Welcome to Over-Booked, where I share my latest and greatest book acquisitions! I’m linking up with Stacking the Shelves over at Tynga’s Reviews and The Sunday Post at The Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
So today on Twitter, I asked this question:
What would happen if I never wrote another book review again?😕
— Tammy (@tammy_sparks) April 28, 2017
And I didn’t expect anyone to see it, let alone respond to it, but I am thankful that Liz, Hannah, Sara and Bonnie saw it and not only replied, but made me feel better about my lack of excitement with blogging lately. Thanks girls! Lately I feel like I’ve lost the fire and drive to keep this blog going, and I’m hoping it’s just a phase. I’m so distracted right now by my personal life, and I’m finding I have too many other commitments to fully focus on blogging. Plus I was trying to write a review today and the words just weren’t coming.
But writing those words made me think, what if I could just read for pure pleasure, and not as a “job”? Has anyone else with a book blog wondered that? Surely I’m not alone! Honestly, I’m not going to stop blogging and writing reviews, but you may see less activity here during the month of May. My son is graduating from high school and getting ready for college (!), my daughter is winding down her junior year and has a ton of choir activities, I have two fairly large and time-sucking volunteer jobs this month, and unfortunately, the blog is way down at the bottom of the list right now.
But in the meantime, I still continue to receive review books, so obviously I’m going to keep reading, and yes, writing reviews. Because I do love it. I just love it a little less at the moment:-)
I’m proud to say I have not received a single NetGalley or Edelweiss book these past two weeks! So my book haul today is all physical books. Plus I scored a HUGE pile of books from Apex Publishing, which I purchased during their recent Revive the Drive campaign! Here are my latest and greatest:
For Review:
From the wonderful folks at Unsung Stories, You Will Grow Into Them by Malcolm Devlin, a collection of short stories that “…takes weird fiction and horror and blends them into strange and wondrous new shapes.” Yes, I’m pretty excited to read these!
Big thanks to Saga Press and Wunderkind PR for a physical copy of The Refrigerator Monologues by Catherynne M. Valente and illustrated by Annie Wu. There are only a handful of illustrations, but I love them and I’m anxious to see how they go with the story.
From Pyr a surprise finished copy of the Nebula Awards Showcase 2017 edited by Julie Czerneda, a mix of the stories, poems, excerpts and essays that were nominated for the Nebula Awards. I’m happy to see a few stories in here that I’ve already read and enjoyed, and time permitting, I hope to read more of this collection.
I had already been approved on NetGalley for Black Light Express by Philip Reeve, but I was thrilled to receive this surprise ARC in the mail, courtesy of Capstone! This is one of my MOST anticipated books of the year, and I can’t wait to read it:-)
I was lucky enough to win an ARC of Lost Boy by Christina Henry from a publisher giveaway! I simply love Henry’s dark tales, and this is a summer release that I will be reading very soon.
I’m a Cory Doctorow fan from way back, so I was very excited to be offered a copy of his latest, Walkaway, by Tor Books. Thanks Tor!
Also from Tor, Deadmen Walking by Sherrilyn Kenyon. It’s been a while since the last time I read Kenyon, and I’m quite looking forward to this swashbuckling paranormal pirate tale!
A surprise arrived just today from Jimmy Patterson Books, James Patterson’s newest YA called Crazy House which is co-written by Gabrielle Charbonnet. I’m digging this cover, and the blurb on the front of the book says it all: “You can stop waiting for the next Hunger Games.”
Big thanks to all the publishers for these lovely books!
Purchased:
I was thrilled when my package from Apex Books arrived, literally days after I made this purchase during their “Revive the Drive” campaign. I mean, LOOK AT ALL THESE BOOKS! I purchased a “Mystery Box” and one of the mysteries was a copy of Rosewater by Tade Thompson, which I loved. I’m so happy to have a physical copy! My order was filled with both old and new titles, including Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt, which I discovered on another blog and couldn’t wait to buy. Also included are Beautiful Sorrows by Mercedes M. Yardley, The Wicked by James Newman, I Can Transform You by Maurice Broaddus, The Zombie Feed Vol. 1 edited by Jason Sizemore, Ugly as Sin by James Newman, Shine Your Light on Me by Lee Thompson, a very cool copy of Apex Magazine from 2006, Prime by Nate Kenyon, and Taste of Tenderloin by Gene O’Neill. I see hours of delicious horror and weirdness ahead of me!
See anything I like??? Oh, I’m just EMERALD with envy! Black Light Express looks awesome and I LOVE Cory Doctorow’s writing so Walkaway also must be a gem… And Deadmen Walking also looks like huge fun – I’m also drawn to Rosewater… You do get hold of the most fabulous books, Tammy! I very much look forward to reading about them in due course – or maybe not if you want to take a bit of a break from the reviewing side of things. And that’s fine, too. Because no one pays us for this gig – we do it for the love of it, don’t we? So… if you aren’t feeling the love then it’s fine to step away. This isn’t supposed to be a chore. Take care and have a wonderful time reading these:).
sjhigbee recently posted…While the Morning Stars Sing
Thanks Sarah, I know breaks can be good for the soul, but it’s still hard to step away:-/ I guess time will tell!
Refrigerator Monologues is the one that jumps out at me the most. I have been eying it for a while.
My year and a half hiatus from writing reviews was different for sure. I did a lot of rereads. I missed a lot of new releases. I can’t say I enjoyed my reading any more or less but it did affect how i choose what to read next.
Nathan (@reviewbarn) recently posted…Fantasy Review: ‘City of Miracles’ by Robert Jackson Bennett
I don’t think I could take that much time off and come back, but I’m in awe of how you managed to do that. I do feel some kind of change is needed, but just what kind of change, I haven’t figured out yet.
I think we all have those phases where life interferes and what used to be a joy seems to become a burden. I’ve been in a semi-rut for much of this year, so to keep myself sane I’ve tried my review requests, and I always keep a tattered old paperback on hand to read for myself, with no expectation of every reviewing it. Just a read to enjoy, like in the old days. 🙂
That is an epic haul, though. I don’t read my SF anymore, but knowing that Julie edited it, I might be more inclined to pick up the Nebula Showcase.
That’s a great idea, Bob, keeping an old favorite nearby for those times when reviewing books just becomes overwhelming. I have one in mind for myself, I might just try that:-)
My goodness, that tag line on the James Patterson book is kind of brilliant isn’t it?! Couldn’t go past that one!
I know, right? Although I’m leery of Hunger Games knockoffs, I’m definitely curious about this one:-)
There are indeed times when the pure enjoyment of reading and sharing with others our thoughts on books seems more work than pleasure, and these times usually coincide with an increased burden from real life. I know how you feel, and I can totally sympathize, so yes, taking a little break, slowing down the frequency of your posts is indeed the answer. Take again the time to enjoy what you’re doing, and you’ll get over this… slump better than ever. 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Review: THE BOY ON THE BRIDGE, by M.R. Carey
Thanks Maddalena, I have had slumps before, but I always fret over them. It’s not my nature to be negative, so here’s hoping it goes away soon!
All of your new books look awesome. A few of them are new to me, meaning I hadn’t heard of them before.
Grace @ Books of Love
Grace Fonseca recently posted…Stacking The Shelves, Bought, Borrowed and Bagged, Coloring Book Updates
Take your time, friend! Your peace of mind and heart–and your joy in reading and working with publishers–are much more important than any blogging deadlines. You are a great blogger with high quality content, and we all understand the need for breaks from that kind of hard work. Especially when you’ve got such exciting things going on in your children’s lives!
That said, I just finally bought a copy of Blacklight Express from the UK because I couldn’t wait for the US copy anymore lol. Here’s to hoping for a great ya sci-fi! I don’t think we’ll be disappointed with it 🙂 Maybe that will be a refresher for you!
Thanks so much, Christy! I hope to be back on track soon. I’m sure a small break will make me realize how important books and blogging are:-) And I hope to read Blacklight Express very soon, even though it’s a few months away from publication date. I expect it will remind me of my love of reading:-)
You’re very welcome, Tammy. Like I said on Twitter, what you decide is totally up to you. And if you feel like a break or cutting back is the way to go, then we understand. Plus, that does sound like a VERY busy May coming up. So do what you think is best for you, and we’ll come around whenever you have something new to share. 🙂 And take care of yourself, too!
I’m sure there will be less posts in May for sure, as to how many and what type I post, I guess I’ll just play it by ear. I appreciate your thoughts!
I’ve never read Kenyon, and believe me I was sorely tempted when I was offered Deadmen Walking but ultimately had to decline. I couldn’t believe I was saying no to swashbuckling piratical adventures! But even I have reached max capacity for review books lately. I will keep an eye out on your review 🙂
Speaking of which, aw, I would miss your opinions on here if you never wrote a review again! Definitely take a break if you need it, with your summer being so busy, but please don’t stop if you love doing it 🙂 Maybe give yourself an easier schedule, like one book/review every week or two weeks?
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…YA Weekend Audio: Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray
Well, I think I was being dramatic by suggesting I would never write a review again, but it’s certainly tempting to take that responsibility out of my life, at least temporarily. That being said, I’m going to try to finish a review tonight to post this week, so we’ll see:-)
All the books in this post are new to me, which is one of the reasons I enjoy these over-booked posts so much, learning about new books. Regarding stopping reviews, definitely do what feels right to you, but I’m hopeful you’ll decide to continue. Sometimes taking a break, or scaling back, provides enough of a reset to shift life back into a more comfortable position. But if you do decide to stop know that your thoughts and opinions will be missed.
Thanks for stopping by, Todd! Don’t worry, I’m sure my reviews will continue, but May might be a little sparse. Or not, I guess it kind of depends on how the month goes:-)
Aww.. I hope you do keep this blog going. I would miss all your bookish recommendations. 🙂
Hey! I won a copy of Lost Boy too! I somehow forgot that I never wrote my Sunday book haul post so it’ll be in next weeks. lol Shine Your Light On Me sounds CRAZY but I really want to get my hands on a copy now. Happy reading (and maybe blogging?) 🙂
Bonnie @ For the Love of Words recently posted…Short & Sweet (Beauty & the Beast Retellings) – A Court of Thorns and Roses, Hunted, Lost in a Book
Thanks Bonnie! You know, now that I think about it, the publisher was running a ton of giveaways for Lost Boy, so it doesn’t surprise me that you won one as well. Hope we both enjoy it!
Lots of great books this week. I’m so jealous you have Henry’s new book. I’m glad to hear you are only slowing down the blog and not quitting. I would miss your reviews and all the book recommendations I get from here! Sounds like you do have a busy month ahead though and definitely a slow-down or break might be in order. Enjoy all the time with your kids while you can before they grow up completely!
Thanks Barb! I know I would miss blogging if I stopped. It’s so hard to juggle everything sometimes, right? I don’t think I’ve ever been THIS busy before, so I’m not sure how to handle it. Something has to give:-)
Blogging can be a real chore at times, but it is probably a phase which will pass. Definitely ease back on your commitments and spend more time reading just for the fun of it though. This year I’ve been trying to add many more “fun reads” that I can review or not based upon my mood. I have to say it has really helped me. 🙂
Great haul. Have fun with them all!