Want Books: Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer


Want Books? is a weekly meme hosted at Chachic’s Book Nook and features released books that you want but you can’t have for some reason. It can be because it’s not available in your country, in your library or you don’t have the money for it right now.

I try not to be wooed by new releases because I tend to give in to impulse buys. But there are some times when I want to give in just to cheer myself up, you know? It’s retail therapy in a different sense.

Hence this Want Books post.

I want this:

Rival by Sarah Bennett WealeRival by Sara Bennett Wealer

What if your worst enemy turned out to be the best friend you ever had?

Meet Brooke: Popular, powerful and hating every minute of it, she’s the “It” girl at Douglas High in Lake Champion, Minnesota. Her real ambition? Using her operatic mezzo as a ticket back to NYC, where her family lived before her dad ran off with an up and coming male movie star.

Now meet Kathryn: An overachieving soprano with an underachieving savings account, she’s been a leper ever since Brooke punched her at a party junior year. For Kath, music is the key to a much-needed college scholarship.

The stage is set for a high-stakes duet between the two seniors as they prepare for the prestigious Blackmore competition. Brooke and Kathryn work toward the Blackmore with eyes not just on first prize but on one another, each still stinging from a past that started with friendship and ended in betrayal. With competition day nearing, Brooke dreams of escaping the in-crowd for life as a professional singer, but her scheming BFF Chloe has other plans. And when Kathryn gets an unlikely invitation to Homecoming, she suspects Brooke of trying to sabotage her with one last public humiliation.

As pressures mount, Brooke starts to sense that the person she hates most might just be the best friend she ever had. But Kathryn has a decision to make. Can she forgive? Or are some rivalries for life?

This sounds absolutely positively contemporary yummy. I’ve read some good reviews about this, but I’m waiting for some of my trusted reviewers to read this and post reviews before I actually give in to getting it. I like the premise, and I’m a sucker for contemporary novels with all its high school controversies and non-paranormal love stories and discussions on weight, self-confidence and blackhead removers (I should make a post about this). I’m no music genius but I loved the idea of the rivalry, and the excerpts really got me curious to what really happened and will happen between Brooke and Kathryn. I read the Kindle sample earlier, and my interest was definitely piqued.

iWant. But I don’t think I have the time to read this yet. Or if I do get it, I will read it immediately, and the other books would be waiting again. The good thing is I don’t think this is available here yet, so no worries right?

Oh wait, there’s still the Kindle version.

Hm.

Waiting on Wednesday: One of our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde

I’m sorry for the lack of posts here over the weekend — I needed a mental health day so I went up North with some of my friends. I hardly read during the weekend so there wasn’t much to review save for the post before this. I’m getting back on track now, but I have to write some more stuff on the other blog and do work and deal with real life, so now, I give a Waiting on Wednesday post.

I’ve made a rule for myself in making this post. I will only really post about books that I really am waiting for, and not just any book I spotted online. I’ve posted other WoWs about books that I just saw and I never got them, or when I got them, I was underwhelmed. From now on, this will only be for the releases I am really anticipating.

My last WoW was from one of my favorite YA authors, Sarah Dessen. This time, I’m waiting for another book from a favorite author and a favorite series:

One of Our Thursdays is MissingOne of our Thursdays is Missing

One of our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde
Release Date: February 22, 2011

Jasper Fforde’s exuberant return to the fantastical BookWorld opens during a time of great unrest. All-out Genre war is rumbling, and the BookWorld desperately needs a heroine like Thursday Next. But with the real Thursday apparently retired to the Realworld, the Council of Genres turns to the written Thursday.

The Council wants her to pretend to be the real Thursday and travel as a peacekeeping emissary to the warring factions. A trip up the mighty Metaphoric River beckons-a trip that will reveal a fiendish plot that threatens the very fabric of the BookWorld itself.

Jasper Fforde is one of my favorite grown up authors, and Thursday Next is one of my heroines. I thought all of her adventures ended in Something Rotten, but I was thrilled to know Fforde was writing another book. I got First Among the Sequels three years ago (!!!) and loved it, and the wait for the next was just too long. I’m so glad I won’t have to wait any longer, since this will be out in 13 days (as of this post)!

It’s such a Fforde year for me this year, as I finally got my copy of The Last Dragonslayer a week ago, and then this next book is coming out very soon. I can’t wait to get my hands on this — I wonder what craziness will Thursday be up against next? I think the first five Thursday Next books are up for a reread. The question is: do I have the time to do that? :o

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Want Books: The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde


Want Books? is a weekly meme hosted at Chachic’s Book Nook and features released books that you want but you can’t have for some reason. It can be because it’s not available in your country, in your library or you don’t have the money for it right now.

It’s been a while since I did a Want Books post. I wonder if making posts like this helps in actually finding books that are hard to find here? Or do they somehow get to the people who work in bookstores and make them get the books we want and stock it in their stores? I know it helps me get the books, because somehow I find myself deciding to get the book on my own soon after. I know making posts like these makes other people’s wish lists bigger, too. Hmm…I wonder who else gets influenced?

Anyway, I’m rambling. I thought of posting this book here because it’s been released since November and I still can’t find a copy. RAWR.

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper FfordeThe Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

In the good old days, magic was powerful, unregulated by government, and even the largest spell could be woven without filling in the magic release form B1-7g. But somewhere, somehow, the magic started draining away.

Jennifer Strange runs Kazam!, an employment agency for state-registered magicians, soothsayers and sorceresses. But work is drying up. Drain cleaner is cheaper and quicker than a spell. Why trust a cold and drafty magic carpet when jetliners offer a comfy seat and an in-flight movie? And now potions are eligible for VAT…

But then the visions start. The Last Dragon is going to be killed by a Dragonslayer at 12.00 on Sunday. The death will unleash untold devastation on the UnUnited Kingdom, setting principality against dukedom and property developer against homesteader. And all the signs are pointing to Jennifer Strange, and saying”Big Magic is coming!”

The Last Dragonslayer is fizzing with all the creativity and genius Jasper Fforde’s fans delight in, and will appeal as much to the young at heart as to the younger readers for whom it is written.

Two words: Jasper Fforde. The synopsis just sounds so Fforde and so awesome!

I remember asking Fully Booked about this when I found about its release and they said stocks should come in by Christmas…but I haven’t seen a copy of this until now. I also remember rewarding myself with a Kindle sample of this and there were many times when I was thinking of just getting the Kindle version first because it’s Jasper Fforde anyway. However, when I went back to purchase a copy…alas! It was pulled from the US store, since it’s not yet released in the US (I think). Sadness.

I’m thisclose to putting an order for this from Book Depository but I’m holding off because (1) I really want to know how much it would be if/when Fully Booked has stocks and sometimes their price is lower and (2) I’m really not in a hurry to read it anyway.

That, and my birthday is coming up. Hint hint. ;)

On another note, another Fforde book is coming out this year — the next installment of his Thursday Next series. It looks like 2011 will be a Fforde year, yes? :) Brilliant.

Waiting on Wednesday: What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

I haven’t done a Waiting on Wednesday for a while, but I did do a post on the ten most anticipated books for 2011 a few weeks ago. There are some books that needs to have a repeated post, though, because they deserve their own post. Like this one.

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah DessenWhat Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
Release date: May 10, 2011

Another town. Another school. Another Mclean. Ever since her parents’ bitter divorce, Mclean and her father have been fleeing their unhappy past. And Mclean’s become a pro at reinventing herself with each move. But in Lakeview, Mclean finds herself putting down roots and making friends—in part, thanks to Dave, the most real person Mclean’s ever met. Dave just may be falling in love with her, but can he see the person she really is? Does Mclean herself know?

Two words: Sarah. Dessen. Shouldn’t that be enough reason why I’m waiting for this?

I’m a big, big fan Sarah Dessen because her book was the one that got me started on contemporary YA. When I saw Just Listen in National Bookstore, I got it on a whim and fell in love with her book. I started looking for the other Dessen books everywhere, and when I saw all of them in one weekend, I did not hesitate to get them even if I know it would kill my credit card bill. I love her and her books, and she’s the first author I declare as auto-buy for me.

So her new book is definitely, definitely worth waiting for. Do I need to explain more?

On another note, I spotted the UK covers of The Truth About Forever and Just Listen in Fully Booked Eastwood the other day and I almost splurged on them. However, if I get them, I would be forced to look for the others, too, just so it looks pretty on my shelf. Talk about excess! I’m probably one of the minority who likes her US covers, but now that I think of it, the UK covers are pretty too. Just look at the US and UK covers of What Happened to GoodbyeI can’t choose which I like better. What about you?

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Christmas 2010 Wish List

Image by Suryakami from DeviantArt

I’ve always made wish lists every year and I share it with my family and friends (especially my brother) so he knows what gift to get me. I find wish lists very helpful so I rely on them in gift giving especially for guys. :P

But you know what’s strange, though? Every birthday and Christmas, I hardly get book presents. I know, right? I make lists, but people often get other items from my list. Maybe because I know that I will eventually get the book I want? Or maybe they hardly go to bookstores, or at least, don’t go as much as I do? Or, like I told Jason in the Filipino Friday he hosted last week, maybe it’s their subtle way of telling me to pull my nose out of a book every once in a while?

But anyway I can’t let the first Christmas of my book blog without posting a Christmas wish list. Okay, maybe I can…but it’s fun to make wish lists in hopes of a random generous stranger (or friend!) getting me something from the list. Eventually I will probably get most of these on my own, but I would be forever thankful if I get any of these from friends. :P

BOOK RELATED THINGS:

  • Dry seal for label for my books – I’ve been wishing for this for two years I think? A simple “Tina” or “Tinamats” on the seal would do, and some stars on the design would be nice. :P If you need details, more on Blooey’s blog. (And if I still don’t get this as a gift up until my birthday next year, I will get this on my own already…there is still hope!)
  • m-Edge e-luminator Kindle book light – because I need a book light that is easier to slip inside my Kindle case.

BOOKS:

Ebooks or actual print books – I’m not picky. :P Remember, Kindle Ebook Gifting is possible now. :P

  1. Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John
  2. The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
  3. Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
  4. Mistwood by Leah Cypess
  5. Trese Books # 2-3 by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo
  6. The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May and June by Robin Benway
  7. The Kid Table by Andrea Seigel
  8. UK Edition of Trash by Andy Mulligan
  9. Plain Kate by Erin Bow
  10. Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King
  11. The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
  12. Immanuel’s Veins by Ted Dekker

Obviously, there’s more, but the books above are the ones that I would love to get this Christmas. More help? Here — my Amazon (ebook) wish list and my Book Depository wish list! :)

NON-BOOK RELATED/MISCELLANEOUS:

  • Anything with sunflowers and/or stars
  • A new laptop bag (must fit a Lenovo Thinkpad T400)
  • Azta Salon gift certificates*
  • Shopping money – by shopping, I mean non-books: clothes, shoes, make-up, etc.
  • Pens from Muji
  • Those NatGeo shirts from Regatta (I’m a Medium!)
  • Little Miss Writer Shirt — pretty.
  • New sunglasses

If you have a wish list too, share them in the comment section! Who knows, maybe some generous person will bless you with something. :)

* I know I mentioned GCs can be impersonal but I think it’s not when the person actually requested it. :P Hence the presence of gift certificate on the wish list. :)