It seems like forever since I did a book haul (I think it hasn’t been since the beginning of the year). I guess I didn’t have any reason to do it because I was so busy with this semester in college and then the bookstore closed down with the coronavirus. Basically, I bought a couple books before quarantine but since then I haven’t bought anything. But since it’s summer and I’m craving some more books, I decided to head over to Book Outlet and buy a few (I ended up with 11, for only $35). So, finally I have enough books to do another book haul.
This haul will be divided into two parts: the books I got like three months ago at the Goodwill and the books I got a couple weeks ago from Book Outlet.
Goodwill
Title: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Page count: 1,147
My publication: 2002
Original Publication: 1955
This is the epic, beautiful fantasy classic which follows a group of hobbits, dwarves, wizards, men, and elves as they journey to destroy an evil ring.
I have finished The Fellowship of the Ring already, but usually I read it by borrowing copies from my family. That’s why I was really happy to find this edition of all three of the books at the Goodwill. I haven’t gotten to finish this series yet, but I really want to soon.
Title: Colonial Williamsburg: Official Guidebook & Map
Page Count: 110
My Publication: 1966
Original Publication: 1951
When I was about seventeen, I went to visit Williamsburg, a colonial town filled with reenactments and history. I loved visiting it, and this classic book tells the history of the place with absolutely beautiful art in it.
I haven’t had a chance to read it, but since it is pretty short, I look forward to diving in. I have just looked through at some of the pictures and it’s beautiful.
Title: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Page count: 337
My Publication: 2014
Original Publication: 2012
This is the story of a grumpy old man living alone, whose silent life is turned upside down by a young family who moves next door. Everyone’s life changes in this sweet and sad tale of lose, love, and hope.
I read this book a couple years ago and I absolute loved it. It remains one of my favorite books of all time, and for once I agree with all the hype this book received. That’s why I was so happy to see this book at the Goodwill, because I’ve been tempted to buy this book for full price.
Title: The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Page Count: 1122
My Publication: 1988
Original Publication: 1927
Sherlock Holmes is perhaps one of the best known detectives in all of history, and one of my favorites. From his brilliantly witty short stories to his mysterious novels, Holmes with his sidekick Watson are contained in exceptional mysteries.
I’ve read quite a few of his stories, but certainly not all. My sister owns a complete collection of Sherlock Holmes, but I’ve always wanted my own copy. So I was thrilled to find this at the Goodwill in this gorgeous copy. I haven’t had a chance to read through it completely, but I have glanced through to my favorite stories.
Book Outlet
Title: The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt by Elizabeth Payne.
Book Count: 180
My Edition Publication: 1992
Original Publication: 1964
This book paints the view of the world of pharaohs, complete with beautiful pictures of Egypt and the remnants of a once-powerful culture.
This was a little of an impulse buy, but it’s such a fun, short book. I haven’t had a chance to read through it, but I am always interesting in Ancient Egyptian history.
Title: The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero
Page Count: 336
My publication: 2017
Original publication: 2017
This is a fantasy middle-age book set during Nazi occupation in Poland. It tells the story of a living doll and the man who created her. It sounds interesting, and I love when authors mix history with fantasy, especially with more fairytale elements.
I saw the cover and I thought it was absolutely beautiful. I’ve also liked a lot of middle-age fantasies recently, so I decided to give it a chance. I look forward to see how the author blends light fantasy with the very serious realities of that historical era.
Title: Shanghai Grand: Forbidden Love and International Intrigue in a Doomed World by Taras Grescoe
Page Count: 480
My Publication: 2016
Original Publication: 2016
This nonfiction takes a look at Shanghai just prior to WWII, and follows the life of New York journalist Emily Hahn, who traveled to Shanghai during the 1930’s, especially the grandness and darkness of the city as Japanese occupation looms nearer.
I got this book partially as research, since I’m trying to write a book set in Shanghai during this era, so I’m curious to learn more about the atmosphere. But also, just the book info looks interesting.
Title: Archangel (Spectre War, #2) by Margaret Fortune
Page Count: 451
My publication: 2017
Original publication: 2017
Michael Sorenson, a soldier of the Celestial Expanse, is aware of the danger of the Spectres. The only options to deal with them are run or die. However, he is soon recruited into Division 7, a Research & Development facility with the mission to create a large-scale weapon to kill the Spectres. Together with his elite team, they fight to save the world.
This is a book I totally wouldn’t pick it up, but I needed one more book to get free shipping and I saw this one and it reminded me of a lot of the books my boyfriend likes. Thus, I bought it for him, but I figured I will probably read it before I give it to him, since I am trying to read books of completely different genres, and I don’t usually read sci-fi action. Unfortunately, I didn’t know this was book two, or I probably wouldn’t have bought it. Ah, well.
Title: Chinese Civilization: A Sourcebook edited by Patricia Buckley Ebrey
Page Count: 524
My Publication: 1993
Original Publication: 1981
This is a textbook examining the different eras and dynasties of China, from the beginning to modern history. I love books about Chinese history, and this one looked like a really good overview of its history which is more like a beginning introduction as opposed to a deep dive into each era. The book appears to be composed of articles originally written in Chinese about the different eras, philosophies, and famous people of China.
Title: White Fang by Jack London
Page Count: 368
My Publication: 2006
Original Publication: 1906
This book tells the tale of White Fang, part wolf, part dog and his survival in the Northern wilderness. He soon becomes a vicious killer with a cruel owner.
I know very little about this book, besides hearing its title as a popular classic. But I have read a few short stories by Jack London and I have loved them, so I’m hoping to enjoy this one as well. London’s books usually are filled with the theme of man v. nature, especially having to do with people surviving in nature.
Title: City of Devils: The Two Men Who Ruled the Underworld of Old Shanghai by Paul French
Page Count: 299
My Publication: 2018
Original Publication: 2018
This is another nonfiction set yet again during the 1920s/30s of Shanghai. I also got this book partially for research, but it intrigued me because, while some people might be interested in the mob bosses of America like Al Capone, I love learning about the Chinese mob bosses who ruled Shanghai. This book focuses on two of these underground powerful men, both of them of European descent who rose in power.
Paul French also wrote Midnight in Peking: How the Murder of a Young Englishwoman Haunted the Last Days of Old China, which I read last year and, while I wasn’t a massive fan of the storytelling, I loved the historical context.
Title: Blood Letters: The Untold Story of Lin Zhao, A Martyr in Mao’s China by Lian Xi
Page Count: 352
My Publication: 2018
Original Publication: 2018
This is another nonfiction book centering around the life of Lin Zhao, a journalist and poet arrested and later executed during the Cultural Revolution in 1960s China. I’m not that familiar with this era in Chinese history, but after reading and mostly enjoying Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie (which is set in the 1970s in China), I’ve been curious to read more about this era.
It’s also written by a historian and a professor of World Christianity. His two previous books focused on the development of Christianity in China, which makes me curious to get a more Christian perspective on this era of Chinese history.
Title: Frozen Girl: The Discovery of an Incan Mummy by David Getz
Page Count: 80
My Publication: 2018
Original Publication: 2018
This is a short nonfiction middle age book which examines the real life finding of an Incan mummy and how scientists and historians pieced together how this 13-year-old girl died and the history of human sacrifice.
I’m not super knowledgeable in Incan history, but this book looked like a quick read but also interesting. It’s also got a lot of pretty pictures in the book.
Title: Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee
Page Count: 391
My Publication: 2016
Original Publication: 2016
This story, set in 1906 San Fransisco, follows a young Chinese girl admitted into an all-white girl’s school, just before the historical earthquake hits the city. I saw this book come out a few years ago, and it did look interesting, but I never got around to reading it. When I saw it was on Book Outlet, I snapped it up immediately. It is a YA novel, which I usually don’t like as much, but I find the setting interesting and I have liked a few YA historical novels. Besides, when I first saw the cover, I thought it was absolutely beautiful.
Title: Child of the Owl by Laurence Yep
Page Count: 288
My Publication: 2001
Original Publication: 1977
This book is set in the 1960s and follows a young girl who goes to stay with her grandmother in Chinatown after her father ends up in the hospital. There, her grandmother gives her the family owl charm as the girl tries to find her place in life.
This was a random find, and besides the info, I don’t know much about it. However, I clearly have an interest right now in everything Chinese, so I got it.
As you can see by my choices, I must be in the mood to read about China right now. How you read any of these books? Do any of them look good to you? Have you bought any books yourself since this quarantine started? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments, follow my blog for more musings and, as always,
Best wishes in your life full of adventure,
Madame Writer
This looks and sounds like a great book haul! I am always on a lookout for some interesting non-fiction book that talks about ancient Egypt and The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt sounds amazing. I like that it is short and has beautiful illustrations – I think illustrations in particular in a book like this are very important and so interesting.
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It is interesting. I’m currently reading it. It is written for children though, so it’s a pretty light read.
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I have always found children’s books on mythology and history very well written, presented and illustrated – maybe because of their simple language and pictures that show and explain, but they are often so insightful in their own way. I am currently reading children’s book/encyclopaedia “Myths, Legends & Sacred Stories” (Penguin Random House) and there are so many new discoveries there for me – unbelievable.
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Those look great! I like non-fiction books about history, and I’m especially intrigued by “Blood Letters.”
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I’m excited for the nonfiction too. I used to not read much nonfiction, but I’m really in the mood to read it now.
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I loved Child of the Owl as a kid. Outrun the Moon looks really cool too!
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Really? I’m excited to read Child of the Owl. And Outrun the Moon looked really interesting to me too!
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Wow! How exciting for you.
Are bookstores now open by you?
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I’m not sure if bookstores are open. I know my library isn’t, but I have so many books I already own, I probably won’t run out of books to read.
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Well, that is good. It would be awful to run out! Here the library is just digital now.
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My library is doing that too, but I miss getting physical books from the library.
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What a great haul! I recently read ‘A man called Ove’ and loved it too!
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Thank you! It is such a great book!
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