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 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!