As you probably already know from last week, my computer broke. I have something else to kinda use in the meantime (though I've been having such bad luck I wouldn't be surprised if that breaks too), but it's still difficult at the moment.
My kindle also broke! It got overheated for no apparent reason, but it finally came back on like 12 hours later. It keeps wanting to overheat again though. And that's out of warranty, even though it's only maybe a year old since I already had to replace my kindle once.
I swear I think I have some sort of electronics curse. But the weirdest part is that it seems the more careful I am with something, the faster it breaks. I think they just make things too fragile and complicated nowadays. My old ipod and phones and digital cameras were constantly being tossed around, covered in chalk, left in the heat, but they've lasted who even knows how many years. And have you ever had a Nokia? I'd buy those computers if they made them. I had a Nokia phone in high school. I can't tell you how many times I dropped it on the ground (and I'm not talking carpet). It also once fell out of my pocket on a crazy ride at a carnival/fair and flew around the metal cage until I caught it in mid-air. It even got buried in the sand once---we literally had to dig to find it. But nothing ever harmed it.
Anyway, this is a long-winded intro, but I have a word of advice for everyone: Make recovery media for all your Windows computers! Especially if you've gotten a free upgrade to Windows 10. I think my computer had a hardware problem so this probably wouldn't have helped it anyway, but having recovery media could save you from having to pay for it if your computer ever needs it!
Blog/Bookish Updates:
I actually managed to finish two review copies and not obtain any new ones! Yay! I did request one from Netgalley, but, to be fair, it’s one that’s been on my TBR for a long time and that I really, really want.
I also participated in my first blog tour, but, to be honest, I’m not sure I like the whole blog tour thing. I like getting review copies, but I don’t like the extra work and the overly promotional stuff I also have to post.
One last thing, I might be on a TTT hiatus for the next couple weeks. It’s just too difficult to really participate when I’m so stressed without my computer, and the topics are hard ones for me anyway
Books I Finished:
Nightstruck was pretty good, though not as intense and action-packed as I was expecting (which is on me since I made the assumptions). Princess of Tyrone was surprising in a good way, and I really liked it. Both reviews will be up in the next couple weeks or so.
Song of the Week:
“Unsteady” by X Ambassadors – I haven’t had the chance to listen to much music over the past week since I usually listen on my computer, but here ya go. It’s a good, emotional song.
In Case You Missed It:
Blog Tour: Steel & Stone Series by Annette Marie
Book Review: Unleash the Storm (Steel & Stone Book 5) by Annette Marie
Book Review: Soulless (Once Wicked Book 1) by Sarah J. Pepper
The Sunday Post Link-Up:
Once again, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer ๐
Sucks about your computer. And your kindle too? ๐
I’ve never done a blog tour, thought about it but… I don’t know, not really my thing. Maybe someday… and the TTT topics are not working for me either, I don’t know why. All the TBR stuff just feels like I’ve done it, and the rest…eh. I’ve been wanting to do discussion posts so I’m swapping those out for TT for a while…
Nightstruck looks fun, I like the idea of that one. I might have to get it if it’s good…
TTT does seem to be kind of going downhill, doesn’t it? People don’t seem to visit other blogs as much, and the topics are starting to all seem so similar. I feel like I would just be using the same ten books every time. My discussion posts are on Wednesdays though, so I don’t know what to do in place of TTT!
I guess you could always wait for my review? Lol. It wasn’t a bad book at all, so I imagine plenty of people will like it, it just didn’t WOW me, you know? But it’s just one of those personal preference things.
Oh no! The computer AND the Kindle?! Womp womp. That’s so stressful. I’m with you on blog tours. I used to do them A TON. I just realized in the last year or so I don’t really enjoy reading on a schedule, so I’m REALLY picky about the opportunities I choose to participate in. I used to do a lot of straight promo posts too โย release blitzes and what not โย but I stopped doing those almost entirely. I know they drive traffic to your blog, but it’s not the traffic I want. (That’s a horrible thing to say, isn’t it?) I want people to visit my blog because they like what I have to say, not just because I’m giving something away. I’ve hit the point where it’s about more than numbers for me.
Hope you have a great week!
Ugh, so stressful! I don’t think that’s a horrible thing to say at all though. I feel the same way. I want visitors who are actually interested in what I have to say. I like having visitors, but the numbers wouldn’t mean anything to me if my blog were just promo posts and the people weren’t genuinely interacting. I only joined the blog tour because it was for the last book in a series I loved and I wanted the ARC lol. You have a great week too!
It sounds like you caught up a little on your reviewing Kristen despite the crappy week! Sorry you’re having so many technological problems!!!
I had to laugh at your comment about the way you treat things. I’m the same with sunglasses. I buy a cheap pair and NEVER lose them and they last for years. I buy an expensive pair and I step on them or lose them in a week!
Yes, I actually managed to accomplish a couple things and at least have a couple posts scheduled for this week. But ugh, it’s such a pain without MY computer!
That’s always how it is, isn’t it? We just can’t win. Maybe it’s some sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.
ugh sorry about the curse. ๐ Glad you are BACK though! ๐
Sometimes, when we really like something, we get so anxious about protecting it we do more damage than good ๐
[like when you are a sport mom like me and you helicopter on them from the sideline making them super nervous and then they lose the game LOL]
Haha the “whole blog tour thing” I don’t do it anymore. that is what my Part II is about! blog tours is “The kid blogger playground” ๐ So I’d love to hear what you think of them next week ๐
I feel like I should start looking up curse removal or something. But I feel like the whole protecting thing applies to children but not really computers lol. At least you’re there cheering for your kids though! Even if you are making them nervous, haha.
Perfect, now that I’m a blog tour expert (one totally makes me an expert), I’ll be able to participate in your next discussion ๐
That sucks about your computer and your kindle!! I know how you feel-sometimes I feel like no matter how careful I am, electronics just hate me. Thankfully, my husband used to work for Apple so he can usually save my stuff. *usually*. Best of luck!
Seriously is it just me who has all these electronics problems? That’s great that you have someone who can fix stuff though! I just have Google -_- Lol. Thanks!
I am sorry to hear about your bad luck, first your computer and now your kindle? And they are both not that old yet, that’s weird they both have issues suddenly. Those Nokia phones were indestructible it seemed. I ruined my last phone when I accidentally threw it in the washing machine, but my current phone seems to do fine. And even if you’re careful some things still break, it’s frustrating.
And making back-ups is good advice. I didn’t update to windows 10 yet, I don’t trust it and only heard of people having issues with it.
I’ve also seem some bloggers just post their review during a tour and not post the rest of the stuff, you could always ask the tour organizers if they are okay with that. I don’t participate in a lot of blog tours myself anymore lately, only for those books I really want to read and review of for books by authors that I already know or read.
I am glad your two reads of this week were good ones at least. I hope this thing with your computer get fixed soon as it’s so stressful when something is wrong with your computer. I hope you’ll have a great week!
It is weird and frustrating because the issues just sprung up out of no where. I didn’t drop them, spill on them, infect them with viruses, etc. My phone is the only electronic still working properly, and that’s the one I treat the worst lol.
DON’T UPGRADE TO WINDOWS 10. It just causes all sorts of problems. Like I said, I don’t know if it wouldn’t made a difference in my computer breaking, but it’s just a pain and causes other problems anyway.
I haven’t completely sworn off blog tours yet. The one I did at least let me put the review in a separate post than the promo stuff, but it still a lot of extra work, and I didn’t end up getting the ARC all that early, so it would’ve been easier for me to just wait until the book came out since I’m still going to purchase it anyway. I’d still be willing to try a blog tour with you though since you might run them differently and make things easier than the other company. Plus I know you, so I feel less weird emailing to ask you questions if I get confused or something lol.
Thanks, you have a great week too!
If you had done something weird or wrong with your computer then at least you would’ve understood where it came form. It’s weird when an issue springs out of nowhere like that. It’s a good thing at least your phone is still working.
I am glad to hear that about the blog tours. I hate it when ARC’s get send out late, not always the fault of the blog tour organizer, but it is annoying. I always try to give an indication of when reviewers can expect the review copy as I think that can help with deciding whether to do a review stop or not. And yes I figure it’s easier asking questions when you already know someone, although I always hope/ like to believe most tour organizers would be willing to answer questions from tour hosts.
Exactly, at least if I do something wrong, there’s a logical reason for why the computer is breaking. But it’s more aggravating when I’m super careful and still it breaks because it *should* still be working just fine.
I mean, I did send an email to the tour organizer who sent the material to ask about putting the review in a separate post and about including some of the stuff she sent, and she was plenty helpful and nice, but I still feel weird bothering someone with too many questions or, like, detailed questions or things like that if I don’t know them.
Ugh. Electronics can be such a pain! And I am so sorry to hear about your computer and your kindle. My kindle goes with me everywhere ; I’d be lost without it. I hope things start looking up for you, soon.
I will send positive thoughts your way in hopes that this week goes better for you. Great song, by the way. Happy reading!
Seriously, does no electronic work properly anymore?! Thanks, I almost had a meltdown that night when the kindle wouldn’t turn on! Without a computer or a kindle, I was definitely lost. Thanks, I could definitely use the positive thoughts right now! Glad you like the song, happy reading to you too ๐
I only participate in blogtours if they are for books by my favorite authors… I don’t want to promote a book if I haven’t read and loved it. And usually, books by my favorite authors please me.
I hope your computer problems are over, and that your kindle will stop overheating so you won’t have to replace it once more.
Have a fantastic week ahead and enjoy your new books.
I’ve never understood the whole promoting a book you’ve never read thing. I mean, I don’t mind what other people want to do, but I wouldn’t do that because what if it was actually terrible?! Or had something I completely disagreed with?! But this was for the final book in a series I loved, and I also got an ARC to review.
Thanks, but the computer thing is still a whole fiasco as it’s currently being mailed across the country to the repair center -_- The kindle is at least working for now, as long as I keep it cool, so I’m crossing my fingers that it’ll continue to work!
You have a great week too ๐
Iโm so sorry to hear about your electronics curse.. It definitely sounds like a curse. Nokia definitely was unbreakable.. I hope it will get better again soon.
Have a great week and happy reading! ๐
Seriously, I’m starting to think there really IS a curse because I have no other explanation for the ridiculous amounts of bad luck my family has with computers and the like. Thanks, you have a great week too ๐
I’m sorry to hear about your computer/technology troubles! I hate when that happens. I ended up building my own computer so that it could handle everything I do (I game and what not) and also be able to easily replace parts! Much better. Hope you get it all sorted out ๐
If only I could actually figure out how to build my own. I’m starting to think that really is the only solution here because I’m convinced there’s no good brand, no such thing as a good computer anymore! I can’t even find one that works properly for blogging and photo editing let alone playing the Sims (which the only gaming I do lol). Maybe one day I’ll be able to make my own. Thanks, I’m trying to get it sorted out ASAP!
Luckily, I have a sister that is WAY better at that type of thing – but it’s actually not that hard! You could probably just google it to be honest haha
I suppose I might be able to make a computer if I really tried, but I just don’t have the time or energy for that right now. It’s a possibility for the future though!
Oh man, that stinks! Yeah, I remember putting my pager and cell phone in the 90’s through hell. They dropped while I was riding my horses, got kicked around, fell in the ocean, on and on. But they kept on ticking. Hope things start working for you!
Haha seriously, electronics have more abilities now, but they break too easily. Old electronics were the best. Thanks, it’d be great if I get my electronics all back to working properly already!
Agh to the bad luck on technology this week. D: That really sucks. I’m super careful with my stuff too, and it mostly works out for me??! Except my iPod is broken (the buttons) although I blame preschooling nephew/nieces for that mostly. ๐ And it’s getting kind of old anyway, so I’m glad it lasted 2 years and maybe I’ll upgrade…one day. Except I’d rather buy books. XD OH THE AGONIES. heh. Anyway, I hope your kindle comes good again.
I’ve been reading VE Schwab’s books and omgggg that author is an AMAZING WRITING QUEEN. *flails*
Seriously I think I’m cursed since it just does NOT work for me lol. I’d definitely much rather be buying books that constantly paying to fix and replace my technology! I could’ve bought like 6 books just for what it cost to ship the damn computer to the repair center!
I’ve been meaning to try VE Schwab but I can’t afford buying her books right now due to all the aforementioned stuff -_- So I’m waiting to see if the elibrary ever gets them in!
I have a friend whose computer died after upgrading to Windows 10, Kristen, and the repair people told her there was something on her computer that was incompatible (because computer was so old) but they’d never seen one die like hers did. Hmm…sounds eerily similar though. Congrats on getting review books read (really – you ROCK) and not requesting but one. Impressive. ๐
I hope your week is going well so far, that your computer woes will be over soon, and that your kindle miraculously stops overheating. ๐
I upgraded to Windows 10 a while ago though, and I think it might actually be a hardware problem? I don’t know. I should hear back soon-ish.
Lol thanks, you’ve made me feel like I actually accomplished something last week ๐ I always prioritize review copies though because I get stressed if I put them off. Anyway, my kindle is at least working even if it’s not perfect, crossing my fingers it’ll stay that way!
That sucks about your Kindle, they are not built to last. Mine is very badly behaved!!
My first couple of mobiles where Nokia’s and I was never ever going to change make ever, will then I discovered a cute Samsung flip phone (this was a while back), then that fruit based phone came along…..
Nokia make phones that could probably survive a nuclear winter!
Yeah, it seems no electronics are built to last these days because how would they make money if you didn’t have to replace them currently -_- Buy seriously I’m convinced Nokia’s could literally survive anything lol.