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  • Tag: book haul

    • The Accidental April Book Haul

      Posted at 6:45 am by Laura, on May 8, 2015

      April was a Hot Mess.

      Not just with the massive amount of ARCs I read, but the number of books I acquired, as well. I didn’t fully realize how many I acquired in one month till I rearranged my bookshelves (again). My instagram shot got a lot of feedback — and there were so many books, I forgot to picture one as well! Since then, I’ve acquired four more. EEEK.

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      Not pictured: The Royal We, Rook, Miss Mayhem, Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke, and Wondrous and the Wicked.

      Free Books!

      I received these books from editors and giveaways.

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      Guilt-Free Purchases!

      When I read an ARC and love it, I go and buy the finished copy.

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      When I get a super nice tax return, I browse bargain selections at the store or on Book Outlet.

       

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      Then I search for UK editions of books I’ve had my eye on for a while to justify the shipping and conversion fees (and save the rest for later, of course. I can be a fiscally responsible adult!).

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      My poor bookcases…but look how pretty these are!

      What did you acquire in April? Have you had a large book haul recently?

      Posted in books, Update Post | 8 Comments | Tagged book haul, books, personal
    • To My Secret Santa Recipient

      Posted at 8:00 am by Laura, on December 4, 2014

      It’s that time of year! I work in a bookstore, I work with books and authors and editors and agents, I get steep discounts during the holidays, I have to buy presents…so obviously the gifts are books. Even my family is getting books. But this year is extra special — a Secret Santa, a book swap, and bookish surprises for friends!

      As I mentioned before, I’m participating (for the first time) in The Broke and The Bookish‘s (fifth annual) Secret Santa, or #TBTBSanta on twitter and instagram. This brought on a whole new level of holiday book swap: somewhere in the world another book blogger you may have never “met” or “read” has sent you a list of books and ideas for goodies, and somewhere in the world a blogger received your own list of books and ideas for goodies. Sounds easy! But it’s quite tricky…

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      1 book + 1 necklace + edible goodies + a bookmark!

       

      First off, while I knew which book to pick, I didn’t know what to do about goodies! Should I send a bookmark — and if so, which one? Should I send chocolate — and if so, what kind? Should I send tea or cocoa or coffee? What other gift can I give? I browsed her blog, scrolled through her twitter, and spied on her Goodreads, and while it didn’t answer my edible questions, it certainly gave me the idea to buy a piece of jewelry that all bibliophiles would love, even if they’ve never read A Series of Unfortunate Events (note: she has!). I hope she likes it!

      "BOOKS ARE EVERYWHERE WHY HUMAN WHY!"

      “BOOKS ARE EVERYWHERE WHY HUMAN WHY!”

      This year I not only participated in TBTBSanta, but continued the book swap concept with three of the girls from my program. In 2012 and 2013, we hosted a Secret Santa Ugly Christmas Sweater Book Swap party, and everyone received one book on their wishlist and one book their Secret Santa read and thought they’d enjoy as well. This year, since we’re scattered after graduation and still wanted to keep in touch, we came up with a list of ten books to share to the others. We emailed everyone (except the recipient) which book we were getting the recipient so no one bought the same book accidentally. Three books purchased, one book mailed to each of the three girls, and receiving three books in the mail to put under the tree. Considering we’re all in different states across the country (literally North, South, East, and West represented!), we thought we were being clever to continue the book swap this way. It’s definitely been fun! Our book lists really reflected who we are as readers. Can’t wait to discuss the books we receive!

      A book-related piece of jewelry for my dear bookish friends.

      A book-related piece of jewelry for my dear bookish friends.

      I surround myself with people who enjoy reading, but three girls in particular (none of whom were in the graduate program) are quite close to me and we always have something to say about books. Stina (whom I met at a Harry Potter party and who introduced me to Nerdfighteria), Lindsey (of Jane Eyre guest blog fame), and Morgan (introduced by Lindsey after I fell into the Outlander fandom) are amazing women. Stina and I constantly exchange gifts and letters just because, and Lindsey, Morgan, and I have epic text conversations midnight every night. So…I bought the four of us a tiny little something, and I hope they love it!

      Rossetti wishes you a merry Christmas!

      Rossetti wishes you a merry Christmas!

      Are you participating in #TBTBSanta?
      What bookish gifts have you purchased for loved ones?

      Posted in books, Update Post | 2 Comments | Tagged book haul, book swap, books, holiday, TBTBSanta
    • Advance Excitement at a Glance IX + September Book Haul

      Posted at 1:14 pm by Laura, on September 25, 2014

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      This year, in an effort to blog more, to become more involved with the blogging community, and to keep up with the latest publications, I thought I’d create a monthly post about the ARCs I’ve received. These ARCs will be read and reviewed a month prior to the publishing date. The Advance Excitement at a Glance posts will feature one or two (or more!) books to look forward to.

      Last month I previewed four ARCs I’d hoped to get to, but was only able to read and review one, The Caller. Lark Rising, though, is now available in stores, and I highly suggest you dash after it, especially if you’re a Juliet Marillier fan.

      October is another big publishing month, and I was once again overwhelmed with the number of fantastic ARCs. I can assure you you’ll see far more reviews this upcoming month, so be on the lookout! Here are two of the billions I’m really excited to share with you.

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      My True Love Gave to Me edited by Stephanie Perkins and written by
      all your favorite YA authors ever 

      (October 14, St. Martin’s Press)

      A collection of holiday/winter-themed short stories for your enjoyment. Rumor has it there are twelve illustrations inside as well, one for each story! Just looking at the cover makes me think of the Rainbow Rowell cover art trend (surely there’s a more formal name for it, but her covers are so iconic now), which I’m a huge fan of. I’m usually not much of a collection/anthology reader — I prefer my stories long — but this seems so perfect, like little bits of peppermint candies.

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      Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch 
      (October 14, Balzer + Bray)

      Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

      Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior, she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again. When scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

      Meira, orphaned as an infant, has only ever heard stories of the beautiful, frozen Kingdom of Winter. She’s heard so many that sometimes she feels these stories are her own memories. But when she goes on a mission to recapture the lost locket, a conduit for the royalty’s magic, she accidentally sets in a motion a future she never thought possible.

      If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m a huge Balzer + Bray fan. I’ll read just about any YA they publish. Gimme gimme. Apart from that, I really like the idea of a set of kingdoms based on the seasons. Throw in a girl who can fight, who’s playful and funny and passionate, who fights for a cause she doesn’t fully understand but feels should be part of her blood, and I’m ready to read.

      Which ARCs did you receive for October? What books are you looking forward to reading?

      ~

      September Book Haul

      Because this month’s spending was way out of control and totally violated Resolution #4.

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      If you’re following me on instagram, you would’ve noticed several things: 1) I’m obsessing over Outlander, and 2) there’ve been more book purchases than book reviews this month. And I’m blaming it on Outlander. I’d owned the book for months, watched the first episode when it aired, and then devoured the book. Which then prompted the intense desire to purchase Dragonfly in Amber…and Voyager and Drums of Autumn. All of Gabaldon’s books are massive, which means if I have wandering attention I end up turning back to the ARCs that need to be read or the books that look so gosh darn pretty and I want to read right now but can’t because Gabaldon’s taken my soul. So that prompted The Caller (already read and reviewed!), This is What Happy Looks Like, Winterkill, Summer & Bird, The Swallow, Jackaby, and The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place. I can’t explain myself. I just can’t. I’m ashamed and at the same time I just don’t care — breaking resolutions for books is acceptable in this community, right? Right.

      Posted in Advance Excitement, books, Update Post | 0 Comments | Tagged advance excitement at a glance, advance reading copy, ARC, book haul, book hoarding, books, personal
    • Extra Discounts Mean Book Hauls!

      Posted at 3:50 pm by Laura, on May 31, 2014

      It’s Barnes & Noble Employee Appreciation Week, which means a bigger discount, which means my resolution to Read Five Buy One went out the window. Again.

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      Once again my insane organizational skills helped make this whole purchase navigation easy! I created a list on Goodreads of books I wanted to look through before buying. Over 30 made the list, and I ran all over the store to fill two baskets. Then sat in a corner and read the first few pages of each. Still interested? Applied the page 69 test. Still interested? Read a snippet from the last quarter of the book. Still into it? It went into a BUY NOW YES basket. Clearly all these books passed! (And the others I put back in their rightful place — made sure to utilize proper bookstore etiquette.)

      Adult fiction pile

      Adult fiction pile

      Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid is a modern retelling of my favorite Jane Austen book. Skimming through, it also seemed a bit more believable of a modern retelling than Joanna Trollope’s Sense & Sensibility. Swap Bath for Edinburgh, diaries for social media, and carriages for sports cars. You’re set.

      The Swiss Affair by Emylia Hall is something of a tragic romance while a reserved character studies abroad in Switzerland. I loved the prologue, the first chapter made me fall in love with Hadley, and glancing through the rest of the book made me nostalgic for my trip in England and anxious to see how Hadley’s experience turns out.

      Me Before You by Jojo Moyes was recommended to me countless times by other booksellers, bloggers, and customers. I didn’t bother flipping through it because…because.

      Finding Camlann by Sean Pidgeon is my inner nerd pleasure read. Academics? Check. Traveling all over Britain? Check. Literary exploration? Check. King Arthur? CHECK.

      The Soldier’s Wife by Margaret Leroy was highly recommended by one of my managers after she heard about my love for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Letters from Skye. She mentioned it so often that I caved, read some pages, and had to stop myself from devouring it entirely at the store.

      YA and MG pile

      YA and MG pile

      The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier would’ve been perfect for my graduate thesis! Creepy, Gothic, Victorian feel. Just about everything in MG and YA fiction lately has that Gothic feel now, and I’m absolutely loving it. Kind of reminded me of Long Lankin (although I seriously hope it’s not as scary, because holy wow).

      Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson because duh. Why am I so late boarding the Matson wagon?

      Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas has been on my radar for ages now, and after reading the first few chapters I’m upset I didn’t pick this up earlier. Fantasy fans, why didn’t you pressure me to read this?

      My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick apparently has one of the greatest YA boyfriends ever (don’t worry, Matt Finch, you’re still my man), lacks teenage angst, and is just a great story of a good, healthy, trusting relationship. I’m all for that, says this Sarah Dessen fan.

      I’ve also acquired two ARCs (Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick and Secrets of the Lighthouse by Santa Montefiore) and breezed through Gayle Forman’s coda Just One Night. It’s been a great week for books, and a poor one for my bookshelves! Now to rearrange them again…

      Did you go to BEA? How was it, and what did you enjoy the most? If you didn’t go to BEA, what bookish things did you read/acquire/do this week?

      Posted in books, Update Post | 5 Comments | Tagged book haul, books, personal
    • December Book Haul

      Posted at 1:56 pm by Laura, on December 21, 2013

      December is when I buy and receive the largest amount of books. I have an employee holiday discount at the bookstore, the other students in the graduate program take part in the Secret Santa Book Swap party, and friends and family know books are the best Christmas gift for a hoarder/collector/reader. Although Christmas has not arrived, I’ve decided to share the piles received already. Quite a lot of books!

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      Adult and Young Adult Collection (Some of these are gifts and will be mentioned later in the post.)

      Starting second from the left: The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston — I’ve waited a year for this to come out in paperback. Morgana is a silent young woman who is sent to live with a widower in the far hills in Wales. Her strangeness is the talk of the village, and soon a darker power threatens to turn the village against Morgana and her powers.

      Center: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke — A recommendation from Charles Finch (author of Victorian mystery series and future fiction publication The Last Enchantments) after I told him my all-time favorite type of book would probably be a mixture of The Night Circus meets Harry Potter meets Jane Eyre meets Dickens. Basically Victorian magic. He said I needed to drop everything and read this book — so I bought it!

      Blythewood by Carol Goodman — Every time I passed the Young Adult department, this book stared me down. It was like that with C.J. Redwine’s Defiance. So I began to give it some attention — turn-of-the-century New York with magic and factory girls and insanity. Loved it already. The first three chapters were read and enjoyed, so once again, my money went back to my job.

      The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson — The sequel to The Name of the Star, even more mad and witty than the last! Clearly I’m almost finished, that’s why there are bookmarks and tabs within the pages.

      Skip to the last book: Dark Witch by Nora Roberts — My first Nora Roberts. Something about the Irish setting, the historical fiction sections mixed with the present day, the magic, all spoke to me. I asked some friends if they’d ever read Roberts, and they claim she’s phenomenal, really brings you into the story. We shall see!

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      Children’s Books and Miscellany 

      A Very Fuddles Christmas by Frans Vischer — An adorable story about a fat, curious cat who wants nothing more than to be pampered at Christmas, but the family is too busy cooking food and cookies, decorating trees, and playing in the snow. This is a signed edition, as the author visited our store!

      The Polar Express by Chris van Allsburg — How have I not purchased this book for myself before now? My parents have a tattered copy back home; my brother and I loved it to pieces. This is the 25th anniversary edition, and it came with an audiobook CD of Liam Neeson reading it. Sounds of clinking mugs of chocolate, sleigh bells, children and crowds’ voices, and the train rattling and chugging along can be heard in the background. A very atmospheric listening! I found myself shouting, “No! Not the hole!” when the boy loses his bell.

      The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, illustrated by P.J. Lynch — This is my third copy of the beloved classic. The illustrations are to die for, and truly makes this reading feel like a wonderful children’s classic.

      The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo — Unfortunately I never read this as a child! I’ve always wanted to, though, and now seems like the perfect opportunity.

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      On Black Friday, Penguin had a great discount on their hardcover cloth bound classics that I couldn’t resist. I was able to make the hoarder/collector in me extremely happy by adding to my Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights collection.

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      Secret Santa Book Swap Party

      Finally, for the Secret Santa Book Swap party, my dear friend and Secret Santa gave me these three books: Stella Bain by Anita Shreve (WWI story about an American nurse having lost her memory, who is taken in by an English family), A Book Lover’s Diary (a place to list and organize everything and anything related to books!), and Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier (I’ve wanted to read this ever since I was introduced to Marillier’s work, and my friend loves this book to pieces).

      What are some of the books you’ve purchased or received this December?

      Posted in books, Update Post | 3 Comments | Tagged book haul, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: children, genre: young adult, goodreads
    • Hello, I’m Laura!

      I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to knit, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm obsessed with popcorn. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!
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