Waiting on Wednesday: Wintertown by Steve Emond

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

It’s been very cold here in the Philippines lately because it’s the rainy season. I terribly, terribly miss the sun, but I also like the cold a bit. Anyway, what better way to appreciate the cold than with a winter-themed novel, right (one with a totally squee-worthy cover to boot)? :)

Wintertown by Steve EmondWintertown by Steve Emond
Release date: December 5, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Every winter, straight-laced, Ivy League bound Evan looks forward to a visit from Lucy, a childhood pal who moved away after her parent’s divorce. But when Lucy arrives this year, she’s changed. The former “girl next door” now has chopped dyed black hair, a nose stud, and a scowl. But Evan knows that somewhere beneath the Goth, “Old Lucy” still exists, and he’s determined to find her… even if it means pissing her off.

Garden State meets Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist in this funny and poignant illustrated novel about opposites who fall in love.

I really don’t think I need to explain why I want this book. I love Happyface, and I think I’ve plugged that book so much that everyone I know relates it to me now (my copy is still with someone else, since I think it was the only copy available here!). And since I’m supposed to be the president of his fans club, it’s just right I feature this book here. So. Excited.

And I am absolutely envious of the people who got ARCs for this during BEA. If anyone has an extra copy of this, or if they are willing to part with their copy (why you’d do that, I really don’t know but I won’t complain :P), then care to send it over here? I would even pay for shipping. :D

Oh, and I am totally serious about that, too. Email me at hello[at]tinamats.com if you are willing to take me up on that :D I. Want. This. Book.

Waiting on Wednesday: How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

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

How did I not know that Sara Zarr has a new book coming out this year? I cannot believe this. HOW?!

How to Save a Life by Sara ZarrHow to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
Release date: October 18, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Jill MacSweeney just wants everything to go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she’s been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends–everyone who wants to support her. You can’t lose one family member and simply replace him with a new one, and when her mom decides to adopt a baby, that’s exactly what it feels like she’s trying to do. And that’s decidedly not normal. With her world crumbling around her, can Jill come to embrace a new member of the family?

Mandy Kalinowski knows what it’s like to grow up unwanted–to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, she knows she wants a better life for her baby. But can giving up a child be as easy as it seems? And will she ever be able to find someone to care for her, too?

Critically acclaimed author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr delivers a heart-wrenching story, told from dual perspectives, about what it means to be a family and the many roads we can take to become one.

I loved all of Sara Zarr‘s novels, and I realized that I have never openly professed myself as a fan of hers. So I’m taking this time to profess: I am a fan of Sara Zarr, and I am absolutely excited for her new book. Even more than I am excited about point of care cart stuff. :)

And is it just me, or did The Fray’s song automatically play in your head when you read the title of this book? :)

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.

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.

Waiting on Wednesday: Deadline by Mira Grant

It’s the first day of December, and this means Christmas! And since it’s nearing Christmas, I think it may be just fitting to post something about a book I desperately want?

Okay, I’m just making excuses. Besides, even if I desperately want this book, I can’t get it until next year, so I would really still have to wait. Anyway, I was browsing through my friends’ wish lists yesterday in Goodreads when I saw that one of the books I am definitely looking forward to next year now has a cover. Excuse me while I squee. :D

Deadline (Newsflesh # 2) by Mira Grant
Out May 31, 2011

Shaun Mason is a man without a mission. Not even running the news organization he built with his sister has the same urgency as it used to. Playing with dead things just doesn’t seem as fun when you’ve lost as much as he has.

But when a CDC researcher fakes her own death and appears on his doorstep with a ravenous pack of zombies in tow, Shaun has a newfound interest in life. Because she brings news-he may have put down the monster who attacked them, but the conspiracy is far from dead.

Now, Shaun hits the road to find what truth can be found at the end of a shotgun.

[cover and blurb from Goodreads]

It’s no secret that I loved Mira Grant’s Feed this year, and it was the cover that reeled me in when I first saw it. When I saw that the next book’s cover is out, I wished that it was already available so I can have it in my hands. :D

I’m quite partial to the first cover:

Feed by Mira GrantBut I think Deadline‘s is just as cool. :D What do you think?

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