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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday: HarperCollins Fall 2012 Catalog

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill of Breaking The Spine in which an upcoming, eagerly anticipated release is highlighted on the blog.

This week, I've chosen to feature a few picks from the HarperCollins Fall 2012 Catalog:

The Other Normals by Ned Vizzini
Date: September 25, 2012
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Given the chance, fifteen-year-old Peregrine “Perry” Eckert would dedicate every waking moment to Creatures & Caverns, an epic role-playing game rich with magical creatures, spell casting, and deadly weapons. The world of C&C is where he feels most comfortable in his own skin, so when his parents ship him off to summer camp Perry is sure he’s in for the worst summer of his life.
Everything changes, however, when Perry gets to camp and stumbles into the World of the Other Normals. Perry’s new otherworldly friends need his help to save their princess and prevent mass violence. As they embark on their quest together, Perry realizes that his nerdy childhood has uniquely prepared him to be a great warrior in this world, and maybe even a hero.

Imagine stumbling upon a real live role-playing game. A geek's dream come true, right? And honestly, I would be lying if I hadn't thought about how cool it would be as well. I'm planning on experiencing this dream vicariously through The Other Normals.


The Turning by Francine Prose
Date: September 25, 2012
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Jack is babysitting for the summer on an isolated island with no Wi-Fi, no cell service, and no one else around but a housekeeper and two very peculiar children. He immediately senses something sinister-and it's not just the creepy black house he's living in. Soon he is feeling terribly isolated and alone, but then he discovers there are others. The problem is, he's the only who can see them. As secrets are revealed and darker truths surface, Jack desperately struggles to maintain a grip on reality. He knows what he sees, and he isn't crazy…Or is he?
Where does reality end and insanity begin? The Turn of the Screw reinvented for modern-day teens, by National Book Award finalist Francine Prose.

I never would have pictured myself as a gothic horror fan a few years ago, but after testing the waters in the genre (see: The Monstrumologist Series), I discovered a new found love and appreciation for it. I'm hoping to add The Turning to my list of much loved gothic horrors.


The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver
Date: October 2, 2012
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Looking across the breakfast table one morning, twelve-year-old Liza feels dread wash over her. Although her younger brother, Patrick, appears the same, Liza knows that he is actually quite different. She is certain that the spindlers-evil, spiderlike beings-came during the night and stole his soul. And Liza is also certain that she is the only one who can rescue him.
Armed with little more than her wits and a huge talking rat for a guide, Liza descends into the dark and ominous underground to save Patrick's soul. Her quest is far from easy, and the road to the spindlers' nests is riddled with danger. She must brave tree snakes, the Court of Stones, and shape-shifting serpents before facing her greatest challenge in the spindlers' lair, where more than just Patrick's soul is at stake.

Lauren Oliver has reached that level of author-dom where I feel like I could read whatever she writes and I will always love it. I adored Lauren's MG debut, Liesl and Po, so I have no doubt that I will love The Spindlers as well.


Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson
Date: October 9, 2012
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Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.
What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.
Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.

Norse mythology? Yes, please. As much as I love Greek mythology, I do feel like I've had my fill (for now anyway) and am looking for something a bit different - that's where Valkyrie Rising comes in.


How about you? Are you waiting on any of these HarperCollins Fall 2012 reads? Are there any upcoming books from the HarperCollins Fall 2012 Catalog that I didn't include here that you feel I should add to my list?

46 comments :

  1. I cannot wait to read The Other Normals. I love the cover and the concept is just fabulous.

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    1. It really is so brilliant. I'm surprised no one else has thought of it (at least that I know of, which isn't saying much).

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  2. All of those books sound awesome! I am especially excited for The Other Normals. Great picks!

    My WoW

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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  3. I feel like I've heard of Valkyrie Rising a hundred of times already, but the blurb doesn't sound familiar BUT it sounds def interesting! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I know the feeling, all lot of these tend to blur together. Does not necessarily mean anything bad though.

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  4. I am getting ready to read the other normals really soon hopefully and I am so excited! Great picks!

    Kristin @ Young Adult Book Haven

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  5. I had Valkyrie Rising on my WoW post a couple months back I really can't wait to read it!
    Check out my WoW post :)

    -Kimberly @ Turning The Pages

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  6. Wow thanks for this - I've just added The Turning to my TBR list. :D

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  7. Very excited for all of these, too! Especially Valkyrie Rising and The Turning!

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  8. I loveloveloved Liesl and Po, so I'm super pumped for The Spindlers, too.

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  9. Great picks! I'm excited to read Valkyrie Rising and The Turning sounds really good. :D

    My WoW

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  10. YES! Harper always has such a brilliant lineup no matter what time of year it is. I'm crazy excited for Valkyrie Rising, that one sounds amazing:) Fabulous choices Aylee!

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    1. So true. It's always so hard narrowing my picks down to just a few.

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  11. Valkyrie Rising looks stunning! I would love to read more about Norse mythology. And the cover is all kinds of awesome. I love the old world background with the modern girl. Just awesome. Great picks! :)

    My WoW

    Jessica @ Books: A true story

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    1. Yeah, I don't know a whole ton about Norse mythology so that's one of my main motivations for wanting to read it - to learn more on the subject!

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  12. Harper really does always have such good releases. I'm dying to read Valkyrie Rising and the rest look amazing. I'm going to have to add them to my to-read list. Thanks for sharing!

    Here's mine.

    ~Danica Page
    Be sure to check out my giveaway for any book under $15 if you do stop by.

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    1. I know I've said this before, but I really do adore your blog header. :)

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    2. Aw, thanks! And you're so right about HarperCollins. I know I always have a ton of picks I want to feature from them on the blog, but always have to make an effort to narrow it down to a few and it's TOUGH!

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  13. Some of these are new to me! Thanks for sharing!

    My WoW!

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  14. A lot of new reads, enjoy!

    http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2012/07/waiting-on-wednesday.html

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  15. all great choices. My WOW http://jennreneeread.blogspot.com/2012/07/waiting-on-wednesday-24-and-www-9.html

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  16. The Spindlers sounds quite adventurous...

    I hadn't heard of The Turning. I really want to read that one now too. I LOVE the way the title is written.

    -Lauren

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  17. I saw the Valkirie Rising one the other day and it does sound fab! Plus, Norse mythology is awesome and not nearly explored enough!

    Great picks

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    1. Agreed. I definitely want to learn more about Norse mythology!

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  18. The Spindlers and Valkyrie Rising sound A-mazing! Thanks for the heads up on these!

    Here's my WoW for this week if you fancy taking a look WoW - Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

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  19. All of these sound super amazing, especially The Other Normals! I'm definitely looking forward to that one :) Awesome picks & thanks for stopping by my WoW!!

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  20. No Wifi?! That is horrific!!! hehehe

    I love that Norse mythology is on the rise. I'm definitely looking forward to VR.

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    1. It so is. What do people even do without the internet? I'm anxious to become better acquainted with Norse mythology too.

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  21. Aylee, I can't wait for Valkyrie Rising and The Spindlers either. I'm not big on gothic horror since it can sometimes be a little too creepy for me but you've made me curious about The Turning (which I hadn't heard of). Lol, I think I'll wait for you to read it and let me know whether it's at a level of scary I can handle.

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  22. Three amazing WOW picks. The Spindlers looks interesting. Adding all three to my reading list.

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  23. Great picks. They are all interesting and I will definitely wait for them too.

    I followed your blog BTW, I like your header, I think it's funny. I was like that before too, but have come to accept that it is over but HP will always be a part of me. :(

    Check out my WoW.

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    1. Aw, thanks. I will never accept it though!

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  24. Great picks this week! I'm very excited for The Other Normals & The Turning.

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  25. YES I AM SO EXCITED FOR THESE! Esp The Other Normals and The Spindlers. I'm positive I'll love the latter.

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  26. Wow! That's a great list. I'm so excited because I got The Spindlers from Edelweiss. I loved Lauren's MG debut, so I know I'll like this one. Her writing is magnificent.

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    1. Magnificent is a great word for Lauren's writing!

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  27. All of these look great!

    My grad school had a class on Celtic and Norse Mythology in Children's Literature this summer (I didn't have room in my schedule to take it!) but I'll have to tell my classmates about Valkyrie Rising!

    Lauren @ Hughes Reviews

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    1. That is so neat. Even though you didn't get to take it. But that you even have the option of taking a class like that. Very cool.

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  28. All of these books sound amazing. I especially can't wait for The Other Normals!

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  29. The turning looks really great and creepy! And I know I'm going to love Lauren Oliver's new middle grade. I'm also looking forward to The Peculiar this fall!

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  30. Soo much goodness. I can't wait to hear more about all of these.

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  31. All these look great! Cute new blog look!

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