Clock Rewinders on a Book Binge is where Tara @ 25 Hour Books and I shamelessly plug each other, share the fantastic posts, giveaways, or whatever else we’ve found and loved by other awesome bloggers (or authors!) during the week, and talk about the books we plan on reading in the coming week.
Announcement
Starting this week, Clock Rewinders will no longer have a linky.
The past two weeks have taught me that I do not have the time nor energy to shoulder the responsibility of hosting a growing meme. Neither does Tara. I do not think that either of us expected that people would want to participate in something that was originally our own feature, and one that we did on our own for over six months until we were approached by another blogger who wanted to join. I know that many people really enjoy Clock Rewinders, but if I am being honest, I know that I cannot keep up with it if CR continues to grow. Quite frankly, last week I was feeling overwhelmed enough that the thought of completely stopping CR crossed my mind.
And so, it is with many apologies that we are reverting back to what Clock Rewinders was always intended to be: a place for Tara and I to promote each other, share what happened around the blogosphere, and talk about the books we read or are looking forward to reading. These are the things that I feel are most important to building community: spotlighting other bloggers and talking about books. I can do that on my site. You can do that on your site. But I can’t do that if I’m stretched between my blog and everyone else’s that participates. My Sundays are being consumed by Clock Rewinders, and that’s not even including the time I spend on Friday and/or Saturday to prepare my own post.
While I know that this may upset many of you, in the end, Tara and I have to do what is best for our blogs and how much time we are realistically capable of devoting to CR (and blogging in general). You are still welcome to continue posting your own Clock Rewinders post every Sunday, or Monday as Tara is doing it. But we won’t have a linky. If you choose to continue posting we do want to make sure you are acknowledged in some way, so please let us know if the lack of linky will not deter you from posting your own CR.
On a Book Bender Recap
- Joint Review with Kelly: Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews – Tragic case of death by swooning.
- Top Off Tuesday — I want my semester break to be like this!
- Review: Catching Fire + Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins – Catching Fire instills more stark horror. | Mockingjay is stunningly bleak and hopeless.
- Kristin Cahore Book Signing
- Who Am I Stalking [8] — Jess @ Gone with the Words
- Bout of Books 4.0 Goals + Updates
Meanwhile, in Amanda’s World…
- The beginning of the week was really rather stressful for me, and I pretty much made my Internet presence minimal through Thursday morning.
- Rather than spend a lot of time on the Internet, I read. It was good. I don’t think I’ve had a four book week in months.
- This week has been FULL of Bout of Books planning. Have I ever told you guys how freaking difficult it is to put together a readathon?
- I said Kelly’s Tumblr was like going on a peen safari.
- Amy @ bookgoonie just TOTALLY understands me.
On 25 Hour Books
- A Deed Without a Name [1]
- Clock Rewinders 5/7/2012
- Ava of the Gaia [mini review] – too many pet peeves to enjoy
- Bout of Books 4.0
Around the Book Blogging Community
Bloggers
- The ever awesome Bookish Brunette is looking for an associate reviewer/partner-in-crime. Great opportunity!
- Isalys has a great discussion about genres going on over at Book Soulmates.
Authors
- M.R. Merrick had two very amazing and insightful posts this week. The first was about why critical reviews are necessary. This is from an author’s point of view, but I think it’s vital for bloggers to read, too. The other post he wrote was about the path to success. While, again, geared towards authors, I think it can be applied to any career (or, let’s face it, hobby).
- Tahereh Mafi announces a new novella! WARNING: if you haven’t read Shatter Me, DO NOT WATCH THIS VIDEO. There are major Shatter Me spoilers.
- Thea Harrison gave us an excerpt of Lord’s Fall of Chapter 2. Dragos is back!
- Jeaniene Frost (in conjunction with Vampire’s Book Club) is giving away two advance reading copies of Once Burned (Sarah/saz101)! If you haven’t entered this yet, it’s INTERNATIONAL! Go! GO!)
Search Terms
amanda top off tuesday — This term disturbs me slightly. Am I supposed to take my top off?
get people to read my book on blogger — Step 1: Don’t be a douche canoe. Step 2: Well, um, step one pretty much covers it. In case you need more help, I once wrote a post about five things you should never do if you want someone to review your book.
list of don’t likes in boyfriend — I once made a list of qualities important in a boyfriend. Ex. “Must not have more boob jiggle than I do.” (the boyfriend passes this requirement, by the way, in case you were wondering)
shirtless men in water — Does this week’s Top Off Tuesday count?
please tell me the answers to the questions on accelerated reader to the hunger games — No.
vempayrs sexy galrs imege.com — Searching the first time didn’t get you what you wanted, so why the other two?
torture shirtless man blog — Is that what you really think my blog is? For shame.
Goodreads Stats*
*in an effort to take the focus off books I received, I’m switching to Tara’s Goodreads stats section that gives me a little more leeway to discuss books I’ve been thinking about (in some way or another) during the week. Any books listed are specifically ones I’ve read/am reading this week, or books I’ve bought, downloaded for free (legitimately, of course), or added to my wishlist for the previous week only.
Read in 2012 (40)
- Darkhouse by Karina Halle (7)
- I loved the horror parts, but rest I waffled on a bit.
- The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Steig Larsson (7)
- Ahh! This was a brick at 655 pages. I’m so glad I could finally finish this trilogy, but the latest installment took a good 200 or 300 pages to get to a point where I didn’t want to put it down.
- Social Suicide by Gemma Halliday (8)
- Loved the second book in the series! It was a big improvement over The Perfect Dish, which I started, and then abandoned at 33% when the predictability of it all bitch slapped me in the face.
- Pyxis by K.C. Neal (7)
- I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I don’t think it will be reviewed on the blog, but you can find my Goodreads review here.
- Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
- listening to this one, and since I’m not driving, I’m stuck somewhere around Chapter 19. But it’s awesome! Libba Bray is an amazing narrator. She’s up there with Luke Daniels. I’ll pick this back up at the end of May when I start working again.
Own-Must-Read (115)
- Graceling by Kristin Cashore
- I picked up all the Cashore books in preparation for the signing last Sunday.
- Fire by Kristin Cashore
- Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
- The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
- I won a signed copy through a giveaway on Supernatural Snark. A big thanks to Jenny and Harlequin Teen!
- What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
- Amy sent me this after she and Jess discovered I haven’t read any Sarah Dessen yet. Thanks, Amy!
Free Ebooks (23 unread)
- Red Fox by Karina Halle
- Kelly bullied me into downloading this one.
Amazon Wishlist
- None. Sadly, I haven’t added a book to my wishlist since APRIL. Nothing has caught my fancy lately.
Bout of Books
Eeeee! Bout of Books starts TOMORROW. I made a vlog. If you didn’t see it yesterday, watch it now! Also, go sign up if you haven’t yet. There’s still time!
Fellow Clock Rewinders
Rather than the linky, Tara and I are instead going to list people who participate in CR at least twice a month. We still want to acknowledge you all in some way, and this is our way of doing so.
Alexa @ Pages of Forbidden Love
Angelya @ Oaken Bookcase
Ash @ Smash Attack Reads!
Hannah @ Once Upon a Time
Jess @ Gone with the Words
JJ @ JJiReads
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal May 13, 2012 at 12:28 am
I didn’t *bully* you into picking up Red Fox. I was all “If you are so inclined, my dear Amanda, I think it would behoove you to download book 2 of the Experiment in Terror series while it is free. I’ll completely understand if you don’t want to but this opportunity might only happen once and I don’t want you to be melancholy at a later date when you realize you missed out.”
That’s *exactly* how I remember it happening! EXACTLY!
*goes off to look for peens on the Peen Safari*
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 13, 2012 at 12:45 am
“Oh! I think a peen just popped up! To the peen!”
Natalie @ Mindful Musings May 13, 2012 at 1:42 am
As far as my plans go, I plan on continuing with Clock Rewinders, as long as you and Tara continue to be okay with it. I totally understand not wanting to get caught up in a full-blown meme…the time and effort that goes into them is a BIG commitment!
Also, I hope you all have a BLAST with Bout of Books! If I wasn’t studying for finals, I’d totally be joining in. One more week, then I’m done. Yay! :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 13, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Thanks for understanding, Natalie.
Best of luck on your finals! You are almost finished with undergrad. YAY!
Hannah May 13, 2012 at 4:45 am
Nooo please don’t torture shirtless man. He is only trying to make you smile!
*huggles you*
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 13, 2012 at 9:33 pm
What if shirtless man wants to be tortured? Then what?!
Anne May 13, 2012 at 6:34 am
That’s okay, we understand! I’m still going to post it though – I’d been looking for an alternative to IMM for a LONG time (no, it wasn’t DRAMA related) because I just don’t receive books in the mail all that often. I’m cheap. I do library books. That means none of the stuff I’m receiving is all that interesting, and I do have to give it all back. I like Clock Rewinders so much better because it does give me a chance to feature other bloggers’ posts, and a bunch of stuff *besides* books I received, if I receive any at all. So, as long as you don’t mind me borrowing it (and the graphic, cause it’s cool looking!) I’m still going to post these.
Jac @ For Love and Books May 13, 2012 at 8:08 am
First, thank you for all the hard work you are doing with Bout of Books! It is such a great thing in this community.
How did I miss Tahera Mafis novella announcement??? I must quit hiding under a rock! I am so flipping excited now!
Jac @ For Love and Books
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 13, 2012 at 9:34 pm
I’m a little confused. Do you mean that *I* did all the hard work with Bout of Books or Anne? Because you replied to Anne’s comment.
Jac @ For Love and Books May 13, 2012 at 9:37 pm
I am so sorry!! I was on my cell phone and accidentally responded to her comment rather than the entire thread.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 13, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Ah, okay. No worries, I was just a little confused.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 13, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Thanks for understanding, Anne. Right now we are definitely okay with you continuing. :)
mandikaye May 13, 2012 at 9:08 am
I really like that Goodreads Stats section. I might have to steal that. ;)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 13, 2012 at 9:36 pm
I really like it, too! I think it’s a fantastic way to talk about books. BOOKS!
PS. Thanks again for playing around with my comment box. I hope this solves some of the comment issues I’ve been having. *huggles*
Mandi Kaye May 14, 2012 at 10:39 am
Hopefully the NEW edit will actually fix it. :)
Laura Ashlee May 13, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Hello! This is my first time participating in clock rewinders. It’s just the feature I’ve been looking for.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 13, 2012 at 9:38 pm
Glad you’re participating, though you should know that we really do stress that you use your CR post to talk about books (not necessarily books you received) and posts you liked around the blogosphere. If you’re looking for a feature to sum up your week and share books you received, that is not our focus.
Mary @ Book Swarm May 13, 2012 at 4:35 pm
Signed up for Bout of Books! Yay!
Beauty Queens is awesome and her next one, The Diviners, is one I’d beg for. She’s a fantastic author.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 13, 2012 at 9:39 pm
I’m glad you’ll be joining us, Mary!
Thus far, Beauty Queens is the only Libba Bray books I’ve read/listened to. It won’t be the last, though!
Angelya May 13, 2012 at 9:18 pm
Completely understand the stress about the CR participation… it’s your own feature, after all! I love the format so please don’t stop doing it :D
Good luck for Bout of Books!!!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 13, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Thanks, Angelya. CR participation has been pretty crazy lately, though I definitely don’t want to stop doing it (even if I do in moments of stress).
Alexa May 14, 2012 at 10:23 pm
I’m sorry did I just read that post correctly! You have never read any Dessen books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DO you have a fever!? You should start with The Truth About Forever and Just Listen, those two are my favorite. I have read every book by her except her newest one.
READ DESSEN!!! (This book bullying moment was brought to you by Alexa)
Oh I’m also glad you and Tara kept this feature going!
happy reading
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 14, 2012 at 10:57 pm
Well, I now own a Sarah Dessen book, so that counts for something, right? I will read it eventually, I PROMISE!
:)
Smash Attack May 15, 2012 at 2:52 pm
Please don’t make us quit! This is the only recap post I have ever enjoyed. *sniffles*
:) I understand. I really do. Much love and thanks to you both.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 15, 2012 at 6:04 pm
My thoughts of quitting are usually followed by, “But I *love* doing this, I don’t want to give it up!” So it’s a matter of attempting to find something that allows me to do CR but one that doesn’t make me hate it and Sundays.
*huggles you for understanding*
Sarah (saz101) May 16, 2012 at 10:57 pm
ONCE BURNED! ONCE BURNED! Ooooh, love so much. ALSO! GRACELING! You know, I think I discovered this through Tara, and it became on of my alltime faves. Hope the signging went well! ALSO: IMMORTAL RULES! Hope you love :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 17, 2012 at 9:12 am
hahahaha. Sarah, when I saw that Once Burned contest I thought of you IMMEDIATELY and checked to see if it was international. :) I hope you win!
Ali @Ali's Bookshelf May 17, 2012 at 11:05 am
I really love these posts, I think I might start posting them as well. I love the idea behind them of telling readers about other blogs in the community and what they are posting. Its a great idea!
Thanks for opening this up for others to post as well! I know you are taking the linky down, and thats okay its hard to keep up with everything!
I hope you dont mind that I am going to start posting these on Mondays!
Ali
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 17, 2012 at 11:20 am
Not wanting to host a meme is not the only reason we’re taking the linky down. Many people are not using CR as we intended it to be, and that’s very sad to us.
Ali @Ali's Bookshelf May 17, 2012 at 11:29 am
OMG that’s so wrong! I’m sorry people did that to you! I couldn’t never do that!!! I love your posts! I also wished I could be doing the read a thon this year, I’m missing it. But I started school this week and there wasn’t a way for me too, but its on next year lol!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 17, 2012 at 11:32 am
Many people are using it as an IMM alternative, so their focus is about what they did that week and the books they received. The goal of CR is actually to get people OFF your site.
There will definitely be another Bout of Books this year. I just don’t know when.
Ali @Ali's Bookshelf May 17, 2012 at 11:35 am
YAY! Sounds great I can’t wait. Yeah that is the reason I like your posts its not all about your blog, it showcases someone else’s as well. It showcases others in the blogging community and we need that!!!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 17, 2012 at 11:36 am
I agree.