January 4, 2015

Showcase Sunday #21

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.

Received:
The Secrets We Keep by Trisha Leaver  
Thank you, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Netgalley! I haven't been requesting or reading many review copies recently, but this story about identical twins, death, and the secrets they kept sounded too good to resist!


Purchased:  
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell  
I suggested a professor of mine read this in preparation for a YA lit class (which I'm taking with her next semester), and she loved it so much she is considering adding it to our reading list. I suppose I should read this myself now.  
The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson  
So I already own a Kindle edition of the first book in this trilogy, but I couldn't resist purchasing the bundled ebook edition for under $6 and DRM free. So reading this, it will happen. 
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly  
I've already professed my desire to read Donnelly's works. When I saw that the Kindle edition of this book was on sale, I figured I might as well purchase it since I do plan on reading it sooner rather than later.
Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1) by L.M. Montgomery
I actually borrowed a copy of this from my public library and then purchased my own copy only a few weeks later. I haven't read it yet, but I am so convinced I'll love it and found this adorable and inexpensive Puffin edition.   
Outlander (Outlander, #1) by Diana Gabaldon  
I am so curious about this book! Everyone's been raving about the TV show, but it looks like opinions on the book are rather widespread. But like I'm out-of-the-loop, and I cannot stand to be so for something book-related!
 

Borrowed:  
The Young Elites (The Young Elites, #1) by Marie Lu  
This book was so, so good. I swear, Lu improves with each book she publishes. If my main complaint is the use of multiple POVs (a common complaint of mine), then this is a pretty damn good book.
The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry  
More Julie Berry, please! This sounds like a totally different book than All the Truth That's in Me was, but I'm okay with that. This sounds like a hilariously fun read, and I'm eager to give it a try.  
The Glass Sentence (The Mapmakers Trilogy, #1) by S.E. Grove  
This was...an interesting book, that's for sure. Grove creates a world I would have never, ever imagined. I'm not sure how successful it is, personally, but it's fascinating. I read this for a Mock Newbury meeting, so I'm curious to see what the other readers think.
Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle  
I actually decided to get in the holiday spirit and read a Christmas book (which almost never happens). This was a perfect holiday air travel book, though. Very cute, but not necessarily containing any lasting power.  
The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles, #1) by Mary Pearson  
I kind of dismissed this book based on initial reviews. But it also has been garnering a lot of praise, so obviously I had to rethink my strategy. Because, really, I don't want to miss out on reading a potentially wonderful fantasy book.  
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin  
I also read this for the Mock Newbury meeting this month. And I actually quite enjoyed it. It's a fast read, but still a fascinating portrayal of a young girl with Asperger's Syndrome.
Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly by Gail Carson Levine  
Gail Carson Levine is one of my favorite writers ever. 2015 I'm really going to push myself to get back into creative writing. Clearly I need to read her writing guide.
Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz
Another impulse library borrow! I think nearly every major review company praised this one, and it received a Newbury Honor. I figured the best way to get up to speed on current MG reads is through reading some Newbury picks.

What books have you 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.

3 comments:

  1. A Northern Light is one of my favorite books EVER and I sincerely hope you love it, Amanda! I'm curious to see what you think of Kiss of Deception and Eleanor & Park--two wildly popular books I just didn't enjoy. Great haul and happy reading, Amanda!(:

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  2. Outlander is one of my favorite books. I hope you love all your new books. They look fabulous.

    Grace @ Books of Love

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  3. I'm so excited that you got Anne of Green Gables - one of my all-time favorite books and a huge reason why I'm the reader I am today. I also loved A Northern Light, so I was excited to see that in your post. I thoroughly enjoyed The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place! You are correct about it being very different from All the Truth That's In Me. I do hope you have as much fun reading it as I did! And I'll be curious about what you think about Outlander. I read it last year and was totally hooked. There are things I loved about it (and I do plan to continue the series) but there are other things that provide LOTS of room for discussion. I'll be on the lookout for your review of that one!

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