October 6, 2013

Showcase Sunday #7

 
 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. 



 For Review:
The Drake Equation by Heather Walsh
I received this for review from the author. From what I can tell, this is a contemporary romance about two Americans who are on either side of political, economic, and social issues. I've been in an adult fiction mood recently, so this sounds like it'll fit perfectly. Thanks, Heather!
Sorrow's Knot by Erin Bow
Thanks, Netgalley and Scholastic! I haven't read Bow's Plain Kate yet, although it sounds like the type of story that I'd love. And this! About the dead being controlled by the knotted cords and yarns of powerful women. So interesting! Kind of reminds me of Sabriel and the dead being controlled by bells... Look for my review later this month! 




Received: 
All Our Yesterdays (All Our Yesterdays, #1) by Cristin Terrill
I received this print ARC from Cristin Terrill and Disney-Hyperion via a contest held by Literary Rambles. Thanks, everyone! I've heard great things about this debut. I don't normally gravitate towards time travel stories, but I think I'll make an exception in this case. (And who knows - it may lead to me wanting to read more time travel books.) I'm hoping to get to this one soon!

Purchased:
Jovah's Angel (Samaria, #2) by Sharon Shinn
For...reasons. I freaking love Shinn's Archangel and I've delayed reading or buying any of her other Samaria books because I dislike the fact that each installment features a new angel/human pairing. But I've been craving an Archangel reread soon and then want to continue with the series this time through.
Tess of the d'Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy
The only Hardy book I've read so far was Jude the Obscure, which was honestly pretty depressing. But I want to make a concerted effort to spend some time reading more classics. This was super cheap at my local used book store and it's a story I've been interested in reading.
The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
I'm not quite sure I can formulate why, but I've been intrigued by this premise ever since I first read it. And the book ended up being well worth the read. I loved its messages on self-confidence and Bianca is quite the refreshingly unconventional heroine. My 4 star review.
Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson
This was free for Kindle. Like I'll ever say no to free books I've already had an interest in reading. Also: it's about freaking Valkyries in our modern-day world. I actually have had this short story idea I've been toying with for AGES about a Valkyrie. Maybe reading this will convince me to polish up my own story and get to work submitting it.
The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1) by Scott Lynch
I actually don't know much about this book. But it's about a con artist and his group of thieves in a fantasy world! And it seems to have received pretty solid critical acclaim. And it was super cheap for the Kindle one day. Still, though, I have high hopes that I'll enjoy this one!



Borrowed:
Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
After reading the masterpiece that was Code Name Verity last year, of course I was going to read its companion novel. And I loved it, but of course I didn't expect anything less from this. Rose's story is, in many ways, far more tragic than that of Maddie and Julie. And I enjoyed the fact that Rose is an American and a poet. My 5 star review.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Because of course I had to read this. I was a huge Harry Potter fangirl back in the day, and even wrote a few fan fiction stories for the Harry Potter (and a few other) fandoms. I'm not sure this is the most perfect representation of the power of fandom and fan fiction, but it was still a fun read. I really liked how quirky Rowell's book was and I intend on reading her two other works. My 3.5 star review.


Let me know what books you've recently acquired!
author image

Amanda

Amanda loves few things better than sitting down with a cup of tea and a book. She frequently stays up far too late, telling herself she just needs to finish one more page. When she's not wrapped up in the stories of others, Amanda works as a children's librarian in a public library.

8 comments:

  1. I'm really interested in your take on both Valkyrie Rising and The Lies of Locke Lamora as I've been meaning to read both. I really enjoyed All Our Yesterday's, Sorrow's Knot, and even The DUFF. I think Kody Keplinger is one of the few contemporary authors I've really enjoyed in the past. Also, I'm so curious to see how more Sharon Shinn works out for you! Archangel was fantastic, but Rachel really got on my nerves, and I haven't seen as many glowing reviews for the rest of the series, but I hope it's good! Happy Reading, Amanda!(:

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    1. Thank you, Keertana! I'll definitely let you know how Valkyrie Rising, The Lies of Locke Lamora, and Jovah's Angel are! Rachel annoyed me a bit, but I felt like I understood her character enough not to be too bothered by it. And I haven't seen much on any other books in Shinn's series, so I'm hoping it's good. I've read part of her Twelve Houses series and Summers at Castle Auburn really liked all those, so hopefully she's just an author whose every work I love. :)

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  2. Really great haul here! I'm looking forward to seeing what you think on All Our Yesterdays :)

    My Showcase Sunday :)

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    1. Thanks! Just posted my review of that today. :)

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  3. All Our Yesterdays! The DUFF! Fangirl! You got so many amazing books and I hope you love them all!

    Jen @ YA Romantics

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    1. I am pretty happy with my haul haha. Thanks, Jen!

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  4. I'm so happy to see All Our Yesterdays in your Showcase Amanda, I'm not one to pick up time travel books either, but this book just blew me away, so I hope you end up enjoying it! I've had The Duff on my bookshelf for the longest time ever! So I'm glad to see that you enjoyed it! I also started Fangirl this morning and have been enjoying it so far! I hope you enjoy all your books! :)

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    1. Thanks, Jasprit! I did end up enjoying All Our Yesterdays quite a bit. Same with The DUFF. I guess I'm that one weirdo who doesn't like Fangirl though. Oh well lol.

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