happening since my last Sunday Post:
Quitting my job and other life complications. I made a really big decision last week to quit my job at Barnes & Noble. I have absolutely loved working there these last few years, and it’s going to be hard to step away, but I’ve decided that it’s just too hard to balance everything I have going on with working at the store. Some of you probably remember that my oldest daughter has struggled with mental health issues. I haven’t said a lot here because it’s not my story to share, but things haven’t gotten a lot better. I feel like I need to be around more for her. Plus, my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer awhile back, and I know my mom is going to need help as his health deteriorates. I have really loved having an outlet to talk about books with people (and just get out of the house on a regular basis! And have IRL friends to talk to!), but I’ve been running myself pretty ragged lately, and I just can’t do it all. So, it’s a bittersweet decision, for sure.
Bathroom remodel: They’ve made a lot of progress on our bathroom remodel since I last posted. I love the new shower! The whole remodel might even be done next week!
The Song of Orphan’s Garden Book News:
- Book Events: I had a few different events over the last few weeks. I did an IGLive interview with B&N Classworks that was great fun, an interview with a fantastic kids’ writing organization called The Society of Young Inklings, and an event for Drop Everything and Read Day at B&N Oswego.
What I Read:
Since it’s been a while since I’ve posted, I’ve read a lot!
- I read two MG NIVs: All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson and Louder Than Hunger by John Schu. Both were excellent, and I highly recommend them!
- Then I listened to Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins because I had heard it was so good – I did not disagree!I loved hearing Haymitch’s story, and I feel like this brought me back to all the things I loved about the first book in the Hunger Games trilogy.
- Next I read Ghost Scout’s Honor by Carey Blankenship-Kramer, who is a member of my Middle Grade Escapades group. This book is a fun paranormal story, but it also focuses a lot on the main character’s mental health (it’s one of the few books of this type that actually depict her therapy) which I loved. Carey is going to be featured on the Middle Grade Escapades blog tomorrow with a post about the experience of launching a debut novel, and you should definitely give it a read!
- Then I read another book by a MGE member! This one is a graphic novel by Angela Hsieh called Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology, and let me tell you, it’s fantastic! Imagine a world with geofauna – where animals and landforms combine in incredibly creative ways. This book is utterly gorgeous!
- I listened to The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley because it’s one of the B&N monthly picks this month. I’m a sucker for time travel stories!
- Next up, I listened to When We Flew Away by Alice Hoffman, which is a story about Anne Frank before the diary.
- Then I listened to Take the Shot by Amar Shah. This series will absolutely appeal to basketball fans out there, but this installment also focused a lot on the main character’s family, which I think broadens the appeal even more.
- The next book is yet another one from a Middle Grade Escapades member, Ollie In Between by Jess Callans. Can I just say that I’m so in awe of the talent we have in our group? This book about a student questioning their gender perfectly encapsulates the insecurities of adolescence in a way every kid will relate to.
- Finally, I listened to Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. A friend lent this book to me, and I’m going to see her on Tuesday, so I wanted to be able to get it back to her, but I didn’t have time to actually read it – this was a perfect solution. Really glad I finally had a chance to read this classic, since I loved Miyazaki’s film adaptation!
Here’s what you may have missed on the blog since my last Sunday Post:
- April 2025 Discussion Challenge Link-Up & Giveaway!
- Review of the Cloud Puppy books by Kelly Leigh Miller & Kelly’s Top Ten Addictions
NEW Pre-order Campaigns
Head over to my Pre-Order Campaigns Page to see ALL of the pre-order deals, including pictures!!
Here’s a list of the pre-order campaigns I’ve added to the list since my last Sunday Post:
Pre-order ALL WE LOST WAS EVERYTHING by Sloan Harlow to receive a custom bookmark and signed bookplate! (US only) (Ends 5/5) CLICK FOR DETAILS
Pre-order THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS by Ocean Vuong and Penguin Press will donate $0.50 to Queer Liberation Library, up to $10,000! (US only) (Ends 5/12) CLICK FOR DETAILS
Pre-order BELOW THE GRAND HOTEL by Cat Scully from Copper Dog Books to receive character cards with custom cocktail recipes, and a hotel key enamel pin! (Ends 5/5) CLICK FOR DETAILS
Pre-order SALVACION by Sandra Proudman from a participating indie to receive a sticker, a secret wearable item, and a signed bookplate! (Ends 5/19) CLICK FOR DETAILS
Pre-order A FORGERY OF FATE by Elizabeth Lim to receive a bookmark, an art print, four character cards, and a sticker. Preorders from any US-based indie bookstore are also eligible to receive a special dragon pin! (US only) (Ends 6/2) CLICK FOR DETAILS
Pre-order THE BLOOD PHOENIX by Amber Chen to receive a deluxe journal! (US only) (Ends 6/16) CLICK FOR DETAILS
Pre-order THAT DEVIL, AMBITION by Linsey Miller from Book People to receive a signed/personalized copy, 5 character prints, a holographic sticker, and an exclusive pencil! (Ends 6/9) CLICK FOR DETAILS
Pre-order one or both of the AMINA BANANA books by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel to receive a character sticker, a bookmark, and a signed bookplate! (US only) (Ends 5/19) CLICK FOR DETAILS
Lots of good stuff! Have any news? Feel free to share in the comments!
Sorry to hear about your dad and daughter’s health. Also sorry to hear you need to leave B&N, but can totally understand the decision to do so. Your bathroom is looking fabulous! The shower is amazing looking! And yay for the remodel being almost done! I think my aunt’s remodel is close to starting next month. We would usually go up for a visit in June but her remodel might be underway still leaving only 1 shower, so we thought we’d come up another time so 5 people aren’t using the same bathroom on a daily basis. Lol.
Hope you have a great week ahead!
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We’ve had five people using one bathroom during most of this remodel, and it’s definitely not ideal. Luckily, we’re all on different schedules, so it’s worked out, but I’ll be very happy to have my own bathroom back – and my closet!!
Your family is lucky to have you there to support them. I hope they are able to keep your dad comfortable and that your daughter can find some peace, too.
It must have been hard to decide to leave your job. But it’s really smart to cut back when you’re juggling too much, especially when being there for family. I’ve had to make hard career choices because I needed to take care of close family members, too. I hope you feel it’s all more manageable now that you’ve made this decision.
Howl’s Moving Castle is one of my favorite books! I read it (multiple times) before I watched the movie, so I prefer the book, but the movie is good too, and beautifully animated 🙂
The bathroom looks great! Sorry about the job, though. That must have been a difficult decision. I hope you’re having a good week!
I am so very sorry about your dad and daughter. I sent you an email about the tough stuff, so I am going to keep this comment a little lighter.
I love the bathroom, it looks amazing! Glad you are able to do more events for the book, too! Can you believe I have not read Sunrise on the Reaping yet!? I simply have not had a minute to spare, but hopefully soon! What did you think of Ministry of Time? I loved that one. I think I am going to look into the Amar Shah series for Sam, he is getting back into reading a little again, which is good. Anyway, sending you all the love in the world, friend ♥♥