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!

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!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate and a very Happy Holidays to those who celebrate otherwise! Best wishes for you and your family for a happy and healthy holiday season.

Alice in Wonderland Zoolights, (c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger)

'Tis the season for grabbing your favorite coffee or tea and picking up a good book and just relaaaaaaax. The best part of the season is when all is said and done, and you have a few moments to yourself to just unwind.

The Last Bookstore, Photo by V.P.

That said, I hope to have one or two reviews done after the holidays are finished with this week. In the meantime, please enjoy the photos from a friend of mine who recently visited The Last Bookstore, a really cool book and record store out in Los Angeles!

Tunnel of Books, The Last Bookstore, Photo by V.P.

Home to the most artistic book displays, back-to-back events, and a great selection of books, The Last Bookstore is a must if you are ever in the LA area. They buy, sell, and trade, so you will always find something new in stock. They also have a yarn shop and art gallery above the store that will add to your visit experience. If you are interested in learning more, please visit this independent bookstore online at their website here.

Books and books, The Last Bookstore, Photo by V.P.

Happy reading! Let me know what's on your holiday reading list in the comments. :)