June 2023 Book Haul

I have been controlling myself (wait until September) and haven't gone particularly overboard with books in June. I've only acquired 24, 6 of which are library books that I'll eventually be returning. 

1. We Can Count on Eleven by Geof Smith - A cute little board book telling the events of season three. Only instead of artwork of the characters, it's done entirely in the design of Funko Pops. I couldn't resist when I saw it. I may end up with a very large assortment of Stranger Things merchandise at this point. 

2. The Inheritance of Orquída Divina by Zoraida Córdova - I remember hearing about this and how it was unusual. When I saw the paperback with the gorgeous cover on sale at Target, I couldn't say no. I had been interested in reading this for a little while, I just didn't want the hardback with the old cover. 

3. Heroes and Monsters: A Stranger Things Choose Your Own Adventure by Rana Tahir - Can you guess what this is about? Now, normally I don't like CYOA books, but this is Stranger Things and all I know is that you are taking on the role of a reporter who just moved to Hawkins. I can't wait. 

4. Belladonna by Adalyn Grace - Everyone's been talking about it and I had the money and when I saw the hardcover, there was no way I wasn't getting it. I am clueless as to what it's about but I generally go into books blind. It did look really good. I can't wait to get to it. 

5. Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs - Estranged sisters have to work together to prevent the dissolution of magic as they know it. They live entirely separate lives until some force or another pushes them back together to save the world as they know it. That's it. That's what I know, and I'm not even sure if I'm right. It was one of the two BOTM picks I went with in June. 

6. The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer - The other BOTM pick. They had two literary themed books and I couldn't say no to either. So I picked them both up. In this one a teacher works with young children and while working on something with a child learns that the author of her favorite series has written another book and she is one of the people going to this competition to try to win the one and only copy of the book. I've heard it described as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory only with books instead of chocolate. I'm very excited to read it. 

7. The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera - I don't know what drew me to this book. I saw the blue and orange of the cover and the girl who looked like a mix of Hel from Norse mythology and Santa Muerte from Latin mythology. I couldn't resist picking it up to read. I have no clue what it's about. 

8. Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor - A magical hotel? Sign me right up! I had this book in my BookOutlet cart, but removed it when I found it at the library. It looks interesting. A hotel shows up at random all over the world and uses magic to get from place to place. They put on shows for people who can only come in if they are given tickets. Two girls get into the hotel and have to fight for their lives to make it to the other side. Looked interesting. 

9. The Luminaries by Susan Dennard - I had been seeing this all over the place. It was also in my cart, but has since been removed. There is this forest that creates "nightmares" that various clans all named for days of the week are tasked with fighting. Something happens to Winnie Wednesday's immediate family, so she works hard to prove herself as a Hunter in hopes she can stay among the Luminaries in her town. I am curious to see where it goes from here. 

10. Forged in Fire and Stars by Andrea Robertson - It looked interesting and had me thinking about Norse myth again. One can only assume it's based on Norse mythology sort of. Or at least inspired by it. Nabbed it for $1.25!!

11. Forget Me Not by Alexandra Olivia - No idea really. It looked pretty and as far as I can tell it's either a standalone or the first book in a psychological thriller. I'm greatly looking forward to reading this one when I get to it. 

12. Nightshade by Annalena McAfee - It was a spontaneous purchase. Looked good. Wanted to try it, and didn't see why I shouldn't. For as cheap as it was. I have no idea what it's about and I'm looking forward into getting to it. 

13. The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill - It was just the word Library that drew me. I have absolutely no idea what this book is about past that. It was cheap, $3.99, from ChirpBooks, so I grabbed it.

14. The Kiss of '89 by Ruth E. Hanson - I dare anyone to look at that cover, read that synopsis, and tell me it isn't Steddie. It even looks like them! I was also in the mood for some more contemporary stuff. 1989, ironically, is also the year I was born.

15. Brother by Ania Ahlborn - Grabbed it through Kindle Unlimited for a buddy read with one of the Facebook groups I'm in. I had seen the name originally on a bright yellow piece of paper someone left in a basket where I work. I guess the universe has decided I need to read this book? 

16. Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero - I couldn't resist. I'd heard a lot about it through BookTok and BookTube. So when I saw a copy of it at my local library there was no way I was going to turn it down. It's a really interesting read so far. I love that it's following a different version of the Scooby Gang, and how they have to come back together again and figure out their final mystery. I cannot wait. The writing is also amazingly fun.

17. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - I had to. It was available and I wanna know what all the damn hype is about. I borrowed it from the library so that way if I'm super disappointed, I can return it back with no guilt. 

18. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo - All I really know about it is that it's a sapphic romance in 1950s Chinatown. I totally stopped reading the synopsis after that and I am okay with going into this book blind. It makes me kind of happy to read it discovery style. I'm looking forward to what it decides to reveal. 

19. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski - This book has been on my radar for a while, and my roommate borrowed a copy from her brother. However, we liked it so much that we needed to get our own copy of it for the house. I've already started it, and while it is dense as a cinder block, I am enjoying it.

20. Runaway Max by Brenna Yovanoff - Do I really need to explain? It is Stranger Things. I'm a hardcore fan. I want to know all of the now non-canon fun. This one follows Max Mayfield and her journey before and during the events of Stranger Things. I know nothing else. 

21. Coffin Cemetery by Ron Ripley - I don't actually remember why I wanted this. Hopefully when I get around to reading it, I like it. I know it was either free or cheap on Amazon and I will buy cheap things just to see. Couldn't hurt and barely dents the wallet. 

22. Journey to the Homeland by Xiaolong Huang - I don't pick up all that many nonfictions any more, but when I read the synopsis of this one, I absolutely had to have it for my collection. It seems to be narrative nonfiction. I'll definitely update this if I was wrong. The book has a 2.0 star rating right now and I'm kind of curious why, so now I must read this. 

23. The Cursed Among Us by John Durgin - This kind of was giving a combination of IT and Ghostbusters vibes with a bit of The Goonies thrown in there for good measure. The font caught my attention (Stranger Things, what can I say), but then I absolutely had to have it to find out what in the world was going on. The cover art is brilliant as well on the Kindle edition. I love it. 

24. Little Thieves by Margaret Owen - A friend read it or owns it at least and it was available cheaply on Amazon. I think I got it from KU? But I cannot remember really. It's been pretty popular and I figured I may as well try it while it was on sale. Maybe I'll like it, maybe I'll want to throw it across the room. Who knows!