This is our 16th post for the Sunday Meme In My Mailbox which is hosted every week by The Story Siren. It’s one great way to keep track of books that you have bought, borrowed, or were shared with you over the week.
Borders 70% Warehouse Sale
Yes! We also have a Borders Sale in Singapore. Sadly, I did not know that there was an even bigger warehouse Borders sale several weeks back (early part of September).
I was only able to catch this 70% sale through a friend’s SMS which reached me during the last day of the sale itself. This means no more children’s books or YA fiction for this sad little girl (except for a few which I was able to grab from off the shelves). And here are my finds, voila!
Knucklehead featuring Jon Scieszka is, I believe, a nice find. Perfect as well for Nonfiction Mondays. I am a HUGE HUGE fan of Jon Scieszka and I think I’d fall in love with him all over again after I read this lovely graphic novel that talks about Growing Up Scieszka.
Angie Sage’s Darke is a must-have because I already have Books 1-4 of the Septimus Heap Chronicles. I know I must also buy Syren, Book 5, I’d probably look for that today. My only problem is that I’ve read the chronicles two years back. I hope I can still remember the plot, the character and the narrative as I read Syren and Darke.
Alison Wong’s As the earth Turns Silver is a new find. I have not read any Alison Wong book as yet, but I was taken by the book cover and I am on the look out for more Asian authors. I am hoping that this would turn out to be a riveting read.
Willa Cather is a must-have. I own several of her books – some I’ve already finished reading, some I haven’t yet. And My Antonia seems to be just the kind of reading material that would keep me on the edge of my seat.
My Daughter’s Find (from her school library)
I continue to be happy with my daughter’s choices of books which she borrows from her school library every week. She continues on with her Jerry Spinelli phase with Picklemania.
We have also finished reading Shel Silverstein’s Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends. It makes perfect sense then for her to borrow Falling Up which promises to be a wonderful evening read for the both of us.
My Own Finds from the NIE Library
As always, I am on the lookout for lovely picture book biographies. I thought that Robert Byrd’s Leonardo: Beautiful Dreamer might be a good match for my The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan and Peter Sis last week. I have a feeling I can not technically use the fictionalized biography of Pablo Neruda for Nonfiction Monday since it’s technically not a factual retelling of his life story. This picture book though by Robert Byrd seems like the real deal.
Harlem was something I could not put down. I am fascinated with the art work of Christopher Myers. I also thought that this would be a wonderful addition to our Persons of Color Reading Challenge.
The Adventures of Tintin: The Broken Ear is an experiment on my end. I have not read any TinTin graphic novel before, and I figured now is a good time as any to begin. Plus, my daughter might enjoy it.
For greater geekiness, let me include this academic book that I just recently reserved and borrowed from the library A Cultural Psychology of Music Education. I am working on this manuscript that I am hoping to finish this coming week – I have a feeling I’d be able to use some of Margaret’s chapters in my paper and the book proposal that I hope to complete this month.
Last-minute Pick-up from the Community Library
Yes, the NIE (National Institute of Education, my academic institution) Library is different from the Community Library. Sadly, we have a much more limited selection when it comes to children’s and YA books – thus, I need to scoot over to our trusty community libraries to borrow books that are unavailable in my office.
I’ve heard and read quite a number of rave reviews about John Green so I thought that I might as well begin learning about him through his award-winning book Looking for Alaska.
I was also overjoyed when I received the email from the library asking me to pick up the book I reserved: Pablo Neruda’s The Book of Questions. Pam Munoz Ryan’s The Dreamer alluded to this book and it had me positively intrigued. First thing I did was to put this book on reserve, and voila, here it is!
Book Loan
A good friend has shared with me two of the books that he borrowed from the library (which I am naturally tasked to return in our trusty library dropboxes here). I nearly squealed in glee because I had a difficult time finding it in our Library Branch.
I fell in love with Brian Selznick’s The Invention of Hugo Cabret, so it was little wonder that I also fell in love with these two illustrated YA fiction books – I am loathe to call them picture books. It doesn’t seem to have that feel to it: Wingwalker by Rosemary Wells and Illustrated by Brian Selznick and The Houdini Box by Brian Selznick. I know that I’ve seen Houdini Box before in our library but I couldn’t find it any longer, for the life of me – and I felt it would also be a wonderful add-in to our Magical theme this September and October. I was able to finish both books in one sitting. That riveting.
How about you? What’s your IMM for the week?
Gathering Books 
I was just saying I wanted to read Looking For Alaska. I absolutely love all of John Green’s other books and it’s the only one I haven’t read. Have you read any of his? I recommend Paper Towns 🙂
That Alison Wong book looks fantastic, too. Is the cover designed by Rob Ryan? It looks very similar to his designs.. either way, I love it!
Hope you enjoy these 🙂
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Hi! Nope, I haven’t read Paper Towns yet – and it was on loan from our community library. Was supposed to borrow that one as well. Yes, I’ve been hearing so much about John Green, might as well try out for myself. Good luck though in finding the time to read it.
Not sure though about the cover of the Alison Wong book – but I have to agree, book cover has drawn me, that’s why I just had to buy it.
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Great IMM! I’ve heard wonderful things about John Green’s Looking For Alaska so excited to read it for myself I don’t know whats been taking me so long 😀 I hope you enjoy it!
My IMM:http://thebookfaerie.blogspot.com/2011/10/in-my-mailbox-5.html
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I know. John Green has been receiving a lot of love as well. Might as well see what the excited whispering is about. 🙂
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Some great finds this week!
I have Looking for Alaska on my shelf to read, it looks so great.
Thanks for stopping by my post. 🙂
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Hi Amanda, you’re welcome, and thanks for dropping by as well. Do drop me a line once you’ve done your review on ‘Looking for Alaska’ – would like to know what you think.
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Good stuff! I’m especially eager to read Looking for Alaska. It seems to be very highly regarded. Have a great week!
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Hi Lucy, I thought so myself. Pretty excited about Neruda’s book of questions, but I’m saving that for last. 🙂
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I love, love, love Looking For Alaska! We read that as a part of my Young Adult Lit class my senior year of high school. It is great! Also, thank you for the compliment on how I lay out my IMM posts 🙂 I work hard to include my thoughts on each book is it is awesome to see someone appreciate it! Happy reading!
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Hi Katelyn, you do have an aesthetic sense – as pretty evident in your blog. I love seeing how young people such as yourself devote this much energy and love to bookblogging. Cheers to you. Now I can’t wait to read Looking for Alaska. 🙂
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Great mailbox! I really want to read the Septimus Heap series. It sounds great! Enjoy your new books. 🙂
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Hi Christy. The Septimus Heap series is a pretty good read. I’m actually having a hard time finding Syren now in the local bookstores.
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Wow, that sure is a big IMM! And I really like the look of most books, even if I’m new to many of them. I hope you enjoy! 🙂 And thanks for stopping by earlier!
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My pleasure, Rebecca. Yes, lots of reading this week.
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Great haul! I rally want to read Looking for Alaska. Heard great things about it.
Giselle
Xpresso Reads
P.S. I’ve also got a new giveaway on my blog for Remembrance if you want to enter.
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Hi Giselle. Yes, I am pretty excited with Looking for Alaska – but looks like I’d have to finish the 39 clues first, it’s the series itch.
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Nice mailbox! I’ve heard nothing but good things about John Green, but havent’ read any of his books yet. Hope you enjoy!
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Thanks Alexia, I just borrowed Books 9 and 10 of the 39 clues though, so good luck in finishing all books.
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