Book Haul #96: The I Still Love You, Lois Lane Edition

Good day to you all, fellow bookgeeks!!!

It's been awhile since I've been posting/blogging regularly - I needed to take an impromptu break. Not only from my blog, but from social media altogether (except, it seems, from instagram - I'm addicted, lol!) I just took some "me time" to spend more time with my boys and catch up on books/movies I wanted to read/watch without any distractions or pressures. It's a good way for me to relax and be able to put things back into perspective. 
I'm happy to be able to jump back into a regular schedule again!
I feel re-energized and ready to take on the TBR and review pile again... with the exception that I have decided to take breaks more often. I'm hoping to be able to incorporate one or two week breaks every 6-8 weeks and see if this will help keep things on track. If I find myself not needing to take a break, bonus! But if I find myself looking forward to a break, then I will definitely have to reconsider what I'm doing and make some hard changes... 
BUT, all is good now! And I can't wait to share some reviews I have ready to go! And other fun posts for the summer :)

Hope you are all in a good place! And happily enjoying your reads :)


Here are the books that I've acquired in the last 2 weeks:

I am participating in Stacking the Shelves, 
hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews!!!

*What I received for review...

-  CIRCUS MIRANDUS (HB) by Cassie Beasley (MG) from Penguin
- THE RED CAR (HB) by Tim Hoppey (C) from the author 
- LOVE & PROFANITY (HB) Edited by Nick Healy from Switch Press
- LOIS LANE: FALLOUT (HB) by Gwenda Bond from Switch Press
- THE PERFECTION OF THE PAPER CLIP (HB) by James Ward from Simon & Schuster

*What we won in giveaways...
- THE BIG BOOK OF ANORAK (HB) by Cathy Olmedillas (MG) from The Reading Ninja
- SOPHIA MARTINEZ: MY FAMILY ADVENTURE (PB) by Jacqueline Jules from Capstone

*What I received from my amazing #OTSPSecretSister!...

*What we purchased...
- TITO, THE FIREFIGHTER (TITO, EL BOMBERO) (HB) by Tim Hoppey (C)
- P.S. I STILL LOVE YOU (signed HB) by Jenny Han 
- SIDE EFFECTS (signed PB) by Jen Calonita 

* * * 

A few pics from the past few weeks... 

My June TBR!

I went to a book signing!!! Recap post will go up this upcoming week :)

Oh my, I purchased something that isn't bookish!!!
Getting my nails on... it's been so long, I had no polish left, lol!

My oldest boy showing off his Scholastic book fair purchase!
Good choice, am I right??? ;) 

My #FridayReads and #WeekendReads :)

* * * 

Thank you SOOO much for stopping by!!!

Don't forget to leave a comment with your link so I can visit your hauls too!!!

xoxo

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?!?!?!

The wonderful ladies, Andi (Andi's ABCs) and Brittany (The Book Addict's Guide) have come up with a brilliant way to share and help our book obsessions and collections!!! 

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS is a new feature for those of us searching hard-to-find editions of books, primarily older copies of ARCs, early or foreign editions, etc...

Hosts: Andi (Andi's ABCs) and Brittany (The Book Addict's Guide)

*Updated 7/10/2015*

A huge THANK YOU to Brittany and Andi for not only putting this together but continuing it to allow us to easily find what we desperately are looking for :)

And a big thanks to all the wonderful booknerds who have fed my geeky heart! My collections have grown so quick, I am in book heaven :)

You can see my original posts here and see how much my shelves have grown :)

And now, there are a few more that I am still hoping to find...

* * * * *

I am a HUGE Stiefvater fan!!! HUGE!!!

I just can't explain just how much I love her writing, her art, and everything about her - she is so unique, inspiring and real. 

Here is what I am looking for: 
- LAMENT, ARC and Hardcover
- BALLAD, ARC and Hardcover 

- SHIVER (ARC) 

I'm also looking for:

- International copies of THE SCORPIO RACES!!!
So far, I have the UK paperback :)

- International copies of SHIVER!!!
So far, I have the Italian paperback :)


* * * * *

I love Lauren Oliver's writing!

She is one of the first authors I was introduced to when I first started book blogging.
I have so many fond personal memories that are connected to when I read her books.
I've been considering creating a post about this... maybe one day.

I am still looking for an ARC of DELIRIUM!!! 

- Any international copies of Delirium

* * * * *

Other books I would love to have in my collection... 

One of my favorite contemporary authors!!!
All I need to complete this Jennifer E. Smith collection is: 

- ARC of THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT 


* * * * *

Another favorite contemporary!

I'm looking for...
- ARC of THE SECRET DIAMOND SISTERS


* * * * *

And last, but certainly not least!
I'm looking for Jess Rothenberg's...
- ARC of THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME

This was the book that not only kicked off my book blogging, but it was the very first book signing I had ever gone too! Lots of good memories here :) 
* * * * *

If you have any of these and you are willing to let it go, please contact me...
thebumblegirl@rocketmail.com

I'll be more than happy to work something out with you!!!

Thank you to Andi and Brittany for putting this together!!!

And thank you to all of you who take the time to peek at my list and help me find my long lost loves!!!

Blog Tour (Interview and Giveaway): CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD by Anne Heltzel (YA)

CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD
by Anne Heltzel
Release date: June 2nd, 2015
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Mystery
Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

In Paris, family and friends gather to mourn the tragic passing of Charlie Price — young, handsome, charming, a world-traveler — who is presumed dead after an explosion. Authorities find only a bloodied jacket, ID’d as Charlie’s. 

At the funeral, two teens who are perfect strangers, Lena Whitney and Aubrey Boroughs, make another shocking discovery: they have both been dating Charlie, both think Charlie loved them and them alone, and there is a lot they didn’t know about their boyfriend. 

Over the next week, a mind-bending trip unfolds: first in London — then in Mumbai, Kerala, and Bangkok, the girls go in search of Charlie. Is he still alive? What did their love for him even mean? The truth is out there, but soon it becomes clear that the girls are harboring secrets of their own. 

No one knows whom to trust in this thrilling tale of suspense and deception.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR - Anne Heltzel

Thank you, Anne, for taking the time today to answer a few questions about your latest book – CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD!

*CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD is a very unique story, what inspired you to work on it?

In all (mortifying) honesty, I once dated a guy who was busy declaring his love for me while simultaneously dating another girl. It was intense and disturbing and dramatic. I won’t get into exactly how complex his lies were, but it was the stuff of Lifetime Original movies. His girlfriend figured it all out by snooping in his phone, and it was she who contacted me to out him. Our ensuing email exchanges (which were supportive and relatively compassionate) made me wonder about the phenomenon of girl friendship born from boyfriend betrayal.

*Which character spoke to you first - Charlie, Aubrey or Lena? And did you know right away who they were and what their story was going to be, or did they grow into something more than you thought that they were capable of?

Of the two girls, Lena was fully formed before Aubrey was. She seemed like the kind of girl who’d be up for anything, so it made sense that she’d push for the international manhunt. She has an impulsive streak I can relate to, and the fact that she doesn’t put limits on her experiences — no matter how unconventional — inspired me. Lena needed to be contained and Aubrey needed to be coaxed out, so it makes sense to me now that Lena — always full to overflowing — felt a little more real at first.

*What kind of research did you have to do in order to incorporate all of the traveling that was involved in the story?

I lived in Paris for a year and Mumbai for about a year and a half, and I studied abroad in London many years ago. While I was living in Mumbai, I was very lucky to be able to travel briefly across China and Thailand, as well as other parts of India. Mumbai was by far the easiest city to write about, because I remembered it most vividly — it left a deep emotional impression. I did have to research Bangkok prisons (fascinating and heartbreaking) as well as London nightclubs (it’d been a while); and I had to do a refresher on the layout of Paris. But almost all the rest was from memory. It was a lot of fun to mentally revisit my old stomping grounds — it made me very eager to return to Asia in particular.

*I am obsessed with book titles – was CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD the original title? Or were there other titles that were being considered?

It was! It just popped into my head. I’m not saying it’s the greatest title in the world, but I do think it fits — and titling has never come to me so easily since!

*On a fun note! What do you think Aubrey’s favorite fairy-tale(s) and/or fairy-tale character(s) would be? Lena’s?

I could see Aubrey liking Thumbelina and Lena being into Rumpelstiltskin.

Thank you again for taking the time to chat with me, Anne!!!

GIVEAWAY

- 3 winners will receive a finished copy of CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD 

- and a Gold Rose Necklace & Antique Gold Pewter Rose Charm on a Delicate 18 Inch Gold Plated Cable Chain. (Pictured above.) 

- US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Anne Heltzel

Author Photo by Kristi Hedberg Photography

ANNE HELTZEL is a Brooklyn-based author and editor of children's books. 

Anne was born in Ohio, has been a voracious reader since the age of three, and credits her careers in publishing and writing (both lifelong dreams - just ask to see her childhood journal) to a serendipitous coffee shop conversation during her senior year of college. Anne was on a law school track until the aforementioned fateful conversation prompted her to switch gears and move to New York City, where she entered an M.F.A. program. 

In 2007 she began her first job in publishing. 

In 2008 she graduated from The New School with a master's degree in Writing for Children. 

Anne has since lived in India and Paris, and has taught writing and reading workshops in each of her former homes. More recently, she participated as a mentor in NYC's Girls Write Now program. 

When she is not writing, Anne is furiously (and passionately) editing novels for a Manhattan publishing house. She is represented by Stephen Barbara at InkWell Management. 

Anne also writes under the pseudonym Anna Collomore.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Tumblr / Instagram / Goodreads

http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/

CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD Blog Tour Schedule

Week One:

5/25/2015- Falling For YA- Interview

5/26/2015- The Bibliophile Chronicles- Review

5/27/2015- Moonlight Gleam Reviews- Guest Post

5/28/2015- Book Briefs- Review

5/29/2015- Fiktshun- Interview

Week Two:

6/1/2015- One Guy's Guide to Good Reads- Review

6/2/2015- Literary Meanderings- Guest Post

6/3/2015- Seeing Double In Neverland- Review

6/4/2015- Bumbles and Fairy-Tales- Interview

6/5/2015- Please feed the bookworm- Review

Waiting on Wednesday #135 - BLACK WIDOW: FOREVER RED by Margaret Stohl

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is where we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released!!!

The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night!!!

And, quite possibly, to make our shelves look pretty too :) 

What I'm currently waiting for... 

BLACK WIDOW: FOREVER RED

by Margaret Stohl

Expected release date: October 13th, 2015

Published by Marvel Press

Genre: Young Adult 

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

NATASHA ROMANOV was once the world's most lethal assassin. Trained from a young age in the arts of death and deception, Natasha was given the name "Black Widow" by her brutal teacher, Ivan Somodorov. Now, Natasha wants nothing more than to leave that life behind her.

AVA ORLOVA is trying to live the life of an average American teenager. But Ava's life has been anything but average. As a girl, she was experimented on by Ivan, until she was rescued by Black Widow and placed in the care of the US government. Ava spent years trying to contact her mysterious saver, but Black Widow has always stayed silent. 

Until now.

When children all over the globe begin to go missing, Natasha suspects her old teacher has returned. And Ava may be the key to stopping him once and for all. But first, Natasha and Ava will have to unravel their pasts to defeat the madman who threatens their futures. 

FOREVER RED features all the thrilling adventure readers will expect from the Marvel brand, backed up by the young adult cred of #1 New York Times best selling author Margaret Stohl. Uncover a new side of the Marvel Universe, accessible to old fans and new readers alike, Stohl weaves an unforgettable story through the world of the Black Widow. 

Why I'm waiting on BLACK WIDOW...

First!... it's BLACK WIDOW!!! 

Did you read the summary??? 

Second!... it's BLACK WIDOW!!!

Lastly!... *dies*

And on that note - you should really read this interview with Margaret Stohl AND an exclusive excerpt HERE!!!

SO, what are you waiting for this week???

Release Day Blitz (Giveaway): CIRCUS MIRANDUS by Cassie Beasley (MG)

I am so very excited about today’s release of CIRCUS MIRANDUS by the fabulous Cassie Beasley! 

Thank you for stopping by for the Blogger Blitz that I and so many other wonderful blogs are participating in. Thanks so much to Word Spelunking for organizing this! 

Cassie has sent along a very special letter sharing her feelings about seeing her book get published and all of the amazing support she has received so far...

Dear Readers,

Ages ago I hung a poster in my room with the words “The Circus Opens Summer 2015” in bold letters across the top. At the time, it seemed that Summer 2015 would never come. Now, miraculously, June 2 is here, and Circus Mirandus is springing up in bookshops all over the country.

In the story, those called to Circus Mirandus feel a change in the wind. They hear music on the air, pipes and drums leading them toward magic and hope and heart’s desires. Eventually they find themselves before the gates, standing, as I am now, on the threshold of somewhere both wonderful and unknowable.

As people read the pages into which I’ve poured so much time and self, I wonder what they’ll think of the world I’ve created. I wonder if they will love it as much as I do. It’s an exciting moment, stepping through these gates into a place I’ve imagined but never seen.

Thank you so much for making this journey with me. Thank you for supporting the book. Thank you, most of all, for believing.

Cassie Beasley

More details about the book are below, as well as a Rafflecopter giveaway for a bunch of swag items, courtesy of Penguin Young Readers! 

Enter for a chance to win at the bottom of this post.

CIRCUS MIRANDUS

by Cassie Beasley

Release date: June 2nd, 2015

Published by Dial (Penguin)

Genre: Middle Grade 

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

Micah Tuttle believes in magic, even though his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis doesn’t approve. Micah believes in the stories his dying Grandpa Ephraim tells him of the magical Circus Mirandus: the invisible tiger guarding the gates, the beautiful flying birdwoman, and the magician more powerful than any other — the Man Who Bends Light. 

Finally, Grandpa Ephraim offers proof. 

The Circus is real — and the Lightbender owes Ephraim a miracle. 

With his friend Jenny Mendoza in tow, Micah sets out to find the Circus and the man he believes will save his grandfather. The only problem is, the Lightbender doesn't want to keep his promise. And now it's up to Micah to get the miracle he came for. 

Readers will fall in love with CIRCUS MIRANDUS, which celebrates the power of seeing magic in the world.

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR CIRCUS MIRANDUS

« “On one level, the book is a fantastical circus romp… On another, it's both serious and thick with longing… A delicious confection and much more: it shows that the human heart is delicate, that it matters, and that it must be handled with care.”                                     —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

« “Circus Mirandus is not a simple story, but readers will be rewarded for delving into its intricacies. This gripping fantasy tale will have readers hooked from the opening scene to the breathtaking—and unexpected—conclusion.”                                                                 —School Library Journal, starred review

« “Beasley’s debut is a bit of its own three-ring circus, masterfully diverting readers’ attention among the pressing matter of Ephraim’s illness, the inventive descriptions of Circus Mirandus in Ephraim’s flashbacks and Micah’s visits, and the larger, more serious tragedy of those who refuse to believe…Readers will be left with…the hope…that those who still believe will always have magic in their lives.”                                                                                                       —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Debut author Beasley has built an imaginative world in evocative, painterly prose, particularly the circus, and she’s filled it with compellingly multifaceted characters.”                               —Booklist

GIVEAWAY

There will be 5 winners!!!

Winners will receive: 

- Signed hardcover of CIRCUS MIRANDUS

- Audio sampler 

- Animal crackers

- Pack of 10 bookmarks

- Poster

Giveaway begins today, June 2nd, and will end on June 16th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Cassie Beasley

Cassie Beasley is from rural Georgia, where, when she's not writing, she helps out on the family pecan farm. 

She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

CIRCUS MIRANDUS is her first novel.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

Book Haul #95: The #BEA15 Edition

Hello fellow bookworms!!!

Hello friends!!! 
How has your week been???

I was able to get into NYC for a few hours to visit BEA last Wednesday!!! 
All the aches and pains are SO worth the trip!!!

My morning started with a mad dash to the train station! If it wasn't for my sister's mad driving skills, I would have missed my ride, lol! 
I forgot how Penn Stations knows how to smack reality right into your face!
Catching a cab is SO much fun!!! I'm being serious, it's such a thrilling challenge :)
My first stop was to Hatchette's offices to visit THE NOVL for brunch!!!
Got to meet all the lovely ladies that work there and a few authors...
they talked about up and coming books, bookcovers and more!
Another cab ride... to the Javits!!!
Saw all the bookish things! Got a few bookish things too ;) 
I was only there for 2 1/2 hours 0_O
Another cab ride... and, oh my, can I tell you a few stories about Penn Station again, lol!
Train ride was SO crowded and blech... but, again, SO worth it! 

I don't think I'll make it to another BEA again, so I am really happy that I was able to go even if it was for just a short amount of time :) 

I am participating in Stacking the Shelves, 
hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews!!!

*What I received from BEA...

- HELLO, GOODBYE, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN by Jennifer E. Smith (signed ARC) 
- ILLUMINAE (The Illuminae Files #1) by Aimee Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (ARC)
- ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL by Jesse Andrews (PB)
- PLAY ON (LEWIS CREEK #1) by Michelle Smith (ARC)
- KILL THE BOY BAND by Goldy Moldavsky (ARC)
- UNTWINE by Edwidge Danticat (ARC)
- THE SURVIVAL GUIDE TO BULLYING by Aija Mayrock (ARC)
- A LITTLE IN LOVE by Susan Fletcher (ARC)
- THE MARVELS by Brian Selznick (ARC)
- ZEROS by Scott Westerfeld (ARC) 
- DIARY OF A WIMPY KID by Jeff Kinney (MG/Latin PB)
- JUNETEENTH FOR MAZIE by Floyd Cooper (C/HB)
- MAX THE BRAVE by Ed Vere (C/ARC)
- VIP: I'M WITH THE BAND by Jen Calonita (MG/ARC)
- BEN FOX: SQUIRREL ZOMBIE SPECIALIST AT YOUR SERVICE by Daisy Whitney (ARC) 
- THE BOOK OF KINDLY DEATHS by Eldritch Black (MG/ARC) 

*From Book Trades/Swaps...

- TAKE ME ON (Pushing the Limits #4) by Katie McGarry (HB)  

- THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE by Leila Sales (HB)  

- ROGUE WAVE (Waterfire Saga#2) by Jennifer Donnelly (HB)  

- MAGONIA by Headley (ARC) from Maria Dahvana Headley  

* * * 

A few pics from BEA... 

BEFORE BEA... a quick brunch with the ladies at THE NOVL!!! 

Listening to the bookcover process for HELLO, GOODBYE, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN!

And then we got to meet Jennifer E. Smith and hear more about HELLO, GOODBYE, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN, plus about her favorite characters and writing techniques!

Hearing about NOT IF I SEE YOU FIRST!!!

WELCOME TO BEA!!! 

The posters are so HUGE!!!
It's so hard for me to wrap my mind around the process it goes into making them, delivering them, and then hanging them up! I'm not exaggerating when I say that they are HUUUGE!!! The whole Javits is bigger than huge, lol! This was my third time, and it still catches me by surprise!

It was SO wonderful to meet Meredith (blogger @ Pandora's Books, works for Spencer Hill Press and YA Interrobang) and Liza (blogger @ WhoRuBlog and author to HELLO?)!!!
We met at The Novl brunch; and then took a very speedy cab ride over to BEA :)
They are truly the sweetest girls to hang out with! I miss them and can't wait to see their lovely faces in person again!!!

My YA book haul :)

My swag!!!

And some great middle grade and picture books too!!!

AH! And two of my most wanted books of all :)

I couldn't have asked for a better day!!!
Thanks to everyone who made it extra special :) xo

* * * 

Thank you SOOO much for stopping by!!!

Don't forget to leave a comment with your link so I can visit your hauls too!!!

xoxo