In My Mailbox (21)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

It has been about a month since I've done an IMM entry, so all I'm going to do is list the books. The majority of these I got in anticipation of the Decatur Book Festival which was last weekend and all books are now signed.

For DBF

Diana Gabaldon:

Voyager

Drums of Autumn

The Fiery Cross

A Breath of Snow and Ashes

David Levithan:

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - 1st Edition!

Wide Awake

Are We There Yet?

Boy Meets Boy

Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List

The Realm of Possibility

 Love the One You're With - Emily Giffin

The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June - Robin Benway

The Red Umbrella - Christina Diaz Gonzalez

The Forest of Hands and Teeth - Carrie Ryan

The Dead-Tossed Waves - Carrie Ryan

The Hollow - Jessica Verday

The Haunted - Jessica Verday

Not for DBF:

Flipped - Wendelin Van Draanen

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

Mockingbird - Kathryn Erskine

Lament - Maggie Stiefvater

Paranormalcy - Kiersten White (Thanks to Jessica for getting me a signed copy!)

ARC's:

The DUFF - Kody Keplinger

Salvaged - Stefne Miller

So what do you think? Have you read any of these? What should I start with? I'm thinking Love is the Higher Law or Sisters Red.

In My Mailbox (20)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

The Decatur Book Festival is just over a month away and I'm slowly making progress on the books I'm getting to prepare for signings. I'm trying to be good when it comes to buying non-festival related books and it's working so far. It's very hard but I AM refraining..lol

For the festival, I got

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare
The Realm of Possibility by David Levithan

For review from We Love YA Tours, I got

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

From my online writer's group (Shana was kind enough to send her ARC on tour), I got
Matched by Ally Condie

From the library, I got

Insatiable by Meg Cabot. I was unable to finish reading the ARC I received before having to send it out. Luckily it's out and I was able to get a copy so I could finish reading it.

So now that I've shared what I got, I have a question for you.

One of the books I want to get for the festival is Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Now, I've found it online for a good price but I have a dilemma. Do I get the paperback copy with the cover I love (the purple one with the earbuds in the shape of a heart) or do I get a first edition hardback? Help!

In My Mailbox (19)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

I absolutely LOVE the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and I'm over the moon about meeting her in September and getting all my books by her signed. In anticipation of the Decatur Book Festival, I'm trying to get all the books in hardback. It took a little bit of planning to get the husband to agree to this (as I already had the MMP's and TPB's versions) but once I told him I would put my MMP's on PaperbackSwap, he agreed to let me get the hardbacks.


Look for a poll tomorrow regarding my next giveaway. Since I have a lot of books to buy that I'm wanting signed for the festival, I'm only going to be able to afford one, maybe two books for a giveaway so I'm going to let you guys vote on which books you'd most like to win.


Have you read Outlander yet?

In My Mailbox (18)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

I think this is the first week since I've been doing IMM that I haven't actually purchased a book.

I received an ARC of Meg Cabot's Insatiable courtesy of Around the World Tours. I completely forgot I had signed up for this tour so it was a nice surprise to see it appear in my mailbox.

My participation in Jessica's discussion of The Tension of Opposites helped me to win a copy of Hate List by Jennifer Brown. This book will be July's discussion on her blog and I can't wait to start reading it.

Lastly, I checked out Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on audiobook from my library. With our upcoming trip to Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the movie coming out in a few months, I really wanted my husband to experience the final book. I love reliving it and getting to hear what he thinks (so far, so good).

Have you read any of these? What did you think?

In My Mailbox (17)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

This week I decided to do a vlog for IMM. You'll have to excuse me though, I had a terrible headache and wasn't feeling well when I made this. 

In My Mailbox (16)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

I was feeling kind of crappy earlier this week so for a little pick me up, I took a trip to the bookstore. I ended up buying three books that were part of the buy two, get one free deal and I'm kind of excited about them. I might go back tomorrow when their big sale is to get another three books that I have since decided I need in my life. Look for those next week.

When I saw 13 Little Blue Envelopes on that shelf, I knew it was fate that I had to buy it. Why you ask? On the way to the store I told myself that the first book I saw that I have been wanting to get for a while was going to be the book I bought. I have been wanting to read this book from Maureen Johnson for some time and the world told me it was time.

Next up was Wake by Lisa McMann. I saw this on someone's blog and it sounded like something I might like, plus this is another one where I like the cover.

I also got Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott. I was contemplating getting The Unwritten Rule but when I picked this one instead since it went along with the deal.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? What did you get this past week?

Happy Reading!

In My Mailbox (15)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

Thanks to Robin, I got a copy of Gayle Forman's If I Stay. I have been wanting to read this for a while, and as part of my exchange gift she got me this and I can't wait to start reading it.

For review, I got Virgin Territory by James Lecesne. I thought this might be slightly different from what I've been reading lately so we'll see how it goes.I haven't heard anything about this at all so I hope it won't disappoint.

Happy reading!

In My Mailbox (14)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

 Last week was pretty hectic and it was late Monday night when I realized that I never posted my IMM entry and since it was just two books I figured I would just wait and post them this week. Starting there, I joined an ARC tour Julie was hosting of Juliet by Anne Fortier and when I met her in Atlanta for the Backstreet Boys concert (yes, you heard me and it was SO much fun) she brought it to me and I started reading it the next day. So far I am REALLY liking it..much more than I thought I would.

I also got Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway. After hearing how awesome Robin is (yes, it was from Jessica) I had to get this book when I saw it on sale. Plus, I've heard good things about this book from various people so it was just a matter of time before I got it. I have been itching to read Teri Hall's The Line for quite some time, so I finally had a chance to run out and get it and I plan on it being the next book I read after I finish Juliet. It has been a while since I've read a dystopian book and I'm really excited about this. Plus, I LOVE the cover.

When I bought The Line, I had a Books-A-Million $5 off $25 and for some reason I really wanted to use it, so when I went looking around the store for what else I could buy, I found Meg Cabot's Party Princess in the bargain section. I've been wanting to read The Princess Diaries books for a while so I decided a few weeks ago that I would buy them as I saw them in hardback since it's A.)Meg Cabot and B.) I've heard so much good things about these books. I liked the movies enough but the books are always so much better that I can't wait until I find the first book in the series.

What did you get this week? Have you read any of the books that I got? Also, not IMM-related but how do you like the new look to my blog? I just changed it last night using blogger's new design stuff so I'm really excited that I finally have something book-ish.

Happy Reading!

In My Mailbox (13)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

This was quite the eventful week for acquiring books. Last weekend my husband and I went to Tennessee as an anniversary getaway and to visit Julie. We had a blast and while we were there Julie took me to this awesome used bookstore. I made a mental note before we went in that I was only going to buy books from the bargain section and so I came out of there with The Secret Life of Bees, Under the Tuscan Sun, and Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.

As soon as I saw Fried Green Tomatoes I knew I had to get it because my book club mentioned reading that and having our discussion at The Irondale Cafe (The Origninal Whistle Stop), because how can you not live in the same city as the famous cafe and not discuss the book there?

Julie also let me borrow her copy of Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris since that's my book club's June pick. Thanks Julie!

Lastly, I FINALLY was able to get Kristina McBride's debut book, The Tension of Opposites. On our way home from Tennessee, I asked my husband if we could stop at Books-A-Million to see if they had it on the shelf early..they did not. That wasn't a big deal and was to be expected but I went back on Tuesday and when I couldn't find it, I asked about it. Turns out neither the title or the author's name were even listed in the computer!

I decided that Thursday was going to be spent calling various bookstores in the area until I found a copy because, yes, I was THAT excited to read this book. Luckily my second call proved successful and although they didn't have it in the store, Little Professor said they could get it for me by the next afternoon. Thanks to Little Professor, I can spend part of my Memorial Day reading Kristina's book.

What books did you receive this past week? Have you read any of the ones I got?

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the last day to enter to win a signed copy of Lindsey Leavitt's Princess for Hire.

Happy Reading/Memorial Day!

In My Mailbox (12)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

This past week was another where I didn't get much. The reason being is I'm trying to avoid buying a lot until I can get a good bit of my TBR list of books I already own knocked out.

This week I bought another copy of Princess for Hire since I went Lindsey Leavitt's signing. Since I already owned my own signed copy, I'll be giving this away. If you're interested in entering to win it, click here.

Before the signing started, I got to spend about 10-15 minutes chatting with Lindsey and during our conversation she said I needed to read Sherman Alexie's book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian so I told her if they had it in stock I'd buy it and next thing I know the bookstore worker ran off and found it for me.

So that's all I got my hands on this week, what did you get?

In My Mailbox (11)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

This week I only bought one book but I'm perfectly fine with that because it was the third, and final, book in Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers series, The Reckoning.

I've already finished reading it so look for a review of The Awakening and The Reckoning coming later this week.

What books made it to you this past week? 

In My Mailbox (10)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

I know I've been lacking in updates the past week but things have been really hectic and I've barely been home. Since I didn't do an IMM entry last week, I'm going to add those in with the books I got this week. I'm warning you, it's a long list.

Last week a local library had a book sale and the money is going towards an expansion so of course I had to go see what they had for sale. I got:

The Green Mile
The Fountainhead
Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales
The Kite Runner
Into the Wild
The Thirteenth Tale

Monday marked a year since my dad passed and I didn't want to be stuck at home so one of the things I decided to do was spend some time at Books A Million and I found a bunch of books I've been wanting on the bargain shelf so I had to get the following..

Bright Lights, Big Ass
Thirteen Reasons Why
Paper Towns
Pants on Fire
Princess on the Brink
Belong to Me

While there, I also bought another copy of Hex Hall for Heather because I was supposed to have done so a few weeks ago to get her a copy signed at the Alabama Book Festival and I'm such a loser that I forgot to do that. Luckily, Rachel is quite awesome (and yes, I know I've said that before but it's true) and she agreed to meet up with me for lunch while I was in her neck of the woods for the day to sign Heather's book. Thank you SO much Rachel!

This past Tuesday, I just HAD to get the new Rick Riordan book, The Red Pyramid since I loved the Percy Jackson series so much. I also was finally able to get the newest book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, Dead in the Family.

I also got my copy of Will Grayson, Will Grayson back from Jessica after she got it signed for me at the LA Times Festival of Books. I can't wait to start reading this!

Wednesday night I went to Jen Lancaster's Birmingham book signing and so I just had to buy the hard cover of Pretty in Plaid and My Fair Lazy, which is her newest book.

The books I borrowed from the library:

The Summoning
The Awakening
Cracked Up To Be

I've already finished reading The Summoning and The Awakening and I'm really looking forward to reading the next book as soon as it comes in.

Kersten Hamilton e-mailed me a few days ago and I also got a galley of her debut novel, Tyger, Tyger. Thanks Kersten and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt!

What do you think of these books? Are there any you really liked or disliked? What did you get this past week?

In My Mailbox (9)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

This week I bought Jim Beaver's Life's That Way: A Memoir. If you don't know who Jim Beaver is, he currently plays Bobby Singer on my favorite TV show Supernatural.

I've been wanting to read this book since I first heard of it but have avoided it due to the subject matter. This book is actually a compilation of e-mails that Jim wrote after finding out his daughter was autistic and that his wife, Cecily, had stage-four lung cancer.

I know this book is going to make me cry like a baby but I cannot seem to stop thinking about this book.

What is your favorite memoir?

In My Mailbox (8) and Alabama Book Festival

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

This weekend was the Alabama Book Festival and I had the pleasure of spending the day with some of my friends from my online book club and getting some fantastic books signed.

First up was Hex Hall. I'm starting to think I should be the official Hex Hall pimp or something because it feels like this book has been mentioned so much on my blog. The copy I bought this weekend was for my Super-Awesome-Alabama-Authors-Rock giveaway. I love what she wrote in it and I know you will too. By the way, if you have a chance to hear Rachel speak, go do it. She is freakin' HILARIOUS and her personality ended up selling a few extra copies of her books to my book nerd friends.

I also bought another copy of Irene Latham's book Leaving Gee's Bend for the giveaway. She was a great speaker and all I wanted to do was give her a hug because she seemed really nervous. When I was in line to get my books signed she said "I recognize you" so thanks Twitter :-D

The last book I bought at the festival was a copy of Daniel Wallace's Big Fish. Now I've seen the movie but haven't had a chance to read this book yet (even though it's been on my TBR list for years) but after hearing him speak, I want to start reading it ASAP. He also read us a story about his shittiest job ever as a Vet Tech. I was totally going to tell him at the signing that I had been thinking about being a Vet Tech but by this time I was starting to feel a little light headed and really wanted something to eat.

The next two books I acquired from Julie's bag of duplicate books. I've head a lot of things about The Historian and have kind of been wanting to read it so I now have a chance. I also snagged Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster. I can't wait to read this especially because I'll be going to her book signing in two weeks and I'm really excited.

Looking back, I really should've gone back and got that Book Slut t-shirt they had for sale at the festival.


I picked up John Green's An Abundance of Katherines at the library. Since Will Grayson, Will Grayson is on its way to California to get signed, I figured I could ease the want to read it by reading something else by John Green. I'm giddy to start reading this. This was a nice surprise because I didn't know it had come in because I originally went to the library to pick up Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers. I have heard such fantastic things about this book so here's to hoping I'll be jumping on the Some Girls Are bandwagon!

What books did you get this past week?

Do you have an opinion on any of the books I got?

In My Mailbox (7)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

The wait is over. I can finally read Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. I went out and bought this book on release day and and I can't wait to start reading it tomorrow. What's even more exciting is that Jessica at Forever Young  said that if I mail her my copy, she'll get it signed for me at the events she's going to. Thanks SO much Jessica!!


While I was at the bookstore getting Will Grayson, Will Grayson I had a chance to browse the discounted books and came across The Luxe and Rumors. I already had a paperback copy of The Luxe but when I came across these hardbacks for $7, I couldn't pass them up. So since the previously mentioned Jessica has a classroom library, I'll be sending her the paperback copy.

What books did you get your hands on this week? Have you read any of the books I got? What did you think?

Have a great week everyone!

In My Mailbox (6)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

I picked up the last book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, The Last Olympian, a few days ago. I've been on a Percy Jackson kick and it was really bothering me that I was reading other stuff instead of finishing this series. I started reading it last night and will probably finish it tonight so look for the review soon.

I'm going to be going to a Lindsey Leavitt and Rachel Hawkins book signing tomorrow, so I picked up an extra copy of Hex Hall and two copies of Princess for Hire. The extra copies may or may not be for an awesome upcoming contest I want to have to share the awesomeness that is Rachel and Lindsey. Plus, doesn't the cover for Princess for Hire just make you happy?

Not much this week but I'm pretty excited about these and going to the signing is going to be so much fun.

What did you get this week?

Happy Easter everyone!

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

I know I've been lacking in updates this week but part of the week has been depressing while the other half has been busy. I'm back though and I come with the books I bought this past week.

The Life of Pi - appropriate title for today since it's Pi Day
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
The Bell Jar
The Alchemist

What did you get this week? Have you read any of the books I bought?

In My Mailbox (4)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

I'm pretty pleased with the books I acquired this past week and I absolutely cannot wait to start reading them.

I picked up the fourth book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series earlier this week so that I could have it on hand when I finished some of my other books. I'm really looking forward to seeing where Riordan takes Percy and crew.

Next up is Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. After watching the movie with Leah, Julie, and Heather a few weekends ago, I really wanted to read the book. Initially, I thought it was a horror book and I'm not a huge fan of feeling like I need to put my book in the freezer when I can't take it and was pleasantly surprised with the movie. I can't wait to start this book, especially because of the book-into-movie accuracy.

To be honest, I haven't read much about The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg except that it's a cute book. I adore the homage to The Beatles and if there are mention of them throughout, then how can you go wrong? This book will also count towards the 2010 Debut Author Challenge.

The book that I purchased that I am most looking forward to is Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. The cover itself is just hauntingly beautiful and I have a feeling the story itself will follow suit. I can't wait to start reading it later today.

I also bought two book related pieces of jewelry that I've been wanting for a while. This ring that says My Thoughts Create My World taken from Megan McCafferty's Jessica Darling series and this book locket with an owl on it.

What books or book related items did you get this week?

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

I'm really excited about the three books I purchased this past week that I'm dropping everything to make sure I read them this week.

Wednesday night I attended the first meeting of a new book club at Books A Million and after the meeting was over, I immediately started looking for Irene Latham's Leaving Gee's Bend. Other than hearing great things about this book, Irene Latham is a resident of Alabama and I love to support local authors, plus I really wanted to read her book before the Alabama Book Festival and what better time to do that than now?

If you've read my blog, you know that I've been waiting impatiently for Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins to be released. Well after seeing her blog entry about Hex Hall being seen in the wild, I knew I had to go back to Books A Million to see if they had it yet and sure enough they had ten copies! I grabbed it as soon as I saw it and tweeted pictures to Rachel in my excitement. I did get the side eye by the two men sitting in the chairs near that section but who cares, right? I haven't had too much time to read this weekend, but I started it immediately and so far it has definitely lived up to all the hexy hype. I can already tell that the second book cannot come out soon enough.

The third and final book I purchased was Jennifer Hubbard's The Secret Year. I've heard rave reviews on this book as well and I was planning on buying this when I bought Leaving Gee's Bend but they didn't have any and were expecting more on Friday (which just happened to be the day I went looking for Hex Hall) and luckily I was the one who got the only copy on the shelf.

Is there anything that you got this past week that you're excited about reading?

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

I'm kind of late on this post but with the move and packing things have been kind of hectic lately so I probably won't be blogging much the next week or two.

Yesterday I received Cut by Patricia McCormick, a book I won from Angel over at The Simple Things. Lucky me, the original contest winner never responded to her so her loss was my gain.

The only other book I got in the last few days was Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. I made an impromptu trip to Books-A-Million because I had been thinking about getting this book ever since I bought it for the person I drew on the book exchange I participated in a few weeks ago.

I'm looking forward to reading both of these books but it's going to be a while before I get around to them.

In the meantime, look for a review of Meg Cabot's How to be Popular by the end of the week.