My Weekly Book Haul: 16/01/2015

This week has seen me trying, and slightly failing, in my mission to get back on track with my blogging and reading. I am miles behind, but I am working on it. I've replied to 272 comments on this blog, as well as making a list of 44 of you lovely people who I need to come and pay a visit too, it's been far too long. I'm sure I'll catch up soon enough!

                I'm slightly ashamed of my book buying this week. I'd promised myself that I'd go easier with buying books after my Christmas haul. I received 75 books for Christmas, which is just insane. So I felt like I should curb my book buying a bit, seeing as I already own hundreds of books I haven't read. NOT GOOD! But I failed, as I have a habit of doing at most things. I ended up buying 5. And then receiving review books on top of that. Oops. And I've managed to get through one measly book in that time.

                   Other than buying books, my life has mostly involved work this week. As well as getting involved in some exciting things blog wise, which I am very excited for. I'll let you all know more nearer the time. I also finally acquired Cards Against Humanity, which is the funniest game and one I highly recommend. There is no way you can't love that game, unless you have 0 sense of humour.

And I also have a bit of an obsession with Instagram. It's getting bad. I really want a new camera, a proper camera, so that I can start taking more photographs. Not just of books though.

Defy & Ignite by Sara B. Larson

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks iThe longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?nto the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

I was naughty and ordered these. I couldn't help it. I BLAME INSTAGRAM!

This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met.Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the insurgents.Rebellion is in Flynn's blood. Terraforming corporations make their fortune by recruiting colonists to make the inhospitable planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion.Desperate for any advantage in a bloody and unrelentingly war, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape the rebel base together, caught between two sides of a senseless war.

I'd already read and reviewed this, so I probably could have held off buying this. But, in my defence, I'd had it on preorder for ages and it had just finally been sent. So.... yeah, I'm not counting it as book buying for January.

The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain

WHAT IF EVERYTHING YOU BELIEVED TURNED OUT TO BE A LIE? Riley MacPherson is returning to her childhood home in North Carolina. A place that holds cherished memories. While clearing out the house she finds a box of old newspaper articles - and a shocking family secret begins to unravel.Riley has spent her whole life believing that her older sister Lisa died tragically as a teenager. But now she's starting to uncover the truth: her life has been built on a foundation of lies, told by everyone she loved.Lisa is alive. Alive and living under a new identity. But why exactly was she on the run all those years ago, and what secrets are being kept now?As Riley tries to separate reality from fiction, her discoveries call into question everything she thought she knew about her family. Can she find the strength inside herself to decide her future.

She's on my auto-buy list. I'm just ignoring the fact that I have bought her five latest releases and still not read them. I will get to them one day, I've enjoyed every book I've read by her.

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

On an autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives at a grand house in Amsterdam to begin her new life as the wide of wealthy merchant Johannes Brandt.though curiously distant, he presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift; a cabinet-sized replica of their home. it is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations ring eerily true. As Nella uncovers the secrets of her new household, she realizes the escalating dangers they face. The miniaturist seems to hold their fate in her hands - but does she plan to save or destroy them?

Got this in a 2 for £7 deal in ASDA with The Silent Sister. My manager recommended this one because she absolutely loved it. 

The wonderful people at Penguin were kind enough to get in touch with me about taking part in their All The Bright Places event for Blue Monday. I absolutely adored this book, it was a 5+/5 read for me, so of course I said yes. So I received 3 signed copies of the book, 4 posters, 3 sets of quote Post Its and 10 bookmarks. I'm going to be giving them to some of my favourite people, filming and photographing the results for Penguin. 

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

I loved it, you can read my spoiler free review here if you want. I highly recommend going out and getting your hands on a copy.

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

Seventeen-year-old Twylla lives in the castle. But although she’s engaged to the prince, Twylla isn’t exactly a member of the court.

She’s the executioner.

As the Goddess embodied, Twylla instantly kills anyone she touches. Each month she’s taken to the prison and forced to lay her hands on those accused of treason. No one will ever love a girl with murder in her veins. Even the prince, whose royal blood supposedly makes him immune to Twylla’s fatal touch, avoids her company.

But then a new guard arrives, a boy whose easy smile belies his deadly swordsmanship. And unlike the others, he’s able to look past Twylla’s executioner robes and see the girl, not the Goddess. Yet Twylla’s been promised to the prince, and knows what happens to people who cross the queen.

However, a treasonous secret is the least of Twylla’s problems. The queen has a plan to destroy her enemies, a plan that requires a stomach-churning, unthinkable sacrifice. Will Twylla do what it takes to protect her kingdom? Or will she abandon her duty in favor of a doomed love?

The wonderful people at Scholastic got in touch about this beauty and I flailed. It's been on my 2015 'gimme' list for so long now. I needed this book in my life and I can't wait to finally get to read it. 

The One & Only by Emily Giffin

Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas - a small college town that lives and dies by American football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker's legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade.But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea's comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she's chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most - and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.

Thanks to the wonderful people at Hodder for this one. I loved Something Borrowed and Something Blue by the author, but haven't enjoyed anything else I've read by her. Hopefully I enjoy this. I have my fingers crossed.

Away From You by Kay Langdale

When Monica is offered a three-month placement in LA, she knows that for the sake of her career she must accept it - even though it means leaving behind her nine-year-old Ruby, toddler Luca and her husband Daniel.

She hires Ursula as a housekeeper and nanny during her absence, although the older woman is oddly reluctant to agree to a childcare position. What is the dark secret in Ursula's past, which has left her so closed-off and reserved? Will her growing attachment to Ruby bring it to the surface? And will Monica regret leaving the children in her care?

I have intense cover love for this one. It also has an intriguing blurb and I am very excited. Thanks Hodder!

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My Christmas Haul Part One

Golden Son by Pierce Brown: Review

Talon by Julie Kagawa: Review