Want Books? is a weekly meme hosted over at Chachic’s Book Nook and features released books that you want but you can’t have for some reason. It can be because it’s not available in your country, in your library or you don’t have the money for it right now. Everyone is free to join, just grab the image above. Leave a comment with a link to your post so I can do a roundup with each post.
I’ve been wanting to do this meme for awhile now. I think it’s a great meme for all book bloggers, because who doesn’t have books languishing on their wish and TBR lists for which they liked to admit their longing in the blogosphere? Where as some memes like Kristi from The Story Siren’s In My Mailbox don’t apply to all bloggers weekly, anyone could write a Want Books? post weekly and never get tired of it.
If I think about it there are a lot of books I’d be very happy owning – a number I’d say that’s probably in the tens or twenties or even higher – but as far as books I’ve been lusting after, whether they’ve just been released, are a much beloved series I don’t own, or ones that I haven’t read yet and simply adore the promising covers, these are the few recent and long-standing books I have a growing undeniable need for:
Summary from GoodReads:
This is the story of Amelia and Riley, bad kids from bad Brookfield High who have transferred to Ashbury High for their final year. They’ve been in love since they were fourteen, they go out dancing every night, and sleep through school all day. And Ashbury can’t get enough of them.
Everyone’s trying to get their attention; even teachers are dressing differently, trying to make their classes more interesting. Everyone wants to be cooler, tougher, funnier, hoping to be invited into their cool, self-contained world.
But they don’t know that all Amelia can think about is her past — an idyllic time before she ran away from home. Riley thinks he’s losing her to the past, maybe even to a place further back in time. He turns to the students of Ashbury for help, and things get much, much worse.
In the tradition of the gothic novel, this is a story about ghosts, secrets, madness, passion, locked doors, femmes fatales, and that terrifying moment in the final year of high school when you realise that the future’s come to get you.
I’ve heard too many good things about this book in the past few weeks, and I’m a sucker for it’s bright, shiny, newness, wanting-to-share-it-with-the-world-if-it’s-good quality. I have some money left on my birthday gift card – maybe I’ll just have to take a chance on it. Since I’ll have to wait like weeks or maybe months – forever in book time – to get it from the library. Next up is:
The President’s Daughter series by Ellen Emerson White. I liked The Road Home very much and have always meant to read something else by her. And I have to admit although she has other, wonderful books this is the series I’ve settled on, partly because of the covers themselves. As a former/aspiring art historian I’m a sucker for those covers, or any art historical reference in general. ONE DAY I will force DH to buy these as a gift or I’ll gather up the money (and courage) to buy the entire series. It’s hard to want to spend the cash when I haven’t read even the first book yet. Hopefully I’ll remedy that soon.
And this post would be incomplete without mentioning my lust for the UK editions of one of my favorite series of all time, Juliet Marillier’s Sevenwater series:
Too gorgeous. I really can’t wait to admire these on my shelf.
Yay Holly, you did a Want Books meme! I think it’s great. I’ll include your post in my roundup for this week. You know what’s funny, I already have a draft saved for my Want Books post and my pick is Honey, Baby, Sweetheart because of your review.
Also, can I just say that I want to get all of the books that you mentioned? I’ve heard good things about The Ghosts of Ashbury High and both Angie and Michelle recommend The President’s Daughter series. I do love those covers. And you know how much I loved the Sevenwaters books ever since I discovered them. Why are UK covers so nice?
I love this meme, too. What a good one you wrote.
Chachic, I’m so glad I got it right! I love the meme and didn’t want to twist the rules or something – not sure if I could cover that many books in one post. It was quite fun, so I’ll probably be doing it again. That’s awesome that you’re doing your next post on Honey, Baby, Sweetheart! I’m sorry it’s so hard to find it over there. I’ve pretty much committed to buying ASHBURY HIGH. I do not know why UK covers are so nice! I prefer almost all of Juliet Marilliers UK editions to the US ones. And I haven’t read THE DEMON’S LEXICON but boy, the UK covers for both books are so much cooler. But I will say I thought the UK covers for the Harry Potter series were totally boring compared to the US or German covers. Sorry, I’m totally getting long-winded. This subject may deserve it’s own post.
Angie, thanks on both points. You can’t not have fun with this meme.
Lovely! I’ve heard lots about The Ghosts of Ashbury High but haven’t read anything from that author, (an egregious error on my part, or so I’ve been told) and oh Ellen Emerson White. I don’t know why it’s taken so long for me to read that series, I love her and have been a long fan of hers so I don’t know what the hold up is! And oh those Sevenwaters covers! I absolutey L-O-V-E the The Son of the Shadows cover! That is so Liadan and Niamh I love it! I read the The Demons Lexicon sometime last year and loved it! I’ll be looking forward to your review
Kika, I know, I haven’t read anything by Jaclyn Moriarty but it seems like I’ve missed out. I KNOW, the Sevenwaters covers- *die* SON OF THE SHADOWS is particularly good. Not sure when I’ll get around to reading THE DEMONS LEXICON, but I should get more serious with that recommendation!
All three choices are awesome. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed THE GHOSTS.. I think you’ll like it. It’s just different from anything else I’ve read. Also – you know how much I want you to read the Pres. Daughter’s series! That’s my vote!
Michelle – So glad you’re back! Thanks for the votes. I think I’ll go buy GHOSTS very soon now, maybe do my first giveaway? Not sure.
You haven’t read Sarah Rees Brennan’s books? I’d love for you to read them because I want to know what you think of them.
Also, Sarah Rees Brennan is so funny! I love reading her blog and her tweets. So let’s make a deal, you’ll get serious with the Sarah Rees Brennan recommendation and I’ll get serious with the Ellen Emerson White recommendation. LOL. Do not worry about me having a hard time looking for books over here, I’m pretty determined when it comes to these things so I usually get them one way or another. And I created this meme to be more positive about books in my wishlist instead of always complaining about not having them here.
UK covers are awesome! The UK edition of The Demon’s Lexicon is available over here but I already have the US edition.
Also, have you seen the UK edition of The Sky is Everywhere? I haven’t read it but it’s so pretty, it looks like a scrapbook. Too bad I already have the US hardcover. Oh you didn’t like the Bloomsbury editions of Harry Potter? I liked them even though they seem quieter than the Scholastic covers.
Chachic, okay okay. *getting serious* Will try THE DEMON’S LEXICON soon. Angie’s strong recommendation – as well as yours and Michelle’s – are hard to turn down. I just saw the two editions of THE SKY… over at Wondrous Reads, and it’s a tough one. I’ve always loved the US edition, but now that I’ve seen the UK, I think the wispy clouds and handwritten font for the title more fitting for the book itself. But I love the pop of red on the US, even though the heart is perhaps overdoing it. Adding some red to the UK edition, and that would be my favorite.
Yeah, the Bloomsbury editions are a little quiet for me, though they fit perfectly in the British tradition of children’s book covers. I think more than anything I like the font on the US Harry Potters and the bright colors. The images don’t have to be as loud.