The Weekly Update: 2/19/17

 
 

You may have already seen my beautiful artwork on Twitter, but, in case you haven’t, I got the urge to draw a hand turkey the other day. So I did.

Hand Turkey

I think that sometimes, when you get the urge to do something on a whim, you should do it. It doesn’t matter if it’s productive or not, it’s just good for your mental health. And that makes it productive. #LifeLessonsFromKristen 😉

Also, I had more dreams! Well, I almost always have dreams. But remember how the other week I had a dream that someone was dancing with me and teaching me as we went? Well this time I had a dream that I choreographed a group dance and we all practiced it numerous times. Like, my brain actually choreographed and memorized a dance while I was sleeping lol. Not a good dance, mind you, but still. And in another dream, I was typing up a poem for someone that they wrote. But just like the dance, my brain actually wrote a poem in my sleep. I distinctly remember that there was in fact a whole poem, though, when I woke up, I could only recite the one line that was currently transcribing in the dream, which was, “I wonder, you’re no photo, no emotion, no promo.” I know that photo and promo don’t rhyme, but, in my defense, I think it was the next line or whatever that it rhymed with and the near-rhyme was just coincidence or part of the flow. And no, I don’t remember what the full poem was about. If anyone wants to guess from that one line, go right ahead, haha. Oh, and whoever said you can’t read in dreams is totally wrong. So yeah, dances and poems. My brain must be craving creative activity or something. But seriously, brains never cease to amaze me.

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Blog/Bookish Updates:

My library finally listened to my ebook requests! Well, one (or three) of them anyway, which means I now get read the Captive Prince series! Except of course I was the first one on the hold list which means I either had to checkout the books immediately or let them go and then wait who knows how long since other people might start checking them out. But I’m a mood reader and not in the mood for the books right now -_- Well, I have until March 8th to get in the mood lol.

Also, if any of you follow my blog by email and are confused about a review that was supposedly posted today, I hit the publish button by mistake lol. So just ignore the email 🙂

Books I Received for Review:

 

A scary, violent fairy trying to be a good guy. Or something like that. It sounds interesting.

Books I Finished:

Lonely Shore by Jenn Burke & Kelly Jensen | reading, books
Skip Trace by Jenn Burke & Kelly Jensen | reading, books
Inversion Point by Jenn Burke & Kelly Jensen | reading, books
Phase Shift by Jenn Burke & Kelly Jensen | reading, books
 

Yay binge reading! Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve binge-read a series that was actually complete??? I think was about a year ago. And it was a reread. Anyway, the Chaos Station series was great! Realistic characters, ridiculously well thought-out world building, and a struggle-filled romance, which is my favorite kind to read about. Will definitely review these soon, soon being a relative term since I have 29 other reviews posts that need to go up too and am trying to kind of juggle them all and keep a good balance of genres and ratings and release dates and whatnot.

Song of the Week:

No song, but I do have this video to share because it’s hilarious and adorable.

 

In Case You Missed It:

– I shared book covers featuring cards.
– I reviewed The Key to Erebus by Emma V. Leech & Roisin O’Connor, the first in a high-emotion YA/NA vampire romance.
– I reviewed Peter Darling by Austin Chant, an incredibly sweet Peter Pan inspired story about a trans Peter and a Peter-Hook romance!
– I reviewed Emerald Bound by Teresa Richards, a YA Princess and the Pea inspired story with some paranormal aspects.

The Sunday Post Link-Up:

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

 
 
 
 

Talk to me!

Did you find any good books or music last week?
Do you like drawing or doing anything artistic?
Does your library listen to you when you request books?

 
 
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Your Thoughts

 

56 thoughts on “The Weekly Update: 2/19/17

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  1. Greg

    You have interesting dreams. 🙂 But hey funky dreams are fun and it never ceases to amaze me what the brain comes up with! I had one the other day where someone I didn’t like from ages ago made an appearance and it reminded me why I didn’t like them lol. what’s that all about??

    My library’s kinda sucky but they’re small and there’s a larger branch library not far away so it’s not really their fault. I never thought of suggesting they carry something though… I should. they NEVER have what I want! Liefdom looks good (mysterious) and i like those Chaos station covers (especially Inversion Point).

    That kid’s getting a workout… 🙂

    1. Kristen Burns

      I don’t even share the really weird ones, haha. These are just so interesting to me because it’s so crazy how a brain can actually make up something like dances or poems while sleeping. Haha, that’s too funny about your dream.

      I don’t even know… there’s two libraries kind of near where I live, but I think they might be in the same system? Idk because I just know the one I got my card from and I only ever borrow online. I do suggest books sometimes, but this is the first time they’ve actually listened. Liefdom does look good. I read some of the preview in Amazon and already felt sympathetic for the MC so I figured it’d be worth a shot. And the Chaos Station covers are nice ones.

      Lol that baby is so calm and well-behaved.

  2. Deborah

    Yay for the ebook requests and the library Kristen!

    I actually only just noticed that you use really nice images for your posts that you must make yourself in line with the theme of your blog. Very clever. I just use book covers as my feature pic so the home page looks quite messy!

    I slept poorly last week and had lots of weird dreams… very weird!

    1. Kristen Burns

      I’m glad they finally listened to me because yay books!

      Oh thank you! The images themselves are just free pictures, but I have a sort of template for the text and the specific fonts that I use.

      Yeah, that’s the problem with dreams, they can be exhausting :-/ Especially when they’re weird or bad.

  3. Prabhleen

    Oh yes I love painting! I try to do art atleast more than 3 hours a week, so I guess I am good. Plus your dreams are really cool and hilarious! Who knew such stuff happened XD (not me anyways lolol) But 4 books in a WEEK? WAAAT IS THIS? Give me your powers please *bows down* The thing about my library is that they don’t accept requests, and I am so jealous right now. Great post 😉

    1. Kristen Burns

      Wow, three hours a week! I used to be into art, though I generally preferred sketching over painting. I wanted to get back into lately but other things have just gotten in the way. Thanks! It’s so crazy what the brain can do while sleeping! Haha, no powers, just not feeling well and lots of stress and distracting myself with lots of reading 😛

  4. suzanna

    Wow, your dreams are way more interesting than mine. Mine usually involve being late for something and me never getting there no matter how fast I run. Must say something about me lol.
    The Chaos Station series has really great covers. Sounds like a story I’d like.
    Off to draw a hand turkey ha ha

    1. Kristen Burns

      Lol normally I just have really strange dreams, but these are just fascinating to me because it’s amazing what the brain can do while sleeping!

      They do have pretty covers! And it was a good space romance story.

      I’m sure your hand turkey will be beautiful 😉

  5. Maureen Beatrice

    Whahaha.. You should totally start a #LifeLessonsFromKristen post!! I think it will be a hit! 😉 Love the hand turkey.
    Liefdom really sounds interesting. Love that cover too!
    I don’t go to the library.. Since I only read English, and I live in the Netherlands our libraries don’t really work for me. I’m still hoping they will get more English books one day. The bookstores in the Netherlands do, so I’ll keep hoping. 😀
    Have a great week and happy reading.

    1. Kristen Burns

      Haha totally gonna change the world with my life lessons 😉

      Liefdom does sound interesting, and I also like that cover!

      Aww, that sucks about the libraries. Maybe they’ll catch up with the bookstores one day!

      Thanks, same to you 🙂

  6. chucklesthescot

    I like The Chaos Station covers-good colours! I’ve got lots of great sounding series I want to catch up with this year but looking at the numbers I can’t see me getting them all done. Still, I can only do my best and enjoy my reads! I was looking at your Talk to me questions so here goes! I don’t listen to music much at the moment but I don’t follow anything or anyone modern. I like my 80’s and rock music best. I like colouring but I don’t get any time to do it at the moment. I also do news scrapbooks but I’m way behind on updating them. I don’t use the local library. They charge a few pounds for each book you want to request and I’d rather just buy my own copy than do that!

    1. Kristen Burns

      They are nice covers! Lol I try not to focus too much on the vast multitude books I want to get to since it just gives me stress thinking about how I’ll never accomplish it 😛 I don’t exactly keep up with the modern music either. I mostly just stumble on songs online. Coloring has gotten really popular, it seems kind of relaxing! And news scrapbooks sound cool. I’ve heard that some countries charge money for books at the library—that sucks!

  7. Di @ Book Reviews by Di

    Ha ha – I love your hand turkey! And now I have an awesome life lesson to take away. 🙂

    The beginning of your poem sounds interesting! I wonder what it was about!!!

    I believe that the Captive Prince is a short read… It’s on my TBR but I haven’t got it yet and don’t have the time right now. 🙁

    I hope you have an awesome week!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Lol thanks!

      Right? I kind of wonder what it was about too.

      I actually have no clue how long the Captive Prince books are. I’ve just heard lots about them. And I’m trying to let myself read more books that I just want to read rather than go crazy with review copies this year.

      Thanks, you too!

  8. Danya @ Fine Print

    LOL that hand turkey though! Love it. Great life lesson too: this is why I have a colouring book of Ryan Gosling images…it’s good for the soul. 😉

    Three cheers for your library system listening to your ebook requests! The Overdrive suggestion system is super buggy so whenever it works, I’m amazed. Awwww that video! So freaking cute. I hope you have a great week full of fun dance dreams, Kristen!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Hehe thanks 😀 Your coloring book sounds awesome, haha.

      Right?! My library used to use Overdrive and recently switched to Axis 360. How do you know if your request did or didn’t work? Maybe that was why the library never listened to me before lol. That video was too cute not to share! Thanks, you have a great week too 🙂

  9. Michelle @Because Reading

    That could make a good book. Girl who wants to be a ballerina and the quiet kid in school that writes her poems but she doesn’t know who it is then she finds out and they fall in love and live HEA! 🙂 The End.

    My Library stinks, I have to go back and see if they have any new books. I avoid going there because they never have anything good but they got a new Librarian so maybe she will get the new books in.

    I hope you have a great week, Kristen! Happy Reading!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Lol you should write it 😉

      I never borrow physical books, just ebooks, so I asked to put on the hold list if they became available, and I got an email. Good luck with your new librarian!

      Thanks, you too 🙂

  10. Samantha

    Your dreams are awesome! My brain doesn’t do anything that cool. Enjoy your library book whenever you feel like reading it!! I know how it goes to be a mood reader.

  11. Kei @ The Lovely Pages Reviews

    My library sucks so much I don’t even bother with requests but its gotten better at bringing new titles for purchase so that’s something even though I still have to wait for months. Thank god for amazon kindle. YAY for binge reading ?

  12. Lampshade Reader

    Maybe you should take some dancing lessons and gobble gobble to you too! LOL

    I’ve been having dreams about my dad who passed away last month. He’s visited me 3 times. He hugged me in one of them, and recently he was telling me something; I could hear his voice and everything, but I couldn’t remember what he was saying. 🙁 Dreams are interesting things.

    Hope you have a great week! ~Aleen

    1. Kristen Burns

      I did take some dance classes when I was younger, but I’m just not a very good dancer lol. Like, I can learn choreographies, but the actual dancing just doesn’t look that good. And I never could find any good ballroom dancing classes :-/ But haha, I couldn’t resist adding the gobble gobble 😛

      Awww, dreams about loved ones or anyone who’s no longer in our lives are always bittersweet. It’s nice to see them in the dreams, but then we wake up. Maybe he’ll come back in another dream and you’ll remember what he said? Any time I want to remember something from a dream, I keep repeating it over and over in my head as I’m waking up all the way until I can get it written down.

      Thanks, you too!

  13. Becky @ A Fool's Ingenuity

    Seriously, you have the strangest dreams. I mean, dancing and poems are definitely not what I dream about. I can’t remember what I have dreamt of lately but it wasn’t that I am certain. And don’t you hate when a book comes available at the library and you’re not even a little bit in the mood to read it? I sometimes wonder if I should just try anyway. I know I can borrow books for 4 weeks so I normally take advantage of that and hope I fancy reading in the next 4 weeks.

    And I saw that video on facebook it’s hilarious and cute. You can’t help but do strange things with babies, they are so malleable and everything is better when a baby does it.

    Yay for binge reading, it’s been a while since I binge read a series so I’m a little jealous. Glad you liked it, though. Always worth it to binge read a good series.

    Have a good week!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Normally my dreams are just plain weird and nonsensical, so idk where these are coming from either. I think my brain really might be craving some creative activity, that’s what it’s telling me lol. And ugh, yes, but that’s always how it happens, right? It’s like the Murphy’s Law of library books.

      That’s also where I first saw the video. It’s so adorable!

      You should be jealous. Binge-reading is the best 😛

      Thanks, you too!

  14. sjhigbee

    A great post, Kristen. The video of the baby dancing to Beat It is hilarious – SUCH a dad thing to do… I really like the look of Liefdom – the cover is great and the premise seems a really strong one. I hope you have a great week.

    1. Kristen Burns

      Lol right? But hey, the baby was probably loving it too, bonding time with Dad! I also like the cover of Liefdom and I already felt sympathetic toward the MC when I read the little Amazon preview, so I figured I’d give the book a go. Thanks, you too!

  15. Let's Get Beyond Tolerance

    I just got a few books from the library today; so now I have to make time for those! haha I’m not really a MOOD reader per se, but I do have a lot of books to read/review for February still and then March is coming quick Ahh!!

    Love the hand turkey. It’s good to be creative. 🙂

    -Lauren

  16. Lola

    That hand turkey is awesome! I don’t think I’ve ever drawn a hand turkey. Well said, sometimes you just have to go with what you want to do. It’s fun to just go with what you want to do sometimes and good for your mental health too.

    I am always surprised at what our brains come up when we dream. Although it’s too bad you can’t remember the whole poem, now I am curious what the rest was about.
    I can only remember a nightmare I had this week, where I was held captive and had to pick which rats and baby rats would be eaten for dinner by the evil guys. I couldn’t make that decision and loaded all 20 or so rats into my sweater and made a run for it. I actually managed to save all the rats.

    That’s great your library got some of the boos you requested, although that’s a shame you weren’t in the mood for them right now. I am also a moodreader so i know what you mean, but who knows maybe in a few weeks or so you get in the mood for them.

    I am curious about that Chaos Station series. I am looking forward to your reviews of them. I noticed they aren’t too pricey on amazon, so I might give them a try. I don’t have nearly as many reviews scheduled, but I am pretty ahead with reviews scheduled lately. I hope you’ll have a great week!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Never drawn a hand turkey?! Well now you have to go draw one! 😉 Actually, I never really thought about it until just now, but it seems like the whole reason we draw hand turkeys as kids is for Thanksgiving, so maybe kids in other countries never learn the hand turkey thing.

      Seriously, it’s amazing what our brains come up with. But I also am bummed that I couldn’t remember the rest of the poem because I really want to know what it was about too!

      Aww sorry about the nightmare 🙁 But at least you saved all the rats!

      Yeah, mood reading is a problem sometimes. But hey, at least they’ve got the books now, so I’ll get to read them eventually even if I don’t get to them this time.

      They might be books that you’d like. There’s a lot of relationship drama, don’t know if it’d be too much for your taste or not, but there’s not too much graphic violence. One MC was a POW though so there’s like a lot of vague mentions of torture? And the other character is actually tortured in one book but it’s not explicit and only like one paragraph.

  17. Barb (boxermommyreads)

    It’s great that you dream about creative endeavors. I also love the hand turkey. It brings back awesome memories. I hate reading books on a deadline from the library. Sometimes nothing kills the mood more than knowing they have to be read by a certain time. Maybe if you can get through the first one, then you’ll want to read the others so bad you can devour them all at once.

    1. Kristen Burns

      Glad you like my hand turkey 😛 Definitely makes me think of Thanksgiving lol. Yeah, it’s definitely frustrating reading books on a deadline, especially when you’re a mood reader. Even if I don’t get to them this time, at least my library will have them now!

  18. Wattle

    I love the Captive Prince series, although I did spend the first half of the first book feeling like we’d come in mid-story and going ‘what the f*ck is happening?!’ lol it’s sooooo good though *sigh* very much an acquired taste (I know people who love it, or hate it – no in between!) I totally fangirled, I felt like I was reading the best fanfic on the planet even though it is in no way fanfiction lol I’m not sure how else to describe it…I felt connected, I guess?

    Oops tangent.

    Brains are SO weird! Our subconsciousness is really pretty amazing, with the types of dreams it throws at us 🙂

    1. Kristen Burns

      In that case, I will brace myself to be confused in the beginning lol. Can’t wait to see whether I’m in the love or hate camp! I feel like it actually could go either way for me, haha. I don’t mind your tangent, it made me more excited to try the books 🙂

      They are so weird, right? But also amazing!

  19. Literary Feline

    I very much like your hand turkey, Kristen. 🙂 I am in no way creatively inclined when it comes to art. Writing, I can do more of less, but drawing . . . I make a mean stick figure. Does that count? Haha

    It’s good to remember. I have been remembering my dreams a lot lately too. The one last night had a mix of The Handmaid’s Tale, which I had just finished reading and the birthday party lego set (with train)–but human size. It was . . . interesting.

    I am glad the e-book you were hoping for came in! Hopefully you will be in the mood to read it soon. And if not, hopefully the wait for it to come your way again won’t be long.

    I hope you have a great week!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Lol thank you. Stick figures totally count 😉

      That does sound like an interesting dream, haha. And it’s always kind of fun but weird when the books we’ve recently read end up influencing our dreams.

      Thanks! At least I’ll get to read it eventually, even if I’m not in the mood for it before I have to return it this time.

      Thanks, you too!

  20. Bookworm Brandee

    I’ll keep that life lesson from Kristen in mind! LOL And the dream…that’s too funny, Kristen. I wish I could remember my dreams as vividly as you do. I honestly rarely remember mine. Congrats on your library listening to you and I totally get it about being a mood reader. If you’re not feeling it, the book is just gonna sit there. Fingers crossed that you’re in the mood when your turn comes around again. And thanks for sharing that video. OMG! That has me smiling!!! The moon-walking! LOL

    1. Kristen Burns

      You better 😉 I used to love remembering my dreams but now it happens so often that it’s just exhausting. And last night someone was murdered in one of my dreams and me and some other people found the body. So be careful what you wish for lol. Exactly, if I’m not in the mood this time, I’ll just borrow the books again and maybe it’ll work out better with my mood next time! Haha, the moonwalking was so adorable!

  21. S. J. Pajonas

    Wow. You’re blowing through that Chaos Station series! So glad to hear you’re enjoying it! It looks really cool. Also, good to hear that your library is listening to your requests. That’s so important and great for authors too!

    1. Kristen Burns

      They were all fairly short, and I enjoyed them, so it was easy to get through them! And I’m so happy the library listened, it’s great for both readers and authors!

  22. Erin @ Paperbackstash

    I keep thinking about trying Peter Darling. off to read your review!

    Cute Turkey hand 🙂 As long as the creativity is still working, right?

    Sounds like you had a fun dream. The only dream I remember is the awful one from Saturday night where I woke up after dreaming my father had died -awful!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Lol thanks. Drawing the hand turkey was fun 😛

      Those were some fun dreams! Sorry about your dream though. I’ve had dreams where loved ones died, and they’re the worst :-/

  23. Emily

    I have very vivid dreams lol. I feel like I remember every little detail of my dreams, good or bad. It’s kind of weird!