In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by

The Story Siren.

 

(And a big thank you to Book Stacks On Deck for the amazing mailbox pinup!)

I've got a couple of weeks' worth of IMM to catch up on here. 

Last week, I received:

A HUGE THANK YOU to my The Broke and the Bookish Secret Santa, Patti from Peppermint Ph.D.! She sent me two books I have been dying to read: Saints Astray and A Dirty Job. She also sent me some baking spatulas (much needed) and some other fun things like scrapbooking paper and a cheese dip mix. Thanks again, Patti!

Saints Astray by Jacqueline Carey

Publisher's Description: Fellow orphans, amateur vigilantes, and members of the Santitos, Loup Garron - the fugitive daughter of a genetically engineered "wolf man" - and Pilar Ecchevarria grew up in the military zone of Outpost 12, formerly known as Santa Olivia. But now they're free, and they want to help the rest of the Santitos escape. During a series of escapades, they discover that Miguel, Loup's former sparring partner and reprobate surrogate brother, has escaped from Outpost 12 and is testifying on behalf of its forgotten citizens - at least until he disappears from protective custody. Honor drives Loup to rescue Miguel, even though entering the U.S could mean losing her liberty. Pilar vows to help her. It will take a daring and absurd caper to extricate Miguel from the mess he's created but Loup is prepared to risk everything...and this time she has help.

A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

Publisher's Description: Charlie Asher is a pretty normal guy with a normal life, married to a bright and pretty woman who actually loves him for his normalcy. They're even about to have their first child. Yes, Charlie's doing okay—until people start dropping dead around him, and everywhere he goes a dark presence whispers to him from under the streets. Charlie Asher, it seems, has been recruited for a new position: as Death. It's a dirty job. But, hey! Somebody's gotta do it.

This week, I received:

You Know When the Men Are Gone by Siobhan Fallon

I won this from a giveaway run by Penguin Publishers.

Publisher's Description: Through fiction of dazzling skill and astonishing emotional force, Siobhan Fallon welcomes readers into the American army base at Fort Hood, Texas, where U.S. soldiers prepare to fight, and where their families are left to cope after the men are gone. They'll meet a wife who discovers unsettling secrets when she hacks into her husband's email, and a teenager who disappears as her mother fights cancer. There is the foreign born wife who has tongues wagging over her late hours, and the military intelligence officer who plans a covert mission against his own home. Powerful, singular, and unforgettable, these stories will resonate deeply with readers and mark the debut of a new talent of tremendous note. 

This week, I borrowed from the library:

Spud: The Madness Continues... by John van de Ruit

This is part of my Around the World Challenge. For January, I am reading a book (two books, actually, as the book I picked had a sequel) from South Africa. Review soon to follow!

The Informationist by Taylor Stevens

I first heard about this book - kick-ass action heroine - by hearing about its sequel, The Innocent, at last year's New England Independent Bookseller's Association trade show. As I am counting down the days before the movie Haywire is out, I figured this would be the perfect week to begin reading this series.

Eona by Alison Goodman

This is the sequel to the book Eon: The Last Dragoneye that I read last week. Unfortunately, I wasn't that thrilled with this second one, so I doubt I'll end up reviewing them. Only about a 3 on my personal rating scale.