In My Mailbox 87

This meme was started by the fabulous Kristi who was inspired by Alea. Check out their blogs for more information. All summaries are from the book jackets.

For review:

The Name of the Star – Maureen Johnson

Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux flies to London for the start of a new life at boarding school. But her arrival is overshadowed by the sudden outbreak of brutal murders in the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific work of Jack the Riper.

“Rippermania” grabs hold of modern-day London, and the police are stumped with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory had seen their prime suspect on the school grounds. But her friend Jazza, who was with her at the time, didn’t see anyone.

So why could only Rory see him? And more urgently, what is he planning to do next?

In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humour and romance, Rory discovers the secret ghost police of London and the truth about her own shocking abilities, as Jack the Ripper returns...

Thanks to Harper Collins.

Liesel & Po – Lauren Oliver

From Goodreads: We meet Liesl the night after the day her young father has died. That same day she is visited by a ghost, Po, an eight year old boy who lives on the other side, the territory between life and death that runs parallel to the living world. Po has come to tell her that her father is stuck on the other side, and that she is the only one who can help him cross over. A couple of wooden boxes. Some ashes. Some magic dust. A ghost, its pet, and a boy who forgot to wear a hat in the cold. From these seemingly odd, random characters Oliver weaves the enchanting story of how, with the aid of Liesl, these elements come together over the course of one week to restore love and luster to a world gone grey and heartless.

The Cardturner – Louis Sachar

The summer is looking bleak for Alton Richards. His girlfriend dumped him to go out with his best friend, he has no money and no job. And then his parents insist that he drives Uncle Lester to his bridge tournaments four times a week.

Uncle Lester is old, blind, very sick...and very rich. Which is why his parents are desperate for Alton to worm his way into his good books. But they’re in competition for other distant relatives.

Not expecting much from the outings, Alton soon finds himself getting to know a lot about his uncle, his family’s history, and pretty Toni Castaneda, another contender for Uncle Lester’s inheritance.

Thanks, Bloomsbury.

Bought:

Jessie Hearts NYC – Keris Stainton

Jessie’s just arrived in New York, hoping to forget about her ex.

New Yorker Finn is in love with his best friend’s girlfriend.

They might be perfect together, but in a city of eight million people, will they ever find each other?

A mouthwatering novel of coincidences, love and New York glamour.

Echoes of Love – Rosie Rushton

What would happen if Jane Austen’s Persuasion was set in the twenty-first century?

Anna Elliot adored to gorgeous Felix Wentworth, but still called an end to their relationship. As time passes, Anna wonders if strict parents, interfering friends and misplaced loyalties had more to do with it than she wants to admit...

Now he’s back from fighting in Afganistan and Anna longs to rekindle their relationship – but will he give her a second chance? Or will the echoes of the past prove too difficult to overcome?

An evocative tale of the perils of listening to others, instead of your own heart.

Gift:

When leaving Monday’s Puffin Author Party, we were allowed to choose one of the beautiful hardback editions of children’s classics. There was Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden, Call of the Wild, Peter Pan, The Wind in the Willows, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Black Beauty and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. They were all so beautiful it was impossible to choose, but eventually I picked:
 

Peter Pan – JM Barrie

From Goodreads: One night Peter Pan flies into the home of the Darling children, and so begins a magical adventure with Peter, the fairy Tinker Bell, the lovely Wendy, and the evil Captain Hook.

Sophie