Mailbox Monday #Meme

I was very ecstatic to receive some books this week in the mail, and therefore can happily do my Mailbox Monday  (a #meme hosted by The Printed Page). Yesterday, I made a trip down to my P.O. Box, which I can only do about once or twice a week due to the fact it’s located where we’re moving to and it’s about 20 minutes away. As we were in the area yesterday, I decided to check my box and was so happy with what I received!

Gifts from Sasha Soren

I received this large package from Sasha Soren (@RandomMagicTour // http://www.sashasoren.com, author of Random Magic). I knew she was sending me an autographed copy for the giveaway but imagine my surprise when there were two autographed copies – one for me! The thing I really love about Sasha is that she’s an author who doesn’t just drive by – hand you a book, tell you to review it and never to be heard from again. She reads your blog, she remembers what you say – and she does what she can to send a smile to your face.

I had mentioned a while ago on my blog that one of the things that made me happy was to open a book sent from an author to review, and seeing that it was thoughtfully signed. To me, it immediately makes the book a keeper, a classic – something I could never part with. Knowing this, and knowing I sent my only copy of Random Magic to a friend in another state to read, Sasha made sure to send me my very own autographed copy. It definitely brought a smile to my face!

Sasha also sent me a mixed CD of music to listen to while I write my #NaNoWriMo (http://www.nanowrimo.org) novel, as well as little notebooks to take notes when the inspiration hits me. Carli was sent a bib (oh how she needed those, believe me!) and Forrest was sent some chocolate, as he ate the last one Sasha sent with my original copy of Random Magic. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received as of yet. Thank you, Sasha Soren!

Some other books I received in the mail this week were:

• So You’re Cremated … Now What? (For publisher requested review)
• The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley (ARC for Review from  Publisher)

I have received quite a few extremely interesting ARCS/author and/or publisher requested pieces for review and although #NaNoWriMo has stolen my attention, I am determined to crack out 4-5 reviews this month specifically just for ARC/publisher/author requested pieces. I appreciate your patience!

After ordering from Amazon a few weeks ago, I finally got a notice that they are shipping out PART of my order. Hopefully this week I will be receiving:

• How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling
• The Knife of Never Letting Go: Chaos Walking: Book One (Recommended by many on Twitter)
• Writing And Selling The Young Adult Novel (Recommended by @BriMeetsBooks)
• Plot & Structure: (Techniques And Exercises For Crafting A Plot That Grips Readers From Start To Finish) (Write Great Fiction)

Remind me to order from Barnes and Noble next time, as they ship free within 24 hours. The wait for these books was just.. too much.