In My Mailbox (29)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a post where book bloggers talk about the books they received for review, bought, were gifted or borrowed from the library each week. 

This week, A LOT of books came into my house. Last Sunday, I met up with four other Ottawa bloggers--Kathy from A Glass of Wine, Meaghan from Feeling a Little Bookish, Katherine from The Lady Critic's Library and Katie from Bookishly Yours--and I got a lot of books that way. Kathy had arranged for us to receive goodie bags with books from publishers and then we traded books with each other. And on top of all that we then went to Chapters and bought more books. And then later this week I received some for review as well. So all in all, it was a most excellent book week. Here's what I got.

For Review:

- The Chaos by Nalo Hopkinson - Until this one showed up in my mailbox, I hadn't really heard anything about it. But now that I've read the summary, I can say that it sounds really interesting. Since it comes out in April, I should be getting to it soon.

- Dark Eyes by William Richter - I've seen this one pop up around the blogosphere but haven't actually seen too many reviews. From the summary, it sounds really interesting and I will definitely be reading it soon since it comes out next month.

- Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire - Until I was asked to review this one, I hadn't really heard anything about it. But after doing some research, I decided it was probably going to be really interesting and it sounds different from what I normally read. Hopefully I'll be reading it soon.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, Penguin Canada and Prometheus Books for these books!

Bought:

- Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout - I didn't think I would ever get this book since it got lost in the mail. But it finally showed up. I've read it already and really enjoyed it, though I have to admit that I still liked Half-Blood better. But I'll still be reading this series.

- Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler - I really like Sarah Ockler and Twenty Boy Summer is definitely one of my favorite books. I've been wanting to read Bittersweet since long before it came out so I was happy that my local Chapters finally had some copies in stock.

- Incarnate by Jodi Meadows - This seems to be one of those books that people either really like or don't really get into as much. I'm hoping to enjoy it, but at any rate it sounds like a really interesting premise and I can't wait to read it.

Traded:

And now I get into the books I got from the Ottawa Blogger Meet-Up. First off, we had all brought books to trade and here is what I traded for.

- Variant by Robison Wells - I've heard really good things about this one and I'm happy to now have a copy. Plus, from what I can gather, it is told from a boy's perspective and I love reading those books. Hopefully I'll be able to read it soon.

- So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti - I've only read one book by Susane Colasanti but I really enjoyed it. When one of the girls had this book up for grabs, I decided to take it and hopefully I'll enjoy it as much as the other Susane Colasanti book I've read.

- The Lying Game by Sara Shepard - I really like The Lying Game TV show but haven't read the books yet. Now that I have a copy I'm hoping to read it soon so I can see how the books and TV show compare.

- Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - I haven't read this one yet and I don't really know why. Now that I have a copy, I'm hoping to be able to read it soon and see for myself what it's all about.

Goodie Bag Books:

Like I said, Kathy from A Glass of Wine had organized for us all to receive goodie bags with books from publishers in them. From this I got books from both HBG Canada and HarperCollins Canada. I got both adult titles and YA titles so I've split them up here.

- The Flying Man by Roopa Farooki - This is one of the adult titles I received. I don't know anything about it but I will probably end up reading it in the future when I'm in need of a break from YA.

- All For You by Sheila O'Flanagan - Most of the adult titles I read are chick lit and this one sounds exactly like that. It sounds like a really fun read and hopefully I'll be reading it in the near future.

- This is a Love Story by Jessica Thompson - This is another chick lit type book and it sounds like it has a lot of potential. Like with all the others, I'm hoping to be able to read it in the near future.

- Arcadia by Lauren Groff - This one was sent our way by Shannon at HarperCollins Canada. She explained in a note that Lauren Groff is one of her favorite authors and she hoped that we would enjoy Arcadia. It sounds really interesting and I'm hoping to read it soon.

And now for the YA titles I got in my goodie bag:

- Dreamless by Josephine Angelini - Shannon at HarperCollins had also gone through each of our blogs and sent us, along with Arcadia, a book she thought we would enjoy the most. She had seen my post about my most anticipated books of 2012 and decided to send me Dreamless. I was absolutely thrilled to see this in my goodie bag and I will definitely be reading it soon.

- It's Our Prom (So Deal With It) by Julie Anne Peters - I hadn't heard anything about this one until I found it in my goodie bag but it sounds like it could be a really cute read. I mean, it's about prom so how could it not end up being a fun book to read?

- Belles by Jen Calonita - I've seen this one pop up around the blogosphere and from what I know about it, it sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Since it comes out in April, I should be able to read it soon. Hopefully it will be as good as it sounds.

Swag:

This week I was also lucky enough to receive a ton of swag, thanks to the amazing Denise Jaden (author of Losing Faith and upcoming Never Enough). I also received a bookmark and signed bookplate from Gina Damico, author of Croak, for having participated in the Apocalypsies' YAmazing Race.

So that is all for me this week. As you can see, it was pretty much epic and it is going to be hard to top. But on the other hand, if every week were like this one I would never have any hope of making a dent in my TBR pile.

Leave me a comment letting me know what you got and I'll come check it out!

The Rivals by Daisy Whitney

Title: The Rivals (The Mockingbirds #2)

Author: Daisy Whitney

Publisher: Little, Brown

Release Date: February 6, 2012

Source: Finished Copy from Publisher

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository

When Alex Patrick was assaulted by another student last year, her elite boarding school wouldn't do anything about it. This year Alex is head of the Mockingbirds, a secret society of students who police and protect the student body. WHile she desperately wants to live up to the legacy that's been given to her, she's now dealing with a case unlike any the Mockingbirds have seen before.

It isn't rape. It isn't bullying. It isn't hate speech. A far-reaching prescription drug rings has sprung up, and the students are using the drugs to cheat. But how do you try a case with no obvious victim? Especially when the facts don't add up, and each new clue drives a wedge between Alex and the people she loves most -- her friends, her boyfriend, and her fellow Mockingbirds.

As Alex unravels the layers of deceit within the school, the administration, and even the student body the Mockingbirds protect, her struggle to navigate the murky waters of vigilante justice threaten to reveal even more about herself. 

When I read The Mockingbirds at the end of 2010, I absolutely loved the book and once I finished reading I couldn't wait for more. So you can imagine I was really excited when it was announced that there would be another book focusing on Alex and her friends. I was extremely excited when my copy of The Rivals came in the mail, and once I sat down to read the book, I didn't get up again until I was finished reading it. Yes, it was THAT good.

It's a new year at Themis Academy and now Alex Patrick is the head of the Mockingbirds, the school's underground justice system. Alex is eager to be able to help fellow students the way the Mockingbirds helped her last year when she was date-raped. When a case lands in her lap, Alex doesn't know exactly what she's supposed to do. The case is unlike any other case the Mockingbirds have ever dealt with. But Alex decides to take on the case, because there is no way a school-wide drug ring can end well. But every step of the way Alex finds herself being led in different directions, and nothing seems to be adding up. Not only that, but Alex also finds herself being personally affected by the case and lying to her friends and her boyfriend. At the end of the day, could this case be the one that causes the Mockingbirds to fall?

Daisy Whitney's writing is addicting. While reading The Rivals I kept telling myself that I would only read one more chapter, but really, I just kept reading until there were no more chapters to read. The Rivals is not just one of those books that is incredibly addicting, it's also a book that will stay with you in more than one way. In her books, Daisy Whitney likes to deal with subjects that aren't easy. And those are the kinds of books I wish there were more of in YA. But beyond just that, I loved the story itself. There was something about it that just pushed me to keep reading. It was packed with twists and turns, and with every new piece of evidence that was presented, the culprit seemed to change. If nothing else, I wanted to keep reading just to finally be able to find out who was responsible for the drug ring. 

Alex Patrick is a character I have come to love. I love how in spite of everything she has gone through, she never gave up and stood up for herself. In The Rivals, that same Alex is back and ready to help others do what she did for herself in the first book. And she doesn't succeed at it right away, and I loved that. I liked seeing her struggle and eventually work her way through it because it showed me that she wasn't perfect. And of course, in her place, I probably wouldn't have done much better. Another refreshing character is Martin. He isn't a bad boy or a complete jerk, but instead a total science geek and I love him for it. Martin was a great character to see again, and I love his relationship with Alex and the way he is with her. After everything she's been through, she deserves a boy like Martin…though I am tempted to steal him and keep him for myself.

The Rivals was a fantastic read. I've said it already and I'll say it again, but Daisy Whitney's writing is absolutely addictive. I just couldn't seem to get enough of this book and I am seriously hoping there are more books to come with these characters.

For more information about the book, be sure to check out the HBG website.

Waiting on Wednesday (35)

For those of you who don't know, Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine where book bloggers devote a post to an upcoming book release they are particularly looking forward to reading.

THIS WEEK'S PICK:

DREAMLESS BY JOSEPHINE ANGELINI

As the only Scion that can enter Hades at will, Helen descends to the Underworld in search of a way to overcome the Furies and end the cycle of revenge that has cursed the Scions. But she’s running out of time. Each descent weakens her both in mind and spirit. A mysterious stranger might be her only salvation, but the price may be her love for Lucas Delos. 

As an unforgettable love triangle emerges, Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding. The eagerly awaited sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed, Dreamless delivers with a huge emotional impact that will leave readers satisfied—and longing for more.

I absolutely loved Starcrossed when I read it last year. And it kind of left off on a bit of a cliffhanger so I'm greatly anticipating the sequel. That and I love Greek mythology so this is basically a great series. I can't wait for Dreamless to be released.

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini will be published May 29th, 2012 by HarperTeen.

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

Title: The Disenchantments

Author: Nina Lacour

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Release Date: February 16, 2012

Source: ARC from Publisher

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository

Colby & Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev's band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bec makes a shocking announcement: she's abandoning their plans--and Colby--to go her own way in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments wave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small twins and dingy venues, while roadie-Colby struggles to deal with Bev's already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what's next?

Morris Award-finalist Nina LaCour draws together the beauty and influences of music and art to brilliantly capture a group of friends on the brink of the rest of their lives.

Before reading The Disenchantments, I had heard of Nina LaCour in passing, but I hadn't read her other book. So I didn't really know what to expect when I started reading. All I can say now is that I was absolutely blown away by Nina LaCour and this book.

Since freshman year, Colby and Bec have been planning the year they will spend in Europe after they graduate high school. But before that happens, they will tour along the West Coast with Bev's band, The Disenchantments. As summer and the tour roll around, Bev becomes more and more distant and Colby can't seem to figure out why. That is until the day Bev tells him that she's going to college in the fall and won't be going to Europe with him after all. Now Colby isn't sure what he has to do anymore. The only thing he knows for sure is that the show has to go on and so he stays on the road with The Disenchantments. And somehow, along the way, things start to fall into place again and maybe Colby will find out what his next move should be.

At first, I didn't really think much of The Disenchantments. Don't get me wrong, it was an enjoyable read, but not necessarily one that was exceptional. But then something happened and I loved this book. All of a sudden I couldn't put the book down and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what would happen next. The Disenchantments, if nothing else, took me by surprise and I absolutely loved it for that. And a large part of that was Nina LaCour's writing. Even when the story was slower, what kept me reading was her writing. There was something about it that took me in and wouldn't let me go. Despite the book being a contemporary novel, it still somehow felt magical.

Nina LaCour definitely knows how to write characters. Every single one of them felt completely real, even the more secondary characters. But not only did they feel real, each of the characters was also incredibly unique. And more than anything I loved that, despite this being mostly Colby and Bev's story, I still got to know the other people in the story, especially Meg and Alexa. I loved reading about everyone's stories and seeing how in the end they all came together and ended up all being connected. Even now, about two weeks since I've finished reading the book, I can still remember these characters, even the more minor ones, very clearly. All this to say that Colby, Bev, Meg and Alexa are definitely characters that are going to stay with me for a while.

I fell in love with everything about The Disenchantments. It was a book that took me by surprise in the best possible way. Even two weeks later, I'm still thinking about it all. 

In My Mailbox (28)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a post where book bloggers talk about the books they received for review, bought, were gifted or borrowed from the library each week.

This week was a slow week for books, which is a good thing considering the number of books I got last week. Though I may end up getting more books tomorrow (Sunday) when I meet up with some lovely Ottawa bloggers for lunch. But at any rate, here's what I got this week.

Review:

- Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey (Thank you Thomas Allen & Sons) - I just recently bought the first book in this series so I am happy to now have both books in order to read them in a row. Hopefully I'll be able to get to it soon.

Bought:

- Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins - I wasn't originally planning on buying this one, but when I met up with a bookish friend on Friday, she convinced me to buy it. Hopefully I'll be able to read this one (and Hex Hall) soon.

So that's it for me this week. I'm happy I didn't get too many books, if only because it is allowing me to sort of make a dent in my TBR Pile. But like I said, I may just end up with more books tomorrow!