Book Haul #2

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme created by Tynga’s Reviews. 

Today I am bringing you my complete March book haul. Even though its only the 15^th of the month, I am saying complete because this is my limit, ha. I bought more and spent more than I anticipated but I got some great books, that I am excited to share with you.

Here’s the damage:

That’s 9 more books to add to the pile. 9 more books that I probably won’t get to for another year at least, but books make me happy. Even if they make my wallet sad.. 

This first group of books I bought two weeks ago from my local public library. I was able to purchase 3 hardcover books for just $3. What a great deal! 

 

The first book in this group I bought for my boyfriend because it was created by George Lucas and he is a fan of Star Wars. This is the only book in my haul that I won’t be reading. It just doesn’t interest me, but I wanted to include it in my post anyway. 

1. Shadow Dawn by Chris Claremont, Created by George Lucas

Description from Goodreads:

 From George Lucas, creator of Star Wars(r) and Indiana Jones, and Chris Claremont, author of the bestselling X-Men adventures, comes the thrilling sequel to "Shadow Moon," taking readers deeper into a stunningly original world of magic, myth, and legend.
The momentous Ascension of Princess Elora Danan should have brought peace to the Thirteen Realms. Instead, an intense Shadow War rages, spearheaded by the evil Mohdri. He has dispatched his dread Black Rose commando assassins to capture Elora and her sworn protector, Thorn Drumheller. But Mohdri himself is just a facade for a more dangerous entity: the Deceiver. But who--or what--is the Deceiver? And how can Elora, Thorn, and their ragtag band defeat this unspeakable force? The answer lies in a perilous journey to a land undisturbed since the dawn of time. A journey that will end at the unbreachable citadel of the dragon, where a chilling betrayal will change the fate of Elora, Thorn, and the Thirteen Realms forever.

The Prophecy of the Stones caught my eye because of its beautiful cover. To my surprise when I turned it over I learned that the author was just 15 years old when she released this novel. What an amazing accomplishment at such a young age. 

 2. The Prophecy of the Stones by Flavia Bujor

Description from Goodreads:

 In a magical realm, three teenage girls--Jade, Opal, and Amber--are chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy. On the day of their fourteenth birthdays, they set out on a quest that will require them to leave their homes and families face fierce enemies in a land called Fairytale, where magic reigns and evil is unknown. Although they meet as strangers, they must learn to trust one another with their lives as they embark on this epic journey, armed only with magical stones.

At the same time, in a parallel world, a young girl named Joa fights for her life in a hospital in Paris. While she is dreaming, she is transported to the magical realm where the three young heroines fight a spectacular battle. Their success or failure will determine the fate of Fairytale ..

I have only ever read Sherlock Holmes books that were written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but the description of a Sherlock story set in his much older years intrigued me. I can’t say I like the cover for this one, but it is in great condition for a used book. 

3. A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullin

Description from Goodreads:

It is 1947, and the long-retired Sherlock Holmes, now 93, lives in a remote Sussex farmhouse with his housekeeper and her young son. He tends to his bees, writes in his journal, and grapples with the diminishing powers of his mind. But in the twilight of his life, as people continue to look to him for answers, Holmes revisits a case that may provide him with answers of his own to questions he didn’t even know he was asking–about life, about love, and about the limits of the mind’s ability to know. A novel of exceptional grace and literary sensitivity, A Slight Trick of the Mind is a brilliant imagining of our greatest fictional detective and a stunning inquiry into the mysteries of human connection.

The rest of the books, I bought at a used bookstore yesterday. This is where I broke the bank but…. But… BOOKS! 

Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes is the only paperback novel in this haul, the rest are hardcover. Upon looking up the description on Goodreads I realized that this is the 4th book in a series. However it sounds like it could stand alone.

1. Can You Keep a Secret? By Sophie Kinsella

Description from Goodreads:

 Meet Emma Corrigan, a young woman with a huge heart, an irrepressible spirit, and a few little secrets: Secrets from her boyfriend: I've always thought Connor looks a bit like Ken. As in Barbie and Ken. Secrets from her mother: I lost my virginity in the spare bedroom with Danny Nussbaum while Mum and Dad were downstairs watching Ben-Hur. Secrets she wouldn't share with anyone in the world: I have no idea what NATO stands for. Or even what it is. Until she spills them all to a handsome stranger on a plane. At least, she thought he was a stranger.…Until Emma comes face-to-face with Jack Harper, the company's elusive CEO, a man who knows every single humiliating detail about her...

2. Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes
Description from Goodreads:

Anna Walsh is officially a wreck. Physically broken and emotionally shattered, she lies on her parents' Dublin sofa with only one thing on her mind: getting back to New York. New York means her best friends, The Most Fabulous Job In The World™ and above all, it means her husband, Aidan.

But nothing in Anna's life is that simple anymore... Not only is her return to Manhattan complicated by her physical and emotional scars – but Aidan seems to have vanished. Is it time for Anna to move on? Is it even possible for her to move on? A motley group of misfits, an earth-shattering revelation, two births and one very weird wedding might help Anna find some answers – and change her life forever.

How beautiful are these covers? Especially Decked by Carol Higgins Clark. 

1. Nights at Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks

Description from Goodreads:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks comes a tender story of hope and joy; of sacrifice and forgiveness -- a moving reminder that love is possible at any age, at any time, and often comes when we least expect it. At forty-five, Adrienne Willis must rethink her entire life when her husband abandons her for a younger woman. Reeling with heartache and in search of a respite, she flees to the small coastal town of Rodanthe, North Carolina to tend to a friend's inn for the weekend. But when a major storm starts moving in, it appears that Adrienne's perfect getaway will be ruined -- until a guest named Paul Flanner arrives. At fifty-four, Paul has just sold his medical practice and come to Rodanthe to escape his own shattered past. Now, with the storm closing in, two wounded people will turn to each other for comfort -- and in one weekend set in motion feelings that will resonate throughout the rest of their lives.

2. Decked by Carol Higgins Clark
Description from Goodreads:

When P.I. Regan Reilly attends a class reunion in England, the long-dead body of her former roommate turns up. Clues to the mystery follow Regan as she sails home--and into the hands of a killer.

And finally these last two books by Philippa Gregory are hardcovers in great condition. 

1. The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory 

Description from Goodreads:

 A dramatic novel of passion, politics and betrayal from the author of The Other Boleyn Girl, in which Mary, Queen of Scots, fights to regain her kingdom whilst under the guard of Queen Elizabeth's trusted accomplice, Bess of Hardwick Mary is Queen of Scotland but she has been forced to flee her land and take refuge in an England that is ruled by her cousin Elizabeth.

But England, precarious in its Protestant state, set against the mighty powers of Spain, France and Rome, doesn't need a charismatic Catholic figurehead at large. So Elizabeth's chief advisor, Cecil, devises a plan in which Mary will live under guard with his trusted accomplice: Bess of Hardwick. Bess is a self-made woman, a shrewd survivor. She is newly married to her fourth and most distinguished husband, the Earl of Shrewsbury. But what marriage can withstand the charms of Mary? Or the threat of rebellion that she always carries? Mary must wait in her privileged imprisonment for the return to Scotland and her infant son; but waiting is not the same as doing nothing!

With her characteristic combination of superb storytelling and authentic historical background, Philippa Gregory brings to life this period of great change in her final novel in the Tudor series

2. The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory

Description from Goodreads:

 It is winter, 1553. Pursued by the Inquisition, Hannah Green, a fourteen-year-old Jewish girl, is forced to flee Spain with her father. But Hannah is no ordinary refugee. Her gift of "Sight," the ability to foresee the future, is priceless in the troubled times of the Tudor court. Hannah is adopted by the glamorous Robert Dudley, the charismatic son of King Edward's protector, who brings her to court as a "holy fool" for Queen Mary and, ultimately, Queen Elizabeth. Hired as a fool but working as a spy; promised in wedlock but in love with her master; endangered by the laws against heresy, treason, and witchcraft, Hannah must choose between the safe life of a commoner and the dangerous intrigues of the royal family that are inextricably bound up in her own yearnings and desires.

Teeming with vibrant period detail and peopled by characters seamlessly woven into the sweeping tapestry of history, The Queen's Fool is another rich and emotionally resonant gem from this wonderful storyteller.

Well that’s my haul. What do you think? Have you read any of these books? Let me know in the comment section. Also I'm curious to know what my readers think of this layout for haul posts. Is this a good setup or should I include pictures of each individual book? I really appreciate any feedback I can get. 

 Hope you all are having a great weekend.