I’m Back! + August (Flynn!) Book Haul : don’t try denying you missed me. you totally did. (and i missed you too)

After about two months of semi-disappearing, I have finally popped back up on the World Wide Web.

 

And the truth is, I’ve missed blogging here on JAW, and commenting on all of your blogs, and reviewing on Goodreads, and .. and the list goes on.

 

To avoid being overly sappy, let’s sum it up like so: I was gone, and I am back. (Okay, now that sounds creepy. But I digress. Focus, Nina, why won’t you focus).

 

*clears throat*

 

If you’re wondering where I traveled to, let me give you a hint. Or rather, hints.

 

  • It’s not in the States. I said I’m going on vacation, and traveling, and in need to actually explore a new place*, so I sure as hell didn’t stay in the same country.

 

  • It’s a rather small country. Size-wise. And it’s mountainous. And desert-y.

 

  • It’s super-well known for its spa resorts (!!)

 

[do you have a guess yet? no? let’s keep going]

  • It’s also known for its archaeological sites and architectural wonders (*cough* I’m an architect *cough*), so of course I’d be impressed

 

  • It’s a country in Asia. But it’s not an ethnically Asian country.

 

  • Languages spoken there are English, French, and Arabic

 

Guessed it yet? Or even if you didn’t, I’m revealing it anyway.

 

I spent my summer vacation in Jordan!

And why? Because it’s an insanely cool country with the Dead Sea’s spa resorts (!!), and Petra’s architectural ruins (!!) and delicious food (!!) and some of my friends.

 

Perfect combo, if you ask me.

 

Oh! And Jordan even has this museum where the King of Jordan’s cars are displayed, and if that isn’t cool enough on its own, the producers of The Martian (you know, Matt Damon stranded on Mars, etc) donated one of the rovers they used in the movie to this museum (because a good chunk of the movie was filmed in Jordan), and I GOT TO SEE THE ROVER (and I even touched it, when the curator’s back was turned MWAHAHA).

 

You’re lying if you tell me that isn’t awesome.

And if you’re in the mood for some travel photos, then I have read your mind and shall grant you some. (And if you haven’t, then I’m a reverse-mind-reader. That, dear friends, takes talent. *bows*).

 

(That thing is HUGE, by the way. My picture doesn’t do it justice.)

 

(And that is me. In Petra. Chilling on a slab of stone. Wearing an Aggies cap. Because obviously.)

 

So yes, my vacation was AWESOME.

And what makes it even more awesome is that I came home to Houston only to find many new books piled up at my doorstep. And then went down to Barnes and Noble and bought 3 more for good measure.

 

Typical Nina. Why is anyone surprised?

 

Let’s unload the book haul now, shall we?

 

(Thank you, HMH Teen!)

  • Nice Try, Jane Sinner by Lianne Oelke: I’ve heard such awesome things about this one, and that cover is really cool. But the synopsis is so very confusing.

 

  • The Hanging Girl by Eileen Cook: Oh, I started this one! And the MC, Skye, is giving me major Blue Sargent vibes. I’m so here for that.

 

  • The Calculus of Change: Okay, the word ‘calculus’ is scaring me witless. But the watercolor background is quite soothing, if you ask me.

 

(Thank you, Flatiron Books!)

 

  • 13 Minutes by Sarah Pinsborough: Someone get me a book with a more intriguing synopsis than this. I’m waiting.

 

  • Frankie by Shivaun Plozza: I think it’s safe to guess that at least 1 character in this is called Frankie. Look at my mad deducing skills. Look out, Sherlock.

 

  • The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert: Oh don’t mind me I just received one of my most anticipated reads of 2018 I’m not excited you’re excited oh mY GOD-

 

(Thank you, Weinstein Books!)

  • The Hawkweed Prophecy and The Hawkweed Legacy by Irena Brignull: Queens and witches and queens of witches. ‘Nuff said.

 

(Thank you, well.. my wallet).

  • One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus: Gorgeous (!!) foreign (!!) edition (!!) that I brought home from Jordan. Because why else would I go to another country if not to collect foreign editions.

 

  • This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab: I bought myself a copy, because I must OWN ALL THE SCHWAB. Plus, I needed a refresher for Our Dark Duet.

 

  • Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab: I HAVE EMOTIONAL DAMAGE FROM THIS STACK OF DEAD TATOOED TREES AND AN ANGRY EMOTIONAL REVIEW IS COMING YOUR WAY ONCE I RECOVER.

 

  • Here Lies Daniel Tate by Cristin Terril: I’ve heard all sorts of praise, and the peer pressure is strong, I tell you.

 

____________________

I guess that’s about it. Well, until I escape and run back to Barnes and Noble. But other than that, I’m done.

 

So tell me: what did you do this summer?

Traveled? Explored? TV-ed? New books for August?

Most anticipated reads for August?

Thoughts on August (Flynn)? TALK TO ME, friends. I’m all ears.

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