New Book, New Week: 8.31.15

The Assassin's Blade

Mini Book Haul: 8.30.15

I've been on a book buying ban since July. I was supposed to go through until September 1st, which was the release of "Queen of Shadows", but shhhh! I was weak the other day and my book slump was depressing me. So, I bought a book for my class (I buy ALL Peanuts books I can find) and then one for myself in the hopes I can get back into reading. Because I REALLY don't wanna be in a slump when QoS comes out in TWO DAYS!!!!

Sunday Review: 8.30.15

** This has been a long, long time in the coming. More than a month overdue. **

Title: The Winner’s Curse

Author: Marie Rutkoski

Number of Pages: 384

Publisher: Square Fish

Date Read: 7.25.15

Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3

“Happiness depends on being free, and freedom depends on being courageous.”

         Winning what you want may cost you everything you love.

         They were never meant to be together. As a general’s daughter, seventeen-year-old Kestrel enjoys an extravagant and privileged life. Arin has nothing but the clothes on his back. Then Kestrel makes an impulsive decision that binds Arin to her. Though they try to fight it, they can’t help but fall in love. In order to be together, they must betray their people … but to be loyal to their country, they must betray each other. Set in a new world, The Winner’s Curse is a story of rebellion, duels, ballroom dances, wicked rumors, dirty secrets, and games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

“The Winner’s Curse is when you come out on top of the bid, but only by paying a steep price.” - lady at the auction

         I had been looking for another strong female character in a fantasy novel while I was waiting for the next Throne of Glass book (and anyone that’s read the series knows Celaena sets the bar pretty high). I have to say, when I picked this book up, I was intrigued. The book opens with a general’s daughter gambling in town with sailors, and it kept getting better from there on. Unlike most female characters in the fantasy novels I’ve read, Kestrel was not very apt at combat; but she was sharp as the “needles” she favored. I loved how she used intelligence and strategy to win her battles. 

“My soul is yours.” - Arin

         I like that Arin and Kestrel didn’t fall in love instantly. It always makes it more fun (for me anyway) when I “see” those moments when a pair slowly begins to recognize each other. So when they finally kissed, it was explosive (at least for me). I was sitting on pins and needles, chanting “do it, do it!” and then they did. Now, I love a good love story, but I liked that Kestrel and Arin’s relationship wasn’t the end-all-be-all of the story. The intrigue and betrayals sucked me right into the world. The rumors about the lady’s baby-daddy - awesome; the jerk who was a crappy loser - I’da liked to punch him in the nose; the deal in the end with the emperor - I think I gnawed all my nails off. 

This was a really amazing book.

“People in brightly lit places cannot see into the dark.” - Arin

Back to School

I've been back to school for 3 weeks now. It's been busy, but I have to say that I've been blessed this year. I started the school year off with very bad news about my health. I got the bad news over the summer and have been in and out of doctor's offices doing as many preventative procedures as possible. School started and office procedures became my first surgery. Frightened wasn't even close to what I felt. Overwhelmed with setting up my classroom, planning for a co-teach curriculum, taking over as the first grade team leader, and trying to come to grips with my health were swimming in circles around my brain that I felt I couldn't breathe at times.

How is this all a blessing? Because I realized, with 100% clarity, that I was surrounded by people who loved and cared about me. My team and administrators have been super supportive and have been my rock. My students have been the epitome of angels. I had my kids for less than two weeks, and when I got back from surgery, I could have cried because of all the amazing things the staff and substitute had to say about them. Since I've been back, they constantly ask how I'm feeling, slow down the line so I can keep up with them, and make sure I sit down when they see me hobble or flinch. Six-year-olds are taking care of me and making sure I don't hurt myself. I can't say how much I love these kids already.

Despite the rocky start to the year (on my end), I cannot wait to see how these kids will grow and learn.

TBR Tuesday: 8.11.15

Unite Me

:(

I cannot get out of this reading slump. Grr!