My Month in Books: August

I decided rather than do a weekly IMM I wanted to create a monthly post that combines the books I receive with a look back on the month. A post to talk about everything that has happened book wise - so any books I receive for review or buy, any bookish events I attend, what I've read, reviewed and so on.

I'm still playing catchup with these posts so here is my Month in Books for August.

Read in August:

I am still on my Contemp kick (will it even end?)  So anyway, my highlights were:

52 Reasons to Hate my Father by Jessica Brody - so so good!  I'm really loving Jessica Brody's books! Also, a proof copy of Unremembered was sent to the bookshop I work in and I LOVED it. It's not out until March 2013 so a bit of a wait but definitely mark it on your wish list!

Easy by Tammara Webber - this was recommended to me by Kerrie @ Read and Repeat and I really loved it!  I'm pleased to hear that Penguin has picked it up and are publishing it in January 2013.

Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - I had heard so many great things about this book I started to wonder if it could ever live up to my expectations for it, but it really did.  A brilliant book!

You can see (if you so desire!) everything I read in August here.

Reviewed in August:

Blood Moon by Alyxandra Harvey
Love at Second Sight by Cathy Hopkins
Forbidden by Jana Oliver
Forgiven by Janna Oliver
Foretold by Jana Oliver
Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry
Debutantes by Cora Harrison
Losing Lila by Sarah Aldersen

No events for me this month! But I think I made up for it in books...:D Here are my books for August:  (again a few may be missing from the photos as a result of my major need for more space and having to box up some books:))

For Review:

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Endlessly by Kiersten White
Revived by Cat Patrick
When You Were Older by Catherine Hyde park
Runemark by Joanne Harris
Breathe by Sarah Crossan
Shadows by Isla J Bick
The Citys Son by Tom Pollock
Unsticky by Sara Manning
Ordinary Magic by Caitlen Rubino-Bradway
This is So Not Happening by Kieran Scott
Zombies Don't Cry by Rusty Fischer
The Wolf Princess by Cathryn Constable
Street Duty by Christopher Ould
Darkness Falls by Cate Tiernan
Rage Within by Jeyn Roberts
Wolf Pack by Melissa de la Cruz
Defiance by C J Redwine
Scramasax by Kevin Crossley-Holland
Crewel by Gennifer Albin
Missing Me by Sophie Mckenzie
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

A massive thanks to everyone who sent books for review:D

Bought:

Wicked Jealousy by Robin Palmer
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
All You Desire by Kirsten Miller
My Invisible Boyfriend by Suise Day
The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne
Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman (love the updated covers)
Knife Edge by Malorie Blackman
Survive by Alex Morrel
The Twice-Lived Summer of Bluebell Jones by Suise Day
When She Woke by Hillary Jordan
Welcome,  Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell (I read this a while back and really wanted a finished copy)
The List by Siobhan Vivian
Glitch by Heather Anastasiu
Easy by Tammara Webber (Loved this!)
Bound to You by Christopher Pike
The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin (This was really good! I really want to read more by her)
Hav3n by Tom Easton (reading this right now and loving it!)
Girl Heart Boy by Ali Cronin
Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Biting Cold by Chloe Neill
Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock(I found this in a charity shop!)
Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
Sign Language by Amy Ackley
Unfed by Kirsty McKay
Deep Water by Jo Cotterill

... so another ridiculously large book buying month for me, and (worryingly) I fear September may be worse. I have loads of pre-orders (eek!)    Time to get reading I think...


Hope you all had a great month for books:D

My Month in Books: July

I decided rather than do a weekly IMM I wanted to create a monthly post that combines the books I receive with a look back on the month. A post to talk about everything that has happened book wise - so any books I receive for review or buy, any bookish events I attend, what I've read, reviewed and so on.

I've been a bit behind on getting these posted.  So in an attempt to catch up,  this is My Month in Books for July.

Read in July:

My highlights for the month include:

Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson.
I love Sarah Alderson's books and this was just awesome! 

Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent
How much do I love this series!  I can't wait for With All My Soul!!!!!!!!

Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols
It's Jennifer Echols - need I say more?

Size 12 and Ready To Rock by Meg Cabot
I freaking love this series so as soon as I saw this was being published in the US I knew I had to have it.  Great fun!

You can see (if you so desire) what I read in July  here.

Reviewed in July:

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey [Review]
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson  [Review]
Shattered Dreams by Ellie James  [Review]
Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent  [Review]
Whisper by Chrissie Keighery [Review]
Adorkable by Sara Manning  [Review]
1.4 by Mike Lancaster  [Review]


Events:

Macmillan (4th July Party)

I was invited to attend a 4th July party to celebrate the release of Dreamless by Josephine Angelini.  We got to talk to her via skype and ask questions.  Great fun!

I also picked up these lovelies:

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Dreamless by Joesphine Angelini
Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan
Fated by Alyson Noel
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
The Spell Book of Listen Taylor by Jaclyn Moriarty

Big thanks to Macmillan for a great evening:)

Simon & Schuster (Blogger's Summer Party)

I was also invited to the S&S offices to see the July-Dec 2012 highlights and meet Sarah Alderson, the author of Hunting Lila, Losing Lila and Fated. I am a really big fan of her books so it was really a treat to meet her.  We were also given a sample of her new book (called The Sound) that will be coming next year and it is awesome! I can't wait to get my grubby hands on it when it's released! And Simon and Schuster have an amazing line of titles!  I can't wait - I'm really looking forward to them all!!!

I picked up these wonderful goodies:

Fury by Elizabeth Miles
Envy by Elizabeth Miles
Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame
Zom B by Darren Shan
Everwild by Neal Shusterman

Massive thanks to S&S for organising such a fun event:)

and the books for July:

Review:

Destined by P C & Kristen Cast
The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
Party Disaster by Sue Limb
School of Fear by Gitty Daneshvari
Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink
Rift by Andrea Cremer
Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel
Debutantes by Cora Harrison
Foretold by Jana Oliver
Twisted Symmetry by Benjamen J Myers
Envy by Elizabeth Miles (since I already have a copy I'll do a giveaway for this)
The Feathered Man by Jeremy De Quidt
A Midsummer Tights Dream by Louise Renninon
Maze Cheat by B R Collins
My Brother Simple by Marie-Aude Murail
Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto
Dark Eyes by William Richter

Massive thanks to everyone who sent books for review:D

Bought:

One Moment by Kristina Mcbride
Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J Bick
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Along For the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Perfect Escape by Jennifer Brown
Once by Anna Carey
Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
52 Reasons to Hate my Father by Jessica Brody
The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt
Skin by Adrienne Maria Vrettos
Ex-Mas by Kate Brian
The Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill S. Alexander
Forsaken by Lisa Stasse
Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris
Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot
The Scorch Trials James Dashner
The Death Cure by James Dashner
Crimes of the Sarahs by Kristen Tracey
Private by Kate Brian

-  I've recently had a massive sort out and had to box up some books *cries* so since I am really behind on these posts it means there may be a few books missing from the pictures.  I also apologise for not providing links but this has already taken ages lol!

Hope you had a great month for books:)

Cover Wars: Such Wicked Intent Blog Tour

Today we have Kenneth Oppel, who has stopped by to discuss the US and UK covers for his The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein Series.
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What’s interesting about the US and UK covers for This Dark Endeavour and Such Wicked Intent is that they both use the same central photographic image of Victor and Elizabeth, but have very different backgrounds and typography.

US/UK

The original US and UK hardcovers for Dark Endeavour were pretty much identical: Victor Frankenstein with his back to the viewer, as seen through a keyhole. I liked this cover a great deal, but my US publisher thought it a bit dark and not “epic” enough so they changed it for the paperback. They did a big photo shoot with two young models in an orchard in upstate New York and shot hundreds of poses. So the new Endeavour cover has a handsome Victor standing front and centre with some 18th century buildings behind him (if you look at the building on the right, you can see an electric street lamp, but shhh, don’t tell anyone).

US/UK

In the UK they took this same image of Victor, cropped it closer and put an amazing spiral staircase and door behind him -- which I think is much more dynamic and hints at Victor’s inner turmoil, and the mystery of both Chateau Frankenstein and the storyline. I also prefer the bold, overexposed title lettering, and my name in red. It’s easier to read than the US cover.

US/UK

Same deal with Such Wicked Intent. Same shot of Victor and Elizabeth, but the UK cover is altogether moodier and darker with its trees and church tower and hint of lightning. Again, I think it captures the mood better than the US cover, which looks more like a romance novel.

I think they’re all strong covers, but I do think the UK covers capture the tone and excitement of the books better.
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Thanks Kenneth! I think the UK covers just beats the US for me too! I really love backgrounds used, and prefer the title placement. 

His Dark Endeavour and Such Wicked Intent are available to buy now.

You can find Kenneth on his Website and Blog

The Pack: Retribution (Blog Tour)

For Review: LM Preston
Published: 28th September 2012

From Goodreads: Revenge doesn't have a name, but has chosen a victim—Shamira. But she's never been the type to lie down and let someone hurt her family or her friends. In order to find the mastermind behind the threat to all she cares about, she must give up the one person who's found his way into her guarded heart, Valens. Valens refuses to back off easily, and neither will Shamira's friends. They join forces with her in order to deal with a new enemy who seeks to kill everyone in Shamira's life that dared save the missing kids on Mars.

I enjoyed the first book, The Pack, when I read it in 2010 and was really pleased to learn there was a sequel. I was keen to catch up with Shamira and Valens.

The story is set a year after the events of The Pack. Having spent that time training with her team, they about to take part in their last training mission when things don't go according to plan! Resolved to get to the bottom of what is going on Shamira starts to wonder if she is putting her teams, and new friends, at risk and is determined to keep them safe, even if it means letting them go...

This one definitely starts with a bang - we go straight into the action and I really enjoyed that. I got back into the world really quickly too and I really liked the setting. Set in the future and on Mars this has a futuristic feel but at the same time is grounded in reality - having read so much dystopian lately - this has a very similar feel.

As I said this one is actioned pack from the get go and it doesn't let up. LM Preston skillfully manages to combined this with quieter moments between the characters and both works incredibly well. It makes it exciting to read but also gives you the hook you need to stay invested in the story.

The characters are my favourite aspect of the story though and I was pleased to catch up with Shamira and Valens, as well as the rest of the characters we met in the first book. I was please to see Shamira and Valens still together, even if she was still finding it hard to open up to him. I really adore their relationship - it's sweet and he is incredibly caring towards her. I really loved it. The other characters are well fleshed out too - I loved seeing her interact with her family - especially Taren and her father (I love him!)

Definitely worth checking out - the setting makes this one stand out from other books I'm reading at the moment and I really liked the characters.

You can check out my review for the first book, The Pack, by clicking here

There are load of exciting things happening during the Blog Tour! Check them out!

TWITTER PARTY: 
Friday, 9/28 at 7pm-9pm EST, use the hashtag #ThePackRetributionParty and @LM_Preston prizes include $10 Amazon Gift cards for 3 winners & books, swag prizes

FACEBOOK PARTY:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/337549946331607/
Starring eight other authors and blog hosts, tons of prizes and fun.

and LM Preston has a grand prize for you all to enter:

RaffleCopter Grand Prize:
You can win a:

Tshirt,
$20 Amazon Gift Card,
1 Ink Pen,
The Pack Series (Book 1 & 2 in print),
Flutter Of Luv ebook copy

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can also check out the whole blog Tour - see below for details:

9/23/2012 – The Paperback Princesses- www.allaboutyabooks.blogspot.com
9/23/2012 – Black Words White Pages - http://blackwords-whitepages.blogspot.com/
9/24/2012 – Eva’s Sanctuary - http://vampirekiss1967.blogspot.com/
9/24/2012 – My Home Away From Home - http://www.officialmhafh.blogspot.com
9/25/2012 – Writer’s Ally - http://writersally.blogspot.com/
9/25/2012 – Mpax Author – http://mpaxauthor.blogspot.com
9/25/2012 – My Four Monkeys - www.MyFourMonkeys.com
9/25/2012 – Insatiable Readers - http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com
9/25/2012 – The Magic Reads – www.themagicatticreads.com
9/25/2012 – The Curiosity Key - http://www.curiositykey.blogspot.com/
9/26/2012 – PanDragon Dan - http://www.pandragondan.co.uk/apps/blog/submitting-books-to-pandragon-reviews
9/26/2012 – Reviewer Rachel - http://www.rachelsbookreviews.com/
9/26/2012 – Escape Through The Pages - http://thekams.wordpress.com/
9/27/2012 – I Want to Read That -www.iwanttoreadthat.com/
9/28/2012 – YA Book Central – www.yabookscentral.com
9/29/2012 – Comfort Books - http://paigebradish1996.blogspot.com/
9/29/2012 – A Little Bit Of Reviews – www.alittlebitofrnrreviews.com 

You can find LM Preston at her:

WEBSITE: 
www.lmpreston.com
BLOG: 
http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/
PARTY BLOG:
http://bookpartylmpreston.blogspot.com
TWITTER: 
http://twitter.com/LM_Preston
FACEBOOK:
http://tinyurl.com/2fev6qc

I want to read that...

Also Known As by Robin Benway

From Goodreads: ALSO KNOWN AS is the story of Maggie, a gifted teenage safecracker, who works alongside her parents as a spy for the mysterious entity known as the Collective. When she's assigned to infiltrate a private Manhattan high school, she's forced to make friends, investigate the mysterious Jesse, and solve the case, all without blowing her cover.

I am really loving the sound of this one - a bit teen Alias-esq! Plus I adored Audrey, Wait so I am extra excited!

It's published February 2013