Fortnight of Guests 2012: The Story Siren

Being a Reader

First off, I want to thank Megan for inviting me to participate in her Fortnight of Guests! My name is Kristi and I blog over at The Story Siren and have been doing so since 2007. I love reading young adult literature, so that's mostly what you'll find over there.

It was hard to come up with a topic! I thought about doing summer reads or beach reads, but I decided to do something a little more personal. So I’m going to talk about being a reader, and how possibly it has effected my life.

I would say that I’m a reader. Not that being a reader means I am part of an exclusive club, but I do feel a special kinship with someone once I discover that they also share that passion.

I don’t know if I was born a reader or not. I like to think I was born one, but more than likely I was simply a product of my environment. My grandma and my mother are both readers and I was often in their presence when they were doing so. Growing up my grandma read to me, what seems like, every night before bed. I suppose it’s mostly her fault that I find myself identifying with the “reader” label.

I’m thankful for that label. I wasn’t always.

Reading wasn’t cool at my high school. It was often associated with nerdiness, and I so desperately wanted to be labelled as cool. It didn’t happen, but that’s a whole other guest post in itself! Though I didn’t do much reading during that time, beyond the pages of Seventeen and Cosmo mag, I still considered myself a reader. Thankfully, it was only a brief lapse, in college I could be a reader again and I wasn’t afraid to wave my reader flag. I often find myself reading YA titles now and wishing that I had them during those times in high school where I struggled with everything about myself.

I’m glad that I’m a reader. Being a reader has gotten me through hard times.

Reading made me understand things later on that I couldn’t fully comprehend in the moment. Reading was a friend when I thought no one cared. Reading made me care.

I’ve been a princess, an orphan, a vampire, a scientist, a spy, a wizard, a drug addict, a pirate and a boy. I don’t think any of that would have been possible had I not been a reader.

Reading has given me perspective. It’s removed filters that life has places in front of my eyes. I used to think that I was a compassionate person because of the people who raised me, but maybe it’s because I’m a reader too. I can put myself in the shoes of another person, experience what they are experiencing, and live their life for a few moments before the story comes to an end.

Being a reader is a wonderful thing.

I’m a reader.

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Thank you so much for taking part, Kristi!   I loved this post and I agree completely with everything you said!  I hope you all loved it just as much as I did! :D
Everyone, if you liked this post, make sure you follow all the FoG events on Twitter at #FortnightOfGuests

In My Mailbox (#23)

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren.  It's a perfect way to see who's reading and review what.  Awesome!

 

I made the mistake of going onto amazon to see how much The Iron Daughter was.  BIG mistake.  I ended up buying a load of books.  I've already ordered a few to use in giveaways that are due to come later in the week.  Urgh, I should just get rid of my internet.   BUT, the next day WITHER turned up in the post from HarperCollins!!!!!  There was a lot of happy dancing and "Squueeeeeeees!" that morning.  Thank you HarperCollins!  And then I got another book from the author Adrianne Ambrose.  Thank you everyone! :D  :D

Ok, onto what I got, and off my terrible buying habits.

 

For Review:

Wither (The Chemical Gardens Trilogy, Book One) by Lauren DeStefano (Goodreads | Amazon)

What If You Knew Exactly When You Would Die?

Yes, yay, yes!!  *happy dance*  I've wanted this for ages, and I'm so excited, and I love it so far.  Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU HarperCollins!

Fangs For Nothing by Adrianne Ambrose (Goodreads | Amazon)

This looks ace!  Gotta love vamps, right?  So thank you, thank you Adrianne! :D

Bought:

Parnormalcy (Book One) by Kiersten White (Goodreads | Amazon)

I started reading the first chapter, and I laughed my head off at "Tasey".  God, I know I'm going to love this book!

The Iron Daughter (The Iron Fey, Book Two) by Julie Kagawa  (Goodreads | Amazon)

Love & Betrayal.

A Faery World Gone Mad.

Yay, yay, yay!  I have the second - thankfully.  I loved the first in the series - The Iron King, see my review: here - and I was desperate to read the second.  Now: I have it! :D

My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers, Book One) by Rachel Vincent (Goodreads | Amazon)

I've heard so many great things about this series, so I thought I ought to give it a go.  It does look amazingly good!

Raised by Wolves (Raised by Wolves, Book One) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Goodreads | Amazon)

Trial By Fire (Raised by Wolves, Book Two) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Goodreads | Amazon)

Yay!  I have these two now!  Whoo-hoo!  I love me a good wolf book!  :D

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (Goodreads | Amazon)

What If You Only Had One Day To Live...

Oh, I adored Delirium, so I am really, really, really looking forward to this!!! :D

Ok, that's me.  I got, well, a fair few there.  But, hey, they were all on one wishlist or another.  That counts for something... right?

What's in your mailbox this week?

In My Mailbox Part 2: Birthday Special! (#23)

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren.  It's a perfect way to see who's reading and review what.  Awesome!

 

I'm really sorry this is late!  I would have finished it yesterday, but I went to see the last Harry Potter: I cried bucketloads!  And then we all played "Cheat", a card game that's all about bluffing.  I was worryingly good...
On to more important subjects than my poker face, I got my first For-Review book from Penguin!  *dances around like a mad-person*  It's brilliant: Morris Gleitzman is a genius.  Aand, I got two books from authors, both of which look great!  Aaand, late birthday presents!  Don't you just love late presents?  Makes the birthday cheer go on even longer.  :)

For Review:

Too Small to Fail by Morris Glietzman (Goodreads | Amazon)

1 boy. 1 girl. 1 camel. Squillions of dollars. A plan that can't fail. Or can it?

I've started this, and it's brilliant so far!  Funny, sweet, and I can feel the naivety of the main character - he's ten.  Thank you Penguin!

The Frankincense Trail by Jody Kihara (Goodreads | Amazon)

In the 3rd century BC, frankincense was worth its weight in gold, making Arabia the envy of the world. But wealth comes at a cost...

This looks amazing!  When Jody emailed me, and I saw this book I knew I had to read it!  It's going to transport me back to Arabian Nights tales!  :D  Thanks Jody!

Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress (The Amielian Legacy, Book One) by Christine E. Schulze (Goodreads | Amazon)

Find out as you read for yourself the story of the first vampire.

I entered a competition to win this.  And failed: I never win anything, I'm very unlucky.  ;)  But Christine offered me the chance to review her book on my kindle, so I said, yes!  It looks really good, a nice, epic fantasy with elves and vampires.  Thanks Christine!  :D

Bought/Late B-Day Presents:

The Prophecy of the Sisters (The Prophecy of the Sisters, Book One) by Michelle Zink (Goodreads | Amazon)
I've seen so many great things about this one, so when I saw it in The Works on 3-for-£5 I had to get it, didn't it?  It was a late-birthday-money present.  :D
Looking for Alaska by John Green (Goodreads | Amazon)
First Friend,
First Girl,
Last Words
Another one from 3-for-£5 book.  I've wanted this for a while, so when I saw it, I was like: YES!  It looks really good!
Mercy (Mercy, Book One) by Rebecca Lim (Goodreads | Amazon)
An Angel Searching For Answers, For Her Destiny...
My final 3-for-£5.  I couldn't help myself when I saw this book.  I sounds amazing, and a girl never can have too many angel books, now, can she? :)
Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman (Goodreads | Amazon)
What If You Were Left Holding The Baby?
Yay, finally got this!  I love Malorie Blackman - her Noughts and Crosses series is still one of my favourites.  Hence the: yes!  :D
Savannah Gray by Cliff McNish (Goodreads | Amazon)
A Monster's Out There.
Only One Girl Can Stop It.
But Will Love Get In The Way?
This was on my Waiting On Wednesday list ages ago.  So, once again, yes!  :D


Well, that's me.  Sorry this was so late.  I got some great books, so thanks to all  who sent me them, bought them for me or gave me the money.  Thank you!  :D

What was in your mailbox this week?

In My Mailbox (#21)

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren.  It's a perfect way to see who's reading and review what.  Awesome!

 

I was really, really, really good this week.  I only bought one book!  Shocking, really, isn't it?  The reason behind this sudden goodness?  It's my birthday next Friday, and all I've asked for is... books and waterstones vouchers!  *laughs*  Then again, I'm dreading next weeks IMM...  *shudders* It's probably gonna take a while...  But, as Sammee (I Want To Read That) pointed out, you guys are probably going to find it hilarious!  ;)

 

Bought:

 

 

Finding Sky by Joss Stirling (Goodreads | Amazon)

Discovering you soulmate has never been so dangerous

I've wanted this book for aages!  It's so good so far, and so different, so new!  I am loving it.  And I'm loving the cover.  Mine has red writing, and it's kind of shiny and the ivy-type patterns are just so beautiful...  Everyone I've showed has been thoroughly uninterested.  But I just can't stop staring at this cover...  I sound a little insane now, so I'm going to go...  :D

 

Anyway, yes, that's it for me.  I've restrained myself from buying ten books!  Next week, heh, no such promises.  (:

 

What was in your mailbox this week?

In My Mailbox (#20)

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren.  It's a perfect way to see who's reading and review what.  Awesome!

Guess what!  My first hardcopy For Review books appeared in my mailbox on Friday!  I bounced off the walls, and 'squee'ed a little (Sammee, you'll know what I mean!).  It was as big a milestone as my first ever eBook For Review.  Anyway, I'd like to give the biggest thanks to Bloomsbury and Bloomsbury-Ian in particular!  Thank you!

For Review:

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey (Goodreads | Amazon)

Where The Dead Lead

The Living Must Follow

Yay yay yay!  I've wanted this since I first saw it!  I can't seem to stop grinning.  I started reading the moment I got it, and now I'm on page 130, or something equally ridiculous.  I love it! 

Wolf Blood by N.M. Browne (Goodreads | Amazon)
Now, this one I didn't even know about, but I'm loving it as well.  Think werewolves.  Then, think Roman-Celtic Britain.  Now mix the two together, add some amazing mythology and history, and viola!  You have the basic idea of what Wolf Blood is about.  It's an incredible take on the wolf lore that I'm loving to pieces.

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs (Goodreads | Amazon)

Surf The Wave To Love
I've seen this quite a few places recently, and I've wanted it since I first saw it.  Now... Yay!  I have it!  And it's as good as I hoped!  Gotta love mermaids, but Tracy Deebs' take: ah-maz-ing!

The Cardturner by Louis Sachar (Goodreads | Amazon)
I loved Sachar's Holes, and I can't wait to see what this is like.  I've seen excellent reviews, and I'm really look forward to it!

Flawless by Lara Chapman (Goodreads | Amazon)

Gorgeous Friend.  Shared Crush.  Big Problem
This was on On My Wishlist just a few weeks ago!  So I am soo happy to have it!  Ah, teen drama: love it!

Thanks again to Bloomsbury-Ian! 

Shock of all shocks, I didn't buy a single book this week!  Well, free kindle books don't really count do they? 
Ah, even if they do I'm too busy!  Fortnight of Guests is starting TOMORROW!  So keep your eye out over the next two weeks, 'cause I have some awesome guests!  :D

That's me,

What did you guys get this week?

In My Mailbox (#19)

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren.  It's a perfect way to see who's reading and review what.  Awesome!

 

This week's load is a little odd.  You have been warned.  (:

 

 

For Review:

 

 

The Wrong Path by Vivian Marie Aubin du Paris (Goodreads)

Annabelle's life was finally going according to plan. She had the right group of friends. Her childhood crush had finally started to notice her. She was pretty, popular, and in love.
And then one terrible night at a party Will enters her life and everything changes.
Will is the polar opposite of his older brother Trevor—Annabelle’s new boyfriend—the popular, straight-A, quarterback high school star. He's wild, charismatic, and full of secrets. He's completely different from anyone Annabelle has ever known, and soon their accidental run-in becomes a pattern as Annabelle finds herself seeking him out wherever she goes. Despite his open hostility with his older brother, Annabelle is drawn to him, wanting to be with him. Will opens a new world for Annabelle, one where she can shed her carefully constructed mask and be herself.
But being with Will comes at a price. And when tragedy strikes, she has to make a choice between the two brothers.
And the wrong one means losing everything forever.

This isn't the odd part.  I love the look of this book, the last sentance of the blurb in particular.  A contempory romance: I'm in love with them at the moment!  (No pun intended there.)  Thank's Vivian!

 

 

Bought:

 

 

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, Book Four) by Cassandra Clare (Goodreads | Amazon)

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

Ahh, you just gotta love TMI!  Ooh, BTW, who do you think is on the cover?  Clary and... Simon?  Alec?  I'm going with Simon...  (:

 

 

Ordered as a Set:

 

 

Hamlet by William Shakespeare (Goodreads | Amazon)

The Tempest by William Shakespeare (Goodreads | Amazon)

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (Goodreads | Amazon)

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare(Goodreads | Amazon)

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare (Goodreads | Amazon)

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare (Goodreads | Amazon)

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (Goodreads | Amazon)

Macbeth by William Shakespeare (Goodreads | Amazon)

Othello by William Shakespeare (Goodreads | Amazon)

Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare (Goodreads | Amazon)

Ah, yes, I am such a geek!  But 10 Shakespeare plays for £10?  C'mon!  They're classic.  :)

That's me! 

What's in your mailbox this week?

Before I go, keep an eye out for the Fortnight of Guests...

Happy Reading

Megan

In My Mailbox (#18)

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren.  It's a perfect way to see who's reading and review what.  Awesome!

 

I made the mistake of going into the Works.  I don't know whether you have it over in the States, Canda or, well, anywhere else.  But those in England who know of it should be aware of it's deals.  They're good.  Too good.  You tend to walk out with a book... or two... or six, like me.  Anyway, here are the books I got this week:

 

For Review:

 

 

House Trap by Mike Mauthor (Goodreads | Smashwords)

Rachel Evans is a sixteen year old overachiever who would take nothing less than to achieve her goal of getting into Dartmouth College. But Rachel’s life would never be the same once she stepped into the house of Alicia Hausefalle, the most popular girl in Wedds High School. Rachel was there to tutor her. She never expected to meet two strangers who were ready to end her life.

We have security systems, knife wielding loonatics, death and suspense.  Gotta love a good thriller.  Thanks Mike!

 Exogenesis (Celestial Mists, Book One) by Renate Linnenkoper (Goodreads)

In the wake of the local doctor's death, his daughter, Siobhan, struggles to cope. Her search for peace is brutally disturbed when the police bring news of her father's murder. As the investigation continues, the whole village starts to question the deceased his honour. Links to the occult are discovered, making even Siobhan herself wonder if she knew her father at all. Diving fearlessly into her father's mysterious obsession, a world of demons and horrors is opened up to her and when the killer fails to frame her for the doctor's death, she knows her life will be in danger. Not knowing who to turn to, she confides in an eccentric police detective, a lion tamer with psychic abilities and her best friend, Cecilia, a nerdy engineer. But can anything prepare them from what they're up against? It does not take long before the Devil himself (he prefers Satan) takes an interest and makes Siobhan a surprising proposal.

I love the sound of this one!   Psychics, cops, nerds and Satan.  What's not to love?  Thanks Renate!

 

 

Bought:

 

 

Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires, Book Four) by Rachel Caine (Goodreads | Amazon)

Lord of Misrule (Morganville Vampires, Book Five) by Rachel Caine (Goodreads | Amazon)

Carpe Corpus (Morganville Vampires, Book Six) by Rachel Caine (Goodreads | Amazon)

Fade Out (Morganville Vampires, Book Seven) by Rachel Caine (Goodreads | Amazon)

Kiss of Death (Morganville Vampires, Book Eight) by Rachel Caine (Goodreads | Amazon)

Ghost Town (Morganville Vampires, Book Nine) by Rachel Caine (Goodreads | Amazon)

Hmm, yeah.  Funny story.  Remember how I mentioned the Work...?  :)

Well, that's me for the week. 

Before I go: I'm looking for three more Guests for My (now, hopefully) Fortnight Of Guest.  If you're interested, go: here.  :)

What's in your mailbox this week?