The Weekly Update: 10/15/17

 
 

I had so much stuff to tell you all last week, and this week I have pretty much nothing. I’m perfectly ok with that though because it means at least nothing bad happened!

But oh, I did randomly get hooked on cooking shows? I’ve never liked them before, but I swear I spent one whole day just marathoning an entire season of some Halloween bake-off show, and I’m also really loving this one that’s different contestants in each episode with three rounds of challenges with certain ingredients, but it’s KIDS. Like, some of them are just nine years old! And these kids are amazing! Fucking nine-year-olds cooking steak and making sauces and elegantly plating restaurant-quality food. I can barely even roast veggies in the oven with olive oil, salt, and pepper. I cooked dinner for my roommates once in college; it tasted fine and I didn’t poison anyone, but it was literally just some pan-cooked venison with BBQ sauce, sliced carrots I cooked on the stove with brown sugar or something, and a loaf of Cuban bread lol. And you don’t even wanna know what the kitchen looked like when I finished.

Anyway, let’s move on to the bookish stuff!


Blog/Bookish Updates:

You may have noticed that I’ve been trying out new color schemes for my blog. It was red and pink before, colors I love, but I feel like the dark-ish teal/blue I’ve been using suits the blog better. Now I’m just deciding what other color to match with it. I’m torn between purple and a sandy gold-ish color. I’m also considering changing up some other minor things, so don’t be confused if the blog looks different every time you visit for a while lol.

I also learned some new stuff the past two weeks! Number one, if you win a GR giveaway but haven’t received your prize, there’s a button to let them know on the book’s giveaway page, and that sends a notification to the publisher. Number two, I’ve been pondering the difference between requesting and wishing on NetGalley for, like, years lol, and I finally know now that wishes are granted randomly, like a giveaway. Publishers can decide at any time to grant any number of wishes, and random winners are chosen.

Another thing I did recently was go through all the blogs I follow, organize them, unfollow the ones I never visited or that were no longer posting, and switch from Bloglovin’ to Feedly! And WOW, I love it. So many posts were getting lost in the chaos before, and now I feel like I’m so much more caught up on blog hopping. But, since Bloglovin’ is what’s most widely used when bloggers share their stats to publishers and whatnot, every time I follow a new blog it’s now extra work to follow them on both Bloglovin’ (so they get the stats) and also Feedly. I could stop following on Bloglovin’, but I like helping out other bloggers.

 

Books I Received for Review:

Black Box Inc. by Jake Bible
 

10/8/17: Black Box Inc. is from NetGalley.

10/15/17: Nothing.

 

Books I Finished:

Black City Demon by Richard A. Knaak
Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice
The Six-Gun Tarot by R. S. Belcher
 

10/8/17: I haven’t felt like reading much lately. Not the fault of the books, just me having a slump or something. But anyway, I’m so glad my library got Black City Demon because I really enjoyed it! Even more than the first book, I think.

10/15/17: I also FINALLY, after 11+ years, reread Interview with the Vampire! I’m glad to say I did enjoy it again. I actually think I want to continue rereading the series, which I wasn’t expecting. The Six-Gun Tarot had some great characters, but the writing was kind of confusing.

 

What I’m Loving:

This week, what I’m loving is…

Angie’s Pumpkin Spice Kettle Corn

Angie's Pumpkin Spice Kettle Corn

This is the only seasonal pumpkin spice thing I eat, but don’t worry, I eat enough of it to make up for all the lattes and whatnot that I’m skipping over πŸ˜‰ I’m too ashamed to admit how much I have eaten already. It has an icing drizzle on it and everything, don’t judge me.

“One Foot” by Walk the Moon

 

I feel like there’s magic in this song. Not only is it a great song, it makes me so happy every time I listen to it. I don’t even know why.

 

In Case You Missed It:

10/08/17:
– I reviewed Shadow Faerie by Rachel Morgan, a twisty YA urban fantasy about faeries.
– I shared recommendations for vampire books you may not have heard of.
– I reviewed Nocturne by Irene Preston & Liv Rancourt, a M/M paranormal with a Catholic vampire and a beautiful romance.

10/15/17:
– I reviewed Steal the Day by Lexi Blake, a fun and hilarious yet emotional urban fantasy.
– I talked about horror books I’ve read, even though I don’t read horror.
– I reviewed Berserker by Emmy Laybourne, an Old-West/Norse mythology YA mash-up, plus there’s a blog tour giveaway!

 

The Sunday Post Link-Up:

Once again, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer πŸ™‚

 
 
 
 

Talk to me!

Have you found any good books lately?

 
 
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Your Thoughts

 

58 thoughts on “The Weekly Update: 10/15/17

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  1. Greg

    I don’t get the whole nine year old cooking prodigy thing lol, where did they acquire these skills?? Something fishy there. πŸ™‚

    I didn’t know that bout Netgalley wishes, shows how often I go there. Yikes. Good to know tho.

    I liked Six-Gun Tarot okay but haven’t felt super motivated to read the next one? the third one though looks badass, which is why I read the first one in the first place, so … I dunno.

    1. Kristen Burns

      Seriously, how??? Lol.

      Most books are just normal requests, but yeah, occasionally you might come across one that you can’t request but can “wish for.”

      I think I want to read the next one, but I’m not 100% sure because of all the head hopping. Lol about your reason for reading it though πŸ˜›

  2. Corina Paris

    I often wish there was an easier way of organizing all the blogs, or just cleaning up blogs that haven’t posted in ages. We should start a petition. πŸ˜€
    I didn’t know about the GR giveaway nor about the wishing on NG – that’s so interesting!!!

    Have a great Sunday!

    1. Kristen Burns

      I’m telling you, Feedly really does make it so much easier to organize things! It’s just a pain to actually go through the blogs and do the work lol. It would awesome if there were some simple way to see which blogs don’t post anymore though!

      So we both learned those things this week!

      Thanks, you too πŸ™‚

  3. kimbacaffeinate

    I love kettle corn but never tried pumpkin spice. I did, however, try pumpkin spice Hershey kisses and no, just no. I am not a big tv person but think I would have loved watching nine-year-olds cook. Sometimes quiet weeks are the best, hope this week is a good one as well.

    1. Kristen Burns

      I’ve never had anything else pumpkin spice flavored, I don’t think, so I can’t compare, but the popcorn is just absolutely delicious! I’m not a big TV person either, but the kids are just so amazing. Thanks, same to you πŸ™‚

  4. Geybie's Book Blog

    My husband and I love watching masterchef junior series. OMG, those kids are beyond awesome. ?❀️❀️❀️ Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful reading week. Enjoy your books and happy reading. ❀️?

  5. chucklesthescot

    I watch variations of Masterchef, Great British Bake Off, Top Chef, Hell’s Kitchen etc…but the only versions I never watch are the kids! I never really enjoy shows based around kids! I’m in a slump too in spite of enjoying A Storm of Swords part one…just too tired at the moment! With this storm coming straight for us and threats of power cuts and water issues, I’m getting ready!

    1. Kristen Burns

      That’s funny because I didn’t like the adult version of the show, just the kids one lol. But yikes, stay safe! Hopefully you won’t lost water at least :-/

  6. Wattle

    I cannot cook to save my life. I can bake, I enjoy baking, I love cake (even if it makes me fat lol) but you can’t eat cake for dinner (we’ll ignore I ate some for lunch yesterday and today – we had no bread, so…close enough?) Real food though? Awful. If I can throw it all in the oven I’m okay, otherwise it tends to be a disaster.

    I adore shows like that though, that there’s a kids version is kinda cool haha. I LOVE The Great Britsh Bake Off, and recently discovered The Great British Sewing Bee (they make clothes) and The Great Pottery Throw Down (who knew pottery was so interesting?)

    Oh that reminds me, I have feedly. I should clean it up and use it, currently I just have blogs bookmarked and visit when I can (I still have bloglovin’ too, the only reason I do is because everyone else does πŸ™ )

    That kettle corn sounds a bit amazing, yum! Yikes, I have rambled enough so I’m going to shut up lol

    1. Kristen Burns

      Same. Well, I don’t enjoy baking that much, but I can bake at least basic things. Psh, you can eat cake whenever you want πŸ˜‰ But yeah, idk how to cook real food lol.

      I didn’t even know pottery shows existed!

      You should totally clean it up and use it, it makes blogging so much less stressful!

      The popcorn IS amazing, and don’t worry, I don’t mind your rambling at all!

  7. Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks

    Glad to see an update on your blog this week πŸ™‚
    Who cooks for you now? Cause I’m just like you xD but I have my Bf to cook for me (he actually even enjoys it!) Don’t know what I’d eat if it wasn’t for him πŸ˜€
    Yes, wishes ARE sometimes granted! I got 4321 that way πŸ™‚ which one did you get granted?
    I was actually also thinking about Feedly. Does it have a good phone option?
    Yeah, I also always follow either on WP, or Bloglovin’ because of the stats. I’d obviously want them to do the same for me stats-wise, so I would keep doing that πŸ™‚ in fact, have I followed you on Bloglovin’? I’ll check.
    The ones you finished look amazing πŸ™‚
    Pumpkin spice kettle corn? I can’t even imagine that! Must taste good πŸ™‚
    Anyway. Have a wonderful week!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Girl, I survive thanks to the genius who invented frozen meals lol. Frozen foods, soups, and roasted veggies πŸ˜€

      I just always wondered what the diff between wishing and requesting was. I’d brought it up before, but no one else seemed to know either. I always suspected wishes were done randomly, like a giveaway, but I didn’t know for sure until the other day πŸ™‚ I didn’t get any granted, I just finally found the explanation lol.

      I have no idea if Feedly has a mobile option, I do my blog hopping on the computer. But yeah, it’s just nice to help out other bloggers with a follow on Bloglovin!

      The popcorn is so amazing! I love cinnamon and gingerbread and it tastes like those things lol. Thanks, you have a great week too!

  8. sjhigbee

    Ooo… you’re right – that is a fabulous song! I’m going to buy it as soon as I’ve finished posting:)). I’m delighted that you found you still loved Interview with a Vampire after such a long interval – I’m very reluctant these days to reread books I absolutely fell in love the first time around in case they don’t measure up. I hope you have a good week, Kristen. My Sunday Post –
    https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2017/10/15/sunday-post-15th-october-2017/

    1. Kristen Burns

      I’m glad you love it too! I saw someone comment on YouTube that they just want to feel the way a Walk the Moon song sounds, and I agree because all their songs seem to be so uplifting. I honestly didn’t think I’d like Interview since I DNFed it a few years ago when I tried to reread it, so I’m happy about that too!

  9. Mallory @ SheisBookish

    Just wanted to say THANK YOU for turning me onto the Lexi Blake/Thieves series with your great reviews! I just finished the first book last night and am hooked – so much action and humor with just the right amount of angst. And I kind of want to be friends with ALL the characters. πŸ™‚ Hope you have a great week and happy reading!

    1. Kristen Burns

      YAY!!!!! I’m so happy that you liked it!!! I’m always down to chat about that series if you ever have anything you wanna chat about πŸ˜€ Seriously, the characters are just the best! Thanks, you have a great week too πŸ™‚

    1. Kristen Burns

      I feel the same way, I don’t like cooking, so I don’t feel bad about myself while watching the shows because it’s not something I even want to learn. Thanks, same to you!

  10. Karen Blue

    I thought I left a comment on this post but apparently not.
    I like the idea of child prodigies, but how much did those parents streamline those kids focus for that to happen? Like maybe it is a lot more work then it looks like for a kid to have those kind of skills. No way my kids could do that kind of stuff, they are waaaay too busy watching youtube videos and playing games.
    That popcorn looks really good. I live for the pumpkin rolls this time of year. They have cream cheese icing and the way ti mixes with the pumpkin cake is amazing, I am drooling a little just thinking about it.
    I have been thinking about re-reading the Vampire Chronicles as well. I need to know if I still love them the same and see them through a reviewers eyes. I am looking forward to your review of Interview. Maybe it will motivate me to do it.
    I like the color scheme of your site. I have always loved the look of it tbh. Your site is one of the most aesthetically pleasing blogs to me on the net.
    Have a great week!

    1. Kristen Burns

      That’s true, I wonder how much pressure comes from the parents. But even kids can have passions, so maybe they really do just love cooking.

      Ahhh the popcorn is delicious! The pumpkin rolls sounds delicious too.

      I think you should reread it! That way we will both be rereading and can discuss it as we go πŸ˜€

      Awwww THANK YOU <3 <3 <3 You are so sweet!!! You have a great week too!

      1. Karen Blue

        You totally talked me into it! I bought the ebook version of The Vampire Lestat today. Of course I have a physical copy but ebooks are what i mostly read now due to my 2 f*cking hour commute every work day. When are you starting it? I absolutely cannot wait to start reading this again.

        1. Karen Blue

          Maybe I should mention that I always start with book 2 of the Vampire Chronicles? I originally read them that way so starting with Interview feels weird to me. I’m strange. But you know Lestat’s story is so much better than Louie’s anyways.

          1. Kristen Burns

            I’m glad you clarified because I was kind of confused lol. I don’t even remember Lestat’s story, but I’m really curious to see if it changes any of my opinions about the characters in Interview. I’m kind of using my reviews to track my thoughts on the characters and whatnot throughout the series.

        2. Kristen Burns

          Lol same here. I have physical copies, but I’m getting the ebooks from my library to read since I prefer reading ebooks. Well I already finished Interview. I’m itching to start the next book, but I have some highly anticipated releases coming out now and am doing a whole series reread for one of them, plus I’m a mood reader, so it’ll prob be at least a couple weeks before I start The Vampire Lestat.

  11. Aleen @ Lampshade Reader

    I love watching cooking shows! But those damn kids with their skills! Puts me to shame. XD

    I knew about the GR thing, but even marking it as not received did not get me the book that I won. It was a cookbook. I’m pretty sure it was the author herself giving it away, but obviously she didn’t care. That was the only that wasn’t redeemed.

    Not judging your junk food choices. LOL Hope you liked it.

    Have a great week!

    1. Kristen Burns

      They def put me to shame too lol.

      Damn, that sucks about never getting your book :-/ I’ve won a few GR giveaways, so far this is the only one that hasn’t arrived.

      Lol the popcorn is just so good! And I mean, it’s got some healthy qualities, right? πŸ˜‰

      Thank, you too!

  12. Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

    Okay, I just learned all sorts of things in this Sunday Post. I’m excited to hear the truth about Wishing on NetGalley. I know you asked me that at one point and I couldn’t answer. And I had no idea about the GR giveaway button. Glad Feedly is working out for you. I’m a big fan of Bloglovin’, but I’ll confess that lately all I have time to do is visit the people who visit me. I wish it wasn’t so, but that’s where I’m at lately.

    1. Kristen Burns

      Yeah, I remember talking to you about the wishing and I had suspected it might be like a giveaway—now we know! I am not a fan of bloglovin because 1) I don’t think it was showing me all the posts from blogs I follow, and 2) it’s such a pain to organize. Also with Feedly, you can mark posts as read or unread, which is helpful. I understand what you’re saying though about only being able to visit people who visit you, I have to fall back to that sometimes too.

  13. Becky @ A Fool's Ingenuity

    Children cooking? God, I bet they’re better than I am. No burning rice for them. I would just feel ashamed if I watched that.

    And I totally didn’t know either of those things about Netgalley or Goodreads. You learn something new every day. I didn’t realise wishes were random on Netgalley and I that’s good to know about Goodreads. I may have never won a giveaway, but if I ever do that’s important. I tried out Feedly for a while but Bloglovin already has everything there and now I have it set so I don’t have the stupid Bloglovin bar when I go to a website I don’t get as annoyed either.

    You’ve read a little less but well done on rereading a book you’ve wanting to for a while. I’ve never been able to read any of Anne Rice’s books but I know some people enjoy them. I am also rereading books lately, I just don’t know what I want to read.

    Have a good week.

    Also, that song totally makes me happy. I love Walk The Moon

    1. Kristen Burns

      Lol they’re def better than I am, but I’ve never cared about being a good cook, so I’m not all that ashamed.

      Yay, you learned something new too then! I just feel like bloglovin’ wasn’t showing me all the posts, and it was so hard to organize. I thought it was you who recommended Feedly once? Maybe not.

      Yeah, def been reading less. But I’m glad too that I finally reread Interview! I know those books are not for everyone though.

      Thanks, you have a good week too πŸ™‚

  14. Barb (boxermommyreads)

    Seriously, I wonder where I can find that kettle corn? I need some of that in my life. I’ve never heard of Feedly but may at least check it out so I can be aware. I really like watching some of the Halloween cooking shows…like the cakes one, etc. My husband watches a lot of the grilling ones and is always trying something new. He definitely has the cooking talent in the house. Black Box, Inc. looks great and I’m looking forward to your review. Hope you have a wonderful week!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Some stores have it down here, but you can also order it online πŸ™‚ Yeah, it’s cool seeing the cakes and desserts and things people are able to come up with and make for Halloween! Thanks, you have a great week too πŸ™‚

  15. Dragonfly @ Our Familiarium

    oh I love blog make overs! So I promise to be a good spouse and notice πŸ™‚ It’s I was perfectly ok with you not liking cooking shows because I think I like them enough for both of us πŸ™‚ but if you want to cook now I’m ok with it too! Then I have more time to blog πŸ™‚ You gotta to clean up after though! πŸ˜‰

    1. Kristen Burns

      Don’t get too excited, I prob won’t actually change it any more than the colors I already changed lol. Haha I didn’t realize you like cooking shows so much? Well I like the baking ones more, and the kids ones. But no, no, it’s ok, you can keep doing the cooking πŸ˜‰ You don’t want me cooking, it would be terrible lol.

  16. Di @ Book Reviews by Di

    Oh I love cooking shows! The nine year olds sound like they’re a bit beyond me though! πŸ™‚

    Ha, Blog changes are just what happens, right? We’re forever tweaking!

    I am going to have to check out Feedly….

    Hope this week has been a good one for you so far! I’m finally feeling like I’m getting caught up a little in the blogging world… Getting there slowly!

  17. Lola

    I don’t watch a lot of tv, btu i cna defintiely see myself gettign hooked on cooking shows if I do. I love cooking and it seems so fun to get inspiration that way.

    I noticed the blue color change, i was a bit surprised at first as I am so sued to the red and black, but now I kinda like it.

    I didn’t know that about wishes on netgalley! Glad you mentioned that. Do you still have to review the book and does it count like a normal NG book if you get it? I wished for books a few times, but never got a copy, so i wasn’t sure how it worked and I don’t want to wish too often, because what if I do get them and suddenly end up with a bunch of extra books I hadn’t counted on.

    I haven’t been on bloglovin for so long. I really need to find a better way of following blogs, now I kinda use different methods and rarely actually go blog visiting anymore unless it’s commenting back. And then once in a while a post catches my attention on Fb or twitter and I go check it out.

    That pumpkin spice kettle corn sounds really good! Maybe I can try and make it myself as I am pretty sure they don’t sell that over here. We only have a few variations of flavored kettle corn in grocery stores.

    I hope you have a great week!

    1. Kristen Burns

      It always feels weird when you’re used to seeing something a certain way until you get used to it. Thanks, I like the blue too πŸ™‚

      If you get a book you wished for, it still counts as a normal NG book, and you have to review it. So basically, you just have to treat the “wish for it” button the same way you treat the request button—only click it if you do actually want to read/review the book.

      Well, I def rec Feedly if you’re looking for something better πŸ™‚

      Yeah Idk if they sell it anywhere outside the US, but ooh, maybe you could make your own!

      Thanks, you too πŸ™‚

    1. Kristen Burns

      I mean, this is the only pumpkin spice thing I eat, but why are you so against it?! I just love cinnamon in general, and also gingerbread, (and I think pumpkin spice has those two things?), so adding cinnamon and ginger to things sounds good to me lol.

      1. S. J. Pajonas

        It’s the fact that everything turns PUMPKIN SPICE this time of year. Lol. It’s more the annoyance of the thing than actually not liking cinnamon and its accompanying spices.

  18. La La in the Library

    My ex was addicted to cooking shows, so I had to watch them seeing that we only had one tv, ha ha, but he cooked alot so there was no complaining from me. I will have to watch one of the kids’ shows. The two munchkins I babysit would probably be interested in that. ☺

    I like the teal color scheme.

    I also hated to unfollow blogs I had followed for giveaways, etc, so when my Bloglovin’ got too chaotic I made another blog email, and followed all of my favorite blogs that way. I don’t even check my Bloglovin’ roll anymore. I will have to check out Feedly.

    I am happy you still enjoyed Interview this time around. Maybe I will give it a re-read next year.

    The only thing I eat pumpkin spice flavored is pumpkin pie! I did try the pumpkin spice oreos last year and they weren’t bad, but they were so rich I could only eat two, which I guess is actually a good thing. Ha ha. My son didn’t like them, but his one friend devoured the rest of them in one sitting. I hope you have been having a wonderful month..☺

    1. Kristen Burns

      Lol I guess if the person is going to cook for you, it’s smart not to complain about the cooking shows πŸ˜› The kids ones are so amazing though, you should def check them out!

      Thanks πŸ™‚

      Yeah, trying to keep track of the blogs you follow is so much work, but it’s honestly a lot easier with Feedly.

      Flavored oreos usually tasted awful to me, so I’ll pass on trying the pumpkin spice ones, haha. Thanks, same to you!