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

These are books for the week of February 19th-February 25th that I have pre-ordered.

SHARDS & ASHES by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong et al will be released in the U.S. on February 19, 2013 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 384 pages.

SHARDS & ASHES includes stories from Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, Kami Garcia, Nancy Holder, Melissa Marr, Beth Revis, Veronica Roth, Carrie Ryan, and Margaret Stohl.

I am not the world’s biggest anthology reader, but when there is an antho filled with stories from some of the most amazing authors in YA I just have to add it to my collection.

And SHARDS & ASHES sounds incredible. Not just because of the authors, but because of their stories. Dystopian stories. Stories of “chemical warfare and cruel gods.” Stories of disease and corruption. Stories where “courage is tested.”

While I won’t be reading the entire anthology in one sitting, I will most definitely be reading a story here, a story there, in between my required reads over the coming weeks.

HOW TO LEAD A LIFE OF CRIME by Kirsten Miller will be released in the U.S. on February 21, 2013 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Razorbill, the print edition is 358 pages.

I recently discovered HOW TO LEAD A LIFE OF CRIME on NetGalley and while I didn’t request it for review, I did pre-order it. The title and book cover were totally eye-catching and the book’s description makes it sound all sorts of gritty.

I love that this story involves a school that trains criminals. I love that Mandel Academy has been around for “over a century.” And I love that in order to graduate the students have to be the most ruthless.

But more than that, I’m so curious as to what happens to those that don’t. The description says they “disappear” and I’m guessing that’s a disappearance of the permanent variety.

I can’t wait to meet Flick. His criminal behavior seems just a bit less harsh than some of the other students, so he just might be redeemable. I’m curious to see whether he does join forces with his ex or if they take the competition more seriously and battle for the chance to graduate.

I haven’t yet read anything by author Kirsten Miller, but with HOW TO LEAD A LIFE OF CRIME I’m so very excited to get the chance. And I will definitely be checking this out on release date.

MIND GAMES by Kiersten White will be released in the U.S. on February 19, 2013 in hardcover, audio and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in all formats at AMAZON and in hardcover and eBook formats at BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by HarperTeen, the print edition is 256 pages.

MIND GAMES is the first book in Kiersten White’s new series of the same name. The second book, as yet untitled, is slated for release in 2014.

I can’t believe MIND GAMES is releasing this week. I’d had an early copy which I gave away before I got the chance to read it, but I’m super excited for the chance to read it now that it is releasing.

As I’ve already spotlighted MIND GAMES for my Book Watch post a few weeks back, I won’t go on and on and on. But I am still just as excited to meet Fia and Annie. I’m just as curious to see what they’re forced to do with their abilities. And I’m so very intrigued by this story that’s dubbed a “psychological thriller.”

I love “intense” books and if this is just as intense as the description promises, then I will be hooked. And as this is such a different type of story from the author’s Paranormalcy books, I’m that much more excited to read it. Which I hope to do very, very soon.

CRASH AND BURN by Michael Hassan

Pub. Date: February 19, 2013

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

THE DIFFERENT GIRL by Gordon Dahlquist

Pub. Date: February 21, 2013

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

***

NEFERET’S CURSE (House of Night Novellas #3) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Pub. Date: February 19, 2013

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

(AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE)

It’s the calm before the storm… or perhaps, given how many books released last week, it’s the calm during the eye of the storm.

I only have three books pre-ordered, though I may have pre-ordered the novella for NEFERET’S CURSE, even though I’d stopped reading that series and won’t continue reading it again until it ends. I have this morbid fascination to see just how long it will drag on and what the authors can possibly do to make it continue. Anyway…

There are three titles I am super excited about that will be downloading to my Kindle this week. And while I will likely be reading the anthology piecemeal, I hope to devour both MIND GAMES and HOW TO LEAD A LIFE OF CRIME in the next few weeks.

I am getting nervous about just how many books will be releasing at the end of February and the beginning of March, because there is no WAY I’ll be able to catch up anytime soon. So I hope to be able to read both books releasing this week before those other tempting reads download.

Anyway… I hope you have some great books being delivered to your door, to your bookstore or to your eReader this week. Happy acquiring and happy reading!

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!

Well, it’s the final day of my blogoversary celebration. And it definitely feels like I’m closer to my third year of blogging than my second. Wow, November seems like a really, really long month.

And while I am a little sad that it’s over, I’m glad to get back to posting as usual this week. Minus a review or two while NaNoWriMo continues to kick me.

It was so amazing to have so many bloggers on the blog this past ten days to share their thoughts about blogging and to share their wisdom. Each of the bloggers has been at this for over a year, several for longer than two, and I am so thankful each and every one of them is a part of this community.

It’s nice to know that there are others out there going through exactly what I am. That while I do this thing all by my lonesome attached to the internet by a keyboard or two, I’m not really alone. Because there are thousands of other amazing bloggers doing exactly the same thing. Pouring their thoughts out onto the digital page for the world to see.

Each of us struggling to formulate sentences that make sense, that captivate, that draw readers to our page again and again. Each of us hoping that our voice stands out in the crowd, if not every day, then at least once. And each of us tackling the hard work, pushing past the drama and overcoming the doubt that comes along with the excitement, thrills and moments of unadulterated joy that are all very much a part of being a book blogger.

I am still so shocked that I’ve managed to do this thing for two years, just about day in and day out. I am still surprised to see that I’ve published over 1,000 posts on this blog. I’m always puzzled by the fact that there are actually people that want to follow me on Twitter aside from spammers, marketers or auto-followers. And I can’t believe that while I don’t have the best ranking, consistent traffic or huge following, that there are these wonderful readers that do visit often, that leave a comment, that make me grin from ear to ear, and that make every moment worth it.

While the landscape has changed over the past two years – the number of blogs has grown, the drama has increased tenfold, the tension has risen, several blogs I started out with are no more, several bloggers have shifted their focus to writing, and each year new debut authors replace the previous year’s group – there are still those bloggers going strong that I first met when I started out. Those blogs that existed long before mine did are still run by bloggers who are icons and pillars of this community. And the authors I knew of and loved before I became a book blogger are ones that I adore even more two years down the road – a few of them are ones I’ve actually had the courage to communicate with.

Yes, that still makes me giddy.

And those bloggers I looked up to for their wisdom and guidance when I barely knew what CSS, HTML, Widget and Sidebar even meant, are still there to offer their expertise – Pam of Bookalicious, who seems to know everything about everything, Rachel of Parajunkee’s View, whose weekly advice about blogging I stalk regularly, Lisa of A Life Bound by Books whose professionalism I admire greatly and who does a tremendous job of showcasing the books and authors she adores, and Alex of Electrifying Reviews, who manages to consistently blog, be just as passionate about as ever about books and who seems to juggle more than anyone I know.

And before I wrap up my part of this post and pass my blog along to the two amazing bloggers I have sharing their wisdom today, I have just one final piece of advice to share.

Make friends with Google.

That’s right. Google. When I first started out I knew no one. I was incredibly shy – I still am – and I would never have thought to ask for guidance from anyone. So I made friends with Google. I typed in those questions I needed answers to. And Google provided answers. Most of the time.

When I wanted to make a grab button for my post, Google gave me links to a few sites that showed me how. When I wanted to learn how to turn my image into a favicon, Google was there to give me a favicon generator.

When I needed guidance on how to manually create a colored text box around my descriptions? Yep, you guessed it. Google. Everything I learned during my first year of blogging I learned from searching for answers on Google. And much of what I learn today comes from there too. Though I couldn’t have transitioned my blog from Blogger to WordPress without Parajunkee’s step-by-step instructions.

There are amazing videos that give visual demonstrations if you need answers. If you want to understand the difference between <p style> and <br /> and &nbsp, just search for it. It’s all there. Laid out in an easy to understand way by people much more skilled than I will ever be. Which is why I stalk those forums and tech blogs and instructional videos on a weekly basis.

And while it’s not always quick or easy to find an answer, the answer is out there.

Definitely don’t be afraid to ask for help from others in the blogging community. We are a helpful bunch. But if you don’t want to wait… I hate waiting… sometimes you can find a quick fix on Google.

Anyway…. with that said, let me now turn the blog over to my final two guests.

Alaiel of Librarian Mouse

NetGalley is a frenemy of mine too! But I totally agree that keeping the requests to a minimum alleviates much of the stress! It’s so easy to try for every book you might think you want. But unless you are a fast reader or have some extra time to power through every book you’ve requested, being picky is key.

Thank you so much, Alaiel for sharing your advice! And yes, those TBR piles are endless!

For a little background…

I am pretty sure I first met Alaiel during Armchair BEA 2011. Her blog’s name was so distinctive that it stood out to me. I mean, how cool is the name Librarian Mouse!?!

But I got to know Alaiel much better through email and during the SSRC. I was so thrilled that she decided to participate in the event and even more stoked that she read and loved the books by one of my favorite authors of all time… the always amazing Rachel Vincent.

Alaiel is so super nice and I love that she reads and blogs about the books she wants to, not just the popular books that bring high traffic to her blog. If you haven’t met her or her lovely blog yet, be sure to click on the links above. She is definitely someone worth getting to know in the blogosphere.

Julie of My 5 Monkeys

There are so many amazing opportunities that open up to book bloggers. I wish I had the chance to attend all the wonderful signings, author events and conferences!

But I can’t agree with you more about the friendships. Like you I’ve become much more social than I ever was before. And having friends in the community makes it easier to keep going when you do want to stop blogging and just read those books on the pile.

Thank you so much, Julie, for sharing your blogging experience and wisdom. You have an amazing blog and the fact that you can keep up your blogging and take care of your five “monkeys” is such an inspiration.

For a little background…

I think I first met Julie on Twitter. She was chatting with Jaime of Two Chicks On Books, I believe. But I’d actually known of Julie long before we first spoke. Because I’d seen her blog’s design on the Parajunkee Design website during the almost six months I stalked that blog before getting the courage up to add my name to the waiting list. And I clicked the link to visit her site more than a few times.

Her blog was so pretty and whimsical. But I was awed by the fact that it seemed as if she’d been blogging forever. Which she has been and still is. And I’m so glad that she has decided to remain a part of this bookish community. Because she is one of the nicest bloggers I know of online. And even though I don’t know Julie well, I do know that she’s incredibly helpful, is so kind and supportive and someone whose absence from this community would leave a pretty huge hole.

So be sure to check out her awesome blog or say hi on Twitter!

As this is the final day of my Blogoversary Celebration, I thought I’d share an ARC I received through a trade of…

My Blogoversary Celebration Day 10 Giveaway is for an ARC of SHARDS & ASHES by Melissa Marr, et al that I received through a trade to ONE winner. The ARC looks to be in great condition and will be sent via U.S. mail.

And as I hadn’t chosen to give away a book of either blogger’s choice, I’m including a couple of extra entry opportunities to follow them on Twitter.

Enter in the Rafflecopter below, and all my usual giveaway rules apply. (See my giveaway policy if you have any questions.)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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 4th-September 10th that I have pre-ordered.

Envy by Elizabeth Miles releases in the U.S. today, September 4, 2012, in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Simon Pulse, the print edition is 400 pages.

Envy is the second book in The Fury Trilogy by author Elizabeth Miles. Eternity the third book in the series is slated for release in 2013.

***

I have not yet read Fury, the first book in the series, but I do own it and plan on reading it very, very soon. I can’t believe that the release date snuck up on me so quickly for book two. But I have Envy pre-ordered and it will be downloading to my Kindle any second now. I hope.

I love that this series is about the Furies. I love that it’s described as “a chilling paranormal trilogy where revenge rules the day.” I love that Emily and Chase were chosen in book one to pay for the mistakes they made. And I’m so curious to find out if the price was a deadly one for him.

I did take a peek at the description for this sequel – I just couldn’t help myself. And I can’t wait to meet Drea, Crow and Skyler. I’m curious to see who the Furies will target in this book and to find out just why their power is growing.

This series sounds so incredibly dark and alluring. I may have not had the chance to read book one last year, but there’s no way I’ll be able too pass up the chance to read these first two books in the series before the end of the fall season. Though I hope to read them both in October. Of course then I’ll have that long wait until the final book in the trilogy’s release. But I think it will be worth it.

Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr releases in the U.S. today, September 4, 2012, in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by HarperCollins, the print edition is 320 pages.

***

I can’t believe that Carnival of Souls is releasing this week. I don’t know where the time went. I started reading this book a couple weeks ago, had to set it aside for a review book, and did not get the chance to finish it. I suppose I’ll continue to read it on my Kindle, though I like the fact that the ARC doesn’t have this scary cover.

I did not get very far into the book but I love the writing and the story pulled me right in. I just know it can only get better and better, as all books I’ve read by this author do. And I can’t wait to see how this story ends.

I will not go on too long here as I spotlighted this book a couple weeks ago in my Book Watch post. But I’m equally fascinated, excited and terrified to read this book. I love this author’s imagination, I love the characters she creates, and I love the worlds she builds. Even if this book’s setting just happens to be a carnival.

This story sounds dark and dangerous and I can’t wait to uncover the secrets of the carnival, find out just what happens with Mallory, and see just how the allure of the Carnival of Souls affects her.

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama releases in the U.S. today, September 4, 2012, in hardcover, audio and ebook formats. It is currently available to order online in all formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), the print edition is 3o4 pages.

***

I have heard so many amazing things about this book. I did not get the chance to read it early as I’d hoped, but I will be reading Monstrous Beauty in the very near future because it sounds just so awesome.

I am very curious about why these ”powerful forces” don’t want Hester to know about this “long ago” tragedy that befell Syrenka. And I’m even more curious to know more about Ezra – both Syrenka’s Ezra and Hester’s. Are they, in fact, one and the same?

I can’t wait to take the journey with Hester and Ezra as they investigate Hester’s family’s past. I am morbidly curious as to why these answers she seeks are in the “graveyard” and the “crypt.” And I am already wondering whether she’ll be able to prevent any further tragedy in her family’s future.

Of course, I’m most curious to find out just how the book’s title, Monstrous Beauty, fits in with this story. I hope to find out in October as I think I’ve waited long enough to get those answers.

Origin by Jessica Khoury releases in the U.S. today, September 4, 2012, in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Razorbill, the print edition is 393 pages.

***

I have heard a lot of buzz around the blogosphere about this book. While I haven’t taken a peek at any of the reviews or ratings it received, I decided after checking out the description that I just had to pre-order Origin for my Kindle.

I am intrigued. While not typically drawn to stories with a scientific component, I am so curious to know more about Pia. The description mentions she was created by scientists, but is she human? Is she something other? And was this hole in the fence that allowed for her escape made intentionally?

The description mentions that the truth about Pia’s original has “deadly consequences” and I can’t wait to find out what those are. It also promises mystery, romance and a “new way” of looking at immortality.

Now that I my attention has been drawn to this book and it will be downloading to my Kindle today, I don’t know how long I’ll be able to let it sit on my TBR pile. I just hate the not knowing.

Sweet Shadows by Tera Lynn Childs releases in the U.S. today, September 4, 2012, in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Katherine Tegen Books, the print edition is 336 pages.

Sweet Shadows is the second book in the Medusa Girls series by author Tera Lynn Childs. The third book in the series, Sweet Legacy, is slated for release in 2013.

***

I was so very excited when the first book in this series released last year. It looked like so much fun and I couldn’t wait to take a peek. Of course I did not get the chance to read it just yet. But I will. Hopefully sooner rather than later. But in the meantime, I’ll keep buying the books.

Sweet Shadows should be downloading to my Kindle any second now and I can’t wait to have it in my collection. I am so excited to get the chance to meet Gretchen, Greer and Grace, the three descendants of Medusa.

I hope Gretchen is able to teach her sisters how to fight the monsters that have “escaped from the abyss.” I hope that Greer does not get so wrapped up in her social life that she ignores her second sight. And I hope that Grace finds out just what Thane has been hiding and is able to figure out where he is.

This series sounds so absolutely adorable and I can’t wait to meet all three girls and see what life as Medusa’s descendants is like for them.

Blood Forever by Mari Mancusi releases in the U.S. today, September 4, 2012, in paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Berkley Trade, the print edition is 256 pages.

Blood Forever is the eighth and final book in the Blood Coven Vampires series by author Mari Mancusi.

***

I am not ready to say goodbye to this series. I had no idea Blood Forever was the eighth and final book until just a couple days ago. The description was very quiet about that fact.

I am a couple of books behind on this series, but now that the series has ended, I’m a bit hesitant about catching up too quickly. So maybe I’ll just take a little more time before I put this on the top of my reading pile. Though it sounds so awesome.

From the description I’m guessing this book might be told from both Sunny and Rayne’s points of view. Though I’m kicking myself just a little bit for peeking. Because of that one line about Jareth….

I love the way the author decided to conclude her series. I hope that the girls’ decisions are ones that will allow for a happy ending. Though from the sound of it, a lot can go very, very wrong. With the idea that things can “spiral out of control” and potentially destroy “the entire human race” I am not entirely confident that all will end well.

I suppose I’ll know just what happens when I’m finally ready to say goodbye. Which hopefully will be this year…. But that remains TBD.

Outpost by Ann Aguirre releases in the U.S. today, September 4, 2012, in hardcover, audio and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in all formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Feiwel & Friends, the print edition is 336 pages.

Outpost is the second full-length book in the Razorland series by author Ann Aguirre. The third book in the series, Horde, is slated for release in 2013.

***

I have not yet read Enclave but I’m dying to read it so I can find out just what happens in Outpost. I love the sound of this series – though I’ve only read the description for Enclave.

It sounds so dark and deadly and this post-apocalyptic world is one I just can’t wait to discover. With its hunters, breeders and builders and especially its freaks, this series is one I just know I’ll love.

Of course I don’t know what this second book in the series has to offer. And I’m so incredibly tempted to take a look. But in the event that I might spoil something I really don’t want spoiled, I’ll refrain. Which is not at all easy.

I am dying to find out whether the enclave wised up in time or if their steadfast insistence on sticking with custom cost them everything. Especially since this second book in the series likely involves an outpost. And I’m curious to know what exactly happened with Deuce and if she’s the one living at this outpost at the start of book two.

This sounds like an absolutely perfect fall read and I can’t wait to dive in.

An excerpt is available on the publisher’s website – CLICK HERE - though I haven’t peeked. I am trying so very hard not to find out anything before I’ve at least read book one. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to withstand the temptation to take just a brief glance, however….

Entice by Jessica Shirvington releases in the U.S. today, September 4, 2012, in hardcover, audio and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in all formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Sourcebooks Fire, the print edition is 464 pages.

Entice is the second book in The Violet Eden Chapters by author Jessica Shirvington. The third book in the series, Emblaze, is slated for release on March 1, 2013.

***

I discovered this series when checking out one of the many cover reveals that seemed to be everywhere around the blogosphere a few months back, prior to the U.S. release of Embrace. I loved the sound of the books and bought the first one for my Kindle. While I haven’t had the chance to read it yet I, of course, had to go ahead and pre-order the second book in the series.

I can’t wait to meet Violet Eden. The description for Embrace mentioned that Violet had some important choices to make – Angel or Exile and Lincoln or Phoenix. And I’m just so curious to see what – and who – she chose. I have my suspicions about the “what,” I just have no clue about the “who.” And I can’t wait to check this series out to find out.

The series’ first book seems to have received quite a bit of praise from the editorial media, according to the description, and it does promise love triangles, Angel mythology and all the action of the Vampire Academy series. So it definitely makes me glad I have both books on my Kindle. Now I just need to sneak them onto the top of my reading pile.

Crimson Rising by Nick James will be released in the U.S. on September 8, 2012 in paperback format. It is currently available to pre-order online in paperback format at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The eBook was released on September 1, 2012.

Published by Flux, the print edition is 360 pages.

Crimson Rising is the second book in the Skyship Academy series by author Nick James.

***

I kept finding myself drawn to the cover of the first book in the series, The Pearl Wars. And while I normally might not have gravitated toward a science fiction story, there was just something about the description that pulled me in. And I ended up buying it for my Kindle while standing right in front of its table placement at Barnes & Noble.

While I haven’t yet had the chance to read it and meet Jesse and Cassius I am so very curious about both boys and just what their shared secret is. And I’m very interested in finding out just what “shocking secret” there is about the pearls.

I can’t wait to find out what powers they gained and to see if they were able to elude the government’s reach. And I can’t wait to find out what happens to both boys in this sequel. Hopefully nothing too bad.

I did take a peek at the description and it definitely grabbed my attention when it mentioned an enemy who planned on wiping out the human race. But my curiosity was really piqued by the fact that it mentioned Jesse and Cassius would be the ones to “trigger mankind’s destruction.”

I really hope that’s not the case. But I can’t wait to find out for myself later this fall.

***

Well, it seems it’s been a quiet week for releases this week. Okay, maybe not quiet, but after last week’s fourteen books I added to the collection, nine books seems very few in comparison. And from the look of things, the next few weeks won’t be much quieter, either.

Six of the nine books releasing this week that I’ve pre-ordered are sequels and I am not caught up on any of the six series. So I have quite a bit of reading in my future. But I’m most excited to catch up on Ann Aguirre’s RAZORLAND series and Elizabeth Miles’ FURY trilogy as I’m in the mood to read something dark.

And while I absolutely love the BLOOD COVEN books by Mari Mancusi, once I saw the author’s comment on Facebook that this is the series ending book, I’m not rushing to say goodbye to Sunny and Rayne. Heck, I still haven’t said goodbye to the WICKED LOVELY or EVERNIGHT series….

Anyway….

I hope you found some awesome books releasing this week that you just can’t wait to add to your collection. I’d love to hear what books you’re most excited about owning and reading. And if there’s anything I missed that I absolutely must read, please let me know.

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!

Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr will be released in the U.S. on September 4, 2012 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 320 pages.

***

The week of September 4th is another insane release week. I mean really, really insane, in the best possible ways. But there was one book that I’ve been dying to read for a long, long time by an author I’ve loved forever and that’s Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr. So, there really was no question in my mind which book I’d be spotlighting this week.

While totally creeped out by the title and the cover – I may have an unnatural fear of carnies – this book sounds wicked awesome. Daimons. Fights to the death. And a place where “murder and pleasure are offered up for sale.” Oh yes, this will definitely be dark and amazing.

I can’t wait to meet Mallory, see what kind of lethal training she’s involved in, and find out who has plans for her and what those plans are. I am curious to see how she gets pulled into the Carnival of Souls and what happens once she’s there.

I also am dying to find out just why everyone knows about her, even though she doesn’t know about everyone else.

The book’s description says the Carnival is a place of “decadence and danger” which has me even more intrigued about just what goes on there. And it describes the story as being about “the struggle to forge one’s own destiny.” I, of course, wonder just what Mallory’s destiny is….

Melissa Marr is such an amazing writer and her books have always been utterly captivating and so very unique. I cannot wait to read Carnival of Souls - I do have an early copy – and find out for myself whether the Carnival is one to fear or one to long for. But with daimons, darkness and danger, I can’t imagine not falling in love.

So, yes, absolutely, definitely, unquestionably, Carnival of Souls is the book to watch this week.

Places to Watch

***

About the Book

Other Amazing Books to Watch

Here are a ton of other awesome books releasing the week of September 4th (and a couple releasing a bit earlier on September 1st ):

Silver (Bandia #1) by Talia Vance – September 1

Iron’s Prophecy (The Iron Fey #4.5) by Julie Kagawa – September 1

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama

Sweet Shadows (Medusa Girls #2) by Tera Lynn Childs

Outpost (Razorland #2) by Ann Aguirre

Blood Forever (Blood Coven Vampire #8) by Mari Mancusi

Origin by Jessica Khoury

Entice (The Violet Eden Chapters #2) by Jessica Shirvington

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 February 21st-February 28th that I have pre-ordered.

***

Faery Tales & Nightmares by Melissa Marr will be released in the U.S. on February 21, 2012 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 432 pages.

***

I have been waiting for this to come out for ages. The cover is amazing, but even if it wasn’t, I’d have this book pre-ordered. I love everything that I’ve read by Melissa Marr and I especially love her Wicked Lovely series.

These short stories, that are said to be a mix of characters from that series and new characters, are ones I can’t wait to discover. The description calls this book “lush, seductive, and chilling” – all words that definitely appeal to me – and I am so super excited that it is finally releasing this week.

And although I have this pre-ordered for my Kindle, I can’t wait to get a peek at the print edition because I might just have to add that version to my collection because of the amazing cover. Soooo gorgeous.

The Goodreads description lists the table of contents as:

A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton will be released in the U.S. on February 21, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available online to pre-order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Simon Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, the print edition is 304 pages.

A Beautiful Evil is the second book in the Gods & Monsters series by author Kelly Keaton.

***

I had the chance to read the first book in the series, Darkness Becomes Her, through Simon & Schuster’s Galley Grab program early and I’ve been pining for the sequel ever since. I loved the way the myth was incorporated into that book and I loved that it was a bit edgier than many of the YA books I’d read to that point.

I had hoped to get a copy of this early, but as I didn’t, I’m so happy that the wait is just about over. I am so curious to see what’s going to happen to Ari in this next installment in the series. After the big reveal at the end of the first book, I have no idea what’s going to happen next. But I hope that whatever is going to happen includes a lot more Sebastian.

The description is spoiler-y for the first book, but it does hint that what’s coming up next is even darker and more evil. Oooh! I really can’t wait to find out for myself when I get my pre-order downloaded to my Kindle.

Fever by Lauren DeStefano will be released in the U.S. on February 21, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, the print edition is 352 pages.

Fever is the second book in the Chemical Garden trilogy by the author.

***

I have been so excited for this next book in the series to be released. While I had an early copy, I didn’t get a chance to read it yet, but I do plan on reading it in the next couple of weeks. I loved Wither when I read it early through Simon & Schuster’s Galley Grab and couldn’t wait to find out what happens in Fever.

I have it set to download for my Kindle but I will be reading the ARC because that cover is just so pretty and I think it will enhance the reading experience to read it in hard copy.

As I have already spotlighted Fever for my Book Watch post last month, I won’t go on and on and on. But I can’t wait to find out what happens to Rhine and Gabriel in this next book. And without being too spoiler-y about what happened in Wither, I will just say that the journey ahead of them doesn’t sound pleasant but I can’t wait to take it with them.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg will be released in the U.S. on February 21, 2012 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

A paperback edition from Puffin Books will be available on February 28, 2012.

Published by Dial, the print edition is 400 pages.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me is one of the books that can be chosen for the 2012 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at TheStorySiren.com.

***

I got my hands on an ARC of The Catastrophic History of You and Me through a trade, but my reading schedule was way too full and so I passed it along. But I had heard that it was all sorts of amazing. And it is one of my original twenty DAC picks, so I pre-ordered it for my Kindle.

As sad as the premise is – a girl dying of a broken heart, literally – this book just sounds so awesome. Definitely bittersweet, and quite possibly a tear-jerker, but one that sounds like it might just have a happy, heartwarming ending. Well, as happy as can be when a young girl has died and left her family behind….

I can’t wait to meet Brie. I hope that her family doesn’t completely fall apart because of her death and that she is able to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart and not remain a Lost Soul forever. And I am super curious to see if this will end happily and to find out just what role Patrick plays in Brie’s future.

I am hoping to be able to move this to the top of the pile in March, because it sounds like the perfect read for me.

***

Double by Jenny Valentine

Pub. Date: February 21, 2012

Published by: Hyperion Books for Children

(Amazon, Barnes & Noble)

***

{Note: All covers link to the books on Goodreads}

***

I am a little surprised that it’s another slow week for releases, though looking ahead to next week, I think I may know why. But, all four books releasing this week are absolute must reads for me so I don’t mind…too much.

I haven’t heard any chatter about Double but I’ve had my eye on it since I read the description on Goodreads. While I don’t have it pre-ordered, if the word on the blogs is positive I will be adding it to my collection this month.

***

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!