In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman (May 31, 2004) Paperback 176 pages 

Publisher: HarperFestival 

When Coraline explores her new home, she steps through a door and into another house just like her own . . . except that it's different. It's a marvelous adventure until Coraline discovers that there's also another mother and another father in the house. They want Coraline to stay with them and be their little girl. They want to keep her forever!

Coraline must use all of her wits and every ounce of courage in order to save herself and return home.

I won this book at my library's summer reading program. 

Seventeen Real Girls, Real-Life Stories: True Love (June 1, 2007) Paperback 128 pages

Publisher: Hearst

From love triangles and cheaters to summer romances, these stories will touch every teen’s heart. One seventeen-year-old’s story talks of her sweetheart who joined the Army and was sent to the Middle East, and how his love letters kept their romance strong. In another, one girl learns (the hard way) how playing the field can only lead to heartache. Whether the ending is happy or sad, there is no doubt that love has changed these teens’ lives forever.

I won this book from my library's summer reading program. Short book, looked nice. 

Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty (April 14, 2009) Hardcover 272 pages

Publisher: Crown

Old flames are reignited in the fifth and final book in the New York Times bestselling Jessica Darling series. Captivated readers have followed Jessica through every step and misstep: from her life as a tormented, tart-tongued teenager to her years as a college grad stumbling toward adulthood. Now a young professional in her mid-twenties, Jess is off to a Caribbean wedding. As she rushes to her gate at the airport, she literally runs into her former boyfriend, Marcus Flutie. It’s the first time she's seen him since she reluctantly turned down his marriage proposal three years earlier–and emotions run high.  Marcus and Jessica have both changed dramatically, yet their connection feels as familiar as ever. Is their reunion just a fluke or has fate orchestrated this collision of their lives once again? Told partly from Marcus’s point of view, Perfect Fifths finally lets readers inside the mind of the one person who’s both troubled and titillated Jessica Darling for years. Expect nothing less than the satisfying conclusion fans have been waiting for, one perfect in its imperfection. . . .

I got this book from the library, I wasn't trying to get any new books, but it was one of my holds and I LOVE THE SERIES. I'm on book 3, right now!!!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (July 21, 2009) Paperback 784 pages

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books 

The cloak of inevitability hangs on the final installment of the Harry Potter series. One must die, one will live. Friends will be distinguished from foes. All will be revealed. To Rowling's great credit, she manages this finale with the flair and respect for her audience that have permeated the previous six novels, though the mood here is quite different. The story has a certain flatness that extends through much of the book. Rowling can no longer rely on diversions like Quidditch matches and trips to Hogsmead for relief; Harry has made the decision not to return to Hogwarts. Aided by Hermione and Ron, he will instead search for the remaining Horcruxes that hide pieces of Voldemorte's soul. Danger and death are in the air, but Rowling skillfully deals both out in tightly controlled bursts that are juxtaposed against periods of indecision, false leads, and even boredom as the trio try to divine their next moves. Most startling are the new elements, including the not-altogether-successful introduction of the Deathly Hallows. These magical artifacts unnecessarily up the total of things that Harry is looking for by three, and the ownership of one of the Hallows, a wand, may lead to confusion for readers at a climactic moment. More successful additions, adding depth and weight, are the multilayered revelation of Dumbledore's family history and the brilliantly handled answer to the question of Severus Snape's allegiance. Throughout, Rowling returns to and embellishes the hallmark themes of the series: the importance of parental influences, the redemptive power of sacrifice, and the strength found in love. These truths are the underpinnings of a finale that is worthy of fans' hopes and expectations. Cooper, Ilene-Booklist

I won this book in a contest! Along with a Harry Potter pin! I also have this book in hardcover.

Fade by Lisa McMann (February 10, 2009) Hardback 256 pages

Publisher: Simon Pulse

SOME NIGHTMARES NEVER END.

For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck.

Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open -- but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.

Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability -- and it's bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd feared.... 

Got this from the library. I was trying not to get any new books, but it was on hold.

Wake by Lisa McMann (March 4, 2008) Hardback 224 pages

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Not all dreams are sweet.

For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant.... 

Got this from the library, was trying not to get any new books, but it was on hold. 

I also got some piano books from the library! I finally, started piano lessons.