I’ve spent a lot of money this month on books. Far more than I normally buy and far more than my shelves can handle. My Dad keeps telling me I have an addiction but I’d rather view it as having a love for books and a need to read new material.

My book buying started in Waterstones in Weybridge. It was a family day out to see my Granny. I actually only went in for Good Omens but ended up buying six books! The only impulse buy was ‘The Umbrella Mouse’ by Anna Fargher. It was on display and I was drawn to the cover, then by the blurb and then carried it around in my hands as I picked up other things.

‘The Queen of the Tearling’ by Erika Johansen, ‘Nevernight’ by Jay Kristoff, ‘Vicious’ by V.E. Schwab and ‘A Darker Shade of Magic’ by V.E. Schwab were all books that I wanted to buy and books that have been on my Amazon lists for a while. They didn’t have these books in my own Waterstones, only the second books in the series, so when I found them in Weybridge Waterstones, it was like fate and I just had to buy them. I managed to sneak past my Mum and my Dad with my bundle of books but was called out by my Granny who chastised me by calling out my name as I tiptoed to the till to pay. Caught red handed, I continued my walk to the till and tried not to justify my need to buy the six books to my family! This little lot was bought on Saturday 8th of June. I have only read ‘The Umbrella Mouse‘ by Anna Fargher so far and loved it! It was a 5 star read for me.

On Tuesday 11th of June, I had the afternoon off work because I was getting my hair done. I was early to my appointment and decided to browse Waterstones. Browse being the weak word here because I went and bought five more books that neither my bank account or shelves thanked me for. These were all impulse buys. Waterstones had ‘buy one get one half price’ in their 9-12 book section and I just couldn’t resist. I read ‘Lost’ by Eve Ainsworth while having my hair done and found it to be a very moving book which had me almost in tears at one point! I have successfully managed to read ‘Scavengers‘ by Darren Simpson, ‘Malamander’ by Thomas Taylor, ‘The Garden of Lost Secrets‘ by A. M. Howell and ‘The Secret Dragon‘ by Ed Clarke. I’d give ‘Malamander’, ‘Lost’, and ‘The Garden of Lost Secrets’, five stars, while ‘The Secret Dragon’ four stars and ‘Scavenger’ three stars.

Finally, on Saturday 22nd June, I had my monthly massage (helps with stress and anxiety), and again I was early into town. I promised myself that I was only going to browse Waterstones but let’s face it, that promise was completely empty. I impulse bought 4/6 books. I actually went in to look for more Jo Spain books. I had just discovered her detective series on Kindle and knew she had written some stand alone books as well and was happy to pick up ‘The Confession’ (review coming). I also picked up ‘Sepulchre’ by Kate Mosse which, for some reason, Amazon didn’t have in stock. I have loved Kate Mosse since Labyrinth and have read many of her works since, so, was excited to pick this one up. I picked up ‘Nevermoor’ by Jessica Townsend because I keep seeing it pop up on instagram and receive glowing reviews, so I finally decided to buy it. “Where The River Runs Gold’ by Sita Brahmachari spoke to me with both the beautiful book cover and the blurb on the back and I’m looking forward to reading it. ‘The Water Cure’ by Sophie Mackintosh was recommended to me when I was at the till. I almost didn’t buy it because the lady serving me said it was similar to Margaret Atwood (whose work I cannot stand) but was told that the dystopian aspect was similar to Margaret Atwood but that the writing of Sophie Mackintosh was better. I shall reserve judgement until I have read it!

Away from paperbacks, I have bought a fair amount of Kindle books this month. It was only at the end of May that I remembered Kindle and realised I could still access my Kindle books without having a Kindle. I have been reading on-the-go in places I can’t get away with bringing a book and have been enjoying the new freedom of book reading. I do still prefer paperbacks but use Kindle to discover new books. If I end up liking the book so much, or the first in a series, I then go out and buy the book or series in paperback.

I’ve bought 12 kindle books this month and read 3.5 of them.

‘The Murder of Patience Brooke’ by J. C. Briggs is one of the best I’ve read this month. I mean, Charles Dickens, investigating murder? Who wouldn’t be intrigued by that?! This is a book that I loved completely and will now buy this book and the rest of the series in paperback. This was a five star book.

‘Snow White Sorrow’ by Cameron Jace was bought off the back of reading his Grimm Diaries Prequels and I am intrigued to discover the plot of the story. I got ‘The Keeper Chronicles’ by JA Andrews and ‘Cold Iron’ by Miles Cameron while searching for new Fantasy books to read, both looked rather interesting and though I haven’t had time to read them yet, I am looking forward to.

‘I Know Who You Are’ by Alice Feeney and ‘The Moonlit Garden’ by Corina Bomann were purchased on a search for psychological thrillers/murders. I dip in and out of this genre but off the back of reading Jo Spain’s ‘With Our Blessing’, decided to check some out.

Three of these were bought in Kindles ‘try the first in the series for only 99p’ deal and the other three were books that have been on lists for a long time and I finally decided to buy them.

In the Kindle deal I bought ‘With our Blessing’ by Jo Spain, ‘The Long Earth’ by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter, and ‘The Fire Maker’ by Peter May.

I read ‘With our Blessing‘ last week and absolutely enjoyed it. I thought it was an amazing plot and well written. It was a five star book for me and prompted me into buying ‘Beneath the Surface’ by Jo Spain and the next in the series of books. I may well end up buying these in paperback also. I haven’t yet read ‘The Fire Maker’ by Peter May or ‘The Long Earth’ by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter but no doubt will get round to reading them in early July.

I have wanted to read Laura Purcell’s ‘The Corset’ for a while now and finally decided it was time to purchase it. I am currently halfway through and can say that it is thoroughly gripping, full of twists and turns and quite addictive to read. I am enjoying where it is going.

‘Closer than you think’ by Karen Rose was another psychological thriller that I thought looked quite good and a book to get my adrenaline pumping but not one that’ll make me want to put the book down and throw it across the room in rage!

In all, I bought 29 books this month which is way more than I should have done and I should be practising more impulse control. This week I have been reading in the evenings and staying away from screens (since I stare at them for eight hours at work) and have managed to polish off quite a few books. However, I know from my TBR Shame Tag that I have far too many books waiting to be read and that I shouldn’t be buying more. I am trying to promise myself not to buy any more books until I have cleared the first stack of books on my double packed shelves. I will have to be strong and make sure I don’t buy anymore kindle books also!

Having said that, if you have any book recommendations – send them my way!