2020 Second Quarter Book Haul: My Library Was Closed, You See…

Yes, this book haul is way late. Yes, it is a lot bigger than it should be considering how much I bought last quarter. Yes, I am determined to buy less during this current quarter. Yes, I don’t believe me either. My only defense was my library was closed for the entirely of the second quarter of this year and they also have a terrible selection when it comes to ebooks and audiobooks, so I really had no choice but to buy myself books. Also, it was my birthday, so a lot of these are thanks to gift cards, so don’t judge me too harshly. I included two books that I didn’t receive until July because they were technically June releases, so I wanted to include them anyway.

Important links for you to take a look at, please consider donating to the following:

Haitian Bridge Alliance

Florida Rights Restoration Coalition

Black Hills Legal Defense Fund

Preorders & New Releases:

1. The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty – Ask me how scared I am to pick this one up. I am actively avoiding this final book, even though I want to know what happens, I am afraid of what happens.

2. Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova – Yes to more high fantasy books by Latinx authors. I read an ARC of this one and am very much obsessed.

3. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – Of course I preordered Mexican Gothic. It took a while for it to get to me, but I am just so happy that this one is in such high demand. Buy it if you haven’t already!

4. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown – Once I get a few ARCs out of the way, this is the one I am going to reach for first.

5. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo – I just finished this one and cried like you would not believe. Elizabeth Acevedo will always be an auto-buy author for me.

6. We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez – I have not had a chance to read this one yet, but I hear it is amazing.

7. You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson – Yay for more lighthearted contemporaries by Black authors. I haven’t read this one yet but am aiming for the end of summer.

8. The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar – I hadn’t planned to buy this one but after watching several interviews with the author, I could not resist.

9. A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow – I need to finish all these ARCs I’ve got because I really want to get to this one as well.

10. The BreakBeat Poets Vol. 4: LatiNext Edited by Felicia Rose Chavez, José Olivarez, and Willie Perdomo – I am so excited about this collection of poetry by Latinx poets. I have a feeling that it’s going to introduce me to a lot of talented writers.

11. Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor – I can’t believe I’ve had this one for months now and haven’t cracked it open. It is an adult horror novel from a Mexican author, featuring a witch that was just translated to English.

12. Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega – I adore this one so much and needed a finished copy after passing my ARC to my niece.

13. Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert – Listen, I was going to check this one out from the library but it was closed and I really really really wanted to read it. It was awesome by the way.

ARCs, Publisher Sent, and Gifts: 

14. Scarlet Odessey by C.T. Rwizi – I was sent this one by Megan Beatie Communications. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but it is a fantasy series by an African author that I am very intrigued by.

15. This Train Is Being Held by Ismée Williams – Astrid sent me this one for my birthday because she is the sweetest. I am always excited to pick up debut books by Latinx authors so am looking forward to cracking this one open.

16. Corazón by Yesika Salgado – Natalie somehow knew that I have wanted this poetry collection for ages and gifted it to me for my bday. I am still crying about it.

17. Each of Us a Desert by Mark Oshiro – Tor Teen sent this ARC to me back in May and I could not be more excited about it. The fact that it has both magical realism and horror elements, which are very much both my thing, makes me so happy.

18. Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova – AAAAHHHH! I am so stoked for the final Brooklyn Brujas book and feel so blessed to have been sent this from Zoraida. I cannot wait to read Rose’s story.

19. Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazar – Aida Salazar might be the kindest author I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. She has sent me ARCs of both of her MG books and I am so grateful.

Spur of the Moment Purchases:

20. Wilder Girls by Rory Power – I’m sad that this one ended up being a let down for me, but I really wanted to pick up more horror and took a chance.

21. The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow – Usually it’s lighthearted contemporaries that immediately bring a smile to my face but this sci-fi novel has two of the most precious characters I’ve ever come across and I just love them so much.

22. Harley in the Sky by Akemi Dawn Bowman – I am two books behind of Akemi Dawn Bowman’s books which including this one but I just know in my bones that I am going to love both.

23. Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson – I must read this one before her upcoming novel Grown comes out.

24. Cenzontle by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo – After reading Children of the Land, I had to get my hands on his poetry collection.

What’s the last book you read? Did you buy more books than usually while you were self-isolating?