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!

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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!)

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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 All The Holidays!

Hello my fellow bookworms,

Happy Holidays to you and yours! We've entered that end-of-the-year holiday period, and can I say, I am already tired of the Christmas music that started the day after Halloween? It started so early this year! I suppose they are making up for last year, but I wish there was a break now and again.

Photo from BiljaST from Pixabay

That said, there are quite a few fun holiday-inspired links I have for you to view!

• If you are out and about buying books from an independent bookstore, you can receive a free audiobook from Libro.fm if you spend $15! This deal is until tomorrow (November 30th), but a free audiobook can be a fun book to listen to this winter season!
  

• Barnes & Noble has released signed editions of new books out for their Black Friday special this year. Check it out here and see if you want (or need) any for your own collection!
  

• Goodreads has opened voting for their Choice Awards 2021. If you missed the opening round, which ended yesterday, never fear, for the final round starts tomorrow. Vote now or forever hold your peace - until next year, that is.
  

• New York Times has released their list of 100 Notable Books of 2021. How many have you read? Amazon also has their list of the Best Books of the Year up. I will admit, while I have seen quite a few of these books listed, recommended, and on my to-read list, I have not read a single one (yet). I miss reading and have been very busy lately, but hope to catch up on reading during the upcoming holiday season! :)
  

• There are quite a few lists that recommend gifts for bookworms, but one new trend I have noticed in the recommendations is books with sprayed edges. These are so pretty! I have not seen them in stores, but they are up on Etsy for purchase. Take a look at this beautiful rendition of Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim (which I highly recommend!) There are even signed sprayed editions available on Etsy, such as this one of Defy the Night by Bridgid Kemmerer. Check them out before they're sold out!
  

• NOVL has some fun book quizzes for you to try out. Find out which badass YA heroine you are or find book recommendations based on how you like your potatoes. There are more quizzes here, if you are interested!

• Learn about a woman named Alicia Tapia, who rides a bicycle around her city, passing out books through her mobile bike library, Bibliobicicleta, in this story from the SF Gate. It is very inspiring! I may look into trying this for my city, as well!
  

• If the holiday season has made you feel like you are wasting wrapping paper, etc., take a look at Recyclebank's recommendations for audiobooks on sustainability. Recyclebank is a fun website that teaches you about recycling and even provides insight to recycling in your local area. (This is not sponsored - this is a recommendation from me, a person who likes to recycle when she can, just sharing a favorite website!)
  

• Out of Print is having a Cyber Monday sale (as is the rest of the world), but who else has nifty book-related items to buy? Etsy is another great place to shop for book-themed items!
  

• Netflix and Starbucks has teamed up for a new show that talks about book-to-screen adaptations. Hosted by Uzo Aduba, "But Have You Read the Book" is a show that brings stars and authors to the show, where they join the host at a Starbucks, and sit down for a cup of coffee and have a conversation about books and their adaptations. I have not watched it yet, but it debuted on Netflix on November 16th. If any of you have watched it, please let me know how it is!

Photo by Elf-Moondance from Pixabay

I have a new book to read and review. I have not gotten to it yet, but hopefully I can soon! This next year will be interesting, as I will be reading more textbooks than books for fun. I am excited for the holidays and days off, so I can rest and hopefully catch up on my reading! What are you guys excited for? Let me know in the comments.

Until next time - stay safe and happy reading!

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!

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

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! :)