Friday, June 5, 2015

Book Haul #3: BEA Swag

I already wrote about my BEA experience, but I thought that maybe you’d like to hear about my swag. Maybe? If you read my post on BEA, then you know that publishers give away books, totes, and other bits and bobs. As a bookworm, I have a hard time saying “no” to books. Saying “no” to a book causes physical pain and twitching. Ok, I’m exaggerating a teeny bit, but you get the idea.

The past two years my BEA strategy has been to grab every free book I see, but then three things happened: 1) I cursed myself when I had to lug my weight in books around for the rest of the day, 2) I picked up books that didn’t interest me (like that awkward moment when I picked up a gay erotic novel…), and 3) I didn’t read any of the books. This year I decided that I’d only grab books that I really had interest in reading. It meant that I had a smaller haul but quality over quantity, right?

City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg


Regan and William Hamilton-Sweeney, estranged heirs to one of the city's largest fortunes; Keith and Mercer, the men who, for better or worse, love them; Charlie and Samantha, two suburban teenagers seduced by downtown's punk scene; an obsessive magazine reporter and his idealistic neighbor; and the detective trying to figure out what any of them have to do with a shooting in Central Park. Their entangled relationships open up the loneliest-seeming corners of the crowded city. And when the infamous blackout of July 13, 1977, plunges this world into darkness, each of these lives will be changed forever. A novel about love and betrayal and forgiveness, about art and truth and rock 'n' roll, about how the people closest to us are sometimes the hardest to reach--about what it means to be human.

This was one of the hot books at BEA this year, so I was lucky to get myself a copy. Everyone wanted a copy. It’s an extraordinary book for three reasons: 1) it’s over 900 pages long, 2) it’s a debut novel, and 3) it sold for multi-millions in 2013. That’s basically the equivalent of seeing a unicorn as far as publishing goes; it’s mythical, legendary. There’s a lot of pressure on this book (and the author) to perform well, and there’s been so much buzz. I’m excited to read it!

City on Fire goes on sale October 13, 2015.

A Whole New World by Liz Braswell


What if Aladdin had never found the lamp? This first book in the A Twisted Tale line will explore a dark and daring version of Disney's Aladdin.

When Jafar steals the Genie's lamp, he uses his first two wishes to become sultan and the most powerful sorcerer in the world. Agrabah lives in fear, waiting for his third and final wish.To stop the power-mad ruler, Aladdin and the deposed princess Jasmine must unite the people of Agrabah in rebellion. But soon their fight for freedom threatens to tear the kingdom apart in a costly civil war.

What happens next? A Street Rat becomes a leader. A princess becomes a revolutionary. And readers will never look at the story of Aladdin in the same way again.

I’m not a fan of this cover (at all) but I couldn’t resist reading a twisted version of Aladdin. I’m not typically a YA reader, but I’ll make an exception for Disney.

A Whole New World goes on sale September 1, 2015.

Sweet Caress by William Boyd


Born into Edwardian England, Amory's first memory is of her father standing on his head. She has memories of him returning on leave during the First World War. But his absences, both actual and emotional, are what she chiefly remembers. It is her photographer uncle Greville who supplies the emotional bond she needs, who, when he gives her a camera and some rudimentary lessons in photography, unleashes a passion that will irrevocably shape her future.A spell at boarding school ends abruptly and Amory begins an apprenticeship with Greville in London, photographing socialites for the magazine Beau Monde. But Amory is hungry for more and her search for life, love, and artistic expression will take her to the demi monde of Berlin of the late '20s, to New York of the '30s, to the blackshirt riots in London, and to France in the Second World War where she becomes one of the first women war photographers. Her desire for experience will lead Amory to further wars, to lovers, husbands, and children as she continues to pursue her dreams and battle her demons.

This was an impulsive grab, but the cover screamed historical fiction so I went for it. It turns out that the author, William Boyd, is a pretty big deal. He’s written eleven novels, the most recent of which is a James Bond novel, and has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize. I really lucked out by pick this one up! The description sounds fascinating, so this has moved to the top of my reading list.

Sweet Caress goes on sale September 15, 2015.

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare


The Shadowhunters have reached Los Angeles in the first novel in Cassandra Clare’s newest series, The Dark Artifices, a sequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series. Lady Midnight is a Shadowhunters novel.

It’s been five years since the events of City of Heavenly Fire that brought the Shadowhunters to the brink of oblivion. Emma Carstairs is no longer a child in mourning, but a young woman bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging her losses.

Together with her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles, from the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica. If only her heart didn’t lead her in treacherous directions…

I’m kind of embarrassed to say that I haven’t read the Mortal Instruments series, but my best friend is a huge fan. I picked this sneak peak of the novel up for her, and it’s already on its way to Vancouver so that she can give it a read!

Lady Midnight goes on sale March 8, 2016.

Bits & Bobs


Other than books, I did manage to grab a few totes and a London Book Review temporary tattoo. The Chronicle Books tote was a pain to get but totally worth it. It’s so cute! I ended up circling the Javits Center 3-4 times before they started giving it out at the Chronicle booth. #sorrynotsorry

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So what do you think of my swag?

*Synopses are from Amazon.

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