In My Mailbox...

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi, The Story Siren. It's another way I learn about new books coming out. This past week, I got even more books to add to my overflowing TBR pile.

I bought The Maze Runner. I already had the second book in the series, The Scorch Trial, which I bought in a a fire-sale when Borders was closing. Now that I have book one, I can finally start reading this story.

I love the cover of The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall. Thanks to the publisher, Mira for sending it to me. It follows a 9 year-old girl to the age of 16, as she spends summers between her mom who lives overseas and her dad in America. A life-shattering secret emerges and a betrayal ensues. Sounds good. It releases May 29.

Thanks to St. Martins's Griffin for sending the third installment of The Chronicles of Nick series, Infamous by Sherrilyn Kenyon. The first book in the series, Infinity, was zombie heavy, and I'm not a zombie-loving sort of girl, but I was surprised to really enjoyed the story and I find myself reading book 3. I'm kind of committed to Nick's journey now. I think there's like 12 books or something in the series, so I'll see how far I make it...lol...I've never read anything by Jackson Pearce, but Purity sounds like a heart-felt book: a dying mom and a promise; looking for a loophole to lose one's virginity...sounds complex--and it's not a very long book--only 224 pages. My thanks to Little, Brown for their generosity. Purity releases April 24.

Entangled Publishing sent Pretty Amy. It releases May 8. I've started reading it and I'm liking it! The author captures the teen voice and angst, being pissed at parents, perfectly!

And lastly, I received a discount coupon from Barnes and Noble. I headed over there and was met at the door with a table loaded with the Shades of Gray trilogy. I couldn't resist and had to buy it. I have to see what all the fuss is about. I'll save this for one of my summer reads.

What are you reading?

Awesome Cover Art in YA literature: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Okay. I love this cover. How can you resist!?! I mean, even if you have no interest in the subject matter, it has to catch your eye; it has to make you a little curious to learn what the book is about. As soon as I saw it, my eyes zoomed right in on it. If you look at each individual branch, they look so simple, but all together, they form this incredibly creepy face!What is this? I thought. That's the job of a great cover, to draw readers in, make them curious about what lies within those pages. It worked in my case, I dug around to find out what this story is about. Check out the blurb...

As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

Years later, when their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out, they find themselves in sleepy Live Oak, South Carolina. They're invited to stay with Sophia Kelly, a beautiful candy maker who molds sugary magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel gradually forget their haunted past-- until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel. He tells her the witch isn't gone-- it's lurking in the forest, preying on girls every year after Live Oak's infamous chocolate festival, and looking to make Gretchen it's next victim. Gretchen is determined to stop running and start fighting back. Yet the further she investigates the mystery of what the witch is and how it chooses its victims, the more she wonders who the real monster is.

Gretchen is certain of only one thing: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry. 

I'm not drawn to witch stories, but this one kind of reminds me of a re-imagining of Hansel and Gretal. I have a feeling there's some underlying message to the tale and I want to know what it is.  The real monster huh?...Hum....

Toodles!