Sunday, June 19, 2011

In my Mailbox 31

Welcome to another edition of In My Mailbox. As you well know, IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren in which bloggers get the chance to share with their readers the books that have recently come into their possession. I really love this meme and I look forward to seeing all my favourite blogger's books each week. Thank you to Kristi for hosting something that is such fun!

Here are my new books:

David by Mary Hoffman - Michelangelo’s statue of David is famous around the world. Millions flock to Italy every year to admire the physical perfection of the young man captured within the marble. But the identity of the model has never been known . . . until now. In this epic tale, acclaimed author Mary Hoffman imagines the story of Gabriele, a naïve but incredibly handsome young man who is hired as Michelangelo’s model, only to find himself drawn into a world of spies, political treachery, and murder. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Florence in its most turbulent times, this is a rich, colorful and thrilling tale that gives life to one of the world’s greatest masterpieces.

I'm really excited about reading this one. When the book arrived in the post I actually squeed and did a mini-happy dance. I've already read the first chapter and it was so hard to put it down and continue with my current read. I know that I will be getting to this one very quickly! (And look out for a fun post from Mary Hoffman on the blog soon as part of her tour!)

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Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris - "With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. But Sookie suspects otherwise and she and Sam work together to uncover the culprit - and the twisted motive for the attack. But her attention is divided. Though she can't 'read' vampires, Sookie knows her lover Eric Northman and his 'child' Pam well - and she realises that they are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, she is drawn into the plot -which is much more complicated than she knows. Caught up in the politics of the vampire world, Sookie will learn that she is as much of a pawn as any ordinary human - and that there is a new Queen on the board . . . "

Oh I do love Charlaine Harris and the Sookie Stackhouse novels. This is the third latest Sookie book I've acquired in hardback as I just have no patience whatsoever to wait until the paperback! I hear it's good too. Yay.


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Liar by Justine Larbalestier - Micah will freely admit that she's a compulsive liar, but that may be the one honest thing she'll ever tell you. Over the years she's duped her classmates, her teachers, and even her parents, and she's always managed to stay one step ahead of her lies. That is, until her boyfriend dies under brutal circumstances and her dishonesty begins to catch up with her. But is it possible to tell the truth when lying comes as naturally as breathing? Taking readers deep into the psyche of a young woman who will say just about anything to convince them, and herself, that she's finally come clean, Liar is a bone-chilling thriller that will have readers see-sawing between truths and lies right up to the end. Honestly.

I've heard very mixed things about this book. Something about the story and Justine Larbalestier just really intrigue me so I love that I have the chance to find out for myself how I feel about this one. A huge thank you to my wonderful blogging friend, Kirsty from The Overflowing Library for passing this book onto me. It is appreciated :)

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The Kissing Game by Aidan Chambers
- United under the banner of flash fiction, this is a collection of stories, or little 'cells', complete in themselves but connected by the overarching themes of betrayal and revenge. All featuring teenagers and often with an unexpected twist, these frighteningly realistic stories will take you to the very edge and beyond.

This book was very unexpected! It was again sent by the very lovely Kirsty at The Overflowing Library. She's my book fairy, apparently! Thanks Kirsty :)



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Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs - Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home; continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark; and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid, and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother. The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kai, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her—and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance.

I haven't read many (any?) mermaid books before, so I'm really looking forward to this one!


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M
idsummer Meltdown by Cathy Hopkins - "So what's the big mystery surprise?" asked Squidge.

"Can't say," I replied. "But don't worry. It includes you."

"All of us?" asked Cat. "Me, Squidge, Mac, and Becca?"

"Oh yes. And you're going to love it."

Lia is over the moon because her friends have been invited to join her family in celebrating her mom's fortieth birthday in a secret location. It's going to be the party of the decade, and Lia imagines romantic scenes in an exotic location with her boyfriend, Squidge.

However, events don't go exactly as planned, and the final guest list is full of surprises. Lia finds herself in an awkward position when an old flame turns up and makes a play for her. It's midsummer, but does it mean meltdown for Lia and Squidge when the party's over?

I was very lucky to have won my copy of this book from the massive Girls Heart Books giveaway. If you don't read the Girls Heart Books blog, you really should! This is the 6th book in the Truth, Dare, Kiss, Promise series by Cathy Hopkins, but I'm hoping I can read it without having read the rest of the series. I haven't yet read anything by Cathy Hopkins, but I'm really looking forward to.

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Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison - Bridget Duke is the uncontested ruler of her school. The meanest girl with the biggest secret insecurities. And when new girl Anna Judge arrives, things start to fall apart for Bridget: friends don't worship as attentively, teachers don't fall for her wide-eyed "who me?" look, expulsion looms ahead and the one boy she's always loved—Liam Ward—can barely even look at her anymore.

When a desperate Bridget drives too fast and crashes her car, she ends up in limbo, facing everyone she's wronged and walking a few uncomfortable miles in their shoes. Now she has only one chance to make a last impression. Though she might end up dead, she has one last shot at redemption and the chance to right the wrongs she's inflicted on the people who mean the most to her.

And Bridget's about to learn that, sometimes, saying you're sorry just isn't enough….

Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison, published by Mira Ink £6.99 www.miraink.co.uk


I really love the sound of this one and something about the cover just calls to me. Another book I can't wait to read!!

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And that's it for me! Where to start? And what books did you get?

14 comments:

  1. I nearly bought Here Lies Bridget yesterday. It does look really good.

    I am looking forward to reading David.

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  2. Liar is brilliant, you'll love it.

    Another person with David, too! I am going to go into my David-less cave now. Wah wah wah. - Elle

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  3. I have David, Tempest Rising and Here Lies Bridget! I was really excited to get David though, wanted it for months. :D

    ComaCalm's Corner

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  4. I really want to read Here Lies Bridget. I saw it yesterday but it wasn't in the 3for2 offer unfortunately.

    I have David too and it sounds wonderful but haven't started it yet.

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  5. David sounds like a great read and I'm intrigued by Here Lies Bridget. The cover reminds me of the TV series Pushing Daisies although I haven't seen it! I hope you enjoy them all :)

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  6. David, Here Lies Bridget and Tempest Rising are all books I'm looking forward to as well!

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  7. These all sound like great reads!

    Enjoy.

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  8. I've read David. It is wonderful, you'll definitely enjoy it. I gave Tempest Rising a go but I just didn't like the voice. I'll be interested to see how you get on with it.

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  9. I just started Here Lies Bridget and I'm really enjoying it. Hope you do too!

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  10. Great books, I bought Here Lies Bridget last week and really want to get to it soon! :D Hope you enjoy!

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  11. Viv - Here Lies Bridget just looks reallyg good! I'm reading David at the moment, and I'm loving it too!

    Elle - Has it been one of those weeks? It always makes me sad when it appears that EVERYONE but ME got some fab book! Did you want to borrow my copy of David when I'm finished?

    ComaCalm - Awesome! Happy reading to the both of us :)

    Jenni - I hope so! :)

    SJH - I'm really enjoying David so far. And I hope to read Here Lies Bridget next. Excited.

    TLO - I *loved* Pushing Daisies. I hope it's even a fraction of the brilliance that that show was!

    Vicki - Don't they look just wonderful?

    Jules - I really hope so! :)

    Becky - I'm a little wary of Tempest Rising at the moment, not sure why.

    Sophie - Ooh, I really hope so too!

    Raimy - Seems like there's already quite the buzz about Here Lies Bridget!

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  12. Oooooh I LOVE Cathy Hopkins - I was hoping to win MM. I won a Hilary Freeman book though, so I'm not complaining!!!

    David sounds brilliant!

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  13. Cliona - Oh, lucky! I haven't read anything by Hilary Freeman either, but I'd like to! Hope you enjoy :)

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HI! Thank you for leaving a comment, you've just become my new best friend :)