Book Haul #1

So.. I kind of cheated on my book ban. I was doing so well. Then my Sister-in-law mentioned that she wouldn't mind going to Chapters. I can't pass up a trip to Chapters.. and I also can't walk out of Chapters without buying something. Although I know that I should have waited at least another month or two, so that I could make a dent in the books I own, but you know how it is, right?

You will notice that my book haul is teeny tiny compared to some other bloggers and book-tubers. This will most likely be the case for my posts here. I don't go out and buy books a whole lot. The only time I may feature a big haul is if I go to a library sale or a liquidation sale. I guess you can say that this is how I justified this shopping trip, ha. That and all the books I bought were on sale!

Without further delay here is the damage:

1. The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury

I just thought that the cover for this book was beautiful. This is the only book I bought this week that I hadn't heard of before. At $7 (marked down from $20) for a nice hard-cover, I couldn't pass it up. Plus the description of the story somewhat reminds me a bit of the movie Serendipity with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.

Description from GoodReads:

Number one New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury delivers an instant classic with this heartwarming Christmas story about a hundred-year flood, lost love, and the beauty of enduring friendships. Molly Allen lives alone in Portland, but she left her heart back in Tennessee with a man she walked away from five years ago. They had a rare sort of love she hasn’t found since.

Ryan Kelly lives in Nashville after a broken engagement and several years on the road touring with a country music duo. He can still hear Molly’s voice encouraging him to follow his dreams; Molly, whose memory stays with him. At least he can visit The Bridge—the oldest bookstore in historic downtown Franklin—and remember the hours he and Molly once spent there.

For thirty years, Charlie and Donna Barton have run The Bridge, providing the people of middle Tennessee with coffee, conversation, and shelves of good books—even through dismal book sales and the rise of digital books. Then in May, the hundred-year flood swept through Franklin and destroyed nearly every book in the store.

Now the bank is pulling the lease on The Bridge. Despondent and without answers, Charlie considers the unthinkable. Then tragedy strikes, and suddenly, everything changes. In the face of desperate brokenness and lost opportunities, could the miracle of a second chance actually unfold?

The Bridge is a love story set against the struggle of the American bookstore, a love story you will never forget.

2. One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern 

I read P.S. I Love You a few years ago and although it wasn't my favourite, I still wanted to read more from this author. Originally this paperback sold for $16, but I was able to buy it for $5! It wasn't until I got home that I realized why it was marked down so much: there was a bit of damage to the top right corner of the cover, which was conveniently masked by a sticker. But thankfully that is the only damage, so it is still presentable and readable. Great deal eh? 

GoodReads Description:

 
Internationally bestselling author Cecelia Ahern delivers her biggest and most compelling book yet—a tale of secrets, second chances, and the hidden connections that unite our lives

Scandal has derailed journalist Kitty Logan's career, a setback that is soon compounded by an even more devastating loss. Constance, the woman who taught Kitty everything she knew, is dying. At her mentor's bedside, Kitty asks her, "What is the one story you always wanted to write?"

The answer lies in a single sheet of paper buried in Constance's office—a list of one hundred names—with no notes or explanation. But before Kitty can ask her friend, it is too late.

Determined to unlock the mystery and rebuild her own shaky confidence, Kitty throws herself into the investigation, tracking down each of the names on the list and uncovering their connection. Meeting these ordinary people and learning their stories, Kitty begins to piece together an unexpected portrait of Constance's life... and starts to understand her own.

3. Rumors: A Luxe Novel by Anna Godbersen

Rumors is the second book in Anna Godbersen's Luxe series. I own the first book The Luxe, which I read several years ago. To best describe this series I'd say it can be compared to Gossip Girl, but set in the late 1800's - early 1900's. I have been wanting to complete the collection, so I thought this shopping trip would be a great opportunity. Unfortunately I could only find this second book, but I am keeping my eye out for the final 2 books. This trade paperback copy was $11.

GoodReads Description:

As rumors continue about the untimely demise of Elizabeth Holland, an outwardly stricken Penelope Hayes determines to use any means necessary to claim her friend's pre-eminent place in 1899 Manhattan society and to get and keep the attentions of Elizabeth's former fiance, the wealthy Henry Schoonmaker."

4. Embossed Blue Floral Journal

Ok, so this isn't a novel, its a journal but I decided to add it to this haul anyway because I purchased it at Chapters and its pretty, haha. I am currently using one similar to this as my day planner/journal only it is a burgundy colour.

5. Gypsy Boy on the Run by Mikey Walsh

 On the way home from book shopping I had to stop off and get a few groceries. Much to my surprise they were selling some scratch and dent books there! Gypsy Boy on the Run has been on my TBR list for some time now and at $5, how could I walk away? It is a biography about a boy who was born in a Romany Gypsy family. This is the second book Wash wrote about his childhood. The first (which I have yet to read) is called Gypsy Boy.

GoodReads Description:

Mikey is a Romany Gypsy and grew up living in a caravan on sites across the UK. He adored his family and the rich and vibrant Romany culture he'd inherited. Eventually though he was forced to make a heartbreaking decision - to stay and keep secrets, or escape and find somewhere to finally belong.

But Mikey quickly discovers that life in the outside world isn't all he expected. After learning his father had put a contract out on him and that he was being hunted down by gangs of thugs determined to claim their reward, Mikey realises that life will never be the same again.


Well that is all for this haul. Like I said its a tiny one but a good one (I think anyway). Has anyone else read any of these books? If so what did you think of them? Leave me a message in the comments.