Showing posts with label book news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book news. Show all posts

Monday, January 12, 2026

“One step at a time is all it takes to get you there.” - Emily Dickinson

Hello my fellow bookworms,

Last year was a busy year for me! I apologize for not being as frequent of a poster as I normally am. I am in between a review to post at the present, and have 2 additional books to review, as well. 

As for my book goals, I read, but not as much as I wanted to. My goal for this year is to read at least 50 books. I even created a fun Book Bingo to encourage myself to detox from both my phone and computer. Try it for yourself and let me know how it goes for you. Here is to stopping the doomscrolling this year! :)

Some bookish things to look forward to this year:

  • If you are a writer and are looking to publish a teen romance novel, The Little Press is now introducing Baci Books, a Teen Romance Imprint! They are accepting submissions of previously self-published teen romance novels, so review the submission guidelines here. Good luck!
  • This year we are celebrating the United States of America's 250th birthday! If you are interested in learning and reviewing White House History, you can explore their digital archives here. Also, check out your local library (or libraries) for events closer to July! 
    • Speaking of good things, Andrew Carnegie championed the free public library movement during late 19th century. He donated $5,000 to libraries around the country to help them get on their feet to provide information and services to the public. According to the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Andrew Carnegie described libraries as "cradles of democracy that strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of the citizen, and the royalty of man" (Oct 2025). Since this is a special historical anniversary year, the Carnegie Corporation of New York is going to donate $10,000 to ALL Carnegie libraries across the United States! With this special gift, libraries both small and large will be able to better support their communities, foster civic participation, and best of all, bring people together. For more information, check out the Corporation's Press Release here
  • If you have kids or work with them, and want to spend more time outside, children can now become Junior Rangers online through the National Park Foundation. While the initiative is tied to specific national park sites, this allows children to engage through the science and sounds of the parks, whether it be through fossils, stars, trains, or more! Check out the National Park Foundation release here for more information
What do you look forward to this year? I cannot wait until true spring sets in. The false spring weather is great and I have enjoyed sitting on my porch and reading, but the mix of snow in between changes how I like to read (print book versus audiobook). I hope to do more this year, so if you have any questions or suggestions for me, please let me know! 

Until next time - happy reading! :) 

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Happy New Year('s Eve)!

Hello my fellow bookworms, 

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger) 2023
Wishing you a safe and happy New Year's Eve! May your year ahead be filled with many good books!

What are your book resolutions this year? This past year I read 48 books, for a total of 11,750 pages read. For 2024, I am going to keep my "Read 25 Books" resolution. I am going to aim to read a difficult book and a classic book. By the end of this year, I hope to be able to go back to reading in full force! :)

 

Here are my top 5 books from this year (in no particular order - this was a hard list for me this year!):

  • An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good by Helene Tursten
  • Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik
  • These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
  • Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
  • Give Me A Sign by Anna Sortino

Here are 5 books I look forward to in 2024 (also in no particular order):

  • A Touch of Chaos by Scarlett St. Clair
  • Bride by Ali Hazelwood
  • How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin
  • A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur
  • The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Here is some good book news for your new year:

  • If you read my blog post from last month, Goodreads has announced their Goodreads Choice Awards for 2023! Did any of the books you voted for make the final cut?
  • Cardinal Rule Press is looking for new realistic fiction books aimed at children, ages 4-11, that are representative, inclusive, and meaningful to publish! Picture book manuscripts can be up to 1,000 words and must be submitted as a PDF. Click here for more information.
  • Book Riot has a reading log for their Read Harder Challenge that you can download and use to track your reading this year!
  • There is a new bill introduced called the "Books Save Lives Act," that aims to counteract the book bans across the nation by classifying such bans as a federal civil rights violation. Check out the news article from HuffPost for more information.
  • A nice act of kindness from James Patterson this winter, Mr. Patterson provided bonuses to 600 booksellers!

One more thing before the new year - did you know I have a Facebook page set up so you can now receive Facebook notifications when I post a new blog post? Check it out (and subscribe)!

Until next time - Happy Reading! Happy New Year! :)

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Happy Halloween Bookworms!

Photo by Olia Danilevich from PexelsPhoto by olia danilevich: https://www.pexels.com/photo/halloween-cookies-5471990/Photo by olia danilevich: https://www.pexels.com/photo/halloween-cookies-5471990/
Happy Halloween my fellow bookworms!

Hope you are keeping warm and not stuck in the snow, like I was today! This past month was a blur of activity, so this will be a short post this round. Here is some book news for you:

  • November is NaNoWriMo! Short for National Novel Writing Month, authors and aspiring authors are challenging themselves to write an entire novel this month. There are many events you can check out, including at your local library, where you can meet others challenging themselves and sit and write together! It is an inspiring movement, and while this year is a bit crazy for me, I hope to be a part of the movement next year! If you are interested in more information, please check out the official NaNoWriMo website.
  • Although Banned Books Week is over, you can still be part of the movement by talking to your local politicians and utilizing and advocating your local library. You can also check out the New York Public Library's Banned Books for All campaign for teens, where you can find a toolkit, events, and access to challenged books to read for free!
  • Photo by cottonbro studio from Pexels
    The National Book Award Finalists were announced for 2023. As mentioned on the National
    Book Foundation website:
    • "Publishers submitted a total of 1,931 books for this year’s National Book Awards: 496 in Fiction, 638 in Nonfiction, 295 in Poetry, 154 in Translated Literature, and 348 in Young People’s Literature. Judges’ decisions are made independently of the National Book Foundation staff and Board of Directors, and deliberations are strictly confidential."
    • The winners will be announced on November 15th! 
    • What have you been reading lately? Bookshop.org released their list of the Best Books of 2023. I'm sure there will be many more lists before the end of the year, but if you want to squeeze some more reading in before then, this could help re-jump start your list!
       

    Until next time - Happy Reading! :)

    Thursday, June 29, 2023

    The first days of summer

    Hello my fellow bookworms!

    As of June 21st, summer is finally here! Although, if you live in certain parts of Canada or the United States, you could be subject to wildfire smoke. Stay safe, and be sure to wear those KN95 masks we all stocked up on during 2020 and 2021 while you are outside!

    (c) 2023 Little Brown Ink
    I recently read the cheesiest graphic novel to date, and I mean that literally, but that helped make it so endearing! The characters all have names that are also the names of different cheeses, which may make this a tough read if you are hungry! The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz is a young adult LGBTQ romance graphic novel that touches upon themes of friendship, acceptance, and being true to yourself.  A quick read, be sure to add this to your to-read list this summer!

    I do have some book news for you:

    • Tomorrow, June 30th, is "Stuff Your Kindle Day" for you romance lovers. You can choose up to 20 different books on Kindle for free. The event will also happen twice more this year, on September 20th and December 27th. Please visit Romance Bookworms' blog post here for more information! They also have information on a mystery-themed kindle giveaway, so check out the post for more details.
    • With the rise in popularity of BookTok (those popular clips on TikTok that showcase the new and popular books everyone is reading today), TikTok is now hosting its own book awards! Check out the article on TikTok here, which lists the categories and information for this year's award ceremony, which was hosted from May 25th - June 4th. 

    There are so many new movies and shows that are coming out that are based on books. Holly Jackson's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Lye Hye's Webtoon See You in My 19th Life, David Grann's Killers of the Flower Moon, and so much more. What have you been reading / watching so far this summer?

    Until next time - happy reading! :)

    Sunday, April 30, 2023

    Spring days are finally here!

    Hello my fellow bookworms!

    Spring weather is finally making its way to my city, and I couldn't be happier! I missed the birds singing (even though they like waking me up at 3 in the morning), the green grass, the blue skies, the sun. It's funny how long we can go without the sun, but how lovely it is to see it more than once a week again! 

    (c) Faber and Faber, 2019
    This month was crazy busy for me, but I took part in a book discussion for the poetry book Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky. The book has a plot that is good timing for the current war in Ukraine, but you may need to take breaks if the story is too much at once. April is also National Poetry Month, so I hope you enjoyed a poem, or two! 

    You can always visit the official National Poetry Month website, hosted by the Academy of American Poets, where you can order a free poster designed by Marc Brown, the author of Arthur. You can also sign up for a free daily Poem-A-Day and enjoy some culture each morning, delivered straight to your inbox.

    (c) HarperCollins Publishers Inc, 2023
    I also read Meg Cabot's The Quarantine Princess Diaries, which I have been waiting to read since...the quarantine in 2020 when Ms. Cabot was publishing short chapters each week to help us stop from going crazy staying inside. Her plot was well thought out and brought up good points and pandemic background, but that is one time I do not ever want to relive again. I did enjoy visiting Princess Mia's world, though, and cannot wait for a post-pandemic book to come! :)

    Since this month was otherwise madness, I thought I would share some book/library tips and news:

    • Starting tomorrow, May 1st, the OverDrive ebook application is shutting down, and you will need to upgrade to the newer version, Libby
    • If you like to read newspapers and hate paywalls, try accessing the title through your local library's website. Many times, you will be able to read it for free outside of the library, or free while you are inside the library. 
    • Reader's Digest also suggests using the free website 12ft.io to overcome paywalls. While it is right to support your local and national journalists, sometimes you just need a quick article or ran out of your free ones for the month. By navigating to this website, you do not have to download any software, just insert the URL of the article or website you are trying to access, then click on "Remove Paywall." Hopefully you will be able to access the site without issue!
    • The Library of Congress named 25 recordings of popular songs to preserve, chosen based on "cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance." The Super Mario Bros. is the first video game theme to be chosen for this honor!
    • If you have kids (or know one that likes to read), they may be interested in Andrew McMeel's Summer Reading Game!

    I'm currently listening to the audiobook of Spare by Prince Harry. It is a lot more sad than I anticipated. I hope to catch up on more of my fun reading this next month after classes are over. What are you reading / look forward to reading? 

    Until next time! Happy Reading!

    Monday, January 30, 2023

    Happy National Puzzle Month!

    Photo by Tara Winstead from Pexels
    Hello my fellow bookworms!

    Happy 2023 and the end of National Puzzle Month! I have been treating myself to fun cryptographs, crosswords, puzzle games, but have not yet continued my physical puzzle I bought myself for Christmas. Hopefully I can dedicate some time to it soon!

    I am back into the swing of things with the spring semester for school, so this post will not be as long as I hope future ones are. Here is some book and book-related news for you:

    • World Read Aloud Day is coming up this Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Learn more about it from LitWorld, as well as possibly joining a live webinar session to hear a children's book read by the author through CardinalPress! Such a fun experience if you have children or are a teacher or librarian!
    • Her Interactive just released a large Nancy Drew themed crossword puzzle! If you are a fan of the books and video games, you may want to try your hand at their latest puzzle here
    • The National Wildlife Federation is hosting their 2023 National Wildlife photo contest! Try your hand at taking a spectacular photo of wildlife in your area and aim for the chance to be published in their Winter 2024 magazine!
    • Are you stuck inside due to the winter weather? Take a tour with 360Cities and go on a free vacation right from your front room! You can even view the different historic libraries around the world with just a click of your mouse.
    • FanFiAddict recently had a livestream with sci-fi and fantasy authors, including one of my favorites, Stephanie Burgis! Check out the steam here and check out their uploads and upcoming livestreams to see if one of your favorite authors was or will be hosted next!

    I finally had a chance to read a book for pleasure before I buckle down to my school reading. I just read The Deal by Elle Kennedy and thoroughly enjoyed it! Definitely recommend it if you are in the mood for romance that touches on real life topics, yet has that satisfying happy ending.

    What are you guys reading lately? Let me know in the comments!

    Happy Reading! Stay warm! :)

    Sunday, October 30, 2022

    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!)
    • 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!

    Sunday, July 31, 2022

    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:

    • 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! :)

    Monday, February 28, 2022

    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! :)

    Wednesday, June 30, 2021

    Summer Vibes

    Photo by Ylanite Koppens from Pexels

    Hello my fellow bookworms!

    It's finally summer! Depending on where you live, that could mean you are able to go out and enjoy some sunshine, or it could mean that you may still have limited hours to be out. It is still a weird time for all of us, but at least we are a bit closer to all going outdoors and being social again.

    I have some book news for you:

    • Do you  have a Costco membership? If so, there is a "hidden benefit" where Costco hosts book signings and events! They also offer signed books to purchase at their store, as well. You can view the upcoming author events here. Though the events calendar is empty at the moment (at least, it is for my area of the world), I imagine it will fill out as places start reopening again. 
    • Are you tired of reading the same old stories and need diversity, different points of view, and books of color, but do not know where to start? Try LibraryReads, a website that hosts the monthly nationwide library staff picks list for adult fiction and non-fiction that aims to be inclusive of all races, genders, viewpoints, etc. If you are a librarian, you can nominate a new and upcoming book to the monthly list, as well!
    • The Smithsonian Magazine has a list of books to read in honor of Pride Month, showcasing overlooked stories and new books to dive into. 
    • I know I mentioned it in my previous post, but the First Chapters Contest is live and up until July 18th! Try your hand at writing a compelling first chapter to win $3,000, publication, and a consultation with an agent!
    • If you live in the UK or in France, there is a book titled Le Trésor de l'Entente Cordiale® that will lead you on a treasure hunt between the two lands. If you can solve all the clues and gather the key fragments, you will be led to an actual treasure: a golden casket! 

    Photo by Taryn Elliott from Pexels
    I hope you have a happy, healthy, and fun summer! What books are you looking forward to reading? Let me know! I have a stack of books that I am aiming to read, so I will update on that next time. :)

     Happy Reading!

    Monday, May 31, 2021

    Summer is on the way!

    Hello my fellow bookworms!

    This month has been one wild ride. I have been busy non-stop and hope I can catch up on some relaxation in June! I apologize for the delay in book reviews.

    In the meantime, I do have some book related news for you:

    • Penguin House is hosting a "How-To: Make Your Life Better" series with a series of emails sent to your inbox containing tips on wellness, home, or food and drink. You choose which category you would like to start with. You can switch to a different category after a few weeks, if you choose. 
    • Penguin House also has a literary horoscope, to which you can receive a novel based on your birthday. Try it here!
    • Did you know John Steinbeck wrote a werewolf-themed mystery novel? No? Neither did I! But, I learned that he did this week and that his estate is not releasing the book to the public at the present. Fans are calling for its release, but don't expect to see it any time soon.
    • Haven't been able to visit the museums yet? The Smithsonian recently posted HABITAT, an online exhibition that you can view here.
    • Have you read Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard before? I really enjoyed this young adult trilogy. Royalty, magical abilities, love, betrayal - it is one dramatic series that will keep you reading until the end! It is set to have a drama on Peacock, with Elizabeth Banks to direct and play a supporting role. 

    What are your plans for summer? Any good books on the horizon that you can't wait to dive into?  

    Until next time!


    Wednesday, March 31, 2021

    Happy Wednesday!

    Happy Wednesday my fellow bookworms!
     
    Spring is in the air and new books are on their way! I have a fantastic book to review, but I am not done reading it yet, so please expect it soon. The book is called Hope City by Neil Perry Gordon, a historical fiction novel that has quite the adventure, including venturing into the goldfields of Alaska!

    In the meantime, I have some fun book news for you:
    • If you are an author, or aspiring author, of young adult works, you can pitch a book in the 2021 Book-Pitch Contest by Voyage, A Young Adult Literary Journal! You need a query letter, a synopsis of your story, a one-page sample, information about where you are in your story project to join, and a $20 (USD) reading fee per entry. A grand prize winner will win $2,000 (USD) plus a book mentorship with YA author Kylie Schachte (author of You're Next, mentorship is worth $2,500), and publication of your story 
    • Has anyone been keeping up with all the new adaptions of books to movies/TV shows? I am excited for the new Netflix adaption of Shadow and Bone (releasing April 25th)! I did like the adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones' Earwig and the Witch, which is currently on HBO Max. I borrowed the audiobook from the library and am curious to see how close the adaptation is to the book. Being the last book Ms. Jones had written, I am a bit sad and hesitant to read it. But, I loved Howl's Moving Castle (another Studio Ghibli film!), so I cannot wait to dive in!
    • Penguin Random House has a promotion right now, called Read to Sleep, that helps you find books to read yourself to sleep. The idea is to explore books that allow you to escape from the real world, to allow you to better relax and dose off to sleep. I have a hard time reading to sleep, since I usually just stay up til the early hours of the morning to finish the book at hand! They are also hosting a giveaway, so try your hand at winning a new mattress and 25 books of your choice!

    I am sorry I don't have more to talk about this month! It has been a crazy time, as I have been trying to get vaccinated for COVID-19. I was lucky enough to receive my first of two doses this past week, which I am very happy and thankful for! I cannot wait until I can read in the forest, in a park, or on a beach again.

    I hope you all stay safe. Until next time. Happy reading!

    Saturday, February 29, 2020

    Happy Leap Year Day!

    Hello fellow bookworms!

    What is new with you? (Seriously, let me know in the comments!)  Here is some book news that I thought was interesting, just for you:

    • The Smithsonian just released 2.8 million images for the public to use as they please. So many high resolution photos from their many collections that you could post, print, put on a t-shirt - be as creative as you want! The best part? More are coming, so stay tuned. Visit the open archive here.  Share with me the best book related images you can find via #currentlyreadingblog.
    #SmithsonianOpenAccess - Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Henry Ward Ranger through the National Academy of Design, 1897
    • More Americans went to the library than the movies in 2019! Good for us, libraries are a great source of free information, education, and fun. See CNN's report here. 
    • My favorite detective Nancy Drew is turning 90 this year! To celebrate, the Hardy Boys are investigating...her death?? What? I'm not exactly pleased to hear this new story line, but I will give it a read to see what really happened. Read the New York Times article here.
    • The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is going to have a television adaptation! 
    • Penguin Random House has an email list that you can sign up for to receive tips on how to better read yourself to sleep (not that you guys need help with this, but the tips are fun to read!)
    • For those of you with kids of your own, here are some tips from NBC on how to encourage your child to read more.
    • BBC has created a list of the 100 Novels That Shaped Our World. How many have you read? (While I have heard of many of the novels listed, I myself have only read 6, including a few series.)
    • Are you a Young Adult author who would like the chance to be published? Swoon Reads is a great opportunity for that! Check out the submission requirements here. Also, if you are a reader who likes to read books before they become the next big thing, you can also vote on your favorite books for publishing (read your share of new books here)!
    • Looking for a quick read during your commute or break? The Short Story Project has stories for you! 
    • More libraries are exploring in renting out items that help shape our curiosity and help us learn, fix things, etc. The San Mateo County libraries in California are letting visitors now rent out bikes! Additional accessories available to rent out include a GoPro mount, bike lock, bike basket, bike light, and first aid kit. What a good way to go from reading books to taking in the scenery. Sounds like a great day to me!
    • Speaking of other services libraries now offer, certain libraries in the states now offer mental health and social work resources. Libraries in New York offer mental health screenings, invite social work agencies to visit to help provide assistance, and of course, offer relevant books. Libraries in San Fransisco hired a psychiatric social work to help with their homeless visitors. The Pima County Public Library in Arizona was the first library to hire and offer a public health nurse to patrons. It is nice to see and hear that libraries can be such a great resource for the public. Go visit your library today! (Well, tomorrow, it's probably closed by the time this posts.)
    Happy end of February! I will leave you with this beautiful book slip case from the Smithsonian archives. Until next time!
    #SmithsonianOpenAccess - Transferred from Cooper Union Library, 19th Century


    Tuesday, April 30, 2019

    April Showers Bring May Flowers?

    Or snow. Lots of snow. Let's hope May really does bring lots of flowers! :)

    (c) Thought Catalog, Pixels.com
    Hello world! What books have you been reading lately?

    I've been a bit busy with work and have been going back and forth between reading fast items (i.e. graphic novels) and slowly reading actual novels. Makes me wish that one of the "Short Story Stations" that the company Short Edition created were close to me! These machines are basically vending machines that randomly print out short stories for your commute - based on the length (of your trip) you input! One of these lovely machines is now offered at London's Canary Wharf. I know where I am visiting when I go to London. I would like to try and read all the stories offered! If you are interested in more of the story, please visit the Smithsonian's article here.

    In other news...

    Have you heard the tea on #CopyPasteCris? The story goes that Brazilian "author" Cristiane Serruya has a tendency to take pieces of books she likes and Frankenstein them together to "create" a novel of her own. Although, if it is not your words, it is really not your own work, now is it? If you cannot get away with it in high school, why do you think you can in the real world? Many different authors and readers have been keeping tabs on Cris, have reported her, and repeatedly called her out. Cris blames the ghostwriters she states she hires to help her write the books for the copying and pasting of good writing, but if the tally is over 40 authors plagiarized and people are now using your name as a meme online, I think I would stop while I was ahead, don't you? Nope, Cris continues to borrow from works she likes, to the point where people are using the hashtag to call her out and even compare the original works to the plagiarized works! The best part of all this? Besides being caught and called out repeatedly on this, Nora Roberts (whose works have been copied multiple times by Cris) is now suing her. Other authors have praised Nora and now we are all eager to see how this plays out. It's not nice to steal, but it is nice to see some justice being served.

    Since it is supposed to be spring (maybe it is by you, but I'm still being pelted with cold rain and snow!), I have been listening and reading up on cleaning tips. Marie Kondo's manga The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up is a very cutesy story that also inspires and shows you how to tidy up. It is a different mindset than what I am used to, but Marie has a cleaning style that makes you think about what is really important in your life. I do not recommend going crazy binge cleaning after watching one of her shows or reading one of her books. I heard there was a lot of regret earlier this year, when everyone was Marie Kondo-cleaning. I think the different styles of cleaning are all fun to learn about, especially minimalism (which I don't think I could ever do, my natural tendencies are not made for that lifestyle), and you should figure out a style that matches your lifestyle. I'm not sure what it is about these types of self-help and lifestyle books and videos, but they are so motivating!

    Speaking of lifestyle, I am in love with the public library. Not specifically my public library, but all of them, in general. The one I really love and wish I could live close to is the New York Public Library. Not only do New Yorkers receive free access to all the cool and hip museums in New York with only their library card (why doesn't my city do this?!), but they also now have bookmobiles that will come and visit neighborhoods whose libraries are currently undergoing renovation. Considering my neighborhood library is currently under renovation, I am just a bit jealous and much more curious as to how many books can fit in the vehicle and how many books of each genre is in it. If you are interested in learning more about New York's latest library offering, you can see more information on their website here.

    I shall leave you with a couple of things you can do for fun! You can see what the best-selling book was for the year you were born here, thanks to Wordery, your online bookshop. Or, in honor of Earth Day this month, you can read up on recycling tips on Recyclebank, an online resource that allows you to learn about the different recycling opportunities in your neighborhood, the processes through which different objects are recycled, upcycling crafts, how to properly recycle and compost, and more. You can even earn points while learning to receive a free magazine or two (bonus!).

    Let me know what you think about this post, other book news, or books in general in the comments. Happy reading! :)