Mailbox Monday: Wish I felt better edition

As far as I'm concerned, there are few things worse that feeling ill on a Monday.  I was sick all weekend.  :-(  So, this Monday I'm indulging myself with an entire series of puppy in the mailbox photos.  They almost make me feel better.  Hopefully you'll enjoy them, too.

• Speaking of not feeling well, I was a bit premature when I pronounced my sister and new nephew well last week.  My family had failed to keep me in the loop.  Grrr.  The baby is reasonably well, but my sister could use some healing energy sent her way, if you've got any to spare.
• Ann Patchett's event at Bookshop West Portal was awesome!  I've got some fun video to post later this week.  And, I got to run into my friends Sue and Rachel at the signing, which proves that Ms. Patchett attracts all the best people.
• On Thursday night, I wound up having dinner with Jacob and Rina Weisman of Tachyon Books, and novelist Michael Kurland and his wife Linda.  Lovely couples both.
• On tap this week, my face-to-face book group meets tomorrow night.  I run it, so unless I'm at death's door, I'll be there.
• And guess who I'll be spending this coming weekend with?  James "Jimbo" Rollins, whose book The Devil Colony goes on sale tomorrow.  At long overdue last, I'll be posting a review today.  And Jimbo doesn't know it yet, but I'll have my borrowed video camera on-hand as we hang out all weekend.
• Speaking of James Rollins, he's having an online world-wide book release party for The Devil Colony.  Details can be found here.  They're calling it Dance with the Devil, and if I can get the energy together, I'll be there wearing the light up devil horns given to me by author Joe Hill (on the occasion of the release of his novel Horns).  Pics if it happens.
• Also, I'm slightly embarrassed to admit this, but I've recently joined the Twitterverse.  You know how I'm always a month behind blogging about interesting things I'm doing?  Like BEA, the Book Blogger Con, and the rest of the shows I saw in NY?  If you want to hear about stuff in real time, please follow me @SusanTunis.  I'm generally about a decade behind the rest of the planet when it comes to technology, so I'm still learning about the medium, but this would be an excellent time to follow me.  I'm off to NY again in a couple of weeks for more theater and Thrillerfest--and there is always something exciting and/or scandalous to comment on there!  (I'm not joking.)

As for what's in the mailbox, here's a loose collection of books that have come in from sources other than BEA in the recent past.  I'm sure it's incomplete.  Nonetheless...

The Devil Colony

By James Rollins

Release: June 21, 2011

Source: finished hardback from publisher

Thank you, Shawn!  I was thrilled to see this in the mailbox!  It's my very favorite book by one of my favorite authors.

Folly Beach

Dorthea Benton Frank

Release: June 14, 2011

Source: Finished hardback from publisher

I think this one will be a giveaway some week.  I may have a copy of the previous book to package with it.

Sister

by Rosamund Lupton

Release: June 7, 2011

Source: The Amazon Vine program

I'm hearing good things on this novel, and I'm looking forward to reading it!

Blood of the Reich

by William Dietrich

Release: June 28, 2011

Source: The Amazon Vine program

I've been a Dietrich fan for years, and this book feels like he's getting back to his early roots.  Ice Reich was the book that made me a fan.  I'm about halfway through this book, but I'm not sure what I think yet.  It's an enjoyable read, but how he pulls it all together will be important.

The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern

Release: September 13, 2011

Source: The Amazon Vine program

This debut novel has more buzz than just about any BEA title this year.  And somehow I could NOT acquire a copy at BEA.  It was a little bizzarre.  Thank goodness for my friends at Amazon.  I can't wait to read this!

Lunch Wars: How to Start a School Food Revolution and Win the Battle for Our Childrens Health

by Amy Kalafa
Release: August 18, 2011
Source: Galley from the publisher
Another future giveaway, I'm thinking close to the start of the school year.

The Devil All the Time
by Donald Ray Pollack
Release: July 12, 2011
Source: Galley from the publisher

Yay, I'm finally able to go back to my normal formatting.  I have no idea what I was doing wrong above.  Anyway, I have heard very good things about this thriller, but I suspect that it too will be given away.  So many books, so little time!

Don't Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales from an Allergic Life
by Sandra Beasley
Release: July 12, 2011

Source: Galley from the publisher
Got Allergies?  This is another future giveaway title.  I have a feeling this memoir will resonate with many readers.

Luminarium
by Alex Shakar
Release: August 23, 2011
Source: Galley from publisher's rep

Random House has a wonderful rep who hooks me up with interesting titles.  I am completely unfamiliar with this author, and I hadn't heard about this title, but it sounds fascinating.  I'm really looking forward to reading it.

Ready Player One
by Ernest Cline
Release: August 16, 2011
Source: Galley from publisher's rep

This is the other title my rep friend brought to my attention.  I had heard of it, but I wasn't sure it was for me.  For starters, I'm not an online gamer.  However, he highlighted other aspects of the title that made it sound really interesting and unintimidating.  When it arrived at my house, I got sucked into the first chapter and had to force myself to stop reading.  It was off to an awesome start, but I have too many books I've promised to read first, and this one isn't out until August.

I know there are more books than that, but those are the ones I can remember.

Books I've read since I last reported in:

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages by Kristin Chenoweth
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
Arcadia: Complete Summary & Analysis by Raja Sharma
Skinny by Diana Spechler
The Woodcutter by Reginald Hill
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

(I'm just a little behind on my reviewing.)

Book's I'm currently reading:

The Uncertain Places by Lisa Goldstein
Blood of the Reich by William Dietrich

So, I think we've proven today that puppies in mailboxes never get old.  I could post these pics all day.  Have a great week!

Mailbox Monday: The Tuesday Edition

Mailbox Monday seemed like such a good idea when I started it.  I always enjoy seeing this sort of post on other people's blogs.  And, I definitely enjoy it when readers take the time to comment.  No, Mailbox Monday is still a good idea, I just have to get back in the habit of adding the books all week as they come in.  Otherwise, it's just a huge job on Monday.  I'll do better!

Original Sin
by Beth McMullen
Release date: 7/12/11
Source: paper galley from publisher

This looks like a cute, light summer read.  I've got a couple of copies, so this is likely a future Humpday Giveaway.

The Soldier's Wife
by Margaret Leroy
Release date: 6/28/2011
Source: paper galley from publisher

A drama, possibly heavier than I want to read.  I think I'll wait to hear more buzz before deciding.  I already gave away a copy this weekend in my face-to-face book club.

Love You More
by Lisa Gardner
Release date: 3/8/2011
Source: finished hardback from the publiscist

I just started reading this.  It's been years and years since I've read a Gardner, so I'm essentially reading this 5th in the series as a stand alone.  So far, it's off to an excellent start.

Secret Daughter
by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
Release date: 4/5/2011
Source: trade paperback from the publisher

This is so not my cup of tea.  Some other reader will really enjoy it.  It's definitely going to be a future blog giveaway.

Crunch Time
by Diane Mott Davidson
Release date: 4/5/2011
Source: finished hardback from publisher

Yes, there were a couple of duplicates this week.  The generosity of HarperCollins knows no bounds.  Perhaps I'll just look over the names from the last giveaway and choose the most enthusiastic commenter?

Lowcountry Summer
by Dorthea Benton Frank
Release date: 6/15/2010
Source: trade paperback from the publisher

Ditto what I said above.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
by Lola Shoneyin
Release date: 6/29/2010
Source: finished hardback from publisher

I vaguely remember when this novel was first published last year.  I'm assuming the publisher sent a copy because the trade paperback is about to be released.  Do you ever want to read a book, just because of the format of it?  This is a petite hardback without a jacket.  It looks just like the photo to the left.  There is something so absolutely inviting about it, that I'm ready to pick it up and read.  Kudos to the designer!

Death by Midnight
by Carolyn Hart
Release date: 3/29/2011
Source: finished hardback from publisher

I've never read Carolyn Hart, have you?  I enjoy a good mystery.  Should I read this?

Come and Find Me
by Hallie Ephron
Release date: 3/22/2011
Source: finished hardback from the publisher

Hallie is the sister of Nora, Delia, and I believe one more writing sister?  In this case,  did read her debut thriller, Never Tell a Lie.  I found it to be a quick, entertaining read, but a mediocre, predictable book.  When I saw she had a new book out, I was certainly willing to consider reading it, but then saw a very unflattering review in PW.  It did not inspire me to pursue the book further.  Now that it's sitting in my hands, I may have to revisit the matter.

Winged Obsession : The Pursuit of the World's Most Notorious Butterfly Smuggler
by Jessica Speart
Release date: 4/5/2011
Source: finished hardback from publisher

This non-fiction book is being compared to The Orchid Thief for obvious reasons.  It sounds quite interesting and the author is attending Thrillerfest.  For all of these reasons, I am hoping to read it in the near future.

Cry of the Phoenix
by J. G.
Release date: unpublished
Source: the author

This image will serve as a spaceholder for this novel in progress, my latest editorial job.  I need to put down the other books and get crackin' on this one! 

The Breach
by Patrick Lee
Release date: 12/29/2009
Source: mass market pb picked up at book group

If Mr. Lee Googles himself and discovers this post, he will be very pleased to learn that I finally accepted a copy of this book because it was highly recommended to me by authors James Rollins and Boyd Morrison independent of each other.  Patrick, chase them down for a blurb!  I could have grabbed a copy of this when it was first published, but the science fictiony premise was somewhat off-putting to me.  We shall see.

Innocence
by David Hosp
Release date: 7/11/2007
Source: mass market pb picked up at book group

This was another of the thrillers that Maya was sharing the other day.  Thanks, Maya!  I've socialized with David Hosp, but I've never read him.  We have many friends in common, so I expect to see more of him.  Perhaps one of these days I'll check this out. 


There may have been a few other books last week, but who can remember at this point.  I need to wrap this up and begin listing this week's books, LOL.  I can tell you that so far this weeks books are fewer, but they're quite exiting!


Books finished in the past week:

The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes by Marcus Sakey

Kraken: The Curious, Exciting, and Slightly Disturbing Science of Squid by Wendy Williams  - I also went to hear her speak last week.  She was great!  We had a really lovely discussion afterwards.

Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx by James Rollins


Currently reading:

Love You More by Lisa Gardner

So, what books did you acquire in the past week?  What are you reading?  Please let me know in the comments!

HUMPDAY GIVEAWAY: Lowcountry Summer by Dorthea Benton Frank

How's your work week going?  I think it's time for another Humpday Giveaway.

A big thank you to my friends at Wiliam Morrow who supplied this lovely trade paper copy of Dorthea Benton Frank's Lowcountry Summer.  It just went on sale yesterday, you know.  I haven't read it, but in a starred review, PW raved:

Here's one for the Southern gals as well as Yankees who appreciate Frank's signature mix of sass, sex, and gargantuan personalities. In this long-time-coming sequel to Plantation, opinionated and family-centric Caroline Wimbly Levine has just turned 47, but she's less concerned with advancing middle age than she is with son Eric shacking up with an older single mom. She's also dealing with a drunk and disorderly sister-in-law, Frances Mae; four nieces from hell; grieving brother Tripp; a pig-farmer boyfriend with a weak heart; and a serious crush on the local sheriff. Then there's Caroline's dead-but-not-forgotten mother, Miss Lavinia, whose presence both guides and troubles Caroline as she tries to keep her unruly family intact and out of jail. With a sizable cast of minor characters with major attitude, Frank lovingly mixes a brew of personalities who deliver nonstop clashes, mysteries, meltdowns, and commentaries; below the always funny theatrics, however, is a compelling saga of loss and acceptance. When Frank nails it, she really nails it, and she does so here.

So, this giveaway is open to anyone with a US mailing address, 'cause I'm footing the shipping.  In order to enter, please leave a comment below by noon Pacific on Wednesday, April 6, 2011.  (If at all possible, please restrict comments in this one thread to contest entries, thanks.)  With the help of a random number generator, I'll pick a winner and announce the name here.  Check back and get me a mailing address within one week's time or I'll draw an alternate winner.  After that, it goes to my book group.  If you're worried about forgetting to check back, do feel free to include an email address with your comment.  I'll be sure to contact you that way.

So, I think that's most of the fine print.  Good luck, and happy reading!