IMM 26

Hello and welcome to another In My Mailbox - a weekly meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren. In My Mailbox, or IMM, allows you to share with your readers some of the books that you've acquired lately. It's really quite fun and I look forward to it every week. Thank you Kristy for being so lovely.

Here are the books that I recieved in the last two weeks. I was trying to maintain a book-buying ban, but I failed pretty spectacularly. Which is how I thought it would end, really. I'm just surprised it lasted as long as it did.


Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers - From the author of Cracked Up to Be and Some Girls Are comes a gripping story about one girl’s search for clues into the mysterious death of her father.

When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?

The absolutely amazing Vicki from Heaven, Hell and Purgatory Book Reviews sent this book out to me. I love Courtney Summers and I was gasping to read this book. I've finished it already and I hope to review it this summer when a few bloggers and I will be taking part in a death and bereavement in teen lit event. Courtney Summers remains as one of my favourite YA authors!

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Milo and the Restart Button by Alan Silberberg - Milo is nearly 13, has just moved house and started a new school (both for the umpteenth time) - him and his dad and sister are trying to
adjust to life without Milo's mum, who has died, but they aren't coping very well and no-one is really talking about it. It's not all doom and gloom though, I promise. It's a tough subject, but dealt with a light touch and plenty of sparky humour - it's actually really, really funny, and interspersed throughout with cartoon illustrations that provide easier access to the tough issues and engage readers in a different way. The book is never heavy or preachy - sensitive and sad, yes, but ultimately a hugely entertaining read.

Once, when I asked on Twitter if there were any books that people were especially looking forward to in 2011, Phil Earle, author of Being Billy responded with this one. Milo and the Restart Button. It's a little younger than I'd normally read, but it sounds quite good so I thought I'd pick it up. It looks really cute and has a whole bunch of little comic illustrations, how fantastic.

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Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James - So. Were you glad, deep down? Were you glad to be rid of her? Your perfect sister? Were you secretly glad when she was killed?

Following a terrible tragedy that leaves her once-perfect family shattered, Katherine Patterson moves to a new city, starts at a new school, and looks forward to a new life of quiet anonymity.

But when Katherine meets the gregarious and beautiful Alice Parrie her resolution to live a solitary life becomes difficult. Katherine is unable resist the flattering attention that Alice pays her and is so charmed by Alice’s contagious enthusiasm that the two girls soon become firm friends. Alice’s joie de vivre is transformative; it helps Katherine forget her painful past and slowly, tentatively, Katherine allows herself to start enjoying life again.

But being friends with Alice is complicated – and as Katherine gets to know her better she discovers that although Alice can be charming and generous she can also be selfish and egocentric. Sometimes, even, Alice is cruel.

And when Katherine starts to wonder if Alice is really the kind of person she wants as a friend, she discovers something else about Alice - she doesn’t like being cast off.

I'd heard talk about this one last year when it was published with this ghastly coloured cover. I wanted to read it then but never quite managed to get hold of a copy, so when I saw this new cover and needed another book in a 3 for 2 offer, I thought 'why not?' and picked it up. Still not sure about this cover, but I will give it a try. Really shouldn't have been buying books anyway!

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Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz - The ninth and final installment of the Alex Rider series.

On his blog, Horowitz was quoted as saying:

"SCORPIA RISING has a very twisty plot with a lot of surprises, not all of them pleasant. A few more things… You will come across the Smithers’s last gadget and learn something about Smithers that you never knew before. You will see Alan Blunt in a completely new light. One character who has been in all eight previous books will die. The ending is fairly shocking. And when you get to the end you will be in no doubt at all that this is THE LAST ALEX RIDER BOOK EVER"

The very last Alex Rider book ever?! Whatever shall I do? I've been a big fan of this series and I'm really looking forward to this book. I think I might put it off, just a little bit, to maintain that delicious anticipation for it!

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Prisoner of the Inquisition by Theresa Breslin - Zarita is used to basking in the pampered lifestyle being the only daughter of the town magistrate affords; she is free to roam the town as she likes, consort with the son of a nobleman and spend her days studying the arts. Saulo's family have fallen on hard times, and when his father is hanged for an assault on Zarita he did not commit and Saulo is hauled off to be a slave at sea, Saulo swears revenge. But when Zarita's mother dies in childbirth, and the formidable and frightening Inquisition arrives in the area, a curtain of suspicion and brutality comes down on her old life for good. Saulo may believe that Zarita is his sworn enemy, but in a time when the whole of Spain is in turmoil, are him and Zarita each other's only hope of survival?

I haven't always been the biggest fan of historical fiction, but I'm slowly starting to love it and ask myself why I'd avoided the genre for so long? Books like this are the real catalyst for my change of heart. Prisoner of the Inquisition sounds like it'll be really interesting and I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in.

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The Good Psychologist by Noam Shpancer - Noam Shpancer's stunning debut novel opens as a psychologist reluctantly takes on a new client—an exotic dancer whose severe anxiety is keeping her from the stage. The psychologist, a solitary professional who also teaches a lively night class, helps the client confront her fears. But as treatment unfolds, her struggles and secrets begin to radiate onto his life, upsetting the precarious balance in his unresolved relationship with Nina, a married former colleague with whom he has a child—a child he has never met. As the shell of his detachment begins to crack, he suddenly finds himself too deeply involved, the boundary lines between professional and personal, between help and harm, blurring dangerously.

With its wonderfully distinctive narrative voice, rich with humor and humanity, The Good Psychologist leads the reader on a journey into the heart of the therapy process and beyond, examining some of the fundamental questions of the soul: to move or be still; to defy or obey; to let go or hold on.

I remember a time when I read more adult books. And then I get swallowed up in the whirlwind that is YA book blogging. But I do so love reading adult books now and again, especially if it's a story with elements of psychology like in The Good Psychologist. The author has studied clinical psychology, which is the area that I'm most fascinated with, and I really think this book will cover some really interesting themes and ideas.

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Montacute House by Lucy Jago - At first a boy’s body is discovered, then John, Cess’s best friend, disappears . . . What is the mystery behind these sinister events?

Cess works caring for the chickens at Montacute House but on her thirteenth birthday everything changes. She finds a precious locket hidden in the chicken coop and is convinced someone has placed it there for her to find. But the day is overshadowed by fear as a boy’s body is found by the river, and then John disappears. Cess is determined to find him but is soon embroiled in a plot that threatens her world and forces her to draw on powers she never knew she possessed, powers that will place her life in danger if they are discovered by the villagers. Witchcraft, politics and religious ambition combine in this gripping and wonderfully realised novel set in the Somerset of the 1500s.

Here's another historical YA book! This one about witches and intrigue. It sounds quite good. Also? I quite love the word 'sinister' - I think I shall try to use that word in everyday conversations more.

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The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa - Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Ooh. The sequel to The Iron King, which I read at the beginning of the year and really loved despite my previous belief that 'I don't like fairy books' HA. There goes that thought. Hugely excited to meet Meghan again and see where this story takes her. Just the product description alone makes me think 'OOH'

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The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel - The highly anticipated sixth book of Jean Auel's Earth's Children® series, THE LAND OF PAINTED CAVES, is the culmination fans have been waiting for. Continuing the story of Ayla and Jondalar, Auel combines her brilliant narrative skills and appealing characters with a remarkable re-creation of the way life was lived more than 25,000 years ago. THE LAND OF PAINTED CAVES is an exquisite achievement by one of the world's most beloved authors.

I've been waiting YEARS for this one, and it's finally here. HURRAH. I've been a massive fan of the Earth's Children series since before I was a teenager and I really cannot wait any longer to find out what happens with Ayla and Jondalar. It'll be such a comforting read, coming back to these favourite characters of mine...

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Mistress of the Storm by ML Welsh - The wind blew fast and clean straight into Verity's lungs. Even from the downs she could smell the salt spray - fresh and cold - and hear the crash as the Storm ploughed head-on into green and churning waves. Sea water washed over her prow and drained back in torrents of foam. Verity Hunter is just a normal, lonely little girl who has never quite fit in. But suddenly it's down to her to solve the riddle of an ancient pledge and protect her family from the evil Mistress of the Storm. What hope does she have against a witch so powerful that she can control the wind and create storms at will? Luckily, Verity does not have to face her enemy alone. As events begin to spiral out of control, she finds two loyal and steadfast friends to stand by her side. The Storm is coming. And it will change Verity's life forever.

I really love the sound of this one. Magical with a strong female main character and an exciting adventure. I'm looking forward to it!

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And that's it for me this week. Which books came into your possession this week?