Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This is the first week that I’ve participated even though I’ve seen a lot of other posts pop up every week for it. It seemed like fun, so I’m joining the meme train!

This week the topic is Top Ten Books That Are On The Top Of My TBR List For Fall. Now, just to clarify, I have a lot of books that I want to read this fall but these ones are calling just a little bit more for me to pick them up off the shelf!

1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

2. Timeless by Gail Carriger

3. Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty (plus the next three novels)

4. Sisters Red and Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

5. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

6. Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

7. Crossed by Ally Condie

8. Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer

Does as much as my TBR as humanly possible also count? I think that would take me way over 10. If not, those are my top books in no particular order!

For more information about this meme, visit The Broke and the Bookish. You might just want to join in too!

Unlocking the Sweet Venom 2 Mystery

Are you as excited for Sweet Venom as I am? I don’t doubt that you are considering that you’re here, at my site, waiting patiently for the secret that I’m about to tell you.

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.

Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

As you well know by now (and if you don’t you really need to go here and get caught up) I’m just one stop on the Sweet Venom 2 Title Hunt. Yes, I’m just one lucky blogger who has a little bit of extra knowledge that I can dangle on a string in front of you, all taunting-like, while I ramble on about something that may or may not pertain to what this post is even about. However, I’m not quite that mean (though I’m sure some people might disagree with that) so I won’t drag this out much longer.

First, another run down on what’s up for grabs during this hunt! If you’re one of the lucky few, you might find yourself with one of five copies of Sweet Venom in your hands or the grand prize of a $50 bookstore gift card. Heck, I know I hope that I’m one of the lucky ones who win! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of Sweet Venom. Lucky for me, even if I don’t win (and you do, you fortunate thing) the release date is only a week from today so I won’t have to wait much longer.

Ok, I’ve made you read more than you probably were hoping for so I’ll get to the point and let you in on what I know.

E

There. Now you’re in the know as much as I am. Have fun with the rest of the hunt and good luck to everyone who participates!

Don’t forget to check out Tera’s blog ASAP if you made it here through non-hunt channels! Check out her blog anyway since she’s a great writer!

In My Mailbox (65)

Well, I failed again this week at my book ban. I blame my insane ability to set aside that voice in the back of my head that tells me I’m running out of shelf space. I also was able to meet up with the amazing NotNessie from Today’s Adventure and have a book swap. Turns out she’s a local blogger and is beyond nice. Seriously, I cried a little inside from all she gave to me (tears of absolute joy, of course).

So, without further ado, here is my IMM for this week. Oh, and I apologize if the photo quality isn’t all that spectacular – I’m still working out the kinks for posting photos this way! 

 

From NotNessie

At Grave’s End, One Foot in the Grave, Halfway to the Grave, Destined for an Early Grave all by Jeaniene Frost. I’ve been warned it’s very adult, so I’m thoroughly excited to read them! Has anyone out there read them already? What did you think?

The Karma Club by Farrar Straus Giroux

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Exile by Anne Osterlund

Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Wonderous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Dark Souls by Paula Morris

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti

The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman

Bumped by Megan McCafferty (The Book Depository)

 

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer ARCI covet this cover. That is all.

The Keeper’s Tattoo by Gill Arbuthnott

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by MichelleHodkin EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Excited!

Eona by Alison Goodman

Forbidden Sea by Sheila A. Nielson

Possession by Elana Johnson

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

Ordered from The Book Depository

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

The Last Olympian, The Battle of the Labyrinth, The Titans Curse, The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters by Rick RiordanThree of these I was so not happy with. “hardcover” does not mean paperbound hardcover to me. So I’m going to give them to my cousin or someone as a present.

Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler

 

From used book shopping

Shug by Jenny HanI loved her Summer series so I knew when I saw this at Value Village that I had to have it to read!

Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty

Wish by Alexandra Bullen

Mostly Good Girls by Leila Sales

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde

Bloody Jack and Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer

Roswell High 2: The Wild One by Melinda MetzHURRAY!!!!!! I’m reading it right now and I’m so beyond happy that I found it!

The Girl Who Owned a City by O.T. NelsonI read this in elementary school and loved it. It was also my first dystopian read ever!

Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

The Grim Grotto, The Austere Academy, The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

All-American Girl by Meg Cabot

Well, that’s it for me this week. I picked up a few more books but they’re for gifts more than anything. Leave me a line and let me know what you got this week!

As always, IMM credit deserves to go wholly to The Story Siren. Check out her amazing site!

Author Interview with Jenna-Lynne Duncan

Well, I am super excited to have author Jenna-Lynne Duncan here today on the blog for an interview. Duncan is the debut author who’s novel Hurricane comes out next Monday, August 29 from Divertir Publishing. Personally I can’t wait to read this novel since it boasts just about anything that a reader could possibly want in a novel!

"I anxiously looked around, my heart palpitating, just in time to see an alligator slink into the green algae covered water that was on either side of us. I swallowed hard, and my heart raced even faster. Alligators were a different type of predator—the one thing I was afraid of. Now I was on my own personal swamp tour. What if my kidnappers left me in the middle of a swamp with five of them creeping up on me? I’ve had that nightmare before and—oh no, if my dreams really are a sign of the future—I couldn’t breathe now."

Adriana couldn’t decide what was worse—that Hurricane Katrina was heading for New Orleans, or that she might not survive her kidnapping to see the potential effects. She had trusted Hayden, even fallen for him, and now he and his brother Luke were taking her deeper and deeper into the Bayou. Why had two of her classmates, the mysterious Boudreaux brothers, kidnapped her? Why had Adriana’s dreams started predicting the future? Most importantly, would she make it out of the Bayou alive…

Doesn’t that sound simply amazing? Already I need to know what happens and how it all ends.

And now, on with the interview!

Hurricane is a 2011 debut with romance, mystery, kidnapping, alligators, and a natural disaster. If you were in that situation and could pack a bag with just four things, what would they be?

My iPhone, my laptop (which has all my pictures, videos, manuscripts, everything!), my passport, and eyeliner (especially if I was kidnapped by the Boudreaux brothers!)

What is the one thing that you cannot live without?

My family J

Was there a lot of research involved for writing this novel?

I am from New Orleans so I was very familiar with the area. A lot of the places I mentioned in the novel are real and that was important to me because New Orleans is such a big part of my life and I wanted readers to be able to go to them. I was a teen when Katrina hit so I knew very well what it felt like and what I went through. Although I wasn’t there when it hit, I had family and friends who were and drew off of all their experiences.

What’s the weirdest food combination that you like to eat?

Pineapple on pizza, salt on watermelon, and cheese on my grits.

If you could eat go on a date with anyone (alive or dead) who would it be?

The guy in the portrait ‘The Laughing Cavalier’ by Frans Hals. His identity is a mystery so I would like to know who he is and just exactly what (or whom) he was thinking about when that portrait was commissioned!

Your website bio states that you’re planning to write a series. Can you give us an inside scoop and let us know if it’s a whole different story or a spin-off of Hurricane?

Sure! Once you read the ending you’ll be happy to know that there is going to be a sequel to Hurricane. I am planning a series, all with the same characters. I am currently writing the second novel and have an outline for the third so I know it will at least be a trilogy.

Your novel comes out August 22 (I have the right date, right?). Just how excited are you?

Close! It comes out on the anniversary of hurricane Katrina, which is August 29. Yes I am very excited! I will be in New Orleans then and then have a couple other events planned after that. Right now, the eBook is available pre-release from Amazon, BN.com, and Smashwords (see links below). I am thrilled at the response to the pre-release and the nice reviews it has received thus far!

Thank you so much, Jenna for this interview!!

You can find out more about Jenna-Lynne Duncan at her website or the Hurricane book website. Also, find her on Twitter or Goodreads! (or Facebook…  Personally I rather dislike Facebook)

And be sure to check out Hurricane at a bookstore near you!



**Author photo taken from author's personal website.

Aconitum Vulperia

Wolfsbane

Written by: Andrea Cremer

Released: July 26, 2011 by Penguin Young Readers Group

Summary: When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

MUST HAVE BLOODROSE!!!!!!!

That was my first though upon finishing reading this novel. That first chapter that’s posted online isn’t nearly enough to quell my need. Although I heard some good news last week which hinted that the release date for Bloodrose has been moved up to January, so I shouldn’t have to suffer for quite as long as first anticipated. Here I was thinking that I may have to result in reading fanfiction to get a much needed fix.

But, this is a review about Wolfsbane, so let’s move onto that subject and get this writing business out of the way.

I am still firmly Team Ren after reading Wolfsbane, especially after that HORRIBLE ending where the story just cuts off. Cremer really knows how to rope a reader in and then completely decimate them with the mother of all cliff-hangers.

I completely devoured this novel in only a few short hours simply because I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the pages. Since the novel continues off right where Nightshade ended the reader is thrown right into the middle of the action and it just doesn’t stop until the very last page (and then the first chapter online of Bloodrose). It’s not only an emotional rollercoaster with mystery and intrigue and betrayal and romance, there’s action and adventure and magic.

This is an amazing novel and I highly suggest that if you haven’t read it that you should, and soon. However, make sure that you read Nightshade first or else you’ll be more confused than [insert quippy idiom here]. I’m giving this a 9.5/10!

Debut Author Read Alert - Free e-books

Looking for a debut to read for The Story Siren's 2011 Debut Author Challenge? Well, while surfing through Goodreads I came across TWO that you can read eight online through the site!

Betrayal by Mayandree Michel

Where there is love and power, there is always... betrayal.

At seventeen, Cordelia is an ordinary teen with an extraordinary and frightening secret. A secret that induces vivid dreams which she not only experiences true love, but crippling fear while barely escaping with her life each night.

After a life altering event, Cordelia has an unexpected encounter with Evan, the mysterious boy from her dreams, who reveals who and what she is – a descendant of the Greek gods. At that moment everything she knows of her world is a lie, and she must leave the present and go into the past to assume the role she was put on this earth for – safeguarding her ancient empire amidst evil forces that toil hastily to destroy it.

In a race against time, Cordelia must decide if she is truly a part of this dangerous world, or risk defying the gods, and ultimately lose the boy who has put a claim on her heart.

This one I "read" (if you'll read my review you'll understand). If you're into a paranormal YA novel with a little bit of everything you might want to check this one out. I gave it a 6/10.

Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine

While other high school seniors are dreaming about their futures, Sophie and Carter are just trying to make it through each day. Carter is overwhelmed by issues at home as he struggles to support his mother.

Meanwhile, next door neighbor Sophie is left to care for her three younger siblings in place of their absent and troubled mother. All that holds these two best friends together is each other, and knowing that each night they'll sit together on Sophie's front porch swing and escape from reality, if just for awhile. But as their relationship reaches a turning point and high school graduation nears, will their friendship become something more?

I haven't had a chance to read this one yet but it sounds amazing. I kind of get the vibe that it will be something like what Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma would be like under different circumstances and if the characters weren't related.

In My Mailbox (64)

I was a bad little book blogger this week. I didn’t even last three days without breaking my book ban. However, I blame my mother for telling me to order some books for my aunt... which caused me to see that I had Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler in my basket... so you see, I was practically forced to buy it. And then since I was on The Book Depository already I just had to look at some deals. So, of course, when I found the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan in hardback for a really great price, I couldn’t pass them up!

Then I went into the city to get my nails done (incredibly last minute) for a wedding on Saturday and I just couldn’t drive by the Value Village without stopping in to see what their book selection was since it was a brand new store. While there I found;

Stray by Rachel Vincent

Brand new! The spine isn’t even cracked! I thought it would make for a nice RAK to someone or a perfect swap!

A Series of Unfortunate Events books 2,3, and 8

8 happened to be an accidental duplicate, but I figure if I can’t swap it I can always donate it to the library! Besides, they were each only .99₵!!!!! On top of that they’re in perfect condition.

This now marks the beginning of a brand new book ban!

I was finally able to get into town to use the wifi at the cafe in order to download these amazing e-galleys! They've been piling up for a while (which is why there are so many) and I was happy to finally get them onto my reader!

From NetGalley

Escape from Verona: Romeo and Juliet PART TWO by David Gray

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Pilgrims Don’t Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Radiate by Marley Gibson

Ladies in Waiting by Laura L. Sullivan

Croak by Gina Damico

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

The Girl in the Park by Mariah Fredericks

The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

Graffiti Moon by Cathy Crowley

Daughter of the Centaurs by K.K. Ross

Crave by Melissa Darnell

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

From Simon & Schuster's Galley Grab

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Past Perfect by Leila Sales

This is what was in my mailbox this week. Leave me a line and let me know what you got in yours!

Area 51 - Part 1

The Outsider (Roswell High #1)

Written by: Melinda Metz

Released: September 1, 1998 by Simon and Schuster

Summary: Liz has seen him around. It's hard to miss Max -- the tall, blond, blue-eyed senior stands out in her high-school crowd. So why is he such a loner?

Max is in love with Liz. He loves the way her eyes light up when she laughs. And the way her long, black hair moves when she turns her head. Most of all, he loves to imagine what it would be like to kiss her.

But Max knows he can't get too close. He can't let her discover the truth about who he is. Or really, what he is....

Because the truth could kill her.

I love this television series (I own it all on DVD and watch it ALL THE TIME!) so when I discovered this first novel from the book series at a Salvation Army I scooped it up immediately to read while on vacation. I kind of just wish that it wasn’t the TV-series cover...

Even before starting to read I knew that there were going to be large differences between what was written and what happens during the show – so I wasn’t surprised when there were many differences. I went in well prepared and I loved the different perspective that the novel provided.

I cannot wait to find and read the remaining novels in this series though I think that’s going to take a while. I tried several different used book stores and even some online sites and if I can’t find them they’re either unavailable or way too expensive for my taste in older novels.

If someone out there wanted to be SUPER nice they might RAK me the other novels in the series... I’m just putting it out there...

I give this novel a 6.5/10 and a promise to hunt down the remaining books so that I can know what happens!

The Life After Death

The Beginning of After

Written by: Jennifer Castle

Released: September 6, 2011 by HarperTeen

Summary: Anyone who’s had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: It’s all about Before and After. What I’m talking about here is the ka-pow, shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy.

Sixteen-year-old Laurel’s world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel’s life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss—a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways.

Jennifer Castle’s debut novel is a heart-wrenching, surprisingly witty testament to how drastically life can change in the span of a single moment.

There are a lot of comparisons online between this novel and If I Stay by Gayle Forman and I can see where, at a very basic level, the comparison is warranted – Girl loses younger brother and parents in car accident. Grandparent(s) step(s) in and becomes guardian until girl leaves for school.

But that’s pretty much where any comparison stops.

With this novel the reader is able to really see the raw reality that some people face when hit with such a tragedy. I loved how completely believable Laurel’s reactions were and how the reader was taken through how she dealt with her grief and lived her life after everything that happens. The emotional spectrum was well-covered and I never felt as though the flow of the novel was forced in that respect.

The whole point (I believe) of this novel was how after these huge, horrific events life still continues on even if we don’t want it to. It shows just how important it is to continue on with life all while keeping your loved ones in your heart because life is precious.

Laurel was a brilliant character and she wasn’t written so that she was the only character in the novel who had more than one side. I loved how the supporting characters had dimension to them and were actually well-rounded. I loved David and his tortured existence and I loved how he was portrayed as this horrible guy in the beginning and then your opinion of him starts to change as you learn more about him.

I feel as though this is the sort of novel that I can’t really fully express in words how amazing it was. This is a phenomenal debut and I can’t wait to read more from Castle. I’m giving this novel an 8.5/10.

My thanks to HarperTeen and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel.

Secrets, Lies, and Love

Betrayal

Written by: Mayandree Michel

Released: March 26, 2011 by Mayandree Michel

Summary: Where there is love and power, there is always... betrayal.

At seventeen, Cordelia is an ordinary teen with an extraordinary and frightening secret. A secret that induces vivid dreams which she not only experiences true love, but crippling fear while barely escaping with her life each night.

After a life altering event, Cordelia has an unexpected encounter with Evan, the mysterious boy from her dreams, who reveals who and what she is – a descendant of the Greek gods. At that moment everything she knows of her world is a lie, and she must leave the present and go into the past to assume the role she was put on this earth for – safeguarding her ancient empire amidst evil forces that toil hastily to destroy it.

In a race against time, Cordelia must decide if she is truly a part of this dangerous world, or risk defying the gods, and ultimately lose the boy who has put a claim on her heart.

Ok, I’m going to be honest – I wasn’t fully sucked into this novel. I’m going to blame it on two things though. First, since I read the online version that Goodreads is currently offering (the novel in its apparent completion) I had to read it on my computer screen which started to give me a horrible headache, which caused me to skip over large pieces of the plot in order to get to the end. The second reason is that I just don’t think that I was in the mood to read a paranormal novel like this one. And I’m going to add in that since the screen was giving me a headache, I was in no frame of mind to keep characters and details in proper order.

However, there was just something that made me want to read it. The cover alone was enough to get me intrigued and I’ll admit that I wanted to know just what it was all about. But, I don’t know, it also just started to seem like a whole mish-mash of paranormal subjects thrown together into one large stewing pot and the end result was this novel – which is both good and bad. Good because it offers a lot of action with the gods, vampires, werewolves, secrets, lies, murder, conspiracy, and let’s not forget all sorts of romance. Bad because at times it felt overdone and I just wanted things to be simpler.

Admittedly, since I skimmed the vast majority of this novel, I know that I missed out on a lot – but by reading the final “chapter” (don’t let those ‘next chapter’ buttons fool you – they go for a lot more than just one) and intermittent pieces between I was able to get the gist of what was going on.

I think that if I was ever able to come across a paperback copy of this novel that I would read it again and give it more of a fair shot. I did enjoy the idea and several of the concepts used were relatively undone (meaning I’ve never come across them before). I think that this novel has great potential for someone who would have more patience than I do and especially for someone who could read it not on their computer screen.

I’m going to give this novel a 6/10 and I recommend anyone who thinks this would interest them to give it a chance.

Wish List Wednesday - Number Fifty-Seven

Just look at that cover. It's what first drew me to the novel and then once I read the summary I was incredibly intrigued.

Torn

Written by: Cat Clarke

Released: January 5, 2012 by Quercus

Summary: Four girls. One dead body. A whole lot of guilt.

Alice King isn’t expecting the holiday of a lifetime when she sets off with her classmates on a trip to the Scottish wilderness, but she’s not exactly prepared for an experience beyond her darkest nightmares…

Alice and her best friend Cass are stuck in a cabin with Polly, the social outcast, and Rae, the moody emo-girl. Then there’s Tara – queen of mean. Powerful, beautiful and cruel, she likes nothing better than putting people down.

Cass decides it’s time to teach Tara a lesson she’ll never forget. And so begins a series of events that will change the lives of these girls forever...

A compelling story of guilty secrets, troubled friendship and burgeoning love.

Doesn't that sound just amazing? I can't wait! 2012 is going to have so many fantastic novels!

Movie Monday - You Put the Witch in Witchcraft

Lately I’ve been on a real Bewitched kick. No, not that horrible movie adaptation starring that redhead and the really not funny guy, but the original series starring Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York/Sargent, and Agnes Moorehead.

A couple months back I found a double pack of seasons one and two (in colour) and since then I’ve been watching them non-stop. While I was on vacation I was able to pick up seasons four and five and I’ve been watching them ever since. In fact, I’m starting season five as I’m writing this post.

I fell in love with this television series from the first time that I watched it (years ago) and it has been one that I’ve wanted to own and watch in its completion ever since. Aside from how Darrin can be a dick (pun intended) about Samantha and witchcraft, I love the characters right from Sam to suspicious old Mrs. Kravitz.

I also love how it doesn’t seem to take itself too seriously. For example, there are several characters that get replaced throughout the course of the show. Dick Sargent replacing Dick York as Darrin is prime example, but there were also two Louise Tate’s and two Gladys Kravitz’s. There are little quips made in passing conversation about how ‘a character can change overnight’ or how ‘a person looks differently than they did the last time’.

My favourite character has to be Endora, played by Agnes Moorehead. She is just so bad and she makes me laugh every time. Her little zings at the expense of Darrin and how utterly flamboyant she is in both her mannerisms and her way of dressing. If I was a more outgoing person I would totally do her big eyeliner and bright blue eye shadow for work. However at times I get enough stares at my shadow choices (bright yellow!), but only when I’m working in the cosmetics department.

Comparing the effects that they used for this show with todays examples would leave you wanting, but you have to admit that for the ‘60s they were pretty neat. Sure the strings sometimes show, but most of the time it was pretty spectacular. Besides, most of the time I’m admiring the costuming, so I don’t notice the little mess-ups.

This is definitely a favourite and I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes this sort of show. Plus, it’s a great family program and is great for the kids! 9.5/10!

In My Mailbox (63)

Well, I’m officially back from vacation and what a vacation it was! Swimming, campfires, s’mores, shopping, family, friends, and books, books, books! Which means that I really broke my book ban – which starts up right away – and I have a huge pile to share with you all.

For starters, let’s do this chronologically.

From a day of used book-salvation army-value village scouring, I got;

Roswell High – The Outsider by Melinda MetzParadise Lost by Kate Brian

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

Steamed by Katie MacAlister

Ambition by Kate Brian

Revelation by Kate Brian

Suspicion by Kate Brian

Scandal by Kate Brian

Vanished by Kate Brian

Now I think I have just about the entire Private series. I blieve I'm missing one of the last books, but that's all. I can't wait to fully dive now into it!

Teacher’s Pet by Francine Pascal

Tug of War by Francine Pascal

Standing Out by Francine Pascal

The Charm School Mystery by Francine Pascal

The Christmas Ghost by Francine Pascal

The Curse of the Ruby Necklace by Francine Pascal

In Love with Mandy by Francine Pascal

From the antique show that was in town where I was spending time with my family;

Cheaper By the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Carey

This one was published in 1948 (which means that it might just be a first edition!) and still has its original dust cover! To top it all off, it was only $4!!!

From my day of shopping in Michigan;

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Twisted by Sara Shepard

Never Have I Ever by Sara Shepard

The Reluctant Vampire by Lynsay Sands

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Entwined by Heather Dixon

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs - idiot me ordered it from the Book Depository as well this week and then forgot! I'm hoping to find someone who wants to swap some books or else I'll just donate it to my local library.

Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Wildefire by Karsten Knight

From my day out with my friend Amy and spending time at other used book stores I got;

Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty

Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

The Night is for Hunting by John Marsden (!!!!! Now my Tomorrow series is complete!!!)

The Realm of the Gods by Tamora Pierce

Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce

The New Girl by Francine Pascal

Jumping to Conclusions by Francine Pascal

The Season of Risks by Susan Hubbard

Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift

Heidi by Johanna Spyri

The Little Lame Prince by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

Peter the Cub by Margaret Beech

Then when I got home I was greeted with a package from the amazing Sara from over at Just Another Story. She was sweet enough to send me her extra ARCs! I'm considering this a RAK since it was a most random act of kindness. THANK YOU SARA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Witchlanders by Lena Coakley

So this is what I got this week! Starting Monday I'm officially back on a book ban... unless something comes along that I just cannot resist. Hahahha.

Leave me a line and let me know what you got in your mailbox this week!



As always, IMM credit is due to Kristi over at The Story Siren. Any and all info can be found there!

These ones were all in gorgeous leather bindings and I just couldn’t pass them up. Plus, one of the used book stores had a sale on antique books and they were only a dollar!

Gossip Girl, Psycho Killer

I have wifi while on vacation and while looking at upcoming releases on the Chapters website I came across this;

Gossip Girl, Psycho Killer

Written by: Cecily von Ziegesar


Released: October 3, 2011 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
 

Summary: Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side, where my friends and I live, go to school, play, and sleep-sometimes with each other. It's a luxe life, but someone's got to live it . . . until they die.

So begins Gossip Girl, Psycho Killer, a re-imagined and expanded slasher edition of the first groundbreaking Gossip Girl novel, featuring all new grisly scenes and over-the-top gore by #1 New York Times bestselling author Cecily von Ziegesar.

Just as in the original story, Serena returns from boarding school hoping to make amends with her BFF Blair Waldorf--things just haven't been the same since Nate Archibald came between them. But here's where our dark tale takes a turn: Serena decides that the only way for her to make things right with Blair is to eliminate Nate. If that means killing him, well, c'est la vie. Her attempted murder doesn't go unnoticed by Blair, however, who isn't about to let Serena kill whoever she wants-not when there's Cyrus Rose and Chuck Bass and Titi Coates and everyone else who's ever irritated Blair to get rid of first . . . .
American Psycho's Patrick Bateman has met his match in Manhattan's newest, most fabulous trendsetting serial killers, Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen.

 

  AAAAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAH.
 
That is all.

On Vacation!

Yes, the title says it all; I'm on vacation. 12 days of not having to worry about my job, spending time with family and friends, and generally doing nothing at all and loving every moment of it!

So, since the plan is to just enjoy myself, I've decided to not worry about posting reviews for the duration. Plus, to be honest, I'm not sure what my Internet situation will be for it all. I know that I'm going to be without while I'm at the cottage with my family, and I think a trip to Montreal might happen as well. Hopefully I'll be able to keep in touch with the world through Twitter - seeing as I will have my phone with me at all times.

I'll be back to regular posts starting on the 15th!

RAK - July Wrap Up - August's Beginning!

I can’t believe that July is over! This means that it was another month of RAKs and I was able to send out one (a transfer from June to July) to Miss Holly in the land down under.

I hope to be able to send several out during August, but we’ll have to see just what the mad money allows for.

Interested in RAK? Be sure to check out the side-bar for links to the wonderful Book Soulmates! Be sure to sign up and send on the kindness worldwide.

And if you're interested in sending ME a R.A.K., check out my Wishlist on the blog and on Goodreads.



Ps: It's really hard to type and eat an apple at the same time. I'm just sayin'.