In My Mailbox 25: Books I Got While On Vacation

 In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi, The Story Siren, where bloggers post about the books they've purchased, gotten in the mail, borrowed, been given or otherwise gotten their grubby little hands on.

As you know, the hubs and I have been on vacation since the end of July.  We drove cross-country, visiting Mt. Rushmore, Montana, Idaho, Seattle, Astoria Oregon, California, The Grand Canyon, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Denver.  While gone, we had the opportunity to visit three Borders and stock up.  My husband is getting ready to start nursing school, so he used this opportunity to pick up a lot of medical books.

Here are pictures of our haul (I'll post titles and authors at the end):

The haul in its entirety

Picture 2(left to right, top to bottom)
Max Quick: The Pocket and the Pendant by Mark Jeffrey
Winter in White by Robert Sabuda

Delirium (old cover) by Lauren Oliver

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
Encyclopedia Mythologica: Fairies and Magical Creatures Pop-Up by Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart

The Chronicles of Narnia Pop-Up by Robert Sabuda

Harry Potter Pop-Up by Lucy Kee

Hungry Girl 1-2-3 by Lisa Lillien



Picture 3 (left to right, top to bottom)
 Juniper Berry by M.P. Kozlowsky

You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Fairy Tales to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman

The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn

The Memory Bank by Carolyn Coman

(Percy Jackson x2)
Gone by Michael Grant
Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

(Harry Potter and Hungry Girl)
Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo

Withering Tights by Louise Rennison


Picture 4 (left to right, top to bottom):  My husband's haul
Home Health Handbook
Walking Dead Graphic Novel
New Mexico travel guide
Mathematics for Nurses
Flash Cards
The High King of Montval by SM Stirling
The Walking Dead Graphic Novel
Homework for Grownups
Nursing Fundamentals Demystified
Then Everything Changed
Nurses Personal Preceptor
Hitler's War by Harry Turtledove
PDR (for prescription drugs)
Cancer Therapy


I was also able to download via NetGalley
-Juliet Spell by Douglass Rees

-Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa


I got the best text from my sister, "You got a package.  I think its from one of your book companies.  Not sure what it is though."  I told her to open it; it wasn't books, but the new cover of Delirium!

What was in your mailbox?

The one thats all about Delirium

I've posted about Delirium by Lauren Oliver before, sharing a link to a preview of the first 100 pages and giving of summary of what happened so far.  I recently received via @NetGalley and @HarperTeen the e-galley of Delirium in full. 

And the book in its entirety was awesome.  I sat in front of our computer and read all 300+ pages in about 3 hours.  I didn't get up for anything (thank goodness for a snow day!).

Here is a quick summary:  In the future, love has been found to be the disease, or root of all wars, violence and problems.  So, the government has to cure you once you reach age 18.  The government also predetermines (based on exams and interviews) what college you will go to, what you will major in, and gives you 4-5 suitable matches for you to choose from for spouse.  There are of course, dissenters and sympathizers (which is illegal and punishable by death)

At first, Lena, while not "ok" with the process, is resigned to it.  She'll do it because she has to, because she doesn't want to be the outcast.  Then she meets Alex and realizes that there is another way to live.

Teen girls will be able to see themselves in Lena.  She's not the coolest, she's not the prettiest, she just wants to be special enough for someone.  She doesn't have any choice in any aspect of her life. 

Now, I'd love to say the 18 year old Amanda (me) would have fought the government control of everything, but I'm pretty sure 18 year old Amanda would have just submitted because that's what was expected.  Of course, she'd be resentful and angry, but she wouldn't dream of saying anything.  28 year old Amanda probably would have gone down in a blaze of glory, or at least fought for love and free will/choice.  However, both can sympathize with Lena and her plight.

I really enjoyed Delirium.  I don't like the books set in the future that are all about the "zombie apocalyse" because I don't see that as realistic.  While I also don't see Delirium happening, it is, to me a closer to reality situation than zombies.

Now, here's the great part of this post!  Lauren Oliver (laurenoliverbooks.blogspot.com) is giving away 5 signed copies of Delirium!  Head over and see what you can do to enter!  As always, good luck, you're going to need it (b/c I am going to win!)



 

Preview of Delirium by Lauren Oliver

You can preview the first little bit of Delirium by Lauren Oliver over on the HarperCollins website.  I did and want to go buy the book right now. 

Set in the future, scientists have discovered that love is the disease, and that to cure the disease, you have to have special surgery on your 18th birthday.  Since people have started having the surgery, there have been no wars and only minor outbreaks of crime (vandalism, etc).  It it for the good of the community.  Safety, Sanctity, Community is the motto.  If you are suspected of being a "sympathizer" (I'm guessing someone sympathetic to love?), you are shunned and eventually put on trial.

Before your surgery, you are evaluated in all areas (mentally and physically), assigned a score, which will then assign you to a college (if you are smart enough), and match you with 3-4 male candidates for marriage.

The book starts with Lena, preparing for her evaluation day.

Like I said, I'm definitely going to get this one when it comes out and read the rest!

If you are on the twitter, you can enter to win a copy here.  Also, if you are on the twitter, you can follow me.  You know you want to.