Happy August!

Hello my fellow bookworms,

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

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

Here is some fun bookish news for you:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo by hello aesthe from Pexels

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

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

Happy Reading! :)

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!