FrenzyPresents

Frenzy Presents Spring 2019 Releases

~ Colline ~ 6 Comments

On Sunday morning I woke up excited to attend the Frenzy Presents event happening at the Harper Collins publishing house in Toronto. I love these events not only because everyone attending loves books and reading, but also because I get to hear of new releases and of stories that I would love to read. This event was extra special because both my daughters decided to come along with me. They were curious to see what the events were about and experience a little the vibe that I often enjoy. It is not often that I get to go out with my girls now that they are older teens and so I was pleased that they were willing to spend their Sunday morning with me (if you know any teens, you would know that giving up a Sunday morning sleep-in does not happen too often!).

There are many exciting Young Adult books that are planned to come out in the Spring. There were 8 titles in particular that I am excited to read:

Fantasy fiction is definitely my preferred genre. Add in romance and a little intrigue and I am sold! The Beholder by Annie Bright fits into this category and sounds like something I definitely want to read and will be available 4 June.

I love fairy tale retellings, don’t you? The Evil Queen by Gena Showalter is a Snow White spin-off told from the point of view of the stepmother. The premise sounds interesting and a little unusual. This tale will be available 25 June.

A Dress for the Wicked by Autumn Krause is a story set in the world of high fashion  – a little like The Devil Wears Prada. This novel is a little historical and touches on the theme of deception. I will have to wait until 6 August to read this one.

Both my daughter and I cannot wait to read The Beckoning Shadow  by Katharyn Blair which comes out 2 July. This is a fantasy novel that depicts a human that has some magic and has to fight for her survival. Sounds exciting!

I am a Jane Austen fan and when I heard that Ordinary Girls by Blair Thornburgh was a retelling of Sense and Sensibility, I was in. This contemporary novel is out 4 June.

Last Things by Jacqueline West sounds a little creepy – but intriguing nonetheless. This is one I will definitely head out to pick up on 7 May.

The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven is a contemporary novel that deals with an important issue – bullying. I believe this novel will be an important one for teens who are currently in a bullying relationship. I look forward to seeing what the author discusses in this one on 11 June.

Isn’t the cover of this novel absolutely stunning? It is for this reason that I would open With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo. I am sure this book will attract the eye when it is put on the shelves on 7 May.

The event ended with each blogger receiving a tote bag filled with goodies. I love the pillow slip and will enjoy the tea. I look forward to sharing with you what I think of the ARCs that I received.

Do any of the titles I listed interest you?

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

 

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Weekend Coffee Share: Ready for the Next Week

~ Colline ~ 12 Comments

Join us for some coffee time!If we were having coffee, I would welcome you in rather late on this Sunday afternoon. It has been a busy weekend and I would welcome a little chat before completing my chores for the day.

If we were chatting, I would tell you that even though the work week was short (Monday was a public holiday), the week was very busy. There seemed so much to do at work – it is almost as if we squeezed five days of work into four. In addition, I had my evaluation on Friday and I was busy getting ready for it in the days leading up to Friday at 10:25am.

Every five years, the teachers in the school board I work for have an evaluation  – which basically means we are observed by the administrator of the school. Our principal came in to observe one of my lessons (I chose to do a language lesson). My students were a lot calmer than usual (though they were not little angels 🙂 ). My principal and I had a chat after school and I explained how I do some things (she is new to the school and therefore does not know how I work). She is going to type up her report and share it with me once she is done.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I have just come back home from an event at the Harper Collins Canada Publishing House. Today’s event is the one they hold for bloggers in Ontario and the one at which they tell us about the upcoming new releases in Young Adult fiction. I enjoyed learning about the new books as well as chatting with other readers who love books and share their love through blogging. I am new to their influencer program and am starting to get to know other Canadian book bloggers.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I have two events this week to look forward to – one with my daughters, and another one I can attend as a teacher. But that is for the next coffee chat.

What would you tell me if we were having coffee?

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

(This post is linked to Eclectic Alli and the Weekend Coffee Share)

Weekend Coffee Share: Tidying Up

~ Colline ~ 19 Comments

Join us for some coffee time!If we were having coffee, I would welcome you in quickly from the cold. The temperatures here have dropped quite rapidly: Tuesday I was overdressed and felt too warm the entire day but that changed on Wednesday with the colder weather. The last few days it has felt like winter, and what you would expect of January here in Toronto. We haven’t had much snow, though, just a few flurries. The snow that has managed to stick, has melted very quickly. I do miss having snow during winter as the surroundings are very grey without it – bare trees and brown grass in the parks do not brighten up the concrete buildings and sidewalks.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that my day on Tuesday ended with a highlight. I attended an event organised by Frenzy Presents of Harper Collins Canada. (If you did not see my post, click here). I enjoyed the event as I always do. It was fun to go out for a little and meet another author (whose book I loved, by the way. If you want to read my review, click here). The key lime pie we ate was also very tasty. It was my first time trying it and it is definitely a pie I will eat again.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that during the past week I did quite a bit of organising of my students’ work. My aim this week is to write their report cards – which are due in 2 weeks time. I have been recording their results; and testing their oral, reading and writing skills. It is not an easy task as I try my best to put the correct symbols next to their name.

If we were having coffee I would tell you that by the end of the school week, I felt like I had not had a break. This is a busy time of year as we get everything sorted to write the report cards. Teachers are closeting themselves in their rooms during lunch times as they work towards the upcoming deadline. After the deadline has been achieved, things at school will be a little bit more relaxed.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I foresee a busy week ahead. I know that I am going to have to focus and stick to my goals of the day so that I do not get stressed. I wish you a wonderful week ahead – may it be a stress-free one.

What would you tell me if we were having coffee?

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

(This post is linked to Eclectic Alli and the Weekend Coffee Share)

Frenzy Presents Ben Philippe

~ Colline ~ 8 Comments

Yesterday evening I attended an event to celebrate the release of Ben Philippe’s debut novel The Field Guide to the North American Teenager (you can read my review here). The event, held by Harper Collins Canada for book bloggers, took place at a pie and coffee shop in the Kensington area of Toronto. As my daughter and I walked along the street, we recognised that we had strolled along the same road during the past summer and that we had actually walked past this store front but not gone in. We walked in, curious about this venue that had been chosen by the organisers of the event.

The vibe at the venue was thrumming once everyone had arrived and we were all keen to hear Ben Philippe speak. Most of us had already read his novel and wished to learn a little more about the writer. Unfortunately he did not speak long to the large group as the venue was noisy and he could not be heard clearly. However when he personalised the copies of our books, we had the opportunity to speak to him a bit. I loved that he is enthusiastic about his story, and that he was curious how people responded to the ending. I agree with the way he ended the story, though not everyone in attendance did.

My daughter and I had a lovely evening at the event. We met new people, had the chance to meet a wonderful debut author, and had some key lime pie (which is often mentioned in the novel 🙂 )

Do you wish to read The Field Guide to the North American Teenager?

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

(This post was inspired by Trent’s Weekly Smile, a challenge which focuses on sharing all things positive.)

A Frenzy Presents Event

~ Colline ~ 9 Comments

Yesterday I was lucky to be able to attend an event organised by Harper Collins Canada. I had connected with the marketing people over Twitter as a book blogger and a spot was offered to me to attend. I went yesterday not knowing what to expect but with a sense of anticipation. As I stepped into the venue, I could feel the excitement as book people chatted about the upcoming titles in Young Adult fiction.

I did not know what to expect and was pleased to receive a copy of Laurie Forest’s books – she was the guest author at the event. The Black Witch was published last year; The Iron Flower will come out in the Fall. These novels are fantasy fiction (my favourite kind) and I look forward to reading them in the upcoming weeks. Before the author spoke, each member of the Harper Collins team told us what books they had enjoyed reading – there are a number that interested me and which I am eager to read (all of them fantasy fiction!). And to top it all, before leaving the event each person received a bag filled with goodies – including 3 arcs. 🙂

The event was definitely a book lover’s perfect event. I will spend the next week enjoying the swag given to us – the best activity to immerse myself in before school starts next week!

Have you ever been to a bookish event?

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2018