The Monday Mix (14)

The Monday Mix basically gives me the opportunity to share with all of you the links I loved online from last week, everything from reviews to articles about writing 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!

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So. It's been about two weeks since I returned to the Philippines, and it's been amazing. I've seen family and friends, visited old haunts and eaten tons of good food. I've also had dress fittings (!), meetings with suppliers, a kick-ass bridal shower and a road trip -- which I'll blog about soon. Anyway, just wanted to say hi and thank you to everyone who still drops by to visit the blog even in my absence. You guys are the bees knees!

Even though I've been busy, I've squeezed in a lot of reading! In particular, I've been reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I'm currently up to the 6th book and really enjoying it, despite the fact I never thought I would. Got to thank my sister, Kelly and Sarah J. Maas for that particular rec!

As for my sister, she and I have been plotting and we may or may not be attempting to vlog soon. We shall see how that goes.

Did I mention it's only 20 days until the wedding? Because it is. I'm nervous and excited!

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And now, for interesting posts that have caught my eye over the past few weeks:

1. Gaby has decided to start holding relevant classes on her book blog. Her first foray is a course I can certainly endorse - how to have a lazy, do absolutely nothing weekend. Seriously guys, this is the kind of weekend I live for.

2. I enjoyed seeing the song choices that Magan and Estelle picked for this Sweet Summertime Reads post. Seriously - Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan & Imagine Dragons all in one post? That just bleeds awesome.

3. It's interesting whenever someone talks about reading classics, and Hannah does a spectacular job making a case for them. I grew up reading children classics, but have yet to fully transition into more adult classics. However, I know at some point I'll get to them to at least give them a try!

4. Steph poses a very interesting question in her post - if you absolutely had to choose, would you choose to read or to write? I did share my answer in the comments, but I think I'd choose reading at this point in my life. I can't imagine going through life without indulging in a good story or two!

5. When I first found out about Magan (and her husband Dustyn) expecting a little one in February, I began to cry. (I was in the international airport in Taiwan then, so it was admittedly a little bit awkward as I burst into tears.) I can think of no better pair to be parents, and am so, so excited for them! You should be too.

6. I obviously freaked out when I first saw the gorgeous cover for Ignite Me, the third novel in Tahereh Mafi's incredible Shatter Me series. It looks so beautiful, and seems to promise a stronger main character in Juliette (or that's what I'd like to think). In other news, Tahereh is engaged to the equally awesome Ransom Riggs, which is news that made my day when it exploded on Twitter!

7. Well, well, well, the Epic Reads girls are clever! They came up with a list of adult novels that would appeal to YA fans, of which I've only read one book. Guess I need to work on that!

8. I am a shy person, though the people who have met me in real life probably can't tell. I've always been naturally introverted and prefer to be alone or in the company of family or friends than in front of people I don't know. Nova Ren Suma wrote this post about how she overcame her shyness, particularly when it came to book events.

9. Estelle wrote this really insightful, intelligent post discussing the internet and friendships. I really love the way she expressed her thoughts, and I have to find that I really agree. It's so cool for me to think about the fact that many of my now in real life friends are people I met online (and they're mostly book bloggers!). This post will definitely be something to chew on.

10. Rachele Alpine, as part of the Turning Points series on Distraction No. 99, shared her experience  and thoughts on defining ourselves. I really liked her story because it was is something that I can certainly relate to!

11. Here's another cover reveal for your visual pleasure - the cover for Infinite by Jodi Meadows, which is a novella in the Incarnate series from SAM'S POV. It's stunning, fits in perfectly with the other books and I am so, so excited for it to be released! (P.S. Jodi is also hosting a contest where you can win a signed ARC of Infinite, the third and final book in her Newsoul series.)

12. I enjoyed reading what Leigh Bardugo has to say about the importance of having community. There are certainly a lot of benefits to being friends with people in similar positions, and I love that she was able to showcase that.

13. It was easy to enjoy this thoughtful post from Kathleen Peacock about the things she learned at art school. I find it quite interesting how so much practical lessons in other areas of life can be applied to writing, and this set was particularly cool.

14. Two of the coolest authors in the world - Sarah J. Maas and Susan Dennard - have teamed up for a new project. These two, who I love dearly, are co-writing a saga called The Starkillers Cycle, and posting everything online. PERFECTION. That's what this is.

15. Dialogue is actually something I personally struggle with in my writing. Julie Eshbaugh shares some practical advice about writing clear, vivid dialogue.

16. Marie Lu wrote beautifully about art and the other creative cousins of writing.

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Also, in case you missed out on posts from the last two weeks, here they are for easy reference. I hope you check them out, if you haven't already!

The Time Fetch - Amy Herrick

The Reece Malcolm List - Amy Spalding

Poison Study - Maria V. Snyder

Burning Blue - Paul Griffin

Perfect Escape - Jennifer Brown

Sisters in Sanity - Gayle Forman

The Girl of Fire and Thorns - Rae Carson

The Flame in the Mist - Kit Grindstaff

Throne of Glass: A Crown of Midnight Excerpt

Stealing Parker - Miranda Kenneally

Things I Can't Forget - Miranda Kenneally

The Infinite Moment of Us - Lauren Myracle

Check out my kick-off post for the Where She Went read-along! (Feel free to join in.)

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.