Wishing You a Happy New Year

Good Afternoon Bookworms,

I hope you had a very happy holiday season so far!

(c) OnceUponABookBlog(ger) 2020

How did you do with Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge for 2020? I can tell you that I should have read harder, as I read only 7 out of the 24 categories this year. This year was hard for me to read actual books. Audiobooks were fun, as well as comics and graphic novels. What time I usually spent in transit reading was not there this year. I also started reading then stopped reading a few books. There were many other things going on that made it harder to read, but I hope with the new year, I can get back into the swing of things and buckle down and just read! Here are my final categories, with the categories read in bold:

1. Read a YA nonfiction book
2. Read a retelling of a classic of the canon, fairytale, or myth by an author of color
1. Snow White, an Islamic Tale by Fawzia Gilani-Williams 
   
3. Read a mystery where the victim(s) is not a woman
1. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
4. Read a graphic memoir
1. Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
2. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker 
3. Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh
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
1. The Fiercest Joy by Shana Abé 
2. Imagine Me by Tahereh Mafi
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 
1. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Peña
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 
1. Melody Finch by Ian Boyd and Gary Luck
21. Read a book with a main character or protagonist with a disability (fiction or non)
1. The Aosawa Murders by Riku Onda  
2. Almond by Won-Pyung Song
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

If you tried reading harder this year, let me know what your favorite book was this year! If not, let me know anyway! If you want to try Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge for 2021, you can do so by clicking the link. If you happen to finish the entire list, you can receive 30% off of an order at Out of Print!

Happy last day of 2020! This year has been one wild ride. There is much to look forward to this upcoming year. I hope that by this time next year, we may be able to see each other in person once more. May you fill the new year with new adventures, books, accomplishments, and learning!

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Until next year! :)

Happy Holidays!

Hello fellow bookworms!

The holiday season is upon us! Between binge-watching Sugar Rush: Christmas, trying out new recipes, and beginning my holiday cards this year, I have been trying to catch up on my reading. I have a fun paranormal book to share with you in my next post! It is called Fingerprints and Phantoms: True Tales of Law Enforcement Encounters with the Paranormal and the Strange, by Paul Rimmasch (in case you want to read ahead, I've linked the Amazon page).

Photo by Ylanite Koppens from Pexels

In the meantime, since it is the holiday season, I thought I would share with you some book-related gift ideas:

• Litographs has a collection of shirts, bags, scarfs, and more consisting of a variety of much-loved books from over the years. If you don't see your favorite book, you can always request it! They have added quite a few books over time, as well as a variety of designs per book. 

• If someone you know likes to collect signed books, Barnes & Noble has released a collection of books that you can pick-up at your local bookstore, you can check out the options here.
  

• FlyPaperProduct's candle, called The Library, has been quite popular for bookworms. It smells like old books, lavender, and eucalyptus. For only $20.00 from the Etsy shop, your home can smell like it, too! 
  

• Speaking of candles, another popular Etsy favorite is Frostbeard's Bookstore. For only $5.67 for a wax melt, your home can smell like mahogany, leather, and coffee.
  

• Miniature chocolate books, anyone? Another Etsy product, by ChoconCho this time, features a selection of mini books made out of white and milk chocolate that will be temptation to eat, yet not want to, because they're so cute!
  

• What would a book lover's gift list be without a mention of Out of Print? My favorite area to shop from the company is their library collection, one I was introduced to by the New York Public Library gift shop. It was the first time visiting a gift shop in a library and the first time I was able to buy a lovely book-themed bag from the brand! 
  

• Speaking of the New York Public Library, if you would like to buy something from their gift shop, but cannot due to travel restrictions or do not live close enough to stop over, you can buy gifts online! Check out the gift shop here, which has puzzles, apparel, jewelry, and more.
  

• If you are particularly crafty, you can create a book necklace or bracelet using a necklace chain and book charms, such as the ones at Hobby Lobby. They even have a fairy tale section, so you could make a fairy tale book necklace! If you are not crafty, that's okay! There are a variety of options on Etsy and eBay that you can choose from!
  

• Speaking of necklaces, Sullivan Entertainment has the nicest present for fans of Anne of Green Gables: Anne Shirley's pearl necklace! Similar to the one Matthew gave Anne, the necklace even has Anne's initials inscribed on the clasp. There are also other gift ideas in their shop, if you are not looking for jewelry, such as dolls and tea.
  

• How about pins? I love them! If you do, too, or know someone who does, check out Ideal Bookshelf's collection of book pins, $11.00 each, which range from children's literature to adult literature. 
  

• Are you more of a tea or coffee person? I love both! However, if you are more into tea, Noveltea sells book-shaped tins of tea based on books! Delicious and thoughtful!

Do you have a suggestion you would like to share? Please let me know in the comments - I would love to hear from you! 

As always, stay safe and healthy. Happy reading! Until next time!

Melody Finch by Ian Boyd and Gary Luck (On Sale This Friday, October 9, 2020!)

(c) 2020 Spirit of the Earth Books, Ian Boyd, Gary Luck

 

 

"Adventure begins with a need for change." This quote is found on the book's website, Spirit of the Earth Books, promoting a new middle school aged book, Melody Finch, by authors Ian Boyd and Gary Luck. What a great quote to start off an adventure story! You can view the book trailer here.

 

With all the climate change we have faced in the recent years, there comes a need to explain such occurrences to younger audiences, who may not understand what is happening or why it is happening. This can be tough to explain, as we are figuring out these things in detail as adults ourselves. Mr. Boyd and Mr. Luck make this easier to explain, specifically what is happening in Australia and how the wildlife are affected. Here in the United States, we have heard about the devastating wildfires this year alone that have scorched the land due to persistent heat and drought. Melody Finch discusses the hardship of drought in a way that younger audiences can understand and enjoy an adventure in the process.

"The hardest part of growing up is to keep believing in things that you know are very important, even when nobody else does." - Melody Finch

We begin our story with Melody Klomp, a twelve-year old girl whose family drives down from their home in Charleville, Queensland (Australia), to visit her grandmother, Nanna Bell, in Goolwa, South Australia. Nanna Bell owns a riverboat called The Isabella, on which she takes tourists up and down the Coorong. The Coorong is a wetland that is home to much wildlife, migratory birds, and a large coastal range. As the authors mention, the name itself comes from the Ngarrindjeri, the local indigenous people, meaning "narrow neck." But, with the recent drought conditions, tourists are becoming sparse. During Melody's visit, Nanna Bell mentions to Melody about the magic of changing from a human to an animal, and never knowing when it is going to happen. Melody replies back that she no longer believes in little kids' stories anymore.

Little does she know, soon after her return home, Melody finds herself in the body of her favorite bird, the diamond firetail finch! Not knowing how to turn back into a human, she realizes that the only way to try and turn back is to go talk to her grandmother. But, birds can't make a call on the phone. Melody must travel the long distance herself, and in the process, finds that the drought has had numerous disastrous effects on the animals and wildlife around her. She meets many new friends, including a rainbow bee-eater, silver gulls, Australian pelicans, a white goshawk, and quite a few different frogs and toads!

Melody's journey is one where she learns about life on the river and how the lack of water during a drought can hurt the plants and animals, and in turn, hurt us humans. While reading Melody Finch, I learned quite a bit about Australia and some of the wildlife in Melody's area, including some Australian slang terms I was unfamiliar with (being in the United States). Besides the lovely message and thrilling tale, another great part of the book is the map at the front and the drawings of the animals mentioned in the story at the back. These two pieces of information were very helpful to someone like me, as I was unfamiliar with many of the animals and places mentioned. Even so, I was very caught up in the story and did not realize how much I was learning in the process. Curiosity sparked, I even went as far as to conduct online searches and read more about the animals mentioned. Melody Finch is geared towards middle school aged children, but if someone younger who can read at that stage wants to read it (or anyone older for that matter), the story is a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed readying Melody Finch and highly recommend reading it for yourself!

Additionally, if you are interested in covering Melody Finch in a classroom setting, Mr. Boyd and Mr. Luck have complied a list for teachers to reference in their lesson plans. The list covers the various themes in the novel, including: drought and water management, animal movements, managing human-wildlife conflicts, invasive animals, and climate change. You can buy a copy of Melody Finch for yourself directly on their website, Spirit of the Earth Books, or a multiple pack for a classroom!

About the Authors

Ian Boyd's previous career as a gardener and landscape designer instilled in him a passion for everything outside beneath the sun. His strange obsession for seeing life through an animal's eyes began with a copy of Watership Down which sat on his bedside table through much of his youth. 

 

 

 

Gary Luck is a wildlife ecologist with nearly 30 years experience studying Australian native animals. He and his partner, Gayle, now own a farm in Tasmania which combines forest conversation with sustainable food production of homemade breads, jams and fruit pastes.

Happy Autumn Bookworms!

Hello my fellow bookworms!

Happy autumn, leaves changing, coffee and tea drinking, and sweater weather! It is the best time to read a book and enjoy the cooler air with a good cup of coffee (or tea, whichever is your preference).

I am in the middle of a really good book and will soon post a review! Want to know what it is about? Hint: Australia. Ecosystems. Animals. :)

In the meantime, it is a good time to talk about Banned Books Week. Typically held on the last week of September, this year's Banned Books Week is this week (September 27th through October 3rd)! The American Library Association (ALA) created Banned Books Week in 1982, as a response to the challenges books received in libraries, schools, and bookstores. Today, Banned Books Week brings together everyone in the book community to support the freedom to find and express ideas, no matter how unpopular the ideas may be. This year's theme is "Censorship is a dead end. Find your freedom to read!" If you are interested in more, or are curious what events are being held virtually, you can take a look at the Banned Books Week website here. Or, if you want to join in the fun and read a banned and/or challenged book, the ALA has posted a list for the most challenged books for the past decade, 2010-2019.

(c) American Library Association

As a bonus perk to end the week, the ALA is hosting a free watch party for Scary Stories Documentary, based on the series Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. Join the Facebook event here and join in the fun this Friday, October 2, 2020! The event is limited to the first 100 viewers, so if you can't access the link, you can always watch the documentary through Amazon Prime, Tubi (free with ads), or by DVD through your local library.

If you are looking for a new movie-based-on-a-book to binge watch, may I suggest Netflix's adaptation of Enola Holmes? Based off of Nancy Springer's mystery series, Enola Holmes is based off of the first book in the series, The Case of the Missing Marquess. With such a great cast and story line, I am hoping Netflix continues the series!

As always, I like to promote access to your public library, and with that, you need a library card! September is also the month for signing up for a library card, as hosted by the ALA. This year, DC's Wonder Woman is making this her mission as Library Card Sign-up Month Honorary Chair. As Wonder Woman says (and the ALA), "Lasso a library card and find your super power!" If you are a librarian or help out with your local library, you can take part in promotional items on the ALA's website here.

In additional news, yesterday marked the first day of the YA Scavenger Hunt, an online scavenger hunt encouraging you to visit different young adult authors, read about new books, enter in contests for free books, and have fun. If you are an author and want to join in the fun, you can email the organizer and be a part of the next hunt!

I hope everyone is safe and healthy. Until next post!

Secrets to Being Amazing: What Confident People Don't Do by Denise Wijayaratne

(c) Denise Wijayaratne

Ever wonder what the secret is to be amazing?

Author Denise Wijayaratne wrote a book detailing her secrets on how to deal with everyday situations and how to best handle them, more confidently than you probably do now! She focuses on the importance of self-love and how you must remember to love yourself in building relationships with everyone around you. 

Ms. Wijayaratne is a classical pianist from Malaysia. Her background made me interested to read her book, as she had to cope with a particularly negative narcissistic relationship  with her mother, including dealing with emotional abuse. Psychology Today defines narcissism as "...not necessarily represent[ing] a surplus of self-esteem or of insecurity; more accurately, it encompasses a hunger for appreciation or admiration, a desire to be the center of attention, and an expectation of special treatment reflecting perceived higher status." As someone who is quite interested in psychology, this particular background called to me. It is hard to be positive with a negative influence in your life, but coming to terms with the fact that you are not the problem, pulling yourself away emotionally and overcoming the negative is an impressive and huge step towards your own well-being. Ms. Wijayaratne saw the negativity narcissism wrought out on relationships and so wrote a book on how to help others overcome such negative influences in their lives. 

I enjoyed reading Ms. Wijayaratne's tips on being amazing. Especially in this pandemic, it is pleasant to read something positive. Ms. Wijayaratne has performed her own background research in psychology and uses this research and her experiences as empirical research to develop her tips. The book is written in a self-help format, with "Amazingness Keys" at the end of each short chapter, summarizing the key points of the chapter and providing ways of improving yourself in regard to that specific chapter's points. She provides lessons of self-awareness to bring out the positive in your attitude and look for ways of growing and going forward. Sometimes you forget to tell yourself "I am good enough," and this book will provide helpful tips in remembering it. It also points out negative aspects, such as feelings of insecurity and inferiority, and how to recognize the signs and overcome them. Secrets to Being Amazing is a quick motivational book, providing a valuable reminder about how to love yourself for who you are. 

About the Author: Denise Wijayaratne

Denise Wijayaratne has a deep passion for classical music which led to her learning the piano from the age of 5 and becoming a classical pianist. She has , because of her interest in personal growth and emotional intelligence, spent many years researching and observing different aspects of human behavior and how that impacts relationships. Born and raised in a Southeast Asian culture, she has also lived in Western countries for 10 years, and has learned to take the best of both worlds and apply it to life. Other activities she loves include baking, traveling and trying new experiences.

Dog Days of Summer

Hello Bookworms!

The dog days of summer are here! The weather is starting to cool down, new books are starting to be sold, and what is a better way to escape the pandemic than getting lost in a good book?

I am behind on my book reviews (nothing new there), which my flickering internet has not helped with! Here is a quick post on some fun links and contests that I think you may enjoy:

• HerInteractive has a Nancy Drew themed contest in where you have to recreate a food item from one of the Nancy Drew games. See here for more information, rules, and prizes. What a delicious contest!

• Princess Mia has been updating her Corona Princess Diaries, keeping in time with the pandemic , which you can read for free here, courtesy of Meg Cabot. 

• Kellogg's is giving away books to those who buy participating products (i.e. eat cereal and get a free book). You can also choose to donate your book, if you do not want it. For more information, check out Kellogg's Feeding Reading program details here. 

• If you need help figuring out books for a child in your life, check out Brightly's Summer Reading Book Lists for ages 3 - 19.

• Want to help out with a library project? The Boston Public Library needs your help transcribing anti-slavery documents from the 19th century! This volunteer position will help the library digitize their archives line by line. The platform is not available on phones or tables, but if you can spare a moment, sit down by a computer and learn something new by archiving!

• If you are missing out on conventions, DC is hosting FanDome: A Global Experience on August 22nd. It is a 24-hour FREE immersive virtual fan experience, where you can show off your cosplay from the comfort of your home to going behind the scenes of the comics, movies, shows, and games with artists, authors, producers, and more. 

Photo from Pixabay

Also, how are you guys doing with Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge 2020? Here is a sneak peek into my list (which needs to be filled out a bit more - I have some books I am in between, so hopefully I can update it soon!):

• Read a YA nonfiction book
• Read a retelling of a classic of the canon, fairytale, or myth by an author of color
• Snow White, an Islamic Tale by Fawzia Gilani-Williams  
• Read a mystery where the victim(s) is not a woman
• Read a graphic memoir
• Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
• They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker
• Read a book about a natural disaster
• Read a play by an author of color and/or queer author
• Read a historical fiction novel not set in WWII
• Read an audiobook of poetry
• Read the LAST book in a series
•  The Fiercest Joy by Shana Abé
• Read a book that takes place in a rural setting
• Read a debut novel by a queer author
• Read a memoir by someone from a religious tradition (or lack of religious tradition) that is not your own
• Read a food book about a cuisine you’ve never tried before
• Read a romance starring a single parent
• Read a book about climate change
• Read a doorstopper (over 500 pages) published after 1950, written by a woman
• Read a sci-fi/fantasy novella (under 120 pages)
• Read a picture book with a human main character from a marginalized community
• Read a book by or about a refugee
• Read a middle grade book that doesn’t take place in the U.S. or the UK
• Read a book with a main character or protagonist with a disability (fiction or non)
• The Aosawa Murders by Riku Onda 
• Read a horror book published by an indie press
• Read an edition of a literary magazine (digital or physical)
• Read a book in any genre by a Native, First Nations, or Indigenous author

Photo by Erik Scheel from Pexels

I am going to try and catch up on all my work (now that I have a new router) and enjoy some more regular books, audiobooks, and walks in this beautiful weather.

What are you reading this summer? Do you have any requests that you would like to see more content of? Let me know in the comments!

I hope you are having a healthy and happy summer!

Let's Take a Moment

Hello fellow bookworms!

I hope you are all safe and healthy. 2020 has been a crazy and traumatic year. We are going through a pandemic, have murder hornets flying around, 17 year old cicadas digging up from under the ground, had a brush with UFO's, have had a devastating fire in Australia, and much more.

This month I would like to give coverage to those who normally do not receive it. As many people and institutions have been saying this past week, we cannot change the past, but we can change the future. We can learn from our mistakes and help fight systematic racism. We can push for a better, more inclusive, community. This is a time to listen, and a time for change.

Please take a look at these books, videos, podcasts, and links to help brush up on your anti-racism, encourage your acceptance and inclusion, give voice to people of color, and also give voice to those in celebration of Pride Month. This is not an inclusive list, but it is a start:

• Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi, illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky

• The Day Your Begin by  Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lope

• The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson

• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

• How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

• The Lies We Tell Ourselves by  Robin Talley

• Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

• All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson 

• Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story about Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin

• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

• Passage West by Rishi Reddi

• American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar 

• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia  

• This Is One Way to Dance by Sejal Shah

• American Harvest by Marie Mutsuki Mockett
  

• The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

• Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kann

• Music From Another World by Robin Talley

• Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

• Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

• Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

• The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

• Wow, No Thank You. Essays by Samantha Irby

• The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum 

• The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

• Romancing the Inventor by Gail Carriger (I really love this author, give her books a try! Also, check out her social media accounts, there are a lot of fun links and extras she likes to share!)

• All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens throughout the Ages by Saundra Mitchell

• I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee
  

• Zakiya is a molecular biologist and Titi is a materials scientist and engineer. Together they create Dope Labs, a podcast tackling science and trending topics in a fun fashion. These two intelligent women bring on experts and have transcripts of their shows for those of you who like to read while you listen.

• HEY YA! is a young adult book podcast that touches on the topics of the day. There have been quite a few podcasts on queer books, as well as a recent one on anti-racism. 

• Penguin Teen has a thread of black BookTubers you should be following - check them out here! 

• Warner Brothers is sponsoring a free showing of the film Just Mercy online. 

• If you are looking to donate, Sarah Kamya has begun a fundraiser project titled the Little Free Diverse Library Project, where she purchases books by Black authors and from Black-owned bookstores, when possible. She has been flooding the Little Free Libraries in her hometown of Arlington, Massachusetts, neighboring communities, as well as sending books to her friends to add to their communities. What a great idea to share such wonderful books! You can help by sending her books to share here.

• The Anti-Racist Starter Pack: 40 TV Series, Documentaries, Movies, TED Talks, and Books to Add to Your List by Brea Baker of Parade

• Looking for books about racism? Experts suggest these must-read titles for adults and kids by Anika Reed and Hannah Yasharoff of USA Today

• Anti-Racism Graphic Novels Reading & Resources List by Charles Brownstein of Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF)

• The National Museum of African American History & Culture's resources on Talking About Race

• An Anti-Racist Reading List: 20 Highly Rated Non-Fiction Books by Black Authors by Sharon of Goodreads

• Black-Owned Bookstores to Support Now by Publishers Weekly Staff 

• 23 Phenomenal Young Adult Books by Black Authors from the First Half of 2020 by Farrah Penn of Buzzfeed

• 11 Children's Books to Teach Your Kids About Racism and Discrimination by Joi-Marie McKenzie of Essence Magazine

• Book Riot's list of 31 Queer Books With Happy Endings (because who doesn't love a happy ending?!)

• 6 Must-Read Memoirs by LGBTQ+ Authors by Sharon Van Meter of Get Literary

• 13 Necessary Queer Literary Classics For Every Bookshelf by Rosalind Jana of Vogue

• 12 Young Adult Novels to Read on Trans Day of Visibility by Dahlia Adler of Buzzfeed

• Inkyard Press is hosting a giveaway filled with  a stack of LGBTQ+ books! Try your luck here.

• Play Pride bingo with Pride Reads of 2020, with this nifty bingo board from Brittany Mitchell of HarperCollins

• Over 100 LGBTQ Authors Share the Books that Changed Their Lives by Michelle Hart of O The Oprah Magazine

Photo by ATC Comm Photo from Pexels

I hope you take some time out of your day to read something that conflicts with your views. There will always be recommendation lists, but you have to actually read the books to grow. Challenge yourself to feel and think in someone else's shoes and learn from the experience. Donate your time or money to a cause that is asking for a change. 

Step up and be a better you. 

Happy Almost Summer! (I have book links for you!)

Hello my fellow bookworms!

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Gift of Edward Hodgson Smart, 1907

This has been a crazy time so far, has it not? I have had a hard time falling back into my pattern of reading, which has been compared to Belle from Beauty and the Beast (always a book in my hand). If you find yourself at a lost to dive into a book, you are not alone. An article from Vox "Why it's so hard to read a book right now, explained by a neuroscientist," contains an interview with a neuroscientist that explains why a good portion of us are feeling this way. Journalist Constance Grady interviewed neuroscientist and psychologist Oliver J. Robinson, who is based at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London. The basic conclusion is that while there are many factors that are contributing to our state of mind right now, our higher level of anxiety is changing the way we think, adapting our brain function to a state that promotes harm avoidance. It is harder to concentrate and so, it becomes harder to read, enjoy hobbies, etc. The article is a quick and interesting read, if you are interested in the basic science of why we feel the way we feel right now.

On a lighter note, I have some book-related links to share with you!

• The Comics Relief Festival released the recorded sessions of the last event online and announced that the next Comics Relief Festival will take place on Saturday, June 6, 2020! Can't wait!

• BookExpo has gone online this year. From May 26 - 29, you can join them for free sessions, such as Author Breakfasts and Buzz Books. Find the outline of events here.

• BookCon is hosting a virtual event called BookColine, a virtual book convention on May 30 - 31, that will have author panels, trivia quizzes, ARC giveaways, and more! Check out the official website here. 

• Smithsonian Magazine has a "Books of the Week" post, see their picks here. Speaking of the Smithsonian, they are also offering an option for you to ask them questions! Try your chance to be featured with an inquisitive question about science, life, books, etc. here.

• Taco Bell has a literary magazine available for all to read. I never thought I would write or read those words together, but here we are! Visit Taco Bell's website for a chance to read fan stories and poems about the franchise in their first ever literary magazine, Taco Bell Quarterly, online here. Volume 2 is live as of February 2020!

• Barnes and Noble is hosting a short story contest for children, ages 6 - 12, that is running from April 27 through May 29. The winners will receive a signed book from one of my favorite authors, Gail Carson Levine! Parents and legal guardians can read more about the rules and guidelines here. Have fun!

• With the release of SCOOB!, the animated film, DC is offering the chance for fans to read Scooby Doo comics all summer!

• If you are looking for things to read and cannot check books out from your local library's website(s), OverDrive offers an Instant Digital Card to those who need one! Check out the OverDrive website for more information. Once you have a library card, you have access to so many digital platforms of information! These include OverDrive / Libby, Recorded Books / RB Digital, Flipster, Hoopla Digital, and more (depending on your library)! From audio books, to eBooks, to movies, to comics and graphic novels, there are a variety of options online that can allow you to leave your home, without actually leaving.

• If you are looking to support independent booksellers, look no more! If you cannot find a particular book in a bookstore close to you, try bookshop.org, a website that was created to help financially support local, independent bookstores. You can find specific stores on their map, or help contribute to an earnings pool that will be evenly distributed among independent bookstores. You can even sign up to be an affiliate if you are an author, website, magazine, a fellow booklover, etc.! If you are an affiliate, you will receive 10% commission on every sale and a matching 10% to independent bookstores. Check out their FAQs if you have questions!

• If you are looking for something new to read with your children, or are a child at heart, take a moment to read The Book of Hopes, a collection of stories, poems, essays, and pictures from more than 100 children's authors and illustrators. It is free to read online only at the present, with an anticipated published book in the fall by Bloomsbury Children's Books. 

I hope that you are all doing well and have found ways of reading among the anxiety. I myself have finally started reading again this past weekend. It was a pleasant feeling to be lost in a world that has nothing to do with a pandemic. I wish you all well and hope that with the warmer weather, we can all get lost in a book!

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Gift of William T. Evans, 1890

Comics Relief: A First Second Festival

Hello my fellow bookworms!

This past April 18th, I attended an online virtual comic festival called Comics Relief: A First Second Festival. The festival consists of several online panels where you can hear from comic book and graphic novel artists and authors talk about their inspiration, experiences, and process in creating. The event was so popular that everyone was requested to ask questions prior to the festival and, on the day of, you may have had to "wait" (and refresh your webpage) to be entered into the event!

Once entered into the event, you have the option to participate with your webcam and microphone. If you do not feel like actively participating, you can choose to listen in anonymously and a default profile photo will be used for your image. The microphones were muted during the panel, as any questions attendees had were emailed prior to the event to help cut down time and consolidate answers. The authors, illustrators, and editors went through their presentations and answered submitted questions along the way. At the end of the panel, they went through any remaining questions they had not yet covered. In all, it was a fun time!

I attended the second session, Writing A Script: Go With The Flow, with Lily Williams (author), Karen Schneemann (author), and Emily Feinberg (editor). The three discussed how they went about writing the script for their graphic novel, the color themes, how they wanted the characters to act and look, and more. Go With The Flow is a middle school grade graphic novel about periods and creating a "period revolution," where a group of high school girls try to create menstrual equality on their school grounds. Here are some screenshots of the event in action!

Comics Relief: A First Second Festival - Go With The Flow Screenshot No. 1

Comics Relief: A First Second Festival - Go With The Flow Screenshot No. 2

Comics Relief: A First Second Festival - Go With The Flow Screenshot No. 3

If you are interested in participating in similar festivals by First Second Books, I encourage you to check out their website and subscribe to their newsletters! This was my first time participating in a virtual panel, and it was fun! It is always interesting to learn about the book writing process, or in this case, graphic novel writing and drawing process, and what it takes to become the final product we know it as today. For us readers, we appreciate all the hard work!

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I hope you are all doing well bookworms. I hope you are safe and healthy, and that you are reading everything on your to-read list. Until next time!

Escape with me!

Hello my fellow bookworms!

I've been trying to catch up on reading, but it is proving harder to do once confined. So, in order to boost my mood, I am trying other distractions in my time off from working from home. Here are a  few escapist links to try that I think are fun and engaging!

Photo by Gabriela Palai from Pexels

The Escape Game is hosting an online Field Trip escape the museum with the Smithsonian! I found this to be a fun adventure, and it is suitable for children. You are at the Smithsonian museum on a field trip and have lost your class! Navigate through the exhibits, find answers to clues, and figure out where your class is, so you can go back home on the bus!

The Peters Township Library, located in McMurray, Pennsylvania, created a digital Harry Potter escape room! Thank you to Sydney Krawiec, the creator of this fun online experience! :) 

If you are into the reboot of Carmen Sandiego, or are a fan from the old cartoon / game show / computer games, you will probably get a kick out of the Google (partnered with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) game Where on Google Earth is Carmen Sandiego? If you are playing by computer, you must play in Google Chrome, as the game platform is in Google Earth. You can also play via Android or iOS. After following a series of clues, traveling around the world, and learning some history, you can help ACME find Carmen and save the day!

Photo by Element5 Digital from Pexels

Woodwind & Brasswind are hosting daily live streams for musicians. You can take a look at their schedule here, but note that the times posted are EST. You can brush up on your music education or listen in for online concerts!

Photo by Felix Mittermeier from Pexels

Take a look at the night sky with Google and the National Park Service, which has a beautiful view of Bryce Canyon in Utah. See if you can find constellations, learn a bit about the heavens, and when you are done, you can continue exploring four other national parks.

If you are looking for more options for live streams of the Northern Lights, the beach, or wild animals, take a look at Explore.org's live cameras. With contributions from all over the world, you can see the Northern Lights in Canada, wildlife in Africa, bears in Alaska, eagles in Iowa, to puppies, kitties, aquariums, and more!

Photo by Element5 Digital from Pexels

The Young Adult Scavenger Hunt will begin on Tuesday! From Tuesday, March 31st through Sunday, April 5th, you can participate on one or multiple teams of young adult authors, read through their blogs, find out about new books, and enter in to win prizes! This year, all the prizes are digital, so if you win, there is no wait time to read your reward!

Happy escaping, happy reading, and stay healthy! :)

A Few More Fun Links...

Hello bookworms!

Still wondering what is there to do when you are stuck inside? I  have a few more links that I found out about while catching up on all the news. At least in this way, you can feel like you have some adventure in your life!

Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels

• Musée d'Orsay in Paris, France is an art museum that has the option to explore masterpieces online, all without the tourist cameras in your face! Google has provided an interactive experience, so you can "walk" through the halls of the museum. 
• Browse around the beautiful Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France! Another lovely Google interactive experience, where you can take in the breathtaking views.
• The Smithsonian Natural Museum of History in Washington D.C. is a museum where you can look at dinosaur bones, gardens, gems, insects, and more! This is also an interactive experience, which you can choose through the different links they offer on their website.  
• Explore Yogyakarta, Indonesia's Prambanan, the Largest Temple Complex in the area with stunning architecture. 
• Take a virtual tour of Valley Forge National Park in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. You can see a tour of Former President Washington's headquarters!
• The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in Boston, Massachusetts has some interesting fashion design you can preview, as well as other styles of art.



Photo by bongkarn thanyakij from Pexels

• Into trains? The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania located in Strasburg, Pennsylvania is offering virtual tours!
• Yaoyi Kusama's Infinity Mirrors is an exhibit that I wanted to visit at least once. Now we all can through NPR's short video walk-through, where you can see everything in detail. 
• If you like classical music, you can listen to Berlin's Philharmonic online performances. Just be sure to enter in the code mentioned at the top, as this is normally a paid service, but is free for the time being. 
• The Vienna Opera in Austria is offering online performances of their latest performances. For someone who has yet gone to an opera in person, I am watching quite a bit of these performances online...
• The Sistine Chapel in Vatican City has some of their collections online for you to browse from afar.
• The Social Distancing Festival is a mix of live streaming events from online artists that you can enjoy from home. It was made to help those artists who events and projects where cancelled due to COVID-19. 



Photo by Magda Ehlers from Pexels

• Speaking of live streaming, you can watch gamers, musicians, artists and more live stream daily on Twitch. If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you can sponsor a streamer for a month for free and have access to bonus content!

Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom from Pexels

• Check out the animals via live cams at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California or the panda cam at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.!
• Or check out the underwater views of animals at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia.
• The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois is releasing behind the scenes content on their Facebook page, which includes penguins running through the museum. So cute!
• Runner's World is hosting a free 15-minute LIVE workout on their Instagram page starting at 12:00 p.m. noon ET.
• Corepower Yoga is offering free streaming classes for yogis, so stretch out and feel good!
• The Everywhere Book Fest is a virtual book festival for children's literature to help make up for the cancellation of live fests and fairs. It is slated to take place May 1 - May 2, 2020. You can see information as it is available via Twitter (linked above) or via the event website here. 
• Learn a new language with Duolingo!
• Practice (or learn) coding skills with Codeacademy.
• Take a free class with Coursera, where you can learn new skills or build upon the ones you already have.

Am I missing anything that you found and want to share? Let me know in the comments!

Take care, keep healthy, and happy reading! :)

Stay Healthy & Safe Bookworms!

Hello my fellow bookworms,

I am sure you are sick of reading these posts by now, and are feeling overwhelmed and anxious, but I want to share some happier news with you. Read on for more information...

We are in turbulent times and it is imperative to know the most recent updates on the status of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in your community. Many businesses are working remotely, so you can still obtain food and other necessities of daily life. Be sure to take a walk and stretch out! It is necessary to take care of yourself during these hard times, and be sure to lend a hand to a neighbor if they need it--especially those who cannot leave their home.

Whether you are working from home, or have to go into work and can only quarantine yourself before/after work, try to not be glued to a screen! It is easy to be stuck on your computer or television set. If you can, try to step out to the library and stock up on some reading materials. Listen to an audio book, paint, do a puzzle, play an instrument - anything to keep your mind going and the boredom (and craziness) away. 

What if you're stuck inside already? Well, that's okay, I have some links for you:

Fun Links:

• Metropolitan Opera (The Met Opera is hosting "Nightly Met Opera Streams" to provide opera to audience members, best seat in the house you can get!)
• Wattpad (You can write or you can read - or you can do both! Check out some fun stories here, some of which ended up being published!) 
• Swoon Reads (You can preview and vote on books to be published! Be sure to create a free account.)
• Webtoon (My latest comic addiction.)
• Hoopla (Be sure to create an account if your library has a subscription! You can take out up to 6 "items" a month, whether it be a comic book, audio book, movie, television show, or ebook.)
• RB Digital (Another library subscription app/website - be sure to check out whether or not your library has a subscription.) 
• Youtube - the best free video service to help keep you sane! Try these channels for a good workout that you can do at home:
• BeFit
• POPSUGAR Fitness
• Yoga With Adriene
• The Fitness Marshall
• PsycheTruth
• Vudu (They have a section of free movies that you can watch with ads.)
• Radio Links:
• iHeartRADIO (I tend to channel jump based on what I feel, oldies or Top 40.)
• Movin 92.5 (Brooke and Jubal in the Morning - funniest talk show you'll hear!)
• 101.1 WKQX (Alternative music, but the morning show is fun to listen to.)
• Pandora (You can create your own playlist, but with ads.)

 

Information and Podcasts for COVID-19 Updates:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Center for Disease Control
• Don't Touch Your Face by Foreign Policy's James Palmer and Amy Mackinnon (Podcast that explains how the virus is affecting everyday life)
• Coronavirus: Fact Versus Fiction with CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta (Podcast)
• EPIDEMIC with Dr. Celine Gounder and Ronald Klain (Podcast where you hear from leading infectious disease and public health experts on the latest information)
• Everything You Need to Know If You're Traveling During the Coronavirus Outbreak by Cailey Rizzo and Christine Burroni of Travel + Leisure

Be sure to also check out your local news channel, news website, and radio for listings on closures and alternate ways to purchase items. Some pharmacies are allowing free delivery of medicine, many restaurants have delivery of food items that they will leave by your doorstep, and some delivery services are finding ways to provide you with your online orders without your physical signature. If you are out driving, be careful of the tollways, since they are operating by pass or online purchase only.

Please practice social distancing, safe hygiene, and be sure to drink lots of water - at least one sip every 15 minutes. You can also practice a quick breathing exercise that can help determine whether or not you should visit or contact a doctor: Take a deep breath and hold it for 10 seconds. If you can hold it without coughing, discomfort, stiffness, or tightness, that is a good indication that you do not have an infection.

I know with the spread of the virus, many events that make us happy (including book fairs, sports, movies, and conventions), have been cancelled or postponed. But, you can still Skype, Face Chat, call, email, online chat - reach out to those you love and care for. We will all be together again soon. Before you know it, warmer weather will be here. I hope that we can all overcome this together and that you read many new good books while we wait for this to calm down. 

Happy reading - I hope to post again soon. If you have a favorite app or website that you have to read books or watch movies, let me know in the comments. I love to learn about new things!

Misty May Morn by John Henry Twachtman (Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly, 1899)