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The Perpetual Page-Turner

The Perpetual Page-Turner

Book Recommendations and Book Lists For Adults And Kids

Home | Giveaway | A Very Handmade Holiday Giveaway Series is BACK — DAY 1

A Very Handmade Holiday Giveaway Series is BACK — DAY 1

December 17, 2015 - Updated April 27, 2021 // 55 Comments

holiday-blog-giveaways

Hi friends! Last year I had this idea for a fun week of giveaways around the holidays and threw it together last minute. I was beyond psyched to have so many great Etsy shops and artists be down to collaborate and I was even more excited when the giveaways happened and y’all were excited!! I know I don’t do a lot of giveaways on this site (at least not as many as I wish I could share with you) but I really wanted to give back to you guys. You give me so much all year round — friendship, encouragement, book recs, laughs, lovely comments and support — so this giveaway is hopefully a way to show my appreciation and to spotlight some awesome bookish businesses.

Kicking off the 2nd annual A Very Handmade Holiday giveaway is:

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Brittany from Novelly Yours

Brittany is a blogger (The Book Addict’s Guide is her blog) I have known (and adored) for so many years in this community so when she announced last month that she started a business on Etsy creating book inspired candles I was not at all surprised because Brittany is super creative and super passionate about books.

I’m telling you…these candles are TO DIE FOR. She’s created scents inspired by scenes from books or inspired by their setting, etc. THEY ARE AMAZING and creative and she’s picked some of my favorite books! And the best part? THIS LADY JUST STARTED OUT AND SO EVEN MORE SCENTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

I can personally attest to how amazing smelling they are as I ordered the Cabeswater (yes, that’s right Raven Cycle fans) for a secret Santa I was doing and it smelled soooo good I was legit sad I couldn’t keep it for myself.

I want like all of them but here are a few of my favorites

candles for book lovers

Anna’s Favorite Cookies: One of my FAVORITE books in the entire UNIVERSE (Anna and the French Kiss) and mint chocolate sounds divine.

Levi’s Pumpkin Spice Breve: Ahhh Levi (from Fangirl). This one is PERFECT.

The Scorpio Sea: The Scorpio Races had such a vivid setting and I love that Brittany did a sea scent in honor of it!!

GIVEAWAY TIME

The lovely Brittany will be giving one lucky winner their choice of an 8oz candle from her shop!

 

A few things:

  • Winner will receive their choice of existing 8oz candle of their choice (ie no custom order)
  • US ONLY.
  • You must be 13 years old or older to enter (or grab someone who is to do it for you!)
  • Giveaway ends December 31st. Winner will be notified via email and has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be picked!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

PS. Check back tomorrow for another giveaway!!
PPS. Go follow Brittany’s blog and Twitter! She’s delightful!

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Filed Under: Giveaway Tagged With: A Very Handmade Holiday, giveaway, giveaways

About Jamie

Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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Comments

  1. Kathleen Pasqualini says

    December 17, 2015 at 12:28 am

    If you did a Twilight scent you could do an apple 🙂

    Reply
  2. Rachel Alison says

    December 17, 2015 at 12:31 am

    I don’t know if this would be a very good scent…but fruitcake from TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE, by Jenny Han? Or like a caramel ombre-colored candle, because of Lara Jean’s cake?

    Gahhh, that book had so much good food in it! Thanks for doing the giveaway!

    Reply
  3. Jenna @ Jinkies Books says

    December 17, 2015 at 1:17 am

    The making candles thing reminds me of “The Hollow” by Jessica Verday! Those sound like they smell so good 🙂

    Reply
  4. Emmah says

    December 17, 2015 at 2:18 am

    I’d love a candle inspired by Dorian in the Throne of Glass series!! I’d be super interested in that 🙂

    Reply
  5. Brittany @ Novelly Yours/The Book Addict's Guide says

    December 17, 2015 at 8:50 am

    THANK YOU, JAMIE!!! <3 I'm SO excited to share these candles with so many people!! I'll be back to catch all the comments to see what other scents people want too ;D ;D
    Thank you so much for featuring my shop!!

    Reply
  6. Paula Novack says

    December 17, 2015 at 9:17 am

    I would love a Raven Cycle candle! I adore Maggie’s books.

    Reply
    • Brittany @ Novelly Yours/The Book Addict's Guide says

      December 22, 2015 at 8:43 am

      There’s a Cabeswater one 😀

      Reply
      • Paula says

        December 22, 2015 at 8:50 am

        Awesome!!!

        Reply
  7. Jackie Lea Sommers says

    December 17, 2015 at 9:37 am

    I love that there’s a Scorpio Sea one. You could do another Scorpio Races one based on November Cakes!

    Reply
    • Brittany @ Novelly Yours/The Book Addict's Guide says

      December 17, 2015 at 11:43 am

      This one is coming!!! 😀 It was actually the first candle that I made and then it got lost in excitement of all of the new scents haha 🙂

      Reply
      • Jackie Lea Sommers says

        December 17, 2015 at 12:17 pm

        Yesssssssssss!!! I’ll keep my eye on your shop. I follow your blog too. 🙂

        You’ve got some AMAZING scents. I want them ALL.

        Reply
  8. CassieopiaB says

    December 17, 2015 at 9:45 am

    I want to smell Levi’s Pumpkin Spice Breve so bad!
    And I would love to see a candle inspired by Marie Rutkoski’s The Winner’s Trilogy.

    Reply
    • Brittany @ Novelly Yours/The Book Addict's Guide says

      December 17, 2015 at 11:44 am

      OOOH what would The Winner’s Trilogy smell like!?

      Reply
      • CassieopiaB says

        December 17, 2015 at 11:50 am

        All I can think of is that cursed apple wine from the Winner’s Curse. I will try to think of more, LOL.

        Reply
  9. Stephanie says

    December 17, 2015 at 10:01 am

    OMG. I need to rewrite my whole Christmas List. Good thing my birthday is in January. I have another shot! I want the Scorpio Sea or Cabeswater. Might take the edge off while waiting for the last (*quietly weeping*) Raven Boys book.

    Reply
  10. Kristin says

    December 17, 2015 at 10:39 am

    I would love to see ANYTHING Harry Potter scented! I love that you already made Raven Boys & Anna candles<3!

    Reply
    • Brittany @ Novelly Yours/The Book Addict's Guide says

      December 17, 2015 at 11:45 am

      There’s a Yule Ball candle up now and I definitely want to make some more Harry Potter ones! Absolutely open to ideas for scents 😀

      Reply
  11. LaTanya says

    December 17, 2015 at 11:29 am

    Bared to You

    Reply
  12. Lauren @ Bookmark Lit says

    December 17, 2015 at 1:20 pm

    I ordered the Cabeswater candle immeeeediately, even though I had JUST finished The Raven Boys and didn’t even know much about it. LOL. I love all the candles so far! The Lunar Chronicles ones look soooo great.

    Reply
  13. Lefty @ The Left-Handed Book Lover says

    December 17, 2015 at 3:22 pm

    This is so freaking cool! I wish I had more book lovers in my life. I would be all over this store for Christmas. I’ll have to visit it later when I have more money to spend on myself! I think a Delirium-related (Lauren Oliver) or Vampire Academy-related scent would be awesome!

    Reply
  14. Jennifer @ YA Book Nerd says

    December 17, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    Oh, I’d love a candle based on Pride and Prejudice 🙂

    Reply
  15. Nicole @ Nicole's Novel Reads says

    December 17, 2015 at 4:30 pm

    All these candles are fabulous! I would love see The Mortal Instruments or The Infernal Devices candles. I would love to see more Harry Potter candles as well.

    Reply
  16. Nicki says

    December 17, 2015 at 5:22 pm

    My True Love Gave to me – a Holiday themed candle!!

    Reply
  17. Nikoel says

    December 17, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    Oh man do I want the Cabeswater candle. I would love Shadowhunter candles, too. That sounds awesome. Or maybe Grisha scents? I’m reading Six of Crows right now and having a scent for something in this book would be really cool. The idea of candles for books is just perfect in the first place.

    Reply
  18. Sarah J. says

    December 17, 2015 at 7:32 pm

    An amazing scent would be the smell of the Highlands. My obsession with Outlander is so strong and the thought of having candles that smell like my obsession makes me happy! I’ve seen her stuff on YouTube unboxing videos and I think that they seem like great candles. I’m definitely going to look into those as gifts.

    Reply
  19. Alys says

    December 17, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    Hey Jamie, the candles look great, unfortunately I don’t live in the US, but I may have to buy some from her shop myself!
    Are you going to do the end of year book survey this year?
    Best wishes,
    Alys

    Reply
  20. Randi says

    December 17, 2015 at 8:36 pm

    It’s not YA, but I would love to see a Little Women candle! I think it would smell like pine, limes, and maybe something a bit floral. Also not YA, but anything Song of Fire and Ice series! And maybe one for Winger by Andrew Smith, for Ryan Dean – maybe grass, lemons, and caramel? And I have no ideas on this one, but one for each of the His Fair Assassin series main characters! Ha! These are awesome, by the way!!!

    Reply
  21. Chelsea Smith says

    December 18, 2015 at 1:49 am

    Oh my I am fangirling over here to the “Levi’s Pumpkin Spice Breve” candle! Yes! I am so thankful that you have brought this series back, Jamie!!!

    Reply
  22. Amberley says

    December 18, 2015 at 8:42 am

    I want to try out the Levi candle or the Scorpio Races one 🙂

    Reply
  23. Emma says

    December 18, 2015 at 11:45 am

    Well, I’ve told her this on Twitter, but I’d love to see some summery scents inspired by Morgan Matson’s books and I’d love to see what she could do with Emery Lord’s books.

    Reply
  24. Mary N. Mougeot says

    December 18, 2015 at 11:48 am

    Very awesome prize, Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  25. Lindsay says

    December 18, 2015 at 12:46 pm

    I love this idea, Jamie! I get almost all of my gifts from Etsy and I love buying handmade. I meant to make an Etsy gift guide this year featuring some of the awesome things I’ve purchased over the years but it didn’t happen… hopefully I’ll get to it next year! 🙂 Anyway, I had a look at the Etsy shop and I would definitely go with Yule Ball!

    Reply
  26. Tiffany says

    December 18, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    What a great idea. Book lovers will need all of these. Any book could make a great idea for a scent. I’d love to see more HP represented. Maybe each house could have its own scent.

    Reply
  27. Michelle @ Pink Polka Dot Books says

    December 18, 2015 at 5:11 pm

    First let me just say Cabeswater smells AMAZING!! It makes me want to scry while simultaneously running with a herd of white-horned beasts. hahaha. I would love to see a 300 Fox Way scent!! Or Chainsaw (though what do dream birds smell like???)… Also- maybe what it smells like in the Belzhar (not my fav. book, but a lot of ppl liked it), Something from I’ll Give You the Sun (Jude’s Sand Women??), Something from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before or We Were Liars.

    Reply
  28. Emma says

    December 18, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    these are so cool!!!! i keep pictures a poem candle where when it burns away there’s a little haiku on a metal or parchment piece 😀

    Reply
  29. Emma says

    December 18, 2015 at 8:12 pm

    these are so cool!!!! i keep picturing a poem candle where when it burns away there’s a little haiku on a metal or parchment piece 😀

    Reply
  30. Tamara @ Tamaraniac says

    December 18, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    I LOVE the look of the Lunar Chronicles based candles! <3 I think it would be so cool if there were ones based on the TLC boys too! Or something based on Carry On by Rainbow Rowell would be AMAZING! (there is a lot of food and such in that books so I think there are so many options!)

    Reply
  31. Margaret says

    December 19, 2015 at 12:10 am

    Love a on the road scented candle!

    Reply
  32. Johanna Miller says

    December 19, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    Anna’s Favorite Cookies all the way!

    Reply
  33. Ellen says

    December 19, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    I’d want to have a Moomin one, but I don’t what flavour it would be… Any suggestions?

    Reply
  34. Rachel says

    December 19, 2015 at 8:30 pm

    I agree on HP! Maybe something reminiscent of old books/castles? Or maybe something to remind one of reading in front of a fire, all warm and comfy?

    Or perhaps a sunflower scent inspired by Looking for Alaska!

    Reply
  35. April says

    December 21, 2015 at 8:34 am

    I just got some candles from novelly yours this past week in the mail. They are great. I agree with a previous commenter on an apple scented one for Twilight. I’d have to do a reread to figure out ideas for the others to make a set like she did for the Lunar Chronicles.

    Reply
  36. Samantha says

    December 21, 2015 at 9:25 am

    Poe inspired scent! Don’t know what’d it be, but it’d be awesome whichever way it went. 🙂

    Reply
  37. Amy S. says

    December 21, 2015 at 8:47 pm

    I think I accidentally registered for the entries with my old Twiter handle (@acps927) instead of my new one (@acshawYA). If it’s automated I understand, but just I’d mention it just in case.

    I’m definitely interested in The Scorpio Races candle because I’m into sea/water scents, plus I enjoyed the book! I’m excited to see what else Brittany creates in the future!

    Reply
  38. Melissa L says

    December 22, 2015 at 1:35 am

    I would love to see something related to the Percy Jackson series. It’s my favorite! Also Throne of Glass and more Grisham candles please!!

    Reply
  39. Breenah says

    December 22, 2015 at 8:27 am

    I think Lord of the Rings could lend itself to a lot of good scents, especially ones that would make great candles. Earthy for the Shire, spicy for Mordor, sweet and light for Rivendell.

    Reply
  40. Julie @ Reading Life says

    December 22, 2015 at 6:57 pm

    If there was a candle scented like a library, that book smell. You know the one. I’d love that lol

    Reply
  41. ShootingStarsMag says

    December 23, 2015 at 1:05 am

    Oh, I love candles and book inspired ones are even BETTER. I love the ones you shared. Let’s see…if i could have any book inspired candle, I would love something for The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde and/or The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

    -Lauren

    Reply
  42. Brittany says

    December 23, 2015 at 7:54 pm

    A Shatter Me/Warner inspired candle would be fantastic! Also, candles for the books Tiger Lily, These Broken Stars, and the Violet Eden Chapters.

    Reply
  43. Allison R says

    December 26, 2015 at 9:58 pm

    I think a candle for The Wizard of Oz would be fun, not sure what the scent would be…maybe poppies?

    Reply
  44. Brittany Joy says

    December 29, 2015 at 11:48 am

    I have eyes on that Darkling candle!!!

    Reply
  45. Nicole @ Nicole's Novel Reads says

    December 29, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    These look fabulous! I am totally ordering some candles come the new year. I would love to see The Young Elites candles.

    Reply
  46. Beth W says

    December 29, 2015 at 6:28 pm

    Oh, I love her candles! I have about 8 of them favorited, to buy someday. 😀
    I’d love to see a bookish candle scent inspired by Uprooted, which was one of my favorite novels of 2015. It’d have to smell of magic and a dark, dangerous wood, and musty old books, I think. 😉

    Reply
  47. Jill the OWL says

    December 30, 2015 at 11:34 am

    Before I Fall!!!!!

    Reply
  48. Kristen H. (@bookgoil) says

    December 30, 2015 at 3:33 pm

    Would love to see a Bloody Jack scented candle, it should smell like the high seas! 🙂

    Reply

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Friends don’t let friends be without a good book. Let’s be friends?
Elder millennial. Cries a lot, always down a rabbit hole.
Blogger since 2010👇

A book recommendation for all my historical fictio A book recommendation for all my historical fiction readers - The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. My holy grail historical author came through for me again. I can’t express how much I cared for and was pulled into the lives of these women living in a boardinghouse in DC during the McCarthy era just as much as I was racing to find out what happened in this house. The tension mounted as we got to what actually happened?? Masterful. Truly. #historicalfiction #bookrec #bookrecommendation #historicalfictionbooks @williammorrowbooks
Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Day and hit up new faves @maveybooks and what used to be my second home when I lived closer @childrensbookworld which was so nice to be back home 🥹🥹

Book shopping is great but I can’t express how incredible building community is and indie bookshops do just that. I always wanted my own version of Cheers and, while not a bar where everybody knows my name, CBW was that place for me for almost a decade when I built community by going to YA book events there and moderating events. And while I am not able to get there as often as I was before I became a mom and we moved further away, It’s been so special to be able to share this beloved space with Riley.

These indie bookshops are so vital to our communities and I know everyone’s situation is different so this isn’t to shame but That Website can’t replace what can be created in these book spaces. Shop local when you are able! #indiebookshop #bookshop #bookshopping #independentbookstore
Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technic Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technically ATMOSPHERE but I feel like between my stories and my dedicated post to it, I’d rather talk about the book I read before it but didn’t update y’all on.

The Trouble With Anna — I enjoyed this delightful little historical romance about a heroine who is carving out her independence only to find out, when her grandfather dies, that he tied her inheritance/future to marrying her best friend’s brother — a not-so-happy surprise for both of them. I could understand why they both had some guardness/walls up and I enjoyed watching them slowly start to lower them.

Mayhem and the Mortal - I’m not too far into this romantic fantasy but it is one of my most anticipated that came out last month and I’m excited to dig in more.

Hamnet — I know, I know. For April I decided not to make a traditional TBR list of books I wanted to read but instead give myself some prompts to guide my reading (bc I’m overwhelmed with all my choices at hand) without feeling rigid. One of the prompts was to read a book I HAD TO BUY but is still unread. So going to finally get to it. Have you read this one or watched the movie?

What are you currently reading?
I had been waiting for the perfect time to read th I had been waiting for the perfect time to read this one after Random House sent me a finished copy as TJR is a longtime auto-buy author.  I found myself caught up in all the space joy and wonder and feeling quite parasocial about the Artemis crew...I decided now was the time.

I had no idea what I was getting into.

I hadn’t really known what it was about but I didn’t really need to given its TJR & the fact it was 1980s NASA & astronauts.

But this book was about love to me - romantic love, platonic love, familial love, love for something bigger than yourself, love for the person you are & are becoming, love in the face of obstacles, love for what lights you up.

Having been invested in real life astronauts & their journey lately really made this book even more vivid to me — seeing the bonds of the crew so deeply, feeling the fragility that exists while they are doing this wondrous & crazy thing that often still boggles my mind that we can do.

And, hardest to put into words, that feeling of awe in the expansive nature & capabilities of love & the universe that I felt when a husband named a crater after his late wife which doubly helped me understand how Joan & Vanessa felt looking back at earth.

It made me sob & feel everything about being a human so deeply basically from that Frances/Joan phone call at 86% of the way through until the final words. Like could not breathe.

*might be a tiny bit spoilery so beware:

I think the way she wrote this was so impactful bc we start out knowing something bad happens &it’s not even that far when we know that some of them def won’t make it back & some are alive in peril.

I was like “oof” when *it* happens early on. But each and every chapter where we learn more about these ppl & their relationships felt agonizing & I was retroactively grieving for them more deeply every turn of the page.

The hurt and grief just compounds from a moment that was sad from the jump to something that had dug in deep to me.

To know what happens right before this mission makes the mission control bits even more excruciating. Makes the peril a character is in hit even harder than just “oh that must be scary!”. 

I loved it. I needed it bad.
The theme of Q1 was “just go with it” — it being m The theme of Q1 was “just go with it” — it being my reading whims, quirks and troubles.

Interesting things:

1. January started out rough. I only read 1 physical book and leaned very heavy into audiobooks only. At first it was distressing that my brain -thanks to current events and their effect on my mind - couldn’t work out how to sit down and read with my eyeballs but I was like…let’s just roll with it and wait for it to pass. So I waited and enjoyed a ton of audiobooks.

2. I don’t think I’ve ever read so many thrillers and mysteries in a quarter. It’s a genre I love but I’m normally quite more balanced. However, it’s what I was craving and what my brain was tolerating so…I just went with it.

3. I have always been a reader led by my moods (both how I feel reading wise and personally). This quarter was FERAL. Like the most feral mood reading ever. I couldn’t even categorize it. I’d decide on one book enthusiastically and suddenly I was like…absolutely not that.

4. I read way less fantasy than normal which was WEIRD but I felt like I also wasn’t surprised given my brain space.

5. I really started to resent people even more who said “it’s a book account stop talking about politics etc”. Babe, I’m a human who gives a shit but ALSO this has and always been an account of MY reading life. And my reading life was profoundly affected by the things that were going on in this country. Like they have been before - whether it’s been current events or things like having a kid, being depressed, slumps, etc.

6. I return to the fact that, for me, I am happiest when I pay attention to my reading whims. The end of the month I had a very specific reading mood (wanted time travel element but not a heavy time travel book) and I decided to pick up A Rip Through Time at the end of the month and I’m now halfway through book 4. Having the best time ever!!! 

Anyways, tell me how your reading life was in Q1! Fave books? Biggest surprises??
New historical fiction books on my radar for April New historical fiction books on my radar for April and I feel like there is quite a bit of variety. Any of these on your TBR? #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfiction #newbookrelease #newbookreleases
Being someone who reads based on their ever shifti Being someone who reads based on their ever shifting reading moods (sometimes very feral) makes library holds and tbrs very hard. It’s the worst when 5 weeks ago I would have gobbled the library hold up but now when the hold comes in I’m like…I think not. #readersofinstagram #readerproblems #librarylife #librarybooks #moodreader
I love when I just absolutely nail it on the first I love when I just absolutely nail it on the first try when trying to satisfy a super specific reading mood - Kelley Armstrong’s A Rip Through Time definitely nailed what I wanted. Time travel but didn’t really want too time travely…just more of a vibe or catalyst for some fun. If you love a good mystery, some time travel shenanigans and a great cast of characters, I highly recommend this book. #bookrec #bookrecommendation #bookreview #mysterybooks #historicalmystery #kelleyarmstrong
🌸 Some romances on my personal radar for April. 🌸 🌸 Some romances on my personal radar for April. 🌸

Beyond excited for a new Kate Clayborn, Kasie west, rainbow Rowell, Jenn Bennett and Beth O’Leary - I’ve enjoyed these authors in the past.

My historical loving heart is most excited for The Duke and How To Fake It In Society.

I love an emotional romance so The Art of Loving You is high on my list plus I’ve heard great things about this author.

I’m intrigued by Fast Lane especially since it’s being adapted for a tv series. I’m seeing comparisons to Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series which I did love!

Which new romance books are piquing your interest or are on your TBR? #romancebooks #newbooks #romancebooktok #romancereader
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Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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A book recommendation for all my historical fictio A book recommendation for all my historical fiction readers - The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. My holy grail historical author came through for me again. I can’t express how much I cared for and was pulled into the lives of these women living in a boardinghouse in DC during the McCarthy era just as much as I was racing to find out what happened in this house. The tension mounted as we got to what actually happened?? Masterful. Truly. #historicalfiction #bookrec #bookrecommendation #historicalfictionbooks @williammorrowbooks
Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Day and hit up new faves @maveybooks and what used to be my second home when I lived closer @childrensbookworld which was so nice to be back home 🥹🥹

Book shopping is great but I can’t express how incredible building community is and indie bookshops do just that. I always wanted my own version of Cheers and, while not a bar where everybody knows my name, CBW was that place for me for almost a decade when I built community by going to YA book events there and moderating events. And while I am not able to get there as often as I was before I became a mom and we moved further away, It’s been so special to be able to share this beloved space with Riley.

These indie bookshops are so vital to our communities and I know everyone’s situation is different so this isn’t to shame but That Website can’t replace what can be created in these book spaces. Shop local when you are able! #indiebookshop #bookshop #bookshopping #independentbookstore
Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technic Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technically ATMOSPHERE but I feel like between my stories and my dedicated post to it, I’d rather talk about the book I read before it but didn’t update y’all on.

The Trouble With Anna — I enjoyed this delightful little historical romance about a heroine who is carving out her independence only to find out, when her grandfather dies, that he tied her inheritance/future to marrying her best friend’s brother — a not-so-happy surprise for both of them. I could understand why they both had some guardness/walls up and I enjoyed watching them slowly start to lower them.

Mayhem and the Mortal - I’m not too far into this romantic fantasy but it is one of my most anticipated that came out last month and I’m excited to dig in more.

Hamnet — I know, I know. For April I decided not to make a traditional TBR list of books I wanted to read but instead give myself some prompts to guide my reading (bc I’m overwhelmed with all my choices at hand) without feeling rigid. One of the prompts was to read a book I HAD TO BUY but is still unread. So going to finally get to it. Have you read this one or watched the movie?

What are you currently reading?
I had been waiting for the perfect time to read th I had been waiting for the perfect time to read this one after Random House sent me a finished copy as TJR is a longtime auto-buy author.  I found myself caught up in all the space joy and wonder and feeling quite parasocial about the Artemis crew...I decided now was the time.

I had no idea what I was getting into.

I hadn’t really known what it was about but I didn’t really need to given its TJR & the fact it was 1980s NASA & astronauts.

But this book was about love to me - romantic love, platonic love, familial love, love for something bigger than yourself, love for the person you are & are becoming, love in the face of obstacles, love for what lights you up.

Having been invested in real life astronauts & their journey lately really made this book even more vivid to me — seeing the bonds of the crew so deeply, feeling the fragility that exists while they are doing this wondrous & crazy thing that often still boggles my mind that we can do.

And, hardest to put into words, that feeling of awe in the expansive nature & capabilities of love & the universe that I felt when a husband named a crater after his late wife which doubly helped me understand how Joan & Vanessa felt looking back at earth.

It made me sob & feel everything about being a human so deeply basically from that Frances/Joan phone call at 86% of the way through until the final words. Like could not breathe.

*might be a tiny bit spoilery so beware:

I think the way she wrote this was so impactful bc we start out knowing something bad happens &it’s not even that far when we know that some of them def won’t make it back & some are alive in peril.

I was like “oof” when *it* happens early on. But each and every chapter where we learn more about these ppl & their relationships felt agonizing & I was retroactively grieving for them more deeply every turn of the page.

The hurt and grief just compounds from a moment that was sad from the jump to something that had dug in deep to me.

To know what happens right before this mission makes the mission control bits even more excruciating. Makes the peril a character is in hit even harder than just “oh that must be scary!”. 

I loved it. I needed it bad.
The theme of Q1 was “just go with it” — it being m The theme of Q1 was “just go with it” — it being my reading whims, quirks and troubles.

Interesting things:

1. January started out rough. I only read 1 physical book and leaned very heavy into audiobooks only. At first it was distressing that my brain -thanks to current events and their effect on my mind - couldn’t work out how to sit down and read with my eyeballs but I was like…let’s just roll with it and wait for it to pass. So I waited and enjoyed a ton of audiobooks.

2. I don’t think I’ve ever read so many thrillers and mysteries in a quarter. It’s a genre I love but I’m normally quite more balanced. However, it’s what I was craving and what my brain was tolerating so…I just went with it.

3. I have always been a reader led by my moods (both how I feel reading wise and personally). This quarter was FERAL. Like the most feral mood reading ever. I couldn’t even categorize it. I’d decide on one book enthusiastically and suddenly I was like…absolutely not that.

4. I read way less fantasy than normal which was WEIRD but I felt like I also wasn’t surprised given my brain space.

5. I really started to resent people even more who said “it’s a book account stop talking about politics etc”. Babe, I’m a human who gives a shit but ALSO this has and always been an account of MY reading life. And my reading life was profoundly affected by the things that were going on in this country. Like they have been before - whether it’s been current events or things like having a kid, being depressed, slumps, etc.

6. I return to the fact that, for me, I am happiest when I pay attention to my reading whims. The end of the month I had a very specific reading mood (wanted time travel element but not a heavy time travel book) and I decided to pick up A Rip Through Time at the end of the month and I’m now halfway through book 4. Having the best time ever!!! 

Anyways, tell me how your reading life was in Q1! Fave books? Biggest surprises??
New historical fiction books on my radar for April New historical fiction books on my radar for April and I feel like there is quite a bit of variety. Any of these on your TBR? #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfiction #newbookrelease #newbookreleases
Being someone who reads based on their ever shifti Being someone who reads based on their ever shifting reading moods (sometimes very feral) makes library holds and tbrs very hard. It’s the worst when 5 weeks ago I would have gobbled the library hold up but now when the hold comes in I’m like…I think not. #readersofinstagram #readerproblems #librarylife #librarybooks #moodreader

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