Inadequate Synonyms! Sad Stuff! Book Haul!

I just want to start out by saying that I hate the way 'haul' sounds, but I can not find an adequate synonym for what this is so I'm just going with it.

Tonight I went out with my parents and grandparents for dinner (exciting life, I know). Just before we started eating, my grandpa got a call from a relative. Yesterday his uncle, who was like a father to him, passed away. I've only met this man once (that I remember), but he left an impression. He was rich with knowledge and belongings, and was always going somewhere or doing something. When he passed, he was in New York visiting family. He was chatting with his late wife's family and suddenly just... died. At any moment, life can be taken away. It can happen to anyone. Make the most of the time you have and do not waste it over silly things. But also do what makes you happy.

Now on to the book haul (ugh)!

After having a sad time at dinner, my parents and I decided we didn't feel like going home quite yet. So we went to the book/music/movie store!

I looked over the 'teen' section for probably 30 minutes and found some good books.

First is:

(Goodreads)

Vanished (1 & 2) by Meg Cabot
Meg Cabot is my favorite author and I love everything I've read that she's written, so I figured this would not be money wasted. I also bought this used for $5! So that's awesome! In fact, all the books I got are used. More on this later. Anyway, you can read the description at Goodreads, but I'll summarize really quick. Jessica Mastriani is struck by lightning one day, and along with a kick-arse near-death-experience story, she also gains the ability to find missing children. Chaos ensues. I can't wait to start reading this because every Meg Cabot book I've read is written fantastically and the story lines are suspenseful and interesting. 

Next up:

(Goodreads)

Dance of the Assassins by Herve Jubert
I was reluctant to pick this up because the cover really put me off. Not in an offensive way, it just didn't look like something I would read. But then I read the description. The story is set in a virtual city, and Jack the Ripper is running rampant (as he usually did). I'm not too clear on the virtual London thing but maybe I'll figure it out when I start reading. A witch, Roberta Morgenstern, and a rookie policeman, Clemente Martineau, discover that someone is resurrecting history's most villainous villains. Chaos ensues! Ah, gotta love that chaos. Jack The Ripper is horrifying but history is exciting, so I'm really scared excited to read this. I hope it doesn't give me nightmares :(


Finally:

(Goodreads)

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
To be quite frank, I knew next to nothing about this book when it caught my eye. It was hard for me to decide if I should buy it, but the price was $9.50, so if I don't like it, I did not have to spend $20 on it. We have Will Henry, an assistant to a doctor who hunts monsters. When a visitor shows up on the doorstep with a dead girl and a monster, Will and the doctor must save the world from a hoard of horrifying creatures. I will admit that this story hints to no romance and that is a bit out of my norm. But if this book is suspenseful and enthralling then I am totally willing to read it.


The total for all three of these books was $25.03. I saved $23 by buying them used.