My Reading Pile #68
Jun 30
It was a quiet week at the mailbox….
No. Not really. It was an AWESOME week at the mailbox. Thanks to Jaime of Two Chicks on Books and her amazing mom!
Credit for mailbox sharing goes to TSS
I wasn’t able to make it to ALA last week. And while I hadn’t planned on grabbing any books even if I went – I really didn’t! I probably would have grabbed a couple, but I hadn’t planned on grabbing any – I managed to end up with a HUGE stack of books, some swag and some seriously wicked totes (not shown).
Yes that’s Stormdancer, Unravel Me, The Crown of Embers, A Fractured Light, Burn for Burn and Scarlet tucked into that nice tall stack on the left. And some new-to-me books that sound seriously awesome like Dark Star, The Archived, Breathe and Innocent Darkness. Oh yeah my reading pile is filling up!
And some of those amazing ARCs are signed. To me! I was in tears when that box arrived on Thursday.
But if that weren’t enough, I got my copy of Before I Wake from the amazing team at Harlequin TEEN for participating in the Before I Wake Tour.
Then, much to my surprise, I received two amazing books by Jennifer L. Armentrout, which just so happened to coincide with the arrival of my print copy of Pure that I purchased at Amazon. The lovely folks at Spencer Hill Press sent along copies of Cursed and Deity which I am absolutely dying to read. And they look so pretty.
With so many new books on the pile, I can’t help but start one or two of them this week. So…
Here are the books I have in my reading pile this week.
(July 1 – July 7, 2012)
***
First up on the pile is Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi. And unlike with Shatter Me I am not going to wait to read this one. I’m fighting the urge to grab it off the pile right now. Because I am so curious to find out the answer to my forever question, “What happens next?”
I was blown away by Shatter Me. Completely and totally blown away. That writing was so beautiful and fragile and vulnerable and amazing and it took my breath away over and over as I read it. And I can’t wait to be as amazed, even if it is in a completely different way, by this sequel.
I have no idea where the story will lead. I have not read any descriptions, looked at any sneak peeks or teasers. I want to be surprised by this book. And so that nothing gets spoiled I will be reading it this weekend.
And yes, I am dying to find out if it’s Juliette that becomes unraveled and just how that happens and what it all means. I will have my answers on Sunday!
Next up on the pile is a book that hasn’t had its cover revealed – at least that I know of – and that’s Scarlet by Marissa Meyer. I discovered the author’s Lunar Chronicles series late last year and was hesitant to give it a shot because the cover and description sounded very science fiction-y.
But I got an early audio copy for review and also received an ARC and I fell in love with her amazing book. That ending was an absolute killer. So of course I hoped and wished that with four books planned in the series that they’d be releasing one every six months.
No such luck. Scarlet is due out in 2013 and Cress and Winter are due out in 2014 and 2015, respectively. So you can imagine just how surprised and happy I was to open the box from Jaime on Thursday and discover that I didn’t have to wait any more.
Well, for this installment at least….
And no, I cannot wait any longer than later this week to start it. While I’ll probably hear the narrator from the audiobook in my head as I read, I thought she brought such a wonderful energy to the story that I don’t mind it at all if I hear the story in her voice.
I have not taken more than a teeny tiny peek at the snippet of a description on the book cover. The fairy tale in this one seems to be Little Red Riding Hood, but it should also be, I hope, a continuation of Cinder’s story. Because we were left hanging at the end.
And I’m really, really dying to know just what comes next. If I manage to finish Unravel Me on Sunday, I’ll be reading Scarlet on Monday and will find out exactly what happens then.
Yes, I’ve added a third book to the pile this week. And if you can’t guess from the cover image, it just so happens to be Demon Eyes by Scott Tracey. It’s a “back on the pile” read… sort of.
I read it already. More than once. Maybe, just maybe, more than that. But I haven’t yet written my review. And I’d much rather write the review now and schedule it for later than find I don’t have time for a re-read closer to release date.
And since I have an extra reading day due to the holiday this week, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to re-read and review Demon Eyes. Though I probably don’t need to re-read it to write my review. I feel as if I know it quite well by now. Though I’ll be no less tormented by that ending than I was on first read or any of my subsequent reads. Of that I am certain.
Since I have read it already, I could talk just a bit about this book. About that incredibly shocking ending. About Braden and Trey…. About Lucien. But I wouldn’t do that. I could talk about the feud or what powers those witch eyes of Braden’s really contain. But I wouldn’t do that either. What I will do is just read the book, write my review and keep it under wraps until I am allowed to post it here on the blog.
Yep. That’s exactly what I will do. I so can’t wait to re-read this book.
Wishful Thinking reads:
Oh, can I just say all of those books in the pile image at the top of this post? I mean, I would love to read all of them. This week. But that’s probably not going to happen. I may have said this before, but I’m not the fastest of readers.
So, if I had to pick only two, I’d say The Crown of Embers and Cursed. I absolutely adored the epic adventure I went on in Rae Carson’s The Girl of Fire and Thorns and I can’t wait to find out what new adventure is in store for Elisa in the next installment in the series.
Ooh, I just found out there is a prequel novella. I really wish I had that one on the pile, too. But that is definitely a wishful thinking read since I don’t actually have a copy.
And Cursed is a book I’ve been waiting a long time to read. I can’t wait to meet the new characters that Jennifer Armentrout has created, visit the new world she’s built and find out just how addictive this new book will be.
Ah, if wishes could only come true and I could read both books this week, too….
Those left behind:
I didn’t read any of the books on the pile last week. Again. And I didn’t even go off pile to read… well, until Friday that is. I was way too busy with work and life stuff that I barely had time to blog and I didn’t have time to read. But I will be remedying that in the next week. Though I don’t know if I’ll get a chance to read the two books from last week’s pile.
I did pick up a book that was left behind from an older pile and I’m devouring that right now. It’s Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglein and it’s kinda seriously awesome. I’m most surprised by the fact that the story has a depth to it. I expected action. I expected a fast-paced, intriguing story. And it has all that. It is all that. But it has much more. The writing is painting these wonderful pictures and while I’d never want to be in Sara Jane’s world in reality it’s pretty cool following her in fiction.
I just wasn’t in the mood for the paranormal early Friday morning when I woke up hours before the alarm. But this story was an absolutely perfect fit for my reading mood. I can’t wait to get back to it. I am super excited to find out just how much more of a kick-a** heroine Sara Jane is than what has been revealed to me in the first third of the book.
And while I did not manage to write two reviews this week, I’m fairly certain it had nothing to do with reviewer’s block. I just didn’t have any books to review because I hadn’t read any books. But if I finish the book I’m currently reading and read the three books on the pile this week, I should have at least two reviews written, though I will only be able to post the one.
NetGalley Pile Adds:
I am still in hiding from NetGalley. I don’t think I’ll be able to say the same thing next week, however. With that extra day off I’m sure I’ll find myself, at least for a few minutes, trolling the site for books to request….
The review I wrote this week did take awhile, but I didn’t start it until quite late and it was a tough book to review because of the emotional entanglement I had with the story and characters. Plus it’s the first time I actually spoiled a previous book in the series by revealing certain characters who made it through. But there was no way around it.
But I wasn’t stressed about it. I didn’t have reviewer’s block. And while there was just a slight quirk with one of the lines in that synopsis, I think it spoke in my voice. I hope I’m even more successful this week.
If I’m not writing reviews, however, I think it will be because I’m devouring all those new books I received this week. But what about you?
***
Do you create a reading pile?
If so, what’s in your pile this week?
And feel free to leave a link to your post if you create a reading pile. I’d love to check it out!
I just dropped by to actually… stalk-shock- but really I was like… a QUIET week at the mailbox… and I thought… if THAT is what she thinks is quiet I dare not try and ask about a LOUD one!
But then
T____________________________________________T
UN
RA
VEL
ME
KILL ME NOW
~CRYING~CRYING~CRYING~
Enjoy!!!! You have NO idea how happy I am that you got it!! It’s ridiculous! I can’t WAIT to read a review or just you know… teasers from you
#1~crying~snot~and~all~stalker
Hahaha, I’m cracking up over Alba’s comment above!
But anyway… WOW, that’s one hell of a reading pile! Drooling over your books right now… I just read Shatter Me last week, but I’m dying for Unravel Me! And ahhh, Scarlet! Cinder was fan-freakin-tastic! And Cursed looks great too!
On another note, I’m totally over psyched over the Authors are Rockstars event you’re planning! I’ve seen some tweet where you talk about it with Jamie and I’m dying with curiosity!!!
Enjoy reading your seriously amazing pile!
Amazing pile right there! So many awesome titles I’m dying to read! Scarlet! A Fractured Light! Oh yay for Deity & Cursed!
So many good books!
I haven’t read Shatter Me but really want to. Cinder was awesome! I’m looking forward to the rest of the series too.
I know! I’m so lucky to have such great blogger friends and to have received two amazing books from SHP. Cinder was one of those awesome surprises. I fell in love and can’t wait to read the rest of the series, like you!
I die of jealousy over Unravel Me and Scarlet. Did you totally hug them when they came in? Cuz seriously those are hug worthy books I think.
AND HURRAH CROWN OF EMBERS! I think when I am on vacation next week (not going anywhere exciting, just relaxing at home) I think that will be my treat read.
Happy reading!!
I was too afraid to hug them thinking they’d disappear. But yeah they’re totally hug worthy. And CoE is such a must read on vacay. And relaxing at home sounds like the best kind of vacation IMO. It is totally a treat read. I’m sure it will be as epic as the first.
Happy reading to you too!
OMG. Unravel Me? *Cues hyperventilating* And Scarlet looks to me amazing as well!
Oh yes, I am excited and afraid to read it! I want to find out what happens next but I have sky-high expectations. I’m really hoping to be as blown away. I can’t imagine I won’t be. And Scarlet I know will be awesome. I loved Cinder. And as it’s signed to me it makes it even more special.
Amazing reading pile!!! O.O…WOW, Unravel Me, Scarlet, Deity and Cursed, just WOW!
Happy reading!
OMG!!!! I cant say how jealous I am right now!!!!!! Breathe, Dark Star, UNRAVEL ME, SCARLET!!!! Congrats! I hope you enjoy them! they all sound amazing!
*still jealous* LOL
I’m so happy you made note of Jaime’s mom! Patricia really wanted to be the one to give you Unravel Me.
I got Cursed and Deity this week too! YAY!!!
So many amazing new books! I can’t wait to read them all!
I’m so happy you loved them! It was so cute mom was like “oh I’m getting this one for Rachel and I’m getting them signed for her!” She loved being your proxy lol
Oh my… Unravel Me AND Scarlet!? I am beyond jealous right now! I haven’t read Cinder yet but I’ve heard enough about it to know it’s one seriously amazing book! And Shatter Me was just mind-blowing!! I hope you enjoy all the books you’re going to be reading this week! Happy reading!:)
Wow! Those are a ton of amazing books!I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Unravel Me and Scarlet! Enjoy!
You had an amazing book week. I’m interested in reading Breathe and I also have Before I Wake, I can’t wait to read that one.
My Stack
jealous
burn for burn/ unravell me
enjoy all
-> “Since I have read it already, I could talk just a bit about this book. About that incredibly shocking ending. About Braden and Trey…. About Lucien. But I wouldn’t do that. I could talk about the feud or what powers those witch eyes of Braden’s really contain. But I wouldn’t do that either. What I will do is just read the book, write my review and keep it under wraps until I am allowed to post it here on the blog.”
Oh… am I not a complete masochist for loving you woman?!
~sighs~ I need serious, professional and immediate help.
T_T
#1stalker
You are a total masochist Alba.
But no, you don’t need professional help. LOL! Any of us who read all these amazing books need help. We’re all masochists!
I actually meant, besides book-masochism, the masochism I put myself through by coming nonstop to your site :’(
I’m scared of you getting… tired or freaked out… because of me :’(
T_______________T
omg!!!
Unravel Me!!!
Enjoy reading
I just finished my other book I think I’ll be starting Unravel Me early!
I’m dying with envy over here. Just one word. Deity. This is the one book I would literally kill to get my hands on, although Stormdancer is a pretty closer runner-up
With all the amazing books you receive, I don’t know how you force yourself to leave the house! I’d probably become an anti-social hermit who the neighbours refer to as the crazy one…
ARRGHHHHH! UNRAVEL ME!!! I so ENVY you right now!!!
OMg you lucky girl..thats an amazing pile:)) cant wait to hear what you think!!;))))))))
I am so lucky. Jaime is awesome. And Unravel Me was utterly breathtakingly awesomely amazing! I’m going to be starting Scarlet maybe tonight…
Scarlet!? Ahh I am so jealous! I can’t wait for it to be released!
At the moment I have Divergent, Bloodlines, The Immortal Rules, Partials in my TBR pile. I’m going to try and attempt to read Torment by Lauren Kate, but I really did not like Fallen so I don’t know if I will be able to manager it!
Jordon @ Miss Book Reviews
Oh my Godness!!! (I’m like the 100th person shocked with Unravel me!)
They’re such amazing books! Hope you enjoy them all. Can’t wait to know what do you think of Deity! I so loved Pure.
Happy reading!
I can’t wait to read your review of Unravel Me, I loved the little ramble you did about it
Oh and Scarlet, I completely missed seeing that the 1st time. I hope I get an ARC of that, I sent a request to Marissa pub that I have meet 2xs now. I really hope I get it! Even if I have been really inactive on my blog lately
wow what an amazing book week. i tried to get a copy of stormdancer at ala but it never happened. and oooh jennifer armentrout. so jealous! enjoy your new books.
Oh no that’s unfortunate! When I saw Jaime had a copy I just couldn’t resist. I heard such amazing things about it! Jennifer Armentrout totally rocks. I have quite a few JLA books to read this summer and I can’t wait! Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy the books you grabbed at ALA!