Sunday, October 10, 2010

In My Mailbox #34

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
*I was a huge fan of Hush, Hush, so I pre-ordered this one to my Nook awhile ago and based on recent reviews, it seems that Crescendo won't disappoint!  
Goodreads says, "Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away, and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home. The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch, or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

Falling In by Frances O'Roark Dowell
*I first heard about this book at the Newbery presentation I went to with my students and after hearing learning more about this book, I knew I had to read it. Check out my review here. It was definitely a fun and quirky read!
Goodreads says, "B z z z z z z z The buzzing sound? Do you hear that? There it is again. B z z z z z z z No? Well, I really shouldn't have asked. Most people can't hear it, anyway. But, if you could, you'd think it sounds like you're teetering on the edge of the universe. That's what Isabelle Bean thinks...and she's not that far from the truth. B z z z z z z z You really don't hear that? Well, it's actually not that great to have a buzzing in your ear. It's distracting for one thing. And when Isabelle starts listening to the buzz instead of, say, her boring teacher, strange things happen. She gets sent to the principal's office (that's not so strange), but then while awaiting her punishment, she tumbles into an adventure—into another world that's a little bit different, a little bit Hansel & Gretel-y, a little bit like a fairy tale, which would be great, but...did I mention that Isabelle is an unusual dresser? When she shows up in fairy-tale land wearing her favorite high, pointy boots, the fairy-tale people start thinking that Isabelle is a witch -- and not just any witch, but the witch! From Edgar Award-winning author Frances O'Roark Dowell comes the unlikely story of Isabelle Bean—an ultimate misfit, an outsider extraordinaire, and not a witch! 

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
*After Banned Books Week and recent controversial events surrounding this book, I knew it was time I read it.  I am a huge fan of Anderson's work and this book has been on my TBR list for too long. 
Goodreads says, "Since the beginning of the school year, high school freshman Melinda has found that it's been getting harder and harder for her to speak out loud: "My throat is always sore, my lips raw.... Every time I try to talk to my parents or a teacher, I sputter or freeze.... It's like I have some kind of spastic laryngitis." What could have caused Melinda to suddenly fall mute? Could it be due to the fact that no one at school is speaking to her because she called the cops and got everyone busted at the seniors' big end-of-summer party? Or maybe it's because her parents' only form of communication is Post-It notes written on their way out the door to their nine-to-whenever jobs. While Melinda is bothered by these things, deep down she knows the real reason why she's been struck mute... Laurie Halse Anderson's first novel is a stunning and sympathetic tribute to the teenage outcast. The triumphant ending, in which Melinda finds her voice, is cause for cheering (while many readers might also shed a tear or two). After reading Speak, it will be hard for any teen to look at the class scapegoat again without a measure of compassion and understanding for that person--who may be screaming beneath the silence.

What did you get in your mailbox?  Have you read any of these books? Let me know what you think.  Have a great day!  This meme is hosted by The Story Siren.


16 comments:

  1. Nice Crescendo. Have got to read Hush Hush first... sitting on my shelf still..

    Excited to hear what you think of Speak next.

    Happy reading!

    Here's your invite to Aisle B :)
    http://aisleb.tumblr.com/post/1280861880/mailbox-monday-in-my-mailbox

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  2. ooh Crescendo was awesome. I hope you love it!

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  3. Crescendo is so good. Hope you love it!

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  4. oh hope you enjoy Speak! great books for you this week! happy reading!

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  5. Hope you enjoy your reads..here is my IMM: http://basma-aal.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-my-mailbox-7.html

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  6. Hope you have loads of fun with your books this week. Not much longer for Crescendo :)

    Come by and see my experimental IMMB

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  7. I really need to get a Nook. I should also buy my own copy of Speak sometime. I read it in high school for class but we had copies provided for us so I never bought it. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier! :-)

    Kate @ Literary Explorations

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  8. Great post! I actually just did a review of Speak on my blog about 2 wks ago. I loved it, hope you do as well! My IMM is here: http://nikkibrandyberry.wordpress.com/

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  9. Speak was such a good one!

    Check out my IMM.
    XX

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  10. Speak is so good! I can't wait until I can finally get a copy of Crescendo! Hope you enjoy your new books :)

    Here's what I got in my mailbox this week :)

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  11. I need to read Hush, Hush! Crescendo looks awesome - love that cover!

    I am glad that you are able to use the story starter in your classroom. My students are having a lot of fun with it. :)

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  12. I really want to read Crescendo! Speak sounds like a great book. I remember seeing the movie, but I'm sure the book is even better.Happy Reading!

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  13. i hope you enjoy crescendo! it was pretty good!

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  14. I didn't like Hush Hush, but I do want to give the second book a shot. It looks good. Enjoy the books you got!

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  15. I actually liked Crescendo more than Hush, Hush. I hope you liked Speak. I thought it was fantastic. I also liked the film version. It is hard to believe that anyone would want to ban the book but hopefully more people will read it now.

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I really appreciate your comments. Thank you!

 
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