Stacking The Shelves is a weekly event hosted by Tynga’s Reviews that shares the books (both physical and virtual) that you recently purchased, borrowed from a fellow reader or the library, won from a giveaway, or received as gifts. Stacking The Shelves will post on Saturdays as new books are added to my shelves.
First of all, a quick apology for the recent inactivity here. Life offline has been hectic lately, so I’ve had to re-prioritize things to focus on the WIP, a couple outside articles that have deadlines, and necessary relaxation. Posts for this blog have slipped as a result. I hope to catch up over the next couple weeks, so bear with me for a little bit.
Now – more books. Yes, I’ve gotten heaps of books for Christmas and from Barnes & Noble recently, but certain titles I was looking for at B&N weren’t in stock. *gasps* So, I promptly decided not to wait to get them. *lol* Today’s Stacking The Shelves therefore includes my latest Amazon haul, as well as a book gifted by its author. And if you noticed the title, this blog’s seventh edition of STS will feature seven books! How about that?
The Night Butterflies by Sara Litchfield (Science Fiction / Dystopian / Self-Published): I read an early manuscript of Sara’s debut novel last year. So, not only am I proud to have been part of this book’s journey, but I’m PSYCHED that my friend has published something and can’t wait to read the final product. In fact, this might be next after my current read, The Book Thief. Thank you, Sara!
If you’re interested in learning more about Sara and The Night Butterflies, click here to read our interview.
Sorry for the poor camera quality. Click the photo to see a larger version.
The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles, Book 1) by Patrick Rothfuss (Fantasy): Some readers LOVE this book. Others weren’t thrilled by Rothfuss’s writing style or the apparent “plotlessness.” That said, I’ve heard enough amazing things about this writer and this book that The Name of the Wind was begging me to add it to my bookshelf. Plus, Ursula K. Le Guin contributed a glowing blurb to the trade paperback. If my favorite author of all time loved this book, I ought to read it. 😉
The Iron King (The Iron Fey, Book 1) by Julie Kagawa (Fantasy / Young Adult): This was one of several recommendations I recently received for YA fantasy novels featuring fairy characters, to compare with my own WIP (a YA fantasy novel with fairy characters). This one was the first one from the bunch to grab my attention. Plus, I’d been meaning to check out Julie Kagawa’s work for a while.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy, Book 1) by Laini Taylor (Fantasy / Young Adult): Another series I’ve been meaning to check out. This one seems to have some unique twists from other YA fantasy trilogies I’ve read: contemporary (modern-day Prague), with a blue-haired art student as a protagonist, and the promise of a celestial conflict between angels and demons. My assumptions could very well be wrong, but this sounds edgy, modern, and dark. I’m in no matter what now! Also, I had no idea Laini Taylor was a National Book Award finalist. That’s a huge achievement.
Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy, Book 1) by Anna Banks (Fantasy / Young Adult): Along with stories with fairy characters, I recently asked for suggestions for YA mermaid stories as “research” for a future novel project of my own. I’d heard of Of Poseidon before, so I chose that one first. My first impression is that this might be a fantasy romance. I don’t have a problem with that type of story; I just hope it doesn’t get too mushy or romance-centric.
The Element Encyclopedia of Fairies: An A-Z of Fairies, Pixies and Other Fantastical Creatures by Lucy Cooper (Fantasy / Reference): I found this at Barnes & Noble just seconds after purchasing my post-Christmas haul – and immediately regretted not seeing it beforehand! You bet I’m not going to wait long to read this in between my “for-pleasure” picks. 😀
Stormdancer (The Lotus War Trilogy, Book 1) by Jay Kristoff (Steampunk / Fantasy / Dystopian): Japanese-influenced steampunk with mythical creatures and civil unrest, among other things. Yes, please!! Reading one positive review after another for Stormdancer also helped make this a very quick reading decision.
What books did you recently buy or acquire? Have you read of the books shown / discussed above? Feel free to share your opinions and most recent hauls by commenting below.
Sara Letourneau 
I’ve read the Rothfuss – it was one of my outstanding books of the year. I found his voice and approach original and highly readable. You’re in for a treat:)). Also read Stormdancer – it’s not as technically adept in my opinion, but nevertheless is an intriguing, unusual take. I’d love to know what you think about them…
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Will definitely review both books once I read them, Sarah. Getting around to the reviews is another thing. I haven’t started one yet for a book I finished 2 weeks ago, and am almost done with my current read – but life right now isn’t giving me much time for blog-writing. 😦
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Oh that’s a pain:(… Hope things ease up soon – and that your novel writing isn’t also suffering too much. I’m a MUCH nicer human being when the writing is going well!
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Thanks. The novel-writing isn’t suffering at all. I’ve basically emptied out my weekends through the end of February so I can focus on FINISHING this thing. 😉 It’s the weekdays / weeknights that aren’t as kind right now. That’s generally when I save my blog-writing time, but things outside of my control have been eating it up instead. It’s only temporary, but I really do hope it smooths out this coming week…
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I’ve read Name of the Wind – I was expecting something completely different so it didn’t quite meet my expectations but all the same I will probably continue this series as his writing is fantastic.
Can’t wait to see what you think of the Iron King!
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Will do, Edel! I’m planning to read The Iron King sooner rather than later, though we’ll see about the timing. 😉
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Woah, these books are all so new to me. I hope you enjoy them though. Stacking the Shelves #2
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Thanks, Christine! 🙂
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I still need to read The Iron Queen in the Iron Fey series. I have it, and I don’t quite know why I’m putting it off. I loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone. And Of Poseidon was okay. I’ve yet to find a mermaid book that’s really been outstanding. Good luck with everything you’ve got going on!
SP & STS
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
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Thanks, Sandy! Glad to hear you liked Daughter Of Smoke And Bone. It sounds really interesting, so I’m looking forward to reading it – eventually. *lol* I’ve heard mostly OK things about Of Poseidon myself, but I figured I should still read it for “market research” purposes. Will check out your haul shortly!
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I read the Iron King a few years ago and it was pretty good though I still have to read the rest of the series! Daughter of Smoke and Bone is one that I have heard countless good things about. I hope you enjoy your books. 🙂
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
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Thanks, Krystianna! 🙂
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So many great reads to look forward to! That’s awesome about The Night Butterflies! It sounds really interesting. The ones that I have read from this pile I completely enjoyed 🙂 I know a lot of people are iffy about Of Poseidon but I really liked it. It’s definitely not a serious read but it was enjoyable, had some great humor too!
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Do you think you’d be interested in reviewing The Night Butterflies for Readers In Wonderland? If you are, I’d be happy to put you in touch with Sara. (Actually, I think I linked her name to her website, so you could contact her there.)
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I’d meant to check out Kagawa’s work for a while too, and finally took the plunge late last year with her new book Talon. It was pretty good, though I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would (it being about dragons and all). Most people say that her Iron Fey series is amazing though, something tells me I really should have started with that one 😛
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*lol* I’ll be happy to let you know what I think of the first book once I’ve read it! 😉
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I just got The Name of the Wind for Christmas too. (I’m about 60% in and set it aside…) The Iron King is on my to read soon list! The Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a great book! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I just got Stormdancer too.
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I’m going to try to read Stormdancer soon, after The Book Thief (my current read), The Night Butterflies, and Maria V. Snyder’s Shadow Study. I’m really curious about that one, so I don’t think it’s going to sit unread for long.
Regarding The Name Of The Wing: By “set aside,” did you mean taking a break or deciding not to finish it?
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By set aside I mean I gave up but I might try again later. I just don’t like the main character so I was having trouble caring.
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Thanks for sharing about these books! As you know, I’ve already added several to my goodreads “to-read” list and am looking forward to reading them 🙂
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I did notice you added a few of them on Goodreads recently. 😉 Hope you enjoy them as well!
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Great haul! Several of these are on my to-read list on goodreads! I like the cover on The Night Butterflies. Happy Reading!
Here’s my STS.
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Thanks, Jamie! I just checked out your haul – and WOW, was it impressive!
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