Sharing the week's bookish news and the books & bookish goodies that I've bought, borrowed, won, or been gifted and have added to my bookshelves over the past week!
(Inspired by Mailbox Monday, IMM, Clock Rewinders and the like)
Notes From Melissa:
December already!!
I plan to get most of the decorating done today...let the artificial tree fluff out during the week...and then finish with decorating the tree next Saturday when my nieces are over! I've just barely begun my shopping which is doubled this month as we have almost as many birthday gifts to purchase as Christmas gifts!
How is your holiday shopping going? Did you fight the crowds on Black Friday? Or will you slowly pick everything up (half ordered online if I'm lucky) throughout the month as I will?
Also, we've been having tons of fun with the 2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge!
Why don't you join us for next year's challenge!
Click on the button and go sign up!
Loads of fun and a great prize:)
Recently on Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf:
Reviews:
Reveals:
Cover Reveal: Shadow of Time by Jen Minkman
Cover Reveal & Giveaway: There by Denise Grover Swank
Cover Reveal: The Midnight Spell by Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye
Trailer Reveal & Giveaway: Avow by Chelsea Fine
Cover Reveal: Breaking Waves by Danielle Sibarium
Promo Posts:
Spotlight on Spirals by Ruby Standing Deer
Other:
What I Read Last Week:
- Dash & Lily's Book of Dares - Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
- The Demon Lover - Juliet Dark
What I Am Reading Today:
- Beautiful Darkness - Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (audiobook)
- The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - Rachel Joyce
Ongoing Giveaways:
~COLONIZATION & Swag (12/4 INT)
~THERE (12/4 INT)
~Kindle Fire, Signed ARCHERS OF AVALON Series (3 books) $25 GC & Swag (12/9)
~Signed WHOEVER YOU ARE (12/11 US)
~RETURNED (12/14 INT)
~WINTER'S MIST & Swag (12/21 INT)
~SOME QUIET PLACE (12/31 INT)
~OWLET, $10 GC & Swag (12/31 INT)
~VENIFICAS AMERICANA Series & Swag (12/31 INT)
~THERE (12/4 INT)
~Kindle Fire, Signed ARCHERS OF AVALON Series (3 books) $25 GC & Swag (12/9)
~Signed WHOEVER YOU ARE (12/11 US)
~RETURNED (12/14 INT)
~WINTER'S MIST & Swag (12/21 INT)
~SOME QUIET PLACE (12/31 INT)
~OWLET, $10 GC & Swag (12/31 INT)
~VENIFICAS AMERICANA Series & Swag (12/31 INT)
Around the Interwebs:
- Barefoot Books Holiday Pinterest Board ( This one is full of win! May I have one of each please? lol)
- A Special Message from Ernie Book trailer for 'The Importance of Being Wicked' by Miranda Neville, Avon Books, 2012. (This is a must see book tailer for every cat/animal lover! )
- Worry makes the best literature: Author Steven Amsterdam discusses his favorite anxiety-themed books, from Joan Didion to Philip Roth
Added to the Bookshelf This Week:
Title: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
Author: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Format: E-Book
Format: E-Book
Source: Publisher (Harlequin UK) via NetGalley for review
Find It: Goodreads
“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”
So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?
Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.
Author: Christopher Pike
Format: AudioBook
Source: Publisher (SimonPulse/S&S) for review
Find It: Goodreads
Format: AudioBook
Source: Publisher (SimonPulse/S&S) for review
Find It: Goodreads
But what Jessie doesn’t realize is that Jimmy is the least of her problems.
In Las Vegas she meets Russ, a mesmerizing stranger who shows her how to gamble, and who never seems to lose. Curious, Jessie wants to know his secret, and in response, alone in his hotel room, he teaches her a game that opens a door to another reality.
To Witch World.
Suddenly Jessie discovers that she’s stumbled into a world where some people can do the impossible, and others may not even be human. For a time she fears she’s lost her mind. Are there really witches? Is she one of them?
Each quilter, ever mindful that many of her neighbors, friends, and family members are struggling through difficult times, uses her creative gifts to alleviate their collective burden. As the week unfolds, the quilters respond to Sylvia’s provocative question in ways as varied as the life experiences that drew them to Elm Creek Manor. Love and comfort are sewn into the warm, bright, beautiful quilts they stitch, and their stories collectively consider the strength of human connection and its rich rewards.
Featuring not only well-loved characters but also intriguing newcomers,The Giving Quilt will remind us all: Giving from the heart blesses the giver as much as the recipient, and while giving may not always be easy, it is always worthwhile.
Author: Marcus Sedgwick
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (Roaring Brook Press/MacTeen)
Find It: Goodreads
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (Roaring Brook Press/MacTeen)
Find It: Goodreads
An archaeologist who unearths a mysterious artifact, an airman who finds himself far from home, a painter, a ghost, a vampire, and a Viking: the seven stories in this compelling novel all take place on the remote Scandinavian island of Blessed where a curiously powerful plant that resembles a dragon grows. What binds these stories together? What secrets lurk beneath the surface of this idyllic countryside? And what might be powerful enough to break the cycle of midwinterblood? This is a book about passion and preservation and ultimately an exploration of the bounds of love.
The summer before they're supposed to be cured of the ability to love, best friends Lena and Hana begin to drift apart. While Lena shies away from underground music and parties with boys, Hana jumps at her last chance to experience the forbidden. For her, the summer is full of wild music, dancing—and even her first kiss.
But on the surface, Hana must be a model of perfect behavior. She meets her approved match, Fred Hargrove, and glimpses the safe, comfortable life she’ll have with him once they marry. As the date for her cure draws ever closer, Hana desperately misses Lena, wonders how it feels to truly be in love, and is simultaneously terrified of rebelling and of falling into line.
But on the surface, Hana must be a model of perfect behavior. She meets her approved match, Fred Hargrove, and glimpses the safe, comfortable life she’ll have with him once they marry. As the date for her cure draws ever closer, Hana desperately misses Lena, wonders how it feels to truly be in love, and is simultaneously terrified of rebelling and of falling into line.
The only crop left ... is human.
After genetically altered weeds devastate Earth's crop lands, much of humanity turns to cannibalism to survive. Dr. Tula Macoby believes photosynthetic skin can save the human race, and her people single-mindedly embark on a mission to convert the cannibals roaming what's left of Earth. But when Levi, a peaceful stranger, refuses alteration, Tula doesn't think the only options should be conversion or death.
Levi Kraybill, a devout member of the Old Order, left his Holdout farmland to seek a cure for his terminally ill son. Genetic manipulation is a sin, but Levi will do almost anything for the life of his child. When he's captured, he's sure he's damned, and his only escape will be death.
Tula's superiors schedule Levi's euthanization, and she risks everything to set the innocent man free. Now she and Levi are outlaws with her people, and she's an abomination with his. Can they find sanctuary in a cannibal wasteland?
After genetically altered weeds devastate Earth's crop lands, much of humanity turns to cannibalism to survive. Dr. Tula Macoby believes photosynthetic skin can save the human race, and her people single-mindedly embark on a mission to convert the cannibals roaming what's left of Earth. But when Levi, a peaceful stranger, refuses alteration, Tula doesn't think the only options should be conversion or death.
Levi Kraybill, a devout member of the Old Order, left his Holdout farmland to seek a cure for his terminally ill son. Genetic manipulation is a sin, but Levi will do almost anything for the life of his child. When he's captured, he's sure he's damned, and his only escape will be death.
Tula's superiors schedule Levi's euthanization, and she risks everything to set the innocent man free. Now she and Levi are outlaws with her people, and she's an abomination with his. Can they find sanctuary in a cannibal wasteland?
That's all for me this week!
What new goodies have arrived on your doorstep?
Leave me a link in the comments and I'll come check out your post!
(I'm linking up to: Mailbox Monday, The Sunday Post, Showcase Sunday, & Stacking the Shelves)
I really enjoyed the Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge this year! I'll probably have one more book to add for December. Overall, I did well with all of my challenges - a first!
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading!
Very nice haul. I didn't venture out for Black Friday, we did a few years ago and decided not to do that again. lol.. Have a great week..
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever's The Sunday Post
I recently read Dash & Lily's Book of Dares too, it was so good!
ReplyDeleteI've gotten most of my Christmas shopping done already, so I don't have to wait until the last minute, so no crowds for me!
Enjoy your new books, and I'll go check out that challenge!
I love Dash & Lily's Book of Dares! I should reread it soon, before Christmas. Great haul!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to your thoughts on Demon Lover. Good luck with the decorating and all of that shopping!! The Sunday Post
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by & checking out my Sunday Post. I also have Botanicaust on my TBR list this week.
ReplyDeleteHeather ~ Books Books and More Books
Wow! Great books! I got Witch's World in the mail Saturday and am excited to try it! I'm interested to see what you think of it. I totally forgot about Hanna, and I love the Delirium series. Happy reading!! also, i love the layout of this post!
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to read Dash and Lily's Book of Dares for awhile now, but just haven't gotten around to it. It might be a good one to read during the holiday season, though.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading :)
Look at that list of awesome books!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have a Christmas tree. I just do not trust my cats for one second... :/
Christopher Pike omggg I really hope he's making a legit comeback!
ReplyDeleteLucky you got Witch World!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy your lovely books ^_^
I'm so jealous of Witch World! I cannot wait to read it! I hope you enjoy everything you got this week!
ReplyDeleteMy IMM
Nice :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I used to love Christopher Pike books growing up...I would love to see what Witch World is like! :-)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read a Christopher Pike since reading Alosha (which didn't work for me,) but I'm determined to give Witch World I try!
ReplyDeleteAnd Hana! I should really buy it! I liked Hana more than Lena in Delirium, and it saddened me that she wasn't in Pandemonium.
Happy Reading!
Lilian @ A Novel Toybox
Ohh you got the blurbs, awesome :D They all sound good
ReplyDeleteWhat was Demon Lover like? I really want to read that one! :P And I love the cover for it as well! :D I'll look forward to your review! :D
ReplyDeleteYou have a great haul; Witch World, Midwinter Blood look particularly very good reads. I haven't read anything by Christopher Pike, I want to though like his Thirst Series. Hana, A Delirium Story! I didn't know there was one. I loved Delirium though I haven't read Pandemonium yet!
Here's My Showcase Sunday
Not sure if this is your In my mailbox post, but its the link in linky, lol
ReplyDeleteLooks like you got a great haul this week. Hope you enjoy. I also entered a few of your giveaway!
Stacking the Shelves & In My Mailbox
Great week! The Giving Quilt sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteDash & Lily's Book of Dares was a very cute read-I hope you like it!
ReplyDeleteThe Inky Mailbox
Wonderful book haul-have a fantabulous Sunday!
As much as I would like to say yes to your challenge. I suck at challenges and read a thons. My challenges went out the window after about three months last year. That Botanicaust book looks interesting. Have fun decorating. I got mine done last week and my kids are thrilled!
ReplyDeleteI love Lily and Dash! So super cute.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to check out My IMM
The cover to Midwinter Blood is a bit creepy to me. Anyone else? I ventured onto my computer on Black Friday and purchased for my husband and my entire side of the family. We still have his family to go though. Great week!
ReplyDeleteCheck out my IMM & SP.
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
Oh man, December birthdays AND Christmas. I feel for you! :D
ReplyDeleteYou got some nice goodies. Hope you enjoy them all!
The nice thing is this year I started shopping for my 6yr old weeks before black friday when the sales were actually better and the pickings were great. I'm pretty much done with him :) And it was super nice I didn't HAVE to go out for anything on black friday... but I did and I dragged my poor mom with me (she wanted to experience it). We did Target at 10pm so it wasn't that intense - but Target is always a mess!!! Have fun shopping; it's still early so you have plenty of time.
ReplyDeleteWitch World sounds pretty good - this is the first time I'm actually reading the synopsis. The cover looks too much like a Richelle Mead book so I had written it off as one of those books :S Great haul this week!!!
I'm seriously considering the Witch Challenge for next year.
ReplyDeleteYou had a lot of reveals last week, it seems to be the time of year for them.
Good luck with your shopping and decorating.
The Witch Challenge sounds like something I might end up joining, I always have a ton of extra books around.
ReplyDeleteWitch World looks really good and I've seen it in stores but I haven't personally heard anything about it, I'm curious to see what you think about it.
Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a great week!
I LOVE Dash and Lily SO much! I actually might reread that for Christmas. Once again, great bunch of books this week!
ReplyDeleteI don't do much for this time of year, we can't have a tree/decorations because the cats would pull them down!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy Hana - it was a great addition to the series!
Just found your blog via Story Siren and I am in love with it - it is so beautiful :D
ReplyDeleteYou have had a very busy week! Dash and Lily's is really high on my list of must haves it sounds like such a fun read :D
Oh Botanicaust sounds unique! I'm going to have to check that out.
ReplyDeleteWitch World is really eye-catching, and sounds perfect for your reading challenge ;-)
Enjoy!!
Enjoy! your reading week.
ReplyDeletehttp://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2012/12/mailbox-monday.html
I love your lists! Great book week. I didn't realize Jennifer Chiaverini had yet another Elm Creek book out.
ReplyDelete2 Kids and Tired Books MM
You have a lot of good books...THE GIVING QUILT sounds great to me. ENJOY all the books you have in your mailbox.
ReplyDeleteMy Mailbox Monday link is below....hope you can stop by to also see my review of THE SECRET KEEPER
AND
A review and E-book giveaway of MURDER TAKES TIME
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
Witch World looks awesome! Totally want to read that one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog!
I really need to get a copy of Witch World. I was obsessed with his books are a young teen so I look forward to seeing how I like one as an adult.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my post!
~Sara @ Forever 17 Books
Yay for Dash and Lily's! I've been meaning to read that one for ages. :) Enjoy! x
ReplyDelete