The Monday Mix (27)

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!

It's been a busy two weeks in my world, friends! I attended one of the events for the New York Teen Author Festival, the Reader's Theatre, which is one of my favorites. The authors included this year were Marie Rutkoski, Julie Murphy, Lauren Myracle, Sarah Mlynowski, Jon Skovron, Matt de la Pena and Brendan Kiely, with David Levithan moderating. That night was so fun, with great performances, much-needed quality time with Estelle & Rachel, and seeing Ksenia and Elena.

I have also gotten very into working out! I used to do it begrudgingly, I'll admit. But something has shifted in me over the last week and I'm having so much fun with it! I feel myself getting a bit stronger each day, which is pretty great. Guess I've got to thank Jamie for introducing me to Blogilates, and my sister Mel for encouraging me and signing us up for three classes at this crazy JumpDance thing!

This weekend, the roomies + I ventured over to Smorgasburg for some yummy eats and a little browsing through the stalls. It was pretty fun, especially for our tummies! But the rest of the day was filled with gloominess and dreariness as the rain started to pour. Thank goodness for warm blankets and books, yes?

LINKS TO CHECK OUT

• I might just be a little bit obsessed with Estelle's thoughts on pre-ordering books. It has made me feel comfortable pre-ordering ALL OF THE BOOKS.
• Reading highs are the best feeling for a total bookworm like me! Shae talks about that, and asks how you keep it going.
• I think, for the most part, we all try and choose our next reads based on what we "feel" like reading. Jamie tackles the ups and downs of being a mood reader.
• Instagram is one of those social media sites that I enjoy being a part of, even though I'm not really a photographer! I guess it's because it's fun to see what everyone is up to in a very visual way. The Epic Reads team suggests a few YA authors you can follow on Instagram! (And if you want to follow me, I'm alexaysantiago on there!)
• EC Meyers compares writing to a "choose your own adventure" experience, and I can't help but agree that this is SO true.
• My favorite writing guru, Susan Dennard, shares about writing endings. I often have trouble with those, so her post feels very encouraging and helpful!
• "Find the love in a scene", Biljana Likic suggests. This is such incredible writing advice, simple but effective. 
• It is certainly interesting to think about how you read. Liz shares her experience in this post, and I loved seeing how she reads. (Thanks Estelle!)
• Liza Weimer invites us to embrace our "shit pockets" in this post! I think it's a great idea overall, and one that I'm going to try to take to heart. 
• Any and all facts about Harry Potter will always be welcome on this blog. Here are facts that will change the way you see Harry Potter! (Thanks Alyssa!)
• As a Tamora Pierce fangirl and a Disney kid, I am seriously swooning over this amazing combination of two of my favorite things. (Thanks Jen!)
• What makes you unique as a blogger? It's always best to work on finding your niche. (Thanks Cassie!) And in a related post (well, sort of), see what Meg Fee has to say about blogging.
• I want a lot of things from Etsy already. But then this store popped up on my radar and my list grew by a lot. (Thanks Ash!)
• Book addiction is one of the best things in the world. This post simply amused me, especially because there's a lot of truth in it!
• I will gladly take any and all writing advice from Marissa Meyer, author of the Lunar Chronicles. Check out what she has to say in this awesome interview!
• Sana talks about YA adventures in parts, whether in trilogies or duos. While I don't necessarily mind having series to read, it's pretty overwhelming to think about how much investment that actually is on the part of any reader.
• Kelly made me + a few other blogger friends choose the ONE book we'd recommend. If you're a long-time follower, you'll probably guess what my pick is!

POSTS RECAP

Reviews:

• The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson (adventure + swoony romance + adjustment)
• Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira (letters + sisters + reflections)
• The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson (sacrifices + queen + final showdown)
• Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (assassins + war + slow burn romance)
• Four Friends by Robyn Carr (friendships + family + drama) (There's a giveaway!)
• Open Road Summer by Emery Lord (best friends + music + a nice boy)
• Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor (best friends + cancer + ballet)

Features/Events:

• It Runs in the Family: Marked Men #1-3 by Jay Crownover
• It Runs in the Family: Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park
• Stacking the Shelves (5)

Personal Posts:

• Parents Can Be Awesome Too! (Happy Anniversary, Mom + Dad!)

Don't forget to check out my Tumblr (where I post photos and cover reveals and other fun things), and my sister's blog Snaps for Mel (where she recounts all our adventures)! I also have a Facebook page, where I post random links. You can also subscribe to my Youtube channel, my sister's YouTube channel and the Lit Ladies YouTube channel!

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.