Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday (started at The Printed Page and now a traveling meme) is at Notorious Spinks Talk Books this month and is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
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I definitely haven't been doing this every week but I haven't needed to. I tried to have a lighter load for summer and spend as much time as possible outside. These are some of the goodies that came in the last two months. I hope you've had plenty of great reads at your house!

The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg
For review from Goodreads First Reads (arc)

Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voight
For review from NetGalley (ebook arc)

Deadtown by Nancy Holzner
From Paperback Swap

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Free with coupon from Kobo (ebook)

The Troop by Nick Cutter
For review from Goodreads First Readers (arc)

The Angel Stone by Juliet Dark
For review from LibraryThing (arc)

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman
For review from NetGalley (arc)

Rude Bitches Make Me Tired by Celia Rivenbark
For review and giveaway from St. Martin's

Review: Special Dead by Patrick Freivald

Surviving high school has never been so hard.

Shackled to her desk, Ani Romero has a hard time concentrating on her studies. One of eight zombie survivors of the Prompocalypse, she's back at school, but this time it's no secret. Locked in their room, flamethrower-toting soldiers watching their every move, they're tasked with homework and classes during the week, and macabre experiments on the weekend.

When the courts rule they're not human, only an appeal keeps them alive long enough to discover a cure. College applications and SATs pale under the threat of incineration, and desperation turns them into lab rats... ...but the scientists helping them have ulterior motives, and the promised cure destroys more than the virus.
(Goodreads.com)
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Review
Wow! I didn't know where this book could go after the ending of the first book but great job! I'm so curious if there could be more. I really liked the direction of the story. It gave a different take on the traditional zombie story. The scientific explanation and legal issues were interesting but not too complicated for the reader. The writing is very well done and I found it hard to believe this was a male author. The protagonist was female and very believable.

I liked the characters and empathized with them. The people that were infected weren't "monsters" or hopeless cases but had a horrible medical condition. The different relationships was also complicated and interesting. Some people were torn between how they felt about those who were infected and how they are told to feel. Obviously there is extreme danger but the undead maintained their personalities, feelings and ambitions. How can they just written off so easily by those who love them? I was very impressed by the relationship between Ani and her mother Sarah. They had a fierce, unconditional love and would do anything to protect each other.  As the leading authority on ZV (Zombie Virus), Sarah has made it her life's work to cure and save her daughter and holds many secrets.  There are authorities happy to exploit them and their very life hangs in the balance.

As in the first book I loved recognizing real places near where I live. It was creepy but exciting! This story also had plenty of action that led to another great cliff-hanger ending. Freivald has a talent for leaving the reader hungry for more. :D (Get it? I HAD to do it!)

Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers for an arc ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Release date: 7/12/13
Publisher: JournalStone
Pages: 260 (paperback)
Type: YA

Review: I'll Take What She Has by Samantha Wilde

Perfect for fans of Marisa de los Santos and Allison Winn Scotch, Samantha Wilde’s new novel is a funny and heartfelt look at friendship, marriage, and the dynamics of modern motherhood.

Nora and Annie have been best friends since kindergarten. Nora, a shy English teacher at a quaint New England boarding school, longs to have a baby. Annie, an outspoken stay-at-home mother of two, longs for one day of peace and quiet (not to mention more money and some free time). Despite their very different lives, nothing can come between them—until Cynthia Cypress arrives on campus.
Cynthia has it all: brains, beauty, impeccable style, and a gorgeous husband (who happens to be Nora’s ex). When Cynthia eagerly befriends Nora, Annie’s oldest friendship is tested. Now, each woman must wrestle the green-eyed demon of envy and, in the process, confront imperfect, mixed-up family histories they don’t want to repeat. Amid the hilarious and harried straits of friendship, marriage, and parenthood, the women may discover that the greenest grass is right beneath their feet.
(Goodreads.com)
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Review
This was an interesting take on two women's complicated lives. Nora and Annie have been life-long friends with a relationship they seem to take for granted. When another women threatens their friendship, loyalties are tested. Nora and Annie must confront their true feelings and take responsibility for their actions.

The overall story was enjoyable and an easy read. The characters made some unusual and interesting life choices but they became quite annoying and whiny. That did lend well though to the theme and the complexity of friendships, especially among women. Jealousy and envy were huge stumbling blocks for Nora and Annie which was understandable. What was frustrating was that these characters didn't talk to each other about their problems. They could have saved so much time and energy if they had been honest with each other. Of course real life isn't that simple and that would have led to a much shorter book.

I did like the writing and sense of humor even when I didn't like the characters and their often dumb decisions. I look forward to trying future books from this author.

Author
Publisher  
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Release date: 2/26/13
Publisher: Bantam/Random House
Pages: 416 (paperback)
Type: Contemporary fiction, Chick Lit

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday (started at The Printed Page and now a traveling meme) is at 4 the LOVE of BOOKS this month and is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
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I've been trying really hard to stay away from too many new books so I can catch up on what I have. I did pick up a few (of course) and only a couple from the library. I can't resist! Hope some great reads found their way to your house too!

Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky
For review and giveaway from Wunderkind (paperback)

Substitute Creature by Charles Gilman
For review from LibraryThing Early Reviewers (arc)

Sanctus by Simon Toyne
Free from Barnes & Noble Free Friday (ebook)

Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
For review from NetGalley (ebook)

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday (started at The Printed Page and now a traveling meme) is at Mari Reads this month and is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
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During this last week I've finally been able to sit outside in the sunshine and enjoy a book. Finally! I haven't dared put up the hammock yet but I did sweep off the porches and get most of the outdoor furniture set up. It feels so good to feel the sun and breath the fresh air while I read. I can't wait for the trees and hills to turn green! I hope you are having a terrific Spring and plenty of good books have found their way to your home!

Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan
For review from Crown Publishing (arc excerpt)

Arclight by Josin L. McQuein
For review from HarperCollins (arc)

The Breath of God by Jeffrey Small
Free from Barnes & Noble Free Friday (ebook)

Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich
For review from William Morrow (arc)

The Lost Husband by Katherine Center
For review from LibraryThing Early Reviewers (paperback)

The Ghost and the Graveyard by Genevieve Jack
Bought from B&N (ebook)

The Emperor's Knife By Marzarkis Williams
Free from B&N Free Friday (ebook)

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
For review from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (arc)

Review: Getting Over Mr. Right by Chrissie Manby

BEEN DUMPED? 
GET MAD. 
BUT NOT THIS MAD.

 




Have you ever had your heart broken? How did you get over it? If a pint of ice cream cheered you up and you were able to delete his number and start again then . . .
You’re a weirdo and this book is not for you.
 
But if you reacted with denial, begging, or a spot of casual witchcraft, then you’ve come to the right place. This is one woman’s journey from love to lunacy and back again. If you ever recall past heartbreaks with acute embarrassment and an urge to go into hiding, this will make you feel better. Sure, you may have sent his new girlfriend a bunch of dead roses, but did you spend a grand on psychic hot-lines and a voodoo curse?
(Goodreads.com)
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Review
This was a fun book with plenty of humor. Most people have been dumped at some point in their lives and can identify with what Ashleigh is going through. How awful to find out on Facebook that your two year romance is over! What a schmuck! The story is well written and easy to read. The characters are interesting but eventually grow annoying. At first I was sympathetic to Ashleigh's pain, as were her family and friends. As time went by and she became obsessed with Michael, her lost love, I wanted her to snap out of it. I realize that was the intent and her downward spiral did provide some comedy and entertaining moments but for me it lasted too long. I did like the later progression and the satisfying ending.

All in all it was worth the read and I do look forward to more from this author.  

Author
Publisher
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers for a copy of this book to review.

Release date: 7/10/12
Publisher: Bantom
Pages: 304 paperback
Type: Womens fiction, contemporary romance

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday (started at The Printed Page and now a traveling meme) is at Unabridged Chick this month and is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
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 Brrrrrrr! It's another cold day. With the wind chill it's -14! Last week it was in the 40s for a few days so it's not too bad if it doesn't stay this way. It's great weather to curl up by the fireplace and read. I hope you are warm and cozy and enjoying some great books at your house.

(On a very happy note we finally heard test results for our grandson, Monkey Boy. His EEG came back normal! Hopefully the seizure was just from the fever. )

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Bought used from library sale shelf (paperback - I must be the only person who hasn't read this series - yet.)

The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
Bought used from library sale (paperback)

I'll Take What She Has by Samantha Wilde
For review from LibraryThing Early Reviewers (paperback)

How to Lose a Demon in 10 Days by Saranna DeWylde
Free from Barnes & Noble (ebook)

Sofa Boy by Scott Langteau
Free from B&N (ebook)

The Question by Scott Langeau
Free from B&N (ebook)

Review: Twice Shy by Patrick Freivald

 High school sucks.

It's worse when you're dead.

Ohneka Falls is a small, Western New York town where everyone
knows everyone and nothing of note happens. Ani Romero is a sixteen-year-old girl who wants to play sports, hang out, and kiss Mike, her middle-school crush. A childhood carrier of the zombie virus, she died at fourteen but didn’t become a mindless, brain-eating monster. Her controlling mother forces her to join the emo crowd to hide her condition behind a wall of black clothes and makeup, and her friends abandon her.
When creeper Dylan learns her secret, he falls into obsession,
with Ani and with death. She bites him in self-defense. Persecuted by the jocks and ignored by Mike, Ani struggles through the motions of life hoping her mother’s research unveils a cure, or Dylan dooms them all to a hungry, walking death.
As her emo facade crumbles in the face of jealousy and obsession,
Ani knows that the worst thing she can do is be true to herself.
*(Tied for 1st place in the 2012 JS writing contest.)
(Goodreads.com)
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Review
It took me a little while to get to this but I was hooked as soon as I started it. What first attracted me to this book was that the setting was a little town in western NY state. I live in western NY state.  The major landmarks like Niagara Falls, Lake Erie, Buffalo or Rochester might appear in a story but the little places seldom do. It was so fun to hear mention of a small town I often drive through or a college I've visited yet unnerving to realize it was in the context of zombie inhabitants. Eek! 

The writing was very well done and so fluid. I was drawn into the life of Ani and her single mom. I constantly forgot this was a male writer because he captured a teenage girl's voice so well. There were many twists and turns that made this an exciting story and the details were terrific. It's hard enough to be sixteen but to have a virus that could lead to your instant annihilation at any moment could put a girl on edge! While Ani's life was filled with angst it seemed like she had constant dilemmas (understandable of course for a secret zombie teen). The tension was great but I felt that her issues became a bit overwhelming for the reader. Ani and her mom can't seem to catch a break! 

The story was a nice change from the traditional zombie tale. This is about life in the near future after an attack but not an apocalypse. People have overcome the situation and developed ways to live with it in a "normal" society. Ani is a unique individual who is struggling to maintain her humanity. I don't want to give anything away here because the surprises really enhanced the story and I'm so glad I hadn't heard details before I read Twice Shy.
 
The ending was abrupt, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but after such a detailed build up I found it unsatisfying and a departure from the style of the rest of the book. I did discover there is a sequel, Special Dead, which makes it more appealing. I look forward to reading that story and more from this talented author.
 
Author (Facebook)

Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers for an arc to review.

Release date: 10/26/12
Publisher: JournalStone
Pages: 240 (paperback)
Type: YA horror

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday (started at The Printed Page and now a traveling meme) is at Book N Around this month and is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

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September has been a slower month for receiving new books but that's a good thing. I have plenty of catching up to do! And it's so hard to resist those library books that keep calling my name but I've tried to cut back on those as well. I've even been avoiding (most) free ebooks too.  It's painful!!

Now I'm off to read and enjoy this beautiful, yet chilly, autumn day. I hope your week is off to a wonderful start and lots of goodies have come your way!

Perfect Is Overrated by Karen Bergreen
For review and giveaway

Twice Shy by Patrick Freivald (arc)
From LibraryThing Early Reviewer

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday (started at The Printed Page and now a traveling meme) is at Mrs. Q Book Addict this month and is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy,toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

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I've missed a week or two of Mailbox Monday and I'm a bit behind today but I still got some goodies! What came to your house last week?

 Birdman by Mo Hayder
Free from Barnes & Noble Free Friday (ebook)

101 by Margaret Chatwin
For review from Goodreads Read It and Reap (ebook)

A Whisper To A Scream by Karen Wojcik Berner
Won from The Cheap (ebook)

 City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare
99c sale at Barnes & Noble (ebook)

 Getting Over Mr. Right by Chrissie Manby
For review from LibraryThing Early Reviewers (arc)

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Bought used from sale shelf at library (paperback)

 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (#1) by J.K. Rowling
Bought used from Salvation Army (paperback)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (#7) by J.K. Rowling
Bought used from Salvation Army (hardcover)

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday (started at The Printed Page and now a traveling meme) is at Martha’s Bookshelf this month and is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy,toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

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 Summer is unofficially here and that makes me so happy! I love to be outside gardening and reading in my hammock. I hope you have been having a relaxing weekend with plenty of sunshine and good books coming your way!

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

For review from Macmillan (arc)

Starcrossed by Josephine Angeline

Bought from Harperteen sale (ebook)

Deep Brain Stimulation by Chou, Grube & Patil

For review from LibraryThing Early Reviewers