Sunday, March 7, 2010

In My Mailbox (27)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme inspired by Alea and hosted by Kristi. Check out Kristi's blog to see what others got in terms of books this week!

I went happy-time buying books this week, so in this IMM and the next you'll probably see a lot of books I bought, lol. It makes me happy!

For review:

Vintage Veronica by Erica S. Perl
(Knopf / March 9, 2010)

Veronica Walsh is 15, fashion-minded, fat, and friendless. Her summer job in the Consignment Corner section (Employees Only!) of a vintage clothing store is a dream come true. There Veronica can spend her days separating the one-of-a-kind gem garments from the Dollar-a-Pound duds, without having to deal with people. But when two outrageous yet charismatic salesgirls befriend her and urge her to spy on and follow the mysterious and awkward stock boy Veronica has nicknamed the Nail, Veronica’s summer takes a turn for the weird. Suddenly, what began as a prank turns into something else entirely. Which means Veronica may have to come out of hiding and follow something even riskier for the first time: her heart.

Morpheus Road, Book 1: The Light by D. J. MacHale
(Simon & Schuster / April 20, 2010)

#1 NYT bestselling author D.J. MacHale's Morpheus Road trilogy brings readers down an ethereal pathway between the worlds of the living and dead. An older middle-grade supernatural series that tells the story of a sixteen-year-old boy who is being hunted and haunted by ghosts.

I've seen this author's name around A LOT, and while it doesn't seem like the time of book I'd normally pick up (I'm not really a ghost kind of girl), I think I'll give this a try.

Bought:

Anahita's Woven Riddle by Meghan Nuttall Sayres
(Abrams / Nov. 2006)

In this enchanting historical novel, a nomad in nineteenth-century Iran takes fate into her own hands when her father promises her in marriage to a man she dislikes. Anahita convinces her father to let her hold a contest in which potential suitors must correctly answer the riddle she has woven into her wedding carpet. A diplomat, a schoolteacher, a shepherd, and a prince compete in Anahita's battle of wits for the heart of this extraordinary girl.


Weaving a bit of fairy tale into her rich exploration of Persian life, Meghan Nuttall Sayres has written a debut novel that delights and fascinates.

Seriously, this looks FANTASTIC. I found it on sale for a dollar at a local library sale. It sounds like a retelling of a fairy tale that I remember loving when I was younger. That, combined with the Middle Eastern setting and characters... I look forward to reading this book!

Mirrorscape by Mike Wilks
(EgmontUSA / Oct. 2009)

Melkin Womper is thrilled to escape his dull future as a village weaver and develop his artistic talent when he’s apprenticed to Ambrosius Blenk, one of Vlam’s most famous masters. Mel is especially excited by the colors that he’ll be able to use, since color is a very expensive Pleasure, strictly controlled by the sinister Fifth Mystery.


Mel can’t wait to enjoy the wonders of the grand city and begin his important work for Blenk. Instead, his dreams are quickly crushed by the reality of days filled with unimportant tasks and bullying by the other apprentices whose wealthy families have purchased their positions. Still, the promise of working under the great Blenk and studying his legendary paintings makes the misery bearable.


But when Mel and his new friends, Ludo and Wren, inadvertently stumble into a battle between the Fifth Mystery and the Rainbow Rebellion, an underground band fighting to make Pleasures affordable for all, the trio must step through Blenk’s paintings into the Mirrorscape. In this alternative world, the friends encounter monsters, mazes, talking houses, angels, and more.

I've seen this book around but have heard very little of it. Yet when I found it on sale I couldn't resist. The synopsis does sound pretty good, doesn't it?

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
(Razorbill / Feb. 2010)

As if being a purrfect cheerleader isn't enough responsibility! Tessa Crimson's the sweet and spunky leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), a cheer squad–turned–spy society dedicated to bringing dastardly boyfriends to justice, one cheater at a time. Boyfriend-busting wouldn't be so bad . . . except that so far, every suspect on the Naughty List has been proven 100% guilty!


When Tessa's own boyfriend shows up on the List, she turns her sleuthing skills on him. Is Aiden just as naughty as all the rest, or will Tessa's sneaky ways end in catastrophe?

Hooray for Tenners!

Never After by Dan Elconin
(Simon Pulse / Oct. 2009)

There is no place like a dysfunctional home.


Leaving everything behind for the Island was Ricky's dream come true. When his happily ever after is not quite what it seems, he discovers that running away means running toward bigger problems.


Trapped on the Island, Ricky must join together with the only people he can trust to help him face his fears and return home. But the only way off the Island is to confront the person who trapped Ricky and his friends in the first place. With countless enemies and true peril staring them down, Ricky's mission to leave this so-called paradise will become a battle for their very lives.

I've heard good things about this novel and decided to finally check it out!

The Dead & the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / June 2008)

Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life as We Knew It enthralled and devastated readers with its brutal but hopeful look at an apocalyptic event—an asteroid hitting the moon, setting off a tailspin of horrific climate changes. Now this harrowing companion novel examines the same events as they unfold in New York City, revealed through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Puerto Rican Alex Morales. When Alex's parents disappear in the aftermath of tidal waves, he must care for his two younger sisters, even as Manhattan becomes a deadly wasteland, and food and aid dwindle.


With haunting themes of family, faith, personal change, and courage, this powerful new novel explores how a young man takes on unimaginable responsibilities.

The first book in this series, Life As We Knew It, is one of my favorite books of all time, and yet I haven't been able to pick this book up yet. In preparation for the release of the third book next month, however, my blogger friend Meg and I are going to have a mini read-along of this book next weekend! Basically we're just going to Tweet each other back and forth as we read this; if you want in just let one of us know! :)

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
(Penguin / March 9, 2010)

17-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends most of her time tucked safely in the shadow of her outgoing sister, Bailey. Their mother left when Lennie was one, and their sisterhood — and the support of their wacky and loving Gran and perfectly Northern Californian hippie uncle — has pulled them through. So when Bailey suddenly dies, Lennie crumples. At first, it seems the only person who truly understands the depth of her loss is Bailey’s ex-boyfriend, Toby. Their mutual grief turns into something that seems confusingly like romance. Then there’s the nearly magical allure of Joe Fontaine, new boy in town and thrillingly talented musician, who is falling for Lennie as fast as she’s falling for him.


One boy is like the sun, the other the moon; one takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But Joe’s been hurt before, and when he walks in on Lennie and Toby, Lennie is forced to take responsibility for her actions. What she discovers is not just love, but the strength to admit to her dreams of Julliard, confront her anger towards her mother, and ultimately, claim her rightful position as first clarinet — not just in the band, but in the crazy cacophony of her life.

I was a bad girl: I walked into Borders one night, not really expecting to buy anything. This book kept jumping into my hands and refused to leave me alone. I read the first few pages, my attention was captured, and before I knew it, this book was taking up space in my car on my way home. Grrr. *grins* Just kidding. I've heard nothing but good things about this book. I can't wait to read it.

Borrowed from library:

The Returners by Gemma Malley
The Way He Lived by Emily Wing Smith
The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade
The Poison Eaters and Other Stories by Holly Black
This Book Isn't Fat, It's Fabulous by Nina Beck - on Lenore's Unsung YA recommendation!
Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman
The Line by Teri Hall

Since I'm on spring break, I'm making March my "Read Borrowed and Bought Recently Released Books" month. These are all books that have been on my wishlist for forever, and I'm having a blast reading through them.

Such a happy book week for me! I hope yours was good as well!

29 comments:

  1. All those books look good, you had a really good week. I think the one I am most pining for is The Sky is Everywhere!!! Happy Reading!!!
    Chioma

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  2. oh wow, Anahita's Woven Riddle does sound really awesome
    I think I've heard a similar story somewhere before, but it's still a rather unique one, I'd love to hear your thoughts =)

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  3. Enjoy your books! Anahita's Woven Riddle sounds interesting, haven't heard of it before.

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  4. Whoa you got some pretty amazing books this week! I have The Naughty List, I can't wait to get started on it. I've heard great things about The Sky Is Everywhere, I hope you like it. Your library has really good books, I'm jealous. I hope you enjoy your books :)

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  5. Those are some really good books! I have heard many many good things about The Sky Is Everywhere too! I am waiting for the UK version to be released though, have you seen the cover? It's so pretty. Happy reading! =D Definitely looking forward to your reviews of The Dead & the Gone, The Sky Is Everywhere and Vintage Veronica.

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  6. Looks like you got some great books! Morpheus Road looks like something I would like.

    Here's what I got: Not-Really-Southern Vamp Chick

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  7. i just discovered The Sky is Everywhere earlier this week and now i'm dying to get my hands on it as well.

    it looks like it was a great week in books for you. happy reading!

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  8. Ooh, you got some *fun* stuff. Buying books makes me happy too, there's nothing like it. The Line and The Naughty List both sound just brilliant to me, although I have to confess to having the Gemma Malley one in my TBR for some time now and not having read it yet.

    I'm reading When You Reach Me right now by the way. I'm loving it!

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  9. I agree that Anahita's Woven Riddle looks amazing, and this has made me want to read Mirrorscape and Never After.
    I hope you enjoy all of the books and the rest of your spring break.

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  10. I honestly need to read Life As We Knew It, in fact, I feel a little ashamed that I haven't because it sounds amazing and the cover is beautiful. I am loving the sound of Mirrorscape and the cover is really different. Vintage Veronica sounds like such a cool book too, never heard of that one before.

    Looking forward to seeing what you think of The Naughty List, I rea this one a while back and wasn't too impressed, it was a fun book, but I found it rather predictable. Same with Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials. I'll keep my eye out for a review :-)

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  13. You have a great list this week! I really want to read The Sky is Everywhere. The cover is just gorgeous! Hope you enjoy The Dead & the Gone!

    Here's mine!
    http://www.bibliochic.com/2010/03/07/in-my-mailbox-2/

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  14. I love your aim for your Spring break. I would love to forget about review books for a while and real all the books that I got for Christmas. Enjoy!

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  15. I haven't heard of Vintage Veronica but it sounds great!
    If I took the time to comment about each of the books you got and how jealous I am, you would never finish reading this one comment.
    I shall restrain and instead say YOU GOT THE BEST BOOKS EVAH THIS WEEK!
    Okay. I'm done. :]

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  16. Great books! Vintage Veronica sounds really cute and I've been meaning to read Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials. I will keep my eye out for your reviews. Have a great spring break!

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  17. omg you got Anahita's Woven Riddle by Meghan Nuttall Sayres for A DOLLAR?! Colour me jealous.... I'm putting this on my to-read list. 8D Can't wait to hear what you think of it! =D

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  18. You got a great selection of books! I wish I had a Spring Break. I just have to fit in reading around the day job. I didn't know DJ MacHale had another book. I'll have to let my assistant (and DJ's biggest fan) know. Happy reading!

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  19. Morpheus Road looks like the start of an amazing read. At least that's what I'm getting from an awesome cover.

    Great books this week! Happy reading.

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  20. That's a happy book week for sure! Lots of great stuff!

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  21. I have Anahita's Woven Riddle on my historical fiction challenge list! It sounds really good although I can't remember if I've heard the fairy tale or not.

    I always get Life As We Knew IT confused by another book by Meg rosoof (forgot the title). The dead & The gone sounds good though.

    Have a fun spring break! I'm envious, ours isn't till April =/

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  22. I'm really looking forward to your reviews of Vintage Veronica and Anahita's Woven Riddle. I'm jealous of your literary loot!

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  23. I had never heard of Anahita's Woven Riddle -- it sounds fascinating. All these books look terrific. Enjoy!

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  24. I loved Anahita's Woven Riddle and a lot of your other books are on my TBR list. I hope you enjoy reading your books!

    Here is what's in my mailbox.

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  25. Woo! Super excited to start The Dead And The Gone this weekend. I have my copy all tucked up on a little shelf, ready to be devoured. :) Can't wait!

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  26. You have some dark-reading head of you. I hope that you will enjoy your books. Here's mine.

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  27. also, have an award for you =)
    http://angeltyuan.blogspot.com/2010/03/award-beautiful-blogger.html

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  28. I read Mirrorscape a couple of years ago, and found it to be a very enjoyable read.

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Hello! I'm so excited to read what you have to say. Due to high amounts of spam, I'm forced to disabled anonymous comments for the time being. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes, and I hope you can understand and still appreciate the content here!

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