In My Mailbox (34)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren in which we share the books we received for the week.

So I agreed to go bowling with Beloved in exchange for a trip to Jackson to visit Lemuria Books. I haven't been able to get up that way for months and if you've ever been there you'll understand just what a treat getting to go is. They have this awesome Wall O' YA....it's two giant floor to ceiling bookcases CRAMMED with just about every YA title you can imagine. I really need to get a picture of it so you can bask in its awesome. It's one of those places where you climb up on ladders to play with the books. Not only is the selection awesome but the YA/Children's manager, Emily, knows just about everything there is to know about the titles because she's READ THEM.

Ilsa Bick, the author of the YA dystopian novel, Ashes will be at Lemuria on September 8th for a signing. I'll be there with bells on.

Chime by Franny Billingsley

From Goodreads: Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.

Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.

Kristin Cashore, the author of Graceling, one of my favorite books, recently blogged about how great this book was. She said it, so it is.

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

From Goodreads: Finnikin was only a child during the five days of the unspeakable, when the royal family of Lumatere were brutally murdered, and an imposter seized the throne. Now a curse binds all who remain inside Lumatere’s walls, and those who escaped roam the surrounding lands as exiles, persecuted and despairing, dying by the thousands in fever camps. In a narrative crackling with the tension of an imminent storm, Finnikin, now on the cusp of manhood, is compelled to join forces with an arrogant and enigmatic young novice named Evanjalin, who claims that her dark dreams will lead the exiles to a surviving royal child and a way to pierce the cursed barrier and regain the land of Lumatere. But Evanjalin’s unpredictable behavior suggests that she is not what she seems — and the startling truth will test Finnikin’s faith not only in her, but in all he knows to be true about himself and his destiny.

Author of another one of my favorites, Jellicoe Road. I've heard wonderful things about this book.

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

From Goodreads: Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her.

Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.

In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.

Dystopian. All I needed to know.

And then, from a very special book fairy:

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

From Goodreads: In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidentally poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

Ok, I could live without chocolate...but coffee? I can't even walk upright in the morning without it.

What lovelies found their way to you this week?