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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
Away from YouWhen 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!


Golden Son by Pierce Brown: Review
Talon by Julie Kagawa: Review

57 comments:

  1. YAAASSS Cards Against Humanity is amazing!!! XD And WOW! You received 75 books for Christmas?! That is pretty crazy... crazily AWESOME! You'll get caught up :)

    Rosie xx
    http://www.rosiereads.com

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    1. Far too crazy and I have no idea how long it will take me to actually get through them all.

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  2. You are crazy!! That's so many books, its going to take you a year to read them all!
    Good luck, I'm sure you can do it :)
    Have a fantastic weekend
    Check out my STS

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  3. Cards against humanity is so awesome! My neighbour managed to end up with two sets so we bought one off her. LOVE IT. Very jealous of you getting The Sin Eater's Daughter for review! Can't wait to see what you think.

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    1. It's the greatest game to play with friends. ENDLESS LAUGHS!

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  4. So many pretty, pretty books! I can totally see why you bought them. I hope you enjoy them all. My STS

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  5. Oh I really really want to start reading the These Broken Stars series, I have heard such great things about it. I also adore the cover of the Sin Eaters Daughter and can't wait to get my hands on it. Hope you enjoy it and look forward to reading your review.

    My STS

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    1. I really did enjoy it. I hope you did too when you got the chance to read it! :)

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  6. SIN EATERS DAUGHTER!!! I do believe I'll be getting this off Stacie soon *taps fingers* I neeeeeed to know what it's like, her review is quite middle ground so I'm interested and - yes, I hope you really like it yourself. I did the opposite this week, I took a book back! *shocked face* I know, but it wasn't a book I needed, I'd bought it because of a gift card and then though 'no, wait for something you really want', so I am. I'm becoming, mature, and logical.. OH GOD. Lovely books and hopefully people love ATBP too! :)

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    1. I hope they did. They were beautiful and signed and beautiful. AND BEAUTIFUL! ;)

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  7. 75 books for Christmas!?!?! I didn't get one!!! Serious book envy :) Great haul of books this week, I have Defy but haven't read it, need to read my copies of These Broken Stars, All the Bright Places and The Sin Eater's Daughter and ignore the new Diane Chamberlain because book buying ban! Hope you do like The Miniaturist, I absolutely adored it and now try to push it at everyone!

    Happy reading :)

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    1. Drop hint after hint. I mentioned nothing but books in the whole lead up to Christmas and thankfully they all took the hint. A little too seriously though.

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  8. OOoh nice! Lots of pretties! Been seeing a lot of The Sin Eater's Daughter lately! It's everywhere! I think I took a pass on reading that one because I wasn't sure if it was for me or not. Hope you enjoy all these awesome new reads!

    My STS will be up tomorrow, so be sure to stop by then!

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  9. Alohaa, I'm a new reader and I just wanted to say that your blog looks pretty cool and I'm going to be a returning reader from now on c:
    Also, let me know if you want to do the whole follow on GFC thing c:
    Amy-Anne;
    Little Moon Elephant

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  10. I want to read the Miniaturist! It looks like you've got some great books this week. And really... compulsive book buying is such a good bad habit to have. I mean, who is really harmed by compulsive book buying? NO ONE, that's who.

    My STS

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  11. Wow, what an amazing haul. I told myself that I would be going on a ban as well, but that didn't last very long :p

    Novel Ink STS

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  12. Gah! Signed copies of All The Bright Places - that's amaze-balls of the publishers!! :D

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  13. Nothing at all wrong with buying books. I always say, there are way worse habits to have. ;)

    Congrats on everything especially the signed books! All the Bright Places is in my top ten already this year. I just loved it!

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  14. I read CLAWS AND EFFECT - Rita Mae Brown for reading group.
    http://idahobluebird50.wordpress.com

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  15. It's a lovely haul and you should not be ashamed! How could you possibly resist those books? I'm totally jealous of The Sin Eater's Daughter. I just followed you on Instagram, your pictures are gorgeous :) (I'm meeshelly23 on Instagram). Enjoy your awesome new books!

    Michelle @ Michelle's Minions

    My StS

    My StS

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  16. I'm curious about several of these books, too! Trying not to let myself be tempted, though. But why resist books if you can afford them and they make you happy? My TBR is stressing me out a little, so it'll do me good to resist, but otherwise... Enjoy the new books, guilt free!

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    1. My TBR is never ending. I will die before I get through half of them.

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  17. What a wonderful Haul! So many of these books peak my interest!
    defy was one of my Favorite debuts of 2014. I cannot wait to read Ignite the cover is gorgeous.
    I Love Emily Giffin I havent read The One and Only so I am interested to see your thoughts
    Hope you enjoy are your new books!
    Happy Reading
    My STS

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  18. Awesome haul! I absolutely love Defy and Ignite! That series will be a trilogy. I hope you enjoy them. :)

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  19. Thanks for stopping by my blog <3 And it's awesome that you have been working so hard to catch back up again. I seriously admire you for that. As for buying books, you should never feel bad about it. One never has too many books... unless there is not enough bookshelf space. In that case, one never has too many bookshelves...

    I've seen Defy and Ignite around but am still unsure about reading it, so I look forward to hearing your opinion. I haven't read anything by Diane Chamberlain but one day I will. Promise. The Miniaturist is on my TBR because I have seen so many positive reviews for it!

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    1. I wish I could work harder right now and get back at top. But at least I am finally replying to comments..... even if it is months and months late.

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  20. ENJOY SIN EATER'S DAUGHTER, CHARNELL! I'm so excited about that one! IGNITE, DEFY, I'M ABOUT TO BLAME YOU FOR THAT PURCHASE!

    I'm pretty much crazy behind on comments and I'm trying to use today to catch up. IT KILLS ME THAT IM SO UNORGANISED but hey, what can you do? I only got through one book this week as well which sucks :(

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    1. I am super unorganised, but it;s not my fault. Okay, maybe it is but oh well.

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  21. ERK!!! Sin Eater's Daughter!! I am seriously excited for your review of that one!!! And ajfdslkafd I will forever love All the Bright Places so that is amazingly cool you're doing features on it. xD Also, yus. That is a lot of books. ;-) But hey...you're adopting them to a good home. *nods* I love reading, but sometimes I do wish I could just download books into my brain because there are just so so many I want to read. >_<

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    1. I KNOW!!! That needs to be something that is worked on, I would love to download it into my brain and have read the book in seconds. I want to read all the books, I just don't have ALL the time. I want to book myself a week off work next year JUST for reading. NEEDS TO HAPPEN!!! :)

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  22. So many of your books have such pretty covers! And the gift from Penguin looked so cool. I will eventually get round to that book.... even though I'm afraid it's gonna leave me very very sad. =( I can't wait for your review, especially The Sin Eater's Daughter, which has such an unusual premise. Surprisingly, I've actually been able to curb my book buying! Mainly because I've been finding so many of my virtual TBR books in the library it makes me happy enough to skip the browse in Waterstones. Good luck with your reading goals!! (Take care of yourself, yes? Good. =] <3 )

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    1. It really was, I was so excited when it arrived. It was so nice to be able to share that book with others. I am still terrible with my book buying, but have been better in the last month or so because of low money.

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  23. What are five more books if you've received 75 for christmas? Plus, they all look and sound amazing, so really, there's nothing to feel bad about. :) Can't wait for your reviews!

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  24. Instagram is definitely where it's at! <3
    As we talked about in Twitter, buying more books is just inevitable for us. I think learning to curve it and really make a list of the important releases is what I'm trying to do. It's hard as hell. Lol!
    The Sin Eater's Daughter is one I will be buying on its release. I hope you love it. I will look out for your review. The early reviews on it are amazing, so I have very high hopes.
    I'm waiting until I find The One and Only on sale. I love Giffen's books too, but they are so expensive to buy. That's okay, it's not going anywhere.
    Have a great week!
    Happy reading!
    Brittany @ This is the Story of My(Reading) Life

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  25. I know your commenting pain. I swear you leave it ONE day and it spirals into a never ending black hole. I've been trying to catch up for weeks, and I'm still not there. Maybe soon!

    WOW. 75 books for Christmas? That is super duper incredible! I only received a few because I always just buy whatever books I want. Which is why I have placed a semi-ban on myself. Only one book per month for the year. I need to start reading the books I own instead of buying more (which I don't ever end up getting around to).

    I have heard so many good things about All The Bright Places, and I think I may have to get onto reading it ASAP!

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    1. It really does... as you can see because I am currently replying to a backlog of them and this post is from JANUARY! What is wrong with me!

      It was incredible but it was also a lot of hassle trying to find somewhere to put them all. I need new bookshelves now.

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  26. Book bans never work for me, I just keep buying and buying and even when I have plenty I own that I should read, I keep buying more. Oh well!!

    The Sin Eater's Daughter!!!! So jealous, I have to say. Hope you love it, I can't wait to read your review! ~Pam

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    1. It hasn't worked for me yet. I'm on a ban from book bans. A lifelong one.

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  27. The Sin Eater's Daughter looks amazing. I just had to go request it myself now. Hope you love it. Happy Reading!
    Here’s my STS.

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  28. Awesome haul! All The Bright Places is so awesome!
    Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings Enter my 2nd Annual Blogoversary Giveaway

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, it always makes my day! Because of time restraints, this is now an award free zone but thanks so much for considering me! Feel free to leave a link to your own blog and I will come visit.