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Saturday, May 9, 2009

Uber To-Be-Read Pile Threatens to Tumble

This week was another very good week for new reads. Two books I requested my library buy came in. I got three titles from Paperback Swap, two more Amelia Bedelia's from Frugalreader and one review title. We may have donations at the library but I won't know till after this posts. In My Mailbox is hosted each week by Kristi at Story Siren and Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. Eva hosts Library Loot at A Striped Armchair. Now to the goodies:

Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budho has been on my wish list for some time. I don't recall reading any recent reviews but still I was excited when I saw it was available at Paperback. I'm pretty sure a fellow reader at Shelfari recommended it. Nadira and her family are illegal aliens, fleeing to the Canadian border -- running from the country they thought was their home. For years since emigrating from Bangladesh, they have lived on expired visas in New York City, hoping they could someday realize their dream of becoming legal citizens of the United States. But after 9/11, everything changes. Suddenly, being Muslim means being...

I first heard about Justina Chen Headley at Jacketflap, a community for children's and YA writers, educators, librarians and illustrators. I learned how popular she was from reading teen book review blogs. As many of you know (yes, here she goes again), we don't have a book budget so I must wait, beg (not very sublte about it), keep my eyes peeled for books I want. It's not that I don't ever buy books, but for us there is real economic retraint that requires patience and saving and waiting.

I heard a lot of good things about a Girl Overboard : Everybody thinks Syrah is the golden girl. After all, her father is Ethan Cheng, billionaire, and she has everything any kid could possibly desire: a waterfront mansion, jet plane, and custom-designed snowboards.

Nothing but the Truth: Hapa (Half Asian and half white) Patty Ho has never felt completely at home in her skin. Life at House Ho is tough enough between her ultra-strict Taiwanese mom (epic-length lectures and all) and her Harvard-bound big brother. But things get worse when a Chinese fortuneteller channels Patty's future via her bellybutton...and divines a white guy on her horizon. Her mom then freaks.. When I saw these available, I spent my credits as fast as I could click the keys to request.

Knew nothing abut Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann except Zetta recommended it and if Zetta is interested, I'm taking a look. Because Zetta has connected with the author, I received a review copy. Very excited to read this one. From A Chair, A Fireplace Y A Tea Cozy: While it's sometimes odd to think of "historical fiction" as being set just over twenty years ago, the political situation in Chile and America's involvement is history, particularly to today's teens that were born after General Pinochet's dictatorship ended. The author supplies a concise, matter of fact historical note about Chile's government from 1970 to 1990; along with a glossary and suggested further reading. You know how I love when authors do that!

I asked my library to buy Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger. Did the happy dance when I got the notice it was in. Have seen this on multiple blogs, but it was Andromeda at a wrung sponge that hooked me. She said she had some questions and concerns about the book and said she wondered what kind of discussion it would elicit. I love a good talk about a book's strengths and flaws. Looking forward to this.

I read about Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim at Doret's. This is the other title I requested at the library. Check out Doret's review. 15yr old Nina Khan is Pakistani Muslim girl who wants to obey her parents and have a little fun.

What was in your mailbox?

20 comments:

Steph Su said...

I have mixed feelings about Justina's books but I look forward to hearing what you think of them! And you got some great, interesting books. :)

susan said...

Hey Steph, what do you like and what don't you like or what doesn't sit well with you with her books?

Doret said...

Ask Me No Questions -Looks really good. Can't wait to see what you think of Shine, keep hearing great things. I've been going to the library more for older titles. Gringolandia is close to the top. Now reading - The Forest of Hands and Teeth @ work, lunch read
The Last Olympian- train read
Lucy the Giant @ home
Once Upon a Cuento @ home

susan said...

Doret, Like to know what you think of The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Sorry, I'm not feeling the love for the doctor. Will share why when I'm done.

Rebecca said...

Awesome books. Looks like you had a really great week. Enjoy.

Anonymous said...

You had a good week!

susan said...

Hi Rebecca and Callie, yes, a good week indeed. :-)

Adele said...

Ask Me No Questions looks fabulous. I work in a school filled with students from Middle Eastern backgrounds so I always love reading stories that depict them.

Thanks for sharing.

Lianne said...

They all look really cool!

Shalonda said...

I have Ask Me No Questions, and am looking forward to reading it this summer.

Shine, Coconut Moon! I can't wait to hear what you think of it. It sounds so good.

Unknown said...

Skunk girl and Shine, Coconut Moon look good although the cover of Shine kinda puts me off. I enjoyed Justina's Nothing but Truth better than North of Beautiful! Just bought Girl, Overboard for our library. Hoping it's good. Hard to find good sports stories for girls.

Anonymous said...

These all look really good!

Lyn Miller-Lachmann said...

I'm the author of Gringolandia, and I thank you for giving this YA novel a chance. It's from a small literary press, Curbstone Press, that published my adult fiction and owned the rights to this one. However, I think a lot of fresh and interesting books come from small presses, but the books often don't have the marketing dollars to get widespread attention.

Once folks get a chance to read the book, I'd love to come back and answer any questions you may have.

Test said...

Shine, Coconut Moon and Skunk Girl look good. I'm looking foward to seeing your reviews for them! :)

susan said...

KB, why does the cover put you off? For me, it looks like a lot of teen covers. I find images of teens boys striking boy-toy poses more off-putting. I do think the image doesn't best represent the storyline and that it presents more of a marketing tool to appeal to readers.

the story siren said...

Great book week! I preferred Justina's North of Beautiful to Girl Overboard myself... the others sound interesting. I really want to read Shine Coconut Moon. Happy Reading!

Serena said...

wow, great book week for you...I'd like to hear what you have to say about Skunk Girl...

here's my mailbox: http://www.savvyverseandwit.com/2009/05/mailbox-monday-29.html

Kaye said...

Hey Susan, thanks for dropping by my mailbox today. It looks like you got a lot of goodies too. Happy reading!

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Hope you enjoy all the books!

Wendi said...

Wow Susan, you had a great week - those books sound great, especially Ask Me No Questions! Here's my Mailbox! ~ Wendi