Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicki at Books, Biscuits and Tea. Its aim is to showcase our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders this week.
Purchased:
The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1) by Rae Carson
I actually already own the ebook version of this. I purchased it for my Kindle last summer when it went on sale and I loved it! Then I received The Crown of Embers along with Splintered as part of a prize for the Debut Author Challenge. I'm anal enough that I need my books to be all in the same format (plus I am much more likely to reread a physical book rather than an ebook), although I did decide to go for the smaller, cheaper paperback version. My review.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
This was my pick for the monthly book club I participate in with some coworkers. I've been feeling the loss of Hispanic culture learning in my life ever since I graduated college, and my Dominican American friend highly recommended this book. The only other Dominican American author I've read is Julia Alvarez, so I was eager to get another perspective on this culture. Plus this is a Pulitzer Prize winner!
The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1) by Rae Carson
I actually already own the ebook version of this. I purchased it for my Kindle last summer when it went on sale and I loved it! Then I received The Crown of Embers along with Splintered as part of a prize for the Debut Author Challenge. I'm anal enough that I need my books to be all in the same format (plus I am much more likely to reread a physical book rather than an ebook), although I did decide to go for the smaller, cheaper paperback version. My review.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
This was my pick for the monthly book club I participate in with some coworkers. I've been feeling the loss of Hispanic culture learning in my life ever since I graduated college, and my Dominican American friend highly recommended this book. The only other Dominican American author I've read is Julia Alvarez, so I was eager to get another perspective on this culture. Plus this is a Pulitzer Prize winner!
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen & Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
I own basically all of Jane Austen's books, but in many different editions (except somehow Northanger Abbey got looked over - but I've still read it twice). I owned three already that were published by the Modern Library Classics, so when I saw these two could supplement my collection of those editions, I just had to have them. And look at how pretty the spines are!
I own basically all of Jane Austen's books, but in many different editions (except somehow Northanger Abbey got looked over - but I've still read it twice). I owned three already that were published by the Modern Library Classics, so when I saw these two could supplement my collection of those editions, I just had to have them. And look at how pretty the spines are!
Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley
I also saw this on sale at my local used bookstore and just had to buy it. I've read it a few times, most recently back the summer before my senior year in college as preparation for my thesis, but I borrowed it from the library. Although not as good as McKinley's Beauty in my opinion, I still enjoyed it and will always try to supplement my shelves with fairy tale retellings!
Borrowed:
Pivot Point (Pivot Point, #1) by Kasie West
Because I'm quite far behind on the Debut Author Challenge, I decided to borrow Pivot Point. The reviews have been positive overall and I really like the idea of the protagonist Addie being able to look into two potential futures of hers. As many other reviewers have noted, it was a surprisingly well-written, unique, and engaging. In some ways, it's like a contemporary garnished with paranormal elements. My review.
In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
I was the most excited about this book! Every single review of and blog post about this book made me realize how very much I needed this book in my life. I love well-researched historical fiction, and, after realizing that my knowledge of the Spanish Influenza was limited to Edward's human life in Twilight, I realized I needed to fix this stat. Emotionally this turned out to be a tough book for me to read, but I loved it. I really respect the obvious amount of research Winters put into this story. This is historical fiction done right.
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1) by Ilona Andrews
One of the more critically acclaimed adult urban fantasy series (at least among the blogs and reviewers I follow)!? Heck yes! I admit I was a little surprised to see how slim this volume is - but hey, that means less time spent if I decide it's not for me, and, if I do end up loving it, then there are six or so other books in this series already released. Crossing my fingers that I'll love it as much as everyone else seems to.
The Diviners (The Diviners, #1) by Libba Bray
The Roaring 20s juxtaposed with a murder mystery? This sounds fantastic! I did enjoy the Gothic vibe of Bray's Gemma Doyle series and can't wait to dive into her newest series. I'm considering reading this as part of Bout of Books 7.0, which starts next Monday (although maybe not, considering its length).
Please let me know what you've received recently!
I also saw this on sale at my local used bookstore and just had to buy it. I've read it a few times, most recently back the summer before my senior year in college as preparation for my thesis, but I borrowed it from the library. Although not as good as McKinley's Beauty in my opinion, I still enjoyed it and will always try to supplement my shelves with fairy tale retellings!
Borrowed:
Pivot Point (Pivot Point, #1) by Kasie West
Because I'm quite far behind on the Debut Author Challenge, I decided to borrow Pivot Point. The reviews have been positive overall and I really like the idea of the protagonist Addie being able to look into two potential futures of hers. As many other reviewers have noted, it was a surprisingly well-written, unique, and engaging. In some ways, it's like a contemporary garnished with paranormal elements. My review.
In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
I was the most excited about this book! Every single review of and blog post about this book made me realize how very much I needed this book in my life. I love well-researched historical fiction, and, after realizing that my knowledge of the Spanish Influenza was limited to Edward's human life in Twilight, I realized I needed to fix this stat. Emotionally this turned out to be a tough book for me to read, but I loved it. I really respect the obvious amount of research Winters put into this story. This is historical fiction done right.
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1) by Ilona Andrews
One of the more critically acclaimed adult urban fantasy series (at least among the blogs and reviewers I follow)!? Heck yes! I admit I was a little surprised to see how slim this volume is - but hey, that means less time spent if I decide it's not for me, and, if I do end up loving it, then there are six or so other books in this series already released. Crossing my fingers that I'll love it as much as everyone else seems to.
The Diviners (The Diviners, #1) by Libba Bray
The Roaring 20s juxtaposed with a murder mystery? This sounds fantastic! I did enjoy the Gothic vibe of Bray's Gemma Doyle series and can't wait to dive into her newest series. I'm considering reading this as part of Bout of Books 7.0, which starts next Monday (although maybe not, considering its length).
Please let me know what you've received recently!
I can't wait to read some of those books, like The Diviner. Happy reading! :D
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.
Thanks! Me either. Hoping to start it very soon!
DeleteAhhh an amazing book haul! Hope you enjoy :).
ReplyDeleteMy Showcase Sunday :)
Thanks! I plan on it! :)
DeleteOH, I just LOVE Kate Daniels, although Book 1 isn't that impressive, and The Diviners. I can't wait to see what you think of Rose Daughter or In the Shadow of Blackbirds and Sense & Sensibility is excellent. Northanger Abbey isn't one of my favorites, but I did really enjoy it. Lovely haul, Amanda! :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard such good things about the series as a whole - mostly from you and Heidi - and I'm glad that I know the first book isn't the best. Just need to get through this to get on to the really good ones. Rose Daughter is wonderful, but I'm not sure if I'll review for the blog. Time will tell. Thanks, Keertana!
DeleteI have been wanting to read the Diviners for a while now!! Can't wait to get my hands on it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you're able to read it soon yourself. :)
DeleteJealous! Cannot wait to read the Diviners sometime soon, but since you already have it, I think I'll wait to see what you think. And I still need to finish Sense & Sensibility. It might be hard for you to believe, but I struggled with that one. I guess I wasn't in an Austen mood at the time? I'm glad to hear you enjoyed In the Shadow of Blackbirds, and I look forward to your review! And I love the comment about Edward. :P Great book haul!
ReplyDeletehaha I'll be the guinea pig for once. Although I think this will be a successful test. I like Sense & Sensibility. You should try it again at some point. And ha I needed to point it out. Just because. :)
DeleteI am starting In the Shadow of Blackbirds next:) The Diviners is AMAZING! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteOh yay! I think you'll really like In the Shadow of Blackbirds, Heather - I certainly did! And I can't wait to start The Diviners. It's on deck. :)
DeleteGreat books! LOVED In the Shadow of Blackbirds, Pivot Point, Diviners, Girl of Fire and Thorns, Brief Wondrous Life, and Sense and Sensibility.
ReplyDeleteNorthanger Abbey is not my favorite ...
haha that seems to be the consensus. I believe that was Austen's first novel, so she wasn't as experienced. I didn't mind it, honestly, but it was written in a different style from her later ones. That's good to hear you've enjoyed most of the other ones thought! :)
Delete