July 2019 Book Haul

Typically, I like posting these book hauls on the first of the month. HOWEVER, since this blog will be given over wholly to the REVEAL of Spindle Dreams's cover, I'm going ahead and posting this a day early.

July saw me in a lot more thrift stores, since my sisters were visiting one weekend and we decided to hit a handful of stores while they were here. And then basically all but four of the books listed below I picked up in one day. That's what happens when you've got good thrift stores in your area. Not apologizing.

I just need another bookshelf now...

Anyway, let's get started!

The Scarlet Letter / Nathaniel Hawthorne - To be honest, I do have another copy of this book, but it's in pretty rough shape. This one is perfectly tiny with a dust jacket and gold edging. It's beautiful.

Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles) / Marissa Meyer - Now I've got half of the Lunar Chronicles. This is such an interesting take on the tale of Red Riding Hood.

The River of Wind, The War of the Ember (Guardians of Ga-Hoole) / Kathryn Lasky - I had NO idea these owl books had such a big series. These are books 13 and 15!

Andersen's Fairy Tales / Hans Christian Andersen - Eep! Another book of fairytales! I think this may be my first collection of Andersen's.

Inkheart / Cornelia Funke - I read this trilogy a long time ago and (aside from the language!) really enjoyed it. I think Inkheart was my favorite since the author did some things in the second and third books that I didn't care for. *sniff* I would have written it differently.

Ozma of Oz, Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, The Road to Oz, The Patchwork Girl of Oz / L. Frank Baum - Books 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the Oz series. Who knew that the world of Oz had so many books?

The Sword of the Wormling (The Wormling) / Jerry B. Jenkins, Chris Fabry - I've got the first book of this series on Kindle, but I've procrastinated starting it because I only had the first book. Oh, look -- here's book two!

Cinderella: Ninja Warrior (Twisted Tales) / Maureen McGowan - I'm familiar with this book from Goodreads, but I don't know that much about it. I was super excited about it until I saw that it's kinda a "choose your own adventure" type of book. Don't hate me, but I don't like choosing the adventure when the author should have already done the work.

Beauty / Robin McKinley - How can I be a fairytale retelling snob without this book in my collection? Not my favorite Beauty and the Beast story, but definitely one to hang on to.

Abandoned on the Wild Frontier: Peter Cartwright (Trailblazer Books) / Dave Jackson - I was only ever able to read a few in this series growing up, but I really liked the missionary/Christian tales. Not super long, but just the sort of clean, inspiring adventure I want my kids to read. This particular one I've actually not read yet.

The Journeyman / Elizabeth Yates - I grew up with this book and its sequel, so it's always exciting to find these little gems in stores. Brownie points for anyone caring: it was published by my college.

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And that's all for July, folks! Have you read any of these books? Any of them on your to-read list? What books did you add to your shelves in July? Let me know in the comments below!

AND DON'T FORGET! We've got a cover reveal and a book tour kicking off tomorrow!!

God bless!

January 2019 Book Haul

When shopping (especially at thrift stores), it is a truth universally acknowledged by all bibliophiles that it is impossible to walk away without purchasing at least ONE book.

Since I have a little girl who's growing and plowing through clothing like it went out of style (and size) yesterday, I find myself more and more at Goodwills and the like, looking through racks of little pink onesies and purple pants and polka dotted sleepers and frilly dresses. I love it. When you have a small wallet and your daughter outgrows everything so fast, I love finding those bargains at thrift stores/resale shops that only ask upwards of $2-3 for something your child will wear for about a month before it's too small.

BUT I'm a bibliophile to the core. So is my husband. Thus, when shopping for daughter clothes, we ALWAYS derail from our purpose and look through all the books for sale. My favorite thrift store in town (conveniently located about five minutes from my house) sells paperbacks for $.50. FIFTY CENTS! If that's not a steal, I don't know what is. And you can get a hardback for $1.00. And children's books for $.25. #musictomyears #needmorebookshelves

So, like every other bibliophile online, I've decided to brag, er, share my monthly finds with you. I may sometimes have a new book that I actually bought for reals, brand new (that doesn't happen often when you're a full-time parent working from home trying to pay off student loans), but typically any monthly book haul I post is going to be majorly thrift store/resale shop finds. I think I have an unhealthy addiction to secondhand books. You just never know what treasures you'll find on those Goodwill shelves, I'm telling you.

(Note: my iPad camera has terrible quality, and my daughter lost my phone, so please excuse the blurry pictures. I did the best that I could.)

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The Comedy of Errors // Shakespeare

I've been slowly adding to my collection of Shakespeare's works. Not that I've read many of them yet, but I've convinced myself I will -- once I've completed the collection.

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Streams to the River, River to the Sea // Scott O'Dell

I don't actually know that I've read anything by Scott O'Dell. He's a pretty famous writer, most notably of Island of the Blue Dolphins, which I'll read one day, I promise. This, however, is a historical novel about Sacajawea. I thought it looked cool.

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The Wishsong of Shannara 

The Druids of Shannara

The Elf Queen of Shannara

The Talismans of Shannara // Terry Brooks

Not one, not two, but FOUR Terry Brooks books. I read one of his Shannara trilogies, like, 10 years ago, and being the fantasy buff that I am, I need to change that. Especially since he's the guest of honor at this year's Realm Makers. #wishicouldgo

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Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Capture // Kathryn Lasky

I remember watching the film version of this a long time ago, and finding the paperback first volume, thought I'd give it a chance. Besides, the main character's/owl's name is Soren, and I really like that name.

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The Shakespeare Stealer // Gary L. Blackwood 

I know absolutely nothing about this book, but thought it looked too amazing to stay on the shelf. I mean, c'mon, someone who tries to STEAL from Shakespeare? If that's not a grabbing title, I don't know what is. (Update: Just looked this one up on Goodreads, and apparently, it's a trilogy.)

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The Outlaws of Sherwood // Robin McKinley

I've read Beauty by this author and enjoyed it. And since I'm gaining a bigger interest in the legends and retellings of Robin Hood, I decided I needed this one.

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The Count of Monte Cristo // Alexandre Dumas

This was probably my second most favorite find of the month! I've wanted to read this classic for AGES, but couldn't bring myself to jump into a library copy or *le gasp* an ebook version. There's just something wonderful about reading a thick book in physical form. Super stoked about this find. Wow.

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Elsie's Impossible Choice (A Life of Faith: Elsie Dinsmore) // Martha Finley

One of my absolute favorite series growing up. I read every Life of Faith book I could get my hands on. Upwards of five times (Mille, though, I probably read closer to ten times). This is one series I really want to share with my kids, and I was so happy to find this second book to sit companionably next to the first book on my shelf. #sixmoretofind

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The Prophet of Yonwood (Book of Ember) // Jeanne DuPrau 

My sisters and I got into the City of Ember books shortly after the film came out. I don't remember much of the books, but I'm looking forward to re-reading them one day.

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North! Or Be Eaten (Wingfeather Saga) // Andrew Peterson 

BEST FIND OF THE MONTH! I am forever grateful to the person who donated their Wingfeather books to my local thrift store. I found On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness there a few months ago, and lo and behold, there was the second waiting for me this month. I WAS SO FLOORED. I mean, who gets rid of these books??? I'm happy they did, but I still couldn't believe it. This is an amazing series. Can't gush enough.

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Well, that's it for January, folks! 13 books in total for me, if you don't include the odd stack of children's books that I'm collecting for my daughter. Also, kids' books are too much fun. I'm obsessed with board books, seriously.

Anyway, what books did you add to your shelves last month? Have you read any of the ones I listed above? Let me know in the comments!

God bless!