January Book Haul

New Year...new books!! I thought my book accumulation would have calm down at the start of 2016, but it seems to only have gotten worse. I accumulated 18 books in the month of January, 2 which are not pictured because I am forgetful. I'm going to be splitting them up in two parts the first being books I bought and the second half being review books/books sent by publshers:

Part One: Books I Bought

1. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

I actually bought this on New Year's Day because I have no chill when it comes to book buying. I was perusing through various thriftstores when I happened upon a perfect copy of Poison Study for only 50 cents, so of course I had to snatch it up, this has been a book on my tbr for so long and heard really good things about this trilogy and its prequel.

2. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
3. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

I am so in love with these Barnes and Nobles paperback classics, not only are they pretty and inexpensive I can find them every at thriftstore and used bookstore which equates to even more savings. I picked up Treasure Island and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea for only $1 each and it was certainly the highlight of my day. This year I definitely want to delve into more classics. I already own an illustrated edition of Treasure Island and am so glad to add this beautiful copy to my collection.

4. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

If you didn't know already you might soon realize that I love venturing to thriftstores to find some really great deals on books and this was no exception. After City of Heavenly Fire released and I concluded with the Mortal Instruments series, I wanted to collected the entire series as a whole so I can one day reread. I knew I had no desire to reread it anytime soon so I decided to just buy them secondhand whenever I see a good price for them whether instore or online. I was very excited to buy this for only 50 cents, It's in such good condition and I knew I had to buy it because I rarely see the third book in secondhand shops anywhere. I now have all the books in this series besides City of Ashes, which I'm eagerly awaiting to get my hands on.

5 & 6. Theft of Swords and Rise of Empire by Michael J. Sullivan

Looking around on my shelves I've come to realize that as a fantasy lover I am really lacking in adult high fantasy. I recently created a fantasy tbr jar to help me pick and vary the fantasy books I read. This is definitely one on the near top of my list. All I know is that it follows two thieves, who are on the run after they are framed for the murder of the king. That's all I need to know to get me interested before buy these on Amazon. I've heard really fantastic things about the writing and atmosphere that Michael J, Sullivan creates, so I'm prepared to sit down and indulge in these lengthy books.

Part Two: Review Books

7. Fantastic Cities by Steve McDonald

I've been meaning to find out about all this adult coloring book craze, but have to admit I wasn't really interested in coloring botanical images. Fantastic Cities is a gorgeous adult coloring book filled with numerous illustrated images of cities real and imagined. I have already started coloring in this and I'm in love with these illustrations. It's so convenient when you want to listen to an audiobook/podcast and can color at the same time.

Publisher: Chronicle Books

8. Silver In the Blood by Jessica Day George

Forever in love with this stunning cover. Silver in the Blood is the story about two cousins who are sent to Romania to learn a terrifying family secret. The synopsis is pretty vague, but I think it's best to go into this book that way. I have recently read it and enjoyed for the most part with it's intrigue, mystery, and romance blended all into one. Review will be up soon.

Publisher: Bloomsbury

9-11. Alfred Kropp trilogy by Rick Yancey.

This trilogy consist of The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp, The Seal of Solomon, The Thirteenth Skull. I will admit that I wanted to read this because it reminded me of Percy Jackson.  Alfred Kropp trying to survive high school somehow ends up with the legendary King Arthur sword and delivers it to the wrong hands. Also this is by Rick Yancey aka author of the 5th Wave trilogy, one of my favorite books. I really hope to experience the same lyrical writing that Rick has, but with a bit more humor.

Publisher: Bloomsbury

12. The History of the Rain by Niall Williams

As much as I love this cover, I'll will admit that I really love the hardcover version more:

Can't go wrong with books on a book cover!

Over time I've heard mixed things about this book. Some people absolutely love it and some people not at all. I also remember this being longlisted for the Man Book Prize. Synopsis:

Bedbound in her attic room beneath the falling rain, in the margin between this world and the next, Plain Ruth Swain is in search of her father. To find him, enfolded in the mystery of ancestors, Ruthie must first trace the jutting jaw lines, narrow faces and gleamy skin of the Swains from the restless Reverend Swain, her great-grandfather, to grandfather Abraham, to her father, Virgil - via pole-vaulting, leaping salmon, poetry and the three thousand, nine hundred and fifty eight books piled high beneath the two skylights in her room, beneath the rain.

The stories -- of her golden twin brother Aeney, their closeness even as he slips away; of their dogged pursuit of the Swains' Impossible Standard and forever falling just short; of the wild, rain-sodden history of fourteen acres of the worst farming land in Ireland -- pour forth in Ruthie's still, small, strong, hopeful voice.

This synopsis alone has me looking forward to this. There's nothing I love more than books that really theme on literature and the importance of stories.

Publisher: Bloomsbury

13-17. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer.

The lovely team at Fierce Reads were kind enough to send me the Lunar Chronicles series as part of their series campaign. The Lunar Chronicles is definitely one of my top favorite series, full of action, adventure, stellar characters, and fairytale twists. I've already read all of these besides Winter which I'm beyond excited to get to in the near future.

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

18. Manhattan Mayhem edited by Mary Higgins Clark

Manhattan Mayhem is an mystery anthology by a plethora of talented writers who each tell a short story in various locations around Manhattan. I've already read and reviewed this book here.

Publisher: Quirk Books