The Sunday Post #158

This dog illustration was created in the 1800s, but it looks exactly like a dog I used to have. There's only one logical explanation: My dog was a time-traveling supermodel.

The Sunday Post is hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to recap the past week, talk about next week, and share news. It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Date. I get to tell you what I’ve read recently.

Public Service Announcement

Do you want to win a free book? You’re in luck! I’m hosting an international giveaway. Click here to enter.

On The Blog Last Week

• On Tuesday I talked about some super-popular books that don’t suck.
• On Wednesday I posted a month-long giveaway!
• On Thursday I wrapped up July.
• On Saturday there was a book haul.

On The Blog This Week

• On Tuesday I mini review some middlegrade books.
• On Thursday we discuss the blogosphere’s favorite books of 2018 (so far). I need your input on this, so please come back.
• On Saturday there’s a book haul.

In My Reading Life

I’ve been reading a lot, so brace yourself.

Last week, I finished The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. I liked it a lot. It’s one of the best middlegrade books I’ve read so far this year. When I was a kid, I rode hunter/jumpers, so I would have been obsessed with the horsey parts of this book at one time in my life. The main character’s emotions feel very raw and realistic. If you know any teens who like slower-paced historical fiction, I’d recommend this one.

Then I read Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk. More middlegrade historical fiction. I like the mystery aspect. Sometimes heroes don't look like heroes, and victims don't look like victims. I have mixed feelings about the rest of it. It starts off innocent and predictable, and then . . . damn, dude. It gets really dark, really suddenly. I also have issues with how the adult characters behave. I don’t think it’s realistic.

After that, I was bored with middlegrade, so I switched to nonfiction. I read Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination by J.K. Rowling. I like the illustrations and the stories that Rowling tells from her own life. I’m going to leave this quote right here: "Even your nationality sets you apart. The great majority of you belong to the world's only remaining superpower. The way you vote, the way you live, the way you protest, the pressure you bring to bear on your government, has an impact way beyond your borders. That is your privilege, and your burden."

Okay, one more. I read The Ghost Map: The Story of London’s Most Terrifying Epidemic—and How it Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johnson. It’s about cholera and how scientists discovered the cause of it. This book is dryer and more textbookish than what I normally read. I skimmed parts of it because I got bored.

Right now, I’m reading fiction. Pull Me Under by Kelly Luce. I’m almost done with it, and I think I probably should have DNFed. The synopsis made me think that it would have more stabbing. Mostly it’s bland. Maybe the ending will be awesome?

In My Internet Stalking Life

• Tracy @ Cornerfolds talks about her eight biggest blogging fails. #Relatable.
• Have you seen the #BookishWish hashtag on Twitter? JJ @ This Dark Material explains what's going on and how you can get involved. 
• Do you have July blog posts that didn't get enough love? Link them up at As Told By Tina.

In The Rest Of My Life

Five things that made me happy last week:

1. I got a lot of reading done and am ahead on my Goodreads goal by 1 book.
2. I figured out how to post an Instagram story. Big thank you to the 16 people who watched that mess. I’m really happy that the stories disappear after 24 hours.
3. Also, thank you to everyone who has entered my giveaway so far!
4. I did pretty well at eating healthy. The house is currently full of junk food, but I have mostly resisted it.
5. I saw a young coyote while walking the dog. It had long legs and looked all scrawny and awkward. It was adorable in a deadly rabies kind of way.

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Take care of yourselves and be kind to each other! See you around the blogosphere!