NetGalley April - My Reads

I've been asking all of you to Wrap It Up and share with us your NetGalley reads from April and now it's my turn to share!

I didn't set any limits or goals for myself and I think it worked out really well. I wasn't disappointed in the number of books I read and I didn't feel constrained to a set list. I was even able to get a few reviews out :)

So, here is my wrap up for NetGalley April along with some quick thoughts on each.
Links are to Goodreads

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

Loved! Historical fiction with a touch of the paranormal. Click HERE for my full review.

Those That Wake by Jesse Karp

Very strange and weird and then more strange. A mixed bag for me. Click HERE for my full review.

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

I found it very hard to get past the love triangle in this one. I liked some parts but others fell flat. (review to post soon)

In The Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane

I liked this one so much I already bought my own copy :) Raw feelings and very believable characters made this one a great read for me. (review to come soon)

Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan

Twisted Tales Book 1. Pretty much loved the added magic and stealth that Maureen pumped into this mashup. (Review to come May 18th)

Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer by Maureen McGowan

Twisted Tales Book 2. I didn't enjoy this one as much as book 1 but it was still fun to read. Hope Maureen has more Twisted Tales planned! (Review to come May 19th)

6 books! Not bad!
I almost think that if I had planned to read 6 I wouldn't have gotten to them all some how ;)

I'm having a blast collecting all your reads from April so if you haven't already commented on my end of month post - DO IT NOW :)

Next week I'll announce prize winners and tally up stats on what everyone read.

Thanks again to everyone who joined and if you weren't able to participate in April, there is always NetGalley July :)

FREE e-Book Alerts

Digital words aren't for everyone and I don't think they will EVER take the place of printed books but for those of you, like me, who have grown to love them here are my latest finds!

The links below are for complete books (not chapter samples or previews).  Some might be available for only a short time and some are only available on certain platforms so make sure to read all the fine print : )

The Strange Case of Finley Jane (Steampunk Chronicles 0.5) by Kady Cross

A prequel to The Girl in the Steel Corset

Kindle / Nook / Kobo

*currently available from Sony for $2.99

*as of today, no listing in iBooks

********************************************************

Songs for a Teenage Nomad by Kim Culbertson

Available for FREE download from May 3 - May 9 thanks to Sourcebooks

Nook / Sony / Kobo / Sourcebooks PDF or ePUB

Also available from iBooks for your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

*currently available from Amazon at full price

Book Review: Those That Wake by Jesse Karp

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: March 21, 2011
Pages: 336
Series: no
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

New York City’s spirit has been crushed. People walk the streets with their heads down, withdrawing from one another and into the cold comfort of technology. Teenagers Mal and Laura have grown up in this reality. They’ve never met. Seemingly, they never will.

But on the same day Mal learns his brother has disappeared, Laura discovers her parents have forgotten her. Both begin a search for their families that leads them to the same truth: someone or something has wiped the teens from the memories of every person they have ever known. Thrown together, Mal and Laura must find common ground as they attempt to reclaim their pasts. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
If I had to sum up this book in one word that word would be 'weird'. Just plain 'weird'. And I'm still trying to figure out if this was a good thing or not.

A dystopian tale that at first, I forgot was dystopian. The elements that normally are thrown into your face in a dystopian story, weren't there to start. Not a bad thing really but when a oddity did pop up, it threw me for a loop. I actually read the synopsis a couple of times while reading the book to try to get my brain back on track.

There was a small part of this book I really loved, another small part I really hated and the rest kind of fell in the middle. I still don't know exactly what it was that happened to the characters...and I don't know if my lack of understanding was intentional. Did I miss something or was the story just a little too all over the place to actually work? I really don't know.

I really liked the characters. Or rather, the types of characters. Two teens are really at the heart of the story but the adults involved play a big part and the variety of personalities at play was interesting.

A stand alone? Hopefully? That's a good thing because if there is more of this story to tell, I really wish it was all in one book!

Overall, just an ok read for me. If you've been wanting to read this one, I would say give it a go but if you're looking for a pure dystopian tale, I would have to recommend others before Those That Wake.

Overall Rating:

2.5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Harcourt Children's Books
Author's Website
Goodreads

NetGalley April FINAL WRAP UP

Wow, can you guys believe it's already May? April went by like a flash!

I had such a blast with NetGalley April and I really hope you guys did as well. 

In total, 67 people signed up to participate and all 67 of you will be receiving a vist from me soon - either to your blog or twitter to remind you that it is time to WRAP IT UP!

I'm asking all 67 of you to either:

*Do a blog post highlighting the NetGalley books you read OR wanted to read but just couldn't and comment below with your post link

*Do a similar type post in Facebook (on your fan page or as a note or even just as a status update) and comment below with your link

*Comment and list out all the NetGalley books you read or wanted to read but couldn't

*Email me your list -- WilowRaven[at]yahoo[dot]com

You only need to do one of these things but please pick one!

It's not mandatory in order to win the prizes BUT it will be for NetGalley July and how cool will it be to see what everyone read this month? 

I'll give you all a week or so to get your wrapping up done and next week I'll pick some winners!

Ok - time to make my rounds! Hope to see all your comments and links and wonderfulness soon :)

In My Mailbox - May 1, 2011

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

My second vlog - otherwise knows as 

'the one in which I can't not not buy books...or something'

Coolness mentioned:
My MASSIVE LIST - clicky click click HERE to see what I was babbling about

Books bought! Links are to Goodreads
*Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter
*Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
*Cryer's Cross b y Lisa McMann
*The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch

So, what's in your mailbox?