The Weekly Update: 3/13/16

 
 
Ugh, I have bad news, guys: my computer broke.

It acted up one night and just kept turning on and off by itself, but then it worked fine again the next day. I ran some scans and updates, but they found nothing. I turned my computer off at the end of the day, and that was when it decided to break for real. I didn't lose much (just a couple book reviews which is disheartening but not dire), but this is still a big problem because the computer is only a year old, and I can't be without a computer all because Toshiba makes you send it away for weeks to get it repaired. And they make you pay for shipping to get it there, even under warranty. That, or I have to spend $115 to buy recovery media to do it myself, when that still might not work, because that's not provided under warranty either. And I was going to get my last few files from the hard drive, but they make it impossible to simply remove the hard drive because they want you to rely on them for everything. So this is my public I'M NEVER BUYING TOSHIBA AGAIN announcement.

In the meantime, I'm trying to at least get my hands on something I can use temporarily, and I've got my kindle, but I don't know if I'll be posting this week :-/ (this post was already mostly done). So if I'm not the best blogger at the moment, please forgive me!

Blog/Bookish Updates:

So remember how last week I was talking how I was stressed because I had 6 review copies? Well I finished 3 of them! …But I also managed to obtain 6 more. Oops. Lol. I think I’m in a downward spiral, guys. This is how it starts, isn’t it?

Anyway, since everyone posts what books they get each week, I thought I’d give it a shot this week too. There’s a lot of negativity in this post, sharing something positive probably can’t hurt lol.

Books I Received for Review:

Soulless by Sarah J. Pepper | books, reading, book covers
Nightstruck by Jenna Black | books, reading, book covers
Wish for Me by A. Star | books, reading, book covers
Artificial by Jadah McCoy | books, reading, book covers
Princess of Tyrone by Katie Hamstead | reading, books
Thereafter by Terri Bruce | books, reading, book covers
 

Books I Finished:

Hereafter by Terri Bruce | books, reading, book covers
Soulless by Sarah J. Pepper | books, reading, book covers
 

Hereafter was different and thought-provoking, and I’ll be posting my review for it soon. Soulless, however, was not for me. Now I have to submit the dreaded negative review-copy review. Is there even a way to not sound mean when you dislike a book this much? And the best news is, apparently I’m the only person who feels this way since mine will be the first rating below 3 stars -_-

Song of the Week:

Wild Horses by Bishop – I just like this song, no real reason why.

In Case You Missed It:

Cover Characteristics: Book Covers featuring Hands
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Traits that Make Me Love a Character
Discussion: Ten Things that Turn Me Off in Book Blurbs
Book Review: Rises the Night (The Gardella Vampire Hunters Book 2) by Colleen Gleason
Book Review: Tempest by Cari Z.

The Sunday Post Link-Up:

Once again, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer 🙂

 
 
 
 

Talk to me!

Did you find any good books or music last week?

 
 
[shared_counts]
 
 
 

Your Thoughts

 

26 thoughts on “The Weekly Update: 3/13/16

I'd love if you'd share your thoughts, too!

 

Leave a Reply to Jade @ Bedtime Bookworm Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 
  1. Nicola

    Oh no! Sorry about your computer 🙁 That sucks you can’t get the hard drive out.

    As for the negative review, there’s a difference between being critical and cruel. Be honest, and don’t sugarcoat (or try desperately to find something to compliment), but don’t be rude (which I’m sure you won’t be!). It’ll be fine 🙂

    1. Kristen Burns

      Thanks. Luckily it was only a couple files I lost.

      But ugh! This review thing is like my worst nightmare lol. Even though it’s through Netgalley, it’s self-published, so I think it’ll go straight to the author. But I feel like I was misled by all the glowing reviews! So maybe my review can at least save someone else from ending up in this position.

  2. Annika @ Hiding in Books

    Sorry about your laptop! That sounds like a nightmare! Hope they don’t take too long to fix it.
    I’m definitely caught in the same downward spiral of review copies! But it’s okay – as long as you don’t finish 3 of those and then get 6 more… 😉

    1. Kristen Burns

      Thanks :-/ But ugh, that downward review copy spiral lol. If the pattern keeps up, this week I’ll end up reading 4.5 books, but I’ll get 9 more 😛

  3. Greg

    That sucks about your computer- I would be pissed. 🙂 Turning on and off by itself… that’s kinda weird.

    Okay Nightstruck looks awesome. I read the blurb, and the cover… is that a manhole cover with teeth? I think I like that book. 🙂 Artificial looks kinda good too. I know what you mean about negative reviews- fun. I just read one (not a review copy) that other bloggers gave 5 stars, but it didn’t work for me nearly that well. I was surprised how highly it was rated…

    Nice song by Bishop!

    1. Kristen Burns

      I am pissed! That’s why I’m publicly shaming Toshiba lol.

      That is definitely a manhole cover with teeth, haha. I’m almost halfway through and not a ton had happened yet, but so far so good. I’m enjoying it. And yeah, I feel like I haven’t read much sci-fi lately, but Artificial sounded good.

      I’m surprised by the glowing reviews on this book too! I feel like they misled me. It’s one of those cases of, did these people read the same book as me?

  4. Deborah

    Oh Kristen, sorry to hear about your computer. My iMac has been playing up for months and will die very soon – but it’s lasted me over 5yrs so I’m very lucky.

    I now have a hard drive permanently plugged into it getting backups so hopefully I won’t lose anything or too much when it does go.

    Hope you’re able to get it repaired quickly and without too much stress!
    x

    1. Kristen Burns

      Thanks! I feel like I have some sort of electronics curse. I used tho complain so much about the first laptop I ever had, but now I want it back because at least it lasted like four years. I’m just really lucky I was able to get most everything off of it or I’d be having a complete meltdown.

  5. Lola

    I am so sorry to hear about your computer! I hate computer problems and am always anxious something will happen to my computer. I had a computer before my current one that a friend of my sister had made for me, but it didn’t work well and the different parts didn’t work together and it always had problems, some days it wouldn’t start and I had to hold the reset button and try again and again until it would start. It’s such a relief to have a computer now that doesn’t have those issues anymore.

    And that’s nasty you have to pay so much to get it fixed and pay for the shipping. And it’s even worse your computer is only a year. I hope you can find a substitute or are able to fix your computer soon. I can’t imagine how horrible it must be to be without a computer.

    And yes that’s how the downward spiral of review copies starts. I manage to read review some copies, but I keep adding more too. Your new review books do look great, I hope you’ll enjoy them. Have a great week!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Thanks. Computer problems are always a crisis :-/ And I feel like I have some sort of electronics curse. I’m as careful as possible, and still my stuff breaks for no reason. And I can’t be without a composer! I use it for everything.

      I used to wonder how people ended up with so many review copies they were behind on, but I get it now lol. Still, I’m happy to have them, they do look good! Thanks, you too 🙂

  6. Jade @ Bedtime Bookworm

    Oh man, that’s terrible to hear about your computer! I had a toshiba once and although it didn’t die suddenly like yours, it slowed down so much in the first six months of use! I ended up going back to a mac after 2 years of struggling with my slow toshiba. I’ve always had good luck with macs and even though they are incredibly expensive, the reliability of them is worth it for me. Because I’m like married to my computer. If it was gone it would be like I am missing an arm or something LOL. Good luck with the computer situation girl!!

    1. Kristen Burns

      I’ve never had a Mac. They confuse me lol. But maybe I should consider it in the future if they’re more reliable. It is like I’m missing a part of myself though! I spent the first day literally doing nothing but moping and stressing. Yesterday I finally decided to at least reply to comments on my kindle, and then I finally got control enough of my stress to start reading one of my review copies since its not like I have anything else to do lol. Thanks!

  7. Anissa @ She Reads Too Much

    Oh my gosh, I often worry about my computer conking out. The thought absolutely terrifies me and I just don’t even know what I’d do. I’m sorry you have to deal with that! 🙁 Looks like you got some good new books, I hope you enjoy them! 😀

    1. Kristen Burns

      It’s the worst! I seriously spent a whole day or two doing nothing, too stressed to even read! But now I’m using the time tho at least read one of my review copies. I am excited about my books at least, so thanks!

    1. Kristen Burns

      It IS a stupid computer. And a stupid company. Stupid Toshiba.

      I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say ARCs are evil lol, but magically maybe. They just seem to multiply all on their own…

  8. Daniela Ark

    ohhh now I know why I didn’t get my favorite top tens in my inbox! ugh sorry to hear that 🙁
    Take comfort in knowing you are greatly missed 🙂
    How was Soulless??? I was going to requested but had to exercise some restrain because my ARCs are piling up and my new BFF is gonna get mad at me 🙂

    1. Kristen Burns

      Aww thank you <3 I managed to get on a computer today, so I will at least have a post tomorrow going up tomorrow. But until the situation is sorted, my posts may be a little sporadic :-/ Anyway, I personally cannot recommend Soulless. I mean, I guess everyone's taste is different since it has a bunch of great ratings... but I think I'm giving it one star. I'll be posting my review either this or next week, but I'm kind of dreading it because I hate giving bad reviews!

      Your comments always crack me up though lol. I love that you're now referring to Netgalley as your new BFF 😛

  9. Bookworm Brandee

    I’m so sorry for your computer woes, Kristen. That sucks. I hope you’ve found a solution of some sort. As for your ARCs…bwahahahaha!! Yes, this is how it all starts……

    Hope you’ve had a good week. Sorry I’ve been MIA – been busy with kids and doing an editing job. 🙂

    1. Kristen Burns

      Thanks, it’s been really stressful. I’ve got something to use at the moment, but I still don’t know exactly what’s going on with the computer situation or when I’ll be completely back on track.

      I used to wonder how people ended up falling behind with so many review copies, but I get it now lol.

      No worries, I’ve been MIA too because of the computer stuff!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Thanks. It does seem like every piece of electronics is just getting more and more fragile and unstable. What good does it do to have all the apps and things they’re able to do if they just break? The first laptop I had was heavy and clunky, but at least it lasted me 4 or 5 years!