Welcome to the first edition – er, volume – of Stacking the Shelves here at the blog! If you follow me at Facebook or Twitter, you may have noticed that I’ve started sharing photos of recently purchased or acquired books. Now I’m extending that sharing to the blog and officially joining in on the Stacking The Shelves fun that other writing and book review blogs are having. 😀

A quick history and explanation of Stacking The Shelves: Tynga’s Reviews began hosting this meme in 2012 as a way for avid readers to share their enthusiasm about their most recent book acquisitions. It doesn’t matter whether the books were purchased, received for review, borrowed from a friend or the library, or won through a giveaway – they’re all game for Stacking The Shelves. Bloggers may also share a photo(s) of the books and explain why they’re interested in reading each one.

I’ll post a new Stacking The Shelves whenever I’ve collected three or four new titles (either newly published or “new” to me but published some time ago). Many blogs post this meme once a week, but I don’t accumulate books that quickly – especially with my to-read pile still miles high! So, let’s call it “periodical” for now.

So, here we go with Volume 1 of Stacking The Shelves! 

The Magicians by Lev Grossman (Fantasy): It’s a bit late to jump on the Magician trilogy train, since the third and final book was published in August. However, being a fantasy writer, I want to read as much of the genre as possible. Based on the reviews I’ve read, this novel tips its hat to classic fantasy stories such as Harry Potter and Narnia, while mixing in the excess and angst of modern-day college and adult life. Now THAT sounds like quite a trip! I’m not sure when I’ll read The Magicians, and I’ll wait to see whether I enjoy it before getting The Magician King and The Magician’s Land.

Storm Siren by Mary Weber (YA Fantasy): Didn’t want to miss out on this book after reading the enthusiastic Twitter buzz on it earlier this summer. Storm Siren features a flawed yet admirable heroine in a vivid, imaginative world with creatures and a magic system (Elementals) I’m not too familiar with. So, yay for something different on my fantasy shelf! I’ve finished reading Storm Siren since taking this photo last week, so expect a review on it soon here.

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton (Historical Fiction): Not only was I tempted by Jessie Burton’s invitation to visit 17^th century Amsterdam, but I was ensnared by the beautifully written synopsis. It offers just enough detail about the central conflict – and hints at possible subplots – to hook you. And if you click on the Amazon link – look at the cover! Isn’t it gorgeous? Like with The Magicians, I’m not sure when I’ll get around to The Miniaturist, but I look forward to discovering Nella’s world and the secrets she learns about the family she marries into when that time comes.

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (Historical Fiction): I’ve had a soft spot for historical fiction since I was a child. Scott O’Dell’s cycle of Native American middle-grade novels most likely sparked that love. (I could’ve said that above for The Miniaturist, but it felt more appropriate to do so here.) So, whenever I hear about good historical fiction, I tend to snatch it up. All The Light We Cannot See, which follows a blind French girl and a German boy as they try to survive World War II, has been hailed across the board as one of the year’s best novels. One of my co-workers recently read it, too, and absolutely loved it. Those endorsements convinced me not to miss this book, which I’m planning to read as soon as I check off the most urgent “assignments” on my reading list.

How about you? What books are you looking forward to reading? Have you read any of the above?