Please Be Kind, Rewind: 14-20 September 2014 September 20, 2014

An even better reading week! YAY! I am loving being on a roll. Now, if only I could get completely caught back up and ahead on blogging. That would be fantastic! Working a music festival this weekend and I’m SO excited. Rhythm and Roots is always a blast with great music and it gets bigger and better EVERY YEAR!!! (:

 

Completed:

Remember Me by Romily Bernard (eARC)

 Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

 

Currently Reading:

Revelation by Melissa de la Cruz

 

 

 

 

Read to the Kiddos:
Chick Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. 

Chicka Chicka ABC by Bill Martin Jr (Bug’s current favourite!)

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Joffe Numeroffe 

That’s Not My Meerkat by Fiona Watt

Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin & James Dean

R is for Race: A Stock Car Alphabet by Brad Herzog

Alphaprints: ABC by Roger Priddy

 
New to my shelf:

 

From the library:

as usual, more audiobooks! (:

We got in a bunch of requested books from the library so we are HAPPY! (:

Please Be Kind, Rewind: 7-13 September 2014 September 13, 2014

Finally a good reading week! (: It’s great to be back in the reading swing of things. I still have a ton of blogging work to get caught up on though. But, progress is better than nothing! (:

 

Completed:

The Young Elites by Marie Lu (ARC)

 Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White (eARC)

Find Me by Romily Bernard

 

Currently Reading:

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Remember Me by Romily Bernard (eARC)

 

 

 

Read to the Kiddos:
Chick Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. 

Chicka Chicka ABC by Bill Martin Jr (Bug’s current favourite!)

T is for Touchdown by Brad Herzog

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss

On the Moon by Anna Milbourne

There’s No Place Like Space by Tish Rabe

I Spy Little Letters by Jean Marzollo

Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert

Planes by Byron Barton

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Joffe Numeroffe 

That’s Not My Meerkat by Fiona Watt

Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin & James Dean

 

New to my shelf:
The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare & Holly Black (ARC from my super amazing OTSPSecreSister!)

 

From the library:

as usual, more audiobooks! (:

 

Please Be Kind, Rewind: 6 – 12 July 2014 July 12, 2014

This week was a little slow. I feel like I haven’t really gotten anything accomplished. I scrambled all week on my posts. Been in a bit of a reading slump too. I know I have a copy of Oceanborn on its way to me so… not really wanting to read anything else cause I’m so pumped up for it. (WOOT! It arrived just before this was due to post!!) I did devour Perfect Couple within 24 hours of receiving approval though! Haha. I knocked a few things out today too. Hoping to knock a few more HarperCollins September ARCs out in the next few weeks. (:

Completed:

Ruin & Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Seamonster by Amalie Howard

Perfect Couple by Jennifer Echols

The Too Clever Fox by Leigh Bardugo

Little Knife by Leigh Bardugo

Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty by Christine Heppermann (DNF 36%)

Kiss of Broken Glass by Madeleine Kuderick 

 

Currently Reading:

The Everything Mother Goose Book by June Rifkin (yes, we’re still working on it!)

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (paperback & audiobook) 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling (audiobook)

Accidentally Married on Purpose by Rachel Harris (ARC)

Waterfell by Amalie Howard

 

Read to the Kiddos:
Read to Tiger by S.J. Fore

Pete the Cat Too Cool for School  by James Dean

Ladybug Girl Says Good Night by David Soman & Jacky Davis

That’s Not My Meerkat by Fiona Watt

New to my shelf:

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor (YALLFEST prep, clearance sale!)

Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord (Thanks Bloomsbury & Mary!)

Oceanborn by Amalie Howard (Finished copy, Thank you so much Amalie & Harlequin Teen!! <3)

Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard (ARC, Thanks, Susan & HarperTeen!)

 

From the library:

as usual, more audiobooks! (:

 

 

 

Please Be Kind, Rewind: 15-28 June 2014 June 28, 2014

Started last week behind schedule and have worked my butt off to get back ahead of schedule. Alas, that didn’t completely happen. Camping trips with no internet access can do that. Plus, we lost my great-uncle at the beginning of this week. It’s been a hard week. Lots of time with the family, but not under the best circumstances. It was also my mom’s birthday this week! (: We’re having a birthday cookout at my grandparents’ today for her. I am working to get ahead again, though! Hubby is home now, so the kiddos aren’t as wild. Things are getting accomplished! Also rearranged some bookshelves. I’ll post before and after pictures once I’m done rearranging. I just got some new books this week, have some returning from Mary, and have won a few giveaways! (:

Completed:

Taken by Erin Bowman

Stolen by Erin Bowman

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (paperback & audiobook) 

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

The Tailor by Leigh Bardugo

The Witch of Duva by Leigh Bardugo

 

Currently Reading:

The Everything Mother Goose Book by June Rifkin (yes, we’re still working on it!)

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (paperback & audiobook) 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling (audiobook)

Siege & Storm by Leigh Bardugo

 

Read to the Kiddos:

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes

Pete the Cat Pete’s Big Lunch

Pete the Cat Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Pete the Cat Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses

Pete the Cat A Pet for Pete

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

That’s Not My Tiger by Fiona Watt

That’s Not My Train  by Fiona Watt

New to my shelf:

Seamonster by Amalie Howard (e-novella)

WARP The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer (e-book, on SALE!) 

Pete the Cat Pete at the Beach by James Dean (I promised Punk some new Pete books for the kindle for his birthday once daddy got home!)

Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses by James Dean

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray (prepping for YALLFEST!)

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (replacing my missing for over a year one)

The Selection by Kiera Cass (YALLFEST prep!)

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray (YALLFEST prep!)

Ruin & Rising by Leigh Bardugo (Binge and YALLFEST prep!)

The Almost Girl by Amalie Howard (personal copy & future giveaway! Strange Chem isn’t going to be printing anymore so get your copies NOW!)

From the library:

as usual, more audiobooks! (:

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell 

Gilt by Katherine Longshore

Siege & Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Top Ten Tuesday #40: Freebie (Kiddos’ Current Favourite Reads) May 27, 2014

 

Each week, the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish think up a fun theme for the week and participating bloggers around the net join in. The theme for this week is:

Freebie: Kiddos’ Current Favourite Reads

These are a few of the books that are read multiple times a week and sometimes a day. What did you pick for today’s freebie topic? Hope you have a great day! (:

Introducing Our New Feature: Tot Time Thursday! May 8, 2014

Today, I’m introducing a new feature that is going to be starting soon on The Whimsical Mama. It’s Tot Time Thursday!  Now, what is Tot Time Thursday, you ask? Tot Time Thursday is where I will read a children’s books with my kiddos, ask them questions about it, and share it here. I know I focus mainly on YA books, but with as many children’s books as I read, I wanted to showcase some of our favourites. Some of them will be advance reader copies, but most will be personal copies or from the library. Right now, it will be up every other week. If it goes well and we get some reviews stockpiled, it may go to every week. We’re excited to get started! Now to introduce the Tots!

Punk is the oldest. He’s my charming, always into mischief, almost three year old. He loves all things Thomas the Train, superheroes, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Pete the Cat. He’s a big helper and loves to look out for his little sister. He constantly begs to go to the “libary” and loves audiobooks. He’s already a Harry Potter fan! He loves the movies and picked out Sorcerer’s Stone as our car audiobook. He wants to be a superhero, a fire fighter, or a pirate when he grows up. But for now, he’s “just a boy.” (He’ll be giving the vocal answers!) His responses will be in red.

Ladybug/Bug is the youngest. She’s my impish, sweet, one year old. She loves all things Thomas the Train, princesses, stuffed animals, Pete the Cat, and Ladybug Girl. She’s big into climbing and getting into sticky situations. (Mainly getting stuck when she climbs) She loves trying to do what big brother does. She loves library day and tries to bring all the books home. Most of her answers will be in smiles, laughs, and claps. She’s not sure what she wants to be when she grows up, but she’s thinking being a Disney Princess sounds nice! Her responses will be in purple.

I’m hoping our first review will be up next week! If we get enough interest, we’ll probably have some giveaways, too! Here are a few books that will be up soon! (:

Do you have any words of advice, encouragement, etc. for the two newest bloggers on The Whimsical Mama? They would love to hear from you!

Top Ten Tuesday #37: Cover Art We’d Like to Frame (Punk & Bug style!) May 6, 2014

Each week, the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish think up a fun theme for the week and participating bloggers around the net join in. The theme for this week is:

Top Ten Cover Art We’d Like to Frame (Punk & Bug Style!)

Once again, we’ve hijacked mama’s blog to give our input. We’d love to have some of these covers framed in our room. Just a hint! Punk’s birthday is coming up soon. And if you didn’t get Bug anything, here’s your chance! What books are on your list today? Leave us a comment and we’ll come visit your blog! Well, our mama will!

 

Please Be Kind, Rewind: 27 April – 3 May 2014 May 3, 2014

I’m working from my own laptop for the first time in AGES and it’s GLORIOUS. I’ve either been working on my posts from our desktop, hubby’s laptop, or my mom’s netbook that I’ve been borrowing. Punk and our dog Maggie killed my charge port forever ago and we’ve just now been able to get a new laptop for me. And it’s not just a laptop, it’s a 2 in1! Yay for laptop and tablet capabilities! I’m super excited about having this. The one thing I don’t like is that I can’t read my eARCs as of yet. I haven’t figured out how. My kindle app only works with my actual books and not documents. I’ve only piddled with it for a few hours so I’m sure I’ll be up and full running soon. And if not, I have my Paperwhite to read on! Or I can always steal the newly gifted Kindle Fire back from the kiddos. Haha. They’re happy to OFFICIALLY call mama’s Kindle theirs now. This week has been awesome for reading. I haven’t gotten as much work done on the blog to stay ahead, but I’m still super far ahead on paper so that’s good! It’s a beautiful day outside, so my office is our back porch until it’s time to head to a birthday party! What did you all think of the big news of Harper buying Harlequin? I’m still reeling. I think it will be epically awesome or epically bad bad BAD.

Completed:

Love Story by Jennifer Echols 4 stars.

Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore (ARC) 

17 First Kisses by Rachael Allen (ARC)

Currently Reading:

The Everything Mother Goose Book by June Rifkin (yes, we’re still working on it!)

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling (audiobook)

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver (audiobook)

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch (ARC)

 

Read to the Kiddos:

Truck Stop by Anne F Rockwell

Meet Me at the Moon by Gianna Marino

Chuggington: Snowstruck Wilsonby Scholastic Inc

That’s Not My Meerkat by Fiona Watt

Pretendby Jennifer Plecas

That’s Not My Train by Fiona Watt

New to my shelf:

Taken & Frozen by Erin Bowman (Thanks, Alison Lisnow and HarperTeen!)

17 First Kisses ARC by Rachael Allen (Thanks Alison Linsow and HarperTeen!)

From the library:
audiobooks, lots of them! (:

Hello May, Goodbye April! May 1, 2014

Is it really already May? I mean, for real? This year is going by way too quickly. I got a lot of work done this month and I’m proud of it. I hope I can continue staying so far ahead. I’m scheduled through the end of June on reviews, so I’m ready for the few trips we may be taking. The more work I get accomplished, the happier I am that I took the plunge into the review world. I’ve always struggled with reviews, but in the almost year I’ve been doing this, I’ve learned that there is no RIGHT way to do it. Hopefully someone that sees this is feeling the way I have and this helps them! Be YOU.

Books I read in April (in order of completion)

The Constant Princess  by Philippa Gregory 

After the End by Amy Plum

Richard III by Annette Carson

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier 

The Falconer by Elizabeth May 

Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier 

Biggest Flirts by Jennifer Echols

Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols 

Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

My Not So Super Sweet Life by Rachel Harris

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Books with the kiddos: (I mostly kept track!)

Good Night Tennessee by Adam Gamble

D is for Duck Calls by Kay Robertson

Three Little Dinosaurs by Charles Fuge

Doc McStuffins A Knight in Sticky Armor by Andrea Posner-Sanchez 

That’s Not My Fairy by Fiona Watt

Pinkaclicious The Pinkerrific Playdate by Victoria Kann

Spot Loves His Grandma by Eric Hill

Spot Loves His Mommy by Eric Hill

Cleo on the Move by Stella Blackstone

All the Ways I Love You by Dorothea DePrisco

Emergency! by Margaret Mayo

Thomas’ 123 Book by Wilbert Awdry

Even Fire Fighters Go to the Potty by Wendy Wax

Pete the Cat Big Easter Adventure by James Dean

Pete the Cat Play Ball! by James Dean

Pete the Cat Pete’s Big Lunch by James Dean

Pete the Cat Pete at the Beach by James Dean

Pete the Cat Too Cool For School by James Dean

Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses by James Dean

Coming up in May
Hubby’s military class

Biggest Flirts Blog Tour

The Mortal Instruments Series finale

One of my new features that I didn’t get started in April!

Goals for May
Work on commenting and visiting other blogs

Read more with the kiddos

Stay ahead of schedule 

May releases I’m excited for:

The Falconer by Elizabeth May 

The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes 

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare 

Biggest Flirts by Jennifer Echols 

May TBR:
As You Turn Away by Molli Moran

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry 

Mind Games by Kiersten White

Taken by Erin Bowman

 

Challenge Update:

I’m involved with four challenges officially.

Edelweiss & Netgalley challenge: 9/25 (After the End, Richard III, The Falconer, Biggest Flirts)

TBR Pile challenge: 25/11-20 {I can and most likely WILL be increasing my level on this. I’m also not including ARCs in this unless I complete them after the book is released} (The Constant Princess, Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue, Emerald Green, Dirty Little Secret, Delirium, Love Story, My Not So Super Sweet Life)

Series challenge: 9/4-6 {I can and most likely will increase my level on this as well} (Ruby Red, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century)

“Real” Book challenge: 15/21-30 (Ruby Red, Dirty Little Secret, Delirium)

How was your April? What’s up for May?

Please Be Kind, Rewind: 23 February – 9 March 2014 March 9, 2014

I’m not exactly on track as I was hoping I would be. But that’s okay. On paper I’m still well ahead. I just have to get it from paper to computer. That’s what I’m working on today while the kiddos are napping. The last two weeks have been busy for my family. Birthdays and drill. Good times! Now it’s back to the grind. I really want to be solidly ahead before my hubby goes to a military class this month. I know thinks will probably get a bit crazy. Kiddos miss their daddy when he’s away for work. We’ll make do! Hope your last few weeks have been going well!

Completed:

A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris. 4 stars

Cress by Marissa Meyer. 4 stars

Divergent by Veronica Roth. 4 stars

Insurgent by Veronica Roth. 4 stars

Currently Reading:

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Read to the Kiddos:

Again, I’ve been bad about keeping track. However! I have an idea mulling around in my head involving the kiddos and books, so I will have to get better about keeping track!

New to my shelf:

From the library: (audiobooks)

Pete the Cat Valentine’s Day is Cool by James Dean

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by James Dean

Pete the Cat Too Cool for School by James Dean

How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? By Jane Yolen

Pete the Cat The Wheels on the Bus by James Dean

Pete the Cat Pete at the Beach by James Dean

Pete the Cat Pete’s Big Lunch by James Dean

How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? By Jane Yolen

My Farm Friends by Wendell Minor

Pete the Cat Old MacDonald Had a Farm by James Dean

Purchased:

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz

The Atlantis Complex by Eoin Colfer

100 Days and 99 Nights by Alan Madison (saving this for the kiddos for when deployment rolls around)

That’s Not My Meerkat by Fiona Watt (for the birthday girl!)