Hi everybody! Gosh, it’s been a while since I’ve done a Stacking the Shelves, hasn’t it? In case you’re not familiar with Stacking the Shelves, it’s all about sharing the books you’ve gotten this week – physical, e-book, from the library, or book store, hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve done a STS and I’m excited to finally be back to it, because guys. This stack looks pretty darn awesome.

Whale, it is short… but DON’T JUDGE A STACK BY ITS HEIGHT.

Yesterday my Christmas gifts from the best pen pal in the whole wide world  – you know her, she comments on your blog all the time – hi Brooke! – came and ahhhhhh I. Just. Flipped. Out.

Up there on the top of the stack we’ve got The Mysterious Benedict Society, which I’ve been meaning to read since third or fourth grade so it’s about time I get to that. From what Brooke has told me, something about it gives her that Series Of Unfortunate Events feel, even though they’re not very similar. So I’m anxious to read it ’cause fifth grade me would be all over that.

Next… NEXT…. Ohhhh mah Lordy folks, it’s While You Were Gone, the sequel to Now That You’re Here, which I finished at 3 AM because of the cuteness of Danny and Eevee and thanks to my good friend Hayden. Fun fact: Hayden’s mom is a friend of the author, Miss Amy Nichols. It’s that whole 6-people-away-from-knowing-everyone-in-the-world thing, ya know? (Which, on a side note, means I know a lot of cool authors.) Hayden was sweet enough to lend me both books so I returned her the first one in exchange for this one and it’s going to be a fun Christmas break, I can tell you that.

And last, but CERTAINLY not least… we have Cinder. Pretty sure you’ve heard of it? At least on this blog, anyway, huh? Weeeelll I OWN IT NOW! AHHH I love Brooke so so much. But that’s not even the best part.

IT’S SIGNED! By the Marissa Meyer, the author of The Lunar Chronicles, THE Marissa Meyer. And it’s even personalized. To me. Emily. (Insert temporary made-up last name here.) Of course, Brooke had the amazing opportunity to actually meet Marissa Meyer (meanwhile I’m over here drooling when she comes back telling me all about it, so Miss Meyer and I have a lot to talk about why she didn’t come down to The Georgia) annnnnd. AHHHH. I’m just a ball of excitement this morning! I love ya Brooke!

So those were the books of this week! Hopefully it won’t be too much longer till the next Stacking the Shelves because Christmas is just THIRTEEN DAYS AWAY. Thirteen days, thirteen days! Less than two weeks! Which means todaaaayyy, just for fun, because it is the season of giving, I bring you a giveaway hosted by the amazing Melanie Dickerson. (And a shout-out to Miss Dickerson who was kind enough to sponsor the giveaway. Thank you!)

You all know how much I love Melanie Dickerson’s books (you can see my reviews for The Huntress Of Thornbeck Forest, The Princess Spy, and The Captive Maiden), particularly her fairy tale retellings, and her Christian spin on it. That’s why I had such a hard time deciding which book to giveaway, as Miss Dickerson was happy to give a copy of any one of them. But… because it is her newest book, and I know several of you are just as excited as I am to read it, I decided to go with The Golden Braid, which just hit shelves November 17th, and you can learn more about here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So enter and enjoy! The giveaway ends December 19th. I will email Miss Dickerson the winner and she will have your book sent out to you! Oh – and one more thing – the giveaway will be open to U.S. residents ONLY please! 

what books did you get this week? and what melanie dickerson books have you read? do you want to read any? which ones? and tell me – what do you think of my copy of cinder??!! ahhhh i’m so so excited!