Sunday, February 14, 2010

In My Mailbox (6)

In My Mailbox is a meme originally hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren (click for more information) that shares all the new books you've bought, borrowed, received, or traded for the week.  

Hey there! I read some great books this week, thank goodness my book slump is officially over. I really need to finish up my growing TBR pile, but I couldn't help it and got a couple of random books.

Oh and how could I forget- Happy Valentine's Day <3!

Library/For review:

The Isabel Factor by Gayle Friesen
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

When the fearless Zoe breaks her arm in a fall, Anna must brave summer camp -- and her debut as a Counselor In Training -- without her best friend. Going it alone is not something Anna is ready for. Cruising along in Zoe's shadow had been comfortable, but now Anna is out in the full glare of the sun. There's no hiding from harsh truths and plenty of people to point them out. Take Karim, the swim instructor, who has suddenly turned gorgeous but obviously hates Anna. And Anna's new friend and cabinmate Isabel -- rainbow hair, sharp tongue and no boundaries. Sooner or later Anna will have to face another hard truth: things have changed between her and Zoe and there's no going back into the shadows. But where can Anna hide when just being herself isn't nearly enough?

Hmm, I'm not really sure about this one. I thought that it looked like a good light read.

What My Mother Doesn't Know By Sonya Sones
 Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

My name is Sophie.
This book is about me.
It tells
the heart-stoppingly riveting story
of my first love.
And also of my second.
And, okay, my third love too.
It's not that I'm boy crazy.
It's just that even though
I'm almost fifteen
it's like
my mind
and my body
and my heart
just don't seem to be able to agree
on anything.


I've never read a book in lyrical verse, so I'm excited to try it out! It looks really interesting and I've heard good things about it :)

Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Tells, from four points of view, the ramifications of a pregnancy resulting from a "one-time thing" between Ellie, who feels loved when boys touch her, and Josh, an eager virgin with a troubled home life.



I really like the cover of this one. It looks like it could be a good read. 


Bought/For review:

Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld
Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

Lee Fiora is an intelligent, observant fourteen-year-old when her father drops her off in front of her dorm at the prestigious Ault School in Massachusetts. She leaves her animated, affectionate family in South Bend, Indiana, at least in part because of the boarding school’s glossy brochure, in which boys in sweaters chat in front of old brick buildings, girls in kilts hold lacrosse sticks on pristinely mown athletic fields, and everyone sings hymns in chapel.

As Lee soon learns, Ault is a cloistered world of jaded, attractive teenagers who spend summers on Nantucket and speak in their own clever shorthand. Both intimidated and fascinated by her classmates, Lee becomes a shrewd observer of–and, ultimately, a participant in–their rituals and mores. As a scholarship student, she constantly feels like an outsider and is both drawn to and repelled by other loners. By the time she’s a senior, Lee has created a hard-won place for herself at Ault. But when her behavior takes a self-destructive and highly public turn, her carefully crafted identity within the community is shattered.

Ultimately, Lee’s experiences–complicated relationships with teachers; intense friendships with other girls; an all-consuming preoccupation with a classmate who is less than a boyfriend and more than a crush; conflicts with her parents, from whom Lee feels increasingly distant, coalesce into a singular portrait of the painful and thrilling adolescence universal to us all.


I actually didn't hear the best things about this book, but I really like books set in a boarding schools. I thought I might give it a shot. 

That's about it for this week, not the best week in the world, but I have some awesome books from last week that I can't wait to read :)

What's in your mailbox?

24 comments:

Bookalicious Ramblings said...

Wow, amazing books! Prep has actually been on my TBR pile for ages and I still haven't read it, tsk tsk! Hope you enjoy your lovely new books and I'll be looking forward to your reviews! :)

Maria (Serpentine Library) said...

Great books this week. I actually enjoyed Prep, and the rest of your books looks interesting. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Prep.

Enjoy All Unquiet Things. I've moved up a bit on my to be read list, so hopefully I'll get to it next week :)

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

Great week! I've heard amazing things about Jumping Off Swings :)

Jessica Love said...

I'll be very curious to hear your thoughts about Prep. ;-)

Christina / Book Addict said...

You've got some great books this week. I haven't read any of them so I will keep my eye out for your reviews. Enjoy your books!

Alayne said...

Happy reading. My mailbox is at The Crowded Leaf.

Christina T said...

The Isabel Factor sounds really good. I hadn't heard of that one before. I've read one of Sonya Sones's other books written in verse (One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies) and I really liked it. I hope you enjoy What My Mother Doesn't Know and your other books as well.

Here is what's in my mailbox this week.

j said...

Great choices this week. I'm always curious to see what you picked. I am really enjoying your blog lately :)

Justine said...

Wow! Great books! I'm excited to read What My Mother Doesn't Know which I think has a sequel. And Jumping Off Swings, Ive been pining for that one. :) Happy reading!

CarlyB said...

God I've been meaning to read Prep for so long, really need to get round to it! Jumping off Swings looks interesting and I love the title. Hope you enjoy them all :) x

Anonymous said...

Prep was amazing. I also read Man of my Dreams by Sittenfeld, and I've been meaning to read American Wife.

I recently finished and loved Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles, so if I see Jumping Off Swings I'm going to purchase it.

The Book Hour said...

The Isabel Factor looks intriguing - I like camp books - and Prep also looks good too. If you like startlingly honest boarding school novels you should try Sara Lawrence (*real* is the word). Great haul this week, enjoy! x

Swimmer said...

These look good I some are on my TBR list.

Emidy @ Une Parole said...

Nice selection! I haven't read any of those so I'm excited to read your thoughts!

Emidy
Une Parole

Krista/Tower of Books said...

I haven't read What My Mother Doesn't Know, but verse can be a great thing. ;)

Erica said...

Jumping Off Swings looks really good! Happy reading :)

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I need to read Prep (have it) but I really want Jumping off Swings too!!!

I'm from Ky as well...just saw that. :)

Any chance (if you haven't yet) you could check out this post and enter the giveaway? It would mean a TON for my family (full details there):

http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2010/02/you-read-my-review-now-win.html

Lauren

Monster of Books said...

Interesting stack of books you have receive. Hope you enjoy, Happy Reading!!

Booksnyc said...

I loved Prep - it is a great story and wonderfully written. I read another book of her - Man of My Dreams and really liked that one too!

Enjoy your books!

My In My Mailbox Post is here

Lori said...

Impressive selction of books. Here's Mine

Brittany said...

I really enjoyed What My Mother Doesn't Know and Prep, back when I read them. Happy Reading!

Faye( Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm) said...

awesome books!What My Mother Doesn't Know looks really good. hope u enjoy them! Happy reading!

Holly said...

You've got some really good books there! I can't wait to read Jumping Off Swings!

Anonymous said...

I hope you enjoy these. Jumping Off Swings does have a really great cover, I agree. :)