In My Mailbox: BEA Edition

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week. This week was huge, because this week was BEA and the Book Blogger Convention. I was only in the exhibit hall for one day and I walked away with so many cool books. Some are books that I never would have picked up otherwise, and I've come to find that some of the best books are the ones you just happen upon. My favorite grab of the week? The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater- I already read it and seriously, WOW.I loved it. Review to come soon. Until then, check out my ridiculous IMM for this week!

In My Mailbox 5-8-11

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week. It's been a few weeks since I last did an IMM, mostly because I had ALOT of work for school, plus very few books came in (which, for the sake of the school work was probably a good thing). So here's what I got over the past few weeks.

Bought:
Chime by Franny Billingsley

Won or For Free (from conferences):
Possessed by Kate Cann
Buffalo Unbound by Laura Pederson
Attachements by Rainbow Rowell

Library:
The Latte Rebellion by Sarah J. Stevenson (debut author)
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu bu Wan-Long Shang (debut author)
Temptation by Jude Deveraux

In My Mailbox 4-17-11

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week. (you'll notice I accidently put the wrong date on the video title- oops!

In on Review:

Juniper Berry by M.P. Koslowsky (Debut Author Challenge)

Bought for my Nook:

City of Fallen Angels by Cassie Clare
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

From the Library:

Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
Sweet Liar by Jude Deveraux
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand (Debut Author Challenge)

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week.

Library:

Days of Gold and Mountain Laurel by Jude Deveraux- Sara got me hooked on Deveraux's books. I'm literally reading one or two a week. These are just the latest two to come in for me at the library!

The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales by Bruno Bettleheim- over at TwilightMoms there is a thread where we talk about Fractured Fairy Tales. I can get sucked into that thread for hours. Basically I got this book so I can do reasearch for a thread on a chat board. So yeah. I'm a nerd.

XVI by Julia Karr- I've already finished this one up. It was a really great dystopian and it also counts for the Debut Author Challenge.

M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman- This one is for the HS Book Club I help with. It's a collectio of short stories and so far is really fun!

For Review:

Ravenwild by Peter Plasse- I was contated by Michael Longenecker, who does some brilliant illustrations in this book, about reviewing Ravenwild. Between the artwork, the synopsis and the tagline on the website I was convinced! I mean under the title we have: "War...Tyranny...Courage...Honor...Loyalty" and then the fabulous quote of: "Sometimes even a fool can be reasoned with if you hit him with a big enough stick." That was enough for me! Check out their website for more information on the book!

In My Mailbox 3-27-11

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week.

So the Borders near me is closing. Sad, obviously, for Borders, but awesome for me as the books were down to 75% off this week. I bought more then I needed, but seeing as I hardly ever buy books anymore that's okay! So this week for me it was a ton of books bought, a few from the library and one in on review.



Review:
A Girl Named Willow Krimble by Guiseppe Bianco
Click here to read it for FREE!!

Library:
I had the Right to Remain Silent...but I did not Have the Ability by Ron White
Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young by Jack Prelutsky

Bought:
Now You See Her by Merline Lovelace
Justice of the Mountain Man by William Johnstone
Trail of the Mountain Man by William Johnstone
Revenge of the Mountain Man by William Johnstone
Waiting for Columbus by Thomas Trofimuk
When She Flew by Jennie Shortridge
Nevermore by Nell Stark & Trinity Tam
Never Enough by William Voegeli
Old Border Road by Susan Froderberg
Gloryland by Shelton Johnson
A Voyage Long and Strange by Tony Horwitz

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week.

I got in a lot of books this week- 8 to be exact. Most from the Library, but there is one win, one review and one from the fabulous Donna at EFG. Thank goodness Spring Break is coming up so I can read without the interuption of silly things like homework!



Library:
The Temptress by Jude Deveraux: I've said it a few times now, I'm addicted to Deveraux books, and I'm working my way through the Montgomery books right now. So far I think this one may be my favorite.

Dark Oracle by Alayna Williams: a few weeks ago I the book Rogue Oracle in from Donna and discovered it was a sequel, so I grabbed this one up from the library so I can read them in order!

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers: this book is about a girl named Eddie who is dealing with the suicide of her father and the mystery that surrounds it. This book also counts for the YA Contemps Challenge for those of you who are participating in that.

So Shelly by Ty Roth: This book struck me as very intriguing. It follows two schoolmates as they take their mutual friend, Shelly's, ashes to a small island in Lake Erie (per her wishes). Roth uses poets like Keats, Byron and Shelly as inspiration for the modern day high school students, and I'm really interested in seeing how that plays out. This is a Debut Author Challenge Book.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness: This is a Dystopian I stumbled upon when a prequel short story came up for free on my Nook. That little taste left me wanting to know more!

Timeless by Alexandra Monir: This book is about a teenager who has her whole life flipped upside when she is forced to move in with her grandparents, The Windsor, across the country. She soon finds that Time moves differently for her family as she is plunged into the past to find her soul mate. This is also a Debut Author Challenge book.

From Donna:
Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck: This is another Debut Author Challenge book and it follows the sotry of a girl named Kelsey as she tries to break a 300 year old Indian curse.

Won:
Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington: I won this book from Penguin Books during a twitter contest. Up From Slavery is Washington's autobiography.

Review:
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith: This is a continuation of the Pride and Prejudice mashups in which we see Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth on their honeymoon, and dealing with the fact that poor Mr. Darcy has been bitten! I recieved this book from Quirk Books.

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week.

So here is what I got!

Rogue Oracle by Alayna Williams

Clone Codes by the McKissacks

The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegan (Debut Author Challenge)

Trapped by Michael Northrop (YA Contemps Challenge)

The Dutchess and A Knight in Shining Armour by Jude Deveraux

Hope everyone else had a great week and got some awesome books!

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week.

This week I only got a few books, but they are all fabulous!

Review:

Wither by Lauren DeStephano (from Simon & Schuster, release date 3-22-11)

Library:

Wishes by Jude Deveraux

Face by Sherman Alexie

Squee-worthy:

Across the Universe signed by Beth Revis (this was a thank you for participating in a release day event for ATU)

In My Mailbox 2-14-11

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I decided to go for it with another IMM vlog- this time much shorter then last weeks :)



Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut
Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week.

This week I decided to do something new and create a vlog for IMM. this is mostly because I got a new laptop that has a built in webcam (Yay!!!)- so here goes...



Priscilla the Great by Sybil Nelson
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon
Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog
Across the Universe by Beth Revis

And don't forget...

GO PACK GO!!!!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week.

I don't get too many new books- maybe one a week- if even. Mostly I've been pulling off the giant TBR pile that lives in my library. This week though- this week I got 4 new books! Two from the library, one more out of the "for free" bin and one from fellow blogger MA. So I consider it a good week. I was hoping to do an IMM video for today, but the new computer (complete with webcam) didn't get here in time- so I'm hoping for another good haul next week so I can try it out!

So here's what I got this week (I've already 3 out of 4 of them)

Fixing Delilah
By: Sarah Okler

Things in Delilah Hannaford’s life have a tendency to fall apart.

She used to be a good student, but she can’t seem to keep it together anymore. Her “boyfriend” isn’t much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family’s painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again? (from goodreads.com)


Please Ignore Vera Dietz
By: A.S. King

Vera’s spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she’s kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.

So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to?


Persuasion
By: Jane Austen

Twenty-seven-year old Anne Elliot is Austen's most adult heroine. Eight years before the story proper begins, she is happily betrothed to a naval officer, Frederick Wentworth, but she precipitously breaks off the engagement when persuaded by her friend Lady Russell that such a match is unworthy. The breakup produces in Anne a deep and long-lasting regret. When later Wentworth returns from sea a rich and successful captain, he finds Anne's family on the brink of financial ruin and his own sister a tenant in Kellynch Hall, the Elliot estate. All the tension of the novel revolves around one question: Will Anne and Wentworth be reunited in their love?


Memento Nora
By: Angie Smibert

A teen struggles to hold onto her memories-and her identity-in a world that wants everyone to forget-and keep on shopping. Three dynamic teens come together to create a comic book of their memories. (from goodreads.com)

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week.

I had a pretty good book week! One from the library, one borrowed (from Donna!) and one win.

Book Win: Lauren Conrad Style: In her first-ever style guide, Lauren offers tips on how to create your own unique look, shares her favorite sources of inspiration, and identifies the absolute must-haves for any fashionista's wardrobe. Along the way, she examines her fashion evolution, from California-casual teen to camera-ready style icon and clothing designer.

From beauty advice and hair secrets to how to shop vintage or find the perfect T-shirt, Lauren Conrad Style unlocks the mysteries of being effortlessly chic. With Lauren's guidance, you'll look and feel stylish every day.

Library Book: These is my Words by Nancy Turner:

Inspired by the true story of the author's pioneering great-grandmother, this mesmerizing saga tells of the emotional, intellectual, and romantic awakening of a spirited young woman of the late 19th century in the American West.

Borrowed: Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single guy in his spring semester at Pemberly Academy must be in want of a prom date.

After winter break, the girls at very prestigious, very wealthy, girls-only Longbourn Academy are suddenly obsessed with the prom, which they share with the nearby, equally elitist, all-boys Pemberly school. Lizzie Bennett, who attends Longbourn on scholarship, isn't exactly interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be - especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.Lizzie is happy about her friend's burgeoning romance, but less than impressed by Will Darcy, Charles's friend, who's as snobby and pretentious as his friend is nice. He doesn't seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it's because her family doesn't have money. It doesn't help that Charles doesn't seem to be asking Jane to be his prom date, or that Lizzie meets George Wickham, who tells her that Will Darcy sabotaged his scholarship at Pemberly. Clearly Will Darcy is a pompous jerk who looks down on the middle class--so imagine Lizzie's surprise when he asks her to the prom!Will Lizzie's prejudice and Will's pride keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? From Elizabeth Eulberg comes a very funny, completely stylish prom-season delight of Jane Austen proportions.

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week.

I had a pretty slow week as far as books go- which is fine- because I had a really busy week as far as homework and school goes! Only one book in my mailbox- by way of the library.

A new stand-alone FABLES NOVEL from award-winning and wildly acclaimed author, Bill Willingham.

This story stars Peter Piper and his incorrigible brother Max in a tale about jealousy, betrayal and revenge. Set in two distinct time periods, prepare to travel back to medieval times and learn the tragic back-story of the Piper family, a medieval-era family of traveling minstrels. Then, jump into the present to follow a tale of espionage as Peter Piper slowly hunts down his evil brother for a heinous crime, pitting Peter's talents as a master thief against Max's dark magical powers.

Based on the long-running and award-winning comic book series FABLES, PETER AND MAX is its own tale. Readers don't have to be familiar with the comics to fully enjoy and understand this book. (from goodreads.com)

This book was suggested by a book club member- I've jsut started into it and so far it is fabulous! It's a lot of fun to read about the real lives of some of the most beloved fairy tale charecters.

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week. This week was pretty good to me, with a few books from the library, a few that I won in contests and one on review!

Contest Wins:
The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz- Logsted (ARC)

Lucy Sexton is stunned when a disheveled woman appears at the door one day... a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lucy's own beautiful mother. It turns out the two women are identical twins, separated at birth, and raised in dramatically different circumstances. Lucy's mother quickly resolves to give her less fortunate sister the kind of life she has never known. And the transformation in Aunt Helen is indeed remarkable. But when Helen begins to imitate her sister in every way, even Lucy isn't sure at times which twin is which. Can Helen really be trusted, or does her sweet face mask a chilling agenda?

Filled with shocking twists and turns, The Twin's Daughter is an engrossing gothic novel of betrayal, jealousy, and treacherous secrets that will keep you guessing to the very end.

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Stork by Wendy Delsol

Sixteen-year-old Katla has just moved from Los Angeles to the sticks of Minnesota. As if it weren’t enough that her trendy fashion sense draws stares, she learns to her horror that she’s a member of an ancient order of women who decide to whom certain babies will be born. Add to that Wade, the arrogant football star whom Katla regrettably fooled around with, and Jack, a gorgeous farm boy who initially seems to hate her. Soon Katla is having freaky dreams about a crying infant and learns that, as children, she and Jack shared a near-fatal, possibly mystical experience. Can Katla survive this major life makeover and find a dress for the homecoming dance? Drawing from Norse mythology and inspired by The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, debut author Wendy Delsol conceives an irreverent, highly entertaining novel about embracing change and the (baby) bumps along the way.

For Review:

She Smells the Dead by EJ Stevens
It's the beginning of senior year and Yuki's psychic awareness of ghostly spirits is threatening to ruin her life. Her ability to sense spirits of the dead isn't glamorous like the ghost hunting on television.

SHE SMELLS THE DEAD.

The smell impressions are becoming stronger. Yuki is being visited in her dreams, and she suspects that her friend Calvin is involved in something strange. To make matters worse her crush on Garrett is going unrequited, Yuki's friend Emma is on a rampage against bee oppression, and annoying Calvin Miller mysteriously disappears.

Will Yuki be able to focus her powers in time to save the lost soul who is haunting her? Meanwhile, who will save Yuki from following the spirits into the light?

From the Library:

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

*All descriptions from goodreads.com*

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week.Not too many books headed my way this week (but that's okay I haven't finished everything from last week yet!) Only 3 things to add- all of them made of awesome!

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: Jem, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa.

As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Once upon a time I was a little girl who disappeared.
Once upon a time my name was not Alice.
Once upon a time I didn't know how lucky I was.

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends -- her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder

After siphoning her own blood magic in the showdown at Hubal, Opal Cowan has lost her powers. She can no longer create glass magic. More, she's immune to the effects of magic. Opal is now an outsider looking in, spying through the glass on those with the powers she once had, powers that make a difference in the world. Until spying through the glass becomes her new power. Suddenly, the beautiful pieces she makes flash in the presence of magic. And then she discovers that someone has st olen some of her blood--and that finding it might let her regain her powers. Or learn if they're lost forever...

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week.Not too many books headed my way this week (but that's okay I haven't finished everything from last week yet!) Only 3 things to add- one actually in my mailbox and two from the library.

Haunted by recurring nightmares since her mother’s disappearance over the Indian ocean three years before, fifteen-year old California girl Sienna Jones reluctantly travels with her psychiatrist father’s volunteer team to six-months post-tsunami Indonesia where she meets the scarred and soulful orphaned boy, Deni, who is more like Sea than anyone she has ever met.

She knows they can’t be together, so why can’t she stay away from him? And what about her old best friend-turned-suddenly-hot Spider who may or may not be waiting for her back home? And why won’t her dad tell her the truth about her mother’s plane crash? The farther she gets from home, the closer she comes to finding answers.

And Sea’s real adventure begins

I didn't actually get this book- but I did get a street team pack that included some great bookmarks (some signed!) plus some stickers. I've got some plans for the bookmarks- including giveaways and dropping them off at the area libraries- maybe I'll even sitck some in my favorite books for some unsuspecting readers to find!

When Brie's sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie's world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don't know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.

As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don't line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith's final night...a secret that puts her own life in danger.

Native American Sherman Alexie presents a highly acclaimed collection of 22 interlinked short stories. "One of the major lyric voices of our time . . . these spare, disturbing stories trace with stark, lyric power the experience of American Indians in the modern world."--New York Times Book Review.

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week. This week has been kind of slow as far as getting new books- to be honest I haven't requested anything from the library because I've got a to-read pile that is starting to scare me- two of which I have to finish for reviews. I've blocked off most of June for reading books I already own, no borrowing, no buying, and unless someone surprises me, I don't think I have anything coming in the mail.

So this week I bought one book. I had a gift certificate that was burning a hole in my pocket and I picked this book based solely on title/cover. I'm about 1/2 way through and really liking it so far- my only regret is that this is book one in a series, and there are 5 more book after this one, as well as 9 other books about the same place but not in this direct series. This means my to-read list just grew by 14 :)

Chosen
by Ted Dekker

It has been 13 years since Black, and the Forest Guard is slowly being defeated by the Horde. Thomas Hunter is forced to lower the recruiting age from 18 to 16 in order to find enough troops to train for his armies. Of those new recruits, four are chosen to become squad leaders--two boys and two girls--but first they must pass one of Thomas's tests and bring four cacti back to the group.

Nothing goes as expected on their quest, though. They are pursued by the Horde and Johnis, the youngest of the four, sees both Roush and Shatiki--both of which vanished 13 years ago. The Roush give Johnis a new mission: he, along with the other three recruits, must recover the six missing Books of History. Silvie is the only one willing to follow John's lead, though, and rescuing the other two from the trouble they bring upon themselves only delays the quest for the books. The books have the power to bring about unspeakable evil if they fall into the wrong hands. (from goodreads.com)

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea is to share what books you got your hands on in the last week. I'm always amazed and jealous of the take that gets shared over at The Story Siren, and it always means that my personal to read list grows exponentially.

This past week I managed to snag two new books. One I bought at the Rochester Teen Book Fest and one I think I got through Goodreads Firstreads. I say "think" becuase those things come with no letters or anything and I vaguely remember reading about this particular book on Goodreads about a month ago.

The Order of Odd-Fish
by: James Kennedy

JO LAROUCHE HAS lived her 13 years in the California desert with her Aunt Lily, ever since she was dropped on Lily’s doorstep with this note: This is Jo. Please take care of her. But beware. This is a dangerous baby. At Lily’s annual Christmas costume party, a variety of strange events take place that lead Jo and Lily out of California forever—and into the mysterious, strange, fantastical world of Eldritch City. There, Jo learns the scandalous truth about who she is, and she and Lily join the Order of Odd-Fish, a collection of knights who research useless information. Glamorous cockroach butlers, pointless quests, obsolete weapons, and bizarre festivals fill their days, but two villains are controlling their fate. Jo is inching closer and closer to the day when her destiny is fulfilled, and no one in Eldritch City will ever be the same.

The Elvenbane
by: Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey

Two masters of epic fantasy collaborate to create a rousing tale. This is the story of Shana, a halfbreed born of the forbidden union of an Elvenlord father and a human mother. Her exiled mother dead, Shana is rescued and raised by dragons. Reaching adulthood, she explores her magical abilities and ultimately leads a revolt against the decadent elves.

In My Mailbox

So last week was my first week joining in on Story Siren's In My Mailbox. I hadn't intended on joining in again this week- only because I didn't get anything interesting in my mailbox. I picked up a ton of books at the library, but nothing that neccessarily warranted an entire post. Then I hit the post office today...it was like Christmas! Books everywhere, really interesting looking, exciting books! I got them from Donna, who I work on the BOTM club over at Eve's Fan Garden with and one book in particular caught my eye so much that it's making me want to put down the book I'm reading.

Here's what I got:

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Sixteen year old Gemma is kidnapped from Bangkok airport and taken to the Australian Outback. This wild and desolate landscape becomes almost a character in the book, so vividly is it described. Ty, her captor, is no stereotype. He is young, fit and completely gorgeous. This new life in the wilderness has been years in the planning. He loves only her, wants only her. Under the hot glare of the Australian sun, cut off from the world outside, can the force of his love make Gemma love him back? The story takes the form of a letter, written by Gemma to Ty, reflecting on those strange and disturbing months in the outback. Months when the lines between love and obsession, and love and dependency, blur until they don't exist - almost.

* This is the one that really caught my eye. I'm really looking forward to getting into this book*

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like your best friend's boyfriend.

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...

Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel- Fattah

At school I'm Aussie-blonde Jamie -- one of the crowd. At home I'm Muslim Jamilah -- driven mad by my Stone Age dad. I should win an Oscar for my acting skills. But I can't keep it up for much longer..."

Jamie just wants to fit in. She doesn't want to be seen as a stereotypical Muslim girl, so she does everything possible to hide that part of herself. Even if it means pushing her friends away because she's afraid to let them know her dad forbids her from hanging out with boys or that she secretly loves to play the darabuka (Arabic drums).

But when the cutest boy in school asks her out and her friends start to wonder about Jamie's life outside of school, her secrets threaten to explode. Can Jamie figure out how to be both Jamie and Jamilah before she loses everything?

(all descriptions from Goodreads.com)

And just for the records- here's the rest of the books I got from the library. I've got lots of reading to do!

Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski

Vibes by Amy Kathleen Ryan

You Are Here by Jennifer E. Smith

The Tear Collector by Patrick Jones

The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King (this is another one I can't wait to get in to)

In My Mailbox

This is my first week joining in on "In My Mailbox" hosted by The Story Siren. The concept is pretty simple- write about the new (or new to you) books you've aquired this week.

I'm book poor, so I've been Library-ing it more and more and that's where most of my books come from, but everyonce in awhile I get a review copy or contest win book in the mail (those are happy, happy days). This week I'm revving up for the Rochester Teen Book fest by reading as many books as I can from the authors who are attending. Most came in this week from the library, on the pile we've got:

********************************


What They Always Tell Us by Martin Wilson

James: Popular, smart, and athletic, James seems to have it all. But the only thing James really wants is his college acceptance letter, so he can get far away from Alabama after high school. He's tired of the same old parties; the tennis team; his so-called girlfriend, Alice; his ex, Clare - and especially his quiet younger brother, Alex. In a town where secrets are hard to keep, everyone knows what Alex did at the annual back-to-school party. The only question is why.

Alex: With his friends no longer talking to him and his brother constantly in motion, Alex is prepared to get through junior year on his own. And he would, if his ten-year-old neighbor, Henry, didn't keep showing up, looking for company. Even James seems intrigued by Henry, and by the strange cars that come and go from his house across the street. But what Alex cares most about is running, and when he's encouraged to try out for cross-country, he's surprised to find more than just a supportive teammate in his brother's friend Nathen.

Thoughtful and moving, What They Always Tell us is a powerful debut novel about the bond between two brothers - and the year that changes everything (from goodreads.com)

**************************************
We Were Here by Matt De La Pena

When it happened, Miguel was sent to Juvi. The judge gave him a year in a group home—said he had to write in a journal so some counselor could try to figure out how he thinks. The judge had no idea that he actually did Miguel a favor. Ever since it happened, his mom can’t even look at him in the face. Any home besides his would be a better place to live.

But Miguel didn’t bet on meeting Rondell or Mong or on any of what happened after they broke out. He only thought about Mexico and getting to the border to where he could start over. Forget his mom. Forget his brother. Forget himself.

Life usually doesn’t work out how you think it will, though. And most of the time, running away is the quickest path right back to what you’re running from. (from goodreads.com)

*********************************
The last book I recieved as a review copy from the Cadence Group- it's a bit of a departure from my usual YA or western books, but I'm excited to get something new and different in.


Revenge Served Cold by Jackie Fullerton

Kathy Spence awakens in the middle of the night and finds herself in a living nightmare. Her husband has been run down and she is the primary suspect. With an eyewitness to the crime and proof that her car was the murder weapon, it appears to be an open and shut case. Terrified for her future, Kathy turns to amateur sleuth Anne Marshall for help. Believing in Kathy s innocence, Anne launches her own investigation, uncovering proof of a conspiracy that reaches from Kathy s past and threatens her own life. In a race against time, Anne must count on her close friends and even the ghost of her father to help her bring a killer to justice before it s too late

********************************

Last thing on the list are some goodies I got for a contest we are running on Eve's Fan Garden. Jillian Dare by Melanie Jeschke is one of our May books of the month. We will be hosting a author chat with Jeschke on May 26th at 8:30 and closer to that date we will be posting some info regarding a contest. Even though I have a bit of time before the contest, etc., I always get excited to see goodies show up in the mail!