Book buying as a hobby is completely separate from reading, so don’t confuse the two.
People who are not readers don’t understand the need to keep buying books. They think because you own a good amount you haven’t read yet, you should not buy any more books.
Book buying is a separate hobby in its own right, just in case you weren’t aware.
Part One: Books Purchased New
Every year, I intend to stick to a budget and only make necessary purchases. Well, it clearly doesn’t apply to book buying when it comes to me. We’re only in August, and I have purchased more than 50 physical books (both new and second-hand), and a few e-books.
What initially was supposed to be one post, I will have to split into three parts. This first part will contain books I’ve purchased solely from Indigo and Book Outlet. In future posts, I will show you the books I’ve bought second-hand, was gifted and/or won in giveaways, as well as a different post for my e-books.
So, to show you that book buying is a hobby, here goes my list of books I purchased in the first half of 2022.
First off, here are my Indigo purchases:
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
A quirky, funny book that is filled with great supporting characters. Original and vibrant, a daring read that will make you look at women’s revolutionary strides differently.
Trapped by Camilla Lackberg
One of my most anticipated reads of 2022, Trapped is the first in a new series by one of my all-time favorite Scandinavian authors.
The Binding Room by Nadine Matheson
A second book in the Anjelica Henley detective police procedural. A heart-pounding thriller about corrupt institutions, power, and race.
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
This new unputdownable book by the queen of gothic mysteries is another most anticipated read for the summer. This dark academia book will get you sitting on the edge of your seat. And mine happens to be a signed copy!
Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier
A brilliant new thriller by one of my favorite Canadian writers. Accused of killing her celebrity husband, her long-buried past threatens Paris Peralta’s future.
The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine
This book promises to take you on an awe-inspiring, thrilling ride. Get ready to get both sides of the story, the wife’s version, and her stalker’s version. Should be an interesting read!
Shed No Tears by Caz Frear
This is the third installment in the detective Constable Cat Kinsella’s series. I bought the first two from Book Outlet, so I will mention them shortly. This latest case involves ties to serial killer Christopher Masters, whose latest victim was found years later.
Three Perfect Liars by Heidi Parks
A tangled web of lies is threatened to be discovered after a successful advertising agency went up in flames.
And now, my large Book Outlet haul. Brace yourselves, it counts more than 20 books.
The Killing by David Hewson
Sarah Lund, a detective with Copenhagen’s police department is getting ready to relocate to Sweden, but on her last day, Nanna Birk Larsen is found brutally murdered and raped. Her plans get put on hold while she’s trying to figure out who the killer is. An intriguing fast-paced thriller that is the basis for the first season of the TV adaptation with the same name.
The Witch Hunter By Max Seeck
A first investigator Jessica Niemi thriller by Norwegian author Max Seeck, this is a spooky and chilling read. Perfect for Halloween, I’m hoping to be able to enjoy it in the month of October.
The Ice Coven by Max Seeck
The sequel to the Witch Hunter takes place six months after Jessica Niemi’s encounter with a serial killing coven of witches. With cult ties and a race against time, will she find the killers before they destroy her life?
Death In The Family by Tessa Wegert
If you love Agatha Christie vibes, then this Shana Merchant’s first installment should be right up your alley. A locked room mystery that is a slow burn, but one that keeps you guessing who did it until the end.
The Dead Season by Tessa Wegert
In the second Shana Merchant installment, serial killer Blake Bram drives her to her hometown after the remains of her estranged uncle are uncovered. A suspenseful read that unravels her murky past.
The Only Child by Seo Mi-Ae
Psychological suspense follows criminal psychologist Seonkeyong on an intriguing case and her current living situation. Both are equally disturbing and written with precision and the right dose of creepiness.
Stalker By Lars Kepler
If you follow me on Instagram or Goodreads, then you know I already read this fifth book in the Joona Linna series. A dark and twisted thriller that only the writing team Kepler can cook up. In this one, hypnotist Erik Maria Bark makes a comeback at the request of Joona Linna. A freaky story told with the usual Scandinavian twist.
Lazarus by Lars Kepler
Another roller coaster from the husband and wife writing team called Lars Kepler. Saga Bauer, who was somewhat absent in the last couple of installments, makes a comeback in Lazarus. She is enrolled by Joona Linna to lend a helping hand in tracking the most terrifying villain they’ve yet to encounter.
All Adults Here by Emma Straub
This book went on my radar sometime in 2020, when I first noticed people talking about it on Instagram. It seems like a book that I can relate to, but somehow I didn’t find the time to get to it yet.
Oksana, Behave by Maria Kuznetsova
Written by a Ukrainian-American, Oksana, Behave is an irresistible debut novel that follows a Russian-American girl to adulthood and her bumps along the way there.
Secret Lives of Mothers and Daughters by Anita Kushwaha
This breathtaking novel explores the ties that bind mothers and daughters together, while secrets tear them apart. Not very talked about on any platform, but I’d like to read it before the end of the year.
Stolen Things by R.H. Herron
This debut thriller by R.H. Herron seems very interesting. Mothers and daughters and no one to trust but each other seems to be a common theme in the last few books I’ve purchased.
The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly by Meredith Tate
A YA thriller, it is about two sisters who, although not close in the last little while, share a tight bond that no one can break. When Autumn disappears, only her sister Ivy can really get to the truth.
Love is a Revolution by Renee Watson
This young adult love story is not only about the love between two people, but the love of a young girl with who she is. An empowering book about self-love and the importance of putting yourself first.
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
A true introvert will totally relate to this entertaining read about a bookworm who isn’t into socializing even with her own newly discovered family she never knew she had.
The Apology by Eve Ensler
Many women who’ve been abused in one way or another wait in vain for an apology that never comes. This book is written from the author’s abusive father’s perspective, and it’s the first step toward healing. This is an important read for every woman who’s ever been sexually abused.
The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker
The first in the 4MK series, this twisted, fast-paced thriller will keep you on your toes until the very last page. Cleverly structured, it will have you guessing throughout the whole book. Although I read it about two years ago, I finally got my own copy this year.
The Fifth to Die by J.D. Barker
The second installment of the 4MK trilogy, this serial killer thriller follows Detective Porter in his quest to find another serial killer who is terrorizing the streets of Chicago.
Want by Lynn Steger Strong
Exploring the subtle nuances of women’s wants, this book provides an introspective look at how one woman grapples with everything she wants in life. And need I say more about the cover? I’ll admit, the cover got my interest before I even read the synopsis. If I love the book, that’s just an added bonus.
The Truth and Lies of Ella Black by Emily Barr
Although many Goodreads ratings are not great, I’m still going to give this one a go. The story seems intriguing, and although it’s meant to be for a younger audience, sometimes I enjoy these types of books. This would be the first book by this author for me.
This is My Life by Meg Wolitzer
Having previously read Meg Wolitzer’s two most famous books, The Interestings, and The Female Persuasion, I would like to eventually read all of her works. This is her first literary novel which was originally published under the title This is Your Life. It was also made into a movie that was directed by Nora Ephron.
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
As I just mentioned, I’ve already read this book a few years back, but I have wanted my own copy ever since. Earlier this year I finally found it on Book Outlet. If you haven’t read the author yet, I urge you to give her a try. My favorite book by her is The Interestings, but this one is also great.
Stone Cold Heart by Caz Frear
I bought this second installment in the Cat Kinsella trilogy earlier this year after I got Sweet Little Lies by the same author last year. This is another series that’s waiting patiently for me to get to. It follows Detective Constable Cat Kinsella in her quest to put away killers. Written with wit and brilliant plots, I will let you know my thoughts once I finally get started on this series.
The Chosen by Kristina Ohlsson
This is the fifth book in the Frederika Bergman and Alex Recht series written by Swedish author Kristina Ohlsson. I didn’t actually notice that before I purchased it, so it will probably sit on my TBR list for a long time since I need to read the previous four first. I’m sure I will enjoy it, since it is a Nordic Noir book, and I haven’t read one in this genre I didn’t like yet.
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
A beautifully written, moving story of division, eco-consciousness, and love, from a Turkish-British author who is known for her complex plots and multi-layered interpersonal relationships.
The Water Rituals by Eva Garcia Saenz De Urturi
In the second book in the White City trilogy, this time the killer hits close to home for Kraken. The brilliant detective caught a killer that was always two steps ahead in the first installment, The Silence of the White City. In this one, the need to stop the killer who is attacking pregnant women.
Concluding Words
If this post didn’t convince you that book buying is a hobby in itself, then I don’t know what will!
This is only the first part of the books purchased in the first half of the year. So much for a low-buy year! I tried, I really did, but I was clearly unsuccessful. But I don’t regret it because I found some great books that I cannot wait to dig into. My second and third parts are to follow shortly, so keep an eye open for my posts in the next few weeks.
Are any of these books on your radar? If not, I’m hoping I will influence you to at least consider reading them.
Until next time, fellow bookworms.
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