Monday, September 23, 2013

New Release Round-Up: September 23-29, 2013

Young Adult


Not a Drop to Drink
by Mindy McGinnis

Release date: September 24, 2013
Available as: hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 320
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Suggested tags: young adult, dystopia



From Goodreads:
"Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water.

Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.

But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….

With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.
"


Where the Stars Still Shine
by Trish Doller

Release date: September 24, 2013
Available as: hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 308
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Suggested tags: young adult, realistic fiction, contemporary



From Goodreads:
"Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.
"

Other YA new releases for this week:



Middle Grade


Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures
by Kate DiCamillo

Release date: September 24, 2013
Available as: hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook, audiobook
Pages: 336
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Suggested tags: middle grade, fantasy, graphic novel



From Goodreads:
"It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry—and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart. From #1 New York Times best-selling author Kate DiCamillo comes a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format—a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black-and-white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell."


The Wolf Princess
by Cathryn Constable

Release date: September 24, 2013
Available as: hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 320
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Suggested tags: middle grade, mystery



From Goodreads:
"A captivating, atmospheric mystery set in the crystalline winterland of Russia.

Abandoned in a blinding blizzard in the wintry wilds of Russia, Sophie Smith fears for her life. But just like in a fairy tale, a princess comes to her rescue: the beautiful, exotic Anna Volkonskaya. Over a river of ice in a horse-drawn sleigh, she brings Sophie and her friends to a magnificent, if weathered, winter palace.

At first, Sophie is enchanted by Princess Anna's stories of long-ago royalty, of white wolves and gray diamonds. But when the princess takes a particular interest in her, Sophie grows concerned. What is her place in the sinister mystery that surrounds her? Even as the wind and wolves howl outside, is she more in danger now, a prisoner of the palace, than she ever was lost in the snow?
"

Other Middle Grade new releases for this week:

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Sassy Girl Swoony God Tourney Challenge #1


We've been given Challenge #1 in the Sassy Girl Swoony God Tourney!

Decide in which tropical location here on Earth, Kai first kidnapped Persephone all those years ago. Then find a photo of that place and tweet the photo along with the following message.

#SassyGirlSwoonyGodTourney http://bit.ly/1cNXx2b Kai kidnapped Persephone here. #MyDateFromHell



When I think "tropical," I think Tahiti. It's so exotic and gorgeous. I think it's the perfect place for Kai to kidnap Persephone!



#SassyGirlSwoonyGodTourney – spread the word.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

"Waiting On" Wednesdays: September 17, 2013



"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Each Wednesday, you share upcoming releases that you're eagerly anticipating.





The Boundless
by Kenneth Oppel

Expected release date: April 22, 2014
Available as: hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 320
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Suggested tags: middle grade, fantasy



From Goodreads:
"All aboard for an action-packed escapade from the internationally bestselling author of Airborne and the Silverwing trilogy.

The Boundless, the greatest train ever built, is on its maiden voyage across the country, and first-class passenger Will Everett is about to embark on the adventure of his life!

When Will ends up in possession of the key to a train car containing priceless treasures, he becomes the target of sinister figures from his past.

In order to survive, Will must join a traveling circus, enlisting the aid of Mr. Dorian, the ringmaster and leader of the troupe, and Maren, a girl his age who is an expert escape artist. With villains fast on their heels, can Will and Maren reach Will’s father and save
The Boundless before someone winds up dead?"

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Tellulah Darling's Sassy Girl Swoony God Tourney


Woo!! I'm a part of this! I'm so crazy excited!! :D

So, background info: I'm a pretty big fan of Tellulah Darling. She writes such fun, spunky books. The first one I read was Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide to Getting Girls (read my review here), and then through Netgalley I got to read the first book in the Blooming Goddess Trilogy, My Ex From Hell (read my review here). I was totally hooked on her trademark snarky style mixed with a creative take on Greek mythology in the first book in the series, so I was thrilled when she offered to let me read the second book, My Date From Hell, and invited me into the Sassy Girl Swoony God Tourney!

Over the course of 6 weeks, us tourney participants will be getting video challenges that we can take part in. In mid-October, we'll be posting our reviews of My Date From Hell. And there will be prizes too! The fabulous Ms. Darling is offering:
- a signed copy of My Date From Hell
- a T-shirt with a design of one of Kai's tattoos
- a character named after the winner in the final book of the trilogy

(That last one made me do a little dance in my chair. How awesome would it be to have a character named after you in a series you really enjoy??)

The first challenge has already been posted - I need to get on the ball! I'm so excited to get into the tourney! I love getting the chance to really be invested in books I read. Thanks for the opportunity, Tellulah Darling! :)

#SassyGirlSwoonyGodTourney – spread the word.

Giveaway Update: Bummer...

There were no entries in my giveaway of a print or ebook copy of Rektok Ross's Prodigal, so there are no winners! :(  Bummer. Ah well, doing my first giveaway was a good learning experience!