Sunday, July 8, 2012

Showcase Sunday: 8 July 2012


Inspired by Pop Culture Junkie and the Story Siren, the aim of Showcase Sunday is to highlight our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders each week. 

This is organized by Books, Biscuits & Tea.




Hello guys, (calm) 


I'm BACK!!! :)


Back to blogging, back to reviewing, back to joining all of you good buddies in the joy of talking and looking at books! 


And what better way to kick start my return to the blogosphere than with a Showcase Sunday post? In my two weeks++ of absence, I've received and bought quite a number of books!


Since my exams are over, the urge to splurge burns stronger than ever. And now, I'm grinning stupidly at these eight beauties on my shelf. 


But, wait. There's something even more special than that. In this haul, I've received several firsts. 


And to not stall even longer, let's jump straight in. Hear hear, I've lots to say! *wicked grin*



For Review

Witchstruck (Finished Copy)
This is the first book I've ever received from a publisher for review. It arrived on my doorstep in a nice little brown package, and I think I shall have to agree with Maria (Julie Andrews), brown paper packages are my new favourite things :D

I think this is a huge milestone in my blogging experience, and hopefully, this signifies the start of something new (gee, what's up with the music puns? HSM). There would be loads more to come! *rubs palms with hearts in my eyes*

Won/Gifted

Black City (ARC)
This is my first ARC! Oh, the joy! (Check out the joy here in another post)

I won this in a writing contest and I am so so so happy to hold this precious darling in my hands!

Another milestone achieved! I love love love love love this world. Can't wait to read this!

Shiver
Given to me from Wu You! (This time I'm not going to refer to you by any other name, dear, because in my heart, you remain as one of my dearest friends by this name!)

Thank you so much for being one of the earliest to ponder after my birthday gift :) Thank you for being the earliest to prepare for it as well! Even though The Book Depository is such a slowpoke, but it arrived here in the end, and that's enough *beams* 

Ultimately, I just want to give you a virtual hug here!

Bought

Yes, I ended up splurging much more than I ought to have done. So yeah, out of the eight, five are bought *bows head* BUT. Not that I regret it!


Daughter of Smoke and Bone
With the paperback out in June, this book is finally cheap enough for me to buy! I can't wait to immerse myself in the darkly intriguing and enchanting world Laini Taylor has crafted. 

Behold, the power of blue hair!

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour
I'm totally hooked up on romance lately, and contemporary novels are the best! 

This one promises to be a good one, with report cards, emails and postcards in the novel. So much goodness within those unassuming covers!

Hunting Lila
I've heard a lot about this from Australian bloggers, and I'm so excited to finally read this now! *happy dance on my green desk*

Time to witness some smokin' hot action between a certain Alex and Lila.

Changeling
Remember this being featured in my WoW post? Well, YAY! I have it now :D After Grave Mercy, I'm eager to read any epic historical novels. I'm sure Philippa Gregory won't disappoint with her first YA novel!

Finding Sky
I adored Stealing Phoenix with all my heart, and I'm currently reading the first book of the series with starry eyes. Even amongst all these brilliant books, this is still the one that I chose to read first. 

I guess I just can't resist the Benedict brothers *rueful smile* 

*
For Review (again), but ebooks






The Treachery of Beautiful Things
I'm taking part in a blog tour for this book, so I'm really quite excited! Sorry for making fun of your cover in this post :(

Confessions of an Angry Girl
This signifies the first auto-approval I've received on Netgalley. Yeah! *pumps fist*

I heart you, Harlequin!

Crux
The review is coming out possibly tomorrow! One word: wow. 

The Assassin's Curse 
What's better than falling in love with your assassin? Can't wait to read this!

*

Yes, dear friends, I'm finally done :) 

This is the first post after my long hibernation. I wonder how many of you will see this, but regardless, I hope you welcome me back to the book blogging community with open arms! 

Getting back in the routine of reading and reviewing is an awesome process. I'm glad to share it with you ;)


Thanks to Random House, Victoria Lamb, Harriet Venn, Elizabeth Richards and J. Taylor Publishing for the books I received this two week! Not to mention, Wu You too! 

What's your swag this week? ;)


44 comments:

  1. You've had a great week yourself. I've heard a lot about Hunting Lila, and I've seen Witchstruck about a lot with it just releasing. And I have Shiver on my pile of books to get through, too. Angry Girl's on my Kindle waiting to be read. And I'm good friend's with Julie Reece so I read Crux a while back and I have to agree: it's pure awesomeness. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully, you'll enjoy your other reads as much. :o)

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    1. Oh, yes, thank you! I think my week is amazing as well ;) Crux is really really good, so it must be really great to be friends with the author! As for Witchstruck, it sure cannot be missed. It was hailed as Twilight meets The Other Boleyn Girl, and I think that just can't go wrong. So glad that we have TBR books that overlap, can't wait to hear what you think :)

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  2. What a wonderful stack of books! I absolutely loved Amy & Roger, it's definitely one of my favourites so far this year, so I hope you enjoy it! I've heard great things about Hunting Lila, too, I think it's on my TBR list somewhere... :) Congrats on your first ARC and your first book from a publisher, that must be an awesome feeling. Happy reading!

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    1. Yay! Glad that my money was well-spent ;) Getting my first ARC is really a mind-blowingly awesome feeling!! Thanks :)

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  3. Welcome back!! You definitely went all out and got some great looking books! I got Confessions of an Angry Girl too :)

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    1. Yeah I did :D But now my wallet is crying... Confessions of an Angry Girl looks promising, I wonder how her rivalry with a certain cheerleader will play out!

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  4. Hi Sel, its wonderful to have you back yay and I hope your exams went well :D Amazing selection of books, lucky you. I am looking forward to the review of witch Struck and Changeling which I plan to read :D

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    1. Tee hee, Shahnila, it's great to be back too! I feel like a very lucky girl indeed ;) well, I'll try to read as fast as I can and whisk out some amazing reviews :D

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  5. The treachery of beautiful things. *mouth falls open*
    I CAN'T WAIT for that one :D

    & I love all the other books you got! Congratulations on getting your first review book & ARC :D

    Happy reading ^^

    http://thedailyprophecy.blogspot.nl/2012/07/showcase-sunday-7-mixed.html

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    1. Thanks, Mel! Drop by at the start of August for my review and giveaway ;) I'm super excited to start reading it!

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  6. DUHHHHH SEL OF COURSE YOU REFER TO ME AS WU YOU, NO OTHER NAME ENCOMPASSES MY AWESOMENESS!!! >:D Hey! I worried my shirt hems for that book of yours kay, you'd better like it and post a riveting review with a mention of my oh-so-great name or else... /polishes chopper/ Haha, just kidding!

    WHOOHOO YOUR FIRST REVIEW BOOK AND ARC ;D Congrats Sel!!! Your hard work has finally proved that we won't have to move to US/Canada for publishers to be nice to us >) Enough said, I'll be waiting for your reviews!!!

    P.S. There's a Buy 2 Get 1 Free sale at Popular! /auntie本性

    TEEHEE

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    1. Wu You dear, instead of wasting my brain cells to type out a terribly long reply to your brilliant comment, I shall just dance in front of you tomorrow in school and tell you how lovely you are ;) I'm not sure if you will take this message seriously, but you have to understand that replying to a comment that shows a split personality (murderous, sweet, auntie then playful some more) is such a arduous process.

      I shall be able to deal with it better when we're face to face.

      hahaha *weak laughter*

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  7. You got Black City? O.O I am so jealous! Gosh, that cover is gorgeous and the synopsis sounds amazing! I hope you like it! I'm excited to see what you think of Hunting Lila and Confessions of an Angry Girl as well - they look good. I loved The Assassin's Curse, so hopefully you'll enjoy that one too!(: Fantastic haul this week! ;)

    ~Keertana
    Ivy Book Bindings

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    1. I know I know I knowwwww! Seeing Black City on my shelf makes me grin my silly grin every single time :D I think I'll enjoy The Assassin's Curse too!

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  8. You got a lot of great books! Congrats on receiving a book for review from the publisher! That is HUGE!

    It is still awesome you won Black City from a writing contest! I hope you enjoy it. I've been really looknig forward to that one.

    I hope you enjoy Shiver, I liked the series. And I still need to get Daughter of Smoke and Bone too!

    Glad you are back and happy reading! :)

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    1. Thank you, Sara! I know that it's HUGE, I was hugging it and jumping around! ;) I think this time I "went all out" and bought all those books that I've been lusting after. Daughter of Smoke and Bone was a must have!

      Glad to be back too :)

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  9. I still need to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone! I love the idea of Witchstruck i need to get my hands on it. GReat haul thanks for sharing!

    Letterbox Love!

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  10. Yea you're finally back! ^o^ woah so many books I bet your mum must feel the pain when her money flew away!(; haha jk! Gotta lend me some of these books soon! I'm still reading The Selection currently, not sure what books to start on afterwards but that's for the future me to worry about!(; enjoy reading!!!

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    1. Yeah yeah, Shi Le! But, it's her credit card, so I guess it's kind of painless? There are so many books out there so never worry about what to read next, just enjoy the present ;) *winks*

      I bet you're happy to see my blog up and alive again! I sure am :D

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  11. August grace mercy, welcome! :)

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    1. About grave mercy* and yay u r back!!! Haha post more!!

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    2. Oh you sweetie, I haven't seen you been so cheesy and nice in such a long while! But I appreciate it *hugs* Thanks for choosing Grave Mercy! It was wonderful!

      I will! (post more) ;)

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  12. I'm glad to have one of my favorite book buddies back! :D And you've got a ton of great books there to get you going again. I'm especially excited to hear your thoughts on Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Changeling, and Black City.

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    1. Yay, Linny, I'm glad to hear that I'm one of your favorite book buddies ;) you're mine too!

      Oh well, with these such a great haul I will have to go like a choo-choo train to finish all of them in time!

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  13. Hello
    You have received the Versatile Blogger Award
    Come here and collect your award:
    http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/2012/07/versatile-blogger-award.html
    Thanks :)

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    1. Thank you, Soma! It's always nice to be appreciated :)

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  14. Awesome haul! I've been meaning to read Shiver!

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    1. Let's read it and tell each other what we think ;)

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  15. Welcome back Sel! I hope your exams went well :)
    And what a fantastic haul! I've been meaning to read Hunting Lila and Daughter of Smoke & Bone has been on my bookshelf for ages!

    I hope you'll like all the books you got - have a great week! x

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    1. Yeah, I'm sure I would like all of them :) My exams are... *shudders at thought*

      But, thanks anyway! xo

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  16. I LOVE Hunting Lila!! (ahhh, Alex *swoon*)
    And I LOVE Finding Sky too! (in my opinion it's even better than Stealing Phoenix) Yes, the Benedict brothers are TOTALLY irresistible! <3

    Congratulations on all your 'firsts' - so exciting!


    Catherine :)
    The Book Parade

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    1. I knowwwww, I just adore the Benedict brothers! Oh, Joss Stirling, since there are seven of them, can you just give me one? Pretty pretty please?

      As for all of my 'firsts', it's really exciting for me! Thanks ;)

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  18. Great haul.

    There's a few of these that I'm looking to get in the future.

    Happy Reading!!!

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  19. I read and really liked The Assassin's Curse! And I just recently bought Daughter of Smoke and Bone as well. Hope you enjoy all your fun books!

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    1. Oh I will enjoy them! Have fun reading Daughter too! :)

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  20. Hi there.

    New follower and thank you for following my blog too.

    There's so many books here that are on my Wish List (that always seems to unfailingly expand).

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    1. Thanks for following too, Theta ;) As for my Wish List, it's never-ending :/

      After buying such a haul, my wish list just expanded yet again, not that I'm surprised!

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  21. Hey Selina:) You got your first ARC omg proud of you! Keep working hard:)

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  22. Nice books you've got, Sel!
    Congrats on your first ARC! I've not YET received a brown paper package in my doorstep, but I'm crossing my fingers. Obsessing about daydreaming of receiving at least one is too much. LOL
    So far, ARCs approved are EBOOKS. I want print copies! But it will do, since I'm also just starting out.

    Btw, thanks for droppin by my blog and following! I followed yours back! :)

    Michelle from Michelle Shouts Random

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  23. I'm really looking forward to reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I absolutely loved the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. Maggie Stiefvater is awesome! Thanks for sharing. :)

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Wishing you lots of good books to come along your way!

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