Book Haul #22: Indie Bookstore Day & Free Comic Book Day

Book Haul #22 is an awesome one because it’s a bookhaul of firsts: the first time I went to Free Comic Book Day and the first time I visited an indie bookstore on Indie Bookstore Day. Plus, I won a wonderful giveaway so I dub this bookhaul one of my best. Let’s start with the giveaway.

Rachel at Life of a Female Bibliophile hosted a giveaway in early April that I won. I was so excited and thankful (THANKS RACHEL!!!). She sent me a box filled with books, bookish goodies, and TEA!!! I was so grateful. I love me some tea so that box was done within two weeks. Here’s some of what I got:

Spells at the Crossroads by Barbara Ashford

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card

Floral Wonders Color Art for Everyone

I received a sweet greeting card from Rachel as well as Frida Kahlo note cards with quotes on them, which I love because Kahlo is awesome, a journal, and a clean cotton-scented air freshener that smells really good. All in all, great giveaway.

I then ordered these books from Book Outlet:

Get in Trouble by Kelly Link

The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear by Ralph Keyes

Since last year, I’ve often heard that Kelly Link is a great short-story writer and storyteller so I’d like to try her work. I’ve heard also that she mostly writes magical realism and fantasy. I forgot how or where I heard of Ralph Keyes’s book but I could use the advice so I got it.

I had a coupon for Archie Comics, I forgot how I got it, so I went ahead and got this —

Archie, Vol. 1: The New Riverdale by Mark Waid, illus. by Fiona Staples, Annie Wu, and Veronica Fish

I love the cover of the Archie comic and when I heard that Fiona Staples was one of the illustrators, I had to get it. I wonder if I’ll like the story. I enjoyed reading the few Archie comics I had as a kid so I assume this will be fun too.

I also placed an order at Barnes & Nobles and got these because sales and coupons:

Journey by Aaron Becker

Autumnlands, Vol. 1: Tooth & Claw by Kurt Busiek, illus. by Benjamin Dewey

Rat Queens, Vol. 3: Demons by Kurtis J. Wiebe, illus. by Tess Fowler

Birthright, Vol. 1: Homecoming by Joshua Williamson, illus. by Andrei Bressan

I’ve wanted Journey since it first came out. I love the illustrations I’ve glimpsed in it. It’s just recently that I’ve worked up the courage to start purchasing children’s picture books and not feel weird about it because I’m buying them for myself. The comics were a buy-2-get-1-free deal. I love the Rat Queens comics and have been curious about Autumnlands. Birthright sounds interesting.

April 30 was Independent Bookstore Day and also the opening of East City Bookshop so I ran over there to check it out. It was a busy day for the store. A lot of people were curious about the store and since it was participating in Indie Bookstore Day, there were speakers there (authors and illustrators, I believe). I thought it was a sweet place and I love the decor. I didn’t plan on getting anything but since I was there, I thought I’d might as well get this —

Blue Lily. Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

I debated purchasing the rest of the books in the series because I didn’t like the second much; but because the fourth and final book came out, I thought it best to just complete the series. Plus, I’m still interested in the story. I just miss how the first book made me feel. And also I love the covers.

Saturday, May 7th, came along and found me struggling with myself: Should I go to the comic bookshop or not, I kept debating. I really wanted to see how Free Comic Book Day is, but I didn’t want to spend too much. After stalling a while by visiting a museum, I decided to go drop in at Fantom Comics for a few and not buy anything. That plan, of course, didn’t work. I left with these free comics:

I just grabbed whatever looked interesting. I didn’t know what to pick up or what to do. I was a walking bundle of confusion but the sellers were helpful. I don’t think I’m a fan of single issues. I prefer when the comics are bound in a volume. Are those volumes then called graphic novels? I’m confused about that. I bought these:

Paper Girls, Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan, illus. by Cliff Chiang

Lady Killer by Joëlle Jones (illus.) and Jamie S. Rich

East of West, Vol. 1 by Jonathan Hickman, illus. by Nick Dragotta

Copperhead, Vol. 1 by Jay Faerber, illus. by Scott Godlewski

The Tithe, Vol. 1 by Matt Hawkins, illus. by Rahsan Ekedal

I have no idea what any of these are about, but I’m willing to find out. I’m due for a serious comics binge, I guess.

Well, that’s it for now. I’ll probably have another bookhaul coming soon since I’ve decided to go to BookCon in Chicago. I’ve never been. I’m not even excited about meeting authors. I just want to know what new books are coming out and get a few and scope out the event to see if I like it. I think it will be fun.

Lemme know if you’ve read any of these.

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