The Monday Mix (26)

The Monday Mix basically gives me the opportunity to share with all of you the links I loved online from weeks past. This includes everything from great reviews, articles about writing, inspiring posts and perhaps other things too. I've always valued the opportunity to share the great things I've read or seen, and this is my way to share the love with all the bloggers, authors + pubs out there!

The weather has been such a tease! It's alternated between biting cold and tentatively warm, and I'm itching for it to settle into spring, where it's cool, but not cold. Other than that, it's been a nice, if quiet past two weeks. I was sick for the first week, barely recovering by Friday where I spent time with family in New Jersey. This week, I went on a work road trip, had dinner with Rachel and also with a good friend of mine from Jersey. Plus, I finally went clothes shopping for the first time in forever.

I've also been doing a lot of reading, a little more than usual, which is pretty great since I've knocked out a few review books (and some library books too!). I'm behind on emails, but hoping to get caught up and start fresh this week. I'm no longer behind on mailing out packages, with just a few more to go. It's been pretty standard on the blog, but I'm happy and excited about lots of plans in the making!

LINKS TO CHECK OUT

• My sister Mel does an incredible job sharing her thoughts on keeping dreams alive. It's a tough world we live in, especially at our ages, but there's nothing for it but to keep on going, keep on fighting, keep on dreaming.
• I love my readers, each and every one of them, whether you leave a comment, tweet at me or just lurk around. Jamie shared this pretty awesome post from Alex Franzen that really puts the whole blog readers thing into perspective.
• Thanks to Jamie, I am now able to share Christina's post about "The Fine Art of Fluff". She discusses fluffy reads, and I think she's pretty spot on. I love a fluffy read every now and again, and her recommendations are pretty great too!
• Okay, seriously, I would love to be as productive as possible during my days. Jamie shared this great article with ideas for what can be accomplished during 5 minutes, and I kind of want to try them all.
• This is an adorable short about what happens in your mind when you meet your crush! It's wonderfully animated, and very amusing.
• Seriously though, this is seriously awesome life advice in general.
• Jamie has quite a few of her own posts that I enjoyed, particularly where she talks about reading more than one book at different times and where she talks about binge reading series, why she hasn't done it in a while AND asks for recommendations too.
• Basically, Sharon & Racquel have come up with an epic list of contemporary read recommendations. I have so many that I must check out on their list, and quite a few I agree with too.
• Hannah wrote this insightful post about what kind of reader you are. I'm personally somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, as I can be emotional and I can be analytical, depending on the read.
• Estelle wrote about two of my favorite celebrities in our latest edition of From Hollywood to Your Bookshelf, Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff. They have an adorable friendship, and I definitely see them being best friends through all the years ahead.
• So basically, what this post is telling me is that I need to watch Veronica Mars. Immediately. (I really liked the movie, by the way, considering I have not seen a single episode of the show in its entirety.)
• Oh, the hype train -- I've been rammed over by it, jumped on it, started the journey. Debby articulates very well the effect that the hype train can have on her, and I can definitely say we have some similarities.
• I seriously have to thank Alyssa for introducing me to this amazing Etsy shop! I love all the candles they sell, and probably will have to purchase quite a few for myself.
• Joanna Penn's article about the definition of success really got me thinking. (Thanks Susan!)
• Magic definitely doesn't always need an explanation (especially in Disney films, but that's definitely just my opinion). (Thanks Susan!)
• Yes! I love strong female friendships in my YA novels, and this post by Jessica Spotswood is so great. [Also, I recently finished Open Road Summer, and I think the friendship in that book is pretty awesome.] (Thanks Estelle!)
• It was great to read Claire Legrand's blog post in response to a question about pre-ordering books! I seriously love learning how I can best support the authors I love, and it makes me happy that pre-ordering is just a legitimate way for me to do so (and gives me more of an excuse to keep pre-ordering everything).
• I absolutely agree with Jaime's conclusion on her post - do what works best for you! Working with publishers is different for every blogger, and there are some great insights here.
• I sincerely hope they bring Disenchanted somewhere near me, because it sounds like a show I'd love completely. Jen's thoughts are also extremely convincing!
• SUSAN DENNARD HAS A NEW SERIES! Truthwitch sounds amazing, honestly, being touted as "Garth Nix meets Avatar: The Last Airbender". 
• Learning literary terms with Taylor Swift? This post is everything I could have ever wanted, and pays tribute to Swift's amazing songwriting skills.
• This video pretty much is one of those things where my faith in humanity is restored. (Thanks Shae!)
• I'm always looking for new tips about writing, and this post by Holly Robinson is pretty great (and makes me feel a little better, personally).
• These are just simple truths that everyone should consider. I can't even try to pick a favorite, and have this permanently bookmarked in my bookmarks folder. (Thanks Jamie & Anna!)
• This is such a great post about re-reading! I often enjoy revisiting old favorites just for the sake of being immersed in familiar characters, or to remind myself of details in a series. What about you?
• Honestly, I've come to realize that I actually do like unlikeable heroines sometimes. Claire LeGrand is a lot more eloquent about how important unlikeable heroines can be.
• Jen shared some great 30s movies suggestions over at Rather Be Reading. I've only seen Snow White and The Wizard of Oz, so I'll definitely be checking out the others.
• Sabriel is one of my favorite fantasy novels (and I definitely have to revisit it this year because Clariel is coming out). Margot did an awesome job with her fauxto for it!
• I loved reading about how the Throne of Glass novellas came to be. In case you've been living under a rock or have not talked to me since 2012, I love this series to pieces and the novellas are brilliant. [Proof of my affection can be found constantly on my Twitter. Mention "Throne of Glass" "Chaol" "Celaena" and I act like Dug in Up.]
• "Write the book that’s in your heart and write it exactly as you see it fit." Beautiful writing advice to remember from the wonderful Erin Bowman.
• I can totally relate to Brittany's "book therapy" session post. Sometimes, I feel bad for not achieving the goals I set for myself blogging-wise. But then I start thinking about how real life and relationships are much more important to me overall, and how this blog is supposed to be FUN. It's hard to shake off the blues, but it also works when I shift my thinking.
• Gaby made a pretty infographic to show you Dessen newbies how to read Sarah Dessen's novels. Sarah's an author I really love, and I've only got one more book from her I have yet to read (The Moon and More).
• My friend Candice wrote a great post about why YA is good for women. I agree that the variety of characters, especially females, in YA is pretty awesome. There are so many protagonists to look up to, admire and even be inspired and encouraged by.
• I'm very much looking forward to reading The Secret Side of Empty. Here's an interview with author Maria E. Andreu, with a few tidbits about this story.

POSTS RECAP

Reviews:

• The Edge of Falling - Rebecca Serle
• The Riverman - Aaron Starmer
• The Secret Box - Whitaker Ringwald
• The Winner's Curse - Marie Rutkoski
• Anything to Have You - Paige Harbison
• Sekret - Lindsay Smith (The giveaway is still open too!)
• Attachments - Rainbow Rowell
• The Legacies & Secret Histories - Pittacus Lore

Features/Events:

• It Runs in the Family: The Bet - Rachel Van Dyken
• From Hollywood to Your Bookshelf: Demi Lovato
• Stacking the Shelves (4)
• It Runs in the Family: The Wager - Rachel Van Dyken

Personal Posts:

• Long Distance Love

I hope you enjoy reading these posts as much as I did! Now it's YOUR turn - are there any posts (on your blog or other blogs) from last week that I missed out on? Please feel free to share links in the comments and I'll try to check them out.