(Disclaimer: this post contains spoilers for the Illumicrate Magic+Mayhem box.)
I picked up a lot of books at YALC in the last weekend of July, so I was on something of a book buying ban in August. I still ended up with two new books in August, but I was sent them, rather than buying then, so I didn’t *technically* break my book buying ban.
The first of the two books I got in August was The Caged Queen. I was sent an ARC of this book to review for the Gollancz blog tour and I enjoyed reading it and comparing it to The Last Namsara (the first book) as I wrote my review. The second book I received was Mirage. I was lucky enough to win this in a giveaway on Twitter and I’m very excited to read it this month.
September was a completely different story to August. I ended up with hauling seven new books by the end of the month, and my attempts to read more of the books I own before buying new ones flew out the window.
My most anticipated release of the year came out in September and I ended up getting two copies. That’s right, Vengeful was released. I’d already planned to get the standard white edition, but when I heard that the Illumicrate Magic and Mayhem box was going to include a limited special edition cover of Vengeful, I knew I had to treat myself. And my goodness is it beautiful. For some reason, I hadn’t expected it to be red, so when I slid it out of the book sleeve it came in I practically yelled in excitement.
The other Victoria Schwab book I received this month was a gift from my friend Jess, who found her old copy of Everyday Angel and asked if I’d like it. (Obviously, I said yes without hesitation.) I was also sent copies of Chains: Unheard Voices, which is a short story anthology by Margo Collective, and the BBC Young Writers’ Short Story Award 2018 collection. The latter contains all the short stories from the finalists of the Young Writers’ Award, including the winning story. The final two books, If Cats Disappeared From the World and Running Upon the Wires, I requested from the publisher, and they were kind enough to send me. Kate Tempest is pretty much my favourte poet of all time, so I was thrilled to receive an early copy of her book, and my review will be coming shortly.
Which books did you pick up during September and October? Do you think it counts as breaking a book buying ban if you purchase a subscription box with a book in?
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I’ve been hitting the library quite a lot recently as that has been the only way to control the book purchasing – but is still not helping my TBR pile! Haha! You can’t do two months without a haul so congrats on August and yay for September! Looks like you’ve got some interesting reads coming up.
That cover of Vicious is gorgeous! I do like the red one better *shhhhh* I’m too on a book buying ban currently, but there’s so many sales and deals lately. I don’t think it’s breaking a ban if you buy a subscription box that happens to have a book also. It should count as a treat for yourself, so an out clause if you will LOL
I meant to say Vengeful. See, this is what happens when I try to comment without looking at a proper cup of coffee first lol
I picked up Vicious too, and I’m three quarters through it. I’m totally hooked! That edition of Vengeful is absolutely beautiful.
It’s amazing isn’t it?! I hope you have a great time reading the rest! Do you think you’ll start Vengeful straight after? Aww thanks, it came as part of a book box! 😃
That is a very impressive haul. The white and red versions of Vengeful both look gloriously savage. I can’t believe I’m making myself wait until Christmas before reading the book. I am adamant on cutting back on my book buying though and my rule for next year is to basically only treat myself on my birthday and at Christmas. Safe to say, I’ll need a lot of help with that haha.
Thanks Lois! I love them both together, they’re so beautiful 💕 Wow, that’s some serious willpower! I definitely couldn’t have waited – I’m too impatient 😂 That’s a good idea with your birthday and Christmas, that’s when I get most of my books too!
Well, since then I’ve gone and treated myself to a copy of Vengeful. I just couldn’t resist haha.