Happy 2020!

Hello Fellow Bookworms,

Can you believe we have reached another new year, another new decade? There were so many good books this past decade, and there are so many good books still to come!

Have you heard of Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge? The original post, posted in 2015, is continuing into its sixth year in 2020, with a list intended to challenge the way you read and guide you to read outside of your norm. As an added bonus, if you are able to complete the list before next December 31st, you can snag a 30% coupon off an order at Out of Print!

Want to try out the challenge with me? Here is the list:

1. Read a YA nonfiction book
2. Read a retelling of a classic of the canon, fairytale, or myth by an author of color
3. Read a mystery where the victim(s) is not a woman
4. Read a graphic memoir
5. Read a book about a natural disaster
6. Read a play by an author of color and/or queer author
7. Read a historical fiction novel not set in WWII
8. Read an audiobook of poetry
9. Read the LAST book in a series
10. Read a book that takes place in a rural setting
11. Read a debut novel by a queer author
12. Read a memoir by someone from a religious tradition (or lack of religious tradition) that is not your own
13. Read a food book about a cuisine you’ve never tried before
14. Read a romance starring a single parent
15. Read a book about climate change
16. Read a doorstopper (over 500 pages) published after 1950, written by a woman
17. Read a sci-fi/fantasy novella (under 120 pages)
18. Read a picture book with a human main character from a marginalized community
19. Read a book by or about a refugee
20. Read a middle grade book that doesn’t take place in the U.S. or the UK
21. Read a book with a main character or protagonist with a disability (fiction or non)
22. Read a horror book published by an indie press
23. Read an edition of a literary magazine (digital or physical)
24. Read a book in any genre by a Native, First Nations, or Indigenous author

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger) 2019

Did you end up completing any resolutions? I find it is really hard for me to continuously complete a task and must shake things up every now and again to keep the task interesting (i.e. workout more --> go outside, hike, bike, parkour, etc.). Thinking it over, while not keeping to what I originally wanted for myself in the beginning of this year, I think this year has brought much perspective that I can use in 2020.

Thank you all for staying with me and this blog, which was once a resolution of mine! I wish you all the very best for the upcoming year and upcoming decade! May you stay curious, stay kind, love yourself, love others, travel, and experience the world - whether it be in book form or not. As Walt Disney once said, "Keep moving forward."

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P.S. I am currently in between a middle school/young adult fantasy book and do not want to rush a review post, so look out for another book review soon! :)

Second Chance Sam: King of the Junkyard and Carol's Quest for Courage

Happy last day of November! Happy Thanksgiving! Happy (belated) black Friday! Happy holidays to everyone out there! 

Today I bring you two reviews from an author I had reviewed before: JoAnn Sky. For those who have not read the previous review (see here), Ms. Sky combines her love of books and rescue pups together to bring stories for children in her Santa's Dog series and also the new Second-Chance Sam, King of the Junkyard. A portion of the proceeds from these books goes towards Dogs & Books, an organization that supports animal rescue causes. Please check them out! Along with the books mentioned, the website also has dog related gifts for sale, which is great if you want to support a cause and give out something really neat for the holidays! (There is also a holiday promotion happening until December 14th, if you want a good gift and a discount!)

(c) Dogs and Books, JoAnn Sky, John Tatulli

Second-Chance Sam, King of the Junkyard is by JoAnn Sky and illustrated by John Tatulli. Please see below for their bios. This book is a super cute rhyming story for children. It teaches children about the older dogs who are sometimes not chosen at rescue shelters. But, luckily for our story, little Sam finally finds a home. This short story will definitely warm your heart and entertain your children. The writing is perfect and the illustrations are very colorful. I recommend this book for children 4 years and older.

(This book is so cute, my mom who is a preschool teacher is most likely going to swipe my advanced copy! :) )

(c) Dogs and Books, JoAnn Sky, Ed Koehler

Carol's Quest for Courage is also by JoAnn Sky, illustrated by Ed Koehler. This book is the sequel/second in the Santa's Dog series for children. Carol is a dog who loves to sing, leaves the North Pole on a quest to find a place to sing her heart out. Along the way, she meets a girl named Aly and finds a home where she can sing with her new family. A very colorful and lively book for Christmas, this story has more words than Second Chance Sam and is recommended for children around 5 years and older.

Please give these books a read, especially if you love dogs and/or have children! You will not be disappointed! If you are curious to learn more about the author or the illustrators, please check them out below. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I will write again in December!  

(c) JoAnn Sky

About the author, JoAnn Sky (visit her website here):
JoAnn Sky is an award-winning author and two-time Golden Heart® finalist who writes children’s stories as well as young adult and adult contemporary romance. She’s combined her love of books and dogs in both her award-winning SANTA’S DOG series and SECOND CHANCE SAM series. She hopes you enjoy reading it as much as she has enjoyed creating it. Originally from the Midwest, JoAnn currently lives in northern Nevada with her family and three crazy rescue dogs.

(c) John Tatulli

About the Illustrator, John Tatulli (visit his website here):

John Tatulli is an American born Illustrator who could always draw.  He spent hours on end with his headphones on drawing whatever came to mind.  At a young age he specialized in Pen & Ink over pencil sketches mostly.  As he got older his work progressed into his love for Children's book art. Now his passion is creating emotionally striking illustrations and kid friendly artwork hoping one day to illustrate some of the original stories his Dad used to tell him before bed. When he isn't drawing and creating he is a family man who is happily married to his wife of 12 years.  They have a great Dog named Sasha and are on a mission to adopt their first child.  John is an avid Air soft player, enjoys disc golf and spends quiet time reading.

(c) Ed Koehler

About the Illustrator, Ed Koehler (visit his website here):
Ed Koehler is an illustrator specializing in fun, lively art for children's books and other products. His work has been published around the world and has received numerous awards. His expertise is in Christian publishing but his work extends to general interest, editorial, and cross-generational books and materials. He has designed and illustrated projects as varied as multi-media stage sets, environmental graphics for a large church youth center, and smart board Sunday School curriculum. He is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and the St. Louis Artists Guild.

Happy Halloween!

(c) Ylanite Koppens, Pexels

Happy Halloween! Are you in an area where you have snow today? So cold and such odd weather! I remember Halloween always being cold, but I don't ever remember snow! One good thing is the fact that it is weather you can settle down with, read a good book, and drink a good cup of coffee (or tea). :)




I have a few more random book updates for you, which may be of interested if you like to travel:

• There is a Free Little Library in Mize, Mississippi is designed to look like Doctor Who's TARDIS. (How cute!)
• The Book Fairies strike again, this time in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, leaving free books for Banned Books Week - including copies of Harry Potter!
• The New York Public Library has again found an innovative way to have more people read. They have posted classic novels on Instagram for you to read for free. FULL novels. The project is called Insta Novels, makes it super easy to read on the run. You can read to your hearts content, but make sure you have a good internet source - no one likes unnecessary cliffhangers.
• Speaking of New York, although this is part of a fictional universe, if you are a fan of Marvel / Spiderman, take a moment to read The Daily Bugle, now online!
• Flotsam, California has a book vending machine for an elementary school. Students who show acts of kindness and are "caught in the act" are rewarded with special tokens to use for the book vending machine to buy a new book for themselves. We could use more of these around!
• Mark Twain's original signature was found in a cave in Hannibal, Missouri. You can visit the cave made popular by The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and see if you can spot where Sam Clemens signed his name, too.
• For those who love romance, but do not know what to read next, try this Book Finder book search by Smart Bitches. I have to say, it is pretty fun to see what comes up and what you have not read yet. ;) 
• For those who love those online book scavenger hunts, the New Adult Winter Scavenger Hunt will be here soon enough! The game will start again towards the end of December. What is "new adult"? It is the genre of books for the (rough) ages of 18-25, with topics that touch upon more mature topics than your typical young adult books and may contain sex scenes. Think books from authors such as Sarah J. Maas (i.e. A Court of Thorns and Roses).

~~~

I also wanted to share some bonus photos from the graphic novel The Last Amazon, because so much work went into the project, I just want to share it with you, fellow readers! Just as a refresher from my last post, The Last Amazon is an indie graphic novel from Apotheosis Studios by author Jamison Stone, illustrator David Granjo, and supporting artist Carlos Cardona. You can buy a copy on their website here (it's currently on sale!).

The Last Amazon (c) Apotheosis Studios

The Last Amazon (c) Apotheosis Studios

The Last Amazon (c) Apotheosis Studios

~~~

(c) Valeriia Miller, Pexels

I have a couple new books for children to review that look to be great presents for the holiday season. Keep a lookout for more to come!

Stay warm and stay safe today, whether it is trick or treating, going to a party, or just relaxing and watching a scary movie. Until next time!

Graphic Novel Review: The Last Amazon

The Last Amazon (c) Apotheosis Studios

The Last Amazon is an indie graphic novel from Apotheosis Studios by author Jamison Stone, illustrator David Granjo, and supporting artist Carlos Cardona. Thanks to Kickstarter, friends, and fans, over $21,000 was raised to bring this near future, post-apocalyptic adventure to life. Readers can dive right into the story with realistic, colorful, and detailed graphics. It is a stunning piece of art that tells its story in technology pieces, such as social media posts, chat boxes, and newspaper clippings. You do not have to already be a fan to become one!

The story begins in the not-so-distant future United States, with an online chat between characters Redd and Lex, mixed with imagery of a apocalyptic/dystopian world. Politics, war, mentions of androids, and social media posts tell the story of what has happened in this world to lead to World War III and the state the world is now in. Told through chat messages, social media pages, and newspaper clippings, we learn that the world is in a very sad state. After the war, people are grouping up together to survive, either staying with others to stay safe, or attempting the trip to the last city still around. The first half of the graphic novel you uncover the plot as the character Lex does, learning bits and pieces here and there. In the second half, it felt similar to a movie, where everything goes down and you find how things are tied together.

I thought it was interesting that the social media and politics that were listed in the graphic novel were similar to the times now. You can take it in humor or heed it as a warning to what we may do to our world, as well. I also liked the pop culture references, at least the ones I could say "I understood that reference" to. *cough* Captain America reference *cough* :)

The graphics are very detailed and colorful. Some of the pages have much text to read through, but all of it comes together to explain and setup the plot. There are a few lines that may go over your head if you do not know some basic coding/computer basics, such as the fact that "#ff0000" is the hex color for red - a play on one of the characters names, Redd. There are also references to other languages (besides computer ones), including one referring to a language from the video game Skyrim, but most of these have explanations right after them, so you will not be confused as to the story plot.

I recommend The Last Amazon to those who are into science fiction, politics, and dystopian novels. You will not be disappointed, as much talent went into creating this masterpiece, including help from fandom icons (famous cosplayers modeled the characters). It is interesting to see the transition from their real life photos in Instagram to the characters on the pages. Featured models include:

• Lauren Drain (@laurendrainfit)
• Darth Lexxi (@darthlexii)
• Cheeryl Lawrence (@whoanerdalert)
• Reinessa (@reinessagaming)
• Cynthia Chan (@cynsincosplay)
• Samantha Rubin (@sammyrubin)
• MY (@mj_and_spidey)

The Last Amazon is available in several formats, including digital, hardcover, and special edition hardcover. You can tell much love and work went into creating this graphic novel. I admire the detail and intricacy in the digital copy, and imagine the hard copy to be pretty spectacular. If you are lucky enough to snag a physical copy, the author and artist will both sign your edition! Not to mention that the book itself features an elegant metallic stamp on the front of the book, foil bookplates, and foil book block edging.

Although The Last Amazon was released last November, you can still find a copy on the official website. Keep a lookout for their next graphic novel and video game, Shadow of the Moon, sequel to The Last Amazon!

End of Summer

"I got that summertime, summertime sadness..." Yes, it is that time of the year again - end of summer, beginning of fall, school time, new book time! I have a few books to review and hope to do some reviewing this weekend. :)

Did anyone visit any neat places, maybe with a cool library or bookstore - or two? If you didn't, here are some fun facts that may influence your next travel plans:

• According to Travel and Leisure magazine, the Key West (Florida) is home to two hotels that provide waterproof books for guests to read poolside. The Gates Hotel and 24° North Hotel both have a library filled with classic novels that you can read to your hearts content, whether it be lounging in the sun or splashing around in the pool!
• A library of a different kind, Chicago, Illinois can now boast that it is home to The Chicago Tool Library, a volunteer-run space where area residents can rent out items that are not used all the time, but you may find yourself needing or wanting (i.e. pasta maker, screwdrivers, sewing machine, camera, etc.). The concept is not a novel one, but a good idea that is now spreading. Areas such as Ann Arbor, Michigan and Sacramento, California have such a system integrated into their public library system. We need all libraries to integrate this!
• Indianapolis, Indiana has a new way to promote reading: the Book Bike. The bookshelf on a bike is set up in places where residents (or anyone, really - no library card is needed!) can pick up a free book and get into a good story. Be quick, though, the Book Bike makes visits to events, such as farmers markets, and tends to run out of every book on hand! 
• The Free Library of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has book carts in parks called Libraries in the Park, so that children can read while enjoying the fresh air. I wish my library had something like this when I was little!

Philadelphia Library in the Park (c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger)

If you cannot get out and about, but still want to be part of something, you should look into helping out the Library of Congress. According to the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress currently has a project where they are transcribing suffragist papers and need your help! How do you go about transcribing? Check out the By the People campaign, where you can read and help type what you can make out in the writings, tag writings (think Facebook), and even help review final transcriptions. You can create an account to always come back to where you last left off. You can be a part of history by helping to promote it!

So what have you bookworms been up to? Tell me something fun you did this summer in the comments! :)

Blog Tour: The CatNapped Lover by Rue Allyn

Good Morning Bookworms! 

Today is a purrrrfectly good day to let you all know that I am hosting a book that is on tour this week: The CatNapped Lover by Rue Allyn. Ms. Allyn has teamed up with Babs Hightower of Babs Book Bistro to showcase her latest release, now out at Amazon.com! Read on for a quick blurb and a bonus excerpt!

(c) Rue Allyn 2019

A woman, a man, and a cat. What could possibly go wrong? 

What does a bet between best friends have to do with a kidnapped cat and a tumbled-down animal shelter? Nothing, unless you are Adam Talcott and you want to prove to your best-buddy that you can survive without access to your wealth and family connections. Adam would have succeeded too, if it hadn't been for Dierdre Clancy and that blasted cat.

Adam Talcott

Adam Talcott was born rich. He went into business with his best friend from college and made even more millions. His methods may be unorthodox, but he nearly always succeeds. Now he’s been challenged to live for two months without any of the privileges and resources he’s known all his life. Adam is confident that he can conquer this challenge as he has all others. But he didn’t count on Dierdre Clancy and that danged cat.

Dierdre Clancy

Dierdre Clancy grew up in a family of givers. Her parents were missionaries and often too busy saving other, less privileged people to realize how lonely and abandoned Dierdre felt. When she reached her teen years, she was shipped back to the USA to live with her Aunt Shea on Shea’s rundown farm and animal shelter. Finally she was in a stable environment with an adult she could count on. Dierdre went on to gain a degree in social work and took up the Clancy family tradition of helping others. Most of the time helping others was easy. But Adam Talcott broke that mold and every other box she tried to put him into. How could one man be so difficult to manage?

~ * ~              =^._.^=              ~ * ~ 

Excerpt:

          Balancing an armload of mail, an overloaded briefcase, and a gym bag with two yogurt cups teetering on top, Dierdre Clancy rushed to her cubicle. For the fourth time this week, and the umpteenth time this month, she was late. Once again, a power outage in the decrepit apartment building where she lived had caused her alarm clock to fail.

          Please, Lord, don’t let my chauvinist pig of a boss realize I’ve been missing.
        The yogurt cups threatened to topple off the gym bag. Dierdre wasn’t about to let her lunch decorate the linoleum. The mail showered to the floor. The briefcase hit her foot. With her free hand, she plastered the cups to her side. The gym bag slid down her arm. The webbed strap twisted, tourniquet style, around her wrist.

          She managed a couple of sideways hops that brought her to the edge of her desk. The gym bag swung wildly. Leaning against the arm weighed down by the bag’s stranglehold, she managed to dump the yogurt cups onto the desk without mishap. She pulled herself upright and reached for the strap at her wrist.

          Somehow, during all the hopping, the bag had swung around her legs and gotten wedged in the narrow space between her desk and file cabinet. The same strap that cut off circulation to her hand pressed into the backs of her knees, pinning her neatly to the desk. Only an act of extreme dexterity could save her from her own folly. Imbecile, why didn’t you make two trips?

Because I didn’t want to risk having the boss see me coming in late.

          "Clancy! You’re late.”

          Dierdre’s heart hit the ceiling. She knew the shout—a cross between an operatic tenor and a pig at slaughter. Still, she hadn’t been prepared to hear her boss’s screeching quite so soon. 

~ * ~              =^._.^=              ~ * ~

A cute, quick read of a romantic comedy, The Catnapped Lover will sure to bring a smile to your face! Ms. Allyn has a way with words that sucks you right into the story. This book is for adults - it is not the usual YA fluff I also love to read. It deals with real-life challenges and scenarios that would not appeal to the younger crowd. But, for those twenty-somethings and older, it is a perfect fit. What I found that is a nice touch, is that the book touches on the topic of animal shelters and rescues, and is even dedicated to animal rescue workers. Which brings me to the topic of our story. How did the two main characters meet? Well it all started with a bet and a cat...

 /\_/\''

 >^,^< 
 / \'''
'(__)_

Rue Allyn (c) 2019

About the Author (see her website for more information here):

Rue Allyn writes heart melting romance novels. Books about characters and adventures in which love triumphs at the darkest moment. The kind of hopeful, steal-your-breath romance that melts a reader's heart. The type of book she likes to read and hopes you will, too.

Also, just for you fellow bookworm fans, you can get a FREE download of Ms. Allyn's May 2019 novel, Forever Hold My Heart - a Scottish historical novella - by signing up for her newsletter here!

You can also find Ms. Allyn on social media: Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Twitter.


Note: As a fellow romance novel fan, do check out her Pinterest - there are many pins that showcase the regency era and beautiful vintage clothing! Until next time! :)

Summer Days and Late Night Reading

Happy Summer!

Back are the days of reading by the beach, underneath a canopy of leaves, or hiding inside near a fan or basking in air conditioning. With summer comes all the festivals, outdoor activities, and traveling plans!

I visited one festival this past month - Printers Row Lit Fest. Hosted in Chicago by the Near South Planning Board, this festival occurs once a year to celebrate books for book lovers of all kinds. There are many different groups that attend - and it changes a bit year by year. Typically, those who attend and have stands are book related groups in the area (i.e. Chicago Public Library), both small and large bookstores (think hipster bookstores and those like Half Price Books), authors of all genres, and more. Basically, it is a community of people who join together to create a book celebration of sorts that spans an entire weekend and a few blocks on the iconic Printers Row area in the southern loop of downtown Chicago. You can meet authors, listen to poetry readings, buy book binding supplies, look for new or antique books, have your child/sibling/cousin/etc. sit and listen to story time, or just wander around and enjoy what the day will bring.

Printers Row Lit Fest 2019 (c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger)

I was able to meet Kate Collins here in the past. She is an awesome mystery author from Indiana who writes the Flower Shop Mystery Series. Speaking of which, her first three books have been made into three Hallmark Movies! How cool is that? I wrote about the series earlier in my blog, check out the post here.

If you are an author in the surrounding area, you can participate in the Printers Row Lit Fest, as well. You should contact the staff via email for future participation. You can find the details here.

Speaking of books into movies, I was told to read Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel by a fellow bookworm friend of mine. It was an interesting dystopian novel, and it will soon be an interesting dystopian 10 episode limited series! It that it will air on WarnerMedia's upcoming streaming platform. There are so many platforms to keep up with lately, it is hard to keep track of what book-tp-movie or book-to-tv-show plays on next. I will have to keep my eyes out for this show, though...

Also, if you are in the New York area this week, July 1st and July 2nd specifically, there is a display by The New York Public Library that allows you to view the original, rare copy of The Declaration of Independence in Thomas Jefferson's own hand! This display will be hosted for two days only, and is located at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue. If you cannot make the trip over, you can also view images online via the library website here.

What is new with you, fellow bookworms? I have been reading, but not as much as I should have been. Hopefully, with the holiday around the corner, I can catch up with some of the items I want to share with you guys! Let me know what you're doing for the summer in the comments. For my American readers, Happy Independence Day! For my everywhere-else readers, Happy Summer! :)

Your Letter by Hyeon A Cho

Hello fellow bookworms! May has come and gone so quickly, but thankfully it brought some warmer weather!

(c) John-Mark Smith, courtesy of Pexels

I would like to share the cutest little story that is reminiscent of the Studio Ghibli films, but is told in web-comic and game format. Your Letter, by Hyeon A Cho, begins with a girl named Sori, who was bullied in her previous school and changed schools because of it. Hesitant to make friends in her new school environment, she finds a letter underneath her desk by chance. The letter leads her on a scavenger hunt of learning secret hangouts in her school, who her classmates are, and even a list of the teachers and staff! Who sent these letters? Where do they lead? Can the person writing the letters become Sori's friend?

I recommend starting with the mobile game, which is a shortened version of the comic's beginning. If you want the full experience, you can read the comic first and then try out the game, or just start with the game and start with the comic for extra details - whichever you prefer. The game itself seems to only work on your phone, though this may change in the future, depending on the author's preference. The computer version of the link/game will not load fully and you will miss out on the experience. To start reading the comic by playing the game, visit the chapter Secret Letter here. Otherwise, read the full, free web-comic on Web Toon here.

In all, I LOVED Your Letter, and am quite addicted to Web Toon in general. :) This web-comic is a little gem that will take you about an hour or less to read, and will be sure to brighten your day.

 Happy last day of May! Hope you have some fun summer plans and books lined up - let me know what you're up to and reading in the comments!

April Showers Bring May Flowers?

Or snow. Lots of snow. Let's hope May really does bring lots of flowers! :)

(c) Thought Catalog, Pixels.com

Hello world! What books have you been reading lately?

I've been a bit busy with work and have been going back and forth between reading fast items (i.e. graphic novels) and slowly reading actual novels. Makes me wish that one of the "Short Story Stations" that the company Short Edition created were close to me! These machines are basically vending machines that randomly print out short stories for your commute - based on the length (of your trip) you input! One of these lovely machines is now offered at London's Canary Wharf. I know where I am visiting when I go to London. I would like to try and read all the stories offered! If you are interested in more of the story, please visit the Smithsonian's article here.

In other news...

Have you heard the tea on #CopyPasteCris? The story goes that Brazilian "author" Cristiane Serruya has a tendency to take pieces of books she likes and Frankenstein them together to "create" a novel of her own. Although, if it is not your words, it is really not your own work, now is it? If you cannot get away with it in high school, why do you think you can in the real world? Many different authors and readers have been keeping tabs on Cris, have reported her, and repeatedly called her out. Cris blames the ghostwriters she states she hires to help her write the books for the copying and pasting of good writing, but if the tally is over 40 authors plagiarized and people are now using your name as a meme online, I think I would stop while I was ahead, don't you? Nope, Cris continues to borrow from works she likes, to the point where people are using the hashtag to call her out and even compare the original works to the plagiarized works! The best part of all this? Besides being caught and called out repeatedly on this, Nora Roberts (whose works have been copied multiple times by Cris) is now suing her. Other authors have praised Nora and now we are all eager to see how this plays out. It's not nice to steal, but it is nice to see some justice being served.

Since it is supposed to be spring (maybe it is by you, but I'm still being pelted with cold rain and snow!), I have been listening and reading up on cleaning tips. Marie Kondo's manga The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up is a very cutesy story that also inspires and shows you how to tidy up. It is a different mindset than what I am used to, but Marie has a cleaning style that makes you think about what is really important in your life. I do not recommend going crazy binge cleaning after watching one of her shows or reading one of her books. I heard there was a lot of regret earlier this year, when everyone was Marie Kondo-cleaning. I think the different styles of cleaning are all fun to learn about, especially minimalism (which I don't think I could ever do, my natural tendencies are not made for that lifestyle), and you should figure out a style that matches your lifestyle. I'm not sure what it is about these types of self-help and lifestyle books and videos, but they are so motivating!

Speaking of lifestyle, I am in love with the public library. Not specifically my public library, but all of them, in general. The one I really love and wish I could live close to is the New York Public Library. Not only do New Yorkers receive free access to all the cool and hip museums in New York with only their library card (why doesn't my city do this?!), but they also now have bookmobiles that will come and visit neighborhoods whose libraries are currently undergoing renovation. Considering my neighborhood library is currently under renovation, I am just a bit jealous and much more curious as to how many books can fit in the vehicle and how many books of each genre is in it. If you are interested in learning more about New York's latest library offering, you can see more information on their website here.

I shall leave you with a couple of things you can do for fun! You can see what the best-selling book was for the year you were born here, thanks to Wordery, your online bookshop. Or, in honor of Earth Day this month, you can read up on recycling tips on Recyclebank, an online resource that allows you to learn about the different recycling opportunities in your neighborhood, the processes through which different objects are recycled, upcycling crafts, how to properly recycle and compost, and more. You can even earn points while learning to receive a free magazine or two (bonus!).

Let me know what you think about this post, other book news, or books in general in the comments. Happy reading! :)

Welcome Spring!

Happy Spring, my fellow bookworms!

There's been much happening in the world of literature lately, hasn't it? Netflix is continuing to release all the YA book-to-film adaptions our heart can desire. The latest novel from Tahereh Mafi, A Very Large Expanse of the Sea, a story about a 16 year old Muslim girl who continues in the face of perseverance post-9/11, is going to become a movie. For those die-hard fans who love The Princess Bride, there is going to be a Disney Broadway musical! Inconceivable!

Also, has anyone tried an in-person escape room yet? They're very fun (at least to me). Book Riot has a list of some Harry Potter themed escape rooms that will be sure to bring some magic into your life!

And for those who like to visit a good book fair now and again, the blog kotobee has released a list of the International Book Fairs for 2019, with sites ranging from the U.S. to Poland, Germany, Turkey, and more! Check out the timeline infographic below:

(c) kotobee blog 2019, www.kotobee.com

What is a book or book-to-film adaptation you are looking forward to this upcoming spring and summer? Let me know in the comments!

Random Book Updates :)

Hello World!

There has been much news in the book world, and I am behind in telling you my favorite points! Here are a few things you may or may not have heard yet: there is going to be an Anne of Green Gables ballet tour (in Canada), someone released a treasure hunt of feminist poetry postcards in London for anyone to find and enjoy, and Archie Comics' Katy Keene is going to have her own musical series (!).

So what have I been up to? This past holiday season, I pre-ordered Stain by A.G. Howard, which came with a swag pack for the early order. The swag pack included a pretty purple pin, an autographed book plate, and a short novella to Ms. Howard's Splintered series titled Alice the Absent. This pre-order bonus arrived shortly after Valentine's Day, after which I immediately devoured the novella (which may or may not have led on the path to rereading Splintered. I am very much Team Morpheus). For those not familiar with the series, it is a punk/modern twist on Alice in Wonderland staring Alyssa, a girl who descends from Alice Liddell and is set on fighting and breaking Liddell curse of insanity. The series will pull you down the rabbit hole, where you will find it is very hard to leave without reading the entire series. If you are a fan of all things Alice-related, I definitely recommend giving this series a try. 

My Stain Swag Pack! (c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger) 2019

Have you ever visited Iceland before? I have not, but my friend, who I will refer to as AC, visited Iceland this past month! Both he and his girlfriend (AG) were nice enough to take lots of photos for me, including a few bookshop ones to share with you!

Bookstore Shopping (c) AC and AG 2019

How charming is this town? (c) AC and AG 2019

Iceland (c) AC and AG 2019

Twilight (c) AC and AG 2019

Thank you AC and AG! :)

How are you guys spending your winter? Let me know in the comments! Stay tuned for reviews!

The Wrong Foot by Stephanie Burgis

(c) Stephanie Burgis and Daily Science Fiction

The Wrong Foot is a cute twist on Cinderella, and the perfect size for a quick winter read! 

Have you ever read the story of Cinderella and wondered just how the shoe could fit just one person out of the whole kingdom? No? Well, I have and this story plays into the scenario perfectly! Our heroine, Sophia, has come into the predicament of fitting the shoe that was lost at a ball at midnight. Her mother is ecstatic that her daughter will become royalty, the prince is thrilled to find his long-lost love, and Sophia is utterly...miserable. What is one to do, when one prefers reading and studying to the politics of court? Read The Wrong Foot to find out - you can find it online here!

Stephanie Burgis always has great stories lined up, which is why she is one of my favorite authors! If this short story tickles your fancy, I highly recommend her other works, such as Snowspelled, which is for older audiences. If more YA is to your taste, I definitely recommend the adorable, dragon-filled story, The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart, or the series that introduced me to Ms. Burgis, Kat, Incorrigible.

Photo: Stephanie Burgis (Press Kit)

About the Author (from her website):

Stephanie Burgis grew up in East Lansing, Michigan, but now lives in Wales with her husband and two sons, surrounded by mountains, castles and coffee shops. She writes fun MG fantasy adventures and has published five so far, including The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart (Bloomsbury 2017), The Girl with the Dragon Heart (Bloomsbury 2018) and the Kat, Incorrigible trilogy (published in the UK as The Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson). She also writes wildly romantic adult historical fantasies, including Snowspelled (2017), Spellswept (2018) and Masks and Shadows and Congress of Secrets (Pyr Books 2016). She has published nearly forty short stories for adults and teens in various magazines and anthologies.