Indulgence Insider is our version of Stacking the Shelves, Bought, Borrowed & Bagged and the Sunday Post, bringing you this week’s haul, bookish news and discussion posts from around the blogosphere!
Welcome to the first Indulgence Insider of 2016! I’ve made it through the first week back at work, it was tough getting back into the routine of things and trying to kickstart my brain again! I’ve been feeling a little anxious and behind, but as long as I stick to my new year’s resolution of looking after myself (like making sure I have enough down time, not overcommitting and exercising) I should be fine.
For the first weekend of the year, we started our house hunt again! Found a few decent looking houses on the market and we put in our first offer and wasn’t successful. Hopefully the market picking up now is a good sign for the year to come.
I broke my beloved camera at the beach the other day, so I’m feeling pretty lost without it! I’ve been researching DSLRs to buy, pretty settled on the Nikon D3300. Until then, my phone photos will have to do.
Giveaway – INT
Giveaway Alert: I’m giving away another copy of This Raging Light on Twitter! INT, Ends 31/1. Enter here. Congratulations to Karen Richards who won our Christmas giveaway!
Book Haul
Purchased
Our local Angus & Robertson had a 50% off everything closing down sale, so I picked up a few titles that have been on my wishlist for a while! I also picked up a new planner from Kikki K which I am in love with.
- Angelfall by Susan Ee – My series is finally complete!
- Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo – I’m looking forward to finishing the Grisha trilogy, since I loved Six of Crows so much.
- The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski – I gave away my paperback of this and I’ve regretted it because I own the hardback, so I had to
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio – I’ve had this on my wishlist for a long time, I’ve heard it’s really touching and heartbreaking!
- Mockingjay & Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins – Couldn’t resist these limited edition camouflage editions. They’re so much prettier than my original box set.
Review copies
- Burning Midnight by Will McIntosh
- Kingdom of Ashes by Rhiannon Thomas
- This Savage Song by V.E. Schwab
- Ruined by Amy Tintera
- Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes
- The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye
- Faking It by Gabrielle Tozer
Thank you HarperTeen and Random House for these eARCs.
Reading Update
I challenged myself to read 130 books this year, which is 8 books up from last year! I achieved this number (with graphic novels) in 2014. While it’s going to be a pretty hectic year, I’ve increased my GR challenge each year so I’ll see how I go!
- Currently reading The 5th Wave ahead of the movie which I’m not convinced on. The pacing is kind of weird and jumps around a bit and sometimes you have to read between the lines and put two and two together.
- I read Reawakened which integrated Egyptian mythology into a contemporary setting. While I liked how it was actually set in Egypt, I didn’t like the superficial perfect Mary Sue nor the cheesy romance. 2 stars.
- I also binged Crazy Rich Asians and China Rich Girlfriend which I gave 5 and 4 stars! They were absolutely hilarious where super rich Asians try and outdo each other with how rich they are. It’s oesentatious, witty and filled with food and fashion!
Bookstagram
My favourite pics I’ve posted from the past few weeks:
Follow @happyindulgence, @ailareads & @readingwithjenna to check out our book photos!
Bookish News
- Emma Watson started a book club on Goodreads on feminist fiction. The first book is My Life On the Road by Gloria Steinem.
- We were catfished by an author pretending to be a Penguin Random House publicist. Must read for all bloggers.
- Read at Midnight is hosting a Diverse YA Book Club, with the first book announced: Simon Versus the Homosapiens Agenda. The Twitter chat date is January 31 at 1pm!
- Interested in blogging about gaming? Sign up to our Read Play Blog 2016 Blog Hop for more details!
- Lifeline Bookfest is returning to Brisbane, from 16-26 January 2016 at the Convention Centre.
- The Xmen Apocalypse Trailer is now out (thanks to Bieke for drawing my attention to this!). I may or may not have watched this multiple times because HYPE.
Discussion Posts
- YA Midnight Reads is looking for a co-blogger! Mel and Celine are both awesome, so I definitely encourage anyone who’s keen!
- Daphne @ Winged Reviews is also looking for a co-blogger!
- Amanda @ Nellie & Co has free downloadable blog planners for 2016!
- Cait @ Paper Fury teamed up with other bloggers to predict 2016 YA trends.
- Aentee @ Read at Midnight has amazing Six of Crows downloadable wallpapers for your phone here!
- Josie @ Josie’s Book Corner talked about ARC Envy and how to deal with it.
- Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity interviewed the amazing Josephine @ Word Revel on her photography process for bookstagram!
- My co-blogger Aila @ One Way or An Author blogged on her fanart process.
- Val @ The Innocent Smiley offers some tips for the forgetful book reviewer.
- Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight needs your help on whether to continue her DNF books.
You May Have Missed…
- I interviewed fellow Aussie Brett Michael Orr on his YA time travel book, The Bureau of Time!
- Jenna raged hard at This Raging Light, find out why with her 1 star review.
- Aila wrote a heartfelt post on staying true to her ratings and the pressure to like a book.
- My December recap is up on Youtube, where I raved about Six of Crows and ranted about The Wrath and the Dawn.
How was your bookish week?
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Thanks so much Josie for always being encouraging! I know, I keep on stroking my planner it's so pretty <3
Those copies of Mockingjay and Catching Fire are gorgeous! and 50% off? You really can't beat that.
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Good luck with the house hunt and getting back into the swing of things at your job! Man, that sucks about your camera but at least you can get a new one! New things are always fun 🙂 Awesome review copies, I've been super curious about This Savage Song. The pacing was indeed weird in The 5th Wave, I wasn't a huge fan of that book at all, sadly :/
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Thanks Alise! I know, I've been reading your review nodding at everything you said about it! I just feel like it's another one of those overhyped books.
Will be so interested to see what you think of Crown's Game and Ruined! I hope they're fantastic.
I plan to read the Grisha trilogy soon since I loved Six of Crows so much. Trying not to get my expectations too high. 😛
I know, I've heard heaps of varying things so far about the Harper releases. So do I Danielle! I read the first one and kind of stopped after that 😛
Good luck with the house hunt! I am still just trying to get a deposit together, which feels like it may take years! >.< You've got so many amazing new books, I have no idea where you will even get started with those. I WANT THOSE EDITIONS OF THE HUNGER GAMES!!! THEY'RE GORGEOUS!!!!
Thank you Charnell, I definitely know those feels! Good luck on that one. I've read most of them, just wanted to add them to my collection! They are so completely pretty omg. Hopefully I can pick up the first.
These are GORGEOUS! <3 i've never seen that version of THG, but oh my, I want to now XD
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Thanks Nirvana, they are sooo pretty! Lucky we have these LEs.
This Savage Song *__*!!
The Crown's Game *______*!!!!!!
But even more so those limited edition THG copies are mighty rad!
BUT EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE 5th WAVE AS A BOOK, I HOPE YOU GET TO ENJOY CHILL TIMES WITH BRETT :D!
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Yessss I went to hunt down THG the other day and couldn't find it! Noooo! Thanks Joey, I'll be going tonight 😀
Going back to work after vacation is always tough!
Sorry to hear your first offer wasn't accepted, I do hope you'll get lucky soon and find and get the perfect place for you guys!
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It really is Pili! I didn't think it was going to, but alas it was good practice and at least we liked some of the houses that are out.
Aw, R.I.P camera. 🙁 Btw, I saw your post about getting engaged, but was so sick that I thought I said something, but now realize I didn't. So CONGRATS!
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Thank you so much Christy! I appreciate it <3
Happy Belated New Year, Jeann! *hug* <3
I think it's amazing that you still had an Angus & Robertson. Ours closed down YEARS AGO. I am always super conflicted about bookstores closing down, because on the one hand I am happy because I get to buy a lot of books at a really great price. But on the other hand, yet ANOTHER bookstore is closing down. They're getting more and more rare. I hope at least some manage to stay afloat 🙁
I wasn't the biggest fan of The Fifth Wave, to be honest. Especially since everyone had said how amazing it was. I'm interested to see how it is on the big screen!
Thanks for linking me here, lovely <3
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Thank you so much Chiara *hugs back*. I know, I didn't even know it was still there! But alas, no more 🙁 We just have QBD and Dymocks and those pop up stores now *sighs*. Yeah, I just finished The 5th Wave and I felt the same as you did. No problems lovely! See you this weekend.
Nice haul! I hope you like The Crown's Game. That's a book I'd like to read myself. The Winner's Curse! I love that book so much. Ah man, you didn't like Reawakend? I've been thinking about reading it… The Statistical Probability of Love at First sight is such a cute book.
The catfishing incident was terrible. I just don't even understand people anymore. We are our own worst enemies.
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I know~!! I'm pretty sure if she emailed people as an author like normal people do, she would have had more luck! I absolutely LOVED The Winner's Curse too! Reawakened had some interesting elements, but it was so cheesy and I couldn't connect to the characters.
I haven't seen the new HG covers and they're gorgeous! Winner's Curse and Angelfall are both amazing, i hope you love them both. I have Ruined and and This Savage Song as well.
Have a great weekend Jeann 🙂
Thanks Liza, they're Aussie exclusives so we are super lucky! I absolutely LOVE both of those books, just needed to add them to my collection. Have a fabulous week lovely!
Eager to read Kwan's book, I'm prepped to laugh at the stereotypes.. and other factual stuff about us, Asians.
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It\’s so hilarious and outlandish Braine! I hope you enjoy it, I binge read the series cos it was so good lol
Sorry about your camera! Great haul and love that planner. I was thinking of getting something like that next year. Love the IG photos. Have a great week!!
Thanks Grace, I love my new planner so much! It\’s definitely a worthwhile purchase to get organised for the new year!
Looking forward to X-Men. Great trailer. I'm with you on less stress and more down time this year. I sure need it. And so many awesome reads! Happy reading.
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Thanks Laura, it\’s definitely a great reminder to do things that we enjoy and to take a step back when things get too much! Happy reading to you too.
I didn't realise Angus & Robertson still had stores o_O I thought they'd gone online only. Hooray for sales, but it's a pity they have to close *sigh*
Crazy Rich Asians looks so fun, I think I'm going to check out the audio of it 😀
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I know, it was the last one here in the city! Yeah, yet another bookstore to close which is sad. I hope you pick it up, it\’s so much fun!
Great haul! Looking forward to all of these. And I'm so freaking ready for Xmen Apocalypse!
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I can\’t wait, it looks so freaking awesome! I\’m excited too!
Wow, amazing haul! I only have Angelfall and The Winner's Curse among your list but those Hunger Games covers, seriously they are sooo beautiful! I hope you enjoy all the books! Happy Reading! 🙂
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Thank you, I am going to pick up the first cover as well so I can have the matching set! Hope you enjoy as well!
Wait wait wait…. there are new Hunger Games covers???
I'm totally out of it, lol.
Happy 2016, Jeann, and hope you find an awesome house this year! 😀
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Yup they are limited edition covers available in Australia, sooo pretty! Thank you Sophia, Happy New year to you too! Fingers crossed.
I hope house hunting will be much easier for you this year, Jeann! It just sounds so stressful.
Your planner is gorgeous and those limited edition copies of THG are amazing!
I hope you have a lovely week ahead and happy reading. 😀
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Thanks Nick, yeah every Saturday is pretty much taken up with it and then when you find one you like, it\’s a matter of getting in first and with a good price too…but it will be worth it. Thanks lovely, have a great week too!
Those limited edition camouflage editions of Mockingjay & Catching Fire are gorgeous! I understand why you could not resist 🙂
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Hehe thanks, can\’t resist a pretty book! I\’m going back to get THG today so I can have the full set 😀
Agh, I wanna go to that Lifeline booksale SO BADLY. XD And my parents are even heading up that way…but too early for it. *wails* One year I will get there…one year. XD
OH oh thank you for sharing my post!
And so many delicious and beautiful looking books. I LOVE those camo Hunger Games books…I've never actually seen them in person but I think if I saw them in a store I WOULD NEED THEM. They're so cool!! Aaaand I really hope you like This Savage Song and the Crown's Game! I'M LOOING FORWARD TO THEM SO MUCH. ;D
You should one day Cait! I hope I get to meet you one day, then we can rule together 😀 Yesss I found them at big w too! I\’m going to buy the first book too so I can have the full set. I hope they\’re good too! I\’ve heard many 2016 releases are disappointing.
Just read the cat fishing post you linked to – that woman sounds insane! Anyway, I LOVE the camouflage covers on SC's novels, really cute! I'm sorry your local bookshop is shutting down though. Winner's Curse is on my TBR pile too this year, I'm quite excited to try it. RE ARCs you have so many! Yey! I'd love to hear how you get on with Savage Song, that's been on my wish list for a while. 🙂
I know, I got contacted from her as well, who would do such a thing?! That\’s okay, we have a few other bookshops in the city but it\’s always sad to see another one go. I hope you enjoy Winner\’s Curse, it\’s amazing!
Wow! What a huge haul. I don't use planners but if I did I would definitely choose a beauty like that one 😮
I see a few books that use never heard of but look really good so thank you for that! Have a good week <33
It\’s sooo gorgeous, I love Kikki K so much! No problems, I hope you find some new reads 🙂
Ooo, I love closing-out sales (yay good prices!), but hate them too (don't leave! lol). I need to get the paperback of Ruin and Rising! And I have several of the Harper titles you have – I do love how great Harper's covers have been, better and better, no? I hope you enjoy all of your new books!
Thanks for visiting my blog! Have a fabulous weekend, Jeann. 🙂
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
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I know, there\’s another book store going under! It\’s pretty sad but as long as some of them are still around. I know, they\’re so gorgeous but sadly sometimes they oversell the book! No problems Alyssa, happy reading!
Those Hunger Games covers are so funky. I just bought myself a set of the foil editions, but it was a toss up between those and the foils and I can't resist anything shiny. Bit like a troll. I desperately need a new planner too, I usually buy from Typo, which have similar types of designs.
I absolutely loved The 5th Wave. I read it back when it was an unknown book on Netgalley at the time and it completely blew me away. I love those dystopian / post apocalyptic type books and can't wait to see the movie! Keep with it, it does pick up dramatically. Have a fabulous week of reading <3
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I know, I love them, they look like classics and are completely gorgeous! The foil covers are sooo pretty too, but I don\’t like how they\’re a differently sized book. Typo are gorgeous as well! Oh man, I\’m really struggling with the 5th Wave. I hope you enjoy the movie Kelly!
Good luck with the house hunting. I hope something amazing comes up! And damn, I kinda wish I had waited before buying the THG box set that I did (they're just the original black covers). Those camouflage covers are beautiful and even prettier than the white ones with the metallic sprayed pages! Hahaha I actually laughed out loud at seeing our bookstagram links XD Hopefully I can keep up with it!
Thanks Jenna, fingers crossed, I\’m hoping so too. I already have the black cover box sets as well but I think they\’re super ugly! LOL gotta promote and keep you motivated (no pressure ;))
Those limited editions of The Hunger Games and Catching Fire are simply stunning. I WANT! And gah, I know that Jenna recently started marathoning (and finishing; man, can she read fast!) The Winner's Curse series (or what has been released so far). I can't wait to read it. It's definitely one of my 2016 priority reads. ^.^
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I know, I love them! I need to pick up THG so it\’s matching too. She can definitely speed read, I definitely can\’t keep up lol! I hope you enjoy The Winner\’s curse, it\’s so amazing <3
I hope you find a house soon!
And WOW you still had an Angus and Robertson?? Ours closed down almost three years ago and was replaced by QBD 🙁 So sad.
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Thanks Emily, hopefully! I know, we\’ve had it in the CBD but it ended up being more of a gift shop.
Yay for sales!! Those new Hunger Games covers make them look like they're classics – so pretty! Omgosh, Wonder is such a beautiful book, I hope you love it Jeann! It definitely made me have lots of feels <3
I know, they are so gorgeous! So glad to hear you loved Wonder, I\’ve been wanting to read it for years!
THAT PLANNER THO. And omg those camouflage covers are out of this world?? Seriously the most beautiful versions I've seen yet for THG!
Okay so I don't follow X-Men that much (more like at all LOL) BUT THAT TRAILER GAVE ME CHILLS HOLY SHIT. :000 I still havne't watched Days of Future Past, so I'll have to catch up to that one first (I think) haha.
I know, we\’re so lucky to get those camouflage covers! Going to pick up THG in the same edition so I can have the full set. WOW YESSS how good is it!! I watched it multiple times and I\’m glad you like it hehe. DAYS OF FUTURE PAST WAS AMAZING. MY FAVOURITE MOVIE OF THAT YEAR.
Happy 2016 to you too Jeann! And so many amazing books! I absolutely adored Wonder (so genuine and well-written), so I can't wait to see your thoughts on that. xD And I can't blame you for needing The Winner's Curse in hardcover. 😉 Also Ruined and The Crown's Game are some of my most anticipated reads, so I'm crossing my fingers you enjoy them! Thanks for sharing Jeann, and fabulous recap! <3
Thank you Zoe, I\’ve heard fantastic things about Wonder and no doubt it will be a touching experience! I\’m hoping both of them are good as well! <3 Have a great week.
Life after a long vacation is tough, indeed. Sigh. I can't believe it's only been a week since the Christmas holidays! This week has gone on too long, I think.
I hope you'll enjoy these books, Jeann and I'm so glad that you loved Rich Asians. 😀 Love, love. those books!
Happy reading!
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Great haul!
I'm very tempted to do Emma's book club since I actually own and planned to read My Life On the Road this year. However, I'm not quite in the mood to tackle it just yet, so…probably won't. 😛
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Great haul, Jeann! I love those new Hunger Games covers, too! So much better than the original ones I had haha!!! I also love your Kikki K. planner! I have a lovely one in the same colour from Typo which I LOVE!
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Thanks Brittany! They are just so gorgeous, those original ones I have too and they\’re soo ugly lol. Yesss so gorgeous, I love Typo and Kikki K!