Jessie's November Haul

Sooo.. November. It was a good month. A very good month, bookwise. It was the month of my birthday. It was the month I went crazy on e-ARCs after doing so well since BEA. It's been a while since I've done a haul or a wrap-up, so this may verge on TL;DR. Feel free to ogle pretty pictures of the books and ignore me.

So.

Here are some goodies I was sent for book tours:

The Tudor Vendetta by C.W. Gortner - Tudor Spymaster #3 - fun, quick, twisty little historical mystery series continues.

The Tiger Queens: The Women of Genghis Khan by Stephanie Thornton - her historical fiction focuses on overlooked/ignored/important women of history. So so good.

The Brewer's Tale by Karen Brooks - um, I want this hair. Even if it goes in my face like that all the time.

Sent for review:

Silverblind by Tina Connolly - Ironskin #3 - I was curious to see how the author concludes this odd but interesting series and was not disappointed.

Dream A Little Dream by Kerstin Gier - weirdly there is no GR page for this, but hey, I like the cover. It looks cute.

The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre- I adore Ann Aguirre's scifi, enjoy her work with her husband (Bronze Gods), like her UF/paranormal (Immortal Game), so I figured why not try this.

The Boy Next Door by Kati Van Ark - Swoon Reads second book and it looks prettyyyy cute (if cliche but WHATEVER gimme all the feels)

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski - The Winner's Trilogy #2 - I don't know how I haven't dived headfirst into this one yet, honestly

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios - Something Real was the contemporary debut of the year for me so far. Maybe the only way to top a Demetrios is with another Demetrios?

Beastkeeper by Cat Hellisen - Cat Hellisen is a one of a kind and I will read anything she writes.

Thank you to the kind people at Tor and Macmillan, specifically Ksenia who is a goddess amogst publicists.

Gifted by lovely lovely people:

The Poisoned Crown by Maurice Druon - The Accursed Kings - #3 - my obsession with the series that inspired ASOIAF is rivaled only by my obsession with ASOIAF.

The Princess in the Opal Mask by Jenny Lundquist - The Opal Mask #1 - pretty obvious why I need this, no?

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby - Golden spoke to me in a quiet but lovely way and I can't wait to see how Moonglass fares.

A Million Suns by Beth Revis - Across the Universe #2 - I love a good "teens in space!" adventure and this series works for me, despite squicky love interests.

Far From You by Tess Sharpe - I had read an ARC of this and hardcover was most certainly in order. This book is beyond lovely. 

The Falconer by Elizabeth May - The Falconer #1 - I love this book. I read it as an eARC and have forever pined after that hardcover since. It is now mine and I won't lie and say I didn't pet it when I opened the box. (KIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARAN)

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore - Goodnight Family #1. This sounds and looks creepy and awesome. Here's hoping it's an atmospheric gothic read.

Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen - Scarlet #2. Another eARC read that I have lusted for for many months. This series is so well done and full of twists and turns and feels and oh noes and more feels and JUST READ IT OK.

Steel by Carrie Vaughn -- notice how several of these book covers feature fierce ladies with knives? I like it.

My True Love Gave to Me by various - short stories from many favorites but especially Laini Taylor made this a very desperately sought prize.

The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima - The Seven Realms #4. I was refusing to read book two until I owned all four because I know CWC is gonna bring the feels. 

Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta. I don't know if I can do it. You only break the glass on the last Marchetta when you have to. **credit to loltergeist for that one.

Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce - Alanna #4. I will finally, finally finish reading the Alanna seriers, thanks to the pushing and generosity of my friends.

Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan - The Lynburn Legacy #3. I have already finished this and holy wow, my broken, broken feels. I just... HDU. The "u" is for everyone ever that read this before me and did not warn me.

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch - Snow Like Ashes #1. A new fantasy favorite, this is another series that has a great, actiontastic heroine with many sides to her.

The Box and the Dragonfly by Ted Sanders - The Keepers #1. This ARC for a MG series looks like a great way to spend an afternoon!

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson - The Name of the Star #1. Jack the Ripper. That's all I needed to hear to know I wanted to read this.

A Blight of Mages by Karen Miller - Kingmaker, Kingbreaker #.5. I read the first two in this series ages ago and am unbelievably excited Miller has returned to tell more about this world.

Havoc by Ann Aguirre - Dred Chronicles #2. While this series isn't hitting Sirantha Jax-levels of awesome yet, you can't go wrong with an Ann Aguirre scifi novel with a badass female MC. You just can't.

The Native Star by M.K. Hobson -Veneficas Americana #1. This has an interesting synopsis and a gorgeous cover -- so yeah, been on my wishlist for aaaages.

Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick - Ashes #2. Creepy, actionpacked, dense. This is a series I plan to mainline as soon as there is any free reading time. Bick is so highly recommended.

Rain by Amanda Sun - Paper Gods #2. I didn't get an ARC for this so I have been curious for moonths. Book one was a decent introduction -- here's hoping book two knocks it out of the park.

The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron - The Dark Unwinding #1. Another I had read but never owned, this is such an entertaining, quietly different story.

Thank you, Bekka! You really are a total wizard, and every time I stare at that gorgeous cover I will remember I owe ya. <3
Kara, thank you thank you for always rec'ing me such perfect reads. From YA to adult, you always know just what I want to read and are so generous. <3
Megarus, you are a gifting genie-person and I am forever thankful for you introducing me to Eli Monpress, amongst many other things.
Guylian Berty, my Jean Valjean, my Moriarty, my six-fingered man, you are too generous and kind by half. Thank you for hurting me with SRB and Unmade.
Lyn, you wonderful gal you. Thank you for picking out such great gifts, being so generous, and being always around for a chat when I need.
Ellis, you being of wit and wonder, you giver of The Last Unread Marchetta. Thank you for being you and for being such a thoroughly excellent bookpusher and opinion-haver.
Lili, fellow movie lover and texter extraordinaire. Thank you for the lovely package and the many recommendations and book talks way too late or way too early.

Danielle. My best friend, partner in crime for untold years, friend since The Teen Years, coblogger and co-conspirator in all things. You beyond spoiled me and I hope you know how much I treasure you in my life.

Aaaaand now the books I bought myself:

The World of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. AKA The World of Hot Targaryen Dragonlords.

The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss. Just revel in the Auri-ness.

A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine - A Tale of Two Castles #1. GCL owns my soul when it comes to fairy tale retellings and has since Ella Enchanted first was published.

Lovely, Dark, and Deep by Amy McNamara. An eARC that I truly loved; finally I own a copy. This book is so hauntingly lovely, guys. It contains some of my favorite quotes in all of literature.

A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner -The Queen's Thief #4 - this is where you see how crazy I am. I bought this hardcover on BookOutlet for $4 even though I don't own and have never read the first three. But it was on sale and I want to read the series soooo yeah, I bought the fourth book in a series I haven't started.

Range of Ghosts by Elizabeth Bear - Eternal Sky #1. Another coverlove favorite that I found on sale and bought on a whim because pretty. It doesn't hurt that it's a pretty acclaimed fantasy, though.

Written in Red by Anne Bishop - The Others #1. Hardcover for a popular book with great reviews for $3? Yep, bought it.

Winterspell by Claire Legrand. Gorgeous cover + seasonal + retelling = instant must have for Jessie.

Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger - Finishing School #3. I love Gail Carriger and her YA series is consistently entertaining and fun.

The Falcon Throne by Karen Miller - The Tarnished Crown #1. I will read any fantasy this woman writes, the fatter the book the better. As you can see, this new series is off to a good start.

 Lastly, from a book sale, I got these 17 books for $14.

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin - A Song of Ice and Fire #1. Read, loved, picked up because it was literally $1.

Matilda by Roald Dahl - childhood favorite and a steal for $.50!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone/Chamber of Secrets/Order of the Phoenix -  Harry Potter #1, #2, and #5. These are in great condition -- so much so I could not leave them there.

Crazy by Amy Reed - she has been recommended so many times I had to give it a shot.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett - I actually owned this, I just picked this up because it was a hardcover for $1.50.

Don't Look Down by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer. So I grabbed this because Bet Me is my jam but reviews are mixed.

The Goose Girl/Enna Burning by Shannon Hale - Books of Bayern #1 and #2. Good condition, if the less-awesome version of the covers for this series.

Three Souls by Janie Chang. I love this book so I bought this to physically push on my friends and family.

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake. I've had my eye on this for months but could never committ to buying it. Until it was $1, that is.

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger - Keeper of the Lost Cities #1. I love the cover and the premise of this.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I heard nothing but nonstop love for this book earlier this year.

The Dressmaker by Posie Graeme-Evans. Historical fiction that just sounds like fun.

Perdido Street Station by China Mieville - Bas-Lag #1. Another author that I hear so much about but read infrequently -- might as well try his most famous work, right?

The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson - Malazan Book of the Fallen #6. Man this series is so hard to explain/get other people interested in, but IT IS SO GOOD.

In my defense, some of these will be donated - the three Harry Potters, Matilda, the two Books of Bayern, Keeper of the Lost Cities, Game of Thrones, and The Bonehunters to my sister's 5th grade class and my father, respectively.


So yeah. A lot of books this month for me. I only wish I could read them all right now.