June – July Book Haul: “Great Book Finds” Edition
Hello again and welcome to another book haul! This time it’s the “Great Book Finds” edition! Once again this will be quite the lengthy book haul. Rightstuf Anime had their annual gigantic birthday sale which meant some incredible deals on manga. I took this opportunity to stock up on some series I just started to collect and series I read in the past and wanted to collect.
I haven’t been unhauling as many books lately since June was a slow reading month for me. To be honest I was in a major reading slump in June due to burnout. I’m feeling a bit better since I was able to read more in June, but I’m trying to get back into a reading groove. Here’s hoping that August will be a good reading month for me.
I’m doing things a bit different in this book haul with the pictures and tried to show off more cover art. Let me know if you like this style of book haul posts and I’ll try to incorporate more cover art into future book hauls.
Onto the haul!
Bought
Suppli by Mari Okazaki – How pretty is this cover art? I didn’t know too much about this series but the volumes were $2 apiece. I couldn’t get volume one so I guess I’ll have to search somewhere to find it in print or read it online. Something tells me this series may be out of print. This is a romance manga about a female office worker in an advertisement agency and her life. I think this is more of a Josei manga series.
Incurable Case of Love Vol. 3-7 by Maki Enjoji – Finally I own the rest of the series! Now I can read it all together and then I plan to watch the live-action drama adaptation. These were on sale for about $6 apiece. The story revolves around Nanase Sakura who became a nurse after a fateful meeting with a young doctor.
Tactics Vol.2, 4-8 by Sakura Kinoshita and Kazuko Higashiyama – I heard a lot of buzz about this series and always wanted to read it. It’s a supernatural-themed manga that is action-packed. This sounds like a series up my alley.
Hanako and The Terror of Allegory Vol.1-4 by Sakae Esuno – I love a good spooky read and this series’ volumes were $2 apiece per volume. The series tells the story of Daisuke Aso, a private detective who investigates paranormal cases involving Japanese urban legends that come to exist because of people’s beliefs. Sounds like a good read for Halloween season!
Dokebi Bride by Marley – In this manwha series, Sunbi has inherited the power to see and communicate with spirits from her grandmother, a noted shaman, and savior of the little fishing village in the South Sea that they live in. I’m always trying to discover more manwha and this one seems like it has a really interesting plot.
Paradise Kiss (20th Anniversary Edition) by Ai Yazawa – Yazawa is one of my favorite manga artists/writers and when I saw this anniversary edition on sale I bought it. I’ve been eyeing it for a while and it was on sale at a good price. I’ve gushed about this series many times. The artwork is absolutely stunning!
Sayuki Vol.1 and Sayuki Reload Vol.1, 3-5, 8-9 by Kazuya Minekura – Back in the day this series was my jam! Seeing these volumes at a deep discount made me want to re-read the series all over again. The story is loosely based on the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West and follows unlikely heroes on a quest. If you like adventure stories give this one a try!
Happy Marriage?! by Vol.3, 5-6, 10 by Maki Enjoji – Almost done collecting this series. I’m a huge Maki Enjoji manga fan!
Ouran High School Host Club Vol.14-17 by Bisco Hatori – So close to finally finishing collecting this manga. All I’m missing is the last volume now. Books-A-Million had a huge sale on manga so I was able to save a lot.
I won’t go into any details about the first four books in this stack. They were mainly bargain buys that caught my eye. You might see these manga books featured in upcoming Comic Corner Roundups on the blog! Stay tuned!
Sayuki Reload Vol. 2, 7-9 by Kazuya Minekura – I lucked out and found more volumes of this manga at my local bookstore.
Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia – You had me at the description of a 1920s jazz-age murder mystery. I keep hearing good things about this book.
Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney – I love rom-coms so I’m excited to read this contemporary romance novel! The cover art is so colorful and fun!
The Girl King by Mimi Yu – A bargain buy from Books-A-Million. It’s an Asian-inspired high fantasy about imperialism, sisterhood.
El Deafo by Cece Bell – Read and reviewed this on the blog before and it’s an incredible graphic novel. Highly recommend it!
Fountains of Silence by Ruta Septys- I generally enjoy this author’s historical fiction novels and this one has been on my TBR for a long while. This story is set in post-war Spain.
Paper Girls Vol.3 by Brian k.Vaughn – Still reading my way and collecting this series. TLDR I ordered from InStock Trades for this volume and my first experience was not too good. All I’ll say is that if you are not in a rush to get your books then you should order from this site.
Yakuza Lover Vol.1 by Nozomi Mino – I bought this manga since I wanted to listen to the podcast episode by Mangasplaining that covers the novel. I’ve been hearing mixed reviews about it, but I hope I’ll enjoy it.
Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto – I love a good cozy mystery and this one seems so humorous!
Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck & Fortune by Roselle Lim – I reviewed this novel on the blog previously and was excited to find a copy at Dollar Tree. If you like books with food, I highly suggest this read.
Brown Girl Ghosted by Mintie Das – This one is story is one with a supernatural twist about mean girls, murder, and race in a quiet Midwestern suburb. It’s supposed to be a thriller and I’m intrigued.
A booth at Detroit Book Fest had a store booth that carried Japanese manga. They were secondhand copies but a lot of them were in such good condition! I snagged series faves Nana Vol. 18 by Ai Yazawa and Kare Kano Vol.1-2 by Masami Tsuda. I also bought RDG Red Data Girl by Ranmaru Kotone simply cause the artwork seemed cool.
Broxo by Zack Giallongo – An entertaining fantasy graphic novel about the only surviving member of a tribe of barbarians who once occupied a now-desolate mountain. One of my favorite local comic stores Green Brain Comics had a booth at the Book Fest so I bought this and the following title from their booth.
Dodo by Felipe Nunes – This seems like a cute graphic novel read! The synopsis states it’s about a girl named Laila who ends up befriending a strange bird that lives in the park by her house.
Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike Iyimide – An anticipated read that I purchased during a huge Barnes & Noble sale. I’m hoping this one lives up to the book buzz.
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston – After gushing about this book, I knew I wanted to pick up a physical copy of the cover. The cover art truly matches how epic this story is!
Keat’s Neighborhood by Erza Jack Keats – This collection of stories was another excellent find at Detroit Book Fest! I have so much nostalgia for this series of books and I love the colorful illustrations.
Gifted
So for the first time ever, I decided to participate in Giftmas in July and my secret Santa was Auburn who put together this awesome package for me! I got some TBR reads, stationery goods, a lovely bath bomb, and a candle that gives me all the Autumn feels. Thank you again, Auburn!
ARCs/Review Copies
The Woods Are Always Watching by Stephanie Perkins – The story follows two best friends Josie and Neena who are about to split up for the first time in their life. Neena is going away to California to college and the Josie is staying back at home. Before they separate they decide to go on a trip and camp in the woods which quickly turns sinister. (Review)
Boy, Falling (House of Rogeaux #2) by Jenny Jaeckel – This novel continues to explore another chapter of the Rougeaux family line that we were introduced to in the first book. George’s story is not only a narrative of self-discovery but as we get to the part of the novel where he hits his mid-early 30s it becomes a story of what it means to be an artist. (Review)
Cheer Up! Love and Pompoms! by Crystal Frasier, Val Wise (Illustrations) – Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms is a Queer romance graphic novel that follows the story of Annie who ends up reluctantly joining her high school’s cheerleading squad to help make friends. (Review)
Party Cloudy by Tanita S. Davis – A novel about a young Black girl named Madalyn who learns that being a good friend means dealing with the blue skies and the rain—and having the tough conversations on days that are partly cloudy. Review to come soon!
Keeping It Real by Paula Chase – I really enjoyed the So Done Series book I read previously by Chase so I was excited to grab this book for a review. This middle-grade read seems like it will be a powerful book based on themes of family and friendship.
Paranorthern: And the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse by Stephanie Cooke (Author), Mari Costa (Artist) – Paranorthern is a fun and cozy read that is perfect for the Fall or Halloween season. Set in the fictional town of North Haven, the story takes place in a city full of supernatural beings with a focus on Abby, a young witch, and her best friends including Silas (a pumpkin boy), Gita (a werewolf), and Hannah (a ghost). (Review)
Peter Green and the Unliving Academy by Angelina Allsop – This novel is about a boy who attends. Mrs. Battisworth’s Academy and Haven for Unliving Boys and Girls, a strange and spooky school for dead orphans like himself. It sounds like a unique concept. Review to come soon!
Love, Comment, Subscribe by Cathy Yardley – A romance novel that follows feisty romance about high school frenemies turned unlikely collaborators. I love a good enemies-to-lovers trope. Review to come soon!
Ghost Girl by Ally Malinenko – This novel is so much fun! I love the spooky hints of horror, but it’s nothing too scary or over the top that readers shouldn’t be frightened by. There are definitely some parts that spooked me but the ominous atmosphere added to the story. I love the element of mystery and suspense. (Review)
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson – A debut novel, two estranged siblings must set aside their differences to deal with their mother’s death and her hidden past–a journey of discovery that takes them from the Caribbean to London to California and ends with her famous black cake. Review to come soon!
It All Comes Back To You by Farah Naz Rishi – This is an anticipated read on my TBR. A rom-com that follows Kiran and Deen, two exes who didn’t end on the best note and reluctantly meet again in the present. Review to come soon!
Everyman by M Shelley Conner – This novel is a multigenerational story that sprawls back to the turn of the twentieth century. It’s been a while since I read some historical fiction so I’m looking forward to this book.
Death Train by Daye Williams – This and the other following novella were books sent to me by the author for review. This one follows a daring mission of a man to rescue his family from the Land of The Dead. Review to come soon!
Anna & The Anxious Souls by Daye Williams – A novella about a girl attempting to overcome the restrictions of aging & leaving her childhood behind, a precocious youth manages to break through the barriers of Time as she ventures through a seamless void. Review to come soon!
These Bones by Kayla Chenault – This novel is about a neighborhood known as the Bramble Patch, where the Lyons family endures despite poverty, racism, and the ghoulish appetites of an underworld kingpin called the Barghest. Review to come soon!
That concludes my June-July 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.
So this is the haul in a slim month? hee hee Wow! You’ve got so much fun reading here. The only one I’ve read is Dead Dead Girls, which I must have seen reviewed somewhere because I was on hold for a library copy. It felt like a good summer read. (I’m sure it’ll be a fun read in any season!)
Haha! I’ve realized that a book buying ban is not working for me. I’m looking forward to reading Dead Dead Girls.