In My Mailbox (76)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to share what books you received for review, purchased, or checked out from the library during the past week.


*Clicking on images will take you to the book's page on Goodreads if you want to add it to your shelf*

For review:

I already had a copy of The Springsweet so this copy will be for a contest. Be sure to check out  my giveaway of The Springsweet (U.S. Only).

I was so excited when I got A Breath of Eyre in the mail yesterday from Kensington Books. I love Jane Eyre and the idea of a modern girl winding up in Jane's place really appeals to me.

This sort of reminds me of the Gallagher Girls series which I love. Hopefully A Girl Named Digit will be just as good. I have to admit that I'm not too crazy about the title though the cover is fun.

I saw this in a webinar and thought it looked interesting because it combines dystopian fiction with the whole princess/royalty thing. 

The Boy Recession sounds like it could be hilariously funny. I like the idea of the geeky guy suddenly becoming center of attention because of the lack of competition.

Purchased:

I was reading my library copy of this book and realized that I liked it so much that I wanted to own my own copy. I am supposed to be on a book buying ban but I am not very good at it. 

I have been wanting to read this for awhile now and thanks to Google Play, Amazon had it on sale for $3.99 so I bought it. I have heard that it is excellent, maybe Maggie's best book so far.

This is another book on sale for Kindle and I bought it on a whim. I am not entirely sure I will like it. Though I enjoyed Libba Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty, I haven't tried her contemporary fiction.

I got the newest book from the library so I thought I'd pick this up too since it was on sale. It isn't a direct series. The books just all have something to do with Jane Austen.

From the library:

I tend to enjoy contemporary books related to Jane Austen more than historical spin-offs and this was my WoW pick a few months ago. 

As a huge fan of Downton Abbey, I have been wanting to read this book about Lady Almina, Countess Carnarvon and Highclere Castle where Downton Abbey is filmed. 

Giveaway: The Springsweet

I received a copy of The Springsweet in the mail the other day and since I already have a copy, I thought I'd give this one away so someone else can read and review it. The Springsweet is a companion novel to The Vespertine and will be published on April 17, 2012.

Giveaway rules:

This giveaway is open to U.S. only

Enter by filling out the form below

Comments on post do not count as entries

Winner will be notified by e-mail and have 72 hours to respond or new winner will be chosen

Review: The Lost Wife

The Lost Wife

By Alyson Richman

Publication date: September 6, 2011

My review:

On the day of his grandson's wedding, Josef Kohn meets a ghost from his past-his first love, Lenka Maizel, who he believed had died during the Holocaust. Lenka too believed that Josef had been killed and both had moved on with their lives and married others. The Lost Wife tells the story of their brief but passionate love and the events of the difficult years between till they are reunited again. 

Lenka and Josef are young when they meet and within just a few short years they fall in love and get married during a very turbulent time. They are separated right after their marriage when Josef and his family are able to flee Prague but Lenka's family cannot. Lenka makes the difficult decision to remain behind with her parents and sister, hoping Josef will be able to get papers for them once he is free.

The story is told from Lenka's perspective as a young woman and Josef's perspective as an elderly man looking back on his life. Lenka is a character I cared about and I liked Josef but felt more detachment towards his character perhaps because of the way his part of the story is told. The sections covering Lenka's life in the Terezin ghetto are particularly detailed and horrific. The author incorporates real historic figures into the story, especially the artists of Terezin. The importance of art is a theme carried out throughout the novel to great effect.

The Lost Wife is in some ways a romantic story but perhaps most importantly it is a story of survival and it examines the idea of what it means to love. 

Readalikes: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay, The Things We Cherished by Pam Jenoff

Waiting on Wednesday (86)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme to discuss upcoming books we can't wait to get our hands on. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.  

This week, I'm waiting on:

Hidden by Sophie Jordan

Publication date: September 11, 2012

Description:

Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory. 

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning.... 

Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy.

While I didn't like Vanished as much as Firelight, I am hoping this series will end well. The cliffhanger of book 2 certainly makes me want to stick around to find out what happens in Hidden anyway.

Review: The World of Downton Abbey

The World of Downton Abbey

By Jessica Fellowes

Publication date: December 6, 2011

My review:

The World of Downton Abbey is a companion book to the hit television series. In addition to pictures from the set there is background information on the real lives and events that inspired the show. There are chapters that cover the life of servants, fashion, society, the war, behind the scenes of the show, and more. 

I found the book to be easy to read though I do wish that it was a little better organized in terms of insets. I'd be reading the main chapter and then there would be an inset of information that would break up the flow. Still, there is plenty of interesting information here for fans of the show.  Another bonus is the list of resources  for further reading. My favorite part of the book were all the beautiful stills from the show. I also loved the chapters on society, life in service, and fashion. I find that historical time period to be fascinating. 

If you are a fan of the series and interested in learning more about the time period, this is a fun place to start. The writing style makes the book flow easily so it doesn't read like a dry textbook. Though The World of Downton Abbey is available as an e-book and audio book, I would strongly suggest reading the hardcover in order to appreciate the visual beauty of the book to its fullest.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (98)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

Books read:

This is one of those books where I was ready to give up on it at the beginning but I am so glad I finished it. It does have a lot of medical description and detailed writing but it is such a good book and emotionally rewarding to those who make it through.

This is a prequel novella to Cinder. I thought it was nice to get a little bit of background to Cinder's arrival in New Beijing but it didn't offer much else.

I love this mystery series and while I was a bit disappointed with the mystery aspect of the story this time around, I still thought it was an excellent book.

Hana is set during the same time as Delirium and it gives insight into her character and what is going on with her during her fight with Lena. It also hints at something and I feel that I need to go back and reread Delirium now.

I liked Garden Spells but I thought it could have been better. It is Sarah Addison Allen's first book and I still plan to read The Girl Who Chased the Moon and Sugar Queens.

I was warned that this book would be a tearjerker but I didn't think I would succumb. I was wrong...

Books reviewed:

How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue

Currently reading:

I am enjoying this book so far. Karou is quite a character. Still haven't met Akiva or Brimstone yet but I'm sure I'll like them too.

What I plan to read next:

I do hope I get to this book this week. I started it weeks ago and then put it aside so I'll probably have to start all over again.

Not sure if I'll read The Garden Intrigue this week but I thought I'd put it on the list anyway. At the moment it is easier on my wrist to read Kindle books than hardcovers. 

I am definitely going to do my best to read this book soon. It is one I have been waiting for ever since I read an excerpt and I was fortunate to get an e-ARC this past week. 

If I have time I am going to try to read this one. I like Jodi Picoult but some of her books have disappointed me. Should be interesting to read about wolves and I am sure it will be a good emotional read too.

In My Mailbox (75)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to share what books you received for review, purchased, or checked out from the library during the past week.

For review:

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

I was so thrilled to receive this from NetGalley during their two day special promotion. Grave Mercy is one of my most anticipated YA debuts for this year.

The House of Velvet and Glass by Katherine Howe

I haven't read The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane but her new book sounds interesting and it is partly set on the Titanic.

Purchased:

Timeless by Gail Carriger

I am looking forward to reading this final book in the series. I was disappointed with Heartless but hope this book will be much better-plus it takes place in Egypt!

Hana by Lauren Oliver

This novella takes place during the same time as Delirium but gives us a little perspective of what is going on in Hana's life after her fight with Lena.

From the library:

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

I am not really sure what this book is about but I've enjoyed most of the Jodi Picoult books I've read so I picked it up on a whim when I saw it at the library.

Bond Girl by Erin Duffy

Bond Girl seems to be a Devil Wears Prada for the financial sector. I love the cover.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I've already finished this book and I liked it. I think I would have liked it more if I hadn't listened to the audio book.

Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb

I have been wanting to read Cathy Lamb's books for awhile and when I saw that this was available for download from the library, I decided to give Julia's Chocolates a try. It has mixed reviews on Goodreads so we'll see...

Downton Abbey Reading Challenge Reviews

Add your reviews for the Downton Abbey Reading Challenge in the linky below. Each review is an entry to win the book of your choice (up to $15).  

For more information, visit the Downton Abbey Reading Challenge Sign Up. It is not too late to participate!

Matched Trilogy Final Book...Cover Reveal!

What do you think of the title and cover?

I love the color and can't wait to find out more about the final book in the Matched trilogy.

Review: How to Eat a Cupcake

How to Eat a Cupcake

By Meg Donohue

Publication date: March 13, 2012

My review:

How to Eat a Cupcake focuses on the damaged friendship of Annie and Julia, two very different young women who were once close friends until one betrayed the other. Years later, they have the chance to work together when the wealthy Julia offers to help Annie set up her own cupcake business. It is a struggle for Annie to trust Julia's motives but even as the two try to reforge a semblance of friendship, someone is determined to destroy the new business and their lives.

Annie Quintana is a pastry chef who draws comfort from trying to recreate her late mother's recipes. Annie is still grieving from the death of her mom who had been a housekeeper to the St. Clair family. Julia St. Clair was Annie's childhood best friend until she betrayed that friendship on her rise to popularity in high school. Now Julia is a successful businesswoman on the verge of getting married. On the surface Julia is a bit of a snob though she doesn't seem to realize the way she comes across, particularly to Annie. She has a life of privilege though there is a painful secret she carries around with her and that secret helps to make her a little more sympathetic to the reader than she would be otherwise. I definitely preferred Annie's character over Julia but Julia did grow on me and it helped to be able to read chapters told through her eyes as well.

There is an element of mystery concerning the vandalism at the cupcakery and the strange man who keeps appearing on the scene. There is also the question of what happened to the cookbook/journal that belonged to Annie's mother. Unfortunately, I think this was a weak spot in the novel and wish the story had focused more on the mending of Annie and Julia's friendship. The ending wrapped up a little too quickly as well. Still, this is an enjoyable exploration of how complicated friendships and family can be. I also loved all the descriptions of cupcakes! I would have loved it if the author included some recipes in the back. Overall, I was pleased with this debut novel and I will definitely be looking forward to the author's next book. 

Readalikes: The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen, Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook, The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen, The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry, Stay by Allie Larkin, Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison

Note: I received an ARC of this book for review through the Amazon Vine program

Waiting on Wednesday (85)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme to discuss upcoming books we can't wait to get our hands on. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

This week, I'm waiting on:

The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

Publication date: September 18, 2012

Description:

Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen. But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her-except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey. With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone’s power. That is not all she finds. 

A breathtaking, romantic, and dangerous second volume in the Fire and Thorns trilogy.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns was my second favorite book of 2011 (after Divergent) so I can't wait to get my hands on The Crown of Embers. 

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (97)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.


Thanks for all the kind words this past week as I took a bit of a break from blogging to help my wrist heal. I am still wearing a wrist brace but I am feeling much better. At least my neck and back are not hurting much anymore and I am getting more sleep which is a huge improvement. I still need to take it easy this week which means devoting more of my free time to reading rather than using the computer. Too bad I can't blog from my iPhone-much less strain on the wrist!

Books read:

Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen

I really enjoyed this book but I'm glad I watched the movie first. I think the movie is fairly faithful to the book but I appreciated the story more having watched the movie already. This is the February pick for my evening book discussion group. I look forward to my meeting Tuesday night to see what everyone else thought.

How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue

This is a book I hadn't heard of till I got it through Amazon Vine.  I loved all the cupcake descriptions though it made me hungry and I wish there were recipes included!

The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes

I really enjoyed this guide to the show and the historical information it draws on. Both entertaining and informative!

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

At first I worried that I wouldn't like this book because of the main characters but they both grew on me and I ended up loving How to Save a Life. 

Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

I liked Midnight in Austenland though at times I did get a bit annoyed with both the protagonist and the mystery (probably because of the reminders of Northanger Abbey, my least favorite Austen novel). The romance though is really good if a little rushed. 

Books reviewed:

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Currently reading:

Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese

This is the February pick for my afternoon book discussion group. I have already heard from two book group members that they loved the book. I struggled with it at first but now I am really getting into the story and hopefully I will get it done in time!

What I plan to read next:

The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons

This book sounds similar to Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson. I came across it on a list of books similar to Downton Abbey so I had to give it a try. It isn't set in the same time period (it takes place a few decades later during WWII) but it is about a young woman who becomes a housemaid.

The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig

I usually enjoy this series but I have my doubts about the love interest as it is that poet Augustus Whittlesby. I had doubts about The Mischief of the Mistletoe though because Turnip was the love interest and I still really liked that one.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I hope to finally read the book that everyone in the YA world was raving about last year.  I need to return it to the library in a couple of weeks so I need to start it soon!

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I really liked The Peach Keeper and I am trying to listen to this on audio. I like the story but it isn't easy to listen to the narration in my car because I keep missing things. I am trying to get a paper copy to read from the library instead...

The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee

I am a big fan of this series and I hope to read this book in the next month sometime. 

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

I've had this for review since last May and haven't finished it yet so I am adding it to my t0-read-soon pile. I've read a few chapters and so far Cora reminds me of an American version of Lady Mary Crawley from Downton Abbey.

So that's my reading plan for the moment. 

What have you been reading lately? Have you read any of the books on my list?