Below are the YA books coming out this week that I am spotlighting for my “Book Watch: Releasing This Week” post.

These are books for the week of September 20th-September 26th that I have pre-ordered.

***

Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions by Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong et al, will be released in the U.S. on September 20th, 2011 in hardcover, paperback and eBook formats.

It is currently available to pre-order online in all formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by HarperCollins, the print edition is 464 pages.

***

I tried everything in my power to get a copy of this book early, but sadly was not able to. Now I’m thrilled to have not one but four copies headed my way. The earliest arrival will be the eBook I have downloading on Monday Midnight. An ARC from a trade will also be heading my way this week, as well as a couple signed copies I ordered from Constellation Books. Because, as always is the case with me, one copy is never enough.

I am not typically one who reads anthologies or short story collections, but this one is too good to pass up. First, I absolutely love the cover. Second, there’s not one author I don’t love that’s written a short story for this collection.

I also love the fact that each of these stories is connected to the others by a common theme – “journeying.” I can’t wait to meet some new characters and see some of my very favorite characters making an appearance in this anthology.

I haven’t decided if I will write a review for this book as a whole or maybe do quickie reviews on each of the short stories, but although it will be tough, I’m going to try and read each story in order and not skip immediately to two stories in particular that I’ve been dying to read.

Sacrifice by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz will be released in the U.S. on September 20, 2011 in hardcover, paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in all formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, the print edition is 272 pages.

Sacrifice is the second book in the Crave series by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz.

***

I am devastated that I ran out of time to read this prior to release. But I will be reading it next week at the latest. I have waited for what feels like forever for this book to be released, and now that it’s finally here there is no way that I won’t be adding this one to the pile next week. I may even take just a quick peek at it when it downloads at Midnight.

As I’ve spotlighted this for my Book Watch post, as always, I’ll try not to go on too much here. But I can’t wait to get back into Shay and Gabriel’s world and see how they handle that certain situation they’d gotten themselves into.

The Goodreads description has reminded me just how bad of a predicament Gabriel is in and the tough decision he’ll have to make. I know which way I want him to choose, but I still hope that it won’t come down to that. And I really hope to get answers to all the questions I’ve had after reading the first book in this series.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson will be released in the U.S. on September 20, 2011 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, the print edition is 432 pages.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns is one of the books that can be chosen for the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at TheStorySiren.com.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns is the first book in the Fire and Thorns trilogy by Rae Carson.

***

I’ve had this book on my wish list ever since I heard about it from stalking the publisher’s catalogs and I added it to my pre-orders as soon as it was available in eBook format. I wanted this book so much, in fact, that it was just the second book I requested from a publisher when I finally got the courage to ask.

While I did receive the ARC, which I’m reading now and hope to have reviewed for Tuesday’s release date, I already know that I want the finished copy for my eBook collection. This story is an adventure. It swept me away to another time and place, making it very difficult for me to disengage and come back to the computer to finish writing this post.

I can easily see me loving this story when I was younger, maybe as much as I love it now. Maybe even more. Elisa is smart and brave and…okay this is not my review, so I’ll just stop. But this story is magical and the pages really do fly by.

It’s a story that starts with a wedding, leading to a harrowing journey to a faraway kingdom. If this doesn’t sound like an epic adventure, I don’t know what would.

Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen will be released in the U.S. on September 20, 2011 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by HarperCollins, the print edition is 368 pages.

Beautiful Days is the second book in the Bright Young Things series by Anna Godbersen.

***

I discovered this series when I was searching for sneak peeks for my Extras post earlier this month. I saw that not only was the publisher giving a nice long look inside this sequel, they were also offering the first book in the series as a free eBook download from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

While this isn’t necessarily the type of story I’d seek out, having read the description has me intrigued about the characters. And since I downloaded the first book I have to add its sequel to my collection.

Because the Goodreads description for Beautiful Days slightly spoiled the ending for the first book, I didn’t hesitate to take a peek at the first couple pages of Beautiful Days.

The author’s writing style is very much attuned to the period, which makes it very easy to be taken back in time to the end of the Jazz Age in 1929. And she paints such a descriptive picture with her words, that you feel as if you’re right there with the characters, experiencing what they are.

So, of course I now want to read both books in this series and see if I’ve found yet another type of historical YA fiction that I can fall in love with.

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey will be released in the U.S. on September 20, 2011 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by HarperTeen, the print edition is 304 pages.

***

I have been staring at the ARC of Cold Kiss on my shelves for over a month now and I’ve wanted to just reach out and grab it every single time I walked by. I have about five of those books on my shelves and Cold Kiss is one of them. This story sounds absolutely heartbreaking even while the premise seems chilling – no pun intended.

While I don’t know exactly what Wren’s powers are or how she managed to bring her boyfriend Danny back from the dead, I understand why she did it, and I do know that he’s not the same as he once was.

And when she inevitably begins to fall for someone else, she feels remorse for what she has done to Danny and tries to set things right. Whatever the end result will be in this book, I can only imagine that it will be heartbreaking. I am just a little bit hopeful that while it will be incredibly sad, things will end up as they should.

I’m really looking forward to reading this book, especially when the description promises that – “Wren’s unforgettable voice and story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.” I haven’t decided whether I’ll be reading the finished copy that’s downloading to my eReader this week or the ARC that’s sitting on my shelves. Tough choice.

The Slayer Chronicles: First Kill by Heather Brewer will be released in the U.S. on September 20, 2011 in hardcover, audio and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in all formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Group, the print edition is 320 pages.

First Kill is the first book in The Slayer Chronicles, told from Joss McMillan’s point of view, by Heather Brewer.

 ***

I find myself strangely addicted to this series even though I’ve only actually read the first book. I think it’s the covers. I own every single book in The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod and I couldn’t help but add this to my pre-orders with the hope of someday reading them all. In one sitting.

This new series is from Joss Macmillan’s point of view and according to the description it can be read on its own without having read Vladimir Tod’s story. Though I plan on finishing up Vlad’s series before beginning this one.

While I only just got to know Joss in the first book in the series, from what I understand he is a slayer and therefore becomes Vlad’s enemy. I’m not sure if this new series takes us back to eighth grade or picks up somewhere along the way, but I can’t wait to read First Kill to find out. (I am assuming that Joss’s first kill will take place somewhere during the course of this book, but as he didn’t become a slayer in the Vlad book I read, I’m not sure when that happens.)

I am really glad that this series is continuing and I can’t wait to see things from the slayer’s point of view.

***

Week after week in September, the great new books just keep on coming. Of course everyone knows my most anticipated September release is finally coming out next week, but that doesn’t mean I’m not super excited for all six of these books that I’ll have in just about 24 hours.

By the time these books will have downloaded, I’ll only have read one of the above books, but I plan on reading a few of them over the next several weeks and hopefully the remainder by year’s end.

While a few of these are books from authors I’ve known and loved for awhile, I am excited to discover a few new ones, especially Rae Carson, whose book I’m in the middle of devouring right now and am dying to get back to.

***

As always, I would love to hear what you’re hoping to add to your collection this week!

And if you have any great suggestions of “must read” books to buy that are releasing this week, please let me know!

This post can alternatively be titled: My 2011 Unread Books Shame Spiral

So, I’ll be the first one to admit that I can’t possibly read every single book when it comes out. But, oh, I so want to. However, I usually try to read all of my favorites within a week or two, but sometimes things don’t go according to plan. And as more time passes, especially now that my evenings are taken up with blogging, some of my favorite reads are falling farther and farther down my “to be read” list.

I never thought the day would come when a “can hardly wait” book would end up at least thirty books away from the top of the heap, but it’s happened. And I’m actually kind of devastated.

When I first started blogging my enthusiasm fueled me and allowed me to pull any number of all-nighters to stay up reading and writing my reviews. Those days feel like a lifetime ago. Somewhere around two o’clock in the morning I crash and no amount of caffeine will keep me awake reading into the wee hours of the night. Or morning as the case may be.

Of course what prompted this post of shame is the fact that I am sitting here, three weeks after release date and I still haven’t read City of Fallen Angels. I do blame iBooks and their download debacle which has yet to be resolved, but in the end, I am ultimately to blame for not taking the time out to read this book.

I’ve posted quite a few giveaways, saw the author at both the signing and the RT Convention in Los Angeles, but still haven’t managed to finish the book. And right now, it’s about midway through the second page on my Kindle, and falling fast, as week after week more books download and push it farther away from my watchful eyes.

But CoFA isn’t the only book that has drifted from my grasp. There are oh so many more that have slipped away – sometimes quietly, sometimes not – but I do feel their loss.

If I had to go back to November 2010 when I started blogging I don’t think I could create a top ten list, as there would just be too many to choose from. And so I will list just those books released in 2011 that I was so eager to read on release date and yet still haven’t managed to squeeze in the time.

#10

Blue Bloods by Kailin Gow is one of the books I was eagerly awaiting. This installment was to be much more action packed than its predecessor and I couldn’t wait for its release. I’m sad to say it is still waiting a read.

#9

Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard was also a book I wanted to read right away. I even started to read it, but was on deadline for a promised review – I feel like I’m on way too many deadlines these days – so had to put it down. Sadly it has yet to be picked up again, but I have not forgotten just how much I want to read this book.

#8

The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker was so top-of-the-list for me. I couldn’t help but become hooked on all the craziness with the pink wigs and pinked Twitter avatars. I could not wait for this book and was so jealous of everyone who got a chance to read it before release date. I think four or five books downloaded that night for me and I knew that there was no way I could read it immediately, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want to. I kept moving it forward so that it wouldn’t sink to the back of the pack on my Kindle, but now it’s four pages in.

#7

Lemniscate by Jennnifer Murgia wasn’t released too long ago, but it was a sequel I was waiting forever for. It took me two reads to fall in love with the first book in the series, but fall in love I did. It was one of the first Indie books I had read and wasn’t quite used to the different style of the Indies, but when a much wiser and more experienced me re-read it I absolutely adored it. And then couldn’t wait for the sequel. And I’m still waiting to find the time to read it. I don’t feel too bad as it’s only three pages back, but still. So much for reading on release day.

#6

The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Midnight by L.J. Smith was an absolute must read. I have loved this series forever. (Both the TV show and the books.) I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next but I knew that there is no way I’d have time to read this book immediately as it’s a huge book. And sadly when time is a factor, it’s much easier to choose the shorter reads. Besides, I’m not entirely sure just how to write a review for these books as they are so elaborate and so detailed. But I really want to read this last book in the series written completely by the author and am sad that I still haven’t done so.

#5

Secrets and Shadows by Shannon Delany was a fairly newly discovered series for me. I read the first book only a short while before book two was to come out. I couldn’t wait. I was so hooked on this series that I couldn’t imagine not reading it the second it downloaded. But I can’t even remember what happened. I was so psyched to read it, and then somehow completely spaced. By the time I realized that I missed the chance to read it, I was already late on every single deadline and so I had to put this one back in the TBR pile. This is a book that I do not want to wait to read until the release of the paperback so that I’ll have a timely review. I just hope it doesn’t end up that way just because of my schedule.

#4

Invincible by Sherrilyn Kenyon is one one of the books that I hyped here on the blog. I couldn’t wait for its release and I absolutely love this cover. I was completely fired up to read this on release date and once again I had to set it aside for a mandatory read. I’m not too far off from release date, and I still see it hanging out on page three of my Kindle, but that’s way too far back for my liking. I really hope to have the time to read this one in the next few weeks. I think I have got to stop checking NetGalley and requesting new books to review.

#3

Afterlife by Claudia Gray is my saddest missed read. I didn’t care that this was the end of the road, I just had to know what happened. I even set aside a book I was reading and began to read this one. It was just as grabbing as all the rest of the Evernight series and I couldn’t wait to finish it. But as I was reading, the guilt crept in and I had to put this down. There was a little war between good and evil going on inside, but sadly the hedonist did not win against responsible me and since that date I have not had a moment to return to this story.

#2

Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr is yet another final book in a series that I absolutely loved. I was desperate for this book to come out, but at the same time I was devastated. I knew, especially as there were a whole bunch of series ending, that I might not want to read this right away and say goodbye to some of the most interesting characters I’ve known in a young adult series. But I didn’t think I’d have waited this long. Really. This cover still calls to me from my book pile even though the eBook is now long buried I don’t know how many pages in.

#1

Oh c’mon did you really expect to see anything else here? I talked about this before I even started the list! City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare is my greatest shame. There is no real reason why I shouldn’t have blown off every single deadline and read this from start to finish. Who cares that there’s a cliffhanger ending? Who cares that every single person would have read and reviewed it on the exact same day? There are absolutely no excuses for why this book has not yet been read and reviewed. None.

***

Do you have any books that have fallen prey to the deadlines of blogging? Have you sacrificed your favorite read because your life got in the way? Have you overspent on books that were less important, forgetting about your favorite release and now your wallet is bare?

I’ve shared with you my dirty little secret and would love to know what unread books are your greatest shame?

Below are the YA books coming out this week that I am spotlighting for my “Book Watch: Releasing This Week” post.

Here are the books for the week of March 1st-7th that I have ordered or am purchasing on release date.

Demonglass is the second book in the Hex Hall series by author Rachel Hawkins. It will be released on March 1, 2011 in the U.S. in hardcover and eBook formats.

It is available for pre-order from Amazon and Barnes & Noble in both formats.

Published by Hyperion Books, the print edition is 368 pages.

UPDATE: Click here to read the excerpt.

I only recently read Hex Hall and I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this sequel. This is one of the first books that I’ve actually read reviews for – non spoiler-y ones anyway – as I couldn’t wait to get some insight into the sequel.

The first book was immensely entertaining and I’ve heard there is much more action in this one. Author Rachel Hawkins is a fantastic writer and I love the world that was created for Sophie.

If you haven’t read Hex Hall you’ll only need the one day as it is such a quick read and one you won’t be able to put down. Plenty of time for you to catch up before the Tuesday release of Demonglass.

If you’d like to read my review of Hex Hall click here.

If you want to learn more about Demonglass from my “Book Watch” post click here.

Clarity is the debut young adult novel for author Kim Harrington. It will be released in the U.S. on March 1, 2011 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is available for pre-order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Point (Scholastic) the print edition is 256 pages.

Clarity is one of the books that can be chosen for the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at TheStorySiren.com. It is one of my original twelve picks.

I don’t know too much about the book, except that it’s gotten positive feedback from those who’ve read it. It’s dubbed a “paranormal murder mystery” and I love mysteries.

The main character, Clarity, has the ability to see things through visions she gets from touch, and it’s her abilities that will help her in solving a murder.

I have not read any excerpts, just the book description, but I will definitely read this one soon – can’t wait- and as it’s a short book, it can easily be read in one sitting.

Falling Under is the debut young adult novel for author Gwen Hayes. It will also be releasing on March 1, 2011 in paperback and eBook formats in the U.S. It is currently available for pre-order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by NAL Trade the print edition is 336 pages.

Falling Under is also one of the books that can be chosen for the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at TheStorySiren.com. Although not one of my original twelve choices this was a book I’ve had on pre-order for awhile and was definitely planning on reading in 2011.

I chose to buy this book simply because of the cover, and then because of its description. I have been anticipating this book’s release for quite some time now and am so glad it’s finally here.

I hope to read this book this week, although due to the overwhelming number of February TBRs I might not get to read this until next week. But I will NOT let this one move down the list as it looks amazing.

If you’d like to read the Goodreads description or watch the trailer, check out my Book Watch post here.

The Liar Society is the debut novel for authors Lisa and Laura Roecker. It will be released in the U.S. on March 1, 2011 in paperback and eBook formats. It is now available for pre-order from Amazon in both formats and Barnes & Noble in paperback only.

Published by Sourcebooks Fire, the paperback is 368 pages.

The Liar Society is one of the books that can be chosen for the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at TheStorySiren.com.

If you haven’t been on Twitter you may not have seen any of the authors or bloggers who have “pinked” their avatars/profile images. And if you had seen it, but had no idea why, this book and these authors are why.

It was the pink that first drew me to this book. I had been following the authors on Twitter and had the book on my TBR on Goodreads but only really took note of their book after all the pinked hairdos started cropping up. Everywhere.

I did not have this on my list of DAC picks, but it is one I will definitely be reading. And it just recently became available for the Kindle so of course I ordered it.

The premise is fun – how many characters get email messages from the deceased – and mysterious. This is another great release to start off March the right way!

If you’d like to watch the trailer for this book, check out my post for March trailers here, which includes the trailers for some other March releases.

The Vespertine by author Saundra Mitchell will be released in the U.S. on March 7, 2011 in hardcover and eBook formats. (Although Amazon has been shipping out the print versions for over a week now, at least. I got mine last Monday.)

It is available for pre-order from Amazon and Barnes & Noble in both formats.

Published by Harcourt Children’s Books the hardcover is 304 pages.

I was drawn to The Vespertine for its beautiful cover. Not typically the type of book I would read – historical fiction – there was something about the plot that made me want to read this. Secrets, prophecies and forbidden romance all make for a very intriguing tale.

I received an eARC for this book which I’ll be reviewing this week, and also have the hardcover which I bought from Amazon simply to see if they’d really send it pre-release. I am also pre-ordered for the Kindle version. So, yes. I do want to read this book.

One Hundred Candles by Mara Purnhagen came out on February 15, 2011 in paperback in the U.S. I’m including it here this week as the eBook, which is available for pre-order from Amazon and Barnes & Noble, is releasing on March 1st and that’s the version I’ve opted to purchase.

Published by Harlequin TEEN, the paperback edition is 240 pages.

This book came out in paperback on February 15th, but not in eBook format. And, as I’ve only purchased the electronic version I’ve included it this week instead. If you are an eReader junkie like I am perhaps you’ve also waited until now to buy.

I have read this book as I had an eARC for review and it was my favorite of the series. While I completely enjoyed all the books, this one had just something extra and a dark ending that left me surprised, shocked and wanting more.

The link to the free eBook for the novella Raising the Dead which takes place just prior to this second book in the series can be found in my sidebar on the right.

If you’d like to read my review of One Hundred Candles or read the Goodreads description, click here.

Outside In is the second book in the series by Maria V. Snyder. It was released in paperback format on February 15, 2011 in the U.S., but the eBook format is releasing this week on March 1, 2011. It is now available for pre-order from both Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Harlequin TEEN, the paperback is 336 pages.

Outside In is another book that released earlier in paperback format than in electronic format. But as I have only purchased the eBook version it is included in this week’s Book Watch: Releasing This Week post.

I was fortunate to have received an eARC of the book prior to its release, and have already read and reviewed this book. But I am still adding the finished copy to my collection as I thoroughly enjoyed this series.

This is the second book in the series and it has a lot more action than the first book, although that one is still my favorite of the two.

If you have read the first book you will definitely want to read this, and if you haven’t read Inside Out then you should. It is part dystopian novel, part mystery and part sci-fi. And if you’re not a fan of science fiction, don’t worry, there is only a hint of it in the story.

If you would like to read my review, get links to an excerpt or read the Goodreads description, click here.

It’s that time again. For those times when you just need a short break from reading. Here, for your viewing pleasure, are a few amazing book trailers for upcoming books releasing this March.

(And yes, you may have seen one or two of these on the site already, but they are compiled here for your viewing pleasure.)

***

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Release date: March 1, 2011

***

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Release date: March 1, 2011

***

The Liar Society by Lisa Roecker and Laura Roecker

Release date: March 1, 2011

***

Afterlife by Claudia Gray

Release date: March 8, 2011

***

Born at Midnight by C. C. Hunter

Release date: March 29, 2011

***

And while we are still awaiting the trailers for Invincible: The Chronicles of Nick series, The Dark and Hollow Places and The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Midnight here are the trailers for the previous books in the series to tide you over.

Infinity: Chronicles of Nick trailer:

Invincible: The Chronicles of Nick by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Release date: March 22, 2011

The Dead-Tossed Waves trailer:

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

Release date: March 22, 2011

The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls trailer:

The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Midnight by L.J. Smith

Release date: March 15, 2011

We hope you enjoyed the lovely distractions. Stay tuned…we’ll be back with our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow.