The Sunday Post [4]

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly at the Caffeinated Reviewer! It's an opportunity to share news, post a recap for the previous week, showcase books, and highlight what's planned for the week ahead.

News:

I have been in a really weird mood this week! I haven't felt like reading, watching TV, blogging, or getting out of bed. However, I have to get out of bed because children require attention. I think the cooler weather has invigorated them, but it just makes me want to curl up on the couch and take a nap.

I'm really enjoying the cooler weather, despite wanting to snuggle and sleep all day. We've always been outdoorsy, but this weather is perfect for riding bicycles and playing on the playground. The equipment doesn't get too hot, and the cooler air is always refreshing.

The #HoHoHoRAT started this week! It's the second day and I'm already behind. There's just not enough time in a day! Hopefully I'll be able to read at least five books before the end of the readathon.

Previous Week on the Blog:

Sunday: The Sunday Post [3]

Monday: Nothing!

Tuesday: Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Wednesday: My Weekly Pull [45] & Can't Wait Wednesday [15]

Thursday: Love Like Sky by Leslie C. Youngblood [Blog Tour: Spotlight + Giveaway]

Friday: Puzzling Pieces #HoHoHoRAT 2018

Saturday: Nothing!

What I'm Currently Reading:

I'm really enjoying Phoenix Unbound! It's a little dark and disturbing, but in a way that really works for the story. "As one of those unfortunate blooms, Gilene would whore for her village tonight and burn for it tomorrow." Both of the main characters are abused in unspeakable ways, and they're also a very unlikely pair. I'm curious to see where their story goes!

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told is the first non-fiction book I've read in awhile. I'm actually listening to the audiobook (phenomenal), which is narrated by Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman. These two are hilarious on their own (Will & Grace / Parks and Recreation), but I love when they're together. It's like they feed off one another's energy, and the conversations escalate until someone makes an inappropriate comment or joke.

Snowed In is the first book I'm reading for the #HoHoHoRAT! I haven't had a lot of time to read since the readathon started, so I'm just barely into this one. It's been okay so far. It feels like it was written for a much younger audience, but it's listed as a YA book. Also, the characters are shallow and a little repetitive. I'm going to stick with it, because I'm curious about Josh Wynter, so we'll see how it goes.

What I Plan on Reading Next:

The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, #1) by Katherine Arden

Wilder by Andrew Simonet

Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor, #2) by Jessica Townsend

I am really looking forward to reading Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow! My son and I really enjoyed the first book, and we've been anxiously awaiting the sequel. The Bear and the Nightingale is going to be my next #HoHoHoRAT read, and I've heard wonderful things about it!

What I'm Watching:

I started watching Riverdale and couldn't stop! I had forgotten the series was loosely based on a comic, though one I'm not very familiar with. I've heard of the Archie comics and I've seen them around, but I've never actually read one. I've had a few issues with the series as a whole, but it's also ridiculously addicting. I'm a little confused by the somewhat paranormal turn the show has taken during S3, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out.

If you've watched Riverdale, have you noticed that Archie's hair isn't always the same shade of red? It seems to change every few episodes. I'm also irritated with the parents on this show! Does anyone care about their child's safety? I feel like the parents are either nonexistent or they're too involved. 

I'm already jonesing for the next episode, especially after Betty discovered Jughead playing G&G.

Challenge Updates:

Goodreads: 374 / 250

Beat the Backlist: 55 / 100

HoHoHo Readathon: 1 

The #HoHoHoRAT will end on the 18th, and it's not too late to sign up! If you join, you can enter to win some amazing prizes, plus readathons are fun! Please visit the Caffeinated Reviewer for more details.

Puzzling Pieces #HoHoHoRAT 2018

It's finally time for the Ho Ho Ho Readathon hosted by the Caffeinated Reviewer! I'm really looking forward to diving into some winter wonderlands! It still doesn't feel like winter in Texas, but that's not going to stop me from pretending like it's snowing and wishing for a cup of hot chocolate.

If you want to read my original challenge post, please click here. There's a list of the books I want to read, and it's also going to be where I update all of my progress (there's also an image in the sidebar you can click on). I know my list is long, but I wanted to have options!

My challenge for this readathon is a puzzle, and the rules are simple:

1. You have to be a #HoHoHoRAT participant. If you still need to sign up for the readathon, you can do that here.
2. Solve the puzzle! What book is hidden below?

I want this to be fair for everyone, so please only submit your answers within the rafflecopter form. Do not leave your answers (or even guesses) in the comments -- it would spoil the fun for others!

This readathon is about reading winter and holiday books, and I'm looking forward to experiencing snow through fictional characters. Kimberly has really gone above and beyond for the #HoHoHoRAT. There will be challenges, prizes, and even a Twitter Party (November 18th at 3:30 pm (EST). Don't miss out on all the fun!

The Challenges:

Jennifer formerly The Book Nympho "HoHoHoRAT Instagram Challenge"

Michele and Berls @ Because Reading "Christmas Book Cookies"

Tonyalee @ Vivacious Bibliophile "Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon Bingo"

Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? "Puzzling Pieces"

Irena @ Book Dust Magic "Beautiful Covers"

Marie @Ramblings of a Daydreamer "Movie Madness"

Rules:

This giveaway officially starts on November 9th and ends on November 18th. The winner will be announced on November 19th on this post within the Rafflecopter form, and also notified via email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or I will have Rafflecopter select another winner (read my full giveaway policy here).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love Like Sky by Leslie C. Youngblood [Blog Tour: Spotlight + Giveaway]

Title: LOVE LIKE SKY
Author: Leslie C. Youngblood
Pub. Date: November 6, 2018
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 304
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks, TBD

"Brims with charm and compassion."
--Vashti Harrison, New York Times best-selling author of Little Leaders 

"Love ain't like that."

"How is it then?" Peaches asked, turning on her stomach to face me.

"It's like sky. If you keep driving and driving, gas will run out, right?"

"That's why we gotta go to the gas station."

"Yep. But have you ever seen the sky run out? No matter how far we go?"

"No, when we look up, there it is."

"Well that's the kind of love Daddy and Mama got for us, Peaches--love like sky."

"It never ends?"

"Never."

G-baby and her younger sister, Peaches, are still getting used to their "blended-up" family. They live with Mama and Frank out in the suburbs, and they haven't seen their real daddy much since he married Millicent. G-baby misses her best friend back in Atlanta, and is crushed that her glamorous new stepsister, Tangie, wants nothing to do with her.

G-baby is so preoccupied with earning Tangie's approval that she isn't there for her own little sister when she needs her most. Peaches gets sick-really sick. Suddenly, Mama and Daddy are arguing like they did before the divorce, and even the doctors at the hospital don't know how to help Peaches get better.

It's up to G-baby to put things right. She knows Peaches can be strong again if she can only see that their family's love for her really is like sky.

About Leslie:

Website | Twitter | Instagram |Facebook | Goodreads

Leslie C. Youngblood received an MFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. A former assistant professor of creative writing at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, she has lectured at Mississippi State University, UNC-Greensboro, and the University of Ghana at Legon. She began her undergraduate degree at Morris Brown College and completed her bachelor's at Georgia State University. After graduation, she served as a columnist and assistant editor for Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine.

She’s been awarded a host of writing honors including a 2014 Yaddo's Elizabeth Ames Residency, the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Prize, a Hurston Wright Fellowship, and the Room of Her Own Foundation’s 2009 Orlando Short Story Prize. She received funding to attend the Norman Mailer Writers’ Colony in 2011. Her short story, “Poor Girls’ Palace,” was published in the winter 2009 edition of the Indiana Review, as well as Kwelijournal, 2014.

In 2010 she won the Go On Girl! Book Club Aspiring Writer Award. In 2016 she landed a two-book publishing deal with Disney-Hyperion for her Middle-Grade novel, LOVE LIKE SKY (Nov.6). She often teaches creative writing classes at Rochester, New York’s literary center, Writers & Books.

Born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, and raised in Rochester, New York, she’s fortunate to have a family of natural storytellers and a circle of supportive and family and friends.

Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive a finished copy of LOVE LIKE SKY, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:
11/5/2018- BookHounds YA- Excerpt
11/6/2018- Beagles & Books- Review
11/7/2018- YA Books Central- Excerpt
11/8/2018- Do You Dog-ear?- Review
11/9/2018- Here's to Happy Endings- Review

Week Two:
11/12/2018- Adventures Thru Wonderland- Review
11/13/2018- Texan Holly Reads- Review
11/14/2018- Utopia State of Mind- Review
11/15/2018- Novel Novice- Excerpt
11/16/2018- Such a Novel Idea- Review

My Weekly Pull [45] & Can't Wait Wednesday [15]

My Weekly Pull is something I do every Wednesday to show which comics I had pulled for me that week! If you're into comics, or you're looking to start, please join me! If you decide to do your own post, leave a link in the comments. I would love to stop by and check it out!

Runaways #15 by Rainbow Rowell, Kris Anka
X-Men Red #10 by Tom Taylor, Paolo Villanelli, Jenny Frison

Jacob's comics for the week!

Kick-Ass #9 by Steve Niles, Marcelo Frusin, Christian Ward

Deadpool #6 by Skottie Young, Scott Hepburn, Nic Klein

Infinity Wars #5 (of 6) by Gerry Duggan, Mike Deodato, Javi Garron

Marvel Knights 20th #1 (of 6) by Donny Cates, Travel Foreman, Kaare Andrews

Only two comics for me this week! I was completely caught up on my comics... until I wasn't. Hah! I'm still trying to work my way through some of the older Venom issues, but I'm only able to read two or three between my ongoing comics. I'm really enjoying everything I have right now, so I'm sure I'll find the time eventually. 

Runaways and X-Men Red are two that I look forward to every month. Rainbow Rowell really has a knack for the Runaways, and I love how relatable the characters are. They're children that went against their evil parents, and now they're trying to survive in the world. It's rarely easy, but at least they have each other (and a dinosaur). 

X-Men Red is not only relatable, but it's relevant. We live in a divided world, and Taylor really shows those divisive lines within his comic. The scenarios aren't exactly the same, but it's not hard to see the similarities. Also, Gabby! She's my favorite, and the rest of the team is pretty badass, too.

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, that highlights upcoming releases that we're anticipating and excited to read. It's a spinoff of the feature Waiting on Wednesday that was hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Impossible Music by Sean Williams

Expected publication July 2nd 2019

Synopsis (via Goodreads): In an emotionally compelling tale crackling with originality, when a teen musician goes deaf, his quest to create an entirely new form of music brings him to a deeper understanding of his relationship to the hearing world, of himself, and of the girl he meets along the way.

Music is Simon’s life—which is why he is devastated when a stroke destroys his hearing. He resists attempts to help him adjust to his new state, refusing to be counseled, refusing to learn sign-language, refusing to have anything to do with Deaf culture. Refusing, that is, until he meets G, a tough-as-nails girl dealing with her own newly-experienced deafness.

In an emotionally engaging tale crackling with originality, Simon's quest to create an entirely new form of music forces him into a deeper understanding of his relationship to the hearing world, of himself, and of the girl he meets along the way. 

I love everything about this synopsis! It sounds like Impossible Music is going to break my heart a few times before trying to repair it with duct tape. July is still a few months away, but I think this book will definitely be worth the wait!

What are you reading right now? Do you like it?

*Share your My Weekly Pull post! Please leave the direct link to your My Weekly Pull post and not just your blog's URL. Thank you for participating and happy reading!

Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch

Narrated by Lisa Flanagan

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Addie is visiting Ireland for her aunt’s over-the-top destination wedding, and hoping she can stop thinking about the one horrible thing she did that left her miserable and heartbroken—and threatens her future. But her brother, Ian, isn’t about to let her forget, and his constant needling leads to arguments and even a fistfight between the two once inseparable siblings. Miserable, Addie can’t wait to visit her friend in Italy and leave her brother—and her problems—behind.

So when Addie discovers an unusual guidebook, Ireland for the Heartbroken, hidden in the dusty shelves of the hotel library, she’s able to finally escape her anxious mind and Ian’s criticism.

And then their travel plans change. Suddenly Addie finds herself on a whirlwind tour of the Emerald Isle, trapped in the world’s smallest vehicle with Ian and his admittedly cute, Irish-accented friend Rowan. As the trio journeys over breathtaking green hills, past countless castles, and through a number of fairy-tale forests, Addie hopes her guidebook will heal not only her broken heart, but also her shattered relationship with her brother.

That is if they don’t get completely lost along the way.

“Labels aren't big enough for people. And once you try to categorize someone, you stop looking for who they actually are.”

I loved Love & Luck! I was worried it wouldn't be as good as Love & Gelato, but they were both amazing! They're easily two of my favorite reads this year.

Love & Gelato focused on friendship and family, a new home in a different country, and an unexpected romance. Love & Luck was mostly about family and forgiveness. I really liked that the story focused on Addie and her relationship with her brother Ian. They've both been keeping secrets from each other and the rest of their family, which resulted in their friendship becoming strained. Addie and her siblings are really close, so it was hard for her to lie to them and keep her problems to herself. Honestly, I really enjoyed all of the family interactions -- so realistic!

The Ireland setting was fantastic, and I really enjoyed the excerpts from the guidebook (Ireland for the Heartbroken) Addie was reading. It really added another layer to the story, and I thought the author was hilarious!

“Do you know what I love most about humans, pet? It’s our utter dogged stupidity. When it comes to love we never learn. Ever. Even when we know the risks. Even when it makes much more sense to relocate to individualized climate-controlled caves, where our hearts have at least a fighting chance at remaining intact. We know the risks of opening our hearts up. And yet we keep doing it anyway. We keep falling in love and having babies and buying shoes that look incredible but feel like death. We keep adopting puppies and making friends and buying white sofas that we know we’re going to drop a slice of pizza facedown on. We just keep doing it. Is it ignorance? Amnesia? Or is it something else? Something braver?”

Addie is surrounded by three brothers, and she knows how to fight back. She'll happily tackle one of her brothers when they do something ridiculous (which is often). She also isn't afraid to get her hands dirty and loves working on cars. Addie wasn't concerned with appearances, and it was refreshing to read about someone that liked themselves. She may not have liked the decisions she made, but she was still confident and knew herself.

An unexpected road trip through Ireland? Yes, please! Addie travels with Ian and his friend Rowan on an epic journey. She's constantly fixing Rowan's car, Clover, so they can get from one place to the next. I laughed at how clueless the boys were, and Addie's quick remedies for fixing truly terrible mechanical problems. Duct tape does not fix everything...

Rowan was adorable! I loved how he inserted himself into conversations just to keep Addie and Ian from fighting. He's dealing with his own problems, but chooses to focus on their trip instead of dwelling on something he cannot change. After awhile, Rowan starts sharing pieces of his story as they travel, and he and Addie do the guidebook homework together. It was nice to see Addie and Ian put aside their issues so they could work together and help Rowan. Additionally, Rowan and Ian would do something nice to help Addie, and Addie and Rowan did a lot to make Ian's dreams come true. They were such a great team!

There are so many wonderful things I could say about this book (the audio was amazing for one thing), and I adored Addie and her family. They fought (physically and verbally), kept secrets, spilled secrets, laughed, and loved unconditionally. It was an authentic experience that I really enjoyed. Also, their mom was awesome! She could be intense and scary, but she obviously loved her children and would do anything for them.

I highly recommend both Love & Luck and Love & Gelato! It was a wonderful adventure that I doubt I will ever forget! (The characters overlap, but both books can be read on their own.)

The Sunday Post [3]

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer! It's an opportunity to share news, post a recap for the previous week, showcase books, and highlight your plans for the week ahead.

News:

I went to The Origin Event this weekend! It was my first bookish event since BEA 2012, so it had been awhile. Definitely before having kids! When Jennifer L. Armentrout tweeted about the event, I mentioned it to my husband. A few minutes later my email dinged with a notification. My amazing, thoughtful husband had bought a ticket for me! That was last December, so I had to wait awhile before actually attending the event. 

A few of the authors I met: Brigid Kemmerer, C.C. Hunter, C.J. Redwine, Colleen Hoover, Colleen Houck, Cora Carmack, Jay Crownover, Katie McGarry, Kimberly Derting, Kristen Simmons, Sarah MacLean, Simone Elkeles, Sophie Jordan, Victoria Scott, and Jennifer L. Armentrout. There were a ton of other authors, but I could only fit so many books into my backpack! I was able to get a few extra things signed, so I'll be doing a giveaway soon.

Other authors at the event: Amalie Howard, Amy Briggs, Amy Marie, Andrea Joan, Anne Malcom, Beth Ehemann, Daryl Banner, Elizabeth Briggs, Elle Christensen, Ellis Leigh, Emily Rose, J. Kenner, Karina Halle, Kim Jones, Laura Kaye, Laura Kamoie, Laurelin Paige, Lexi Blake, Mary Lindsey, Marissa Clarke, Mary Ting, M. Clarke, Molly McAdams, Shayla Black, Tammara Webber, Tijan, Wendy Higgins

This was my second time meeting JLA, and she's one of the sweetest people I've ever met. She's always smiling, despite signing books for hours and hours without a break. I was one of the last people through her line, and she still greeted me warmly and was willing to listen to me gush about her books and my kids. (I always manage to squeeze them into conversations, haha!) I haven't had a chance to read The Darkest Star yet, but I'm really looking forward to it! 

I was able to tell Cora Carmack how I felt about the ending of Roar in person! We wait the entire book for Aurora to spill her secrets, and the book ends as soon as she's about to -- aargh! (It was a frustrating ending, but not a massive cliffhanger.) Cora just laughed and shrugged her shoulders. We spoke for a few minutes about the rest of her book (she's lovely), and I'm really looking forward to the next one!

At Cora's table, they were asking people about voting. I love that she was able to talk about books, take pictures, and also remind people that they have a voice and that it matters.

After meeting all of the authors that didn't require a ticket, I foolishly chose to walk thirty minutes for vegan tacos. However, they were vegan tacos. How could I not? I wasn't wearing sensible shoes, so my feet are paying the price today. I have one massive blister on the bottom of my left foot, and I hobble when I walk. 

If the tacos were amazing, the cupcakes were better...

There was some sort of cream filling inside (also vegan), and it was delicious. I had a mimosa to top everything off, and I regret nothing!

I really enjoyed speaking with Simone Elkeles and Katie McGarry! Katie remembered me from a previous event, and we discussed life with twins. Simone was vibrant and cheery! They seemed genuinely happy to be there, and I loved my conversations with them. It's always so surreal when you can talk about a book with the author! And we didn't just talk about books, but life and what's happening in the world. Ahh -- I love bookish events!

Previous Week on the Blog:

Sunday: The Sunday Post [2]

Monday: Nothing!

Tuesday: Are You Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex [Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway] ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Wednesday: DNF&Y [10]

Thursday: My Weekly Pull [44] & Can't Wait Wednesday [14]

Friday: Dream Keeper (The Dark Dreamer Trilogy, #1) by Amber R. Duell [Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway] ⋆⋆⋆⋆

Saturday: Nothing!

What I'm Currently Reading:

Not much has changed from last week! I started Illusions this morning, but haven't gotten very far into it. We'll see how it goes! I'm enjoying Strange the Dreamer now that they've traveled to Weep/The Unseen City. The pacing has picked up, and I feel like we're finally getting answers. Jacob and I are still co-reading Artemis Fowl to our son -- loving it!

What I Plan on Reading Next:

These are the same two books from last week, but I haven't had a chance to get to them yet! Hopefully this week will be a better reading week for me.

I also plan on listening to a Jay Crownover audiobook in the near future, because the author herself said they were amazing (she likes to listen to the audio for her books to make sure everything is being pronounced correctly). I had to admit to Jay that I'd never read one of her books, but that everyone was talking about her at the event. They were raving about her books and just how awesome she was in general. When I told her I hadn't read one of her books, but received a copy of one in my tote bag, she laughed and suggested which books to start with. 

We talked about some of our favorite authors, Christina Lauren being one we had in common, and I look forward to experiencing Jay Crownover's stories. If they are anything like their author, I'm sure they'll be bold and fantastic!

What I'm Watching:

I watched the Sense8 finale and it was amazing! I was really upset when they cancelled the show after two seasons, because it was the story was original and the characters were relatable. The show touches on a lot of issues that I think people are struggling with today, and I highly recommend this one if you haven't seen it!

We're still working our way through S3 of Daredevil. Matt loves to torture himself, and I'm curious how dark this season is going to get. The Good Place just got interesting... I had no idea Adam Scott was in this! I think I prefer his Parks & Recreation character, but this is still new. I've never watched Will & Grace before, but I just started the newest season. I think I might go back and start at the very beginning!

Challenge Updates:

Goodreads: 372 / 250

Beat the Backlist: 55 / 100

Ho Ho Ho Readathon: starts November 9th!

If you want to participate in the HoHoHo Readathon, it's not too late to sign up! 

My Weekly Pull [44] & Can't Wait Wednesday [14]

My Weekly Pull is something I do every Wednesday (my DNF&Y post fell on a Wednesday, so this was bumped back a day) to show which comics I had pulled for me that week! If you're into comics, or you're looking to start, please join me! If you decide to do your own post, leave a link in the comments. I would love to stop by and check it out!

 Marvel Two-In-One #11 by Chip Zdarsky, Ramon K. Perez, Paul Renaud

West Coast Avengers #3 by Kelly Thompson, Stefano Caselli

Jacob's comics for the week!

Daredevil #610 by Charles Soule, Phil Noto

I didn't realize Marvel Two-In-One switched from The Thing and The Human Torch to The Thing and Mr. Fantastic. I'm really not sure what the plans are for this comic, or if it's ending soon. I've enjoyed previous issues, but it's not a comic I love. This will probably be the last issue of this we get!

West Coast Avengers is amazing! I love the team! If you're looking for a fun read with an entertaining story, this is definitely it. I seriously have no complaints for this one.

Jacob is worried about Daredevil. I believe they're changing writers, and Charles Soule has been writing Daredevil for the last three years. There has been speculation about his replacement, but I don't think anything definitive has been released. 

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, that highlights upcoming releases that we're anticipating and excited to read. It's a spinoff of the feature Waiting on Wednesday that was hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

The Last Woman in the Forest by

Diane Les Becquets

Expected publication: March 5th 2019

Synopsis (via Goodreads): From the national bestselling author of Breaking Wild, here is a riveting and powerful thriller about a woman whose greatest threat could be the man she loves.…

Marian Engström has found her true calling: working with rescue dogs to help protect endangered wildlife. Her first assignment takes her to northern Alberta, where she falls in love with her mentor, the daring and brilliant Tate. After they’re separated from each other on another assignment, Marian is shattered to learn of Tate’s tragic death. Worse still is the aftermath in which Marian discovers disturbing inconsistencies about Tate’s life, and begins to wonder if the man she loved could have been responsible for the unsolved murders of at least four women.

Hoping to clear Tate’s name, Marian reaches out to a retired forensic profiler who’s haunted by the open cases. But as Marian relives her relationship with Tate and circles ever closer to the truth, evil stalks her every move.…

I love that she uses rescue dogs to protect and save endangered wildlife! The synopsis is intriguing, and I already want to know how it ends...