I have never been one to purchase tons of books, choosing to opt for library borrowing over anything. However, this entire pandemic has caused me to buy way more books than I would have otherwise.
I decided that I wanted to throw them into one post to see what I’ve been collecting. I’m a bit afraid of what the end result will tell about my spending habits during this weird time, but this is all over about 7 1/2 months though…so I shouldn’t feel too bad. Right?!
I would also like to say that I’m very fortunate to be able to have extra money to be able to purchase books, this is a much more difficult time for many people and I don’t ever forget that.
Romance – Used
The craziness of the pandemic has caused me to revel in historical romance as a form of escapism and I think you can tell based on how many romance novels I bought these past many months. I have been visiting my local thrift stores ever since they reopened to find cheap copies of historical romance novels because they are so wonderfully cheesy and pretty inexpensive ($1-3 each). So, I basically buy everything that catches my eye and doesn’t have horrendous reviews on Goodreads.
Secrets of a Summer Night (Wallflowers #1) by Lisa Kleypas
It Happened One Autumn (Wallflowers #2) Lisa Kleypas
Devil in Winter (Wallflowers #3) by Lisa Kleypas
Dreaming of You (The Gamblers of Craven’s #2) by Lisa Kleypas
Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas
Someone to Watch Over Me (Bow Street Runners #1) by Lisa Kleypas
Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways #1) by Lisa Kleypas
Annie’s Song by Catherine Anderson
The Secret (Highlands’ Lairds #1) by Julie Garwood
Prince Charming by Julie Garwood
The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke #1) by Tessa Dare
The Governess Game (Girl Meets Duke #2) by Tessa Dare
Love Only Once (Malory-Anderson Families #1) by Johanna Lindsey
Gentle Rogue (Malory-Anderson Families #3) by Johanna Lindsey
Destiny’s Captive (Destiny #3) by Beverly Jenkins
Jewel (The Grayson Family #2) by Beverly Jenkins
Beverly Jenkins is my favorite historical romance author so far. I definitely would recommend her if you want to give the genre a try.
Bringing Down the Duke (A League of Extraordinary Women #1) by Evie Dunmore
Frederica by Georgette Heyer
I just learned about Georgette Heyer and now I need all of her books. Regency romances written in the 1930s. Okay, okay!
Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan
I love this movie and found a $2 copy of the book, so now I must read it.
Romance – New
Borage by Gill McKnight
Currently reading this, a fantasy witchy lesbian romance. Loving the cozy magical vibes so far!
Changing His Plans by Jo McNally
I wanted to try out these cheesy category romances, so I took a trip to Walmart just to find one. I’m so fascinated by the world of Harlequin category romances, we’ll see how I feel about it…
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade – I’m super excited to read this!
The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics (Feminine Pursuits #1) by Olivia Waite
Fantasy – New
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar (Owl Crate)
Fantasy – Used
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
Nonfiction – New
Drink Cultura: Chicanismo by Jose Antonio Burciaga
This has been on my TBR for ages and I love the blurb for it: “This book is about the Chicano experience of living within, between and sometimes outside of two cultures–the damnation and salvation, and the celebration of it all.” So good! I’m hoping to find some kind of comfort for my soul within these pages.
Fiction -New
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Book of the Month)
The Mothers by Brit Bennett – Still happy about finding this at the 99 cent store.
The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones (e-book)
Fiction – Used
I love these Jane Austen editions and will be slowly collecting them…
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
One of my favorite books as a kid. I want to see if I feel the same about it as when I first read it.
First and Then by Emma Mills – My one auto-buy author. I’m trying to slowly collect her backlist.
ARCS (Advanced Reader Copies)
Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia & Anna-Marie McLemore
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Review coming soon. Spoiler alert, I loved it!! I can’t believe I was accepted for this ARC on NetGalley. Biggest bookish accomplishment so far! Ahhhh!
Wow so many books! Indeed the local thrift stores are the best. ☺️ But most of my books are from the library, I usually buy only new releases or books I know I’ll re-read. 😆
Yes, I can’t resist thrift store books! That’s usually how I buy books too, I just went a little wild these past months 😅
Great haul! I think that it’s totally understandable that you bought more in this year, I mean we all need some coping mechanism. 😁
Indeed, those Vintage Jane Austen covers are gorgeous! 😍
Thanks for making me feel better about my coping mechanism 😅
Hehe, any time. 😁
Wow this is one fantastic haul!!!! I have a couple of the books on my library request lists, can’t wait to read them!
Thanks!! Excited to see your thoughts on them!
So many wonderful books! Can’t wait to see your review on eve brown, I just read chloe brown and loved it. I also have been collecting a lot of romances since the pandemic started. I think with the world being so crazy right now I just want to read about happy love 😆. Emma mills is also an autobuy author for me – Foolish Hearts is SO cute. I’m slowly reading all of her books too 😊
Right?! I have never been into romance, but this pandemic made me fall in love with the genre. I like seeing so many other readers coming to love the genre, too. We can always use more happy endings! Ahhh yes! Foolish Hearts is my absolute FAVORITE of hers, I’ve read it twice and I think I’m due for a reread soon. I hope you like her other books, too!