In My Mailbox - January 10

Welcome In My Mailbox on The Calico Critic!  This weekly post reports the books and related materials that have found their way into my collection this week.  This meme is sponsored by The Story Siren and The Printed Page ("In My Mailbox"/"Mailbox Monday").  Thanks to any fellow participants who stop by The Calico Critic!  I'll do my best to get around to as many of your sites as I can this week. 

This week's haul was a little sparse compared to other weeks, but I'm still grateful. They're good additions!  Here are the items that have arrived since January 3rd:


Thursday, January 7th - My husband and I went on a date to see Avatar.  We'd originally planned to go out to our favorite restaurant, The Greenhouse Cafe in Vero Beach.  However, due to the fact that the 3D-showing of Avatar wouldn't fit into that schedule, we decided to skip a fancy dinner. I was still pleased with the date-- the movie was fun and my Chick-fil-a Chicken Sandwich was yummy.  Plus, hubby let me plunder the mall's Waldenbooks (again) which is going out of business.  I got two books for 50% off.

The first book is The Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie.  I know this one hasn't been getting 5-star reviews, but I still want to read it.  I remember when it first came out in the specially designed box, including parchment and other items related to the puzzling tale. As I've taken an interest in labyrinths in recent years, this one really drew my attention.  This week's purchase was just the paperback and now I regret not buying the boxed edition, but I'm glad to have this copy just the same.

Another book from the Waldenbooks closeout sale is Darcy and Elizabeth by Linda Berdoll.  I've seen it on the shelves for quite a while and have seen decent reviews for it.  Of course now that I have this one, I feel the need to get Berdoll's previous work, Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife.  It just never ends, does it?



Friday, January 8th - A few days back I became the 200th follower of Sabrina Horande's blog, YA Bliss.  Sabrina was so sweet and sent me a packet of some bookish goodies!  Thankfully it made it to me-- the envelope was practically shredded. This is one of the disadvantages of living in a rural community with no USPS delivery people. Out here we have Bubba in his almost-broken-down Ford Taurus.  We never know where our mail will end up or if it will be intact!  Oh well- the items themselves (bookmarks, decals) survived in fine condition and I shall enjoy them, Sabrina. Thanks!

Finally, I received an ARC of Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff.  I think this one was sent over by the publisher because I sent in a request from a recent Shelf Awareness daily email.  Either that, or St. Martin's press knew I'd like it and sent it on their own!  Looking forward to this one, especially since there's some buzz that it would make a great movie.

Well, that's it for this week!  I hope everyone is staying warm and curling up with a good book. This extra-cold weather is certainly perfect for it!