Reading Room Review

Bloggiesta Wrap-Up and Changes

I've made some minor changes to some things around the blog this weekend. You may or may not notice it, but I wanted to bring a few things to your attention.

• Starting this week, the format of reviews is changing.  I am going to begin including the publisher information and page count.  Also, I will have links to each author's twitter, website, and/or facebook page.  This will allow you to connect more with authors that you are interested in.
• As well as adding new information to reviews, I will be changing a little of the way they look. I am hoping the new changes will make them more aesthetically pleasing.
• I've been able to get my email inbox situation under control.  I plan to reply more to your comments whenever I'm able.  If you are using a blogger account, I suggest you enable your email so that I can reply directly to your comments. (link to tutorial on Housewife Eclectic). If your email is enabled, there is a very good chance you'll get a reply from me on your fantastic comments.
• A look back at my history of posts revealed that I am becoming quite stale in my content (at least in my opinion). So, in the coming months, I will be adding more discussion posts, author interviews, and guest posts. In fact, if you are interested in doing a guest post, send me an email.
• Want to see a full list of what I did (and didn't) accomplish? Check out my first bloggiesta post.

In My Mailbox

Okay, I haven't done one of these forever, and if I listed all the books that I've acquired since November, this would be the longest post ever. So, I'm sticking to the books that I've received in the last couple weeks.

For Review:

Vesper by Jeff Sampson

Enclave by Ann Aguirre (I was so happy when I got a pitch for this one. I've been on the lookout for it since I first heard about it a year ago. It had a different name and title back then. Can't wait to dive into it.)

From Paperback Swap:

Gone by Michael Grant (This book really looks fantastic, but I think the page count is freaking me out. It's a massive book, even in paperback.)

From Library Book Sale:

On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Who didn't want to be a frontier girl after reading these books?)

Tangled by Carolyn Mackler

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale (The only book of hers that I haven't read).

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer

Dragon's Milk by Susan Fletcher

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper

Purchased:

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand (I HAD to have the shiny cover) 

Across the Universe by Beth Revis (I immediately switched the cover to the blueprint one. My husband approved)

If you've made it this far in this post, bravo. Sorry it was kind of dry, but I figured I may as well get it all over with in one post rather than dragging it out through several.  Thank you as always for reading. You guys rock!

In My Mailbox: August 8

IMM is a meme started at The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.
The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox & books bought. And sometimes other fun goodies.

I did another vlog this week. Please don't watch it. I sing. And, I'm goofy. It's weird. I'm warning you.

You're still going to watch it?

If you insist... Video




Books mentioned:
Radiance by Alyson Noël
The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
Girl Parts by John M Cusick
Love Sucks by Melissa Francis
Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford
I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan
Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Ten (10) copies of Linger by Maggie Stiefvater and a $100 Visa Gift Card

Bloggers mentioned:
My Friend Amy
JennIRL

I had some pretty awesome outtakes from making this video. Who knows, if you want to see them, maybe I'll post it.

In My Mailbox: July 31

I've got a special edition of In My Mailbox for you today. My husband did a beautiful translation in Spanish. If you speak Spanish, let me know what you think!





For Review:
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
Sapphique by Catherine Fisher
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (Enter the t-shirt contest!)
Matched by Ally Condie

From Author:
Mistwood by Leah Cypess (SIGNED)

From Paperback Swap:
Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs
I'd Tell You I Love You but then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

In My Mailbox July 25

In My Mailbox
Hosted by: The Story Siren


It's been awhile since I've done one of these, what with vacations and all.  But, I am excited to show you what I've received over the last three weeks.

For Review:

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld (October 5, 2010)  Scott Westerfeld is coming to the Provo City Library in October.

The Exiled Queen (A Seven Realms Novel) by Cinda Williams Chima (September 28, 2010) Cinda emailed me after reading my review of The Demon King and asked if I wanted a review copy. I've started reading this one and I think I like it even better than its predecessor

Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart (August 24, 2010) I've heard really awesome things about this book. I can't wait to dig into it!


Won in a contest:

Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White (March 2010) I won this SIGNED copy from Shelli at Market My Words. This has a beautiful cover, and I'm so excited to have a copy. It also came with some bookmarks that aren't shown.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (October 2010) This copy came from Goodread's Giveaway program.  I already have a copy (oops) and so I'm having a t-shirt design contest for my extra copy.

Bought:

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (October 2009) Had some drama with Amazon to get this to me.  My first one came back damaged due to poor packaging. But, they overnighted me a new one. My husband read this in one day and can't wait to get his hands on my copy of Behemoth. I can't wait to get this one signed in October!

Not Pictured The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (July 2009) Had to have a copy of this one. 'Nuff said. I didn't get a picture of it because I lent it to a friend already.


Received from Publisher:

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel (August 3, 2010) This is a finished copy. It has a wonderful sparkly quality to it. However, the vampires contained in THIS novel are in no way sparkly.

From Paperbackswap.com:

Briar Rose by Jane Yolen I got this one from the library awhile back but never read it. I'm on the search for a wonderful Sleeping Beauty retelling. If you know of one, please suggest it!

In My Mailbox: July 10

I didn't do an In My Mailbox last week since it was the fourth of July weekend, so this is two weeks worth of stuff. You should watch the video just for the song. (Bad Romance, the Glee version).



Books Received in BBC Swag:
Think of a Number by John Verdon
The Sweet By and By by Todd Johnson
The Monkey Bible by Mark Laxir
Suite Scarlett (audio) by Maureen Johnson
The Outside Boy by Jeanine Cummins
The Secret Lives of Husband and Wives by Josie Brown
Wild Roses by Deb Caletti
The Perfect 10 Diet by Michael Ariz, MD

Won from GalleySmith:
Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Won from Kristina McBride Twitter Party:
Breathing by Cheryl Renee Herbsman

From Paperback Swap:
The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
Pretties by Scott WesterfeldSpecials by Scott Westerfeld
Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler
My Double Life by Janette Rallison
The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

Received from Author:
Matched by Ally Condie (signed)

Received from Random Buzzers:
The Cardturner by Louis Sachar

In My Mailbox: June 27

Oh, it was a good week you guys. A GOOD week.

I liked the slideshow format that I did last time, so I went with that again for this week's video. Enjoy!
(No books were harmed in the making of this film)








Received from Scholastic in a nice huge package that barely fit into my mailbox:
Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan
Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord
Rose Sees Red by Cecil Castellucci
Dark Life by Kat Falls
The Ghosts of Ashbury High by Jaclyn Moriarty
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (enter the giveaway for this book)

Received from Flux Publishing:
Other by Karen Kincy

Received from Arthur A. Levine Books:
Plain Kate by Erin Bow

Received from HarperTeen:
Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel
The Unidentified by Rae Mariz

Received from Frances Foster Books:
This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas

Won in contests:
The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima (Thanks Reading Vacation)!
Her Wiccan, Wiccan Ways by Traci Hall (Thanks The Neverending Shelf)!

Bought:
Fairies and the Quest for Neverland by Gail Carson Levine