Letterbox Love came about after
some drama with the American book haul memes, so the UKYA bloggers came
together on Twitter to organise one of our own. Summaries are taken from the
cover, or Amazon/NetGalley/Goodreads in the case of e-books, unless otherwise
stated. Hosted by Narratively Speaking.
For
Review:
Stay Where You Are and Then
Leave – John Boyne (e-proof)
From
the bestselling author of The
Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, a moving and
uplifting story of an ordinary
boy’s search for his missing father during the First World War.
The
day the First World War broke out, Alfie Summerfield’s father promised he
wouldn’t go away to fight – but he broke that promise the following day. Four
years later, Alfie doesn’t know where his father might be, other than that he’s
away on a special, secret mission.
Then,
while shining shoes at Kings Cross Station, Alfie unexpectedly sees his
father’s name – on a sheaf of papers belonging to a military doctor. Bewildered
and confused, Alfie realises his father is in a hospital close by – a hospital
treating soldiers with an unusual condition. Alfie is determined to rescue his
father from this strange, unnerving place...
I wasn’t bothered by this until
I saw the book trailer and fell in love. Then it appeared on NetGalley and I
snapped it up! Thanks RHCB!
Lips Touch – Laini
Taylor sampler
Everyone
dreams of getting the kiss of a lifetime. But what if that kiss carried some
unexpected – even deadly – consequences?
In
GOBLIN FRUIT, a girl who’s always been in the shadows finds herself pursued by
the unbelievably attractive new boy at school, who may or may not be the death
of her...
LIPS
TOUCH also contains two more stories of kisses and curses: the short story,
SPICY LITTLE CURSES, and the novella, HATCHLING.
I really want a copy of this anthology so I was really excited to get
this snippet. I love Laini Taylor! Thanks Hodder!
The Dark Inside – Rupert
Wallis (proof)
“I’m
not a bad person. But I’m not the person I used to be, either...”
When
thirteen-year-old James discovers a homeless man in an abandoned house, the
course of his life changes dramatically. Hoping to find a ‘cure’ for dark curse inflicted on the man, the pair
embark on a journey together not knowing that what they discover will impact
them both in ways they never imagined...
A
gripping and haunting story about loss and hope from a talented debut author.
Perfect for fans of Patrick Ness and David Almond.
I’m really looking forward to
this! Thanks S&S!
Allegiant – Veronica
Roth (hardcover)
The
faction-based society Tris Prior once believed in is shattered – fractured by
violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered
a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready.
Perhaps beyond the fence she and Tobias will find a simple new life together,
free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties and painful memories.
But
Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old
discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the
hearts of those she loves. And once again Tris must battle to comprehend the
complexities of human nature – while facing impossible choices about courage,
allegiance, sacrifice and love.
Told
from a riveting dual narrative, Allegiant,
by No. 1 new York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth, brings the
Divergent series to a powerful
conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has
captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.
Finally! After this weekend
I’ll be able to look at Twitter without squinting in case of spoilers and
actually go on Tumblr! Thanks Harper Collins!
Bought:
Faking It – Cora
Carmack (e-book)
Every
girl likes a bad boy...
And
Max’s current boyfriend is as bad as they come. She knows her family would
freak if they saw his tattoos and piercings.
So
when her parents turn up unannounced Max grabs the most wholesome guy she can
to play her boyfriend.
But
Cade Winston is so perfect that Max needs him to keep playing the part. And the
more they have to fake their relationship, the harder it gets to just pretend.
I couldn’t resist. Cora
Carmack’s books are becoming a guilty pleasure of mine.
The Secret History - Donna Tartt (e-book)
Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality their lives are changed profoundly and forever, and they discover how hard it can be to truly live and how easy it is to kill.
I've wanted to read this for years so when Jenny tweeted that it was only 99p on Kindle, I snapped it up! It's still at that price as of writing this (Saturday afternoon).
Charity
shop/secondhand haul
I was miserable at work on
Tuesday so in my lunch hour I ventured out in the rain to investigate a charity
shop that I had glimpsed a few good books in. I scored: a huge selection of
fantastic books all for £1 each!
Hate List – Jennifer
Brown (US paperback)
The
list was my idea.
I
didn't mean for anyone to die.
Will
you ever forgive me?
Five
months ago, Valerie Leftman’s boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school
cafeteria. Val was as shocked as everyone else – but, despite her own serious
injury, she’s implicated in the crime because of the list. The list she and
Nick made of the people they hated. The list Nick used to pick his targets.
Now,
after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns
to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend
she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, her former
friends, and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the
tragedy that took place, and her role in it, in order to make amends and move
on with her life.
An imported paperback for £1?!
I couldn’t walk away, especially as I’ve heard amazing things about this.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – Louis
de Bernières (paperback)
It
is 1941 and Captain Antonio Corelli, a young Italian officer, is posted to the
Greek island of Cephallonia as part of the occupying forces. At first he is
ostracised by the locals, but as a conscientious but far from fanatical
soldier, whose main aim is to have a peaceful war, he proves in time to be civilised, humorous – and a consummate
musician.
When
the local doctor’s daughter’s letters to her fiancé – a member of the
underground – go unanswered, the working of the eternal triangle seems
inevitable. But can this fragile love survive as a war of bestial savagery gets
closer and the lines are drawn between invader and defender?
I’ve wantd to read this for
years so I’m really glad to finally have a copy! Look out for this as a Blast
From the Past review at some point in the future!
Chocolat – Joanne
Harris (paperback)
Try
me... Test me... Taste me...
When
an exotic stranger, Vianne Rocher, arrives in the French village of Lansquenet
and opens a chocolate boutique directly opposite the church, Father Reynaud
identifies her as a serious danger to his flock – especially as it is the
beginning of Lent, the traditional season of self-denial. War is declared as
the priest denounces the newcomer’s wares as the ultimate sin.
Suddenly
Vianne’s shop-cum-cafe means that there is somewhere for secrets to be
whispered, grievances to be aired, dreams to be tested. But Vianne’s plans for
an Easter Chocolate Festival divide the whole community in a conflict that
escalates into a ‘Church not Chocolate’ battle. As mouths water in
anticipation, can the solemnity of the Church compare with the pagan passion of
a chocolate éclair?
For
the first time here is a novel in which chocolate enjoys its true importance.
Rich, clever and michievious, Chocolat
is a literary feast for all senses.
I used to pick this up in my
school library every few weeks and yet never made it to checking it out. The
time has finally come to devour this novel.
Alias Grace – Margaret
Atwood (paperback)
‘Sometimes
I whisper it over to myself: Murderess. Murderess. It rustles, like a taffeta
skirt along the floor’ Grace Marks. Female friend? Femme fatale? Or weak and
unwilling victim?
Around
the true story of one of the most enigmatic and notorious women of the 1840s,
Margaret Atwood has created an extraordinarily potent tale of sexuality,
cruelty and mystery.
I think it’s about time I read
something by Margaret Atwood!
Sophie
