I’ve decided to combine my Monthly Wrap-Up with my first Sunday Post of the month now, so this is an all-in-one.
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. I’m also linking up to the Sunday Salon @ Readerbuzz!
What’s been happening since my last Sunday Post:
Watching the Bulls – The NBA season is back in full swing! Basketball is the only sport I really enjoy watching, and the Bulls have started out really strong, which is always a plus. It’s obviously, early in the season, but right now they’re at 5-0, and the games have been exciting to watch!!
School Musical – Our local high school performed Les Miserables – I was so impressed!!
Bookstore Visits – I spent the day checking out some local bookstores with my former B&N coworkers. Even people who work at a bookstores like to go to more bookstores! 🙂
Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me – Scott and I met up with some friends at a taping of the NPR show Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me in Chicago. It’s always fun to see how a show like this gets made!
Movies – Over the last few weeks, with our AMC A-List subscription, we went to see Good Fortune, a comic angel story starring Keanu Reeves – this movie was really fun. Next, we saw Regretting You, the latest Colleen Hoover flick, which I also enjoyed. It was basically exactly what I was expecting. Finally, we went to see Bugonia – now, that movie was truly a mind trip!
Book News/Progress:
So You Want to Write a Kids’ Book Presentation – I presented at my library about the basics of kidlit writing and publishing. It felt like a great success, and I got really positive feedback on the presentation!
How Now Booking Company – I signed up with How Now Booking Company to help me coordinate school visits! If you know of any teachers or librarians looking for author visits for the 2025/2026 school year, let me know!
Upcoming November Events:
November 14: Bookfest 2025 at Northern Kentucky University
November 15: Books by the Banks – Cincinnati, OH
November 20-23rd: NCTE Conference – Denver, CO
My NCTE panels are:
- The Radical Dream of Rational Optimism: Narrative Writing and Teaching Techniques To Tackle Tough Middle Grade Issues
- Dreaming Together: Readers Theater As a Tool to Encourage Imagination and Enhance Literacy
What I Read:
- I read Tidesong by Wendy Xu, a witchy MG fantasy graphic novel!
- I listened to Chloe Vega and the Agents of Magic by Leslie Adame, one of the Middle Grade Escapades authors. This contemporary fantasy is full of excitement and twists and turns, and I highly recommend the audiobook version!
- Next I read Truly Tyler by Terri Libenson, book 5 in the Emmie & Friends Series. I’ve been so much more invested in this series than I expected to be!
- I also read Better Ways to Read the Bible by Zach W. Lambert. This book really spoke to me and echoed many of the thoughts I’ve had about faith and the ways we should be exhibiting love.
- Then I read Spark by Chris Baron, a verse novel about wildfires and hope and rebuilding. So good!!
- I listened to The Supernatural Society by Rex Ogle. Love the fun voice of the monster narrator of this one.
- Then I listened to The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead. I have a book that I’m probably going out on submission with at the beginning of next year, and I thought this one might be a good fit as a comp title. I definitely think it works, and it’s an incredible book, so I’m so glad I read it!!
- Next I listened to Final Word by Janet Sumner Johnson. I’m going to be doing an NCTE panel with Janet, and I like to try to read panel author’s books if I can! This puzzle-mystery book is so incredible – both the mystery aspect and the themes of family and forgiveness.
- I also read Comics Experience Guide to Writing Comics by Andy Schmidt. I’ve been doing some experimenting with writing in a hybrid format, but I need guidance on writing a graphic novel script. This is the first book I picked up, but I’m also going to read some more!
- Finally, I read Vampirita and the Angry Mob by Mariana Llanos, illustrated by Laura Brenlla. Again, this chapter book is written by one of my fellow NCTE panelists, and it’s so super-cute!!
October Posts You May Have Missed:
- November 2025 Discussion Challenge Link-Up & Giveaway!
- October 2025 Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up Link-Up
- Sunday Post & Book Pre-order Campaigns Galore: 10/19/25 – find out about other October books I read, movies I went to, a book launch event for Sara Shacter, the AISLE Conference, and Digit’s final week of his Sports Sampler class.
- Bite-Sized Reviews of The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang, The Memory Spinner, The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham, Nordlys, and Dracula’s Brunch Club
- Sunday Post & Book Pre-order Campaigns Galore: 10/5/25 – find out about other October books I read, the drone art show I went to, and the IL State Reads List (TSoOG was chosen!).
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 ONLY SPELL DEEP by Ava Morgyn from Murder by the Book to receive a poster and signed bookplate! (Ends 3/16) CLICK FOR DETAILS
Pre-order THE HOUSE SAPHIR by Marissa Meyer to receive an art print! (US/CAN only) (Ends 11/3) CLICK FOR DETAILS
Pre-order A KISS OF HAMMER AND FLAME by Amy de la Force to receive an exclusive art print and signed bookplate! (US only) (Ends 11/1) CLICK FOR DETAILS
Pre-order CHARMED AND DANGEROUS by Shelly Page to receive a bookmark, 2 art prints, 2 stickers, and a signed bookplate! (US only) (Ends 3/16) CLICK FOR DETAILS
Lots of good stuff! Have any news? Feel free to share in the comments!
Sounds like you are doing some fun things. What a treat for all the attendees to hear you talk about your writing/publishing experience.
Thanks for reminding me that I need to read The List of Things That Will Not Change. Good luck with the new booking company helping you sign up for school visits.
Oh nice! Glad you had a good week! And ooh events are always fun! I’ve a few I’m attending this month as well that I am excited about! Hope you have a great week ahead!
Here’s my StS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
I have really liked the Rebecca Stead books I’ve read in the past, so I’m glad to see you enjoyed this one.
I’m also interested in Better Ways to Read the Bible.
The Texas Library Association Conference is a great place to meet librarians and plan out author visits. It will be held in Houston in 2026 at the end of March.
Loving this site for free classics! Hypackelgames
Lots of good books! I have not been to use my AMC A-List, but I don’t want to give up paying for it, just because I like having it in case I do get time to go to the movies. I need to go see Regretting You, but I have a feeling it won’t be there when I finally get some time to go. Hope you had a good week!