In My Mailbox: Week 10

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi from The Story Siren. Here's what I found in my mailbox, at the bookstore, and at the library these last two weeks. Summaries are taken from Amazon, B&N, and GoodReads.

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong - If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl—someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I'm as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment—not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a sinister organization called the Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I'm a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control; I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever. Now I'm running for my life with three of my supernatural friends—a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch—and we have to find someone who can help us before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying.

Distant Waves: A Novel of the Titanic by Suzanne Weyn - Science, spiritualism, history, and romance intertwine in Suzanne Weyn's newest novel. Four sisters and their mother make their way from a spiritualist town in New York to London, becoming acquainted with journalist W. T. Stead, scientist Nikola Tesla, and industrialist John Jacob Astor. When they all find themselves on the Titanic, one of Tesla's inventions dooms them...and one could save them.

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen (ARC, won in a contest by Jennifer of YABOOKNERD) - It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live. A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev (ARC from 1 ARC Tours) - All her world's a stage. Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater. She is not an orphan, but she has no parents. She knows every part, but has no lines of her own. Until now. Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every place ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

After by Amy Efaw (ARC from 1 ARC Tours) - An infant left in the trash to die. A teenage mother who never knew she was pregnant . . . Before That Morning, these were the words most often used to describe straight-A student and star soccer player Devon Davenport: responsible, hardworking, mature. But all that changes when the police find Devon home sick from school as they investigate the case of an abandoned baby. Soon the connection is made—Devon has just given birth; the baby in the trash is hers. After That Morning, there's only one way to define Devon: attempted murderer.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (ARC for review) - Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

So there you have it, my mailbox for the last two weeks. What found its way into your hands this week?

Feed Your Ears VIII: The Truth About Forever

To read about the origins of Feed Your Ears, check out my first post.

Anyway, as I continue to work through the suggestions I've gotten from you guys, these week I'm featuring Sarah Dessen's The Truth About Forever as suggested by Briana from The Book Pixie.

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

1. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again from The Phantom of the Opera

2. Whatever it Takes - Lifehouse

3. Let Go - Frou Frou

4. Wishful Thinking - Wilco

5. Let There Be Love - Oasis (I especially like that this is off their album entitled Don't Believe the Truth)

In My Mailbox: Week 3 and More

First, thanks to Kristi, The Story Siren, for this meme. Here's what I've found in my mailbox, at the bookstore, and at the library this week. Summaries are taken from Amazon and B&N.

^These Susane Colasanti books were won from a contest held by Amanda at A Patchwork of Books and I won The September Sisters from Kelly Parra at YA Fresh. Thanks both of you!!

Waiting For You by Susane Colasanti (ARC) - At the beginning of her sophomore year, Marisa is ready for a fresh start and, more importantly, a boyfriend. So when the handsome and popular Derek asks her out, Marisa thinks her long wait for happiness is over. But several bumps in the road—including her parents' unexpected separation, a fight with her best friend, and a shocking disappointment in her relationship with Derek—test Marisa's ability to maintain her new outlook. Only the anonymous DJ, whose underground podcasts have the school's ear, seems to understand what Marisa is going through. But she has no idea who he is—or does she?

Take Me There by Susane Colasanti (ARC) - In one short week . . . three lives change. Rhiannon is devastated after the breakup with her boyfriend and wants him back. Nicole's ex is still in the picture, but she can't help having a new crush. James and Rhiannon are just friends, though he may try to take it to the next level. Will their desire to take a mean girl down a notch bring these three friends what they want . . . and more? Set during one life-altering week and told in three realistic perspectives, this engaging, witty novel by the author of When It Happens shows the ups and downs of love, friendship—and karma.

The September Sisters by Jillian Cantor - Abigail Reed and her younger sister, Becky, are always at each other's throats. Their mother calls them the September Sisters, because their birthdays are only a day apart, and pretends that they're best friends. But really, they delight in making each other miserable. Then Becky disappears in the middle of the night, and a torn gold chain with a sapphire heart charm is the only clue to the mystery of her kidnapping. Abby struggles to cope with her own feelings of guilt and loss as she tries to keep her family together. When her world is at its bleakest, Abby meets a new neighbor, Tommy, who is dealing with his own loss, and the two of them discover that love can bloom, even when it's surrounded by thorns.

Pure by Terra Elan McVoy - Tabitha and her four best friends all wear purity rings, symbols of the virginity-until-marriage pledge they made years ago. Now Tab is fifteen, and her ring has come to mean so much more. It's a symbol of who she is and what she believes — a reminder of her promises to herself, and her bond to her friends. But when Tab meets a boy whose kisses make her knees go weak, everything suddenly seems a lot more complicated. Tab's best friend, Morgan, is far from supportive, and for the first time, Tabitha is forced to keep secrets from the one person with whom she's always shared everything. When one of those secrets breaks to the surface, Tab finds herself at the center of an unthinkable betrayal that splits her friends apart. As Tab's entire world comes crashing down around her, she's forced to re-examine her friendships, her faith, and what exactly it means to be pure.

Ash by Malinda Lo - Cinderella retold. In the wake of her father's death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted. The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King's Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash's capacity for love-and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.
^I've already written a review for this one (SO GOOD), so check it out.

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen - It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live. A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their
friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn - Talia fell under a spell . . . . Jack broke the curse.
I was told to beware the accursed spindle, but it was so enchanting, so hypnotic. . . .
I was looking for a little adventure the day I ditched my tour group. But finding a comatose town, with a hot-looking chick asleep in it, was so not what I had in mind.
I awakened in the same place but in another time—to a stranger's soft kiss.
I couldn't help kissing her. Sometimes you just have to kiss someone. I didn't know this would happen.
Now I am in dire trouble because my father, the king, says I have brought ruin upon our country. I have no choice but to run away with this commoner!
Now I'm stuck with a bratty princess and a trunk full of her jewels. . . .The good news: My parents will freak!
Think you have dating issues? Try locking lips with a snoozing stunner who turns out to be 316 years old. Can a kiss transcend all—even time?

Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers - Perfect Parker Fadley isn’t so perfect anymore. She’s quit the cheerleading squad, she’s dumped her perfect boyfriend, and she’s failing school. Her parents are on a constant suicide watch and her counselors think she’s playing games…but what they don’t know, the real reason for this whole mess, isn’t something she can say out loud. It isn’t even something she can say to herself. A horrible thing has happened and it just might be her fault. If she can just remove herself from everybody--be totally alone--then everything will be okay...The problem is, nobody will let her.

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott - When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends -- her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over. Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her. This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

So those were the books that made their way into my room this week. What did you find in your mailbox?


Also, here are a few contests on other blogs going on this June and early July.

To start with, of course: YA Book Carnival hosted by Shooting Stars Mag with TONS of contests (including my own for Hunted, plus two more coming up to keep an eye out for). This is also a great way to support and discover other bloggers, so head on over.

Ending June 22nd at Read This Book! is a contest for a signed copy of Julie Kraut's Slept Away. There's also a great interview with Julie Kraut about writing, camp, and superpowers ;) Check out the interview and enter for a signed copy over here.

There's another BC Book contest going on for Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog. Head over here for a chance to win the ARC (the book comes out this coming Tuesday), plus lots of awesome swag if you enter by June 26th.

Harmony Book Reviews is holding a "summer is contest time" giveaway. If you like surprises, this contest is for you. Enter for a chance to pick a few books of your choice off a list that will be e-mailed to you. Cool, huh? Enter here by June 31st - entries are unlimited.

The Book Blogger is giving away some great fantasy-type books over here. Enter by July 1st and you'll have a chance to win a hardcover of one of the following: Wings by Aprilynne Pike, The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong, or Stargazer by Claudia Gray.

This next one isn't really YA, but I'd consider it a crossover as her books can certainly appeal to a YA audience (I mean, I started reading her Kushiel series years ago). So, The Book Butterfly is giving away Jacqueline Carey's latest, Santa Olivia, right over here if you enter by July 1st.

GreenBeanTeenQueen is celebrating her birthday with us in a nice big giveaway of summer reads and romances! The giveaway includes Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols, Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker, The Wedding Planner's Daughter by Coleen Murtagh Paratore, and Slept Away by Julie Kraut. Enter here by July 1st for your chance to win these books.

Bloody Bookaholic is currently holding not one, but two contests! First, you can enter for a chance to win Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev here. Enter by July 1st for a chance to win this Theatre Illuminta book. Bloody Bookaholic is also hosting a contest for the YA Book Carnival so check out that contest here. To mix things up a bit, this contest is giving away The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge as well as a suprise book (which you won't know until you pick it). Sounds like fun to me! So, enter to win either book by June 27th.

P.S. Sorry this post was SO long!

Now what?

Wow. I have this sort-of empty feeling now that the challenge is over. Once I published that last entry I just didn't know what to do with myself (so, of course, I went back to reading and finished up Storm Glass).

Anyway, there are two reasons for this post:

1) To let you know that I enjoyed putting more time into my blog so much that I made a resolution to post every day this summer (well, every day I have access to a computer, so I guess every day this summer minus a week and a few scattered days). Hopefully this will be made easier as I plan to partake in the weekly memes In My Mailbox (on Sunday), Teaser Tuesday, and Waiting on Wednesday, plus I have my usual Feed Your Ears post on Friday. And of course, this weekend put me ahead on reading, so getting reviews up shouldn't be too difficult for the next couple of weeks.

2) To let you know about some great contests going on with deadlines coming up soon.

First contest: If you missed out on winning a copy of Waiting for You during Susane Colasanti's blog tour, here's another chance for you. Hosted by Amanda at her blog A Patchwork of Books, you not only have a chance to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Waiting for You, but also an ARC of one of Susane Colasanti's earlier works, Take Me There (not to mention that the second place prize also includes both, just without the autograph). Sweet deal, right? You just have to head over there by the end of the night, so get on it!

Second contest: Kidlit has a huge giveaway contest going on here where you have the chance to win one of these three hot books (just one, so you've got to think and pick carefully!): Catching Fire, Shiver, and Along for the Ride. All quite sought after (especially Catching Fire, it seems), so you'll want to check that out. This contest seems to require a bit more effort, but I'd say it's surely worth it.

Third contest: Lauren (of Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf) is holding a contest to win an ARC of A Sweet Disorder by Jacqueline Kolosov. Check out the contest over here since who doesn't like some good historical fiction (plus, the cover looks great)?