January-Birthday Book Haul: “Bookish Birthday” Edition

It’s March, which means time for the second book haul of the year. January was a month of buying no books. However, February was my birthday month and I finally put my birthday & Christmas gift cards to good use. Which means buying some new and anticipated reads.

I tried out Pango Books, but so far I’m not making any sales. It’s moving too slow for my tastes and I may just go back to trading in my books again at 2^nd& Charles. At least this way I can trade in old books for new ones. Has anyone else had luck with Pango Books?

Still slowly making progress on reading my own books, but as Spring approaches its time to do my annual bookshelves spring cleaning. I am way overdue to unhaul some books.

Let’s get onto the book haul!

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Bought

The Marvellers (The Marvellers, 1) by Dhonielle Clayton – I enjoy Clayton’s writing and when I saw it for 50% off I saw an opportunity to finally purchase it. This is Clayton’s middle-grade debut which is a fantasy adventure set in a global magic school in the sky.

A Taste of Magic by J.Elle – I love the cover art for this title so much! This novel is the first installment of a new series about a Black girl who learns she’s a witch and must save her inner-city magic school from closing.

Skin of Sea by Natasha Bowen – This is a highly anticipated read and I got such a discount. Follows Simi, a mami wata who travels across sea and land in search of the Supreme Creator after breaking a law that threatens the existence of all mami wata.

Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory – I love Guillory’s romances so I couldn’t resist picking this one up. This novel is about a spontaneous holiday vacation that turns into an unforgettable romance.

The Art of Howl’s Moving Castle – I’ve read this book via the library in the past and now I finally own a copy of it. This is my favorite Ghibli film and I love how it goes into the detail of the artwork and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the film.

Tokyo Tarareba Girls by Vol.2 Akiko Higashimura – This is Josei manga that is focused on three friends in their 30s. They’ve spent so much time wondering what if and found that they have missed out on many opportunities because of their behaviors.

Everyone’s Getting Married Vol. 2 by Izumi Miyazono – Everyone’s Getting Married is a manga about adulthood as much as it is about love and relationships. The two main characters, Asuka and Ryu, are at a crossroads in their career and love life. They excel in what they do but are also pressured into marriage. The juxtaposition comes when Ryu and Asuka start to fall in love after a few chance encounters.

Against The Currant (Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries Book 1) by Olivia Matthews – I always enjoy cozy mysteries and this one is centered around a bakery shop!

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Gifted

Spy x Family by Vol.8 by Tatsuya Endo –  The story follows a spy who has to “build a family” to execute a mission, not realizing that the girl he adopts as a daughter and the woman he agrees to be in a marriage with are a mind reader and an assassin. It’s so good!

Salaam, with Love by Sara Sharaf Beg – A YA contemporary follows Dua, who spends the month of Ramadan making unexpected discoveries about family, faith, and first love. I’m looking forward to reading this.

Lovesickness by Junji Ito – This is the first Ito book I’ve ever owned. It was gifted to me by a friend who also loves horror manga. This story collection showcases a dozen of Junji Ito’s earliest works from when he burst onto the horror scene.

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ARCs/Review Copies

Lucky Girl by Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu -Longing for independence, a young sheltered Kenyan woman flees the expectations of her mother for a life in New York City that challenges all her beliefs about race, love, and family. (Review to come in April!)

Twelve Hours in Manhattan by Gabriel Maan – Twelve Hours in Manhattan will instantly speak to any romance or K-drama fan with its plot of star-cross lovers whose chance meeting turns into something deeper. (Review)

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That concludes my January-February book haul! What books did you buy these past months? What books have you recently added to your TBR? Tell me in the comment section below.