We Are Going (mostly) Radio Silent

This is it folks! The week of Mockingjay has arrived but since Amazon.com won't be shipping my copy until Tuesday, I will be avoiding any book blog out there that will have a review. Based on the hype, this pretty much includes everyone especially since Scholastic wouldn't give out any advance reader copies. Party poopers :)

I've been very wishy-washy about what kind of copy I would get. For the same price that Amazon is selling the hardback of Mockingjay with their Super Saver shipping, I could pay for and instantly download an ecopy from B&N through my nook. There is quite a bit to be said for that since I am all about the instant gratification thing but I'll be getting the hardback from Amazon and I actually paid for shipping this time. *gasp* Yes, I am cheap but when you read as much as I do, you have to be.

Now, as I mentioned early this month, if you've read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire you're probably taking off work on Tuesday to stay home and find out what happens lest you get sent to the hospital for having the shakes. I know I won't let this one ride the bookshelf when I get my hands on my copy. I am proud to say that I have managed to browbeat convince Jen at Not Now...I'm Reading! to start The Hunger Games already. (More about her later.) I'm not usually this obnoxious about pushing a particular book/series on unsuspecting people (and please ignore the fact that I'm writing this on my book blog) but they are extraordinarily good and quite unconventional. If you haven't read them, you are probably either scrabbling to get copies of them or are just sick to death of hearing about it and if you belong to that latter group - just get over yourselves and read them already.

Now about Jen. Last month, I wrote a review for Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins. I loved this book and have thoroughly enjoyed all the Kristan Higgins books I've read so far and I only have two left of her backlist to devour. Anyway, Jen had a valid issue with a particular statement I made about the main character. I defended my review and after some friendly discussion I proposed a wager: if she requested a copy of the book through PaperbackSwap and didn't completely agree with me, I give her a credit, essentially paying her back. If she did, she would give me one. Hence, the Put Your Money Where Your Mouth is Challenge was born. Go check out Jen's blog to find out what happened. I really hope she likes The Hunger Games. Otherwise I know she'll shake her fist at me :)

Our Most Anticipated Books of August

The first of August is here, readers, and that means that it’s time for Jane and I to be picking the books that we are most looking forward to this month. There are so many great books coming out in August I can hardly believe it and here is what caught our attention the most...

Jen’s picks:

There are actually five books I want BAD this month but don’t worry because I will get them. Oh yes I will. But the one I want the most, have been truly wanting, and will most definitely actually read this month is Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

Could there possibly be anyone on this planet who has read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire who is not positively quivering because there is less than thirty days before this book is published? I may go back and read the two just for a refresher because it has been a while since I read them but I know what I’m dying to find the answers to here. This is the end to this wholly captivating trilogy about a society that, as punishment for seeking liberty, sends their young to fight for their lives and is forced to view it as entertainment. I can’t wait to see Katniss kick some ass :) Mockingjay comes out on the 24th.


Jane’s picks:

I’m right there with you Jen! There are a handful of books that are coming out this month that I NEED (lol) to get my hands on too. I’m not usually a fan of anthologies because the stories are just too short for any real story and character development (imho). However...I’m really looking forward to Burning Up. (Jen says Me too! Me too!) Anything written by Nalini Singh is an auto-buy for me. I love both her Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series. To sweeten the deal, this book includes stories by Meljean Brook, Virgina Kantra and Angela Knight. The best part is that it’s going to be released on Tuesday....sweet :)

Here’s the scoop on each story:

Nalini Singh returns to the world of her Psy-Changeling series as a woman in lethal danger who finds an unlikely protector and lover. Virginia Kantra continues the haunting tales of the Children of the Sea in her story of a wounded soldier rescued by an enigmatic young woman. Meljean Brook launches a bold new steampunk series about a woman who strikes a provocative and terrifying bargain for freedom. Angela Knight pairs a vampire warrior and his seductive captor in battle against demonic predator.

We would love to hear what you are looking forward to reading this month.