What A Year - Happy New Year!

Photo by Jill Wellington from Pexels

Hello my fellow bookworms!

What a year it has been. I cannot believe today is the last day of 2022 - it feels like it just started! This year for me has been full of many, many changes. Some positive, others not, but overall, it was full of personal growth and I am definitely in a better place than I was last year.

Where to begin? Last year I aimed to read 25 books for the new year, as I am now in school (again). I was able to meet this goal, and I hope to do this again next year! My new job requires more reading, and hopefully I can challenge myself to read more outside of my preferred genres, so it is a good goal to keep all around. :) 

My books this year included a book for a formal book discussion (The Maid by Nita Prose) and a creepy recommended comic book series (Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez). The longest book was Crave by Tracy Wolff, totaling 592 pages! My average book length was 212 pages and my average star rating on Goodreads was 4.3 out of 5 stars. Here are my top 7 books from this year, in no particular order:

• The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea by Axie Oh
  
• Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin
• Across the Desert by Dusti Bowling
• The Upside of Falling by Alex Light
• Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder by Valerie Burns
  
• The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
• Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
  

Other goals I would like to achieve include participating in some sort of research for my degree / school, continue with my courses (and maybe even doing more than my current pace!), starting up a workout regimen, cut down on my materialistic spending (have to stop spending money on those unneeded purchases, including too much coffee!), and to perhaps open up an Etsy shop. This past month I hosted a craft class at my work with perler beads and had fun learning about the things I could do beyond the basics, including some book-related themes. If I can make it work, I will post the link for you guys to take a look!

Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

I would also like to brush up on my computer skills and learn new things, especially with the upgrades to Windows and everything else that keeps on updating. I just learned that Microsoft has a free "coding" program for those interested, called Microsoft MakeCode, which is a good start to understanding how code actually works and can be a basis for learning actual code! I hope to learn more coding for the upcoming makerspace that my local library is going to have this upcoming year. I cannot wait!

What are your goals for the upcoming year? Share them with me in the comments!

Before I leave you, I want to remind you to unite against book banning and support your local libraries and make a simple change by checking out this video here from author Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants!

Happy New Year and happy reading! :)

Library Happenings

 

Hello my fellow bookworms!

I hope you had a relaxing weekend and Thanksgiving holiday (for those who celebrated)! 

I was able to finally make a trip out to a library that is currently hosting a pirate exhibit, in conjunction with the local children's museum! It was so cool! There were pirate maps for children to use to explore the different hands on exhibits, areas to play, climb, and dress up like a pirate, hidden treasure, pirate books, and more. It was a very interactive experience that eventually led to a prize once the map was completed! For teens, there was a separate map used to interact with the different areas of the library, so teens would know who to talk to for different reasons in the future (e.g., reference, teen librarian, etc.). The whole experience is free, so families can come and play, learn, and enjoy themselves at their local (or not) library. Mixed into the fun are true facts about pirates and local history, as well, and the whole set is decorated for the holidays, too! Check out  some of my photos below:

Photo by A.P., (c) 2023 Once Upon A Book Blog(ger)

While the exhibit is only hosted until early next year, I cannot wait to see what this library will do in the future, as well as what other libraries are doing for programming. I will definitely keep an eye out going forward!

~*~

Here are some fun things to do this December:

• Simon Teen's Riveted Lit has a promotion for December, one where you can read a new Young Adult book per day! Check it out tomorrow here.
  

• Are you looking for a fun and free activity that will get you outdoors this month? The website Geocaching is hosting a challenge this month to race to find as many geocaches as you can! But hurry - the event ends on December 5th!
  

• If you know anyone who is legally blind and can read braille, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (part of the Library of Congress) is giving out a free braille book per month as part of their Braille on Demand program. Participants must be registered as part of the National Library Service, but other than that, they can join this fun program that helps spread the joy of reading. 
  

• If you cannot find time to read, but enjoy listening to podcasts, there is a podcast called Overdue that will summarize books for you! Think of it as the audiobook version of Cliff Notes. (Or you can always listen to the actual book - that is always fun to do while cleaning or baking during the holidays!)

~*~

I hope you all have a fun and safe holiday season ahead, filled with much reading! Let me know what you are reading - I have a list of books I cannot wait to get to after I finish my last homework assignments for the semester. :) 

Until next time! Happy Reading and Happy Holidays!

Happy Halloween! =^. .^=

Photo by Lucie Liz from Pexels

Happy Halloween my fellow bookworms!

Where has the time gone? It seems that October has flown by in the blink of an eye, and amongst all the fun fall festivities comes November and the time change! If you are in the U.S., be sure to remember to set your clocks back an hour next Sunday. (I could use the extra hour this week!)

I want to share some book tips, news, and links with you:

• Looking for a fun, yet creepy, game to play to celebrate the spooky season and get a fun book recommendation? Try the Tor/Forge Blog game Escape the Haunted Library! Can you get all the endings and recommendations? (Tip: It may be helpful to use a pen and paper to write down the codes!)
  

• Take a look at the Smithsonian's Things That Scare Us online exhibit for some spooky collection items that you can go visit in person.
  

• Uncharted Magazine is once again hosting a contest to publish a novel written by aspiring authors! Submit your novel by tomorrow (deadline is October 31st) and see if your writing becomes the next Uncharted novel! Click on the link for more details and submission information.
  

• Harlequin is hosting a mentorship program for aspiring romance writers! Interested? Check out the details here. Set a timer, because applications open on January 1, 2023!
  

• Did you know that librarians like to use Booklist to help choose the newest books? There may be a patron-version of the magazine at your local library, free for you to view! (I know there is at mine!)
  

• If you like to take notes while reading, but hate writing in the margins of your pages, Post-It came out with transparent Post-It Notes!
  

• NaNoWriMo is almost upon us! "NaNoWriMo" stands for "National Novel Writing Month" when writers challenge themselves to write an entire novel in one month. Many libraries are participating by hosting places for people to sit down and write with others. If that is not your cup of tea, Book Riot has some treats to inspire you to participate!
  

• Amongst all the book bans taking place, you can take part in preventing this in your area by establishing a Book Sanctuary. The Chicago Public Library has a website hosted with information and how you can take part in this call to action! 

 I will be wearing my Halloween costume to my local library tomorrow. What are you guys wearing and reading to celebrate? Let me know in the comments!

I hope you all have a fun, safe, and spooky Halloween day! Happy reading!

My Hands Tell a Story by Kelly Starling Lyons, Illustrated by Tonya Engel

Hello my fellow bookworms!

Today is the day where you can play Green Day's song "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and wake up to a new month! Happy early October!

Photograph by Kelly Starling Lyons & Tonya Engel (c) 2022 Reycraft Books

Today, I would like to bring notice to a beautiful picture book I found out about through the ALA Annual Conference this past summer! I was lucky enough to be able to get a signed copy by both the author and illustrator. This is a charming story that I will keep sharing with my family and friends.

My Hands Tell a Story, written by Kelly Starling Lyons, and illustrated by Tonya Engel, is a beautiful picture book for children. It starts with a grandmother and granddaughter named Zoe baking cinnamon bread from scratch. The granddaughter wonders if she will ever be as good at the baking process as her grandmother. What starts as making bread and bonding becomes a glimpse into the grandmother's life and all the things she has done that has helped her to where she is today.

A colorful and wonderfully drawn story, this is one you will want to read with your family and little ones. The story has an emphasis on family and preserving in your endeavors. A great read, especially with Thanksgiving coming up. I highly recommend it! 

Thank you to both Ms. Starling Lyons and Ms. Engel for sharing their story and providing me with a signed copy! I will treasure it always.  

About the Author: Kelly Starling Lyons

Like Zoe, author Kelly Starling Lyons grew up baking with her grandma. Now, she celebrates those special moments in stories. Kelly has written many acclaimed children's books, including Caldecott Honor winner Going Down Home with Daddy, Christopher Award winner Tiara's Hat Parade, and Geisel Honor winner Ty's Travels: Zip, Zoom. She is a teaching artist and a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf. Kelly lives in North Carolina with her family.
 

 

About the Illustrator: Tonya Engel

Tonya Engel is a self-taught artist born in Texas and has established studios in New York, Miami, Austin and Houston where she now resides. Heavily influenced by folk artists of the Deep south, Harlem renaissance as well as Mark Chagall, Frida Kahlo and Romare Beardon, Tonya’s illustrations speak to image, identity and relationships. Meshing decorative elements, oils and occasional collage with emotional content, the subjects are mainly women with contemplative faces implying a dream world that invites our interpretations. Engel’s personal, autobiographical work can be found in public and private collections around the world. She has been the recipient of many awards including a three-month residency in Paris, France.

"And all at once, summer collapsed into fall." - Oscar Wilde

Hello my fellow bookworms!

I am not sure how the time flew this month, but it did! I am quite behind on my fun reading, and just a little behind on my school reading. There were a few book-related news stories that I would like to share with you:

• NPR recently shared a story about how Gen Z is driving the sales of romance books up. Since I now have to pay more attention than normal to the genre for my new job, this article brought a smile to my face. :)

• If you are a fan of baking shows and Dr. Seuss, you should take a look at Amazon's new show, "Dr. Seuss Baking Challenge." It is not out yet, but you can check it out on Amazon Prime Video this winter.

• The new summer book, The Hotel Nantucket, by Elin Hilderbrand, is going to have a TV adaptation!

• The Smithsonian has released an online exhibition for "¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States." You can navigate through photos, 3D objects, biographies, and more. This is perfect timing, as National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th!
  

• You can now play a video game inspired by Emily Dickinson's poetry, called "EmilyBlaster," inspired by Gabrielle Zevin's novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. Click on the title link for background information on the game, provided by the Smithsonian Magazine. If you are interested in playing the game itself, click here!
  

• If you are interested in a career in library and information science, or are just curious as to what options are out there, take a look at the INFOcon videos here. Although this link shows the playlist for 2021, the next INFOcon is just around the corner - so subscribe and keep a lookout for new content.

This past month, my local library hosted a chalk fest! I was not sure what to expect, as it was my first time at the event, but it was a neat, family friendly event, with live music, lots of chalk, and a 3D chalk photo by @TheChalkingDad. Take a look at the final product below (yes, this is out of chalk!):

Photo by Once Upon A Book Blog(ger) - August 2022

Photo by Once Upon A Book Blog(ger) - August 2022

What have you been up to at your local libraries? Was there a particular book you enjoyed this summer? Share in the comments below!

Until next time - happy reading! :)

Days in the Sun

Hello my fellow bookworms!

The summer is starting to wind down, but there are so many book releases and book-to-film/TV show releases! Have you seen Where the Crawdads Sing in theaters yet? The book by Delia Owens was one I could not put down, and the movie did not disappoint the adaption! Also in terms of film/TV show releases, Jenna Evan Welch's Love & Gelato is now playing on Netflix. Neil Gailman's The Sandman comes to Netflix this Friday, August 5th. Jenny Han's The Summer I Turned Pretty is now a series streaming on Amazon Prime Video. There is news of Paramount+ developing Becca Fitzpatrick's series Hush Hush into a movie, which was one of my favorite series growing up! I still have the books and the first graphic novel that was created for the series. Enola Holmes has a confirmed second season on Netflix, set for release later this year. Vampire Academy based on the series by Richelle Mead, has a series coming out on Peacock on September 15th.

This week I am finishing up my summer course and have quite a bit of reading to catch up on. I cannot wait to have a break for non-school reading! In the meantime, I have some book news for you:

• In honor of Disability Pride Month, Book Riot has released a book lover's guide to disability pride month.

• Want a free book? For yourself or for your kids, friends, family, and/or siblings? Kellogg's has a promotion where you can buy a box of cereal and get a free book! Check out the Kellogg's Feeding Reading program here. If you don't want the book, you can opt to donate it, too! 
  

• Need a quick break and want to look at art? The Smithsonian has a collection for you! Are you a cat person or a dog person? I like both, so viewing both collections is a relaxing break during my homework.

• The Austin Public Library in Texas is standing up against book bans with a series of free events that focus on the books being banned. A joint effort with BookPeople, the events focus on issues with race, LGTBQ+, and sexuality. Texas has the most book bans in state across the U.S., which makes this effort all the more important.

• If you liked the book Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, you can now take a themed cruise from Avalon Waterways. Buy your tickets now, as the ship is set to sail this September 15th!
  

• If you are looking for a dream job, why not be a "barefoot bookseller"? A year position, you can be a bookseller in the Maldives managing a small bookstore, writing book reviews, and more. Applications are due August 13th!
  

• For those of you who like comics, DC is going to release a new Spotify Series staring Christina Ricci as Harley Quinn in Harley Quinn & The Joker: Sound Mind. This is the second audio series in a podcast agreement with Warner Bros. and DC.
  

• The Brooklyn Public Library in New York is offering free library cards to anyone in the U.S. who is between the ages of 13 and 21 as part of their initiative called "Books UnBanned." The library card would allow users to check out books digitally, aimed to overcome any banned book restrictions that may be in place in the user's home area. 
  

• Walmart is releasing a set of live events online, including a book club! You can see the most recent live event discussing the book I Kissed Shara Wheeler with author Casey McQuiston here.
  

• If you are looking for something fun to do and want to travel on Labor Day weekend, you should attend Books Gowns & Crowns' 2022 Ball in Portland, Oregon! You can find details on ticket information, venue, etc. here. 
  

One last news story I would like to bring up, as I believe it is important to share, is that there is a new help line for those who need mental health help: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you need to reach anyone, feel helpless and/or hopeless, 24/7, please call 9-8-8. There will be no busy signal or hold. This new number, which is the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, will connect you to a network of trained counselors. If you don't feel like talking, there is also a chat option available. It is never a sign of weakness, but strength, to reach out and ask for help.  

Photo by Guillaume Hankenne from Pexels

What new books, movies, show, podcasts, music, etc. are you into lately? Please share in the comments below!

Until next time - happy reading! :)

ALA Annual Conference Update

Hello my fellow bookworms!

This month has come and gone in a flash. Anything that I thought was going to happen did, but not the way I expected. In short, I wish I had more time for things, but you take what you can get. 

As mentioned in my last post, I was able to visit the ALA Annual Conference this past week in Washington, D.C. Due to a family emergency, I did not stay the entire time I expected to, but, my short excursion was an informative and fun experience overall. I was able to meet some authors, receive free books, see different publishers, learn what was happening in the publishing and library world, and much more. If you are able to attend the conference next year, do so! 

Here are some photos from my trip, including the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and some of the exhibitions from above: 

(c) 2022 A.P., Once Upon A Book Blog(ger)

(c) 2022 A.P., Once Upon A Book Blog(ger)

(c) 2022 A.P., Once Upon A Book Blog(ger)

A few authors and illustrators signed books for me during the conference. I would like to feature them this year, but have not yet had time to appreciate and read their works yet. Look out for more posts after I catch up on my homework for my summer class! I'm hoping to have a book binge fest this week to celebrate Independence Day here in the states. What are you guys up to this summer? Let me know in the comments! Happy Independence Day to those who celebrate!

Until next time - Happy Reading! :)

Banned Books and Censorship

Hello my fellow bookworms!

I've been anxiously planning for a book-related conference, and cannot wait to share photos and news after I attend it! I would like to discuss the serious topic of censorship and banned books, but wanted to give you a couple of lighter book news for the summer, as well:

• If you want a one-of-a-kind wedding experience, the Boston Public Library is offering wedding ceremonies in their historic Guastavino Room at the Central Library. The original story can be found here via Boston.com, and for more information on ceremonies, you should take a look at the Boston Public Library's website here. 

• Andrews McMeel KIDS is hosting a Summer Reading Challenge inspired by author Dustin Brady's series Trapped in a Video Game and Escape from a Video Game! You can start here, with the instructions, and print out the game map in which your only escape is through reading! Once you (or your kids) read up to your specialization, you can print out a special certificate that shows you escaped this summer!
  

In the United States, the topic of banned books and censorship has become a huge issue in the media, within libraries and schools, politics, and other places. The banning of books due to a difference in interest, beliefs, or feelings of discomfort, is against our First Amendment rights.We should fight to uphold these rights, for equal access to knowledge and intellectual freedom. Censorship is wrong, and banning books is not the answer to what the politicians (and others) think they are "fixing" in our society. See below for some articles and links as to what different sources around the country are doing in protest of such censorship:

• Congress recently held a second hearing on censorship within the classrooms. Claire Kirch of Publishers Weekly talks about this in detail through her article here. 
  

• The Nashville public library released 5,000 limited edition library cards stating "I read banned books" for those who would like to take part in the library's "Freedom to Read" campaign. For more information, see The Guardian's article here.

• Macmillian Publishers released an email with a Banned Books collection, stating that:
  

"Macmillian stands against censorship and condemns the book banning taking place at schools across the country. With this collection, we've highlighted banned titles to fight censorship and to share our love of these books with the world."

          Books listed include:

1. All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
2. When They Call You a Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Cullors & Asha Bandele
3. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
4. Lobizona by Romina Garber
5. Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
6. If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
7. The 57 Bus by Daska Slater
8. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

• The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has an article highlighting teens across the country that have been fighting censorship with "banned-book clubs" and lawsuits!

• The American Library Association (ALA) hosts a blog titled "Intellectual Freedom Blog," with posts by bloggers, guest contributors, news editors, and employees/staff from the ALA. A post titled Present Day Musings on Manga Censorship by Victoria Rahbar touches on the issue that even comics and manga are not unscathed by book banning and censorship in today's libraries.

• The ALA also has enlightening infographics about Censorship by the Numbers, as well as the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021.  

          The top 10 books are:

1. 

   (c) American Library Association, 2022
   

   Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
2. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
3. All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
4. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez
5. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
6. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
7. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
8. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
9. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
10. Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin
    

(c) American Library Association, 2022

(c) American Library Association, 2022

(c) American Library Association, 2022

(c) American Library Association, 2022

There are so, so many more articles and news stories that touch on censorship and/or book banning. I cannot list them all here, but I welcome everyone to contribute what they find interesting, personal to them, etc., and post it here for a friendly conversation. Or just to post! I don't mind either way. My blog is a safe space and censorship is becoming such a prevalent issue within the United States that it needs to be addressed. I cannot wait to attend the book-related conference and see what sort of causes I can join to help combat it at a higher level. (If you know of any, please share!)

Until next time, happy reading, including banned books!!

National Poetry Month + May Bookish Updates!

Hello my fellow bookworms!

I hope you are all doing well. This past month was (technically still is) National Poetry Month and this upcoming month is Asian/Pacific Islander American Heritage Month! 

To celebrate poetry this month, I took part in a book circle for Joan Naviyuk Kane's most recent book of poetry, Dark Traffic. Ms. Kane is an American Inupiaq poet and novelist, whose work explores the experiences, perspectives, and identities of American Indigenous peoples. Having not been part of a book circle for a long while, I thought it was a fun, virtual experience. If you would like to have some insight on her poems, there is a video on YouTube from Poets House, which has Ms. Kane reading her poems from her various published works.

Here is some book related news and links for you to enjoy:

• If you are looking for books to read for May, try these links: PBS' list of children's books, Epic Reads' Young Adult List, and Penguin Random House's (Adult Book) List for books to celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

• World Press Freedom Day is coming up this May 3rd! UNESCO is the leading UN agency for education and is hosting a "Journalism under Digital Siege" conference in honor of World Press Freedom Day, that you can join online (click here for more information). As UNESCO states, May 3rd "acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in pursuit of a story" (UNESCO, 2022).
  

• A little late in passing on the information, but if you are currently working on either a horror/thriller or crime/mystery novel and have the first chapter already written, you can submit it for possible publication and a cash prize from Uncharted! See more details here.

• More and more institutions are banning books deemed unfit for our youth today. Institutions such as the New York Public Library (NYPL) is making it an initiative to provide copies of the banned books to all who request them - free of wait times and fines! The NYPL stands by the right to read freely, and you can too, by reading into their initiative here. 

• If you live in the Toronto area, Happily Ever After Books, a bookstore for romantics, will be popping up over the Toronto region throughout the year! If you visit, let me know how it is. Otherwise, you can visit them online, too!

•  If you are into Bram Stoker's Dracula, you can meet up with other enthusiasts at the Whitby Abbey in Whitby, England on May 25, 2022. According to CNN, everyone joining will attempt to beat the record to have the largest gathering of people dressed as vampires. Why this date? It celebrates the 125 anniversary of Dracula, of course!
  

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

I have some book-related plans coming up for the summer, but I will post about it after more details are finalized. What are your plans for this spring/summer? Are there any new books you are looking forward to or are on your To Be Read list? Let me know in the comments! :)

Happy Reading!

April Rains...New Books!

Hello my fellow bookworms,

(c) 2022 Kristen Ciccarelli, St. Martin's Publishing Group

This past month has gone by too fast! And though the weather has been a bit crazy for me, going from warm 60 to 70 degree weather back down to the 30's with snow, there have been quite a few new books, shows, and movies coming out to keep us all occupied. 

I recently devoured the new book Edgewood by Kristen Ciccarelli. Wow, what a ride! This book is technically for young adults, but has older themes, along with fairies, magic, a witch, a curse, and romance. I really enjoyed reading this book, so much that I read it in under a day! It reminded me of the older fairy tales, the ones that teach a lesson and do not always end perfectly and happily (though this story has a happy ending). It was a fun, fresh breath of air for me, who has been reading schoolwork non-stop these past few months. Thank you spring break! :)

That said, I have a book of poetry that I will read before joining my school's book club session this month. We are reading Dark Traffic by Joan Naviyuk Kane. Once I dive into it, I'll be sure to mention my thoughts on the book in next month's post!

I did find some fun book links to share with you in the meantime:

• For those of you who are Jane Austen fans, particularly the 1995 BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, you can now visit Jane Austen's Home and get an up close viewing of Mr. Darcy's white shirt from the lake scene (you know the one!). There will be other pieces of clothing from Austen movies, as well. The exhibit, titled Jane Austen Undressed, will run until October 2, 2022. If you end up going, please share pictures of your visit! If you cannot make the in-person exhibit, they do offer a virtual online version of the exhibition to enjoy from home!

• Though this is technically not a book link, if you are feeling in need of a good scare, there is a YouTube channel that is currently posting free horror movies for your viewing. There are new movies uploaded weekly.
  

• If you have been following the Netflix series Bridgerton, you can celebrate your viewing with some tea inspired by the book series/show from Republic of Tea! They even have the books that inspired both season available for sale. 
  

• If you are interested in writing romance, Harlequin is offering scholarships to encourage more diverse voices in romance novels. 
  

• If you are in need of some inspiration, check out this inspiring talk about How To Let Your Light Shine Bright by Lisa Nichols, hosted by Goalcast! I was introduced to this talk, as well as quite a few other motivating videos, from my school's career center. You should also check out her books here!
  

What have you been reading lately? Let me know in the comments! 

Until next time, happy reading! :)

Warmer Days Are Coming!

 Hello my fellow bookworms!

(c) Macmillan Publishers 2022

 

 

Warmer days are coming - they cannot come soon enough! I cannot wait for the days of reading out in the grass, with the sun on my face. I am quite content with my winter reading days, as most of them have been school reading. I was able to get some recreational reading time in this weekend and binge read The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh. It is such a cute book! I highly recommend it! I think I may reread it in full, I have been rereading my favorite passages today (I just finished the book yesterday!). It reminds me of Spirited Away, and is a romance, fantasy, retelling of a fairy tale. It just came out last Tuesday, so go find a copy today!

 

  

Now for some book news:

• Have you kept up with Arthur, the cartoon series based on the book series by Marc Brown? The last episode was aired last Monday, and can be found on the PBS YouTube channel. It is a bittersweet ending to 25 seasons, one that made me realize how old I am compared to when I first watch the show. In other news, Marc Brown states he would like to create a live-action movie. I would not mind watching it if/when it airs!
  

• While summer is still a ways away, you can bookmark and visit AudioFile, a website that helps you find a new audiobook to listen to. They have a program called SYNC, where teens can download two (2!) free audiobooks to listen to over the summer. The program opens on April 28, 2022. 
  

• So I have been watching quite a few TikToks lately (they are too addicting!), and one of the latest trends is #BookTok, where you can post what you are currently reading and see what others are reading, too. Another addicting avenue to venture upon! (Subtle reminder that you can always post what you are reading to #currentlyreadingblog on Instagram to see your posts on my blog!)
  

• Ever want to showcase your love for books while sending out a letter? Well, even if your answer is "no," you can now purchase a print of modern classics and classic book stamps through the website Dorothy. You can read more into the background of the designs through Open Culture's online article Behold 84 Great Novels Reinterpreted as Modernist Postage Stamps.
  

• If you prefer actual stamps to send out to friends and family, your local U.S. post office has a couple options for you, including the Dragons Pop-up Book (a book with actual stamps - great for kids!), or my favorite, though not a book, Espresso Drinks Stamps.

Speaking of coffee, I need to go and drink some to start off my week the right way. I have been working on homework and some other personal projects, so I apologize for the lack of book reviews! I hope you are all doing well. Please let me know what you are reading / up to in the comments!

Until next time! Happy Reading! :)

January News + Happy Lunar New Year!

Happy January, my fellow bookworms!

I hope you all had a happy holiday season. Am I the only one who is happy to finally see pink and red colors in the stores? While I do miss the colors of the holiday lights on neighbors' homes, I am happy the stress of the season is finally over.

I have some book links for you:

• Ever wonder what time it is and want a book quote at the same time? No? Well, there is a fun literature clock made by Johs Enevoldsen, inspired by Jaap Meijers and The Guardian. This clock is an online website that tells you the time in quotes! Check it out for yourself - it changes based on the time, so you could go a whole day and see new quotes!
  

• Since I am learning about archives, here is a link to a musical archive "time traveling" website called Radiooooo (2013), where you can choose a country, year, and song pace (slow, fast, "weird," or a combination of the three) to match a song to your preference. 
  

• If you live in the United States, you will notice a set of new quarters on the market. Twenty new designs will be issued over the next four years, featuring notable women in the United States, such as Maya Angelou (the first new quarter) and Wilma Mankiller, the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Check out more details and specifications, if you are into collecting coins, on the United States Mint website here. 
  

• February 1st is the lunar new year. It is also the year of the tiger! If you want to read books to celebrate the new year, Penguin House Publishers has a list of some fun reads here. 
  

• The American Library Association has released their Youth Media Awards for 2022. Check out their list here and let me know if you have read any of the winners (book or author)! 
  

• Check out this cute article from KTVB7, a news station in Idaho, who mentions an 8 year old Boise resident who snuck a book onto his library's shelf, and now it is available officially for check out!
  

• Have you played the latest word game, Wordle? Try and figure out the word in 6 tries or less, by guessing words and rearranging letters as necessary. I have been able to guess the word in about 4 to 5 tries. What is your best score? Let me know in the comments!

Photo by Expect Best from Pexels

Happy Lunar New Year! Until next time, stay safe and happy reading! :)