I Went Book Crazy

Saturday, August 10, 2013
I was so proud of my self restraint... for about a week. Then the lovely Keertana over at Ivy Book Bindings showed me how to find bargains on Amazon (and I bought 11 books!), and I had to find a new copy of Graceling when mine was misprinted (which meant I left the bookstore with that and four more books...), and then an ARC I am stoked for showed up, a book I forgot about ordering was delivered, and I found an ebook deal I couldn't resist. So, all in all, I have 19 new books since Monday.

The ARC I am so excited about.



KINSLAYER!! (With a cameo from my dog, Penny.)
I love love loved Stormdancer, so I am beyond happy that I get to dice back into the Shima Imperium. 
Thank you, St. Martin's!

My copy of In The Hand of the Goddess came in! (I confess I forgot about this so it was a fun surprise to get it in the mail.)


Now I can start Alanna and jump right into this after.


And now, it's time for a story. One day, when Jessie was supposed to be reading her ARC/review copies, she saw Graceling and Fire sitting on her unread bookcase. And it called to her. The gold calls to us.... And I started reading Graceling and loved it from the first chapter. And then I got to page 232. It was followed by.. page 185 through 232. At which point, page 281 began. I was missing fifty PIVOTAL pages. Clearly an emergency bookstore run was never more important. And this happened:



My lovely, amazing, funny boyfriend saw me drooling over 17 & Gone afte rI had hunted down the store's only copy of Graceling, so he picked it up. He also knows I want to read anything involving a dragon, so he added The Last Dragonslayer. And then I saw The Light Between Oceans marked down to $5 and mentioned how much I had heard about it. Into the pile that went. And as we were nearing the register, I found The Thousand Names and began browsing inside. He plucked it from my hands, gave it to the cashier ("to save time. You were going to want it anyway; I could tell from the way your eyes went all googly") and bought me all these books.

As Miz Gilly says, "like Oliver Wood, he is a Keeper."



 




Amazon Orders:

The Last Wife of Henry VIII by Carolly Erickson


Courageous, attractive, romantic, intelligent, Catherine Parr became the sixth wife of Henry VIII. Her story, as Carolly Erickson re-creates it, is page-turning drama: from the splendors of the Field of the Cloth of Gold to the gory last years of the outsize King Henry, when heads rolled and England trembled, Catherine bestrode her destiny and survived to marry her true love.


Catherine Parr attracted the king’s lust and, though much in love with the handsome Thomas Seymour, was thrown into the intrigue-filled snake pit of the royal court. While victims of the king’s wrath suffered torture and execution, Catherine persevered—until, at last, she came within the orbit of the royal fury. King Henry toyed with her, first ordering her arrested, then granting her clemency. She managed to evade execution, but she knew that the king had his wandering eye fixed on wife number seven.

She was spared by his death and married the attractive but dangerously unbalanced Seymour. Her triumph was shadowed by rivalry with the young Princess Elizabeth, whose lands and influence the lecherous Seymour coveted. Catherine won the contest, but at great cost.

In The Last Wife of Henry VIII, critically acclaimed author Carolly Erickson brings this dramatic story of survival and redemption to life.


The Boleyn Wife by Brandy Purdy

Shy, plain Lady Jane Parker feels out of place in Henry VIII's courtly world of glamour and intrigue--until she meets the handsome George Boleyn. Overjoyed when their fathers arrange a match, her dreams of a loving union are waylaid when she meets George's sister, Anne. For George is completely devoted to his sister, and cold and
indifferent to his bride. As Anne acquires a wide circle of admirers, including King Henry, Jane's resentment grows. But if becoming Henry's queen makes Anne the most powerful woman in England, it also makes her highly vulnerable. And as Henry, desperate for a male heir, begins to tire of his mercurial wife, the stage is set for the ultimate betrayal...

Encompassing the reigns of four of Henry's wives, from the doomed Anne to the reckless Katherine Howard, The Boleyn Wife is an unforgettable story of ambition, lust, and jealousy, of the power of love to change the course of history, and of the terrible price of revenge.

Mistress of Mourning by Karen Harper

In a gripping historical novel of suspense and romance from the national bestselling author of The Queen's Governess, two women fight to defeat the enemies of the precarious Tudor monarchy by uncovering the secrets of the dead... 

London, 1501. In a time of political unrest, Varina Westcott, a young widow and candle maker for court and church, agrees to perform a clandestine service for Queen Elizabeth of York, wife of Henry VII--carve wax figures of four dead children, two of her offspring lost in infancy and her two brothers, the Princes of the Tower, whose mysterious disappearance years ago has never been solved. Having lost a child herself, Varina feels a sympathetic bond with the queen. And as she works under the watchful eye of handsome Nicholas Sutton, an ambitious assistant to the royals, she develops feelings of quite a different nature... 

Then news comes from Wales of the unexpected death of newly married Prince Arthur, the queen’s eldest child and heir to the throne. Deeply grieving, Elizabeth suspects that Arthur did not die of a sudden illness, as reported, but was actually murdered by her husband’s enemies. This time her task for Varina and Nicholas is of vital importance--travel into the Welsh wilderness to investigate the prince’s death. But as the couple unearths one unsettling clue after another, they begin to fear that the conspiracy they’re confronting is far more ambitious and treacherous than even the queen imagined. And it aims to utterly destroy the Tudor dynasty.

In Ashes Lie by Marie Brennan (Onyx Court #2)

The year is 1666. The King and Parliament vie for power, fighting one another with politics and armies alike. Below, the faerie court has enemies of its own. The old ways are breaking down, and no one knows what will rise in their place.

But now, a greater threat has come, one that could destroy everything. In the house of a sleeping baker, a spark leaps free of the oven -- and ignites a blaze that will burn London to the ground. While the humans struggle to halt the conflagration that is devouring the city street by street, the fae pit themselves against a less tangible foe: the spirit of the fire itself, powerful enough to annihilate everything in its path.

Mortal and fae will have to lay aside the differences that divide them, and fight together for the survival of London itself . ..

The Poison Throne by Celine Kiernan (Moorehawke Trilogy #1)


Wynter returns from a five-year exile in the bleak Northlands to find her beloved homeland in turmoil. King Jonathan's civilised, multicultural realm is no more; the gibbets and cages have returned. Days of laughter, friendly ghosts and gossipy cats remain only in Wynter's memory - the present confronts her with power play, dark torture chambers, violent ghosts, and cats (those still alive) too scared to talk to humans. The Inquisition is a real and present danger.

Crown Prince Alberon is missing. There are murmurings of a 'Bloody Machine' of untold destructive power. And as Wynter and her friends, Prince Razi and the mysterious Christopher Garron, seek to restore stability to the fragile kingdom, risking death at every turn, Wynter is forced to make a terrible choice.

Set in a fantastical medieval Europe, this is the first book in a compelling trilogy of court intrigue, adventure and romance. It draws the reader in from the very first sentence and doesn't loosen its grip until the last.

Grace by Elizabeth Scott

Grace was raised to be an Angel, a herald of death by suicide bomb. But she refuses to die for the cause, and now Grace is on the run, daring to dream of freedom. In search of a border she may never reach, she travels among malevolent soldiers on a decrepit train crawling through the desert. Accompanied by the mysterious Kerr, Grace struggles to be invisible, but the fear of discovery looms large as she recalls the history and events that delivered her uncertain fate.

Told in spare, powerful prose by acclaimed author Elizabeth Scott, this tale of a dystopian near future will haunt readers long after they’ve reached the final page.


Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan (Sky Chasers #2)

Waverly and Kieran are finally reunited on the Empyrean. Kieran has led the boys safely up to this point, and now that the girls are back, their mission seems slightly less impossible: to chase down the New Horizon, and save their parents from the enemy ship. But nothing is truly as it seems…Kieran’s leadership methods have raised Seth’s hackles— and Waverly’s suspicions. Is this really her fiancé? The handsome, loving boy she was torn from just a short time before? More and more, she finds her thoughts aligned with Seth’s. But if Seth is Kieran’s Enemy No. 1, what does that make her?

In one night, a strange explosion rocks the Empyrean—shooting them off course and delaying their pursuit of the New Horizon—and Seth is mysteriously released from the brig. Seth is the most obvious suspect for the explosion, and Waverly the most obvious suspect for releasing him. As the tension reaches a boiling point, will Seth be able to find the true culprit before Kieran locks them both away—or worse? Will Waverly follow her heart, even if it puts lives at risk? With the balance of power precarious and the clock ticking, every decision counts… every step brings them closer to a new beginning, or a sudden end...
 

Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson

Using the skills you've learned so far in Introduction to Psychology, please write a brief self-assessment describing how things are going in your freshman year.
  Presenting Concerns:
 
The Patient, Leigh Nolan (that would be me), has just started her first year at Stiles College. She has decided to major in psychology (even though her parents would rather she study Tarot cards, not Rorschach blots).

Patient has always been very good at helping her friends with their problems, but when it comes to solving her own...not so much.
Patient has a tendency to overanalyze things, particularly when the opposite sex is involved. Like why doesn't Andrew, her boyfriend of over a year, ever invite her to spend the night? Or why can't she commit to taking the next step in their relationship? And why does his roommate Nathan dislike her so much? More importantly, why did Nathan have a starring role in a much-more-than-friendly dream?

Aggravating factors include hyper-competitive fellow psych majors, a professor who’s badly in need of her own psychoanalysis, and mentoring a middle-school-aged girl who thinks Patient is, in a word, naive.
 

Diagnosis:


Psych Major Syndrome

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley


"Whatever time we have," he said, "it will be time enough."

Eva Ward returns to the only place she truly belongs, the old house on the Cornish coast, seeking happiness in memories of childhood summers. There she finds mysterious voices and hidden pathways that sweep her not only into the past, but also into the arms of a man who is not of her time.

But Eva must confront her own ghosts, as well as those of long ago. As she begins to question her place in the present, she comes to realize that she too must decide where she really belongs.

From Susanna Kearsley, author of the New York Times bestseller The Winter Sea and a voice acclaimed by fans of Gabaldon, du Maurier, and Niffenegger alike, The Rose Garden is a haunting exploration of love, family, the true meaning of home, and the ties that bind us together.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces.

Ghost Town by Rachel Caine (Morganville Vampires #9)


While developing a new system to maintain Morganville's defenses, student Claire Danvers discovers a way to amplify vampire mental powers. Through this, she's able to re-establish the field around this vampire-infested Texas college town that protects it from outsiders.

But the new upgrades have an unexpected consequence: people inside the town begin to slowly forget who they are-even the vampires. Soon, the town's little memory problem has turned into a full-on epidemic. Now Claire needs to figure out a way to pull the plug on her experiment- before she forgets how to save Morganville...





I went a little crazy, but I am honestly excited for every one of these. Now to find the time to read them all....

18 comments:

  1. I have never seen a book misprint like that! I'm sure it's past the return date, but can you try taking it to B&N for store credit to offset the cost of the new one.

    I have The Boleyn Wife and I'm pretty sure I finished it, but I don't have it on GR and I can't remember anything about it! Hopefully it's more memorable for you. :P

    And I LOVE the blurb for Psych Major Syndrome.

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    1. I hadn't either. I was just confused for a sec! And then I was frustrated, lol.

      Yeah, I've read Purdy and her stuff can be hit or miss. I don't have high hopes but it was so cheap I couldn't resist.

      I DO TOO. It seriously sounds adorable and funny.

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  2. KINSLAYER! *dies* I hope it's AMAZING, Jessie! I can't wait to read your thoughts on it! Also, I adore GRACELING!(: Fantastic haul, girl!

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    1. I KNOW. I AM STILL IN SHOCK JAY'S PUBLICIST SENT IT TO ME!

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  3. So many things to comment on!

    PENNY IS ADORABLE. I know I already saw a picture of her BUT SHE STILL ADORABLE AND I CAN SAY THIS MANY, MANY TIMES.

    Your boyfriend is pure awesomeness. Lol at him knowing how to tell when your eyes go all googly over a book. Also: HOW DARE SOMEONE DEFACE THE GRACELING SO IT IS WITHOUT 50 CRUCIAL PAGES. At least this is a happy story, and you have joined the ranks of Cashore fans :).

    Alanna!! Have you read something by Tamora Pierce? I have yet to, so I feel very behind, though it sounds like you still have to read the first book too? Spark - YESSS. Were you a GLOW fan? This seems to be a generally underrated YA sci fi series. AND AND AND Psych Major Syndrome! Hope you like that one - the humor was what got me :).

    Also, when are you planning on reading Catastrophic History? Someone put that in my recommendations box for the blog, so I'll probably read it in like three? four? weeks. We should do a read-along!

    I don't know how to find Bargain Books on Amazon, and DON'T EVER TEACH ME HOW o.O. As is, the TBR gives me the willies.

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    1. She is pretty darn cute if I do say so myself. I take way too many pictures of her. It feeds her ego.

      We have been dating for 4 years so he knows the signs of impending booklove. He is so good about all my books everywhere, too. I got lucky.

      AND I KNOW. IT WAS RIGHT WHEN PO AND KATSA ARE CONFESSING THEIR LOVE. Ellis saved me and spoiled me so I didn't go crazy wondering how it played out.

      I have only read Pierce's Immortals series but I LOVE it. I have high hopes for Alanna. If not, Gaby and Gilly will have some splaining to do.

      I did like Glow! Some parts were iffy, but I liked more than anything. Psych Major Syndrome seems like aperfect fit for my humor and I love the author so I was really happy to find such a good deal.

      YES TO READALONG!

      Hahhaha okay, I won't! I was amazed and went crazy but now my bank account hurts.

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  4. Your haul is amazing! Can I just say that your boyfriend sounds like the best boyfriend ever! Where do I find one like that?;) I hope you enjoy 17 & Gone because I absolutely loved it. While I don't think it's nearly as amazing as Imaginary Girls, I still adore it! Grace, Spark, and The Catastrophic History of You & Me look so good. I still haven't even come close to finishing the Morganville books. I'm only on book 4 and I started the series about three years ago. I enjoy them, but I don't love them. Hope you enjoy all your books!

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    1. I found so many good books. Those are always the best bargain finds.

      And yes, he pretty much is. He supports all my crazy and obsessive habits. :D

      OOh, you loved 17 & Gone? I've seen some mixed reviews but I do love how Suma writes. So gorgeous.

      And I am with you on Morganville. I like them, but they aren't that great. I really only have gotten this far because I was gifted the first 8 books. And eh, might as well keep going until I get bored/it ends, right?!

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  5. Oh man, I know about the book buying binges! I get them too. Also - Kinslayer... Oh my god. OH MY GOD! So good!

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    1. I haven't had much time to get to it, but as of page 200 YES OMG.

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  6. Loving that haul! The only reason I haven't gone kindle crazy this week is cuz I am broke from my last book buying spree xD
    Happy reading
    Jackie

    http://www.nobentspines.blogspot.com/2013/08/stacking-shelves.html

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    1. I know that feeling so well! I am bad about buying ebooks too -- and it's so easy to do! It's a dangerous habit.

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  7. The day my "boyfriend" (now my hubby) bought me 8 books without blinking, I knew he was a keeper. Diamonds, nope. Books, hells yes.

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    1. YES. THIS. I don't care about much, but when he buys me books I know that I found the right one.

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  8. Is there a secret way to find Amazon deals that I do not know about? If so, please tell me. Though maybe you shouldn't because that would be very, very bad. LOLOL. Still...super awesome haul and I hope Kinslayer is amazing!

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    1. Ahahah well, I did tell you and I hope you don't break the bank.

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  9. That's so weird about your copy of Graceling!!
    Ooooh... The Rose Garden. <3 Gosh I've had The Catastrophic History of You and Me on my shelf forever. Need to get around to that one.
    Tons of great books this week! Enjoy your new reads. :)

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    1. Have you read TRG? I really love Kearsley so I assume this one will be another winner.

      Join me and Christina for a readalong!

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