On My Bookshelf (43)

This meme for originally inspired by 'In My Mailbox' created by The Story Siren
Other versions are:
Letterbox Love created by Narratively Speaking
Stacking the Shelves created by Tynga's reviews
Showcase Sunday created by Books, Biscuits and Tea

Since my little holiday from blogging as I settle in at university, I've bought QUITE a lot of books without realising. My flatmates have already worked out I'm a book lover, so much so that I've been asked for book recommendations by them. I also got a job at Waterstones here in Bournemouth so having my staff discount again is like...it's amazing.
I've also discovered a massive library here that has a huge fiction section with a lot of books I didn't see in my local libraries at home.

Library:

- Debutantes In Love by Cora Harrison - I've always loved historical fiction especially those set in the early 20th Century (which is why Downton Abbey is like the BEST show - although this series hasn't been fantastic). This is the second book in the Debutantes series by Cora Harrison. The first book has an air of finality for me, so I'm interested to see what happens next in this book for the Derrington sisters. Also, if you remember what happened in the first book, PLEASE let me know!

- Gilt by Katherine Longshore - Ah, the Tudors. I'm starting to realise that I love the Tudors a little bit too much and know so much about it (my whole A-level History was about the Tudors). I've heard lots of good things about this series around the blogosphere and was so happy to see this in the library. It's due back really soon, so hopefully I can renew it...

Bought:

- How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff - This was an author I normally tend to avoid. Mainly, that's because I read What I Was by this author and really disliked it. My friend read Just In Case too and didn't like it either. However, with the upcoming film release that looked SO GOOD, I thought I should give this book a try especially as I've seen a lot of positive reviews around. I found this little bargain in a charity shop for 50p with the traditional Penguin Books cover which I prefer to the original cover. 

- This Song Will Save Your Live by Leila Sales - There are many reasons why this is on my bookshelf. 1) It's being made into a movie with Keira Knightley in, 2) The blurb sounds so good, 3) The amount of rave reviews I've seen by some of my favourite book bloggers is ridiculous, and 4) I was kind of taken by the cover. I have a feeling this is going to be a bit like Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist...

- Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle - Finally this is published in the UK! It includes two of my FAVOURITE authors - Maureen Johnson and John Green. I'm also reading this for EmmaIsWriting's Christmas Month. 

- Allegiant by Veronica Roth - Do I need to say more? I attended a signing with Veronica Roth in London (OH MY, SO GOOD. More on that later in the week) and got it signed. With the feedback I've seen on the blogosphere and Twitter, this is going to be an interesting read...

- Champion by Marie Lu - After the crazy ending to the second book in this amazing series, Prodigy, I have literally no idea what will happen in the final book. This is a series I actually really, really love and wish it had so much more recognition. If you haven't read it, I would completely and utterly recommend it!

Reviews by these authors: 

Debutantes - Cora Harrison

I was Jane Austen's Best Friend - Cora Harrison

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Paper Towns by John Green

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Legend by Marie Lu

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? What books did you get this week? Let me know in the comments below!

Calling all UK Maureen Johnson fans!

Do you live in the UK? Do you like Maureen Johnson i.e. the hilarious Twitterer and writer of 13 Little Blue Envelopes (my review here), The Last Little Blue Envelope and The Name of the Star?
Yes? Well, this is for you then.

As part of the Queen of Teen award (where you can vote for your favourite YA writer), Guildford High Street Waterstones is hosting the official after-party for the ceremony to celebrate the greatness of females and teen fiction. And who is one of these nominees? You got it, Maureen Johnson amongst others. Past winners have been Cathy Cassidy and Louise Rennison!

Being part of both Waterstones and blogging communities, I am attending with my friend who is a MASSIVE Maureen Johnson fan. We both cannot wait for the day especially as I finish college that day also for the summer. Double YAY.

So, this is the low-down:

Date: 6th July 2012
Time: 7pm
Where: Guildford High St Waterstones (just outside of London)
How do I get there: It's about a 15 minute talk from the train station which connects to Clapham Junction (I'm getting the train to Clapham Junction from my hometown and then changing)

What's happening: Hopefully all the nominees will be there for the Queen of Teen Award but Maureen Johnson has definitely confirmed along with James Dawson, Sue Ransom and Samantha Mackintosh for an evening of food, drinks, talking and most of all books.
*You can still vote for your favourite here:  http://www.queenofteen.co.uk/

If you are interested in this or have any questions, I shall direct you to the lovely Jessica from Waterstones who is organising the event. You can reach her through this email address: events@guildford.waterstones.com 


If you cannot attend that event, Guildford Waterstones have also got Philippa Gregory on the 16th August (small WOW from over here) for the publication of her new book!


I hope to see you there!

Special £1 editions of Maureen Johnson & Will Hill

For those who live in the UK, this is something you may be interested in.

Every year is World Book Day on the 1st March where those under the age of 18 and in full-time education are given a £1 book token to buy either the special editions released for the day or to contribute to a book of their choice (although they have to pay the rest).
It is something I personally have grown up with, the excitement when I was young to receive the token, thinking already what I will be buying with it. It is something that really encouraged me and many others to do the ancient activity of just reading. Something that is so important in a digital media generation that this world is developing into.

Anyway, because mostly the £1 special World Book Day books are normally only a selection of children's books (for this year's selection, click here)

However, because us teenager's get a little left out once we hit 14 and aren't exactly interested in cute kittens and finding a caterpillar, Waterstones (a UK bookstore) have decided to release special editions sold at £1 for the day of two YA titles, starting tomorrow (27th February)
These are:

The Name of the Star - Maureen Johnson 

Department 19 - Will Hill

Both of which are supposed to be VERY good books so this is a great selection for Waterstones to choose. Just to emphasise, this IS JUST AT WATERSTONES FOR THESE TWO BOOKS. It is merely a promotion as part of World Book Day to make us YA readers feel less left out. 

I personally will be running from the train station after college to (thankfully only a 5 minute walk) my local store to get The Name of The Star. Thanks Waterstones!

For more info, click here to go to Maureen Johnson's blog where she explains everything. 

Enjoy - let me know if you got a copy!

13 Little Blue Envelopes - Maureen Johnson

So...I was reading a bit more of Rosie Rushton but I don't know...I got bored with her and really wanted to read this one that I'd heard about. And I glad I did.

First Sentence: As a rule, Ginny Blackstone tried to go unnoticed - something that was more or less impossible with thirty pounds (she'd weighed it) of purple-and-green backpack hanging from her back. 

The story is about Ginny who receives mysteriously thirteen little blue envelopes from her free-spirited artist aunt...whose dead. In the first envelope there is money and instructions to go to England from her home in New York City. In the second one, there are directions to a specific London Flat. And because of the third one, she meets a playwright, Keith Dobson who go to Scotland that leads to a journey around Europe that have disastrous - and romantic- results. Everything will change for Ginny that summer just because of thirteen little blue envelopes....

I really liked this. Basically. There was a few boring bits and a few times where I didn't understand what was happening or like it felt like a bit was missing. Like she would be doing something and I'm thinking 'Hang on, when did this happen?'
It was also funny however and had really good characters like Richard, Ginny and Keith that you kind of have to love. It's nice how she goes around all the different countries to find something, feeling like a normal tourist when really she isn't. The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but that's because there's a sequel which I'm looking forward to getting my hands on!
There are loads of surprises. You start with not knowing much and by the end, you know pretty much everything about Ginny's life. Read it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

The sequel, The Last Little Blue Envelope, is due out in Spring 2011.
Author's Website: www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com/index1.html