BOOK HAUL: Books I bought in May (Part One)

I haven’t done a book haul post since waaaaay back in January 2017. In some weird dystopian universe, this would mean that I hadn’t bought any books since then, but much to my bedroom floor’s despair, that just isn’t true.

However, recently (i.e. literally only this week) I’ve allowed myself to buy some new books, and my brain started whirring and whispering the words ‘book haul’ to me, so I figured I would give it another shot and try to do monthly posts on what books have attracted me enough to open my purse.

May is my birthday month, so naturally I’m more likely to treat myself (and also receive books as gifts) so there’s no better time to see what additions I’ve been making to my already high tsundoku. I hope that’s the right use of that word…

Womankind Magazine

Issue 16: Gyrfalcon/Iceland (May-July 2018)

Right, all that talk of books and I’m kicking off with a magazine. I love to feature magazines on this blog, and I find them really fun to review. This was the first thing I bought in May, and I used my WHSmiths gift card which I’ve had since Christmas last year!

Womankind magazine is wonderful in so many ways, and each time I read an issue I can’t believe that something this good actually exists. As someone who has done a Masters in Magazine Journalism, I’m in awe of the whole concept, the editorial, the content, the artwork…all of it. This is the kind of magazine that makes me love them.

Each issue has an animal/place theme, and this informs the artwork and articles. They include a lot of inspiring quotes, and little boosts of creative thinking and philosophical thoughts. Womankind will inspire you, and you’ll learn some things. It’s a good one to read over breakfast or on a Sunday morning.

Read my thoughts on a previous issue: Womankind, Issue 12 (2017)
Or, go direct to the wonderful magazine itself and visit the website: Womankind

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Jack Thorne & John Tiffany (based on a story by J. K. Rowling)

Published January 31st 2018 by Sphere (first published July 31st 2016)
Paperback, 352 pages

Anyone who has been following my book antics for the past few months will know that I finally read the Harry Potter books for the first time ever. As soon as I’d finished the main series, I whizzed through the spin-offs: The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Quidditch Through the Ages.

It makes complete sense that I should now read the more recent publications. I went along to Tesco and bought the paperback of The Cursed Child for just £4. As I write this, I’m 32 pages into it. It feels surreal and weirdly distant from the world I’ve just come out of, but I’m intrigued by the plot already. I’m really hoping I like this one.

Link to the book on Goodreads: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Read my review (cause I read it and reviewed it whilst still writing this thing): Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Leah on the Offbeat, Becky Albertalli

Published April 30th 2018 by Penguin (first published April 24th 2018)
Paperback, 339 pages

I think I got into Becky Albertalli books at just the right time. It wasn’t so long ago that I bought and devoured Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, and then I quickly borrowed The Upside of Unrequited from the library…and then Leah on the Offbeat came out!

I decided that I’d spend the remaining money on my WHSmiths gift card on this book, and I’m really glad I did. I haven’t started reading it yet (Harry Potter comes first, sorry) but the cover just makes me so happy. I’m pretty excited to read it, and find out more about Leah who I didn’t really connect with in Simon. The main thing for me is that she’s trying to muster the courage to tell her friends that she’s bisexual. This will be the second YA I’ll have come across with a bisexual main character, and I’m so ready for it.

Link to the book on Goodreads: Leah on the Offbeat
Read my review (cause I’m a fast reader okay?): Leah on the Offbeat

Lizard, Banana Yoshimoto

Published 2001 by Faber & Faber (first published April 20th 1993)
Paperback, 180 pages

The only other book I’ve read by this author is Kitchen. I had the book recommended to me by a friend, and then borrowed it off them. I began reading it on the same day I received it, and had finished it the day after. I took to her words and way of storytelling so naturally, it was as if I was reading an author who I’ve been familiar with for years.

I loved the plots, the characters, the themes and the way they pushed boundaries. So when I found a copy of Lizard for 99p in Oxfam, I had to get it. This collection contains six stories to Kitchen‘s two, and they ‘explore themes of time, healing and fate’ which sounds right up my street! I’m really looking forward to diving into Yoshimoto’s words again, and will probably save this for a relaxing weekend.

Link to the book on Goodreads: Lizard
Read my review of Kitchen: Kitchen – Banana Yoshimoto

Oh Comely

Image and cover credit: Oh Comely Magazine

Issue 29, March/April 2016

I think it’s about time we had another magazine, by which I mean I happened to buy a magazine at the same time I bought Lizard. I’ve never read Oh Comely, so I can’t say what it’s like. However, I’ve often found myself flicking through issues of it in the shop and wanting to buy it, or wondering if it’ll be my kind of thing.

Their tagline is: ‘keep your curiosity sacred.’ I’ve always thought of myself as curious. It’s the best work to describe my childhood self, and my *adulthood* self. I once had a job interview and they asked me to choose one word to describe myself and I chose curious.

I volunteer at the Beeston Oxfam Books and Music, and I happened to notice we had crates of donated magazines. On the top was this beautiful issue. The price? 29p. I had to have it, that way I’d get to find out what the magazine is like, and whether I’d want to buy it brand new.

I haven’t started reading it yet, but after a short peruse, I’m pretty certain I can add this one to the list of magazines I’ll buy as soon as they come out. This issue is about change, one of my favourite subjects to write about. The whole feel and voice of the magazine is one I can immediately connect with. It’s simple in design, not overbearing, and just lovely. It’s it well-thought out, and it’s a magazine to cherish.

Check out their website if you think you fancy perusing this magazine too: Oh Comely

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That’s it for Part One! Are there any books here that you’ve read, or want to read? Comment down below, and if you have any recommendations based on the books I’ve bought, then feel free to let me know about them.

If you loved this, then be sure to check out Part Two, which is even better than this half. You can read it here.