Look at what just arrived! - June 5, 2010

This meme is hosted by Marcia @ The Printed Page. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do).

I am posting this today instead of my usual Monday, since I have a review scheduled for then, and I don't want you to hit 'Mark-All-As-Read' soon as you see so many new posts. Nah, just kidding! But I would still love you to drop by!

My mailbox was definitely busy during this work week of four days. Hidden Wives came to me directly from the author, Claire Avery (a pseudonym for the sister-pair of Mari Hilburn and Michelle Poché). Can I gush a bit? Ever since I first saw this book somewhere (I forget where), I had been eager to read this. I signed up for giveaways, checked with TLC, and finally when the authors themselves offered me the book, I was beyond thrilled! So I started reading it right from the moment I got the packet, but I will hold my thoughts to myself for now, till my review, which I plan to post next week. By the way, this book releases on June 8th.

June 8th is going to be quite a field day in publishing houses. A lot of books I am waiting for are getting released then. But I digress...

Black Water Rising by Attica Locke was a win at Helen's Book Blog. This is another book I was looking forward to, so I am quite thrilled to have won it. This book also happens to be an Orange Prize nominee for Fiction this year, whose winner will be announced on June 9th.

I also received Amitava Kumar's two newest books - Nobody Does the Right Thing and A Foreigner Carrying in the Crook of His Arm a Tiny Bomb, courtesy of Duke University Press. I won this pair of books through their twitter contest. That the books are set in India or feature Indian characters made it extra sweet for me! They also included a nice Duke University Press tote bag that feels quite geeky and stylish. I heart totes. I especially love the cover of Nobody Does the Right Thing, because it really has an Indian feel - that big banner of a Bollywood movie reminds me of the countless billboards that grace many towns and cities colorfully advertising the newest movies hitting the theaters.


Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva @ A Striped Armchair and Marg @ The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library.

I went on a short stroll to the library this week. I had a book to return and, well, who returns back from the library without picking up a book? So then I picked up two books that everyone has been recommending to me for a long long time. And I can't wait to get started with both of them, once I am through with the many half-read books lying strewn across my room.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld needs no introduction. Is there anyone out there who hasn't read this book? So that I can feel better about myself. Also, I am yet to come across someone who didn't like this book. I liked his Uglies series, which I am only half way through. I have been promising to pick up the 3rd book - Specials sometime. Anyways, when the librarian handed me this book, I chanced a peek inside, and guess what? There is a map and plenty of illustrations in it! Woohoo! I love books that have illustrations included. They make for so much fun while reading.

Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster. Yet another book that has been glaring at me from my insurmountable TBR. I've always wanted to read her memoirs, especially for their stylish covers. A memoir that reads like chicklit? You gotto be kidding me! Who wouldn't love that! So finally, after much coaxing, I picked it up to read. I follow Jen Lancaster's blog, Jennsylvania and her posts always leave me laughing hard. I should read more funny authors. Maureen Johnson is next on my list.