I know it’s almost the end of August, but I had to share my July 2021 Book Haul. Between thrift store finds, special deals at Indigo, and a trip to Book Outlet. In total, I added 20 books to my bookshelf last month. Thankfully, a few were books that we already on my TBR.

Thrift Store Finds

One of my local thrift stores always has some great book finds. They price the books according to cover price, which can be annoying as they use the price printed instead of a sale label. The other good part of getting books at the thrift store is that they always have a buy 4 get 1 free deal. And, if there is a sale on books, the regular deal still applies, which is pretty epic!

On this trip to the thrift store, I only picked up 2 books. My youngest daughter and my husband got the other three. So I’m okay with that.

Book 1: Except the Dying by Maureen Jennings

This is the first book in the Detective Murdoch series and was first published in 1997. This series is the basis for the hit television show Murdoch Mysteries. These are historical mysteries set in 1890s Toronto, Canada. Since moving to Canada in 2008, I have become a huge fan of the show. Part of that may be the fact the show often films in the city I live in. While this is the first book in the series, it is the second one that I will be reading.

Book 2: The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

I love black and white movies. I’ve seen The Maltese Falcon movie once, and I didn’t realize it was based on a book until several years later. Once I realized I wanted to read it, I didn’t think it would happen as the book was published so long ago. So imagine my surprise when I found it on the shelf at the thrift store.

Indigo Finds

Indigo is a national bookstore chain here in Canada. They often have some great deals, like 3 for $10.

Book 1: Forever and a Day by Anthony Horowitz

This book is being listed as a prequel to the 007 books from Ian Fleming. It also contains material that Ian Fleming wrote. I am a HUGE James Bond fan, books and movies (which rarely go together). I am excited to see how James Bond got the mantle 007. This book was part of a 3 for $10 deal.

Book 2: The All You Can Dream Buffet by Barbara O’Neal

The dog on the cover is what grabbed my attention. Then reading the synopsis and learning this is a friendship book featuring bloggers, I knew I wanted to read it. This was part of a 3 for $10 deal.

Book 3: When the Men Were Gone by Marjorie Herrera Lewis

I can’t remember how I came across this book, but it’s a historical fiction set in Texas during World War II. Oh, and it’s about high school football. Yes, please! I was so excited when I found it at Indigo as part of a 3 for $10 deal.

Book 4: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I know, I know! This book has been out for almost a year, and the next one is due to come out next month. But, I managed to wait long enough to get this for $10. It’s the paperback copy, but it was quite a bit cheaper than the hardcover.

Book Outlet Finds

Many people know about the Book Outlet website, but not everyone knows there is an actual store. It is located in St Catharines, Ontario. The store often offers different sales than the website, including a box sale where for $25 you get to fill a box. Of course, there hasn’t been a box sale since the pandemic started. But they have had other sales, such as the one they were running when I stopped in-buy 2 books, get 1 free. Um, yes, please! My family all picked up some books; my 13-year-old actually got a copy of The Phantom of the Opera, which is her favorite movie as well.

I’ll put these books into various categories to keep them more manageable. I will admit, the majority of these books were not already on my TBR. But they all caught my eye one way or another.

Foodie Books

Book 1: The Vintage Teacup Club by Vanessa Greene

This book follows a trio of women who are connected by a set of vintage teacups.

Book 2: The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman

A story about a woman who feels lost and finds herself in a family heirloom-a recipe box full of recipes from the strong women in her family. This is the 3rd book in The Heirloom Novels series.

Book 3: The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore

A story about female friendship and second chances. This is the first book in The Supremes duology.

Book 4: Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal

This book was already on my TBR, so I was pretty excited when I found it on the shelf. Eva has an incredible palate and is the chef behind the coveted dinner reservations.

Holiday Books

Yes, I know, it’s still the summer. What better time to stock up on holiday books? Most people aren’t thinking about the holidays in July, and the books tend to be cheaper!

Book 1: Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak

I have heard that this isn’t technically a holiday book, as it doesn’t revolve around the holidays. But it is set around Christmas, so in my book, it’s a holiday book. In this book, we follow a family that’s gathered for the first time in years for Christmas, and they are forced to quarantine together for seven days.

Book 2: A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday

A feel-good romance just in time for Christmas! He’s a New York City taxi driver; she’s a princess from a tiny country.

Book 3: Home for the Holidays by Sara Richardson

This feels like a Hallmark Christmas movie, but in book form. The Buchanan sisters spent many years at the Juniper Inn with their aunt. And it’s where they find themselves again. It’s the first book in the Juniper Springs Series.

Book 4: The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge by Charlie Lovett

This novella (it’s just over 100 pages long!) is a sequel to A Christmas Carol. It sounds like a fun read that will take no time at all.

Miscellanous Finds

I know, that’s a random category, but trust me. These books have a bit of randomness about them. There’s contemporary, fantasy, YA, and even a non-fiction book in this category.

Book 1: The Heroines by Eileen Favorite

The Heroines of classic literature (i.e., Madam Bovary and Scarlett O’Hara) leave their books and land at The Homestead in search of some rest, relaxation, and comfort. Fingers crossed, this book is better than the reviews on Goodreads make it seem.

Book 2: Treeborne by Caleb Johnson

A woman fights to save her small town and her family farm by telling the town’s stories. This is another one that I hope is better than the reviews make it seem.

Book 3: Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple

While I didn’t have this book officially on my TBR, it has been on my radar for quite a while. I mean, it seems like I’m the only person who hasn’t read it. And now I own a copy, so I can hopefully read it soon.

Book 4: Craftfulness: Mend Yourself by Making Things by Rosemary Davidson

I learned about this book from BookTuber Chelsea Palmer. This book is a series of essays explaining how crafting helps people deal with the world around them. The process, not the product, helps people recenter and live a more mindful life.

Book 5: The Loose Ends List by Carrie Firestone

The cover is beautiful! The book follows 17-year-old Maddie as she learns about first loves, last wishes, and letting go. I have a feeling this book is going to rip my heart out. Especially after the emotional year I have had. But I think it will also help my heart heal.

Book 6: Girls Save the World in This One by Ash Parsons

Girls saving the world? Yes, please! Nerd Convention setting? Totally!

I recently added this book to my TBR, and when I saw it sitting on the shelf, I was quick to grab it. I’m hoping to share it with my 13-year-old as it seems to be something she would enjoy.

Did you pick up any good books in July? What do you think of the ones I gathered? Let me know in the comments.

Looking for some more books to read? Check out my book reviews and my monthly reading wrap-ups.