There are, apparently, only 152 more days in the year. I’M UNSURE HOW TO FEEL ABOUT THIS. Despite doing a lot recently, I still feel rather unproductive. I blame editing. It happens so slowly for me, it just leaves me gnashing my teeth and whimpering and feeling like I’ve accomplished NOTHING. But, on the edit front…I do have a small question to squawk to you regarding help for my book at the end of this post. So beware. Mwahahaha.
Also. CHANGE IS COMING. Which is terrifying, but hopefully it’ll be calm change and no one (this means me) will go crazy because of it.
- I’m not linking up with any weekend posts anymore (like “Sunday Post” or “Stacking the Shelves”). I don’t have time to properly join in the link ups nowdays. So what’s the point?! BUT. If you still want to link me to your weekend posts, I will adore that.
- A blog redesign is coming soon! YAY. I have an idea, but I’ve never spent money buying graphics before, so, I’m still debating on a few things. If anyone has recommendations for good (cheap? I’m poor) places to buy graphics or even ANY design tips: I will possibly hug you. At the very least I’ll smush cake in your face in gratitude.
- Also when I hit 1.5K followers, THERE WILL BE A GIVEAWAY. So tell people to follow my blog, okay? Go on, my little minions. I currently am on 1,420 dedicated minions.
So usually I get you peoples to vote for my next read. BUT I ACCIDENTALLY READ THESE ALREADY. And, can you believe this, but my TBR is actually only 3 books high at the moment. Oh. my. gosh.
- RUIN AND RISING (The Grisha #3): Such a disappointing conclusion. My ship sunk. I was bored.
- STRAY (Spark #2): Thank you Walker Books! I’m mildly keen for this one although, erm, I forget the ending of Spark. Oops. This is the only one in my haul I haven’t read yet!
- THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF CINNAMON GIRL: I snabbled this at my library sale for $0.50!! AREN’T I A GOOD BARGAIN HUNTER? Also I love this book and it’s full of food and Australianness.
- THE WOLF WILDER: Thank you Bloomsbury! Strangely…political?! It’s a middle-grade set in Russia but there aren’t nearly enough wolves.
- GRAFFITI MOON: Another $0.50 bargain from the library sale. I tore the spine getting the stickers off, though. I AM IN AGONY. (I love this book, by the way.)
- A STEP FROM HEAVEN: I read this because Engie said too. AND IT WAS GOOD. It’s about a Korean girl immigrating to America. Diversity is muchly.
- WHISPER: This is Australian (!) about a deaf girl (!!) and is surprising golden read (!!!). I didn’t have any expectations going in, but WOAH. Love.
I have such an instagram addiction. And who knows? Maybe one day I’ll even figure out how to use my camera PROPERLY and not just automatic everything and increase my fabulousness.
\\ click on covers to see the reviews! //
I read 28 books in July! And after June’s disasters? This month was bliss in the readingness. Although a few highly anticipated books shrivelled like fried limpets, I had THREE 5-star reads!
- BEST BOOK? Oh without a doubt it was The Wrath and the Dawn!! I LOVED that book. But I also gave 5-stars to The Accident Season and Demon Road.
- WISH I’D NEVER READ? Ugh, HAS to be Beastly. That book was, to be awfully punnish, beastly. I always wish I’d never read Mockingbird because I think it was a bad representation of Aspergers.
- DID I LAUGH? Demon Road had me in stitches! So SO witty. I also laugh while reading anything by George RR Martin…but I think that’s hysterical laughter?? I think I’m not okay anymore???
- COVER LOVE? I will always adore the series covers for the Grisha trilogy, even if Ruin and Rising broke my heart with its mehness.
- MOST SURPRISING? Probably Five Flavours of Dumb! It was just a semi-random swipe from the library and I really really loved it. (Also it’s about a deaf girl.)
WHAT YOU CLICKED ON THE MOST:
- WHEN DO YOU UNFOLLOW BLOGS? — This quite exploded my blog! So either you peoples are notoriously nosey of my motives OR it truly is a taboo topic we all think about but don’t talk about.
- DOES AUTHOR BEHAVIOUR INFLUENCE YOUR OPINION OF THEIR BOOKS?
- CAN YOUR TBR PILE BE TOO BIG? — I ask the tough questions.
INTRIGUING SEARCH RESULTS:
- “thanks name cake” — I don’t even know what this means. Are you thanking cake? Are you accusing me of being called cake? Very well, I accept.
- “types of writters” — dude, you need to work on your spelling.
- “types of weiters” — seriously, is it THAT had to spell writers? Are you a writer, Because I hope not?
- “
a crown of thors and roses sarah” — I feel like Thor would be PERFECT fodder for a Maas’ book. - “what are those things that writers do that make them to fall on the wrath of the law” — dude. That is very specific. And you found MY BLOG??? I’m (mostly) law abiding?
- “lists of book of how to become a con artist” — Oh, gosh. Apparently my blog is not trustworthy?? Apparently I attract criminal minds??
- “novels with heroes of questionable morales fantasy” — Please see: every fantasy novel ever.
- “im 22 what shoukd i know” — You should know how to ride a dragon, that hair-ties are bewitched to run away, that the secret of the universe is pie, and sniffing books is okay.
- “latest publishing trends teen genre 2016” — I’m glad you’re coming here for me to predict the future. I DO THAT, YOU KNOW. It’s going to be Persian folklore retellings narrated by naan bread with a side cast of dahl.
- “sauron vs skulduggery” — I want this.
- MOVIE NEWS!! Ransom Riggs shows off the first Miss Peregrine’s poster.
- MOVIE NEWS!! The first trailer for Room is out! (To be honest, I didn’t even know this was a movie…I really need to read the book.)
- MORE MOVIE NEWS!! (Gawsh.) Dumplin has been picked up by Disney (!!) to become a movie.
- John Green does a simply marvellous post defending Cara when some interviewers were super rude to her. I got so angry watching those interviewers hate on Cara because she has a clever, sarcastic wit. A LOT of British actors (I’ve noticed) are like that in interviews…and it makes me love them so so much.
- Sarah Eliza puts together a post of writing advice. AND HELLO. I AM CONTRIBUTING TO THIS POST.
- Emily @ Loony Literate lists the problems with series. There are so, so many.
- Jeann @ Happy Indulgence gives us advice on building up our social media accounts.
- Amanda @ Nellie & Co asks if we blog more than we read?
- Anne @ Books, Baking and Blogging lists bookish desserts. Torturous post. Don’t read it.
- Tina @ Read the Bloody Book has got EVERYTHING you need to know if you want to start up with NetGalley.
Reasons Editing Takes Me So Long: 1. Analysing every word and picking only the best. 2. Spending so much time facedown on the floor crying.
— Cait (@PaperFury) July 21, 2015
I’VE BEEN WRITING AND I NEED A BETA. I have the excellent help of my fantastically marvellous critique-partner Emily and also I begged Alyssa for her thoughts. But I really really could use with two more opinions before I fling this little contemporary back to my agent. SO. I’m nervous to ask you fabulous bilge-snipes, because I only need two people. And I really don’t want to tell anyone no. Oh the difficulties.
So if you’d be interested in beta-reading my contemporary, can you let me know? It’s a Beethoven retelling about music and abusive families and there’s much sass and an entire chapter devoted to cake. You can read some snippets here. I’ll be throwing it at you in a week’s time.
BUT ONLY ASK IF:
- You can read it in around (preferably under) 2 weeks. I be on a schedule.
- You’d be willing to just give me a sort of detailed “review” afterwards. With likes and dislikes. (I’m not looking for line edits.)
- You aren’t a pianist. (It is ABOUT a pianist and I am a pianist…so I want to make sure I’m not too piano-y.)
- You actually need to LIKE young adult contemporaries (obviously…but still) and preferably be a bit of a contemporary connoisseur (because i’m a contemporary dolt) and like reading in 3rd person, present tense.
Leave me a comment if you think you fit this! I’ll snabble up two of you. And if MORE of you want to read it…well, go tell the publishers to buy it off me and make it FAMOUS.
-~-
time to CHAT, my blogglings!! how was your July??! i need know all the things. did you read anything super delicious? how many books on your TBR right now? (i cannot believe i only have THREE) any blog/graphic design geniuses out there with tips for me? (or do ya just wanna redesign my blog for me? um, AHEM.) did anyone finish Camp NaNoWriMo?? happy with your new book or gnashing your teeth? OH AND WHICH YA MOVIE ADAPTION ARE YOU EXCITED FOR?
I WOULD ABSOLUTELY DOUBALUTELY LOVE THE CHANCE TO BETA READ YOUR BOOK!!!! AHHHHH THAT WOULD BE INCREDIBLY AMAZING!!!! XD So if you ever need an Ella opinion you know who to call. :’) No worries if you don’t, though!
I HAVE A QUESTION! This might be just my computer but currently Paper Fury doesn’t look like Paper Fury! Everything has stretched and disappeared but I was just wondering if it was just me or Paper Fury’s having a tantrum! Thought I’d let you know. :))
YESSSSS I have that exact same problem with SPARK!! Finished it a few weeks ago and I’m getting STRAY as a review copy (!!!) but now I can’t remember a THING about SPARK. Oops. O.o
OMG GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DESIGN!!!! I just know it’ll be amazing!!
Whoops! Paper Fury has turned normal again!! Must have been my computer! Sorry for bothering you!! >.<
OH! SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEETT!!!! First comment YET AGAIN!! 😉 *pumps fist*
BWAHAHAHHAAHA just read those snippets again and OMG. Cait, a publisher is just going to eat you up! You’re just tooooo funny! I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET TORTLE.
I HOPE THEY EAT ME. I WANT TO BE EATEN. *collapse on the floor sobbing*
OH BUT YAY I’M GLAD I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE FAILING WITH STRAY. -_- I did like Spark a lot, but…I don’t remember things unless it’s like a 5-star book or a 1-star book and I obsess and wail/rant/adore it. xD #bookwormproblems
aFDJSALKF I’M LIKE NINE MILLION PERCENT HONOURED YOU WANT TO READ MY BOOK. GAH. I’M JUST GONNA SIT HERE AND GRIN LIKE A CHESHIRE CAT, OKAY?! I have to, like, just calm myself and go through everyone’s comments and think. But I’ll get back to you all okay?!! FOR NOW THO, YOU GET CAKE BECAUSE I’M JUST SO HONOURED AND YOU’RE SO NICE.
Ooh! I see me there! Thank you so much for linking me!
You’re welcome. XD Thank YOU for writing epic posts!!
Not just Ella’s computer! Mine has gone…weird, too.
Okay, okay, so not a YA adaption, more adult, but I’m reallllly looking forward to The Martian. The book was GREAT and the main character was hilarious, so I just hope that translates to screen well. ISN’T THAT PEREGRINE POSTER JUST SO GORGEOUS THOUGH.
The Martian?! I’M GONNA LOOK IT UP. Because I am shameful and haven’t even heard of it. (But maybe that’s because it’s adult? My brain likes to focus on all things YA.) YES I HAVE SUCH HIGH HOPES FOR MISS PEREGRINE’S.
Argh, of all the times to be a pianist. I so wanted to put my name down as a prospective beta. Your writing is such fabulousness. But alas, my musical knowledge once again lets me down. I shall retire back to my corner and wait in the hopes that maybe one day you shall call for betas again…
I haven’t read that many books recently alas. Stupid uni still. Almost free though. Then all the reading, writing and musics are mine. Mwahahaha! Ahem. Pardon me. I was rather excited this month because I finally (finally!) got to read Skulduggery Pleasant book 1 (right after reading book 9, which is rather a large jump in the timeline I will admit). And I have Last Stand of Dead Men, the only Skulduggery Pleasant book I haven’t yet read in my TBR list, so I may finally be able to finish off the entire series. I’ve also been loving the books of David Metzenthen. Small books, contemporary, with romances that just make me go squee! And I don’t squee over romances ever. Literally, I run away from them. So he’s doing something right.
*whispers* I THINK I GOTTA EMAIL YOU. (Um, that wasn’t a whisper. But I’m eeeexcited. You are like an insanely awesome writer and and and I’M JUST POPPING OUT OF SKIN WITH JOY THAT YOU WANT TO READ IT. *dies of happiness)
Omg, you read bk 9 first?! You CRAZY THING. XD So you’re reading the entire series out of order?! I’ve read up to bk…6. I think. XD I always forget numbers. It broke my heart, though, so I haven’t read the next one despite it glaring at me from my bookshelf. Oops. hehe.
Omg how do you read so fast, I am amazed and at your feet begging for tips XD
Good luck in finding your beta reader! I would totally volunteer but I am a dunce at contemporary, having read um 2 in the past year. I’m sure you’ll receive a kabillion offer momentarily, your book will soon by famous!!
You get the most hilarious search results, you could write another book on those as well :’D
I HAVE TRAINED MY EYEBALLS TO READ TWO BOOKS AT ONCE. Very clever, very wonderful. *nods*
I am such a dunce at contemporary too so I FEEL YA ON THIS, I DO. >_> It’s rather shameful. But I’m suuuuch a lover of fantasy and magic and paranormal grasshoppers. Whatever. As long as it’s crazy = I want to read it. XD
I could probably do a whole POST on those search terms!
*whispers* Your website’s gone weird on my computer too.
Ooh, a blog redesign would be cool. Unfortunately I don’t have any recs for you, but I shall eagerly watch this space. And oh my, people searching your blog are so *amusing*. Mine are all normal and sane, except for the typos. Then it’s just weird.
So I’m just going to say this for the other commenters who may spot this: if you fulfil the requirements to be a Tremolo beta, DO IT DO IT. Because honestly, it was absolutely wonderful. The snark was phenomenal.
*whispers* I glared at it and I think it stopped its tantrum? I hope. >_< YES. I have a friend who's offered to help me with some design and I'll probably beg my bro-in-law for more coding so. BASICALLY THE MINIONS WILL WORK FOR ME. *nods regally* The amount of typos in search terms though...it's insanely funny. I get so many for "Paer Fury" or "Paper Fur". XD It's unbelievable.
Wish I could’ve read that many books in July . . . . I don’t think I managed more than two. And those search terms . . . I’m not even going to get started on how messed up you’d have to be to type those in . . .
(Also, I’m having the same problem Ella mentioned above with the blog being stretched out and stuff being out of place, but that’s probably just my computer.)
Wait, never mind. Now it’s back to normal.
(Clearly I’m up too early, given that I left a letter out of my name in my previous comment…)
I KNOW RIGHT!? Some people are nuts. I just giggle and love them though. I could do a whole post on the weird search terms I get. XD Ahem.
(I think the blog has fixed itself but thank you for letting me know! :D)
Only THREE tbrs???!!! Amateur! *giggles* I’m marching down towards 500 tbrs this month and WAS feeling a bit smug about it but now I’m depressed! *SOB*
AHHHH DON’T BE DEPRESSED. XDD I’m insanely fast at reading, oh and I was on such a strict ban for the last few months. It paid off. :O But I seriously am nervous at having so few books.
Cait, help! Your blog is doing something weird and it’s fully loaded and it’ all right centered and the design is doing something weird and I’m worried! School just started, so I’ve been doing homework (with a healthy dose of blog reading) all afternoon. I’ve been reading Room for ages. It seems good, but it’s certainly not gripping. Good luck with your design. I would love to be a beta reader , but I’m a pianist and a violist and I like Bach better (lol that isn’t a factor) I did nano, but it was in June, and I’m not exactly happy- but I’m gonna do Beautiful People this month and tell others about it. Well, Dumplin seems awesome but I haven’t read it yet so…
It went back to normal after I commented. But still, something is wrong 🙁
I knooooow. I was crying. But I think it’s fixed?! I HOPE SO ANYWAY. (I don’t even know why it was throwing a tantrum.)
Aw, that’s kind of disappointing about Room. 🙁 I picked up a second hand copy somewhere along the way so I AM going to read it, but bit worried, I’ll be honest! The movie looks pretty emotional though. *gulps* BACH IS AWESOME. I used to really loathe his piano studies when I started playing, but his cello pieces? Omg. I’m in love.
The snippets are fantabulous Cait!! I really want to be your beta! July was the month of laziness for me. 🙁
AWK. THANK YOU ANGEL!! <3 And hey lazy months aren't always bad, right?! XD
The Wrath and the Dawn was amazing! I took up the book after reading your tweets saying that you loved it, and the book ended up breaking my heart. ALL THOSE FEELS! And the romance! *flails*
I am curious to see your new design! I don’t know much about design elements, but I do know that Creative Market offers some really cute ones!
And the beta reader application! I volunteer as a tribute! I don’t know whether you’ll find me fit enough to beta read your book, but I am a Advanced Level Lit Student and I am also on holidays right now, so I might be able to help. Just let me know if you’re interested! 🙂
YAAAAY I’M SO GLAD YOU LOVED IT TOOOOO!! It’s totally one of my TOP reads of this year, omg. So much love. So much sadess. That ending was very cruel and I need the sequel. Like. Now.
Creative Market is SO GREAT. And I love how they do freebies!!
Omgggg, you’re so so nice!! *Flails* I have like nine billion offers and WHY IS EVERYONE SO NICE TO ME, OMG. I’M GONNA DIE OF HAPPINESS. So I’ll just ponder it for a bit and then get back to everyone. xD :DDD I appreciate your offer like 2 million percent, though. <3
I’m with everyone else on the funny looking blog thing. Anyway, I guess I must get to reading the Wrath and the Dawn. It’s great that you liked these books. I would like to read this book of yours and it sounds amazing, but I am a pianist and mucisisit person and also like contemporaries without being a conniesuer. Don’t die of edits or anything. Also, I’m very jealous of your libraries’ cheap books.
oh it’s fixed now after I commented.
ERk, yes, thanks for letting me know! But I think it’s fixed? And I didn’t do anything. I have no idea why it even had a tantrum. -_- YESSS PLEASE READ TW&TD. I shall attempt not to die of edits. Only 2 chapters to go! *flails with happiness*
I am more than happy to offer Beta-ery services should you still wants them 🙂 I have chocolate, so, you know… Fit in with all of your needs (like YA contemp, not a pianist, have stupid amounts of time on my hands…) Plus I am INSANELY CURIOUS and between manuscript edits so GIMME. Basically. *grabby hands*
P.S. Will still like you and consider you my evil overlord if you don’t want me to beta 😛
ARE YOU BRIBING ME??? BECAUSE BRIBES WORK WONDERFULLY. XDXD I shall just think over everyone’s offers (omg, so many! I’m so so honoured and just afjdsklfd I am a lucky bean) and then get back to you all. YOU GUYS ARE RIDICULOUSLY WONDERFUL THO.
Cait, I will be heartbroken if you do not allow me to be a BETA reader because omg I love your writing so much and it always makes me howl and I DON’T play any instruments, so I’d be perfect as a none-musical person! Please please please, LET ME! *clears throat* If you don’t, it’s all good, just know I love you lots, okay? <3
Anyhow, I second a few of the comments, the blog looks a little iffy to me personal, not sure why, it's not a setting on my side of things, so god knows, just thought it was worth mentioning. BUT, a new design?! WOW! I wouldn't know where to go for graphics if I'm honest, I've been lucky with mine and asked people for permission, or they've been official clip-art images and are usable freely, so I wouldn't really know, but I wish you luck!
My current read is A Thousand Nights, the other retelling of A Thousand and One Nights like Wrath and Dawn, and I quite like it, it’s just not motivationally pulling me in enough, you know? I think I’ll rate it like a 4 though, because it’s good, just has some issues. Demon Road is in my ext few reads, and I CANNOT WAIT, YAY! Oh, and Sword of Summer, I have a copy of that, so that’s exciting!
Good luck with the editing and the BETA readers *crosses fingers* and hopefully August is amazing for you! 🙂
Paper Fury goes back to normal after a comment, so that’s a little odd. God knows!
AFJDKLSA I’M GONNA THINK ABOUT ALL THE OFFERS AND GET BACK TO PEOPLE BUT OMG I’M SO DYING AND FLAILING HERE JUST KNOWING YOU WANT TO READ IT. IT MAKES MY DAY, OKAY?!! *gives you cake*
Agh, yes, I think the blog has fixed itself? (I did nothing. 0_0) And I have no idea WHY it was being crazy. Grr.
Demon Road is WONDERFUL. I hope you like it and ahhh I need A Thousand and One Nights just because PERSIAN FOLKLORE. It is my life, tbh. And I’d read any and every book on it. *nods*
YOUR BLOG IS COMING UP WEIRD ON MY COMPUTER, WHAT IS HAPPENING.
Also, I feel privileged to be your critique partner. Mwahaha.
CONGRATS ON READING *ALL* THE BOOKS. As usual. I still have to snabble The Wrath and the Dawn from somewhere…
I FEEL PRIVILEDGED TO BE YOUR CP. YOU ARE THE CONTEMPORARY EXPERT.
Cait… May I please beta read your novel?? (*makes huge puppy eyes*) I need to read the things. 😳
I am currently reading Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee. (I’m about halfway & I’m not positive how I feel about it? It’s very different than To Kill a Mockingbird…)
Things that happened in July… I finally moved houses with my family, I booked a plane ticket to Colorado for August, I did a bit of blog redesigning, & I made one of my most favorite blog posts for a long time. (The Writing Process Explained // my life in GIFs ) Pretty nice July, if I do say so myself. 😁
AFJDLSKAF I JUST WANNA THANK YOU AND HUG AND MAYBE GIVE YOU CAKE. XDXD I’m so so excited that you want to read it! I’m like dying with a million offers so I’m just gonna think over the things and get back to everyone, okay?!! AFDJKSAL BUT SERIOUSLY I AM SO SO HONOURED AND PLEASED.
I’ve heard such bad things about Go Set A Watchman that I’m terrified of it. :O I’m waiting for the audio to come in at the library, but omg, yes. Scariness. I kind of wonder if it’s ever a good idea to try and put a sequel to such a cult classic.
MEEE!! OH MY GOSH ME PICK MEEEE!!! Is the position already filled?
And why do I not see Mosquitoland on your TBR? It MUST be on your TBR!
IT IS AT THE LIBRARY!!! IT IS ON RESERVE!!! I don’t know when it’ll be ready for me to pick up, but I’m first in line on the reservation list! 😀 I AM GOOD, SEE?!
Hooray!
I have no idea what I’ve done, but your site seems to have come up on what I imagine is mobile mode. Oops.
I read I’ll Give You The Sun. It was glorius! XD
I DID finish Camp NaNoWriMo (60,000 words in a month, YES!!!!) but the last three chapters were awful AND I’m only about halfway through the story. I keep doing that thing where I question everything I write and decide that the plot is stupid. 🙁 When I’m editing, I cycle between depression and delight.
I’m super jealous of whoever ends up beta reading your story (your snippets made me laugh so hard) but I won’t offer myself because you want quick feedback (who wouldn’t?) and I’m going to be busy for the next few weeks. I’m sure you’ll be overwhelmed by offers anyway. 😉
ERGH YES. I think it’s fixed now though? It was being so weird and I don’t even know why. 0_0 Gah. Blogs. I am inept at the technical side of these things. Writing and gifs is all I can do. XD
AHHH CONGRATS ON NANO!! 60K is fabulous and brilliant, too, wELL DONE. *gives you congratulatory chocolate because you totally deserve it* That is me when editing too though. Right now I’m in the “my book sucks” but, seriously, a chapter ago I was actually pleased. *facepalm*
Ack! I was soooo going to volunteer to beta-read, and then you said not a pianist. *sigh* But that makes me want to read it more…
I love that so many of us are pianists though!! 😀 YAAAAAAY. When (if?! lol) it gets published you will get all my piano-y references. XD
Yeah!!! I can’t remember reading a book that actually had piano references. Then again, I sometimes have trouble remembering books… XD
There seems to be little point in writing thins, given that everyone will offer, but, um… I’d beta read for you. I have a little bit of experience reviewing writing what with the whole trained (not practising) copy editor thing, so that may come in handy. Or not.
Now I feel awkward.
OH, also can I have your tips on reading lots and not slumping please? Because I’ve been slumping like a slumpy thing lately… I WANT TO READ 28 BOOKS IN A MONTH!!
Beth xx
*tackle hugs you anyway* I don’t even know who to pick. HOW DO I PICK. *hyperventilates* I just wanna give it to everyone but, erm, too many opinions is probably the opposite of good right now. hehe. Oh oh you are a trained copy editor?! Dude. You are my new best friend.
My only tip on not slumping is … keep reading. I KNOW. I’M SO LAME. But seriously, even when I hate everything, I just keep reading ALL THE BOOKS and eventually I get out of it.
omo Cait, I was shrieking with laughter over those search results. They’re my favorite part of your recaps XD OH. MY. WORD. THOUGH. I swear that batch was the best I’ve ever seen XD
IS IT JUST ME OR DO THEY GET CRAZIER EVERY TIME???? XDXD
I’d love to help. The premise seems pretty awesome. Though I don’t adore all contemporaries. (I tend to head for the diverse ones and darker ones. Heh heh.) I’ve read enough contemporaries and can slam down a bad romance from a mile away. (And I’m good at spotting a good one.)
And I’m writing my own contemporary about a fangirl! So yeah! (Fangirl Seeking Fanboy on Wattpad.)
I wouldn’t mind reading it quickly or writing a detailed review!
I’d love to help out a fellow Wordsmith. (CASTLE REFERENCES EVERYWHERE!)
Ohhh, mine is dark. NOT DIVERSE THO. Omg, I failed a bit there. hehe, but omg, thank you for the offer!! OMG A FANDOM BOOK?!! That is so incredible and I definitely need to look that up on wattpad. 😀 (I love your title too, btw.)
YUSH. I love me some dark contemporaries. WOOHOO!
Do you want to email or something? Even if I don’t beta read, I can be your writing buddy. (And send you lots of cat GIFs)
Yush. Fandom book. Andorra’s a blogger and a book nerd. And she plays D&D. Her bestie is a Whovian. Her love interest (who shall not be named) is also a fan! Yay! I’m a bit odd, though. It seems so fluffy, but I have my MC having mental breakdowns left and right.
After that’s done, there’s a sequel. And then there’s a boom about a gay girl who saves the Prince and punches him in the face!
AND OF MOVIE NEWS UNWIND IS SLOTTED FOR APRIL 2016 MAYBE NOT THAT YOU CAN EVER TRUST NEWS BUT IT’S A BIG DEAL FOR ME.
Ahem.
I’ve been reading your review of Ruin and Rising. It was really confusing for me because you don’t like the Darkling whereas he had me swooning and it’s weird that I’m confused because a lot of people feel that way. Oh well. I still loved it. It made me happy. 8D
Oh, by the way, your page is sometimes coming up in a funny format (like it didn’t load properly but the site thinks it did) and I thought you ought to know.
Ergh, yes, I do know (But thank you sooo much for saying!! I NEED KNOW THESE THINGS) I just don’t know why it’s doing it and apparently it’s fixed now?? EEk. I hope it doesn’t do it again because I’ve got zero clue out to fix this. #ineptblogger
So many people love Darkling and I DON’T GET IT. XD So we can be confused at each other simultaneously. XD
I’d really recommend you googling Adriftonvulcan.com Megan there has helped me design and she’s done some really interesting full blog designs.
Also, how the hell did you read 28 books?! I read 6, but that includes reading slumps and time on holiday so I’m okay with that.
OMG YES. MEGAN!! SHE IS INCREDIBLE and I’m always in awe of her creativity.
AHhh, I JUST. I don’t have a life. I only books.
Beta reading? ME!!! Remember your snippets? I was that awkward random on Twitter that said dibs on an ARC? I loveddd those snippets, and I would be willing to put down the ARC I’m reading to get this done as quickly as possible, although its hard for me to read small print, and radiation hurts my eyes, I WANNA DO IT. *bends on knees, makes puppy eyes, bows at your horse riding boots* my business email is: oreosandbooks70@gmail.com
My July was good, but you know that because you actually read my wrap-up. (!!!) I was in a bit of a slump this month. 🙁 but my favorite thing to read was Fans of The Impossible Life. It was wonderful. You should ask for it from Harper Aus, or something. SO. GOOD. Ooh. 117? XD Jealous. I would reccomend you asking Aeentee (readatmidnight.wordpress.com) I LOVE HER GRAPHICS. Check out her site, and if you like them, you should to. Shes recently opened a little shop, and I think she’s really the best one to ask. Plus, she’s real nice, and won’t be mean if you ask.
DUMPLIN’. It was another fabulous read I devoured this month, and as soon as I finished I wanted a movie. SO. FREAKING. GOOD.
*crosses fingers for beta reading* And, no hard feelings if you say no, I won’t be too upset, (although I would KILL for the chance to work with you) so don’t be nervous if you see someone you like much better!
OMG. WESAUN. I’M DYING WITH THE NEED TO HUG YOU RIGHT NOW. *tackle hugs you anyway* I have so many offers I’m just so flailing and overwhelmed and FLAILING. I’ll just think over it all and get back to everyone, okay?!! AHHHHH. YOU ARE THE KINDEST. *feeds you copious amounts of cake*
Agh, slumps are the worst. I feel like June was a very slumpy month for me, but July really picked up! 😀 YAY. I hope your August is more exciting. I adore Aentee’s blog. AFJDLSAK SHE’S SO TALENTED. And she has a shop? Omg. I shall look that up directly! 😀
Your ship sunk in Ruin & Rising? I’m guessing you were rooting for Nikolai and Alina? Me too, Cait! I was so disappointed.
And wow you only have three books on your to be read pile though, I’m so jel! I still have loads on mine oops.
I’m excited to see the last instalment of the thg franchise ah <333 what about you?
Absolutely DEVASTATED. Gah. I mean, it makes sense why she went with Mal, but he was such an idiot and a jerk and so moody and eghhhhh. Omg, and yes, a million percent to seeing Mockingjay Part 2. I’m not really ready for all the deaths though. :'(
I really want to beta read your novel because I am OBSESSED with your Pinterest board for it, but I see you already have like three million offers!
AFJDLSKA I KNOW IT IS SO HARD TO CHOOSE. I JUST WANNA ASK YOU ALL TO READ IT. *flails and flops* I’m gonna get back to everyone about this, okay?! I need to think.xD
I read some Stiefvater this week!
Oooooh, and also: *raises hand* pick me to beta your book! I love writing detailed reviews.
AHHHHH STIEFVATERRRRR!! *flails like psychotic raven* OH. AND OMG I HAVE SO MANY OFFERS. I’M GONNA THINK ABOUT IT ALL AND GET BACK TO YOU GUYS, OKAy?! BUT I APPRECIATE THE OFFER LIKE AFJDKLSAFD A MILLION PERCENT. YOU ARE SO NICE. :’)
I still haven’t read the second book in the Grisha trilogy. The first one didn’t blow me away, so I’m hesitant to start the second. Is it better than the first? I NEED TO KNOW. I’m excited to (hopefully) see a review of Beastly because that is sure to be hilarious. I’ve never read it, but for some reason the thought of reading a hilarious review o fit has me jumping around like a five year old. I SO WISH I could be one of your betas, ugh. But alas, I am a pianist, too. And I’ going on vacation tomorrow and am squeezed for time! Ah, well. CAIT! How long have you been playing the piano?
THE SECOND ONE IS AMAZING, SERIOUSLY YOU HAVE TO TRY SEIGE AND STORM. The first book was a bit “meh” for me too. Like I liked it, but I didn’t love it. It took me over a year to even try the 2nd. AND OMG 5-STARS AND ALL THE LOVE. It was so incredible. And then a “Meh” for the last book too. >_> I won’t be reviewing Beastly on the blog because ARGHHHHHHH. But if you wanna see me rant….go here. 😉 At own risk.
OH. I think I’ve played for maybe 6 or 7 years?! I don’t play anymore though. I mean I COULD. But my sister ran off with the piano and I have zero motivation to play again. Maaaybe one day.
You had an amazing reading month! I have not started the Grisha Trilogy yet. I am bummed the third one was not that great. I have heard that from a lot of different bloggers. I just watched the trailer for Room and it looks amazing! I really want to read the book now!! Great post!!
Oh oh I still think the Grisha books are so worth checking out! RUUUUUSSIA FANTASY. I love it. Just not a fan of where my ship ended up. Boo. 🙁
I’d be happy to help you beta your work, if you need me too. I A) have time, B) am horrible at any type of music whatsoever (except drums, strangely, since I’ve never taken a lesson) so I am NOT a pianist, and C) and I am craving contempory for whatever reason.
But if you’re already got ten million people scrambling for a chance to read it, that’s okay, too. And yes, I finished Camp NaNo. And now I’m outlining my novel for regular NaNo because I’m way too excited.
OMGGGG, AINE. YOU SOUND REALLY PERFECT FOR THIS THEN. So many offers though. *hyperventilates* I’m gonna take a day or so and then email some people, okay?! I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO READ IT. ahhhhhh!! XD YAY FOR CAMP NANO THOUGH!! I want to write a new book this august, but, pfft, let’s face it. I’m probably going to lie on the floor and read in recovery from my edits. -_-
I should add that if for whatever reason you do decide to pick me is that I’m on vacation so it might take me three or four days to read it instead of one or two. I don’t know if that would effect your what you decide or so I thought I’d tell you.
It’s really awesome, ’cause I’m up at 6:30 every morning and the rest of my family is sleeping in ’til nine or ten and I get a couple of hours in the quiet to read.
Omg, I love being up at 6:30. It is my wake up hour. I love the world when everyone else is asleep for some reason. :’) I HOPE YOU’RE HAVING A GOOD HOLIDAY!!
I’m afraid I’m probably to piano-y to beta read your novel. I’m sure you’re going to get lots of offers, though!
I’d heard that Room was being made into a movie, but I didn’t know it was already done and being released. Yay! I really liked the book, so I can’t wait to see the movie.
OMG YOU PlAY PIANO TOO?!!! There are so many pianists coming out of the woodwork. xD It’S AWEOSME. hehe. I so need to read Room, like, sooner than later now!
It is a good thing Elizabeth at So Long… & Thanks For All The Fish posted her monthly wrap up early, and she has been practicing for an oboe audition, so her post wasn’t nearly as long and complicated as usual because between the two of you I get dizzy, but a well informed dizzy. Auto-c keeps wanting to make me fizzy, maybe that’s a better word. You make my brain fizzy. Amber from Mile Long Book Shelf did a post about unfollowing blogs recently, too, so you both inspired me to do my own. I linked and teased both of your blog posts, so I am sure that is why your post got so many hits! If you were drinking and just snorted copious amounts of liquid through your nose, I’m sorry. Ha! I also hope it wasn’t something that stains. Dumplin’ is second on my ARC tbr. I pray it was good. I don’t recall what you thought. And, ha, I think you know I did not like The Wolf Wilder. The Peregrin’s artwork is perfection. I have both books and I need to read them. I have had Ruin and Rising for a long long while. I have only been spoiled for two books in my life, and this is one of them, so it just sits on my shelf looking pretty and waiting for me to find its litter mate, Shadow and Bone, in hardcover,so all three can be pretty puppies together. I still have to get back to your author behavior post! Since finishing The Wolf Wilder, I have been in a deep reading slump. That book killed my soul because the synopsis LIED TO ME! Thank goodness my next ARC doesn’t publish until late September. I have still been listening to my Wizard of Oz audio collection, and I am now on the last book. However, I did get more blogging done because of this, and my views are back up to where they used to be. Once again my hat is off to you for your prolific reading. Here’s to a magnificent month of August. 🙂
About the beta reading. I won’t throw my lot in, so that you don’t have to feel guilty not picking me. I am (actually was) a pianist, and you know my avoidance of Contemporary. That being said… I will be expecting an ARC when that glorious baby gets picked up for publication! I have a good feeling about this one. 🙂
AWK. I WOULD LIKE SEND YOU A SIGNED COPY, MY FRIEND. <3 One day, yes? Fingers crossed.
Ooh, I'm definitely checking out your unfollow post!! (I didn't know Amber did one too. Omg, it must be on the brain! I know of her blog, but I don't follow. >_< GAH. I HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE I REALLY WANT TO TALK TO ONE DAY.) Ahem. I hope you like Dumplin! 😀 I didn't like the romance (but do I ever?! lol I have problems) but I thought it was really feministic and empowering, which is so refreshing. And BEWARE RUIN AND RISING. IT'S PRETTY BUT IT'S ALSO A LIE. *collapses in a tantrum* I read the Wolf Wilder too and erk, I didn't hate it as much as you, but...it was a bit pointless. All those politics just sent me to sleep. -_-
Dumplin’ has major romance elements? Blerg. 🙁
Well, as do all YA books it seems. 😉
Ohmygosh they’re making a movie out of MPHfPC? I’m on my phone and didn’t feel like typing the name of the book. Lol. Sorry!
But I love Ransom Rigg, and her books are amazing. I hope they do a good job with the movie!
DUDE I DIDN’T EVEN TYPE THE WHOLE NAME. WE CAN BE LAZY TOGETHER. *flails* I’ms o excited!!
Your TBR is down to 3? How how HOW?
I feel like EVERYONES ship sank in the third Geisha book. It’s okay, fan art and fan fiction can fix the hurt!
I DON’T EVEN KNOW. I was on an extended library ban and now…I’ve read so many books…I don’t even have that much to catch up on. Like, obviously there is always TONS I need to read. But all the books that I was desperate to read, I’ve mostly eaten. GAWSH. IT IS A WEIRD FEELING.
(I wonder if that disappoints Leigh Bardugo?! I mean, I get why she did it, because she started with two characters so it made sense to end it like that. Buuuuuut…I feel like she tossed Nikolai down a drain just to get him out the way. IT WAS SO UNFAIR AND WEIRD. *cries*)
DAMN 28 BOOKS IN ONE MONTH!? Dude that’s flippin FANTASTIC! Great job, Cait! I only read 8 books teehee. I’ll do my best this August to read more than that.
I AM WEIRD THOUGH AND MY LIFE IS 90% READING. Sometimes I, you know, talk to people. But I try to keep that in the 2 percentiles. Don’t want to be crazy now.
Clearly I’m not the only one for whom Paper Fury is doing wonky formatting. XD
THIS POST IS FULL OF SO MUCH SCRUMPTIOUS. (I mean… it’s full of YOU, so duh.) I love your Weekly Furies!
I assume you’ve gotten the beta position filled… 😀 I would obviously love and adore to read your book but I’m not sure I fit all the requirements, mostly because I don’t read much contemporary. XD BUT I WILL READ IT WHEN IT GETS PUBLISHED BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THAT WILL HAPPEN SOON.
Good luck on your editing and stuff, darling!
I read 4 books in July. I feel like a slumping failure. 😛
“sauron vs skulduggery” I WANT THIS TOO.
YES. *SOBS* BUT I DON’T KNOW WHYYYYY. Some people say it goes back to normal after a comment!? It’s so weird. I wonder if it’s my server. 0_0
AFJDSKLAFD THANK YOU THOUGH, DEBORAH. *hugs you* I kind of squeak whenever I see a comment from you. I DO. NOT EVEN GONNA LIE. Yours are the best. And omg, I have so so many offers for betas. I’M OVERWHELMED. And SO HONOURED. (WHy is everyone so nice to me?! All I do is make world domination jokes and throw cake. Gawsh.)
Well, obviously it decided that it would shape up and look nice for people who are good minions and comment. XD (It looks fine now…)
OH MY GOSH REALLY?? *flails and squeals* This makes my day aaaaaaahhh. I’m glad you like my comments. :,)
And goodness, Cait, isn’t it obvious? You’re just so brilliant and hilarious and we love your snippets so of COURSE we’re all clamoring to read it!!! *flail*
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED WITH IT. No one said it was being weird today so?? GAH. I blame the server. -_-
FAJDSKLA YOU ARE TOO NICE TO ME, TBH. I JUST WANNA BE PUBLISHED SO I CAN GIVE ME BOOK AWAY TO ALL MY WONDERFUL FRIENDS. <-- solid plan
Gahhh how is it August? I think I’m still in denial that July is already over and especially that 2015 is more than halfway over. Actually, I’m still convinced it’s the early 2000s.
I had an abysmal reading month. Out of the measly 15 books I read, 7 were audiobooks, which means I only read EIGHT BOOKS. *hangs head in shame* I blame Mafia, Twitter, and the weather.
I would love to be a beta reader for you, but I don’t think I can fit it in this time, as I’m going away for almost a week. (That’s okay, this way I don’t have to face rejection hahahaha.) Do you still have German questions, though? *sends you all the cake and good luck and positive thoughts*
I’m really excited for Dumplin’, even though I haven’t read the book yet. (I’m also really excited for the book.)
I STILL DO HAVE GERMAN QUESTIONS YES PLEASE. I’ll send, probably, weird sentences to you?? (It totally doesn’t have to be done in 2 weeks, though, because you are like special. *nods* This is truth. You are.)
Hey, audio books count!! 😀 I handle about one audio a month…well, erp, now that Game of Thrones is getting EVEN BIGGER it’s more like half an audio a month. -_- I’m nearly finished bk 3 though. Woohoo. Go me. AHEM.
I blame twitter for everything. It is so lovely to blame.
Please, send them my way!
Audiobooks definitely count. It just demonstrates how distracted I am if I can’t even sit down at the end of the day and read 100 pages. 😀 Gahhh I still don’t understand why you’re putting yourself through GoT, hahaha. Although book 3 was my favorite out of the three I read. But how do you even remember what happened at the beginning? Those audiobooks must be 50 hours long!
Pfft. Not 50 hours…only…erm….*coughs* Well they’re about 35 hours each? Well, bk 2 was 48 BUT SHHHHH. IT’S AN OBSESSION OKAY? I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. Although I’m probably not going to considering it takes like 9 years for GRRM to write a book. -_-
You’d better hope he has the ending already written and locked in a safe somewhere. 😉
I’ve heard he has the synopsis written out so people would know how it ends. BUT HE’S NOT THAT OLD…right?
To be honest, none of the pictures I’ve seen of him give the impression that he’s at the peak of health.
YOUR BLOG IS SHOWING UP WEIRD ON MY COMPUTER AND DEVICE WHAT IS HAPPENING?
I would love to be a beta reader! Although, I suppose I don’t like reading about abuse, is it really heavy? I don’t like to much heavy content. Even if it isn’t, I don’t suppose you’d want a 15 year old, beta reading your story! 😛 I would like to though! I LOVED the snippets you shared with us, though! First of all CAKE, and second of all, the sass level was just unreal. -and third of all CAKE.
I’m not a pianist, but I do play the piano! I have no idea about notes or sections or reading music or anything, I’m horrible at that, and I don’t remember a thing form my lessons! I learned to play from memory. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING FOR? I DIDN’T KNOW YOU PLAYED!
So what I’m trying to say is, I only learned the piano from memory! 😉
AGH I KNOW IT IS BEING WEIRD I DON’T KNOW WHY AND IT IS SADDENING ME. I’m trying to get it fixed though. *sobs*
*whispers* Actually my book is ABOUT 15 year olds so omg, you would be so perfect. I have SO MANY OFFERS THOUGH. I’m so honoured and overwhelmed!! *flaps like a derranged seal* I’ll just think about it all and get back to you, okay?!! THAAAANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST THOUGH. IT MEANS LIKE A MILLION PERCENT OF HAPPINESS FOR ME. <3
You are incredible if you play piano from memory. I'M JEALOUS. 0-0 hehe, I played for about 6 years? I don't really play anymore. 🙁
Well, my offer still stands if you need anyone! 🙂
Well, I definitely don’t fit. I used to play the violin and guitar, but once you know how to play one instrument… okay, I can play a little piano. But I like the idea.
I also felt meh about Ruin & Rising. Oh, and what kind of design tips are you looking for? Inky Deals do have free or discounted deals every so often. I use it a lot, but I don’t know if they’re GOOD. I will say DaFont is a great place to get free fonts…
Bleh. I have a lot of resources. I could go all day.
Have I mentioned I’m jealous? My reading is bipolar. I swear I’m becoming bipolar now. Dx!
I shall look up Inky Deals then! (Are they like a website?) I am just looking for ANY design tips. *hangs head in shame* Although I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do, just making it happen is the trickiness. And DAFONT IS AWESOME.
Yeah for redesigns! I really can’t wait to see what you come up with! I used to be a designer myself until a few months ago when the stupid designing software stopped working (*scowls angrily*), so if you have any questions about anything – coding, graphics, designers, or just WordPress in general – feel free to hit me up. I’m sure the new Paper Fury will look incredible!
Also, ahh! If you don’t already have two betareaders (although I’m sure you probably already do!), I’d love to betaread your novel. It sounds incredible!
Thanks for sharing this post Cait and wonderful recap!
OW THAT IS SAD THO. I didn’t realise you’d stopped designing all the things. *sigh* I would sooo love to be a graphic designer, but I’m so inept at that kind of thing. xD I just whine and hope my friends do it for me (I do have a friend who’s gonna design me something SO THAT IS COOL *sighs in relief*) I will come wailing to you for WP help. YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT.
afdjslkafd I am SO FREAKISHLY PLEASED YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MY BOOK!! *flails and then collapses in a heap* I have so many offers I don’t even know where to start. I HAVE TO THINK. But I’ll get back to you, okay?!?!
A blog redesign! Fun 😀
I definitely recommend Creative Market: https://creativemarket.com/graphics
The prices are great there and they have amazing graphics! Let me know if you want a second opinion on something. If you’re going to DIY your new redesign, I’d recommend Tweak Me v2 as well. You can make a ton of customizations without knowing CSS 🙂
AH I LOVE CREATIVE MARKET. I get their freebies every week but nothing’s jumped out at me so far. Omg, but I found this sort of woodsy pack that I probably would never use but am so in love with. I have my eye on tweak me…just crying at the price. >_<
True the Tweak Me v2 seems expensive, but be very careful going cheaper with WordPress themes. With WordPress themes, you get what you pay for. If you find something cheap, it may be very difficult for you to customize it. Most (good) WordPress themes will sell for around $50. Creative Market also has WordPress themes 🙂
If you’re cry at the price…maybe it’s time to cut back on the book buying and save up some money 😉
HA. I wish I could cut back on book buying…I don’t buy books unless I have vouchers. 😉
Goodness Cait, I don’t know how I feel about any of this. I don’t like change, okay? I don’t. So.. stop it. No, I am kidding, you can totally have a giveaway and a shiny new look! I don’t know about the weekly thing though. Are you still doing a weekly post? As for recommendations about design… I have none. I make REALLY amateur looking blog buttons for my friends who are too lazy to do their own! That’s all I’ve got, Hazel prettied mine up 😉
Now, YOUR BOOK. This is very exciting! I would totally read it, as I am not in any way musically inclined. My mom takes piano lessons though, in the same way a small child would. It’s cute. BUT I worry I am not contemporary connoisseur-y enough, so. Just know that if you DO want me to, I am here, but if there are better people suited for the task, I will just throw all my money at it when it’s available in bookstores (which I’d do either way, obviously!)
OH- and I forgot to ask on Goodreads if you’d gotten The Lady in Blue, which is a novella to Grunge Gods- it is SO GOOD. Even better than GG&G, if you ask me.
And my TBR. BWHAHAH. I want to take pictures of the literal hundreds of books on my TBR- and don’t even get me started on my Kindle/eARCs. Three? You are too cute 😉
DUDE> YOU CHANGE YOUR BLOG ALL THE TIME. Okay, not all the time. But you do totally change it. *nods* And I’ve had this one for nearly a year (I’ve been Paper Fury for nearly a year too. 😀 OMG HOW TIME FLIES). Ahhh, if I had money I would just run to Hazel because she’s a genius.
AWK. I HAVE SO MANY OFFERS I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE BETAING. (Pfft, of course you’re contemporary connoisseur-y. You read more of them than I do. xD) Lemme get back to you okay?! But your offer means like so so much.
I HAVE NOT READ LADY IN BLUE. I shall put that on my to-do list. Since, you know, my TBR is so tiny. :’) I said at the beginning of the year I wanted a TBR of 7 books. GUESS WHO DID IT. *dances*
I’m not entirely sure if it’s what you’re looking for, but freepik.com has amazing graphics that I think you might like. (They’re usually free, but you have to pay a fee to if you don’t want to credit them as the source.) I can’t wait to see how you redo your blog, though!
I didn’t get to read many books this month because I was really distracted, but I’m currently reading Silent Alarm by Jennifer Banash and it’s really intense and sad.
I SHALL LOOK IT UP. THANK YOU. I really hope the design is gonna be spectacular. hehe, I basically have a picture in my head and I just have to make it come alive. WHICH IS HARD. 0_0
Awk, intense and sad. DO YOU NEED A HUG OR PERHAPS CHOCOLATE?
July was really slow for me, readingwise. I started The Goldfinsh and had to stop half way through because it was killing my reading mojo and I just wasn’t getting anything finished. I read fewer books in July than possibly ever.
My TBR is unmanageably huge. I have over 20 books waiting to be read and reviewed. And a load of exam papers.
Good luck with the beta readers, I hope you get a contract very soon.
I’ve heard The Goldfish is HUGE and SUPER SLOW. The kind of book I would run away from screaming. xD So I don’t blame you for sneaking in other books, hehe. 20 books is quite intense. and eXAMS. OMG. GOOD LUCK WITH THOSE. *sends you virtual encouraging chocolate*
Yes, The Goldfinch is massive. It took me two weeks to get to the half way point.
I’m marking the exams, not sitting them, so less luck and more patience needed 🙂
Your post is so detailed and fun! I love your subheadings and witty sub-sub headings (or whatever you call them, hah). And 28 books in July? WOW. Just WOW. Great job there!
I wish I had time to betaread your book. It sounds fun, and books about pianists (I play the clarinet, but always wanted to try the piano) are generally awesome. Unfortunately I have to edit my own book first (deadlines, deadlines, always looming!) so I won’t have time. Good luck on your quest for beta readers!
AWK. Thank you Majanka! THAT PRETTY MUCH MAKES MY DAY. *flails* Ohh, clarinet is cool! My sister is a flautist. xD Which I know are totally different but still woodwind, right?! x) AHHH GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR EDITING! I hope your edits treat you better than mine treat me. Omg, I loathe editing with the fire of a thousand suns.
I have not read Room, but I really want to, especially since the movie is coming out! I am dying to finally see the Miss Peregrine’s trailer. Ugh, they need to release it NOW.
Yesss, I want to see the Miss Peregrine trailer SO BAD. I wasn’t the world’s biggest fan of the book, but with Tim Burton behind the movie? Yes please and thank you.
TBRs are so difficult. Like, technically mine is near a thousand books that I own and haven’t read? Not counting ARCs or library books, which adds at least another hundred. I’ve been chopping away at my netgalley list and not requesting anything for a while now, so that’s starting to become more manageable, but once that’s done I still need to get to Bookbridgr, Edelweiss, Blogging for Books and LibraryThing. Gaah. I now have a rule that I can’t request anything unless I a) heard about it in advance b) have plans to read it in time and c) am excited enough about it to open it the second I get it. That’s cut down on impulse requests, at least.
I don’t get many packages from publishers, and so far none unsolicited. I don’t know how other bloggers make that happen! But it’s probably a good thing for now.
But at the moment I just have so much freelance work and I don’t wanna say no to anybody so I keep getting more and more work and there’s a book I should’ve finished ghostwriting a month ago and aaarghhh. So I’m not reading much at all. Whoops. There’s so much I want to read! And reread! I’m at my parents so I’m with some of my favourite books and I just want to roll around and read them all. Aahh.
Oh look, I rambled.
OMG THAT IS A BIG TBR!! I would be very overwhelmed. XD I mean, I have some random books floating about my shelf that I still need to read. But I have about 2% interest in reading them. >_> And I’ve won them so I don’t feel any “push” to need to have them read/reviewed, you know? I haven’t been on netgalley for so long!! I should sneak on there and get a book to celebrate my teeny tiny TBR. XD
I think unsolicited might depend on country? I mean, I get TONS of them, but I’m suer the Aussie book blogging pool is a lot smaller than the American or UK ones.
As you can tell, I have a problem. I’ve bought nearly 100 books just this year… and that makes it a slow year for book buying as I’ve sometimes bought up to 500 in a year. *dies* I’d be able to keep up if I stopped being so addicted to the library. Probably. Maybe.
I’ve seen other UK bloggers getting a lot of unsolicited books, though! I guess when there’s more people around to request books, it depends on building up a relationship with publicists and so on, where I’m just too shy.
I totally get that!! I have really good connections with a few publishers, but some of the bigger ones? BAH. I never get any ARCs. -_- Even if I request early, so it’s definitely a “who you know” sort of thing.
What a great roundup of books, Cait. I hope you have a wonderful August!
Yay, thank you, Terri! And you too!
Curses, I would have loved to offer to beta read, but I’m late, I’m not exactly a Contemporary connoisseur (though it’s not like I hate it), and I’m a pianist with a lot of musical background. So… Boo. *sobs in corner* BUT, when your book comes out (this is a matter of when, not if), I will snabble up about fifty or so copies so I can have one (and a spare) and plenty to give to random people I meet on the street.
Those search words though. My most interesting one so far has been, “content”. Apparently I post “content” on my blog. Who knew, right? Anyway, I’m looking forward to your blog redesign, although I have to say I love it the way it is now.
Also, my TBR is ginormous right now. I was ordering books the other day, and I bought the last two book sin the Chaos Walking trilogy. AND, I bought Game of Thrones (I’m like, a hundred pages in now). I almost bought The Wrath and The Dawn, but I ended up using that money to get 17 & Gone by Nova Ren Suma. So close. Maybe next time. Anyway, thanks for all the book recs.
Well HOPEFULLY, if it gets picked up by a publisher (*crosses fingers, toes and eyes*) then you’ll like it because pianooooooo. There are so many nerdy piano references, it makes my music heart glad. :’) I SO APPRECIATE THE WHEN NOT IF THO. OMG. I DO. LET ME HUG YOU.
It is nice to know you post content on your blog, though, too true. *nods* The things I get…omg. I Get SO many hits for fanfiction. IT’S WEIRD. I don’t even write fanfiction. I don’t even talk about it.
HOW ARE YOU LIKING GAME OF THRONES!!???? It is my bookish obsession at the moment, tbh. But it also hurts and I hate everything.
*returns hug*
But as for Game of Thrones, I AM NOT OKAY. Like, I am 21% through, and I AM NOT OKAY. I mean, Bran, and Sansa’s direwolf, and…and… Why can’t everyone just be nice and sit around eating yummy food NOT BEING CRUEL TO EACH OTHER. Grr. In other words, I love it so far, and if Rumplestiltskin were to come along right now and offer me the rest of the series in exchange for my first born child, I’d just be like, “When the time comes, it’s all yours.” Seriously though, right now, if Joff were to fall into a bog and die, I would not be sad. Not even a little. I might even throw confetti and break out the ice cream cake.
I hate to be the wam to say this but…
Liz. You are adorable.
IT GETS SO SO SO OOOO MUCH WORSE. IN FACT, IT GETS SO BAD THAT BY BK 3 YOU NO LONGER CRY BECAUSE YOU ARE TOO FROZEN IN SHOCK. And I accidentally love all the Lannisters. I mean, LOOK AT BOOK 1. How could I love them?!! BUT I DO. *breaks down in tears*
Jon Snow is ma baby though. I LOVE HIM. Also Tyrion.
How do you get your TBR down to THREE books?? That’s amazing!
Also, not sure why I’m always finding new books about deaf people through your blog, but THANK YOU. I need them for writing research 😀
(And I would be happy to beta read for you — but it looks like you have too many offers already, LOL. Good luck choosing them!)
I was on quite a “library ban” buuut. I DON’T EVEN KNOW. 0_0 Usually I have stacks of unread things I’ve been meaning to get to for 9 years. IT IS SUCH A WEIRD FEELING ONLY HAVING A FEW BOOKS LEFT. OMG.
Ahh!! I’m glad you find all my deaf-book-finds useful too. XD I read them for writing research too. And I always find reading other stories is like excellent research, because you get a feel of how to talk about things and describe them too. *nods* I’ve made a shelf on Goodreads for all of the ones I’ve found now. 😀
I’m trying to make my TBR smaller but I can NEVER see myself getting down to only three! Congrats for being able to, though.
I’m going to run over to your Goodreads page and find that shelf now 🙂
I still don’t understand how you can get through so many books in one month. I AM BEYOND JEALOUS OF YOUR READING SKILLS 😉
I was really disappointed by the last Grisha book too. I just found it really boring and not what I had been expecting for the conclusion.
I read Beastly once and it was a painful experience. That book was terrible, I still don’t understand why they chose to turn it into a movie.
AGHHH YES. I just thought the way they “got rid” of Nikolai to make the triangle collapse was so lame and wrong. Nikolai was incredible and at the end he was just dismissed as a lost cause?!! AND MAL WAS SUCH A JERK. He was so self involved. Grrr. >_> Least to say it sort of spoils the entire series for me, though I liked the first two books. (Hehe, this is how you must feel about Divergent. I UNDERSTAND NOW.)
OMG. Beastly is a movie?! WHAT HORROR IS THIS.
WOW. How do you only have three books on your TBR? And how did you read so many books in a single month????
Ooh, I’ve read several of those! I loved Five Flavors of Dumb too! I actually *cough* liked Beastly *cough*, but to each their own. 🙂 Also read Dragon Rider and Shadow Spinner. I remember really enjoying those! 😀
Love this post, btw, you’re hilarious!
Also, I tagged you for another thing! Don’t feel obligated but if you want to do it, it would be awesome. 🙂
http://thessalexa.blogspot.com/2015/08/tag-week-blogging-community-tag.html
Alexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
verbositybookreviews.wordpress.com
I DON’T KNOW. I HAVE TWO EYEBALLS AND THEY EAT BOOKS FAST?? HEHE. But the reason I read so many is definitely why the TBR is down. XD it’s kind of exciting but also scary. I NEED LIBRARY SOON.
Omg thank you for the tag!! I will check it out ASAP!
Awesome link up of social news, Cait. I am so out of it and knew nothing about that, but it’s so awful how people treat men and women differently. I didn’t read the whole article, but I respect Cara a lot now, and am proud that John took the stand for her.
I already talked to you about critiquing each other’s work, so if that’s something you’re interested in, although I know you specified betas, then I’m up for that. xx
YES. I love that John Green did that article!! I think Cara is so freakishly awesome and when I saw the interview…gawsh, I was actually really gutted that they could be so rude. And weirdly enough, I was later on Pinterest and saw an interview with the City of Bones movie cast…and their english actors are THE SAME. But the boys never got snide remarks for being super sarcastic. >_> Sexism makes me so angry. Grr.
I shall get back to you on the CPing and betaing!! I just gotta sort through everyone and decide. XD GAH. IT’S HARD.
So I just saw that you had read an Iron Man comic… was it any good? OH I just had another look at what you had read.. was the Guardians of the Galaxy comic good? I love the movie, so I probably should read the comic…
Those search results are hilarious! My favourites are “thanks name cake” (Wut) and “List of books of how to become a con artist”. I’m still laughing over them… Where do you find what people have searched to find your blog? (does that make sense ._. )
I would love to be a beta reader BUT I don’t comply with what you are needing… but I would love to read it some other time!
Also, I’ve been catching up on your blog posts, hence why you’ve probably just got a bunch of notifications from me…
It was probably the worst Iron Man comic I’ve ever read. >_< AgH. There are MUCh better ones out there, but..yes, avoid that one. hehe. Guardians was good!! It actually had a huge section on Captain Marvel too which I loved. 😀 I love that movie. omg. It makes me laugh so hard. XD Ohhh, let me see if I can remember on blogger...I think you go to stats? YES. Stats then "traffic sources"...and if you scroll to the bottom of the page you'll have a list of them. They're so funny and crazy. I ADORE YOUR COMMENTS THO. YOU GET CAKE.
3 BOOKS?! I don’t think my TBR has ever been that small. What are your secrets, Cait? Telll meeeeee. I haven’t read much this July because I’ve had so much school and so much packing because I’m moving countries which I think is a fair excuse for not having much time to read! ;D
Also, HOW WAS DEMON ROAD?! WAS IT FANTASTIC? WAS IT BRILLIANT? I need that book in my life. I’m so excited because I might go see Derek Landy at a literary event in England – SQUEEE! I’ll probably be crying and hysterically laughing and babbling like an idiot about how much I love his books. I’m also going to ask him very important questions, such as WHY DOES HE HAVE TO TORTURE HIS READERS SO?! MEH.
MY EYEBALLS EACH READ A BOOK SEPARATELY. <-- All my secrets. you just have to train the eyeballs, I tell you. Also get clones. Also train your dog to read. All these things add up and BOOM. Teeny tiny manageable TBR. *pins award to self* Omg, moving countries?! That sounds stressful. GOOD LUCK. Demon Road was FREAKING BRILLIANT. *hyperventialtes* Seriously it didn't let me down at all...the humour, the horror, the AWESOMENESS. AFJDKLAS BUT THAT IS SO AMAZING AND EXCITING THAT YOU GET TO MEET HIM. Omg. GO YOU.
WOAH what you read 28 books? Cait I am in awe, as always. So glad to hear you loved Demon Road, i have that one coming up on my TBR! Ugggh too bad about beastly – I have that one on my shelf somewhere I think…Too bad about Ruin and Rising 🙁 I’ve read the first but still need to continue. You did good at your library sale! Definitely instagram is so addictive! And thanks for sharing my post too!
I’ve heard a lot of people still like Ruin and Rising, soooo I think it heavily depends on your ship. xD AWK. I hope you liked Demon Road! It’s very Supernatural-ly too, which is totally my thing. *happy sigh*
You brave human, you! Asking for betas on your blog can’t be easy. Good luck to you! Yaaay for your TBR being so tiny. That’s actually good because you can edit and stuff. I’d buy your book. You can go ahead and tell that to your publisher!
I saw on Goodreads that you finally read The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Neil Gaiman is fabulous and I recommend his audiobooks because he’s king and he reads them himself. Happy reading Cait!
IT IS MILDLY TERRIFYING. It is a bit terrifying also, because I have so many offers and I have to choose. *panics because what have i done* HA. YES. I have a whole blog of people who would buy my book *pitches this to publishers* XDD I WANT TO LISTEN TO THE GAIMAN AUDIOS! My library doesn’t have them though…actually wait. I haven’t checked for American Gods. I WILL DO THAT NOW.
I’ve been editing too! Editing writer unite! Haha! Microediting is a drag because it takes so long. XD But now that I’m going over beta feedback it’s much less stress. While editing I was also doing Camp NaNo so my life was consuming by writing. XD I’m so glad to finally have some time on my hands haha.
YAAAY. We can give ourselves encouraging editing chocolate. *faceplants in pile of gloom* I hoe yours is going better than mine. XD I’m literally rewriting ever sentence. SO TEDIOUS.
Wow, what a great month July shaped up to be – 28 books read and TBR down to 3 books!
I’m hearing too many good things about The Wrath and the Dawn to avoid it any longer I think… I tend to avoid books that are spoken about so much until a little ways after in case they’re too good to be true but I’m really being sold on that one!
Whaaaat?! Room is being made in to a film. How am I only learning of this now? THIS! This is why I’m getting back in to book blogging – I felt so out of the bookish loop.
Here’s to a successful August!
I KNOW RIGHT?! SO EXCITED AT HOW GOOD IT WAS. XD I’m scrabbling out figuring which series I want to start in August though.
Oh oh but seriously you neeeed try TW&TD. It’s incredible. I usually die at hype, but THIS TIME THE HYPE WAS 100% PERFECT.
I only just heard about the Room movie! Like literally just a few days ago so you’re not tooo behind. 😉
So first I saw BETA and I freaked and wanted to say ME ME ME I WILL BETA BECAUSE BEETHOVEN CONTEMP SOUNDS LIKE PERFECTION.
And then I saw “no pianists.” Sadness. I am a pianist. 🙁
Anyway, I hope this novel does what you want it to and isn’t too stressful. Also, good luck with your blog redesign! I’m so excited to see what it becomes. 🙂
It’s too bad you didn’t like Ruin and Rising. I loved it and thought it was a splendid ending, but that might also be because my ship kinda was canon so
ahem
I tend to be lucky like that with my ships.
But but but at least
ifwhen I get published YOU WILL APPRECIATE THE PIANONESS!! RIGHT?!! *flails* I’m so excited that you want to read it though. 😀 And yess, I hope it does what I want too. -_- Stressful = yes. But as long as I’m happy at the end, it should be okay, right?! RIGHT? GAH.oh you sail your Malina ship. I will sail Nikolina.
I will totally appreciate the pianoness. I love musical books <3
As long as you are shipping Nikolina and have nothing to do with the Darkling I am pretty cool with that.
Sounds like you had a busy month. Glad to hear that your book will be ready soon. That’s awesome! 😀 And super excited to see your new design when you get it done. I saw your post on why to follow a blog and you have great tastes in blog designs. 🙂 Yours will be great!! I just redesigned my also. I didn’t really use any graphics, but if you are considering a background, I would recommend Unsplash.com. 🙂
I just *had* to leave a comment and tell you how delighted I would be to read your book. I know I’m late and I’m not even the correct fit and I’m guessing about 153 other people asked for the chance, but still… All that to say I’m not here asking for a chance, I’m just here to say that if I thought I would be the right person for the job, I would be begging you for one. 🙂
AWww, AIDYL. This means SO MUCH to me. :’) I would totally just give it to you anyway but…I don’t know if you would like it?? Because it’s more like the style of books I review and I know you don’t read that style very often. 0_0 So I wouldn’t want you to feel beholden to like it. 🙁
Let’s get this out in the open: Your comment pretty much made my day. 🙂 And, it’s pretty much making my day again. Either that or I’m too tired from traveling because I basically feel like crying right now because I’m like “Aww, we’re blogging/writing friends and that is so much happiness.” You’re so nice. 🙂
YOSH. July’s already over? Oh my days – there’s only one month of summer left ’round ours, AND I’M PANICKING. There’s so much left to do!
Unlike your cakeness…I haven’t been at all productive in July. Meh. I’m starting to pick up speed now that it’s August but still…WILL I MANAGE TO DO EVERYTHING I WANT IN A MONTH?!
By the way, I get unnaturally excited when bloggers I love declare CHANGE IS COMING (although you’re the only one, as of yet, to announce it so ominously in caps lock and all) so wowowow I am ready for change! Huzzah!
The stack is beautifully tiny (and I can’t believe you read them all already you hungry reader you) and those twenty-eight books look so beautiful all grouped together like that!
Reminds me to read more. Recently (cough yesterday cough) I reorganised my shelves, took all the books out then moved the shelves so that they were side by side and then I put the books in different categories. On Goodreads I have bumped the TBR to 60+ (owned) books, and there’s more in my handwritten list…around ninety books that are sitting on my shelves, waiting for me to read them. This is such motivation it’s unreal.
I ALSO MADE A TBR JAR. Which is why A Game of Thrones (I swear we started that around the same time…yeesh I’m slow these days) has been put on the backburner (again!) for now.
I am also looking forward to all the movies coming out. However. On the subject of actually watching them…I don’t know. I never get to watch all the movies gah I need Netflix so bad. X|