August is here, and while that brings on the summer’s-almost-over-blues for some of us, it also brings the joy of Mailbox Monday to 5 Minutes for Books. I love the description from the home site that is something all book bloggers can understand: “Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
All month long, we’ll take turns sharing with you the books that have found their way to our mailboxes and front steps, or maybe even traveled digitally to our e-readers. When you join in through the linky at the bottom of the post, we’ll be happy to visit your lists, too!
This week it’s my turn, and as is typical, my deliveries were a mix of contemporary fiction and children’s books. The pieces of fiction are ones that I requested for review, but the kids’ books came as unsolicited surprises. Let’s start there, shall we?
Heidi Heckelbeck in Disguise by Wanda Coven and illustrated by Priscilla Burris — I’m unfamiliar with this series, though this is the fourth book out so far, with two more set to publish before the end of the year. This appears to be a perfect fit for my six-year-old daughter’s reading level, though I think I’m going to preview some of it on my own first and read some reviews before handing it over, just to get an idea about the content and its fit for her. From the description that I read, the title character is a real witch and she’s somewhat offended when a classmate dresses as one for her Halloween costume, so Heidi creates her own parody costume.
Pool Girls: Cool Down by Cassie Waters — Another series, this time book three. This title is intended for older readers than my daughter, and something tells me that it doesn’t really fit in my almost-12 year old son’s reading preferences. From the back cover description, this book sounds like the many books I read as a young girl about what makes a true friend and the ups and downs of friendships between girls. I’ll likely find it a good home with a young tween girl.
Imperfect Bliss by Susan Fales-Hill — This one came mid-week, but as soon as I finished the novel I had been reading, I dove right in. I can say that it makes for lovely poolside reading, easy to follow along as I alternated between peeking on my son in the pool and laughing along at the zaniness of the plot. Bliss is one of four sisters in the Harcourt family, none necessarily lucky in love, much to their mother’s dismay. When Bliss’s younger sister agrees to star in a reality show entitled The Virgin, in which suitors will vie for her hand (and obviously more) in marriage, everyone’s lives are changed. I’m looking forward to sharing more of my thoughts on this funny piece of women’s fiction in my review.
Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women’s Literary Society by Amy Hill Hearth — Okay, I’ll admit it, I was charmed with the long title and I was intrigued to read a debut novel by a well-respected and honored nonfiction author. This brief description of the plot piqued my interest: “A brilliant debut novel about a transplanted wife from Boston who arrives in Florida in the 1960s, starts a literary salon, and shakes up the status quo.” Sounds great, right? This one releases in October, and I look forward to immersing myself in a different time period.
How about you? We’d love to see your Mailbox Monday posts, too, so link up below, or feel free to chat us up in the comments, too.
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Great mailbox! I’m not familiar with any of them, so I must check them out.
I really enjoyed IMPERFECT BLISS as a light and fun read, but I’m holding off for a couple of weeks before starting MISS DREAMSVILLE. I have high hopes for it, though! 🙂
Thanks for hosting! I am new to your blog and think it is just wonderful. And was pleased to see you have a fellow Oregonian in your ranks.
Ever since Guernsey Potato Peels, I like any books that has “Literary Society” in the title. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for visiting, RCR! And you’re right– that’s the exact book I was reminded of with this long title and the inclusion of the word LITERARY!
You have some cute titles. Enjoy. 🙂 Thanks for hosting this month.
All your new reads look really fun. Imperfect Bliss is one I’d like to check out sometime. Heidi Hecklebeck looks adorable- hope your daughter enjoys it.
Lot’s of variety that’s the way my mailbox tends to be. Love variety in my reading.
Heey
Imperfect Bliss sounds really funny. The concept of these unlucky in love sisters sort of reminded me of Pride & Prejudice! Thanks for hosting 🙂
Juli @ Universe in Words
That comparison to Austen was made in several of the review quotes on the press release, Juli!
Thank you for hosting this month! I like the look of Imperfect Bliss.
Thanks for hosting in August! I agree the title (as well as the cover) of the last book appeals to me.
Miss Dreamsville sounds fun. Thanks for hosting!
Thank you for hosting MM this month!!
You books are “all new to me”. Hope they are enjoyable.
you received some nice children’s books. looks like fun reading
Imperfect Bliss certainly has my attention! Enjoy your new books…
Thanks for hosting this! Can you delete my first link for me? I think I need to get a new mouse – mine has been doing crazy things these past few days (like clicking when I don’t want it to – which is how that first link ended up there). Thanks!
I’m sorry Alyce, I’m not sure how to delete something from the linky. (I’m still in awe of its magic and am not at all proficient in its use. Thankfully I have an editor who helps me with the code to set it up!!)
No worries! When I’ve done it before on my account I just click on the Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets hyperlink in the box and it should take you to your account. Then you go to the “Widgets” link and click on the one with the most recent date (or the date you created it). It has a list of all the links for that linky and you can just click and delete whichever you want to.
But like I said, no worries if you don’t want to go to the trouble. 🙂 I’m actively avoiding my desktop computer until I can get a new mouse so there won’t be any more mouse-induced frustrations for me.
I’ve got so late this week that I will come to the meme only next week! Enjoy all your reads and thank you for hosting.
Great haul this week.
Have a beautiful day
My MM
All your books look like interesting reads, I love to see review for young readers too. While my boys are men, I ALWAYS buy books for my nieces and nephews, so I’m only too glad to know what to choose. Thanks for hosting.
Imperfect Bliss sounds really interesting! Can’t wait to come back and read your thoughts! 🙂
I see we have Imperfect Bliss in common. It sounds like a fun read!
Thanks for hosting MM this month!
I received a Heidi Hecklebreck book last year — it was an ARC with Captain Awesome or something on the other side. Kyle read that one, and then when my 7-year-old niece was visiting, I gave it to her to take home, because she thought it looked interesting, but I don’t know anything about the character or the series.
I love it when I get a book and then dive right in!
Yes, I was happy to be able to jump right in when it came in the mail, and it was one of those rare afternoons/evenings when I could ignore everything else and just read. 🙂
Great books in the mail 🙂 And wonderful blog as well. Happy reading.
Okay, I got a new kindle and lots of free titles.
Two kids books and one craftyish book.
Imperfect bliss looks to be a good one.
I recently got a copy of Imperfect Bliss…now I want to bump it up on my list 🙂
Enjoy your new books!
Whoops, I forgot to leave my link here this morning!
It looks like you got some great books last week. I’ve added some of them to my TBR list. Hope you enjoy them all! Thanks for hosting!