In My Mailbox (11)

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YAY!  I had another week of getting awesome books - I am such a lucky bunny!  Plus I have been reading 'The Body Finder' By Kimberley Derting, which I have LOVED!  Review to come in the next few days!!

Bought

 My Name Is Memory By Ann Brashares

I've been intrigued by this book for a while now & saw this and the next book at bargain prices so couldn't resist

Siren By Tricia Rayburn

I actually don't know a great deal about this, but again at the price I couldn't resist.  Plus the girl on the cover has reflective eyes - AMAZING!

Gift

Divergent By Veronica Roth

The amazing, wonderful, fabulous Jenny at Wondrous Reads, surprised me with a copy of this in the mail.  I can honestly say I gasped & did a geek girl dance - I have even started to read this one already - Review shall follow!

These Three Beauties were gifted to me by the gorgeous Laura at SisterSpooky: Book Fangirl  - I really do have the BEST friends!!

Ink Exchange By Melissa Marr

I have Wicked Lovely in my room & keep meaning to read it, but now I have the follow up I think it'll give me more of a push!  Plus they have a tattoo theme <3

Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life By Bryan Lee O'Malley

This is the first of the graphic novels of the series.  Another one I just hadn't gotten round to getting.  So excited to now have it!

Midnighters: Secret Hour By Scott Westerfeld

I don't know a whole lot about this series, but Laura was telling me about it a while ago & I must admit to being intrigued.  Looking forward to giving it a go!

Won

Last week Chicken House tweeted that they were up to 99 likes on their Facebook Page, the 100th would win a bundle of books.  I honestly hadn't even realised they had a facebook group, so I hopped on over & was the very lucky 100 - I've been named their 'Miss 100'  That makes me SO happy :D

Stolen By Lucy Christopher

This sounds kind of different, to what I'd normally pick up off the shelf but so interesting all the same

Reckless By Cornelia Funke

So I actually got a paperback edition of this, that isn't even out to July- Major excitement!  It sounds like such a good book!  I really enjoyed Inkheart, so hopefully this will be just as good!!

Numbers By Rachel Ward

This one is definitely going to be one of my next reads.  Its sounds so amazing & also knowing that its going to become a movie!!  I do like to try and read the books before seeing the movie - I can't wait!

Wood Angel By Erin Bow

I've been saying for the last few weeks that I've really wanted this, so was uber excited to see this included in my bundle.  It has the most gorgeous cover & sounds right up my street!

The Maze Runner By James Dashner
I've seen this book around for a while & must admit I wasn't eager to pick it up, as it looked a bit boyish.  Having now read the Hunger Games, which I had similar misconceptions about, I'm really learning to keep an open mind.  I'm actually very excited about giving this one a go!

Its been a great week!  Thanks so much to Jenny, Laura & the amazing people at Chicken House - YOU ROCKED MY WEEK!!!

Hope you all got great goodies - till next weekend

L-L
xoxo

Review - Cryers Cross (The Missing) By Lisa McMann

"The tiny town of Cryer’s Cross is shocked when a local schoolgirl disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, sixteen-year-old Kendall is freaked out by seeing the empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on… until Kendall's boyfriend disappears.
Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects the missing. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk that they both sat at… Then she begins receiving messages. Can her boyfriend be alive somewhere? How can Kendall help him? The only person who will listen is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating…and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into the mysterious disappearances only to stumble upon some ugly – and deadly – local history.
Kendall is about to find out just how far people will go to keep their secrets buried…"


I was given this a while ago by Jenny & really fancied having a quick read, so this was my book of choice.

I really love the US cover.  Its quite unusual & haunting looking.  I've always had a little fascination with the old style school tables, even more so now after reading this!!
The UK cover & title are both great too.  I'm not always that happy with seeing peoples faces on covers, but this does kind of work.  Will be great to see a real copy!

Anyone that has read any of Lisa McMann's books will know she writes in 3rd person - its a really unusual style to read & initially I always think I'm not going to like it, but honestly after no time I adjusted & read like I would any other book.

I found it quite interesting to read of a person with OCD.  I don't feel this is one of the most commonly talked about mental conditions & that is a shame.  When things are discussed they are so much more understandable & it breaks away all pre-conceptions.  I think Lisa did a great job using this & I really hope more of this kind of thing can be Incorporated into books, as these conditions are getting more and more common.

After 100 pages I was still unsure of where the book was going.  I didn't know if it was going to go sinister or paranormal.  This was both enthralling & a little frustrating, I wanted to know what was going down!!

The big revelations at the end, were definitely unexpected for me.  I read it in bed & did feel slightly disturbed - it actually was a great feeling (I sound weird)

The end was well rounded with just a small lingering question at the end.  In some ways I do hope this is a standalone book, as I'd like my mind to create a bizarre end.  That said if a sequel was made, I'd be there to buy it!!

This was a good, quick read.  It was a great in between book for me to devour!!

Rating 3 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Harper Collins Childrens Books

Due For Release In The UK 9/6/2011

This can be Purchased HERE And at all good bookstores

In My Mailbox (10)

In My Mailbox Is An Awesome Blog Post Idea Hosted By The Story Siren

All links will take you to Amazon

 

I had an amazing week for books this week.  Really excited to start them all.  I also re declared my love for all things Twilight, by buying some Twi stuff.  Its nice to reignite to fire now and again!

Bought

Sadly the British Bookstores chain of shops is closing down.  The only good thing, was some bargain books

 

Clare de Lune By Christine Johnson

I have actually read a copy of this & really enjoyed it, so when I saw it cheap I thought I'd be silly not to buy it!!

Buffy The Vampire Slayer vol.1 

I like most, am a huge Buffy fan.  I've watched every episode of the show, bought merchandise & even gone to conventions for the show.  I've actually not read that many of the books though, so think this is a great way to revisit my old friends

New Moon: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion

Eclipse: The Official Movie Companion

I have the Twilight edition, but never actually got round to buying these two, so once again saw them at a bargain price & thought I'd of been silly to have left them on the shelf!

I saw this New Moon merchandise & I couldn't resist buying it.  I met Jamie Cambell Bower (Caius) at a convention & he is the nicest guy ever, I'm going to like seeing his face when I open my books

Battle Royale By Koushun Takami

I got this at a local charity shop.  It has been read & loved, but that didn't deter me.  I've heard great things about it, so hope to get to read it soon!

Gifts

So I got another fabulous package from the amazing Jenny, she is the BEST!!!

Rivers Of London By Ben Aaronovitch

I hadn't heard much about this before, but on reading the blurb & seeing the amazing cover, I'm really quite excited to start it!

Firelight By Sophie Jordan

This is one, I have been meant to buy for a while.  I've not read any dragon based books before really, so will be a new experience for me

A Gathering Light By Jennifer Donnelly

This book I actually bought & read when it came out back in 2003.  That is a shock for me actually! This will be going to a loving new home soon!

 Tales Of Terror From The Black Ship By Chris Priestley

Again another one I don't really know much about, but it has a Tim Burton look to it & I LOVE Tim Burton, so shall have fun reading this soon 

So rather a good week for me :D  What did you get?? xoxo

Crossed Cover Reveal - Ally Condie

Major excitement from me today, as Ally Condie did the grand reveal of the cover for CROSSED, the sequel to Matched, which was one of my favorite books of last year.
I think it looks amazing!  I love that they have stuck with the bubble theme cover too!

You can see what Ally herself has to say about it HERE

Crossed is due for release in November

You can find my review of Matched HERE

Review - Across The Universe By Beth Revis

"Amy has left the life she loves for a world 300 years away

Trapped in space and frozen in time, Amy is bound for a new planet. But fifty years before she’s due to arrive, she is violently woken, the victim of an attempted murder. Now Amy's lost on board and nothing makes sense - she's never felt so alone.

Yet someone is waiting for her. He wants to protect her; and more if she’ll let him.

But who can she trust amidst the secrets and lies? A killer is out there – and Amy has nowhere to hide . . ."


Yet another of my eagerly anticipated reads.  I heard about this the end of last year and was seriously jealous when everyone started to receive their ARCS and proofs.  Very luckily for me I did get a copy of this a couple of weeks early (of the UK release) from my wonderful friend Jenny at Wondrous Reads

The cover is beautiful.  So fitting for the book theme and story, but also really eye catching.  I would have definitely have picked this up in the shop, had I not of heard of it before.

This is futuristic, so very obviously is sci-fi based.  I generally have a love hate relationship with sci-fi, as all my Dad & brother watched whilst I was growing up was Star Trek, it drove me barmy.  But as I have grown up I have started to see more of what they enjoy and as many of you know I love attending conventions now, so the ratio is switching more to the love.  I love that this book has the sci-fi, but is done in quite a feminine way so this was extremely enjoyable for me.  I also think this is a great book to maybe get people that think they wouldn't be into sci-fi into it.  Anything that broadens peoples interests, gets a big thumbs up from me!

There are just so many aspects of this book that I loved.  All the little details that Beth included are so great.  Like the NEW curse words 'Frexing' & 'Chutz' I'm so going to have to use them in conversations from now on!!  Also the way lots of words had been shortened was brilliant.  Its something that anyone that uses to Internet or texts does.  Its no different to us reading a Jane Austen book now & reading words or phrases that are no longer used.  Language evolves and Beth showed this brilliantly.

Right from the first chapter I was pretty gripped.  The process of being frozen sounded horrendous.  I'm so glad I haven't got to go through it!

There are quite a few ideas in the book that over the years I have sat and thought to myself I wonder if that would be possible or I wonder if that will ever happen.  It was great reading about a world where this was happening.  Made me feel like a fortune teller for a while (oh I wish!)

I loved the way the book was written from two perspectives, of Amy & Elder.  Its done in a similar style to Shiver & Linger By Maggie Stiefvater, which I ADORE so was great for me to read!

There were so many things in the book that shocked me and left me, with my mouth wide open.  Its a reaction I love to have, so once again I really enjoyed it!

One thing the book has definitely made me think is that I need to learn more about history and the way things work.  Amy has struggles with having knowledge, but not knowing enough to show people things accurately & so got me thinking that just in case I'm ever in the same position (being frozen & woken up many years later) there's things that you should definitely know!

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read.  Its very different to a lot of YA books out there and also thought provoking.  I really hope everyone gives this a go.  Its well worth it!!!

Rating 4 1/2 Out Of 5

Published In The UK by Puffin / Razorbill

This Can Be Purchased HERE & at all good bookstores

In My Mailbox (9)

In My Mailbox Is An Awesome Blog Post Idea Hosted By The Story Siren
 

 

 

Sadly this week I didn't get any books *Sobs* But I didn't have a bumper week last week, so think I still have plenty to wade through!!!  I did buy myself a comic though, so that for me qualifies as reading material!!

Bought 

Morning Glories #7

I absolutely adore this series.  It can only be likened to a cross between The Runaways & Lost.  Each issue is more intriguing than the last.  I think this series would be a great way for anyone to introduce themselves to comics!!!

So what wonderful reads did you guys get this week??

L-Lx

Books That Make Me Go Oooooh (4) The Taker By Alma Katsu

The Taker By Alma Katsu
Due For Release 14th April 2011
Published In The UK By Century
Amazon Link
Goodreads Link

"In the novel, set in the 19th century, a girl from northern Maine falls for and gets impregnated by a wealthy local out of her social league. When she flees to Boston to have the baby, she gets swept up by a group of immortal beings, and a tricky love triangle develops after the leader of the undying crew falls for her and gives her everlasting life"

The thing that first drew me to this book was definitely the cover.  Its gorgeous & quite haunting.  This made me want to find out what the book is about & led me to Goodreads.  Wow does this sound good!!!  I cannot wait to get this and devour it as soon as possible!!!