In My Mailbox (4)

In My Mailbox is a weekly book meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren . In My Mailbox explores the books that have been delivered to our mailbox on a weekly basis. Since I rarely receive books for review, unlike many other book bloggers, my In My Mailbox post will mostly contain books that I purchased, books I looted from the library and books I traded with friends.

It was payday last Thursday so I went on a book shopping spree at Fully Booked and Powerbooks, my two favorite bookstores in town.

Books Purchased

1) The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
2) Beastly by Alex Flinn
3) Ain't Too Proud to Beg by Susan Donovan
4) Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas
5) Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

So what books are in your mailbox for this week? Please leave a comment with either the link to your own In My Mailbox post, or share your In My Mailbox in a comment here if you don’t have a blog. Thank you.

Teaser Tuesday: The Lightning Thief

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

(1) Grab your current read.
(2) Open to a random page.
(3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their To-Be-Read Lists if they like your teasers.

My Teaser:

"Detention?" Grover asked.

"Nah," I said. "Not from Brunner. I just wish he'd lay off me sometimes. I mean--- I'm not a genius."

Grover didn't say anything for a while. Then, when I thought he was going to give me some deep philosophical comment to make me feel better, he said, "Can I have your apple?"

~pp. 8 of The Lightning Thief

That's my Teaser Tuesday for this week. Do you have any wonderful teasers you can share? Don't hesitate to share them with me! I'll be more than happy to read it and if I like it, I might even include that book on my TBR list. So keep those teasers coming!

Have fun reading everyone!

It's Monday! What are you Reading?

It's Monday, What are you Reading is a weekly Meme run by Sheila @ One Persons Journey through a world of Books. This meme spotlights the books we completed last week, the books we are currently reading, and the books we hope to finish this week.

This is the very first time that I'll be doing this meme and I'm very excited. I found a lot of fellow bloggers doing It's Monday, What are you Reading? so I decided to join in the bandwagon.

I just got back from a long reading slump but I'm happy to find myself slowly worming my way back into reading.

What I Finished This Week?

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen - Such a fantastic book! The first book by Sarah Dessen that I've read. My full review can be found here.

What’s Coming Up This Week?

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - I'm currently on the second chapter and I'm really enjoying it so far. Percy Jackson is very funny.
One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake - I haven't read any contemporary romance this year so I'm excited to read this book.
Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen I loved Garden Spells so I'm very excited to read another novel from this author.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - Have read so many good reviews about this book.



Those books are what I plan to finish this week. I'll also be posting my reviews of each book once I'm done reading. So, what books will you be reading this week?

On My WishList (1)

On my Wishlist is a weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. This post aims to list down new and old books plus forthcoming releases that are on my Wishlist and share them to fellow book lovers who may find these books interesting and add them on their own mega books wishlist. This is the first time I'm joining this weekly meme and I'm very excited to share these with everyone. Here are some of the books on my huge Wishlist that some of you may enjoy.

Those who know me are aware that I love reading romance books and that Lisa Kleypas is an auto-buy author for me. I devoured her books, be it historical (Devil in Winter and Dreaming of You) or contemporary (Sugar Daddy and Blue-Eyed Devil). I enjoy reading her series and The Hathaways is no exceptions. I've read both Mine Till Midnight and Seduce Me at Sunrise and Tempt Me at Twilight, the third book in the series, is just on my bedside table, waiting to be read. I love this series that's why I'm so excited when Lisa Kleypas announced that the final two books in the will come out this summer.

Title: Married by Morning
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Series: The Hathaway Series (Book #4)
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 25 May 2010
Paperback: 352 pages


Fantastic Fiction Summary:

For two years, Catherine Marks has been a paid companion to the Hathaway sisters—a pleasant position, with one caveat. Her charges’ older brother, Leo Hathaway, is thoroughly exasperating. Cat can hardly believe that their constant arguing could mask a mutual attraction. But when one quarrel ends in a sudden kiss, Cat is shocked at her powerful response—and even more so when Leo proposes a dangerous liaison.

Leo must marry and produce an heir within a year to save his family home. Catherine’s respectable demeanor hides a secret that would utterly destroy her. But to Leo, Cat is intriguing and infernally tempting, even to a man resolved never to love again. The danger Cat tried to outrun is about to separate them forever—unless two wary lovers can find a way to banish the shadows and give in to their desires….

.....................................................

Title: Love in the Afternoon
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Series: The Hathaway Series (Book #5)
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 29 June 2010
Paperback: 352 pages


Fantastic Fiction Summary:

As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even though she participated in the London season in the past, the classic beauty and free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted.and she has resigned herself to the fate of never finding love. Has the time come for the most unconventional of the Hathaway sisters to settle for an ordinary man - just to avoid spinsterhood?

Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix's friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul - and it's becoming clear that Christopher won't come back as the same man. When Beatrix learns of Pru's disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru's letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep.and when Christopher comes home, he's determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as Beatrix's innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love - and a passion that can't be denied.

.....................................................

I haven't read any novels written by Kristin Hannah but I've heard many good reviews about her books. I have True Colors on my shelf and I'm planning to get Firefly Lane next. I truly enjoy reading stories about women, their friendship and their journey.

Title: Firefly Lane
Author: Kristin Hannah
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: 05 Feb 2008
Paperback: 528 pages


Fantastic Fiction Summary:

"Not since Iris Dart's Beaches...has there been a story of friendship that endures everything, from girlhood dramas to bitter betrayal, to be the touchstone in two women's lives. In Firefly Lane, Kristin Hannah creates the most poignant of reunions and an unforgettable story of loyalty and love." - Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean

To the people around them they were known as Kate and Tully or the Firefly Lane Girls. A single, inseparable unit. On the surface they were as opposite as two people could be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret home life that is destroying her. Yet they are best friends who swear they'll be there for each other, and for thirty years that promise holds strong - until events and choices in their lives make that promise impossible.

Firefly Lane is a novel for anyone who ever drank Boone's Farm apple wine while listening to Abba. It's a novel for anyone who ever had someone who knew you better than you know yourself. It's more than a coming-of-age novel - it's the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It's about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you - and knows what has the power to hurt and heal you.

.....................................................

I promised myself to make 2010 a year of reading more historicals and one of the books in my list is The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick. I haven't read any of her books before but this one might be a good start.

Title: The Greatest Knight: The Unsung Story of the Queen's Champion
Author: Elizabeth Chadwick
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: 03 Nov 2005
Paperback: 560 pages


Fantastic Fiction Summary:

Based on fact, this is the story of William Marshal, the greatest knight of the Middle Ages, unsurpassed in the tourneys, adeptly manoeuvring through the colourful, dangerous world of Angevin politics to become one of the most powerful magnates of the realm and eventually regent of England. From minor beginnings and a narrow escape from death in childhood, William Marshal steadily rises through the ranks to become tutor in arms to the son of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. A champion on the tourney field, William must face the danger and petty jealousy targeting a royal favourite. Dogged by scandal, banished from court, his services are nevertheless sought throughout Europe and when William's honour is vindicated, he returns to court and wins greater acclaim and power than before. A crusader and the only knight ever to unhorse the legendary Richard Coeur de Lion, William's courage and steadfastness are rewarded by the hand in marriage of Anglo-Irish heiress Isobel de Clare, 19 years old, the grandaughter of kings and his equal in every way.

.....................................................

2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge

The 2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge is hosted by J. Kaye of J.Kaye's Book Blog . For those who are interested, the sign up post is here. The rules are easy and anyone can join.

*There are four levels to this Reading Challenge:

--The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

--Just My Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 25 Young Adult novels.

--Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge – Read 50 Young Adult novels.

--Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge – Read 75 Young Adult novels.

*Audio, eBooks, paper all count.

* No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

* Challenge begins January 1st through December, 2010.

* Posting Reviews for the books you've read is optional.

I know I've lost five months worth of reading time but I still want to try and join many Reading Challenges. For the YA Reading Challenge, I've decided to choose The Mini YA Reading Challenge which means I'm going for 12 books! Here's the list of titles I plan to read.

1. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling
2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling
3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
4. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling
5. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling
6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
7. Blue Sword by Robin Mckinley
8. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
9. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen ~ 4.5 Stars
10. Graceling by Kristine Cashore
11. Fire by Kristine Cashore
12. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Status:

1/12

Historical Reading Challenge

The 2010 Historical Reading Challenge is being hosted by Alaine at Queen of Happy Endings.

Challenge Summary:

* Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
* There are four levels:

- Curious – Read 3 Historical Fiction novels.
- Fascinated – Read 6 Historical Fiction novels.
- Addicted – Read 12 Historical Fiction novels.
- Obsessed – Read 20 Historical Fiction novels.

* Any book format counts.
* You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
* Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.




My Reading List

1. Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas~5 stars
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Status:

1/6

Read’n'Review Reading Challenge

Read’n'Review Reading Challenge is hosted by MizB at MizB's Reading Challenges.

Challenge Summary:

* review each book you read between January 1st and December 31st of the current year.

* PLEASE keep your reviews clean & respectful ~ these books we read are the hard work of an author, and we don’t need to be mean. Even if you didn’t like the book, please try to find something you can say that would be encouraging to the author.

* reviews can be as short, or long, as you wish

* you MAY overlap with other challenges

* eBooks and Audiobooks ARE allowed

* if there will be spoilers in your review, please note this in the subject line of your post so that those who don’t want to read them can skip that review.

My Book List:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Status: 0 Books Read and Reviewed

Romance Reading Challenge

The 2010 Romance Reading Challenge is being hosted by Alaine at Queen of Happy Endings.

Challenge Guidelines:

*Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

*There are four levels:

- Curious – Read 3 Romance Fiction novels.
- Fascinated – Read 6 Romance Fiction novels.
- Addicted – Read 12 Romance Fiction novels.
- Obsessed – Read 20 Romance Fiction novels.

* Any book format counts.

* You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

* Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

Romance is among my favorite reading genre so for this challenge, I will be gunning for Addicted which means I'll try and read 12 books. So exciting!

1. Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas ~ 5 Stars
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Status:

1/12