Not only are there are a large number of exciting new releases that are coming out this month, it’s also my birthday month, which means that I’m allowing myself to go a little wild on the book haul front. My bank account might not be loving this idea because compared to other (Western) countries where you can buy a lot of pre-loved and new books or for cheap, buying English books in Indonesia can get pretty expensive! As a book lover, this is one of the things that makes me pretty sad but I’m super lucky that I have a job that allows me to indulge in my passion for books!

To kick off my birthday month, I hit the bookstore last week without really having any intentions to buy a book (*cough*), let alone a small stack, but I was delighted to walk in and find that there was a 30% sale going on for a few books I’ve been excited to get my hands on for a while! Isn’t that just the best kind of surprise? 😃 I’m quite pleased with this first haul, especially since I got three well-loved non-fictions and a new book for the Asian Readathon. Have you read any of these?

Time’s Convert by Deborah Harkness
A passionate love story and a fascinating exploration of the power of tradition and the possibilities not just for change but for revolution, Time’s Convert channels the supernatural world-building and slow-burning romance that made the All Souls Trilogy instant bestsellers to illuminate a new and vital moment in history, and a love affair that will bridge centuries.

Educated by Tara Westover
Educated is an account of the struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty, and of the grief that comes from severing one’s closest ties. With the acute insight that distinguishes all great writers, Westover has crafted a universal coming-of-age story that gets to the heart of what an education is and what it offers: the perspective to see one’s life through new eyes, and the will to change it.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.

Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee
A young woman is torn between her Korean heritage and American upbringing. The elder daughter of working-class Korean immigrants, Casey inhabits a New York a world away from that of her parents. As Casey navigates an uneven course of small triumphs and spectacular failures, a clash of values, ideals and ambitions plays out against the colourful backdrop of New York society, its many layers, shades and divides… ‘Take Zadie Smith’s White Teeth, add the glamour of The Devil Wears Prada, and throw in a social commentary on modern identity crises’ Eve. 

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
The Tattooist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, two Slovakian Jews who survived Auschwitz. Like many survivors, Lale and Gita told few people their story after the war. They eventually made their way to Australia, where they raised a son and had a successful life. But when Gita died, Lale felt he could no longer carry the burden of their past alone. He chose to tell his story.

Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig
The world is messing with our minds. After experiencing years of anxiety and panic attacks, these questions became urgent matters of life and death for Matt Haig. And he began to look for the link between what he felt and the world around him. Notes on a Nervous Planet is a personal and vital look at how to feel happy, human and whole in the 21st century.

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Reasons to Stay Alive is about making the most of your time on earth. In the western world the suicide rate is highest amongst men under the age of 35. Matt Haig could have added to that statistic when, aged 24, he found himself staring at a cliff-edge about to jump off. This is the story of why he didn’t, how he recovered and learned to live with anxiety and depression. It’s also an upbeat, joyous and very funny exploration of how live better, love better, read better and feel more.

Have you already gone book shopping this month? Have you read any of these books? Let me know in the comments below and let’s chat 🙂