March 2014 Book Haul

So the end of March is (practically) here! And it's time to tally up all the books I bought this month! It wasn't nearly as bad as February or January (though I really must be fair to myself; February's books were mostly on sale). Though I did go over . . . . again. Oh well. It happens; I can't help it. I bought a grand total of 20 books this month, and 1 was a gift! So 21 books! Awesomeness! Yes, I will be positive about it. No negative feels here! April will be . . . . not much better, I'm sure.

March 2014 Book Haul

NEW RELEASES:

(bought at Book 'N' Brush)

Half Bad by Sally Green

Book #1 in a planned trilogy. Have I mentioned that I am rather taken with stories involving witches? Historical fantasy is best, but I don't mind a modern one, either. And this sounded interesting, as it has a tiny bit of a dystopian flair on top of the witchery. I got to read the first chapter as a sneak peek early on and it caught my interest, despite the present tense. Hopefully I can get to reading this in April.

A Death-Struck Year by Makiia Lucier

I love historical fiction and the Spanish flu has always fascinated me, too, for some odd reason. Probably because of the era. And as an added bonus - this story takes place on the Pacific Northwest! Where I live! I don't like in Portland, Oregon, but I'm not far away from it.

The Haven by Carol Lynch Williams

It sounded interesting? Do I need any other justification for buying it? And the cover is pretty. I've read several good reviews for it, it's a really short read (can't believe such a small book was $18.99), and it just sounded interesting. But mostly? I like the cover. Yeah, I know, not a good enough reason to buy a book. It wasn't the only reason.

The Finisher by David Baldacci

I'm pretty sure this is going to be a series, but I'm not positive. David Baldacci is most known for his adult books, but he has penned a couple of 39 Clues books as well. I haven't read his contributions yet, and for some reason, I don't really count those as his Middle Grade/YA debuts - I count The Finisher. I love stories involving an isolated town that no one ever leaves.

Rush Revere and the First Patriots by Rush Limbaugh

Book #2 in the Rush Revere series. I have Book #1, so naturally I had to buy Book #2. And what can I say - I'm a fan of Rush Limbaugh. And whether or not you agree, you can't deny that these are really nice books, with full color illustrations and heavy-duty paper. They're just neat looking!

Death Sworn by Leah Cypess

Book #1 in a planned trilogy/series (not sure which). Gorgeous cover, right? Totally didn't factor into why I bought this. Okay, it did, but it wasn't the governing factor. The book sounds awesome, though of course it runs the risk of having a whiny female protagonist - every book published nowadays does. But I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope that if Ileni is whiny, the world building will at least make up for that.

The Mirk and the Midnight Hour by Jane Nickerson

A retelling of Tam Lin. I absolutely adored Jane Nickerson's Strands of Bronze and Gold - a retelling of Bluebeard. It was spooky, it was a terrific retelling, it was just awesome. Oh my gosh, the villain was sooooooooooo creepy. Anyway, I couldn't pass up Jane Nickerson's new book, especially since it's a retelling of Tam Lin.

Steadfast by Claudia Gray

Book #2 in the Spellcaster series. I read the ARC of this before it came out, and I had bought Book #1 so I could read the ARC in the first place. I liked Steadfast; I gave it 3/5 strawberries. And of course, I couldn't own Book #1 and not buy Book #2. That would defeat the purpose of one of my New Year's Resolutions!

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Book #1 in a planned trilogy. I got to read an ARC pre-publication, and I enjoyed it - gave it 3/5 strawberries. It isn't the best book I've ever read, and in retrospect, it probably deserved 2/5 strawberries. But I liked the climax well enough and I didn't hate anyone, and I did like the world (once I could picture it), so I decided to be a bit generous.

Liv, Forever by Amy Talkington

Another book I got to read an ARC of pre-publication, and I loved this book too much to pass up buying it. It was just too good; I have it 4/5 strawberries. It's probably not for everyone in the fact that 1)it's not the scariest book I've ever read, 2)it's not focused on character development, 3)it does have insta-love, but it worked somehow, and 4)it's very fast-paced. But I just really, really liked it.

Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

Just a Middle Grade new release that sounded too interesting to pass up. A bit in the vein of Wonderstruck and The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

William Shakespeare's the Empire Striketh Back by Ian Doescher

Book #2 in the Shakespearean Star War trilogy! I have William Shakespeare's Star Wars; how can I not have William Shakespeare's the Empire Striketh Back? I'm not a Star Wars fan - I mean, watched them as a kid, so I have fond memories of them. But I'm more of a Shakespeare fan, and I love the satire surrounding Star Wars. I just have to own this trilogy.

Silver by Chris Wooding

A cyborg-zombie apocalypse? I'm no zombie fan, but I kinda, sorta am a fan of cyborgs. I'm not sure why, but I just kind of am. Cyborgs are awesome. Anyway, I'm not sure if cyborg-zombie apocalypse is the right way to describe this book. It sounded interesting with the silver beetles, and people have said that it's sort of like a zombie apocalypse, but not really. Probably made a mistake buying it, but we'll see.

Stay Where You Are & Then Leave by John Boyne

I read the ARC of this book before it was published, and I just loved it. Like The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, it tells the story of WWI - or at least part of it, and its affects on family - through the eyes of a young boy. I just really liked it.

Sky Raiders by Brandon Mull

Book #1 in the Five Kingdoms series. My first Brandon Mull book! I read the ARC and liked it. It's entertaining and interesting and just fun. A great read for Middle Grade boys (and girls!). Had to buy it - I just had to!

BOUGHT AT BOOK 'N' BRUSH:

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier

I have the ARC for the companion novel to this book. It's not necessarily a sequel, but takes place in the same world and time line, so I wanted to read Peter Nimble first. Besides, I love a good children's fantasy, and this sounds fun.

Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor

Book #2 in the Looking Glass Trilogy. I have Book #1, and I want to be able to read this trilogy very soon. So, well, yes I bought it.

ArchEnemy by Frank Beddor

Book #3 in the Looking Glass Trilogy. Same story as for Seeing Redd. I have the other two books, so why not finish buying this trilogy?

Angel by James Patterson

Book #7 in the Maximum Ride series. So, no, I don't own any of the other books in the series (I will!). Nor have I actually read this series. It's been recently added to my TBR list, because I was browsing and suddenly thought, "Hey, why haven't I read these yet? They sound interesting!" And they just happened to be in . . . . Yeah, couldn't resist.

Nevermore by James Patterson

Book #8 in the Maximum Ride series. See above explanation for why I bought this book.

GIFTED:

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Barduco

Book #1 in The Grisha trilogy! David Estes sent me a $10 Barnes & Noble gift certificate, and this is what I bought with it! Soooooo gorgeous; I don't know why it took me so long to notice this series! I'd seen it around, but never picked it up. Finally did. I hadn't planned on getting any of the books until June, when Book #3 comes out. But thanks to David Estes, I was about to buy Shadow and Bone!