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!
Anyone who’s clued in on the blogosphere will know, that it’s been a drama-filled week for us book bloggers. From controversial opinions turning into a shitstorm on Twitter, it was just a disappointing and eye-opening experience. All I can say on that is, if you don’t like what someone shares on their blog, you don’t have to attack them on Twitter by linking to them and sharing their name. Blogging is about sharing your honest opinion, and we shouldn’t hate on someone for that.
On a more positive note, I received some SUPER HUGE exciting news this week that I can’t wait to share with you guys! I can’t tell you yet, but it’s the biggest thing that’s happened to my blogging career!!!
Next week is my birthday on January 30, and I’ve finally mustered up some excitement for it! I’m well and truly past my mid 20’s, which makes you reflect on everything I’ve experienced.
Last week for my giveaway on Twitter for This Raging Light by Estelle Laure! All you need to do is follow on Twitter and retweet this post. The giveaway ends 31/1/2016.
Book Haul
Lifeline Bookfest
Last weekend, I grabbed some book bargains at our twice yearly Lifeline Bookfest which is the biggest secondhand book fair in the southern hemisphere with Chiara. I’m super happy with my haul – every book here was $4-6! You really have to take your time sifting through the many rows of books and it’s quite hit or miss. But it’s definitely worth it!
Here’s my haul – I came home and saw I had House of Hades already – noooooo! #booknerdproblems
Review copies/Won/Borrowed
And because I didn’t satisfy my book hauling craving, I went to the library and picked up Vengeance Road, Not a Drop to Drink, You’re Never Weird on the Internet and Everything, Everything.
I got Truthwitch and Not if I See You First for review (Thanks to HarperCollins and Pan Macmillan Australia), and won The Piper’s Son and Saving Francesca from Penguin Teen Australia!
Reading Update
- Burning Midnight was an interesting adventure based on hunting spheres that give you abilities. The ending was crazy though. 3 stars.
- I participated in the #KingdomReaders readalong with Josie and a few others on Twitter. While Falling Kingdoms didn’t offer that much depth, it was still a fluffy entertaining read. 3 stars.
- Currently reading Saint Anything which I’ve put off for a year (I’m sorry Penguin Teen Australia!). It takes me a while to work up to emotionally heavy books, but I’m enjoying it so far.
- I enjoyed A Madness So Discreet so much that I borrowed Not a Drop to Drink from the library! A beautifully written book set in a historical insane asylum and a twisty murder mystery. 4.5 stars.
Bookstagram
My favourite pics I’ve posted from the past few weeks:
Follow @happyindulgence, @ailareads & @readingwithjenna to check out our book photos!
Bookish News
- Preorder this beautiful signed limited edition of Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare on Waterstones (UK) or Dymocks (Aus).
- The 2016 Aussie YA Bloggers & Readers Book Club Challenge is now live, by Nara! You can participate here! If you haven’t already, you can join the group on Facebook or Goodreads.
- Our beloved Snape from the Harry Potter movies, Alan Rickman has passed away. RIP to a fantastic actor.
- Want to blog about games through our gaming feature, Read Play Blog? Ana and I are planning something different, make sure you sign up for updates!
- Bieke, Rachel of Istyria Book Blog and Liza @ Reading with ABC have combined their blogs! Check out the beautiful Quite the Novel Idea!
- Shadowhunters has now been aired on Netflix around the world! I haven’t watched it yet. I’m kind of afraid.
- The cover reveal for A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas, the second book in A Court of Thorns and Roses is out! AND ITS GORGEOUS.
- SUICIDE SQUAD TRAILER DROP – This looks like so much fun!!
Discussion Posts
I’ve enjoyed these discussion posts in the past few weeks:
- Aentee @ The Social Potato on do truly unique books exist?
- Cynthia @ Book Binges blogs about when an author doesn’t like your review
- Aentee @ Read at Midnight on the integrity of book blogging – how do we stay honest?
- Kat @ Cuddlebuggery talks how to deal with blogging with anxiety and depression
- Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight talks about numerical ratings
- Mel @ The Daily Prophecy is hosting her annual LoveaThon this year, to help spread the love within the bookish community!
- Josephine @ Word Revel gave us a handy guide on choosing your camera and equipment for Bookstagram.
- Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist shares a controversial post of book blogger confessions
You May Have Missed…
- I ask whether we’re desensitised with death and how randomly it occurs in books.
- Second Chance Summer made Jenna cry because of how emotional it was, find out why in her review.
- Aila absolutely adored Starlight, a space pirate novel with a swoony romance.
- I didn’t enjoy the 5th Wave book, but found the movie quite entertaining, despite the cheese.
How was your bookish week?
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YAY for awesome deals when buying books! And I understand about multiple copies and not knowing about it! Since I'm now in the process of sorting all my book boxes for the library room I've found some extra copies of some books!! GAAAAH!
And I'm glad that last week I was a bit absent and missed most of the drama about the bloggers confessions… I don't think I really have the energy to get into something like that…
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Oh man, I'm glad it's not just me with the multiple copies, it's often mortifying when that happens! I'm glad you were away from the blogosphere then, because it wasn't a nice place to be at the time.
It's so cool to see the differences in covers around the world. Not If I See You First is actually blue over here. And whoa, I wasn't expecting Truthwitch to have such different cover from the US one. Anyway, I'm really happy you had such a blast at Lifeline Bookfest! I wish we had something like that where I live.
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I know, I saw it on Goodreads which was really neat! I love the brightness of the yellow though. I know, I absolutely love the US cover but this one is okay, I guess! I know, we're so lucky to have Lifeline here!
Ohh I am SO excited about your amazing news, Jeann! Whatever it is, I am so happy for you 😀 And I feel you with the drama, the backlash was so uncalled for. If you don't like a post, close the window. Done and done. No need to be ridiculous and tweet about it for days.
Your haul is amazing too! And the book festival looks AMAZING! Hope you have a great week!
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Hehehe I'm totally teasing everyone but I can't wait to let you guys know! Yeah, I completely agree, that's what I usually do and when it's extremely bad I may subtweet and talk about it with friends in private. But yeah, definitely not that sort of behaviour. Have a lovely week ahead Shannon!
Oh my gosh, you got so many great books from the Lifeline Bookfest! I only went yesterday, and I didn't get so many great books there, because all I could find were Twilight, The Hunger Games, Fallen…and some other series' that I had already read 🙁 sounds like your week was a really bookish week! 🙂
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It was amazing! I always go within the first weekend because that's when all the good stuff comes out 😀 people grab it pretty quickly. I definitely had a good one! Happy reading!
I'll keep that in mind next time! Thanks for the tip, Jeann!!
Whoaaa A Madness So Discreet was that good? I MUST check that one out! :0 Enjoy Vengeance Road and Truthwitch! <33 I can't wait for you to meet Aeduan (aka MY LURVV)
It was really fantastic Aila, I gobbled it up so much lol! I can't wait to read those omggg come at me Truthwitch
That's one of the reasons I avoid Twitter like the plague, I've already got enough drama at work ! That Lifeline Bookfest – so many books, so tempting ! I see you picked Station eleven among them, I want to read it too. And I'm (im)patiently waiting for The suicide squad to be released – I'm a big fan of Jared leto 🙂 Have a great week !
I completely know what you mean Red, the last thing we need is more in our online sanctuary lol. I can't wait for Suicide Squad, I love Will Smith! You too!
More drama? Shocking. Omg, I can't wait to watch Suicide Squad. I'll probably rewatch the trailer 100 tiimes before August. Have a great week.
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I know, with so many different opinions it's bound to happen isn't it? I LOVE THE TRAILER SO MUCH.
I was out of the loop with what happened last week, but it still saddens me, nonetheless. Especially if it brings division to the community. Anyway, I can't wait to hear your great news!
Happy reading. And OMG. Marchetta! LOVE, LOVE THAT WOMAN.
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I know, if anything you'd probably notice lots of "reaction" posts from bloggers this week. I know you and so many people do, so I'm looking forward to reading those when I get to them!
I love Saint Anything! It's one of my favourite contemporaries of last year!! It's probably my favourite of all of Sarah Dessen's books and I love the characters in that one so much!
And I can't wait for you to announce your exciting news to the world!!!
It's actually really, really good and I shouldn't have taken so long to read it! I thought it would be darker, but it's not. I can't wait too Jenna! 😀
Maybe I should be glad I missed all the drama this past week. I had no idea. But then, I'm not very tuned into to the blogosphere anymore–and I am not a regular on Twitter. It always makes me sad when bloggers attack other bloggers. We each have our own styles and ways of doing things–our likes and dislikes–it doesn't make us better or less or wrong or right. It just makes us who we are. I don't understand why we have to put down and shame others who do things differently.
Happy early birthday! My dad was born on the 30th. He's gone now, but I imagine I will do something to remember him by. Maybe have a slice of lemon pie in his honor.
That bookfest sure looks like fun! A booklover's paradise! You came away with some great titles. I hope you enjoy them!
Have a great week!
I know, Twitter is where all the drama usually happens and then blog posts come out of whatever happens on Twitter at that time. I completely agree, even though what was posted was controversial, you don't need to directly atttack them you know? Thank you so much – I hope you make it through the 30th okay. The bookfest was definitely a lot of fun!
Can't wait for your news! And thanks for the discussion post links, I love it when other bloggers point out good posts from other blogs that I missed! Going to check out a few of them now 🙂
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No problems, I hope you enjoyed the discussion posts Sara!
I stayed as far away as I could from the drama this week- yuck! I've got Saint Anything on my TBR list and really hope to read it soon. Storm Front is such a great read- I hope you enjoy it! Have a great week and happy reading!
I know, it was all over Twitter which was disheartening. I'm really enjoying Saint Anything – just about finished! I know I'll enjoy Storm Front. You too Sam!
What's the news?! What's the news?!
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Patience young padawan! It's coming 😀
I'm looking forward to hear your exciting news…
Wow, I wish we had that kind of festival at our country…
And I like Australian covers for The Last Time We Say Goodbye and The Husband's Secret.
My recent post Book Review: I’ll Be There by Samantha Chase
Yes I love the Last Time We Say Goodbye, it's so simple and impactful too! Thanks Irena, I'm looking forward to telling everyone 🙂
Oh all the pretty books in the picture! What fun! I've just added Madness so Discreet to my TBR. It sounds amazing. Have a great week and enjoy your new reads!
It was pretty amazing Katherine, I hope you have a fantastic week of reading ahead of you too!
AHHHHH THAT BOOKFEST THING SOUNDS SO FABULOUS OMG I WISH TX HAD SOMETHING LIKE THATTTTTTTTTTT. and ahhhh so glad you're loving Saint Anything! It sounds fabuloussssssssssss and I've been anxious to read it haha.
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OMG it was the best thing ever Nikki! So many fantastic books! Saint Anything is pretty awesome, I felt the same way but it's actually soo good!
That looks like an awesome second hand book fair! You got quite a few good titles too. I need to eventually get around to reading Felicia Day's book.
That Suicide Squad trailer is so much better than the one the sneak peak one they released at comic con. I'm still a little skeptical about how the movie is going to be though.
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I know, I think she's incredibly inspirational so looking forward to reading her book! I KNOWW the trailer is so much fun, I think the movie will be great 🙂
You look to have got some really interesting books this week! Hope you enjoy reading!
Thanks Corralie for visiting!
That bookfest looks amazing 😀 so many books in one place! I hope you enjoy all your new books (ah the perils of being a booklover, there's always a double up somewhere lol)
I haven't read A Court of Thorns and Roses but I must say I prefer the USA cover of A Court of Mist and Fury and that hardly ever happens (usually it's the UK ones I like!)
I hope you have a wonderful birthday! 🙂
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It was amazing, think of those rows multiplied by like 50! It's pretty crazy. I know, we prefer the USA one either because it has more detail! Thank you 🙂
Lifeline Bookfest looks ike booknerd heaven. I wish we had somehting similar in Prague!
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It's awesome Lucia, and it's for charity too!
Can't wait to hear the exciting news! Yay for a great book haul. I really enjoyed The Husband's Secret and Station eleven. I just listened to Felicia Day's book and thought it was really good. Hope you enjoy them all and have a great week!
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Thanks Grace, great to hear you loved both of those books! They're something different from YA, which I need a break from sometimes. I've heard good things about her book! Have a lovely week ahead.
WHAT IS YOUR EXCITING NEWS?!?!?! How dare you tease us 😛 I can't wait to find out what it is 😀
So sad I couldn't go to bookfest this year 🙁 My bank account is thanking me right now though. You picked up an awesome haul!
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Hahah sorry I couldn't help it XD I hope I can tell you guys soon! Yess, luckily bookfest is twice a year though. Hopefully you can make the next one!
I was aware of some drama last week, but I don't think I know about the blogger thing. *sighs* I don't understand why someone would deliberately draw attention to something they didn't like – and then pile on the negativity. It takes so much less energy to be positive, you know?
Your new books all look great, and I hope you'll enjoy them.
I can't wait to hear what your exciting blogging news are about, please don't keep the suspense too long.
Have a wonderful week and happy reading.
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Yeah, while the blog post was controversial, they didn't name specific names like they did on Twitter you know? Anyways…thanks Lexxie! I can't wait to share hehe 😀 have a lovely week ahead.
Cannot WAIT to hear your news, Jeann! 😀 So excited for you whatever it is!
You had such an awesome week of books. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on some of your latest books. Especially Vengeance Road, Everything, Everything and Truthwitch.
Have a wonderful week, Jeann! 🙂
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Thanks Nick, I am super excited to share it! I hope I'll be able to read most of them soon before I return them to the library XD you too lovely!
Oh my, I thought that first photo was of all the books you'd bought. I was about to turn on the banshee about all the room you'll need! I KNOW WHAT IT ISSSSSS. I KNOW WHAT ITTTTT ISSSSSS. Just to rub it in. It's amazing. My goodness, just wait until you hear her news! TRUTHWITCH! I'm still so undecided on whether to buy a copy or not. It's just been everywhere! So I'll wait until you read it, then see whether or not it's worth it. When are you sharing the news? WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN? And may I gloat because I already know? Come on, you know I enjoy the little things in life and you'll be too modest anyway and I can GLOOOOOOAT!
*waits in comments section to commence gloating*
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SHOW OFF. I still love you though.
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LOL KELLY I SHOULD'VE KNOWN YOU WERE GOING TO RUB IT IN people's faces like this hahaha! I'll let you know, although I have a feeling I'm going to love it, based on all the raves about it. But you just never know. Ohhh hopefully once it's all confirmed in the next week or so I'll be able to share!
Ooh, that lifeline book fest looks AMAZING. *drools* One day I will get to one of those things…although so many books. XD It must've taken a while to get through them all?!? BARGAINS THOUGH!! And yay for Vengeance Road! I keep putting that one in and out of my shopping basket, haha. I hope you like it. ;D
I know, you say that every year Cait! Yeah, it took 3 hours I think? But yes, absolute bargains! Haha I'm lucky I found it at the library. Thanks Cait 🙂
Gosh, yeah, there was an awful lot of drama this week. I kind of just hid from it because I was out of town and it didn't really apply to me, but my Twitter was completely taken over. I just hope we all manage to calm down and get over the drama soon. Oh wow that is a SERIOUSLY FANTASTIC bookfest! And you got quite the haul — I loved Station Eleven, I hope you enjoy it too!
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I'm glad you were able to tune out Alyssa, cos it wasn't a pleasant experience at all! I hope so too. Glad to hear – I've heard great things about Station Eleven! Looking forward to reading it.
Look at all those books! Awesome…
Court of Mist has a great cover, I agree. and Suicide Squad- yeah I'm ready for that one. Looks fun! I must have missed the Twitter fun- maybe that's good. It is a shame when that stuff happens…
Have a nice week!
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Thanks Greg, I love the cover, particularly the North American version! I can't wait for Suicide Squad. And yes, I'm hoping it has all blown over for now.
WHAT JEANN YOU CAN'T JUST TELL US YOU HAVE HUGE NEWS AND NOT TELL US THE NEWS. So rude. But also I'm very pre-emptively excited 🙂
HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY. I'll have to remember the 30th 🙂
Ugh, the drama :/ I hope people are over it by now.
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Hahah sorry I couldn't help myself XD Thank you so much Emily! Yeah…I hope so too.
Ahhh, I'm so excited to find out what your good news is. I'll be keeping an eye out for that. 🙂 And oh, I LOVE the cover for ACOMAF (but, again–I prefer the US version by a MILE. There's so many little details that the UK/AUS edition leaves out. Ugh.) Great book haul!! Can't wait to see what you think of TRUTHWITCH. Sooo much hype around that one, and my copy arrived the other day 🙂
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Hehe thanks Kara, I'm excited to share it with everyone! I know, the US version is so much more detailed for some reason! Thank you, I can't wait to read Truthwitch and the rest of the books! Hope you enjoy it too Kara <3
Yes, I was pretty heartbroken after what happened this week. *sigh* I try to stay out of drama, but I never thought it would have blown up like that.
Lots of great books – Piper's Son, Everything Everything, and Vengeance Road are favorites. I have Saint Anything still to read, too!
I know, it was just shocking seeing so much nastiness on my feed 🙁 I finally picked it up and I'm enjoying it Danielle!