6 Books to buy on October 6

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It's a good day to be a book geek! 

Also to be an exclamation point because I'm probably going to use plenty of those in this post!

Here's a peek at 6 books to buy this October 6.

1. 

It's a Wonderful Death

Seventeen-year-old RJ always gets what she wants. So when her soul is accidentally collected by a distracted Grim Reaper, somebody in the afterlife better figure out a way to send her back from the dead or heads will roll. But in her quest for mortality, she becomes a pawn in a power struggle between an overzealous archangel and Death Himself. The tribunal presents her with two options: she can remain in the lobby, where souls wait to be processed, until her original lifeline expires, or she can replay three moments in her life in an effort to make choices that will result in a future deemed worthy of being saved. It sounds like a no-brainer. She’ll take a walk down memory lane. How hard can changing her future be?

But with each changing moment, RJ’s life begins to unravel, until this self-proclaimed queen bee is a social pariah. She begins to wonder if walking among the living is worth it if she has to spend the next sixty years as an outcast. Too quickly, RJ finds herself back in limbo, her time on Earth once again up for debate.

RJ is a snarky, unapologetic, almost unredeemable, very real girl. Her story is funny and moving, and teens will easily connect with her plight. Prepare to meet the Grim Reaper, who’s cuter than you’d expect; Hawaiian shirt–wearing Death Himself; Saint Peter (who likes to play Cornhole); and Al, the handler for the three-headed hound that guards the gates of Hell. This cast of characters accompanies RJ through her time in the afterlife and will do their best to gently shove her in the right direction.

What's so exciting? 

I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah J. Schmitt at an Indiana SCBWI event last spring, and I've been waiting to read it since. Sarah is smart, witty, and personable, and I'm betting her book will be too!

2. 

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, he’s tracked down by an uncle he barely knows—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. Uncle Randolph tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .

What's so exciting?

Rick Riordan is like a god in my house. Both my kids loooovvvee his books. They're planning on dressing as characters from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series for Halloween. And so, providing them with this book will make me numero uno coolest Mommo on the block!

3. 

The Odds of Getting Even

Humor and action abound in this second follow-up to the Newbery honor winner and New York Times bestseller, Three Times Lucky

The trial of the century has come to Tupelo Landing, NC. Mo and Dale, aka Desperado Detectives, head to court as star witnesses against Dale's daddy--confessed kidnapper Macon Johnson. Dale's nerves are jangled, but Mo, who doesn't mind getting even with Mr. Macon for hurting her loved ones, looks forward to a slam dunk conviction--if everything goes as expected.
Of course nothing goes as expected. Macon Johnson sees to that. In no time flat, Macon's on the run, Tupelo Landing's in lockdown, and Dale's brother's life hangs in the balance. With Harm Crenshaw, newly appointed intern, Desperado Detectives are on the case. But it means they have to take on a tough client--one they'd never want in a million years.

For everyone who's already fallen for Mo and Dale, and for anyone who's new to Tupelo Landing, The Odds of Getting Even is a heartwarming story that perfectly blends mystery and action with more serious themes about family and fathers, all without ever losing its sense of humor.

What's so exciting?

Mo and Dale! That's what! The kids and I love Mo and Dale. They make us laugh and cry. And Tupelo Landing feels like the sleepy southern town I grew up knowing. Sheila Turnage is a master with plot, character, and prose.

Daughter and I review The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing here.

4. 

The Rest of Us Just Live Here

A new YA novel from novelist Patrick Ness, author of the Carnegie Medal- and Kate Greenaway Medal-winning A Monster Calls and the critically acclaimed Chaos Walking trilogy, The Rest of Us Just Live Here is a bold and irreverent novel that powerfully reminds us that there are many different types of remarkable.

What if you aren't the Chosen One? The one who's supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death?

What if you're like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.

Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week's end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life.

Even if your best friend is worshipped by mountain lions.

What's so exciting?

This is the story that those of us who feel ordinary and left out have been waiting for our whole lives. I'm a huge fan of Patrick Ness. I loved the Chaos Walking trilogy. I demanded that anyone who loves me read A MONSTER CALLS after finishing it (well, after I finished sobbing uncontrollably and could speak again). 

And let's just chat for a moment about how much my already immense respect for this amazing man grew when he decided to put his words and worries into action and raised over one million dollars in a week with his Save the Children fundraiser. 

5. 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Illustrated Edition

For the first time, J. K. Rowling's beloved Harry Potter books will be presented in lavishly illustrated full-color editions. Kate Greenaway-award winning artist Jim Kay has created over 100 stunning illustrations, making this deluxe format a perfect gift as much for a child being introduced to the series, as for the dedicated fan. Book one, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, is publishing on October 6, 2015.
 
Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility.
 
All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley -- a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years.
 
But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry -- and anyone who reads about him -- will find unforgettable.

What's so exciting?

If you don't know, then you obviously don't know me. 

6. 

Carry On

#1 New York Times bestselling author!

Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen.

That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right.

Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here--it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up.

Carry On - The Rise and Fall of Simon Snow is a ghost story, a love story and a mystery. It has just as much kissing and talking as you'd expect from a Rainbow Rowell story - but far, far more monsters.

What's so exciting?

We get to spend more time with Simon and Baz! We get to revel in the humor, heart, and insight that is a Rainbow Rowell book! We get to laugh! I'm pretty sure I will do some crying (probably when the package with my pre-ordered book arrives from Barnes & Noble--unless I cave and go to the store today and just buy a copy to have in my greedy hands--which is very, very, very possible) when I read this story.

I admit to being a tiny bit frightened though. I know this isn't Gemma's Simon and Baz or Cath's. I get that. But what if Simon and Baz aren't together in this version? Will I still love it? Can I love a Simon and Baz story without the Snowbaz? 

Book nerd problems, indeed!

What about y'all? Any books you can't wait to get your greedy hands on?