Weekly wrap-up: August 17-23

Last week was the first time in....possibly ever that I missed posting a weekly wrap up, but I swear I had a good excuse! I actually got really, really sick. Missed three days of work and everything (which is not so good). The good news is that my summer position at work is officially over as of yesterday! *does a happy dance* This summer broke my heart because I did not want to fall into the same slump as last year, but this position was placed on me very last minute. It was a good opportunity professionally, and although I missed blogging dearly, I know I made the right choice to focus on work. Now that fall is here, my work schedule will be a little less hectic so I'll have more time for blogging! YAY! The other good news is that even though I was dying (maybe not, but it felt like it!), I was able to get a LOT of reading done last week! I'm right on schedule with my #ARCAugust reading, and I've made time for some other great books as well. What have you been reading?

Completed:

Stone Cold Touch (Dark Elements #2) - Jennifer L. Armentrout: 4 stars. I didn't love this quite as much as White Hot Kiss, but I still really enjoyed it! The love triangle is much more triangular shaped this time around, and I am into Zayne BIG TIME, which is saying something because as of the conclusion of WHK, I was 100% Team Roth! Full review coming closer to pub time!
Losing It (Losing It #1) - Cora Carmack: 4 stars. After meeting Cora, I thought it was high time I see what everyone else has been talking about and read this NA staple stat! Very enjoyable if a bit predictable. I'm not a fan of the love triangle, but I do relate to Cora's voice, tone, and style.
"Keeping Her" (Losing It #1.5) - Cora Carmack: 4 stars. Props to Cora for this sweet novella that actually managed to surprise me!
My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories - Stephanie Perkins: 5 stars. When I heard about this book, I squeed like the raving fangirl I am. When I received access to the drc, I screamed silently and did a victory dance at work. Honestly. My coworkers stared. This is ya short fiction at its finest by some of ya's best. I'll also review this fully closer to pub date, but I want to go ahead and warn you guys now to lower some of your expectations. There is a rumor going around about one author's story based on a couple represented on the cover. That rumor is simply untrue, sadly. That couple is NOT hers, and those characters are NOT the ones you think they are. Trust me, I am as disappointed as you are. But her story is just as lovely as all the others she has written, and I think you'll love it. Hopefully one day we will get to see those characters again. *fingers crossed*
Famous In Love (Famous in Love #1) - Rebecca Serle: 4 stars. I really enjoyed this until I got to the end because I really thought that it was a standalone, and the ending made me go "WUT." But IT IS FIRST IN A TRILOGY!!! So yay! I'm not loving the love triangle, but this is a book that kind of makes fun of love triangles so it's definitely one of the better ones. I just want to get to know the characters a bit better too! Also, the book inside the book was just released as a novella! As Locked is also a trilogy, I wonder if & hope that Little Brown will also be releasing the other two Locked books before the release of the other two Famous in Love books. If that makes ANY sense to you, God bless you.

Isla & the Happily Ever After (Anna #3) - Stephanie Perkins: 5 stars. LOVE!!! Seriously, this book was perfect and amazing and well worth the wait. I couldn't put it down! This book is one of the ones that reminds me why some of these 4 stars don't make 5. I just can't rank them equally because Isla really is a masterpiece.
Faking It (Losing It #3) - Cora Carmack: 4 stars. I think I liked this just a bit more than Finding It because of the heart in this story. Something about the emotions between Cade and Max just really touched me.

Reread:

Currently Reading:

New to my bookshelf this week:

Library:

Bought:

Kindle:
Losing It (Losing It #1) - Cora Carmack

"Keeping Her" (Losing It #1.5) - Cora Carmack
"Seeking Her" (Losing It #3.5) - Cora Carmack

All Lined Up (Rusk University #1) - Cora Carmack

Half Price Books:
Losing It - Cora Carmack
Faking It - Cora Carmack

B&N:
Prince of Shadows - Rachel Caine
Mortal Danger Danger - Ann Aguirre
Magnolia - Kristi Cook
Alienated (Alienated #1) - Melissa Landers
Sandstorm - James Rollins x2
The 6th Extinction - James Rollins (these JR novels are all presents for my fam)

Giveaways & Contests:


Events Attended:
8/9: Pop Cultured signing with Ann Aguirre, Rachel Caine, Rosemary Clement-Moore
8:15: James Rollins's The 6th Extinction tour