SO I SURVIVED SUMMER SCHOOL.
I started off the course thinking I would flunk but I finished with a 90% so I am very happy. However, because I had to work double time to fix the mistakes I made at the beginning, it meant that I had close to no reading time. I've read maybe five books this month? However, those book were like Illuminae, Crown of Midnight, Emmy and Oliver etc. so it's definitely a quality vs. quantity month for me.
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| When life gives you cupcakes... |
The highlight of my month was the discussion post I wrote about culture in YA. It was actually in the middle of my hiatus but I broke it because I realized that the post needed to be written and there was only a small window of time before the post became irrelevant. It sparked interesting discussion on both ends and I feel like the comments were more intellectual than the actual post. If you haven't read it, I really suggest it - it's eye opening. But the thing I'm most proud is because I tried my hardest to create an environment where anyone can post their respectful opinion without hate or backlash. I think I succeeded.
Nova's fun thing of the month: I went shopping with friends in the middle of the month! I had such fun with my three friends and we hit like every store. I only bought a few things *cough* candy and a cardigan but it was awesome. The highlight was me stating my blunt opinion on stuff in every story. For example: One friend wanted to get this god-awful Pink sweater for $65 and she asked me if it was worth it. I told her no and as we walked out, the look I got from the worker could've killed.
My reply?
Review
This month was good in terms of quantity. I'm very happy! Thanks so much to Raincoast Books for Riders. I had such a great time making this edit! HMH sent Vengeance Road [which I feel so honored to have received because I didn't think I had a shot] and Random House for Illuminae. Illuminae was the galley cover and I received it after reading someone else's copy.
Library/Borrowed
I got to meet the awesome Jessica @ Bookish Serendipity at the library and she lent me her copies of Crown of Midnight, Illuminae [the HC version] and Daughter of Deep Silence. I overall enjoyed all three! So yay - big hits! Unfortunately, I only photographed Illuminae but I'll probably end up doing book shoots for the other two because they're preeety.
Very excited for August - since my July was kind of shot, let's just hope that I can set some goals. I'm working on some new fitness plans and they make me feel alive! [If you have tips/sites to help on that front, link me!] I'm also playing old MMORPG games because childhood revisitation during summer is very important. How are you doing?
Ahh I'm still in Summer School till August 6th. PLEASE HELP ME NOVAAAA!! Lmfao but I love MMORPG games. Have any to recommend?
ReplyDeleteAlex @ The Book's Buzz
Good luck! I'm playing Horse Isle.
DeleteOh wow, 90% is really good -- congratulations so much on doing well! And I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the books you read this month even if they weren't many. I'm still thinking of whether to nab Daughter of Deep Silence -- you're right, the cover is soooo pretty, and I'm still hearing good things about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I really enjoyed DoDS but the only thing I would tell people is that it feels a lot like a contemporary because the MC is on a journey of self discovery in a sense.
DeleteWHOOO! Yay for surviving and finishing with 90% to top it off!! And still managing to read FIVE books at the same time is a huge feat. I didn't have summer school and I only managed to finish two books this month. Guess who's the queen of fail? Yep. Right here. But omggg, you got to read Illuminae. YOU GOT TO READ ILLUMINAE. Hoping above all hopes that you loved it, because I am so excited for that book aiuysfgdkqhuwjdqw dq!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read your culture in YA post yet -- I've been neglecting the blogosphere as of late :( -- but I'll definitely check it out after this. It's great that you were able to provoke friendly discussion from both sides, too. :) Which reminds me, I have so many discussion posts I want to write up, but just no motivation, ugh. You go, girl.
Hoping you have a wonderful August! <3
AW NO MEGAN YOU ROCK! I promise <3
DeleteIlluminae was SO GOOD. I have the bestest of friends who lent her copy to me!!!! I hope you get a chance to read it too - or at least, when it comes out.
MEGAN TWEET MEH IF YOU EVER NEED MOTIVATION
Congrats on surviving summer school! I knew that you could do it, no matter how many obstacles were thrown your way.
ReplyDeleteI would choose quality over quantity all day, everyday. I mean, what is the point of reading like a thousand books if none of them are any good?
I have been loving your book photography lately. They all look amazing and make me want to go and buy ALL OF THE BOOKS.
As for fitness tips, I am in no shape to give you real advice, but I really like the Blogilates YouTube channel. She has a ton of cool, fun, and quick workout videos and lifestyle things to help get on track.
I don't think i EVER want to do summer school again XD
DeleteThat's definitely true - I always read books that people rec me because I trust the recs XD
Blogilates? *rushes off*
Yay for surviving summer school! And :O RIDERS. That is one of my biggest wishlist books right now! I do hope you enjoy it!!
ReplyDeleteOOH I'm SO excited for Riders too!
Delete65 bucks for a sweater/cardigan/etc is FUCKING HORRIBLE.
ReplyDeleteOMGOMGOMG I LOVE KIMBERLY CUPCAKES! They are, flat out, the best store bought cupcakes. For real - I bring them to a potluck or a party if I don't feel like baking. I am going to try the peach ones today.
I love cupcakes.
YES LYN OMG. I got one from urban Planet and it was 30 and NOT ugly sooooo :P
DeleteI loved the cake part but I hated the icing. My sister, however was the opposite so it all works out
Congrats on surviving summer school! I know I'll have to do summer school in college and YIKES. I'll miss my summertime free time, ha. Also: Victoria's Secret clothing is CRAZY. It's like $40 for a bra, and their whole "7 for $27" deal is gross because, honestly, their stuff isn't THAT great of quality. So props to you for saying that lol. The people that work there are so touchy about that sort of stuff.
ReplyDeleteILLUMINAEEEEEEE. Ugh. My review doesn't do it justice tbh.
VS is stupid. I'd rather just go to target or something. I see little middle graders bragging about their vs/la senza bras and i'm like "why??? no one's gonna see it"
DeleteCongrats on finishing summer school and ending the class on a good note! Sorry you weren't able to read much, but I'm glad that the books you were able to read were great!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Thanks, Nicole! I hope your july was fab, also!
DeleteCongrats for finishing summer school! Summer school didn't exist here so I don't know what one do in a summer school, but I bet it's a great achivement xD Illuminae sounds so awesome! I really want to read it too. I've heard many people say that Vengeance Road is great so I'm looking forward for it as well. Anyway, hope you have a great month! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly an achievement I NEVER want to get again. Seriously, it's SO hard. Yes, Illuminae was BADASS. I don't even think the book world can handle it when it comes out because it is THAT awesome!!
DeleteMy July was pretty shot and pooped too nova, so not a good month for me in terms of reading and books, BUT, I have a plan for August, and that's a great thing. I liked your post on Culture in YA, I remember my opinion and comment was, very blunt and honest, I think(?) but I do think you created a great atmosphere to share peoples thoughts in, so well done. Hopefully your August is better than your July, and well done for surviving Summer School and doing so well! :D
ReplyDeleteAmanda @ Nellie and Co.
Ooh plans are really good! I don't really have plans because spontaneity is everything for me. All the same too you about august! Let's just have a great time <3
DeleteFirst of all, CONGRATS ON SURVIVING SUMMER SCHOOL!! Second: Thanks for sharing that story (LOL). I love your frankness. I'm also not the most "modest" when it comes to sharing opinions, but hey, we save the people we shop with a whole lot of money. Opinions are meant to be voiced, anyway. ;)
ReplyDeleteJulia Anne @ Peach Print
WOOHOO go Nova, go Nova! *shimmies* that's awesome you passed the class with a 90%! Oh, I miss the days when I got A's *glares at college*. LOL I would've told my friend no if she were to buy something worth THAT MUCH. That's too expensive. Tell your friend to just buy books :D teehee.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on passing your class, Nova - I think you've earned some time to relax now!
ReplyDelete(Also, I second Little Book Star's point about only spending money on books. They're the only thing that's worth it!)
Beth x
www.thequietpeople.com
www.thequietpeople.com
YAY FOR SURVIVING SUMMER SCHOOL!! Omg a pink sweater for $65?? I think you are the universe's gift to your friend, tbh. XD GOOD GOING. hehe. Oh oh I hope Vengeance Road is as good as it looks. AND ALSO ILLUMANE. I'm so desperate for that one!
ReplyDeleteYay for summer school being over! (I love that Steve Carel gif for life.)
ReplyDeleteI really liked Vengeance Road and LOVED Illuminae - I'm excited for you to read them! And I'm extremely jealous about Riders. Can't wait for that one!
Happy reading, friend! <3