I didn’t get any print books in the mail this week, though the books I traded for will be arriving on Monday. But I did get approved for a couple of awesome titles on NetGalley this week, so it’s not a completely quiet week for books.

[Credit for mailbox sharing goes to The Story Siren]

It had been ages since I put in the request for PHANTOM EYES (Witch Eyes #3) by Scott Tracey, so I was sure I would never be approved. But when I got the OK to download it this week from Flux I was totally stoked.

And I never thought I’d get approved to read NEVER FADE (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken, but thanks to the awesome folks at Disney-Hyperion I get to add this amazing book to my review pile.

And while I’d love to be able to read either one of these books this week, as both books aren’t releasing until October I won’t be adding them to the pile just yet. Of course I could go off-pile to read them….

But there are a couple books that I will be reading – that I’m dying to read – and they are…

Here are the books I have in my reading pile this week.
(June 16, 2013 – June 22, 2013)

First up on the pile is BOUNDLESS by Cynthia Hand. I hadn’t intended to say goodbye to this series this week, but thanks to the way the novella, RADIANT, ended, I just have to know what happens.

And I really, really want to know now. But I won’t be able to start on this week’s reads until Monday, as Novella Reading Week doesn’t end until then. But after that last line I’m so very anxious about what’s going to happen in this final book.

I tried not to listen to the chatter, but I did hear that there may have been tears involved for those who read it. Which makes me really, really nervous. Especially since the description mentions “sacrifices and betrayal” and that Clara is being watched by a fallen angel and that a battle with the Black Wings is “looming.”

I am expecting to have my heart broken in this finale. I’m positive that not everyone will survive. And I just have a feeling that the sacrifices that will have to be made are ones that will leave me in tears.

As much as I’ve been dreading saying goodbye to this series, I just have to know. I can’t wait any longer. And as soon as Monday rolls around I will be diving into this book.

Next up on the pile is IF I SHOULD DIE by Amy Plum. It’s actually a back on the pile read, as I’d intended to read it a few weeks ago, but ran out of time. But now that I have read Jules’ story in the novella, I’m desperate to find out what happens with him in this final book in the series.

Between everything that happened in UNTIL I DIE and what was revealed in DIE FOR HER, I am excited to find out just what happens with Kate, Vincent, Jules and the rest of the revenants.

I am almost positive that the happily ever after I’m looking for won’t be the one at the end of this book. But I’m ever the optimist. Of course it is very possible that there won’t be a happy ending at all. Not after what happened at the end of book two.

Of course, Kate is a fighter. And the description hints that she’d be willing to “risk everything” to be with Vincent. So that particular happy ending is a possibility. Right?

As much as I want to know this instant, I suppose I’ll have to read the book first…. And I plan on doing just that on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Wishful Thinking Reads:

WILD CARDS by Simone Elkeles is my wishful thinking read this week. I got approved the other week and I’m just dying to meet “bad boy” Derek Fitzpatrick. I love this author’s writing and her stories with their unconventional characters. So I’m really hoping my wish can become reality if I get a bit more reading done this week than just the two books I have on hte pile.

Those Left Behind:

I put five novellas on the pile last week – GLITTER & DOOM, DESTROY ME, ORIGINS: THE FIRE, DIE FOR HER and FLIRTING WITH MAYBE. I only read two of them and I’m currently reading DESTROY ME. But I have until tomorrow to finish this week’s reads and I will be reading the remaining two stories.

I ended up choosing two other novellas to read first – UNDONE and RADIANT – but it doesn’t mean those others won’t be on my “read” pile by the end of tomorrow.

Of course I haven’t yet written any reviews for the novellas, but I also plan on working on those this weekend. They’re only “Quickie” reviews so I can’t imagine not being able to wrangle my thoughts about each read fairly quickly and posting my reviews before tomorrow’s end.

I did end up setting aside PHOENIX until the challenge was over, so I’ll have to finish that this week. And I had to postpone my review for DANCE OF THE RED DEATH due to a rather crowded blog schedule this past week. But it will be up on Tuesday.

I have some extra quiet time this week, so I’m hoping I’ll be able to write my review for INDELIBLE. But if I decide not to spend it reviewing I will be reading EARTH BOUND by Aprilynne Pike.

And while I have a few review books I need to be reading, after diving into some awesome novellas this past week, I just have to continue those series. The short peeks at the worlds and characters were enough to lure me back in and make me want more, more, more.

But I will be back to the review pile next week as there are a few titles I need to read before the month’s end. But for now I’m happy to read purely for pleasure. And no, I don’t feel guilty…. Well, not that guilty.

NetGalley Pile Adds & Finds:

I did end up requesting one book from NetGalley this week….

CONSUME (The Clann #3) by Melissa Darnell (Harlequin Teen, Aug 27 2013)

I’ve read the first two books in the series and I’m curious to see what happens with Tristan and Savannah in this third book. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be approved.

But that was my only request from NetGalley this week, though I also requested a book from Edelweiss.

And, as mentioned above, I was approved for NEVER FADE by Alexandra Bracken and PHANTOM EYES by Scott Tracey, so I’m super stoked about that.

***

But there are a couple of other books I am really tempted to request. However, as I have so many eBooks for review right now, I’m going to wait. I just don’t know for how long….

HEREAFTER by Kate Brian (Disney Book Group, Oct 1 2013)

TIME AFTER TIME by Tamara Ireland Stone (Disney Book Group, Oct 8 2013)

THE INFINITE MOMENT OF US by Lauren Myracle (Abrams, Aug 20 2013)

TASTE TEST by Kelly Fiore (Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, Aug 27 2013)

SICK by Tom Leveen (Abrams, Oct 1 2013)

BANISH by Nicola Marsh (Harlequin Enterprise Australia, Aug 1 2013) ***Australian Reviewers Only***

LOVE DISGUISED by Lisa Klein (Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, Jul 30 2013)

THE WEIGHT OF WATER by Sarah Crossan (Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, Jul 23 2013)

RED by Alison Cherry (Random House Children’s, Oct 8 2013)

TANDEM (The Many-Worlds Trilogy #1) by Anna Jarzab (Random House Children’s, Oct 8 2013)

NOT YOUR ORDINARY WOLF GIRL by Emily Pohl-Weary (Penguin Canada, Sep 24 2013)

CONTAMINATED by Em Garner (Egmont USA, Jul 23 2013)

And… there is also a CHAPTER SAMPLER from UNHINGED by A.G. Howard (Abrams, Jan 7 2014) which I did request and was approved for.

I am trying so hard not to request any more titles, though I really am interested in requesting HEREAFTER by Kate Brian and TIME AFTER TIME by Tamara Ireland Stone. I love, love, love time travel stories so I think it’s very likely I will be requesting at least that one title.

And TANDEM sounds so unbelievably good as does THE INFINITE MOMENT OF US.

I will not request any more books. I will not request any more books. I will not….

Things are a bit up in the air with me this week. Because I have some quiet time to myself I may end up doing a little bit of writing instead of reading. Though I’m desperately in the mood to sink into a book or two or three.

My mood keeps shifting so it’s hard for me to decide upon a book to read in advance of reading it. But I’m certain I want to read the two books I have on the pile this week.

I did not expect the novellas to get me as excited about continuing the series as they did. Fortunately a few of the novellas are from series I am already caught up on. But I may end up skipping over the Throne of Glass novellas as I should wait just a little longer before diving into CROWN OF MIDNIGHT. And I just know the temptation will be too hard to resist if I start reading those short stories.

I hope to get a few more novellas read and maybe even a few of them reviewed before the end of the weekend, because I have a couple of reviews to post on the blog this week. And with a tour stop and my Novella Reading Week wrap-up posts on Monday, a giveaway and a review scheduled for Tuesday, another review set for Wednesday and my Book Watch post slated for Thursday, I don’t exactly have too many free days to try and post those Quickie Reviews.

And I really do want to spend more time reading. So, we’ll see….

As ever, I hope you had an amazing reading week, that you fell in love with a book or two, found a new “team” to cheer for and will meet one or two more this week. So, if you’d like to share what you’re planning on reading this week, what you’ve just moved off your reading pile or what amazing books you’ve received this week, leave a comment. I’d love to know.

***

Do you create a reading pile?
If so, what’s in your pile this week?

It was a fairly quiet week at the mailbox this week. Granted, I didn’t check my mailbox since Tuesday. But aside from a few books I’d traded for that won’t be here until next week, I wasn’t expecting anything.

Which is why the one book that showed up on my doorstep on Tuesday night was a complete and total surprise.

[Credit for mailbox sharing goes to The Story Siren]

I was ecstatic when I opened the package late Tuesday night and inside was a copy of EARTHBOUND (Earthbound #1) by Aprilynne Pike thanks to the amazing folks at Razorbill. It was completely unexpected. I may have tried to request the eARC ages ago from either NetGalley or Edelweiss but I was too late to the party and quotas were reached.

I love, love, loved the author’s Wings series and I’m so unbelievably stoked to be able to read the first book in this new series just a little bit early. I’m actually so very tempted to try and squeeze it in before Novella Reading Week, but if not, it will be the first book on the pile next week.

I didn’t put in any new requests this past week at Edelweiss. Sadly I did not get approved for Holly Black’s novel. But I did get approved for two amazing titles from NetGalley, both of which I’m anxious to get on the pile really soon.

But this week, my pile is going to be just a little bit different. And so…

Here are the books I have in my reading pile this week.
(June 9, 2013 – June 15, 2013)

In last week’s post I may have mentioned that I, along with Mindy of Magical Urban Fantasy Reads, have decided to challenge ourselves (and anyone who wants to join in) to read as many novellas as we possibly can. So, from June 10th through June 16th (Monday through Sunday) I will be reading only those novellas I have on my eReader.

Which means that My Reading Pile this week is going to be a little bit different.

And while I may not stick to the list of novellas I currently have on the pile, these are the five books I am hoping to read this week….

GLITTER & DOOM (Masque of the Red Death #1.5) by Bethany Griffin

I read DANCE OF THE RED DEATH a couple of weeks ago and I still can’t believe I had to say goodbye to this amazing series. And with everything that happened in that book, diving back into the series with this novella will be bittersweet.

And I’m so curious how much of a difference it would have made to both reads had I read this novella before I read the final book….

Either way, I’m totally stoked to be able to dive into this short story which sounds absolutely ahhhh-mazing!

DESTROY ME (Shatter Me #1.5) by Tahereh Mafi

I had DESTROY ME on the reading pile months ago. I even started it. Warner is my favorite character in the series so I was totally stoked when he got a novella all to himself.

And yet I still haven’t actually read it….

But that will change this week. And while I am reading it out of order, as I’ve already read UNRAVEL ME, it would have been the same no matter what, because I’d received an early copy of UNRAVEL ME and read it before this novella was released.

ORIGINS: The Fire (Mila 2.0 #0.5) by Debra Driza

I wanted to read this the moment I finished MILA 2.0 but my schedule just wouldn’t allow. But now that I have a little time I’m super curious as to just what Mila would see if she did relive the fire.

I believe this came out before the first book in the series, so I’m curious as to just how much detail they go into about who and what Mila is. And it will be interesting to see how it might have changed my perception of those early chapters if I had read it first.

DIE FOR HER (Die for Me #2.5) by Amy Plum

I haven’t yet read the final book in the series, so I’m so thrilled to be able to read this novella in the correct order in which it was released. I have a feeling that IF I SHOULD DIE is going to have a lot to do with Jules and so I’m glad to be able to read this now, before whatever happens in that book happens.

I love this author’s series and Jules is one of my favorite characters. He might even be my favorite. So I’m totally excited to get the chance to read this novella this week.

FLIRTING WITH MAYBE by Wendy Higgins

I am a huge fan of author Wendy Higgins. And while this novella isn’t one that’s connected with her Sweet Trilogy, I’m super excited to read another story penned by her.

I haven’t read a contemporary story in awhile, but I’m really excited to read one that sounds sweet, fun and swoon-y.

And as the author is one whose writing I absolutely adore, I just know it’s going to be awesome.

And if I have just a bit of extra time – if I manage to read one novella a day – I’m going to pick two of these…

UNDONE (Unraveling #1.5) by Elizabeth Norris

RADIANT (Unearthly #2.5) by Cynthia Hand

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN PERU (The Bane Chronicles Part #1) by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan

THE ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD (Throne of Glass #0.1) by Sarah J. Maas

… though I have a feeling that I’ll be reading UNDONE even before I read all five of my chosen reads.

Wishful Thinking Reads:

EARTHBOUND by Aprilynne Pike. The book I received for review this week. It’s sitting right next to me, begging to be read. And I really want to give in to temptation. But I do have a bit of a reading challenge that I’m hosting and I really need to stick to plan. So I think that EARTHBOUND will have to remain a wishful thinking read. At least for another week.

Those Left Behind:

I didn’t really get any reading done this past week, except to finish STAR CURSED, which took an extra day or two due to my crazy schedule this past week. And while I started reading OF POSEIDON, I won’t get to finish it before I have to start reading this week’s reads on Monday. And as I want to be able to read that book and OF TRITON back-to-back, I’m going to wait to read them until after Novella Reading Week.

But I also ended up putting PHOENIX back on the pile and I did start reading that book from the beginning, too. So I will likely end up finishing that book tomorrow and will hopefully have time to sneak in a review this week.

I ended up writing and posting three reviews this week, so I’m starting to get caught up. But I still have to finish my review for GODDESS, which I hope to post this week, write my review for DANCE OF THE RED DEATH, which I plan to post on Tuesday and maybe, just maybe, write a review for INDELIBLE, which I won’t be posting until July.

But that remains to be determined.

Taking the week to read novellas is going to put me a bit further behind on books I should be reading now, but I’ve wanted to do this for ages. So I am. I can’t only be reading for review or to try and complete those other reading challenges I’m doing, can I? I say, “No!”

NetGalley Pile Adds & Finds:

I did not request any new books on NetGalley this week. but I did get approved for the two books I requested last week, CROWN OF MIDNIGHT by Sarah J. Maas and WILD CARDS by Simone Elkeles. Which was a huge – and awesome – surprise.

They’re both books I want to get on the pile really, really soon, even though neither book is releasing for awhile.

***

Although I haven’t requested any of these titles, there are a few I’m definitely interested in. But as I’m really trying to finish reading the eARCs and printed ARCs I already have for review, I am going to try and refrain.

NEVER FADE (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken (Disney Book Group, Oct 15 2013)

QUARANTINE: THE SAINTS (Quarantine #2) by Lex Thomas (Egmont USA, Jul 9 2013)

THE ENCHANTER HEIR (Heir Chronicles #4) by Cinda Williams Chima (Disney Book Group, Oct 1 2013)

SOMETIMES NEVER, SOMETIMES ALWAYS by Elissa Janine Hoole (Flux, Nov 8 2013)

PIROUETTE by Robyn Bavati (Flux, Nov 8 2013)

… Well that didn’t last long. I did end up clicking to request NEVER FADE by Alexandra Bracken. I’m not certain I’ll be approved, but I would love to be able to read the two books in that series back-to-back and requesting it for review will give me the added incentive to get them both on the pile.

I think I’m out of my reading slump. There’s always something wonderful about reading books outside of what you’d normally read and then being completely surprised by them that helps bring back the happy feels. There’s also just something so lovely about reading a physical book now and then. Even if it means clamping on a book light to read in the dark.

I am looking forward to this week’s reads, although they are all in electronic format. But the idea of short forays into the worlds I know and love holds such an appeal at the moment.

And while I have many, many, many more novellas on my Kindle begging to be read, even if I do I think I’m going to be able to read more than one a day, I may just stop at seven. I want to be able to enjoy them a little bit and not turn this week into a read-a-thon.

Anyway…

I think I was actually in more of a reviewing slump than a reading slump. I just couldn’t find the words to convey my thoughts. But after having read both BORN WICKED and STAR CURSED, they reappeared. As if by magic. And so I am very, very hopeful I’ll have reviews done for GODDESS and DANCE OF THE RED DEATH this week.

And maybe, just maybe, I’ll write quickie/mini/micro reviews for the novellas I’m reading. Fingers crossed.

But what about you? Did your books arrive safely from BEA? Have you started reading any of those books yet? If you didn’t attend the event, did you get some exciting new books in the mail or did you buy a few that you’ve already added the pile?

I’d love to know what you received and are reading this week!

***

Do you create a reading pile?
If so, what’s in your pile this week?

I didn’t get any books in the mail this week and I hadn’t anticipated any arriving. As it’s been awhile since I put in a request for a physical book I knew it would be a quiet week at the mailbox.

And I didn’t receive any new eARCs for review from Edelweiss. Though I did put in a request for Holly Black’s THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN. My hopes aren’t high as I was late to request it and I am assuming it’s a very popular book. But I just had to try.

While I didn’t receive any new review books in the mail this week I do have a couple books I plan on reading this week.

Here are the books I have in my reading pile this week.
(June 2, 2013 – June 8, 2013)

First up on the pile is OF POSEIDON by Anna Banks. I had an early copy I received through a trade last year, but had passed it along as I knew I wouldn’t get the chance to read it early. But I really thought I’d have read it by now. Especially since I heard that it was so unbelievably awesome.

Well, that obviously didn’t happen. But it’s never too late, right? And now that the sequel has released I get to read both books back-to-back, which is, in my opinion, way better. Though it means I’ll be forced to wait for the third book’s release next year. I did say better… not perfect.

I am so excited to be able to dive in – pun a little bit intended – to this series. I can’t wait to meet Galen and Emma. I love that this story is told from both their perspectives and I’m curious to see whose POV I’ll enjoy reading more.

The description promises a story that’s filled with “romance,” and “intrigue” and with a connection that grows into something more, I just know I’m going to love this book. Which I will definitely be reading this week.

Next up on the pile is OF TRITON by Anna Banks. Just like last week I plan on reading two series books back-to-back. And I’m super excited to be able to do so with this series by Anna Banks.

I also had an early ARC I received through a trade for this second book in the series. But because I knew I wouldn’t get the chance to read either book before OF TRITON’s release I opted to pass it along. Reluctantly.

Well, now I have the finished copy on my Kindle just begging to be read. Which I will be doing just as soon as I read book one. And while I did end up reading this book’s description the other week when creating my Releasing This Week post, I am not going to read it again just in case it did mention anything too spoiler-y.

So I will just assume that this sequel is about Emma and Galen and is told from both their POVs. And as I have heard some chatter which said that this book rocks, I will also assume that there will be romance and intrigue and I’ll love it as much as I love the first.

Wishful Thinking Reads:

JOYLAND by Stephen King releases this week. As I have a few books I need to finish reading for review I’m not sure I’ll be able to read it this week, but I am really, really hopeful I can. He is my favorite author and I can’t imagine waiting too long before I dive into his latest novel. But as it is also only releasing in print format, it might take even longer before I’ll get the chance to pick it up. But it definitely tops my wishlist.

Those Left Behind:

I didn’t really leave anything behind last week in terms of reads. I finished BORN WICKED which I love, love, loved. And while I haven’t quite finished reading STAR CURSED yet, I am reading it and expect to finish it tonight.

I did go off-pile to read INDELIBLE by Dawn Metcalf which I thought was absolutely adorable. It was my wishful thinking read last week and I just knew that I couldn’t wait until July to read it.

Which means I didn’t end up writing my reviews for GODDESS, DANCE OF THE RED DEATH or BORN WICKED. And now I have to write a review for INDELIBLE and I’ll have to write a review for STAR CURSED this week.

So I may be a little bit absentee this week in order to get all caught up before Novella Reading Week starts.

And I really want to finish reading PHOENIX, which releases this week. Because I loved BLACK CITY and I can’t wait to see what happens in this next installment in the series. But we shall see. If I fall in love with my current week’s books, as I expect I will, I may not have time to sneak another book in.

Especially with all those reviews I need to write.

NetGalley Pile Adds & Finds:

I did end up requesting a couple of books from NetGalley this week. I couldn’t help myself when I saw them. I’m keeping my fingers crossed but I’m not going to hold my breath. But both books look amazing.

CROWN OF MIDNIGHT (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas (Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, Aug 27 2013)

WILD CARDS by Simone Elkeles (Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, Oct 1 2013)

I received the eARC of THRONE OF GLASS last year and I loved Sarah J. Maas’ debut and am super excited for the sequel. So I’m hoping for the chance to get to read it just a bit early.

And I love author Simone Elkeles’ writing and can’t wait to check out this first book in her new series.

***

While I only requested those two books from NetGalley this week, there are a few other books I saw that look interesting. One of two of which I will likely end up requesting.

STARRY NIGHTS by Daisy Whitney (Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, Sep 3 2013)

WHERE THE STARS STILL SHINE by Trish Doller (Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, Sep 24 2013)

LEFT DROWNING by Jessica Park (Amazon Publishing, Jul 16 2013)

DEMIGODS AND MONSTERS edited by Rick Riordan (Smart Pop Books, Jul 2 2013)

HOSTAGE THREE by Nick Lake (Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, Oct 15 2013)

UNDER THE EMPYREAN SKY (The Heartland Trilogy) by Chuck Wendig (Amazon Children’s Publishing, Jul 30 2013)

THE MEME PLAGUE (Memento Nora #3) by Angie Smibert (Amazon Children’s Publishing, Aug 13 2013)

DARK LORD: A FIEND IN NEED by Jamie Thomson (Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, Oct 1 2013)

CROWN OF MIDNIGHT (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas (Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, Aug 15 2013) *** UK and ANZ edition***

I’m a bit late with my post this week. I’d planned on posting it early this morning instead of yesterday due to the Armchair BEA post on the blog. But when I got home last night I just couldn’t bring myself to sit down at the computer. I actually went straight to bed and woke up early this afternoon. Clearly I needed the down time.

Because it’s so late I thought of skipping it this week. But I do have two books I’m adding to the pile and I did find a bunch of yummy books on NetGalley that I just had to share. And I’ll be posting my Book Watch post on Tuesday, which I sometimes do. But if all goes as planned, it will share the date with one of the reviews I will be writing tomorrow night. Fingers crossed.

I’ve been in such a persnickety mood with my reading lately. I’ve been grumpy about eARC formatting, epilogues and last chapters in series-ending books. I’ve been noticing way too many inconsistencies, hanging threads and other things that have taken away from my reading enjoyment. As many are issues I’m having when reading advance copies, I can’t be sure that these things haven’t been addressed in the finished copies. But it has made me irritable.

Well, that was until I read BORN WICKED this past week. Because oh my gosh that book was awesome. I have an ARC that was given to me by Jaime last year, but as it has the original cover and is just so pretty I didn’t want to read it and opted instead to read the finished eBook I have on my Kindle. And it brought back all the warm and fuzzies that I thought had left me forever.

I think I need to take a short break from reading series-ending books and especially those in ARC format. Just until I get out of this growly mood. Which is why I’m super thrilled that this week I have a new series to start on. And next week I’ll be reading only novellas.

Anyway…

While I’m behind on reviews I’m just so glad that I had the chance to read a few books this week. Oh, and I did finish DANCE OF THE RED DEATH last weekend and I’m super excited for its release next week.

And while I didn’t get anything new in the mail this week for review, a few books I had pre-ordered are happily residing on my Kindle so I have no shortage of books to read. Which always makes me happy.

But what about you? Did you get any awesome titles this week? Were you at BEA and took home a haul that will keep you reading for months to come? Are any of the books you did receive ones that you just have to add to the pile this week? I’d love to know.

***

Do you create a reading pile?
If so, what’s in your pile this week?

I didn’t get any physical books in the mail but I did receive two eARCs for review. Both of which I’m super excited for. And as I’m not going to BEA this week my next week’s pile of books received will be non-exist, too.

But that’s more than okay as my review pile is quite backed up as it is…. And I’m too scared to think about all the awesome fall release titles right now.

[Credit for mailbox sharing goes to The Story Siren]

Thanks to Kismet Book Touring, Harlequin TEEN and NetGalley I received an eARC of INDELIBLE (The Twixt #1) by Dawn Metcalf for review. I’m super excited about this upcoming title as it sounds dark and amazing and I’m stoked to be on the tour so that I get the chance to read this just a bit early.

I’ve been trying hard to stay away from Edelweiss, but I couldn’t help but click to download RESIST (Breathe #2) by Sarah Crossan, which I received thanks to Greenwillow Books. I really enjoyed the first book in the series and can’t wait to set out on the next adventure in this world without oxygen.

While I’d love to read both books now, I still have just so many amazing review books on the pile ahead of them that I can’t move them up just yet. Though I’m really tempted to take a peek at INDELIBLE as I want to meet this Indelible Ink.

Of course that’s not to say I’m not thrilled to be reading the two books I have on the pile this week.

Here are the books I have in my reading pile this week.
(May 26, 2013 – June 1, 2013)

First up on the pile is BORN WICKED by Jessica Spotswood. I have been dying to read this book ever since I first saw the original cover for it. I even got an early copy thanks to Jaime of Two Chicks on Books and I purchased it for my Kindle. But it’s taken forever to get it on the pile.

Though I did start to read it when I first got my hands on it, I wasn’t able to keep reading thanks to a busy “must read” schedule at the time. But now that I have an early copy of the second book in the series and can read them both back-to-back I just had to add them both to the pile this week.

It’s been awhile since I read a story about witches and I’m super excited to meet Cate and discover the world the author created for her Cahill Witch Chronicles. I love stories that involve forbidden romance and fate, and I especially love stories where there is a character named Finn.

And I’m super curious about this Brotherhood and Sisterhood and whether Cate Cahill and her sisters are able to stay safe. As there is no way I’ll be missing out on the chance to read these books this week, I will definitely have all my questions answered on Tuesday when I’ll be picking up BORN WICKED.

Next up on the pile is STAR CURSED by Jessica Spotswood. I received an ARC for review from the publisher, Putnam Juvenile, and as its release date is coming up on June 18th, I just had to add it to the pile this week.

Well, I didn’t have to, as it wasn’t a request. But I desperately wanted to. And getting a copy for review was the perfect excuse to read it, and the first book in the series, this week.

I am trying so very hard not to take a peek at the description, which I included, below. Because I don’t want to find out if it reveals secrets from book one. And I don’t want anything about that first book to be spoiled.

While I’ve heard that this series is awesome – as I expected it would be – I haven’t actually read a review or checked out the ratings because I don’t want to be swayed in any way. And while I may have loved the original cover a bit more than these more modernized ones, I can see how they’d be more marketable and more sales mean more books in this series. Which, as I anticipate, is a really good thing.

And as I mentioned above, I will be reading both books in the series this week and will hopefully have answers, unless I’m left on a cliff, about Cate, Finn and any other characters I may meet by the week’s end.

Wishful Thinking Reads:

I actually desperately want to read INDELIBLE by Dawn Metcalf this week. It was one of the review eGalleys I received and it’s shouting loudly at me from my Kindle. And I’m not too sure I’ll be able to resist the temptation of changing it from a wishful thinking read to a currently reading book.

Those Left Behind:

Yes, this is week two of not being able to read a single book… which is part of what prompted my Random Thoughts post this week. But it wasn’t so much blogging that kept me from reading this past week. I’ve just been hugely exhausted all week. Which is why my posts have been somewhat erratically scheduled. And even though I managed to sleep for umpteen hours yesterday, I’m still not back to normal… or what counts as normal for me, anyway.

Hopefully the long weekend will help. We shall see….

But I am going to be starting on last week’s books tomorrow and do a sort of reading marathon until I finish them. Which is why I won’t be starting on this week’s reads until Tuesday. And today I plan on finishing DANCE OF THE RED DEATH because I must know what happens with Araby, Will, Elliott and April.

I still have a bunch of reviews to write. Trying to condense all my thoughts and feels about GODDESS has not been easy. But hopefully with a little bit more rest and relaxation this weekend I’ll be able to get that posted later this week.

And I really hope to be able sneak in my wishful thinking read at some point this week. Because it sounds so amazing and different and dark.

With Novella Reading Week coming up on the 10th, I must get finished with all these long overdue reads and reviews so that I can focus solely on those “must read” novellas I’ve been dying to read.

So many books, so very little time to read them….

NetGalley Pile Adds & Finds:

I didn’t put in any new requests this week, aside from INDELIBLE by Dawn Metcalf (Harlequin TEEN, Jul 30 2013). But as it was for a tour and I was invited via NetGalley widget it wasn’t technically a request.

And I did get approved for ALL OUR YESTERDAYS by Cristin Terrill (Disney Book Group, Sept 3 2013) that I requested last week, which I’m so stoked about.

While I didn’t spend too much time looking for new books to request, I did discover a few awesome books in my searches. And they are…

WINDS OF SALEM (A Witches of East End Novel) by Melissa de la Cruz (Hyperion, Aug 13 2013) *Not a YA title*

HOW TO LOSE EVERYTHING by Philipp Mattheis (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group, Jul 23 2013)

A REALLY AWESOME MESS by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin (Egmont USA, Jul 23 2013)

I want nothing more than to get lost in a book this weekend. And surprisingly, at least for me, I want to read a print book versus my Kindle. I just kind of want to curl up in my armchair with book in hand and just disappear for a bunch of hours. I don’t want to think about reviews or posts or email or being social. I don’t want to worry about what else I should be doing. I just want to read.

And while I’m not sure I can do that, I’m really hoping that with the extra day this weekend I will be able to. But we shall see.

This week will be interesting with so many bloggers at BEA. But I’m excited to once again be participating in Armchair BEA. This time from my new, and very comfy, armchair.

With a tour-free week on the blog it will be nice to be able to post some interesting discussion posts for the event, a couple of reviews and my usual featured posts. As much as I love promoting the books I love, I like variety. So I’m really curious what this year’s topics will be.

Anyway…

I am desperately trying to get through my pile of physical ARCs so that I can clear off my shelves. But with so many awesome titles releasing in eARC format on NetGalley and Edelweiss, I’m finding it very hard to stick to that plan. I may have to opt for a one print book, one eBook approach.

And right now I’m just so very ready to dive back into DANCE OF THE RED DEATH, so that’s where I’ll be for much of the day. Hopefully. But what about you?

Are you opting for a read-free week because you’re headed to BEA? Are you planning on participating in the Armchair version of the event? Or is this just a regular week for you and you’re looking forward to reading the books you received and have on your reading pile this week?

As always, if you have any interesting books you’ve received or are reading this week, leave a comment and let me know!

***

Do you create a reading pile?
If so, what’s in your pile this week?

I don’t believe I received any hard copy books in the mail this week. I wasn’t expecting any. And as I hadn’t gotten around to checking the mailbox before creating this post, I can’t say whether or not I did receive any or if the mailbox was empty. I’m leaning toward empty, though.

I also didn’t request any new books on Edelweiss. Though I can’t say the same is true of NetGalley. I did end up clicking to “read now” a copy of SPIES AND PREJUDICE by Talia Vance as I’ll be on the book tour next month. And I did request and get approved for TUMBLE & FALL by Alexandra Coutts.

And as much as I may want to read them both, I have a few “must read” books whose release date is looming and two books that I’ve been dying to read for awhile. And so…

Here are the books I have in my reading pile this week.
(May 19, 2013 – May 25, 2013)

First up on the pile is PUSHING THE LIMITS by Katie McGarry. I’ve wanted to read this book for ages and ages and I am so happy to finally get to add it to the pile this week. I have heard nothing but amazing things and I cannot wait to meet Echo Emerson and Noah Hutchins and find out just what happens in this book.

I love a love story in which opposites attract and where the couple faces impossible odds to be together. I love that in this book each of the characters has secrets. And I am so curious about what limits the two will have to push and what risks Echo will have to take.

I have been so intrigued about this book for so long and my expectations are super high. But I have a feeling that I will not be disappointed in the least given the chatter I have heard about it.

Next up on the pile is DARE YOU TO by Katie McGarry. I was approved for the eARC on NetGalley and I’ve been just dying to read it ever since. But I had to read the first book in the series first. Even though this second book in the Pushing the Limits series is about different characters – Beth and Ryan.

So I’m super excited to be able to read both books back to back this week. In the order they were released. Which is something I always prefer to do.

I haven’t heard any chatter about DARE YOU TO. I wouldn’t have even known this book was about different characters if I didn’t take a peek at the description when creating this post. But now that I have, I’m even more excited to meet these characters and read this book.

I love that, like the first book, this is a story of opposites. And I love that in this book it’s the girl that is the edgy character, the “bad girl.” Beth’s life sounds horrible and tragic and I’m very curious to see what Ryan will have to risk to be with her.

It’s been ages since I’ve read a contemporary YA or any contemporary romance for that matter. So I’m thrilled to be able to add these two books to the pile this week by an author who I’ve heard is a fantastic writer.

Wishful Thinking Reads:

My dark reading mood took a sudden shift this week and I’ve been just dying to read something light and fun. Which makes me really want to read either one of the Vampire Kisses books by Ellen Schreiber or one of the Morganville Vampires books by Rachel Caine.

Though I would also love to read the Intertwined series by Gena Showalter… maybe my “dark” reading mood hasn’t quite gone away.

Those Left Behind:

I didn’t read any books last week. Not a one. I’d set DANCE OF THE RED DEATH aside so that I wouldn’t intentionally unintentionally torment Jaime until she got her eCopy. But I will be reading and finishing it this weekend since she did receive it. Yay!

And I didn’t get the chance to dive into THE 5TH WAVE. Between a really hectic work week and season finales on television I just wasn’t up for getting lost in a book. But hopefully I’ll have more time this coming week.

While I haven’t had much of a chance to read lately, I still am seriously behind on reviews…. Not quite sure how that’s possible, but with five reviews still to write, it somehow is. Though I did manage to finish my UNTIL I DIE review. Finally.

But I hope that I’ll be able to catch up on at least one or two reviews this weekend as trying to write reviews during the week has proved impossible. I’m just way too drained at the end of the work day to try and organize my thoughts into something remotely coherent.

And I hope that I’ll be able to finish my current read and the two books on the pile this week. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

NetGalley Pile Adds & Finds:

I couldn’t resist requesting a few books on NetGalley this week…

SPIES AND PREJUDICE by Talia Vance (EgmontUSA, Jun 11 2013) **A “read now” title**

TUMBLE & FALL by Alexandra Coutts (Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Sep 17 2013)

I’d noticed SPIES AND PREJUDICE the other week when browsing NetGalley, but decided to click the “read now” option this week as I’ll be on the tour next month and I’d like to check it out before then.

And I couldn’t resist requesting TUMBLE & FALL which sounds amazing. As my request was approved I definitely plan on taking a peek in the next couple of weeks.

I also requested ALL OUR YESTERDAYS, which doesn’t yet have a cover and which I’m still hoping to be approved for. But it sounds awesome and will definitely be added to my collection whether I’m approved or not.

ALL OUR YESTERDAYS by Cristin Terrill (Disney Book Group, Sept 3 2013)

There didn’t seem to be many other new YA books added to NetGalley this past week, aside from the two books I requested. But I did notice one other title that looked interesting….

JACK STRONG TAKES A STAND by Tommy Greenwald (Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Sep 24 2013)

While I’m not in the least bit tired of blogging, I have been tired. Between work and other life stuffs it has been hard to focus long enough to get caught up in a book. Especially when escaping in a book means that a review will be required and I’ll have to read it with more attention to detail than I might if I were reading just to read.

So I’m thinking of taking a “guilty pleasure” reading week next week, just so that I can read a few books for fun. So next week’s pile might just be a little bit eclectic. Or maybe I’ll add zero books to the pile and go completely off-pile for a week. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Anyway…

This week I have two awesome books to read. One I’ve wanted to be able to read since before it was released last year. So, I’m very much looking forward to this week’s pile.

But what about you? Are there any interesting books on your pile this week? Did you get anything new this past week that you’d love to read now instead of waiting until closer to its release date? I’d love to know!

***

Do you create a reading pile?
If so, what’s in your pile this week?

I wasn’t expecting any books in the mail this week and I didn’t really get any except for this pre-order of a limited edition signed copy of DEAD EVER AFTER by Charlaine Harris… a book I’m not entirely certain I plan on keeping.

[Credit for mailbox sharing goes to The Story Siren]

But as it is so pretty in its slipcase, I just had to share a picture. And yes, its covered in plastic wrap – I am always loathe to remove the protective covering – but until I decide whether or not to keep it, I will let it remain protected.

And while I didn’t get any physical books in the mail I may have gone a little crazy on Edelweiss this week….

Thanks to HarperCollins I received…

DANCE OF THE RED DEATH (Masque of the Red Death #2) by Bethany Griffin which is due out on June 11th from Greenwillow Books.

ACROSS A STAR-SWEPT SEA (For Darkness Shows the Stars #2) by Diana Peterfreund which is due out on October 15th from Balzer + Bray.

BLACKOUT (Blackout #1) by Robison Wells which is due out on October 1st from HarperTeen.

While I have a little time before both ACROSS A STAR-SWEPT SEA and BLACKOUT release I couldn’t resist adding Bethany Griffin’s upcoming title to the pile this week. But it’s not the only book I’m planning on reading this week. And so…

Here are the books I have in my reading pile this week.
(May 12, 2013 – May 18, 2013)

First up on the pile is DANCE OF THE RED DEATH by Bethany Griffin. The moment I saw it was available on Edelweiss I just had to request it. I absolutely loved the first book in this series and I’ve been dying to find out what happens in this sequel.

I was so excited to find out that it was immediately available for me to download, so of course I’ve already started reading it. And so far it’s awesome.

The writing is just as gorgeous as it was in MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH. And I’m even more excited to find out what happens with Araby. Even though this is the  final book in this series.

But I refuse to let that stop me from falling in love with this book or seeing how it wraps up. Hopefully I’ll be able to add it to the “read” pile on Sunday.

Next up on the pile is THE 5TH WAVE by Rick Yancey. I’d originally planned on a different read, but the buzz about this book has made me just so curious that I had to add it to the pile this week.

Yes, I succumbed. I want to know what all the fuss is about. I don’t care that I’ll have to wait ages for the sequel. I want to learn more about the world this author created. It sounds incredibly dark and chilling and awesome.

As it is a series, I’m guessing that Cassie won’t choose “despair,” “surrender” and “death.” But I’m excited to see what she has to do to survive. And I’m very curious about the “[b]eguiling and mysterious” Evan Walker.

Wishful Thinking Reads:

I have been in such a dark reading mood lately that I would really love to read Robison Wells’ BLACKOUT. It sounds like it will be an awesome fast-paced thriller with a paranormal twist.

Terrorists. A virus that gives super powers to those infected. And “catastrophic danger.” Yeah, definitely a book I wish I could read right about now.

Those Left Behind:

I didn’t have much time to read this past week and with the fact that I still haven’t finished my review for UNTIL I DIE I couldn’t read IF I SHOULD DIE. But I did read and love THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE CURSED. Thankfully its release date is on Tuesday so I can start to count down the sequel’s release. Because I would love to continue this series. Granted, I don’t know when that will be….

Of course I still have to write my review, which I plan on doing on Saturday. And if I can finish my review for UNTIL I DIE I’d love to read IF I SHOULD DIE on Sunday. Just as soon as I finish DANCE OF THE RED DEATH, that is.

But as I’m supposed to be focusing on writing this weekend, I’m not sure how much review writing or reading I will actually get done. But I am hopeful. And if this upcoming week is just a bit less hectic, I hope to get caught up on some other past due reads and reviews.

Of course it is season finale week on television. So that might not happen.

I did finish beta reading THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS ACT TWO which was so unbelievably amazing. And I did end up reading much of ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE which was so very different in both writing style and story – in a good way. So I wasn’t a complete FAIL when it came to my reading pile.

I just hope to stay a bit more on track this week and finally get caught up on those lingering reviews. I am keeping my fingers crossed. But only temporarily. As I can’t really write with crossed fingers.

NetGalley Pile Adds & Finds:

I managed to refrain from requesting any new books from NetGalley. But I did get approved for CARNIE PUNK by Rachel Caine, et al, HIDDEN by Marianne Curley and FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell. So I thought it best not to request any more books this week. Not from NetGalley, anyway.

And even though I didn’t ask for any new titles, I did notice a few books worth checking out. The first of which is one I’m fighting the urge to request in the worst way.

GATED by Amy Christine Parker (Random House Children’s, Aug 27 2013)

ENTANGLED by Amy Rose Capetta (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group, Oct 1 2013)

SPIES AND PREJUDICE by Talia Vance (Egmont, Jun 11 2013)

PREP SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL by Kara Taylor (St. Martin’s Press, Jul 30 2013)

I am not entirely certain how effective a strategy creating reading piles is for me. But I like to think that without these posts I’d be even worse with my reading schedule. I try to pick books that are ones I’m in the mood to read as well as ones I should be reading for review. But sometimes my mood shifts mid-week and I can’t help but go off-pile for a book that’s calling to me.

I still can’t imagine how anyone reviews books for a living. If I was “forced” to read a book I wasn’t in the mood to read, I can’t imagine my review would be positive… or accurate. If I can’t make a connection to a story I can’t enjoy it. And if that reason is solely because of mood, not the story itself, it seems a disservice would be done to that book.

Not something I want to do. Ever.

Anyway…

If you had any requests pending, I hope you received those books. If you were the lucky recipient of a surprise package of books, I hope it made you smile versus stress you out. And I hope that you have some amazing books on the pile to read this week.

If you’d like to share what you’re reading or you’ve received, leave a comment, I’d love to know!

***

Do you create a reading pile?
If so, what’s in your pile this week?