Summing Up 12/23/18-12/30/18
WHERE I WAS
12 Things That Will Happen Over Winter Break
The Christmas Tradition I Kept from My Childhood
...on Momtastic
Thank you to Huffington Post Parents for including me on their list of 35 Funny Tweets About Parents' Winter Break Struggles!
It's time to cash in all the gift cards you received over the holidays! TREAT YOURSELF. :)
My Favorite Books Read in 2018 for Ages 8-12, Teen, Young Adult, and Adult
Gifts for Migraine Sufferers
Gifts for Kids Who Code (or want to learn)
Gifts for Bloggers, Instagrammers, and Budding Social Media Mavens
WHAT I LOVED
- Okay, so I didn't "love" it but I am grateful for this kind of journalism for it helps us understand tragedies like this so much better, and highlights what we need to do to help prevent them in the future.
- (Confession: I did not read a ton this week because I have been hosting a lot of people for Christmas, then mostly doing laundry and watching Netflix. :) )
THINGS FACEBOOK MAYBE DIDN'T SHOW YOU
- If I ever start a new blog, this will be the theme.
- For authors: I offer free book promotion. See details here. Hoping for more #OwnVoices books!
- I now have a mailing list JUST for news about my new book releases in all genres. I know we don't all have time to read lengthy newsletters, so if you want a simple, quick alert when I have a new book coming out (entirely written by me, or that include my work), sign up here.
Want to know who your representatives are? Click here. Only have time to quickly text your representatives your thoughts? Click here. Want to know what legislation is up for a vote? Click here.
LET'S CONNECT ON FACEBOOK!
Come follow/friend my personal Facebook account HERE. It'll help you see what I post if we connect that way, rather than only following my Let Me Start By Saying Page.
LET'S TALK ABOUT BOOKS!
What I'm reading:
- Reading SNOW IN LOVE (teen/YA romance), a collection of 4 short(ish) romantic stories about finding young love.
- Read A TOTALLY AWKWARD LOVE STORY (YA contemporary fiction). Wasn't really my cup of tea but it's sooooo popular I just had to finish and see why. Meh. Not a good match for me.
- Read OPENLY STRAIGHT (YA contemporary fiction). About a gay teen who is fine with being gay but tired of the labels, so goes to a private all-boys high school to try and start over without them. Really good. Sweet, funny, moving, reflective.
I try to put what I'm reading/have read on Goodreads, so I don't lose track. Check in over there when you can!
If you like to talk about books--particularly YA and fiction--I have a Facebook group you can join. I share books I read/love/want to talk about there, and encourage you to lurk or share, too! Join here.
MISC.
- We all saw MARY POPPINS RETURNS and loved it because it was delightful!
- I watched BIRD BOX on Netflix with my 13yo son. We were both freaked out by parts of it, but the ending? Aaaaahhh I don't see why there is so much hype about it.
- On the other hand, I also binge-watched the tv show BODYGUARD on Netflix and WOW that was faaaaannnntastic.
DECEMBER 2018 NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBER THANK YOU GIFT
All you need to do to win everything here is make sure you are subscribed to my Sunday newsletter by adding your email address here: http://bit.ly/KimBongiorno
A TOUCH OF GOLD by Annie Sullivan
“The writing…is phenomenal. It's fast paced in all the right places with nonstop action, unbelievable adventure and fantastic magic that keeps readers wanting more.' — TeenReads.com
(Fantasy, Teen, Romance)
Learn more: https://amzn.to/2SzqYOJ
Author on Facebook: Annie Sullivan
Author on Instagram: @annsulliva
THE SLOPE RULES by Melanie Hooyenga
“First love at it's finest. This is a can't miss for anyone who wants more sweet than spicy and needs their hearts thawed on cold winter nights. No one will regret spending time on this book." --YA Books Central
Gold Winner (YA Fiction General) 2017 -- Moonbeam Children's Book Awards
Silver Winner (High School Romance) 2017 -- Children's Literary Classics
Bronze Winner (YA Romance) 2017 -- Readers' Favorite
(Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Teen, Bullying, Winter Sports)
Learn more: https://amzn.to/2SwN8RD
Author on Facebook: Melanie Hooyenga
Author on Instagram: @melaniehoo
THE WIDOWS by Jess Montgomery
"Pulling back the curtain on a time and place where women's roles were too often overlooked, The Widows is full of characters who surprise those who underestimate them. A rich, empowering, and satisfying read."―Jessica Strawser, author of Not That I Could Tell
(Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Women Sleuths)
Learn more: https://amzn.to/2L1dcSm
Author on Facebook: Jess Montgomery
***PRE-ORDER GIVEAWAY: Order by 1/8/19 and receive a Thank You gift, plus get entered in the Grand Prize giveaway! Details here: http://bit.ly/WidowsPreOrderGiveaway
Author on Instagram: @jessmontgomeryauthor
A HUG FROM HEAVEN by Anna Whiston-Donaldson
“Written as a simple poem of love from the person who died, this book reminds children - and adults alike - that it is okay to hurt, to live a positive life, and to find special ways to honor the ones we love.”
(Death & Grief, Children’s Books, Inspirational)
Learn more: https://amzn.to/2SrY3vY
Author on Facebook: Anna of Inch of Grey
Author on Instagram: @annawhistondonaldson
VAGABONDING WITH KIDS: ALASKA by AK Turner
"I'm not sure if AK Turner has super powers or is completely insane, gallivanting around the world as she does, but at least she makes us laugh along the way. The Vagabonding with Kids series is a wild, hilarious ride into famous cities and parts unknown. So yeah, I'm pretty sure she's crazy.” — Jen Mann, New York Times bestselling author of People I Want to Punch in the Throat
(Non-fiction, Parenting & Families, Humor)
Learn more: https://amzn.to/2QBdm8i
Author on Facebook: AK Turner
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS: A BABYLIT BOARD BOOK by Jennifer Adams, Illustrated by Alison Oliver
“Join Phileas Fogg and Passepartout on their trip though places such as Calcutta, Hong Kong, and San Francisco as they circle the globe heading back home to London. They travel using trains, ships, palanquins, a carriage, a sled, and even an elephant.”
(Children’s Books, Classics)
Learn more: https://amzn.to/2Ek5Aty
Publisher on Facebook: BabyLit
Publisher on Instagram: @babylitbooks
And if your name isn't randomly picked on January 1st? Don't be sad! Not only do I hand-deliver great stuff to read each week, as long as you’re subscribed to my weekly newsletter, you’re automatically entered into my ongoing monthly giveaways just for subscribers. WOO HOO!
(Affiliate links)
Want to see all the books I've given away to newsletter subscribers and fans so far? LOOK HERE.
Thank you to all the authors who generously donated these books! Want to know how to show authors your love? I made a handy-dandy list of how to do so. SEE IT HERE.
I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Do you ever read something and think it's so great--a tweet, blog post, magazine article, book, anything--that you have to share it? TELL ME. Email or message me on Facebook any time. I LOVE when you all send me stuff you think I'll enjoy. If what you send me inspires a post, I'll make sure to give you a shout-out!
If you have a friend you think might enjoy anything I shared above? You can simply forward this email to them, like any other.
Thanks for reading!
Kim
Is there anything you want to see here? Have a question for me? Simply hit "REPLY" to this newsletter to email me your thoughts and suggestions.
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