Okay, you guys. I'm kinda freaking out. I had planned to read a ton over my vacation so I could get caught up. But that didn't happen. I spent too much time in the pool with Katie, not that I regret it. But now I'm looking at my review schedule, and I'm close to hyperventilating. Okay, it's not as bad as all that, but I have 26 -- 26!!! -- books to review that release in September:So, since my end-of-the-week post isn't just about what I got in my mailbox or on my Kindle each week -- though that is a big part of it, I won't lie -- I decided to change up the title and intro a bit. I might tweak the format a bit over the next few weeks, but for the most part, it'll contain the same stuff: stuff I got, stuff I did, and stuff that's coming up on the blog. Plus, I get to use the awesome GIF you see here and blow kisses to all the people who sent me lovely books and bookish things. Oh, and I've started linking up to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Reviews since I'm not using a specific meme title anymore. April's also doing her own Stacking the Shelves posts on Sundays. Stop by and say hi! =)
August only has about 10 that I need to review, and I still haven't made my way through half of those! I don't know what I'm going to do, besides just be really particular about which ones I do read. I hate this sense of obligation I feel, like I accepted the review copy and now I have to read it. I struggle with this constantly, but inside I yearn to be more like those bloggers who just read what they want, when they want. I've tried that, and it works for a bit -- really well, actually -- but I always fall back to the schedule. o_O
Anyway, enough complaining. Here's what I scored this week, which only serves to further my anxiety:
For Review:
Zac & Mia by A.J. Betts - one via trade, one from publisher (I should know by now that my trades always come back to bite me in the arse. o_O)
In a Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis - via Harper Teen pkg of awesome - I AM EXCITE!
Remember Me by Romily Bernard - same - didn't read the first book, might trade
Dead Zone by Robison Wells - same - didn't read the first book, might trade
Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant - same
The Accidental Highwayman: Being the Tale of Kit Bristol, His Horse Midnight, a Mysterious Princess, and Sundry Magical Persons Besides by Ben Tripp - via the awesome folks at Tor Teen
My True Love Gave to Me by Stephanie Perkins (anthology) - via Netgalley - Squeeeeeee!!!
Library:
The Giver by Lois Lowry - had to read/listen before seeing the movie
Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins - never got around to my review copy so I'm checking out the audio
Purchased:
Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine - Isn't that finished copy gorgeous?!? Looks pretty nifty next to my ARC, too. =D
wanted copies to match the upcoming releases from two of my favorite contemporary authors ;0)
(I already have the hardcovers of the Perkins books, but I couldn't resist these!)
(I already have the hardcovers of the Perkins books, but I couldn't resist these!)
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Infinite Repeat by Paula Stokes - prequel novella to The Art of Lainey, I've been waiting for this FOREVERRRRR!!!
So, that's my haul. How about you? What did you get this week?
The Week in Review:Reviews:
- Let's Get Lost (April)
- Silver Shadows - audio (Jen)
- Finding Cinderella - audio (Jen)
- Magnolia (Jen)
- Some Boys (April)
- The Vanishing Season - audio (Jen)
- Gates of Thread and Stone (Jen)
Current Giveaways:
Giveaway time! Winner picks 2 from this stack - some are SIGNED - US only, follow & RT to enter. Ends 9am on 8/12. pic.twitter.com/OI1gQAtaZh
— jen bruce (@starryeyedjen) August 8, 2014
Promotional/Discussion Posts:
- Recommended Reads for the Faerie N00b - our Top Ten favorite faerie stories/series
- Waiting on Wednesday - This week we're waiting on I'll Give You the Sun & The Girl at Midnight
- SYNC 2014 - Week 13 Books Up for Grabs - Living a Life That Matters & The Shawl...this is the final week of SYNC
Magic. Witches. A mysterious harpoon boy. WHY have I waited so long to read this?!? Gah, and I just love that cover!I was so excited for this final installment in Wendy Higgins' Sweet Trilogy, but then life happened and I never got around to acutally reading it. My library just got it on audio, so I grabbed it and started listening as soon as I finished The Giver. It's about what I was expecting, though there are definitely some surprises. But I'm not finding the storyline as enjoyable as I once did...though, that might have something to do with the fact that I'm three books deep into Paula Weston's Rephaim series and it is blowing my ever-loving mind.
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Ah! September is EVIL I tell you. I am drowning as well. I went ahead and admitted that it was not feasible, likely or even possible to read and review all of them on time. So, I'm not going to bother stressing over it. I will just meander through my stack and get to them eventually. I've actually just read an October release ahead of the August and September. Yipes right?
ReplyDeleteSeptember is so stacked. I just realize that I have a lot of books to review in September. I say do what you can do and then worry about everything else later. It will all work out in the end.
ReplyDeleteGrace
Books of Love
September is CRAZY! Which is just awful timing because most of us either have to back to school or have to adjust with sending our kids back to school which sucks away at so much reading time. Don't stress over it, that never help either :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your books!
26! No wonder you are freaking out. And I thought I was busy! Good luck and happy reading, because it looks like you have some great titles there :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing haul this week! I am so behind on review copies atm, it's embarrassing but I have finally given up caring. Zac & Mia is one I really want to read, I think it looks really great. I hope you enjoy all of your reads this week :) Here's my STS.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it with September and ALL the book releases?! Frankly I'm avoiding requesting any books at the moment, hehe, just because I want a break. I hate that sense of obligation, especially for unsolicited ARCs too. :( I've got a far few that should've been posted in July. OMG. I need to get a move on! I've got Messenger of Fear and I'm really excited for it. My ARC is like unbound and I have noooo idea but that makes me seriously happy. :)
ReplyDeleteSeptember IS really crazy - so I completely understand feeling freaked out over the sense of that obligation. I've been behind for awhile because of work, so I completely get where your'e coming from!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy all of your lovely new books and don't freak out too much!!
My StS
I tried to comment on this in the morning from my phone, but it was being lame. So the comment didn't go through.
ReplyDeleteI also have My True Love Gave To me, I cannot wait for that one.
*sigh* Oh the spreadsheet. I envy your organization skills. lol. I have a few of these same titles through netgalley and Edelweiss. You know you don't have to feel obligated to read them all and review them right now! I get that you accepted them, and I feel the same, and try to stay on schedule, but even I've gotten carried away lately and my list is daunting. This summer has been.. well you know what I'm dealing with right now.
Anyway, we can email about it next week, but You have me to review books too! We can divy some of these titles up that way you aren't feeling so stressed to get them read by their release dates. You can always send feedback saying it was reviewed by me on such and such date on the blog. Just a thought, we can discuss it later if you want. Even if it's just for a few titles that maybe you aren't looking as forward to. My list is big, but not as big as yours, and I'm happy to help! <3
Hope you are having a great weekend!
Jen, you are a SUPER BLOGGER! This type of organization takes dedication! YOU GO, GIRL!
ReplyDeleteOkay, so I know you're not here to show off your skills or anything. You're here with your spreadsheet to show us how crazy your August and September will be, but still... you're awesome! My advice for your predicament? Just do what you can and have fun with it! You can always return to the books you don't get to read this month (or the next) and submit late feedback. Plus, ^April is here to help! It'll all work out! :)
Oh, my! You have sooo many amazing books in your haul this week! I don't know where to begin. But I do know my most anticipated is IN A HANDFUL OF DUST. I'll be reading that one soon with April. :)
Enjoy the goods!
Marlene @ The Flyleaf Review
I have an ARC of Mortal Danger, and I don't know what to do with it. I absolutely hated it. I don't really want to recycle it because I'm sure someone could read it, but I don't want it in my house anymore.
ReplyDeleteBut I really hope you read everything you have to read before the deadlines. I would kill to have that many ARCs, but I'm just starting out. Zac and Mia is one I have my eyes on. It seems like it will be a great book.
I entered the giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win! :)
That cover for Of Metal and Wishes looks SO WONDERFUL! I hope you like it!
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot of Sept books! I have more October books than Sept, so I'm trying to spread them out over the next 2 months so I don't get in the same spot.
ReplyDeleteYou're not alone in feeling overwhelmed! I'm slowly making my way through my reading pile - I just need to stop requesting books. I have read Heir of Fire and Salt & Storm. The latter was different which is why I really enjoyed it. Here's ours if you're interested: BiblioJunkies Happy Reading! ~ Bel
ReplyDeleteWow, it is going to be a busy month! Good luck :). I really like the covers of Stephanie Perkins's books. They're all so bright and happy! I really want to snatch My True Love Gave To Me, seems like great christmas read. Happy reading, Jen!
ReplyDelete