The Weekend Update - 12.13.14

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!  =)

April and I both kind of took it easy on the blog this week, and it was lovely. I don't know if we'll ever take a real break, but it was nice to blog about our other hobbies and showcase what we're reading with our kiddos. Expect more of that in the future...it makes this blogging thing seem less tedious, especially when no one reads your reviews anyway. :P

We got our tree up last weekend -- finally! -- and I'll be finishing up my Christmas shopping this weekend. Not looking forward to that, but everything can't be bought online, unfortunately. Santa came to visit Katie's school this week, too. I'm so glad she still believes...I don't know if I ever truly stopped, but I know plenty of her friends and cousins already have. Makes my heart sad.

I also got my #TBTBSanta package out this week, and she already got it! I was so nervous/excited/anxious because it's my first time participating in the Secret Santa Blogger Swap, but I think I did okay. Cassi seemed to like it all, anyway. I think I did go a little overboard, considering the tier I signed up for, but when buying for bookish peeps, I can't help myself. I know better for next year's swap, anyway. :D Still waiting on my own #TBTBSanta package to arrive...

I didn't get much myself in the way of books or bookish items this week, but that's probably for the best with Christmas right around the corner. I'm just catching up on some fun reading and preparing myself for the onslaught of 2015 titles that I need to get to. I've already read a few and so far, I've done well in picking my reads. Here's hoping that holds true into the new year!

Anyway, here's what I scored this week:

For Review:

Nothing. Yay! Maybe I can get ahead for a change. :D

Freebies:

Swag from Julie Murphy and Gina Ciocca

Purchased:

Lots of bookish gifts but nothing for myself. Er, well, nothing that's been delivered yet. I am expecting a rather large Book Outlet order sometime soon. =)

So, that's my haul. How about you? What did you get this week?

The Week in Review:

Reviews:

• Top Ten Clues You're Clueless (Jen)
• Herman's Letter (Jen)

Current Giveaways:


Promotional/Discussion Posts:  

• Christmas Crafts - April shows off some holiday decorations she and Aubrey made
• New-to-Us Authors - the top ten authors we've never read before 2014
• Waiting on Wednesday - this week we're waiting on Seeker & Last Year's Mistake
• More Christmas Crafts - April and Aubrey made a tea light Olaf

Jen's Currently Reading/Listening To:

I got an ARC of this last week and I just couldn't NOT start it, ya know? I'm loving it, as expected. But I'm sure I'm going to be dying for Every Move by the time I finish. :(

Finishing up Every Word and then I'm diving into this Christmas story. I am having so much fun with all of these holiday reads, and they are so putting me in the right frame of mind for this time of year. :D

Upcoming Reviews:

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Labels: in my mailbox (imm), stacking the shelves, the weekend update