in my mailbox (15)

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

To the great dismay and horror surprise of my local librarians, I, the unrelenting Scourge of All Libraries, am now back in action! I've finally paid my massive, gigantic library fines* (why yes, it hurt very badly**). And I meant to check out a gazillion books in celebration but I thought about it and the pain was enough to limit me to fifteen. And here are the books I'm planning to review out of those:







1. Gone by Lisa McMann: Why hello, sentence fragments! I enjoyed both Wake and Fade, so I'm looking forward to reading this final book in the trilogy.

2.North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Hadley: Although this book has the same stock photo as one of my least favorite books, Evermore (review), I'm willing to give a try. It seems to be a good contemporary book with a great message.

3. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness: I LOVE dystopian fiction. And this book has so much praise tacked onto it that it's mind-boggling. So, so excited.

4. After by Amy Efaw: The cover with all the white is pretty striking, and I've heard good things about this one as well.

5. Wish by Alexandra Bullen: This book has a cool, fun premise and I love how her dress disintegrates into stars. So pretty :)


*I love the library. I do. But it seems that I'm always either paying off fines of accumulating them. Gah.

** *waves goodbye to chunk of savings* But to tell the truth, if I'm going to have to pay fines for anything, I'm most happy to pay money to a library. At least my forgetfulness is leading to some good (more money for the library).

in my mailbox (14) + whoah, 400 followers & nifty poll

Before your regularly scheduled IMM (hosted by The Story Siren):


See that puppy? Imagine that's what I'm like on the inside: Leaping for joy in the grass, tongue askew, and slightly crosseyed with joy. And hair streaming in the wind. YES, ME.

Because....

I JUST HIT 400 FOLLOWERS! *does happy dance*

*is in disbelief* I'm not sure how it happened but I am very, very happy which means CHOCOLATE FOR EVERYONE! You guys are amazing for following my crazy blog.

I'm not sure if I'll do a celebratory giveaway or not., which is why I have the poll located niftily at the right hand corner where you can vote 1) Yes, do a smaller international giveaway (most likely one book of your choice at the Book Depository) or 2) Hold off a bit and hold a BIG giveaway a bit later on.

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!

And onto the real IMM post:




1) Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien: So, on the inside, there's a note from the editor that describes Birthmarked as "The Handmaid's Tale meets The Hunger Games." Which is about all I need to know in order to FANGIRL SQUEAL after it arrived on my doorstep.

2) Hamlet by Shakespeare: Oh Hamlet, how much I've heard about thou!

I mean, this is the play where quotes like "To be or not to be, that is the question" and "The lady doth protest too much, methinks," come from. *swoons*

I bought it because it's been assigned for my English class. Which I'm pretty happy about. Because usually, my English class never has assigned reading. I've never read a whole play by Shakespeare; even Romeo and Juliet in 9th grade was deemed "too complicated" for our little freshmen minds to comprehend. Ouch. We watched a movie on it instead. [sarcasm] Gee, thanks, Freshman-English-Teacher-who-will-go-unnamed. [/sarcasm] And then in 10th grade we read a bit of Julius Caesar, the comic strip, and watched a movie instead of actually, you know, reading the whole darn thing.

Anyways, I'm glad I'm finally reading something by Shakespeare and will no longer be a complete Shakespeare ignoramus.

in my mailbox (13)

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Won from Sophistikatied Reviews:

Bought from Costco:

From the trusty used bookstore:

1. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken: Woot for winning a contest and thanks a bunch Katie! I'm really happy because I've been dying to get my hands on Brightly Woven and this is my second ARC and such a lovely book too :D

2.The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: There's a movie coming out and it was super cheap at Costco. Also, I've been hearing glowing things about this book and since Niffenegger has come into the spotlight with that $5 million book deal of hers, I figured I'd make an exception for this book. It'll be my first non-classic adult book review!

3. The Picture of Dorian Gray: Recommended by the lovely ink. Apparently, Wilde makes purple prose become enviable descriptions. Can't wait to read it :D

In My Mailbox [12]

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

So I stole, borrowed my Mom's library card and got these two pretties:

Bought from Amazon:

From the lovely Becky at The Bookette:

1. Fallen by Lauren Kate: So I'm not ashamed to say that most of the reason I wanted to read this is because of the cover. Definitely one of the coolest covers I've ever seen and hopefully this will break the reading slump I've been having with paranormal romances.

2. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl: Again, another one of those crazy bestselling hyped books. I feel left out not having read it yet, haha. Again, hoping to break the paranormal romance slump.

3. Sweethearts by Sara Zarr: I love this cover. So, so cute. And I'm proud of myself because this definitely falls under the reading more contemporary resolution.

4. The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh: From the book description, this sounds like exactly the sort of middle grade novel I'd love. Also, the great review from The Bookette convinced me of it's amazing-ness so I can't wait to read it!

In My Mailbox [11] - Fangirl Version-

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

WARNING: much crazy, exclamatory fangirl squealing in the post below. Read at your own risk.

THIS IS THE BEST WEEK EVER!

becausebecausebecause SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I got FOUR books I was DYING to read. OMG!!!1!!!!!!!11!!!!!1!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!11!!!

Ahem.

*calms down*

*gets excited again*

OMG.

*does happy dance*

This is the most excited I've ever been for books in a while *hyperventilates*

*dies*

The Newest Diana Wynne Jones book:

Lolita!!!! *dies*

Newest Courtney Summers book:

Been recommended a MILLION times:

1. Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones: *DIES AGAIN*

OMGOMGOMGOMGOOMGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahem.

As you may or may not know, I'm sort of obsessed with anything DWJ writes. She's just so amazing, her books are the best thing since chocolate bars, and I love everything she writes with all my heart. She's probably my favorite author if you asked me to pick one. AND OMG I HAVE HER LATEST BOOK AND I'M READING IT RIGHT NOW NOW NOW. SQUEEEE!!!!!!!!!

*is unashamed of fangirlism*

*says in creepy Gollum voice*

MYYYYYYYYYYYyyyyyyy PRECIOUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. *strokes book*

Also, I'm even more excited because I got it four months before the actual US release date, which is in April, not January as it is in the UK. *huggles Book Depository* *showers Book Depository with chocolate* *huggles book* So I might have to hold off on the review for a bit :(

2. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov: So, I'm been trying to read this book for HALF A YEAR, no joke *gnashes teeth*. Every time I went to the library, it was always "DUE" "OVERDUE" or "IN PROCESSING", whatever the heck that means. And the outrage, the horror, the digrace! The local bookstore didn't even have it when I went. So finally I got fed up and bought it online. And I'm nearly done and it's so beautiful and amazing and quite possibly one of the best books I've ever read and I only have a bit left but I put it down to read Enchanted Glass and this is when FOUR EYES would come in handy so I could read two books at once. *wants four eyes*

3. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers: *dies* OMG. Okay, so Summer's Cracked Up to Be was amazing, I loved it and reviewed it but mostly loved it and reread it. I've been waiting very impatiently for this to arrive and I got it this morning and read it...and OMG. *dies* Amazing :) Review coming soon!

4. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie: Love the title, love the book blurb. And this is another one of those I've been meaning to read for months. I've been recommended it a couple million times and I'd always been meaning to get it but finally I bought it real cheap at a bookstore! Whooo! Can't wait to read it to see if it lives up to the hype (which I'm pretty sure it will).

-end of fangirlism-

Wait...just one more time...

OMG SO SHINY SHINY NEW BOOKS SHINY!!!!!

In My Mailbox [10]

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren

So, I've still been getting TONS of books from my after-Christmas book-buying spree. I feel like such a book-glutton, haha. All recieved in the mail.

Rosoff Mania:

1. Willow by Julia Hoban: So I'd seen some glowing reviews of this book around the blogosphere and the premise sounded interesting. And it fits nicely into my resolution to read more contemporary.

2. Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta: I read a review by a writer friend that said this book was AMAZING so I took her word for it and bought it!

3. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta: OKAY I FINALLY GOT IT THIS WEEK AND I ALREADY READ IT AND OMG IT IS MORE AMAZING AND SPARKLY THAN EVERYONE SAYS IT IS OMG I'M A TOTAL JELLICOE FANGIRL NOW.

4. Smack by Melvin Burgess: Figured I'd venture for some edgy YA. I've seen this book recced practically everywhere, so I'm pretty curious to see if it's as great as everyone says.

5. What I Was by Meg Rosoff: *dies* Boarding school. Britain. That's all I needed to know before I bought it.

6. Just in Case by Meg Rosoff: So the premise sounds awesome. Trying to escape fate? Renaming yourself Justin Case? Haha. Can't wait to read this one :)

7. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff: All I have to say is this won the PRINTZ and the main character moves to ENGLAND. It better be mind-bogglingy amazing!

In My Mailbox [9]

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren

Haven't done one of these for a while!

But, pretty exciting times this week, as I got my first ARC (courtesy of 1 ARC Tours). Also, I've gotten a lot richer after Christmas and went on a never-ending book buying spree that I'm pretty sure killed a whole forest. But felled trees aside, I've at least managed to stay true to one of my New Year Resolutions (read more contemporary).

Seven books in total this week.

My firstest, very shiny beautiful ARC:

Bought from Amazon/Book Depository:

Bought at Bookstore:

1. Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White: So happy I managed to get my hands on an ARC--this is the type of book I would be waiting for impatiently for months to come out otherwise. I really like the cover and the blurb makes it seem like such a fun, lovely read.

2. I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak: OMG I LOVE MARKUS ZUSAK (he is amazing and if you haven't read The Book Thief you've been living a sad, unfulfilled life GO READ IT NOW). I LOVE I am the Messenger as well and read it a few times already, but I wanted a copy for myself so I could reread it whenever I wanted to. Lovely, lovely book. :)

3. Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr: National Book Award Finalist. I'm hoping to strike contemporary gold here, as I've heard this book is GREAT.

4. The Year of Secret Assignments by Jackyln Moriarty: Same here, with me trying to read some good contemporary. I've heard this one is wonderful as well!

5. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta: So I'm ashamed to admit I STILL haven't read Jellicoe Road (which everyone tells me is the MOST AMAZING book that ever existed). And thanks to all the Marchetta-love I've gone on a buying spree of her books. This just happened to be the first one that I received.

6. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong: So I had a copy somewhere and I never got around to reading it and I think I gave the copy away to a friend (and never got it back). But I've been wanting to read this for a while and it was pretty cheap at the bookstore.

7. If I Stay by Gayle Foreman: Aside from having the most GORGEOUS cover I've seen in a while, it's also, yay contemporary! And I've been seeing it on a lot of "Best of 2009" blogger lists. So it must be good, huh?

In My Mailbox [8]

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren

More library books. But I have already started accumulating fines so this most likely will be the end of my library plundering for some time:

Bought: used copy of Wuthering Heights

1. Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard: This seems like a cute, fun book and I really like Pride and Prejudice! I think I'll enjoy this one--always been a fan of time travel :)

2. Impossible by Nancy Werlin: The cover is so beautiful that I couldn't resist. Another retelling, this one of Scarborough Fair.

3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte: I LOVED Jane Eyre--one of my all-time classic favorites--which is by her sister. I had a copy of Wuthering Heights but never got around to reading it--the typeface is better suited for munchkins than my much-abused eyes. So I bought this normally-sized font one for next to nothing, in the hopes that I'll finally read it.

In My Mailbox [7]

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren

So, as a continuation of the plundering of the library...






1. Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia: AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING premise. China (and all of Asia) is just so rich with legends and beautiful history, and I really think there needs to be more YA books that tap into that. My mom is even more excited to read this then me*. And I hope this will help me with connecting with my Chinese heritage through reading. Sort of. Hopefully. The point is, I really would like to read more books with an Asian main character or Asian legends.

2. Beastly: modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and if I'm correct, I believe there is a movie in the works. I absolutely LOVE Beauty and the Beast, so looking forward to reading this one.

3. Need: There is something about this cover--the gold lips, perhaps?--that bade me to pick it up. I knowknowknow that I probably shouldn't be reading paranormal romances after my recent spaz attack from reading what I shall not-so-politely refer to as Twilight vomit**, but Need has MAINE AS A SETTING! If at any point there are descriptions of fall leaves, this will well be worth reading. And hopefully, this will be the best paranormal romance I've read.

4. Betraying Season: The sequel to a book I adored, Bewitching Season***. So I am beyond excited to get started on this one. Just love the time period of Regency England so much :)

5. The Lost Conspiracy: I loved Fly by Night, another book by Frances Hardinge, more than I can describe****. When I saw this I almost had a heart attack*****, since I hadn't known that there was a new book coming out by her.

*I suspect she's secreted it away from me because I can't find it at the moment. And no, this is NOT an excuse for my disorganized state of being
**Youknowwhatbookyouare
*** which I won a signed copy of!!!!
**** (*hint* upcomingFridayFavorite *hint*)
***** in a good-ish way, if that is even possible.

What's in your mailbox this week?

In My Mailbox [6]

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren

So, I finally cleared my fines at the library today. Doing so practically wiped out my savings, but I luuuuuuuurve my library. I even *gasp* composed a poem while I was browsing the library:

Oh, library! How I love thee.
Your books are free,
a gorgeous sight to see.
How long you've been separated from me!

*followers stampede their way to the exit*
WAIT, COME BACK! You poor followers, what I put you through sometimes...no more ghastly poetry, I promise :p

Anways, I checked out 33 books. Very shiny books. Way too many for an IMM post, so I'll pick the top five I'm looking forward to reading.

"Hot picks"/ New releases--Actually, I was really surprised that my library had any new releases, since my library is pretty sucky normally. I take that back though. My library is now lovely, since they had these books:

The books I've been meaning to read FOREVER:

1. Sleepless : Such an striking cover! And the premise of students "killing in their sleep" gives me shivers.

2. Give Up the Ghost: I've been seeing this in the bookstore and pining over it. I've been wanting a good ghost novel for a while, and I'm hoping this will be it.

3. Prophecy of the Sisters: Love this cover so much, and the "dark prophecy"sounds so intriguing!

4. Paper Towns: I loved Looking for Alaska, and I've heard that Paper Towns is even better. So I can't wait to crack open this one!

5. The Forest of Hands and Teeth: Dystopian and absolutely fantastic, if the reviews all over the YA blogosphere are anything to go by. I want to read this so badly that I was actually going to order it off Amazon this week, but the library has saved me the trouble (and the money!). Paying my fines is sort of balancing out.

I am officially a library book glutton now. Time to go gorge myself on my book feast :)

In My Mailbox [5]

This is a weekly meme hosted by Story Siren.

RIBed:

Bought:


Pilfered from sister's bookshelf:

1. Girl in the Arena. Decided to read this book because the hint of gladiators hooked me in. I was hoping for something like the Hunger Games.

2. Evermore. This was $5.99 in Costco. Which to me is simply irresistible. And I really like the sound of Ever's psychic powers!

3. A Certain Slant of Light. I've been dying to read this book for some time. And I could not believe it when I saw this on my sister's bookshelf. I took it without asking borrowed it. :)

In My Mailbox [4]

I actually had stuff from the mail yesterday! Two nice, book-shaped packages waiting for me after school. And then I toddled off to B&N to buy another book.

Won from Contest (at Princess Bookie):

For Review:

Bought:

1.Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle: OMG *fangirl squeals* SHE SIGNED THE BOOK! A real, living author has signed a book that I own! And there was bookmark and a door hanger as well. And she actually had to write my full name on a envelope before she sent it! I was literally jumping up and down when I saw that she'd signed it. I mean, this is HUGE. I am so excited! I've already read this book when it first came out, and I really enjoyed it. So I'm over the moon right now :)

2. The Squire's Quest by Gerald Morris: *more fangirl squealing* I LOVE HIS BOOKS. LOVE THEM! They are really hard to get a hold of around here, but I've managed to get my hands on most so far. I'm so excited to read this latest book of his that just came out--he's one of my favorite authors for sure.

3. Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers: I'd been hearing so much good stuff about this book (*cough* Emilia + Jessica + Kody *cough* :DDDD) and then I read the first chapter on Amazon. And I was hooked, the I-need-to-get-my-hands-on-this-book-or-I-might-just-die-of-anticipation-kind. So yesterday, I bought it. And read it. AMAZING. More on this later, prolly.

So, in summation:

BEST. WEEK. EVER!

The is a weekly meme hosted by Story Siren.