Most of the time when I present What’s In My Mailbox?, I have a bunch of YA novels to squee over with you, my fellow readers. Now those of you have come to expect fiction from YA Book Shelf won’t be disappointed, but this week, I also have some other books of the nonfiction variety that I’m excited to share with you today as well as some cool swag.
I’ve been looking forward to reading Jim Collins‘ exploration about the robust literary culture that has developed in the United States, and I’d argue, all over the world, over the last two decades for a few months now. The result of his research is Bring On The Books For Everybody: How Literary Culture Became Popular Culture. Collins argues that while reading used to be a solitary activity, the advent of Oprah’s Book Club, film adaptations, huge bookshops, and new digital reading technologies have transformed it to what it is today – “best-selling, high-concept entertainment.” More than anything, however, I have to admit that I’m interested in finding the holes and missing pieces in his argument because as my site and so many other book blogs around the Internet prove, Collins has definitely missed a popular force of popular literary culture.
Next, I recently won two contests and over the last week, I received my prizes for both of them on the same day no less. It’s no secret that the most anticipated novels of August for me is Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, and while it is too early to have a copy of the book, it isn’t too early to receive some cool swag, like the bookmark and temporary 
tattoo that I received. Very excited about them, let me tell you. Of course, I mentioned two contests, and through the latter, I received a signed ARC of Kim Michele Richardson‘s memoir of abuse at the hands of some Catholic nuns and a priest, called The Unbreakable Child. If you haven’t heard of this book yet, then it will definitely be one to watch out for on October 1st, 2010. Some things that happen to children are unforgivable, but Richardson’s autobiography is a means to prove that the adult self of a child can sometimes forgive that which is unforgivable. I’m sure that it will be a difficult book to read, but I’m looking forward to doing so if only because tales like this one deserve to be heard, rather than silenced behind shame and fear.
From nonfiction and book swag to a few teen novels that I hope intrigue you as much as they do me. It might come as no surprise that Blythe Woolston was unknown to me until I recently heard about her recently released, debut novel, The Freak Observer. On hearing the story of a strong young woman named Loa, who’s life revolved around her ill younger sister, Asta until her death, I knew that I had to know more. If you’ve followed me for awhile, then you’ll know that I’m a fan of the sister-sister relationship and read as many novels with this theme as possible, but this new book has the added bonus, for me, of being about a girl struggling with PTSD as well. I can’t wait to check it out and share what I think about it with you!
Like TheFreakObserver, I’d never heard of Draw The Dark until I had heard of it. Similarly, I’m quite pleased to announce that I have the opportunity to read this eBook ARC before it is released in October. It’s unheard of in reality that our drawings and creative impulses can have deadly effects on those around us, but it seems that the obsessive drawing of Christian Cage tends to lead to their deaths. I love a dark fantasy, so I’m really looking forward to checking out this YA Gothic novel.
In contrast with the previous two novels, I’d been intrigued by Steve Brezenoff‘s The Absolute Value Of -1 for almost as long as I’ve been writing for this site. I may have only been blogging for three and a half months, but that is a pretty long time to live in anticipation. When three long-time friends make the leap to enter high school, there relationships change dramatically as each deal with their own stress and pain. It is the attempt to mend the once enviable relationship and the difficulty of fixing things that I’m most excited to explore by reading this novel, so I guess you can say that it is one of a few September releases that I’m exceedingly enthused about.
Are you as excited about these books as I am? What novels and nonfiction are you looking forward to checking out over the next three months? Let me know because, who knows, I might be just as intrigued by your suggestions as you are, and I do still have a couple of book certificates to spend. 
Melissa has always been a voracious reader of fiction and has an M.A. in English Literature to prove it. Like many other adults, she got caught up in the young adult crossover fiction phenomenon. Now, one of her great joys comes from sharing her love of YA lit on this popular review site. Come with expectations of intellect, magic, and honest reviews, and you won’t be disappointed.
