In MY Mailbox...

In MY Mailbox was started by Kriti over at The Story Siren.  I was happy to receive some books that I was given and that I bought this week. I contacted the publisher Little Brown to inquire about receiving the awesome debut, Daughter of Smoke and Bone. They were gracious enough to send me a copy.  They were kind enough to send me a couple more books this week, hardcover copies of Bunheads by Sophie Flack and How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr.  Bunheads is Flack's first novel. She was a professional ballet dancer for a company in NY, so she's writing the story from an experts opinion. I can't wait to dig into it.  I'm a huge fan of Sara Zarr. I mean, seriously. I just collect her books, even if I don't have time to read them right away. I put them on the shelf and know that I will get to them. They're like fine wine. Never trendy, just excellent true-to-life stories.

I received an ARC of  Everneath by Brodi Ashton. I love these kind of dark, edgy stories. This is also the author's first book. In addition to these freebies, I spent some money and purchased Kate Morton's Distant Hours. I already had her book, The Forgotten Garden. I haven't read either of these yet, but I'm totally captivated by the covers! I've leafed through them and the descriptions of the stories and the writing is so lush and atmospheric. She's written a third book and I plan to get that one too. The Morton books are also like vintage wine that sits patiently, waiting for you to partake of their loveliness...
Until the next time...

Toodles!

My Selection for Waiting on Wednesday: Bunheads by Sophie Flack

Waiting on Wednesday has come around again. It's a great way to learn about new books coming out and what folks are eagerly anticipating. It was started by the marvelous Jill over at Breaking the Spine. This week, I'm leaving the supernatural behind and going for a contemporary YA. It's called Bunheads. That's a heck of a name, isn't it?...lol...The publisher put me on to it and I'm intrigued by it. Check out the blurb...

On-stage beauty. Backstage drama.
As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet.

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life? 

The author danced with the New York City Ballet from 2000 until 2009. I did some ballet myself as a kid though nothing as professional as the New York City Ballet. My group did perform at Lincoln Center in New York as well as Carnegie Hall, though! Those are awesome memories.

I love the rather abstract design of the cover. It makes me think of some kind of esoteric garden of some sort or lillypads--cool. For years, I wore my hair like that. It drove my friends crazy. People would beg me to take it out so they could see how long my hair was. I always promised to do it, but never did. It's all about the mystery, ya know? Ha ha ha...So, what do you think?  Are there any bunheads in your future?

BUNHEADS releases October 10, 2011 by Poppy (Little, Brown)

Toodles!