Book Haul #69: Gearing Up

I haven’t done a book haul since January, so this is actually the February haul, which includes a few purchases and a good bit of library books and ARCs.

(NOTE: If the layout below looks wonky, it’s most likely because you’re viewing this on your phone in the WordPress Reader app which, for some reason unknown to me, keeps messing up the layout when I use certain gallery settings to format image layouts. If you view it on the website instead, it will show correctly.)

PURCHASES

PHYSICAL

WITCH HAT ATELIER, VOL. 7 by Kamome Shirahama (illus.), transl. by Stephen Kohler

I’ve only read the first volume in this beautifully illustrated manga, but already I’m hooked on the story and its illustrations. It’s about a girl who gets the opportunity to be a witch after a fateful accident. (My review of the first volume)

GARDENS OF THE MOON by Steven Erikson

I’ve had this on my Goodreads TBR ever since reading Lashaan’s fantastic review of it. I finally bought it because it might become one of my buddy-reads with Emily at Embuhleeliest.

E-BOOKS

Finding Home, Vols. 1-3 by Hari Conner (illus.)

This is an LGBT fantasy comic about a wood nymph who abandoned his family, tried to fit in with humans, and is now travelling with someone named Janek with whom he develops a slow-burn romance. That all sounds fun, but I bought it off Comixology because it was discounted and I love the covers. I hope the story will be good when I get to it.

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Free

E-book

THE UNSPOKEN NAME by A.K. Larkwood

I’ve seen this reviewed in many places but have already forgotten much of the details. I only recall that it’s probably LGBT fantasy. Tor was giving out free e-copies of it in one of its newsletters, so of course I took the opportunity to download it.

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Library

Physical

In the Garden of Spite: A Novel of the Black Widow of La Porte by Camilla Bruce

Mogsy and Tammy’s reviews of this one got me curious about it, so I suggested that my library get a copy soon after reading their reviews. I got lucky and was able to get my hands on a copy soon after my library got the book. I started it this past weekend and am already intrigued.

E-book

THE LOST SYMBOL by Dan Brown

I’m currently reading this and it’s not going as well as I’d hoped. I thought I’d speed through it as I did the previous two in the series, but it’s been going slowly for me so far. I think the problem is that I’m reading too many books at once and am too impatient with this. I picked it up at the wrong time. Btw, it’s the third novel in the Robert Langdon mystery series. The previous two books were Angels & Demons and Da Vinci Code.

Audiobooks

WRAPPED UP IN YOU by Talia Hibbert, narr. by Selina Scott-Bennin & Philip Batley

This is a Christmas romance novella that was much heavier a read than I thought it’d be. It’s about a famous actor who returns home in the U.K. to profess his love to a childhood friend. I didn’t like it. (My review)

THE GOBLIN EMPEROR by Katherine Addison, narr. by Kyle McCarley

I reread the Goblin Emperor by audio, and it was such a wonderful experience! I’m glad I did it. It has become a comfort read, and I know it will be one I return to again and again like I do with the Harry Potter books. It’s a fantasy novel about a young half-goblin who suddenly becomes emperor of his father’s elvish kingdom. I love it and the narrator did a great job. (My review)

THE DUKE & I by Julia Quinn, narr. by Rosalyn Landor

This is the first novel in the now popular historical romance series, Bridgertons, which was adapted for a series on Netflix by the same name. Set in the Regency era, this first book focuses on Daphne Bridgerton, the eldest daughter and the fourth of eight siblings, and Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings. The story was a lot of fun to listen to, so I’ll certainly continue with the series.

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ARCs

Physical

THE ACCIDENTAL APPRENTICE by Amanda Foody

It’s the first in a middle grade fantasy series called Wilderlore about a boy who accidentally bonds with a magical beast and is driven out of town. The book was published on March 30.

HOW BEAUTIFUL WE WERE by Imbolo Mbue

This was published on March 9. It’s about a fictional African village that’s threatened by environmental degradation caused by an oil company.

THE OTHER BLACK GIRL BY ZAKIYA DALILA HARRIS

This will be out on June 1. It’s a thriller about two Black girls (the only two Black employees) working at a book publishing company. I’d like to start on this soon… if I can finish the mountain of books I’m currently reading.

E-Books

I received these three through NetGalley.

Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest by Phoebe Wahl (illus.)

This is a children’s fantasy picture book that will be out on September 21. It’s described as “a beautiful ode to nature, friendship, wild things and the seasons” and is about a witch who lives in the forest caring for the creatures there. I just really like the cover.

MY BODY IN PIECES by Marie-Noelle Hébert (illus.), transl. from the French by Shelley Tanaka

It’s a YA graphic memoir that touches on self-esteem and body issues. It will be out on April 6.

The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling

A gothic, horror novel that will be out on October 19 about a woman who enters into a marriage of convenience. It sounds suspenseful and as if it will be very atmospheric and suck me right in. I’m all for that.

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THAT’S IT FOR NOW.
LET ME KNOW IF YOU’VE READ ANY OF THESE.