The I-Desperately-Need-Another-Bookshelf Book Haul

(I TOLD YOU I WOULD POST IT TODAY!!!)

So, uhhhhh, yeah, I don’t have any self control. Which means that I have so many books that they don’t all fit on my shelf. Like, I’m not even exaggerating, half of my books now reside in my closet because I have no room on my shelf. The logical solution would, of course, be to buy another shelf (if you thought I was going to say “stop buying books”, then you live in a fantasy world because that shit’s impossible), but my family and I are moving soon, and my parents won’t let me get another until after we’ve moved. So for now, I’m just going to fill up my closet with books, because who even needs clothes?

So, a small second-hand book shop recently opened up near me, and I, of course, had to check it out. And because all the books were 100 thou (100 thousand VND is about $4.30 USD), I basically bought every book in there that I was even remotely interested in, because I have a problem. So, book I bought:

The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer

I’m total trash for books with mental illness rep, and this is a very popular one, so of course I had to pick this up when I saw it.

Angelfall by Susan Ee

This book was incredibly hyped back in the day, but I haven’t heard anything about it recently. However, I’m still really interested in reading this, so I was excited to find it.

A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge

I had never heard of this book before, but I read the blurb in the bookstore, and then looked it up on goodreads, and immediately needed it. I don’t read a lot of middle grade, but the premise of this story is so intriguing that I figured this could be a good book to get me into more middle grade stories.

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James

I collect these Penguin English Library Classics, so when I saw this one, I snatched it up to add to my collection of 3…yeah I don’t exactly prioritize this particular collection of books, but I am excited to get to this book eventually.

Ok, so after the second-hand book store, I went to another book store that was on my way home. It’s very small, and typically only has books that I already own or have never heard of, but I still managed to find some books that I wanted to read. Those books are:

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

I’ve never read a poetry book before, but this one is so popular and beloved that I figured it would be a good one to start with.

Far From the Tree by Robin Benway

I have wanted to read this book since I heard about it, so when I found it at the bookstore I was ecstatic.

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

A bookstore romance?? Ummm, yes fucking please. Also, this cover is gorgeous.

The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

I bought this book yesterday, and then proceeded to devour it when I got home. I’ve wanted to get into graphic novels for ages now, so when I saw this at the book store, I obviously had to get it. Totally worth it. Expect the rest of the series to show up in my next haul.

So, you’d think this haul would be over, seeing as how those are all the books I bought. But, well, they’re all the books I bought. You see, book shopping in Vietnam is a bit unpredictable in the sense that you never know if the books you want will be in English or stocked in the book stores, so my lovely father has me type up a list of books I want every time he goes on a work trip, and brings me back as many as he could find. So, here are the books he brought back from his most recent trip to Singapore:

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Ok, as if I wasn’t going to get this book as soon as possible. I’m planning on rereading all of the previous works in the Grishaverse next month just so that I can be as familiar with the world and characters as possible when I start this book.

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Honestly, I’d have bought this book for the cover alone. But the premise of this story sounds so good that I needed this book as soon as possible.

What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

I’ve yet to read anything by Adam Silvera, and I’ve only read Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda, but this was so hyped that I needed it right away.

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh

This book follows a bisexual necromancer. Need I say more?

Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

This book has incredibly mixed reviews, but I love the premise and the cover, so I figured I’d give it a go and decide for myself whether or not it’s good.

A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

This was in my top five most anticipated releases for the year. Beauty and the Beast is my favourite Disney movie and is definitely up there on my list of favourite fairy tales, so of course I had to have this retelling.

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust

Speaking of retellings, I am so excited to finally have this book. It was described to me as a feminist fantasy retelling of Snow White with a f/f romance, and if that doesn’t make you want this book, I don’t know what will, because that’s basically everything I could ever want from a story.

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas

I’ve been hyped for this book since before it came out last year. I don’t know why, because I’ve never read a thriller, but it just sounded so good. I always say that about thrillers, lol, and this is yet another one that I am excited about, bought, and STILL haven’t read yet. I have a problem.

Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West

I’m collecting Kasie West’s books. I’m not usually a fluffy romance person, but her books have saved my arse from reading slumps too many times for me not to support her by buying everything she’s ever written. This one is one of the few that I actually haven’t read yet, so I’m glad I have it in case I do find myself slumping later this year.

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

Mental illness novels are my shit. Not much else to say to be honest.

Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy

Give me ALL the books with protagonists questioning their sexuality. Also, I’ve heard so many good things about this book and this author, so I has to give this a try.

Oh, and then my mum went to Singapore and brought me back the entire Darker Shade of Magic trilogy by V.E. Schwab. I pretty much won the parental lottery lol (Hi dad 😉 (he reads my blog, see what I mean about having great parents?))

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

I’ve been told by literally everyone ever that this series is the greatest thing to have ever been written, so I’m so hyped I finally have it. Deffo gonna be reading it later on this year, assuming I actually finish another book, seeing as how I’m practically illiterate at this point???

Jesus Christ, that’s a lot of books. Have I mentioned yet that I have a problem? But yeah, those are all the books I’ve acquired recently. Let me know if you’ve read any of them, and what you thought of them. And if there are any that you think I should prioritise over the others, let me know that as well. I’d also love to hear about any books that you guys bought recently; I need to know that I’m not the only one addicted to buying books xD Also, sorry this took so long for me to post, but hopefully it was worth it! But yeah, that’s all, so bye 🙂

-Laura Herondale