Happy August!

Hello my fellow bookworms,

How have you been doing in terms of your reading goals this year? I have been attempting to keep up with my goals in Goodreads, but I know I can do better! Summer Reading prep at the library had taken over my work schedule and with the end of summer near, is at the end, but it was worth the smiles and fun patrons have shown throughout the summer! It was a little bittersweet this year, as I left the place I had called home for a few years, and miss my friends and the daily visitors. I have started a new journey, though, and am growing one day at a time. I am making new friends and am enjoying the visitors here, too! Summer is flying by, and I am making strides to keep moving forward. I hope you are, too!

For my own personal reading, I have been enjoying gardening and listening to audio books at the same time, and have lots on my TBR (to be read) pile. In case you were interested, here is my updated bingo card from earlier this year (I have some work to do, but at least I made a BINGO!) -->

Here is some fun bookish news for you:

• There's still some summer left! If you are looking for a fun summer read, Amazon has some original stories that are sure to make your summer day at the beach a fun one. Summer Lovin' is a series of six short stories from romance authors Tessa Bailey, Jessica Peterson, Falon Ballard, Rachel Lacey, Sarah Grunder Ruiz, and Rebecca Jenshak that is free if you subscribe to Prime. If you do not, each story is $2. 

• There's a new game you can buy as a book or play online for free called Murdoku. It is sudoku-meets-Clue and a fun way to pass the time online! Try your hand at it and let me know how far you go! (I'm still on the easy puzzles, but it is addicting!) 

• Fun fact: Americans are still opting for print books over digital or audio versions! Check out the statistics from Pew Research and read why even with the want and need for print materials, few of Americans are in book clubs. (Perhaps join a Silent Book Club, for those of us more introverted but want to be social? I am thinking of doing that!

• Have you ever wanted to see into how librarians order books? Booklist allows us to share the latest magazine online via the following link. Check it out for the latest August issue!

• Netflix has an option to watch your favorite books-to-screen.

• There has been a rise in book vacations, as in go retreat somewhere that you can read in peace and/or go visit somewhere you read about in a book. 
• Rest & Read gives women a weekend out in the Welsh countryside.
• Page Break is a New York City retreat, appealing to much of the younger crowd who wants to bond over reading.
• Forest & Fawn is a fantasy readers retreat (mostly for women and nonbinary readers) featured in different areas of the United States, and there is also a Found Family Club where you can meet like-minded individuals and have monthly book discussions, etc. I may or may not be signing up for this...
• Book Lovers' Binge Reading Retreat is for introverts who want to read in Southwest France.
• Ladies Who Lit is a luxury book-themed vacation in areas across Europe. It looks beautiful, if you can afford it!
• Silent Book Club also hosts retreats, so you can get a little solo time reading and some social connection while vacationing. The destinations are worldwide, so take a look and see what is close to you / where you want to go. 
• Travel Advisor also has a list of 6 Literary Trips Every Book Lover Should Take.

Photo by hello aesthe from Pexels

What have you been reading this summer? I have been trying to read the books that influenced Studio Ghibli movies. Spirited Away's book, The Village Beyond the Mist by Sachiko Kashiwaba was really good - though not the same at all what the movie was about. They are both light-hearted stories that will warm your heart, though! I'm currently in the middle of Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono, which is actually the first book in the series. At the moment, it is very similar to the movie, and I am enjoying the adventures very much. I am also rereading Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, which is a story that is unlike the movie, but still good.

Hope your summer is fun and you get to finish all the items and books on your summer bucket list. 

Happy Reading! :)

The Princess Diaries: The Graphic Novel by Meg Cabot

Hi my fellow bookworms,

(c) Macmillan Publishers, 2026

Happy Meg Cabot Day! According to Bloomington, Indiana, on July 15, 2004, it has been proclaimed that July 31st will be known as "Meg Cabot Day," as a celebration of her return to Bloomington. Every year since then, Ms. Cabot has been celebrated. This is a great year to celebrate, as she has quite a few new items coming out! Her new graphic novel based on the first The Princess Diaries book, an adult witchy rom-com titled The Magic We Made, a middle school graphic novel titled Detective Baby, a reissue of the fun When Lightning Strikes book titled Vanished, and another fun adult romance titled Kissing Cowboys. What a busy year!

This past summer I was able to meet Meg Cabot, who is one of my favorite authors, at the American Library Association Annual Convention! The convention is an annual meeting of librarians, library staff, vendors, authors, publishers, and more to come together, learn from, teach, and celebrate books and libraries in general! It is a really fun and informative experience. Finding out that Meg Cabot was going to be there in person? An added bonus! I've written posts about her previously, including when I received a signed letter in the mail. This time, I was able to talk to her in person, take a photo, AND receive a copy of her new graphic novel based on the first book in its series, The Princess Diaries: The Graphic Novel. 

Illustrated by Bethany Crandall, this graphic novel is colorful and lively. While it is definitely dedicated to a younger, middle school and early-teen crowd, those who have loved the series over the years will feel a sense of nostalgia while reading. It is definitely be a blast to the past (think early 2000's) for millennials. I may or may not have been listening to The Princess Diaries movie soundtrack while reading. Even so, I know it will draw in a new generation of young readers who will enjoy Princess Mia's journey.

For those new to the series, this is the story of Mia Thermopolis, a tall, frizzy-haired freshman who is struggling through algebra and not the most-popular at her school. She does, however, have a best friend named Lily Moscovitz, and a group of friends in her gifted and talented class. Her cat, Fat Louie, likes to eat socks. Her mom and dad are divorced. Her mom is currently dating her algebra teacher, which makes Mia's life just a little weird (at least to her). Her dad comes back in the picture to let her know that he is not just a politician, but the crown prince of Genovia, and that Mia is next in line for the throne! Thus begins a story of princess lessons, teenage (and Grandmère-related) drama, and an overall fun read. Please note that the Disney movie series has a slightly different plot, so if you haven't read the original series, you may be surprised by the differences! 

I highly recommend The Princess Diaries: The Graphic Novel for middle school ages and up! Especially for those who wanted to be a princess growing up. :)

In line waiting to meet Meg Cabot!!
(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

~*~ ♛ ~*~

About the Author: Meg Cabot

(c) Meg Cabot, 2026

Meg Cabot was born in Bloomington, Indiana during the Chinese astrological year of the Fire Horse, a notoriously unlucky sign, but learned at an early age that a good storyteller can always give herself a happy ending. Her 100+ books for both adults and tweens/teens have included multiple #1 New York Times bestsellers, selling over twenty-five million copies worldwide. Her Princess Diaries series has been published in more than 38 countries, and despite being made into multiple feature films by Disney, has been banned in multiple school libraries in the United States due to its message of female empowerment. Meg’s numerous other award-winning books include The Mediator series, The Witches of West Harbor series, and Avalon High, the later of which was made into a film for Disney Channel. Meg Cabot (her last name rhymes with habit, as in “her books can be habit forming”) currently lives in Key West with her husband and various cats.

About the Illustrator: Bethany Crandall

(c) Bethany Crandall, 2026

Bethany Crandall is an Illustrator and designer based in Burbank California. Bethany has worked illustrating children’s books and illustrating for magazines. She has also worked doing designs for children’s television. Bethany studied at Brigham Young University Idaho and graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in illustration. She enjoys drawing and reading. You can follow her on social media at https://www.instagram.com/bethanycrandallart/?hl=en. You can contact her at bethanycrandallart@gmail.com.