Category: Holidays

#YuletideSpirit Reading Challenge & Readathon!

Published on by RachelleLeave a comment

On the event announcement post (click on the image above) over at Seasons of Reading, there is a list of the three ways to participate in the Yuletide Spirit Reading Challenge:

  • Challenge – Pick a level
  • Readathon – read as much (or as little) as you want
  • Participate in both!

Reading Challenge Levels:

  • Candy Cane: read 1 book
  • Mistletoe: read 2-4 books
  • Christmas Tree: read 5 or more books

I’m going to try for the “Mistletoe” level, as I’m not sure I’ll be able to finish 5 books. It’s always a busy time of year visiting and spending time with family. However, I do have a decent-sized list of books I want to read in December that are all Christmas-related.

A few of those books will qualify for the Bingo card that I’ll also be trying to complete:

Will you be participating in the Yuletide Spirit reading challenge? Let me know in the comments and be sure to sign up over at Seasons of Reading!

#ThanksgivingReadathon Wrap-Up!

Published on by Rachelle

Sunday was the final day of the #ThanksgivingReadathon hosted by Jackie B @ Death by Tsundoku!

My TBR:

  • Adventures in Opting Out by Cait Flanders
  • Friluftsliv by Oliver Luke Delorie
  • One other book from my “Hygge” list.

The only book I didn’t finish was Adventures in Opting Out.  Instead, I got distracted by other books on my Hygge list. I didn’t think I would read as much as I did! I’m pleased with the 603 pages and 4 books I finished, and this readathon was just what I needed.

  • Adventures in Opting Out by Cait Flanders
  • The Mermaid and the Bear by Ailish Sinclair
  • The Loch Ness Papers by Paige Shelton

Currently Reading:

Finished:

  • Friluftsliv by Oliver Luke Delorie
  • A Fatal Chapter by Lorna Barrett
  • I Work at a Public Library by Gina Sheridan
  • Making Winter by Emma Mitchell

#ThanksgivingReadathon 2019

Published on by Rachelle

Tomorrow begins the #ThanksgivingReadathon hosted by Jackie B @ Death by Tsundoku!
The idea is to read as many books as you can between the 25th of November and the 1st of December.  There will also be a Bookstagram challenge and a giveaway so check out the readathon announcement page above to find out all of the details.  While a TBR isn’t required, I created a short one anyway.

My TBR:

  • The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson
  • Time Was Soft There by Jeremy Mercer
  • The Bookshop Book by Jen Campbell
  • One other book from my “Hygge” list.

Are you participating in the #ThanksgivingReadathon?  If not, do you have another readathon or other reading plans for the holiday?  Share in the comments!

Bookish Gift Guide 2016

Published on by Rachelle

Image: Stephanie Kilgast
Image: Stephanie Kilgast

It’s that time again!  The Christmas tree is up, the holiday decor has been strategically placed around my office, and the questions of what to get me this Christmas are being asked by my loved ones.  So, in the spirit of last year’s Holiday gift guide for book lovers, I’ve put together another wishlist, broken up by price point as best I could.
I am not in any way affiliated with any of the companies linked to or mentioned here, and I’m not receiving any form of compensation for clicks, sales, or this post.
Gifts $25 and Under

Gifts Under $50

And of course, my list wouldn’t be complete without including an online store that has just about everything a book lover could want: Gone Reading.

Thursday’s Things: The Holidays Edition

Published on by Rachelle1 Comment

Home Alone Gif

‘Tis the Season to be jolly, so here’s a list of Holiday bookish things to help make that happen!

  • Gone Reading Shop – Didn’t find anything in my 2015 Holiday Gift Guide that would make the perfect gift for your favorite reader?  Check out this shop dedicated to reading and book-related products.
  • 36 Best Audiobooks for Your Road Trip and Beyond – Traveling to visit family and friends and need an audiobook?  Check out this list from Book Riot.  I recommend Bird Box by Josh Malerman, and while I haven’t read Landline, Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor and Park and Fangirl are excellent options.
  • Book and Dessert Pairing Guide – These book and dessert pairings would make great and inexpensive gifts.  Instead of just buying a book, make or purchase a snack to go with it.  You could even add tea, coffee, or hot cocoa mix to go with it all, and if you’re really “crafty,” place everything in a basket, wrap it all up, and top it off with a bow.
  • 60 Bookish Films Streaming on Netflix – Are you tired of watching Christmas specials, but sticking your nose in a book would be rude while you’re with family?  Give one of these bookish movies a try (be warned: not all of them are all-ages friendly).
  • 12 Books That Will Lift You Up When You Are Down – Many of us get the Holiday Blues or suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).  While reading isn’t a cure-all, I’ve found it does help to lessen a case of the blahs.  Reading also helps reduce stress, another common problem during this time of year.
  • Project Night Night – Unfortunately, there are a lot of kids out there who are homeless.  This is a great bookish alternative to Toys for Tots.  Consider donating $25 towards a Night Night Package (which contains a security blanket, a children’s book, and a stuffed animal inside a canvas tote bag) or build your own and mail it to one of the donation centers they list.
  • 5 Bookish Charities Santa Claus Approves – If you’re looking for even more bookish charities to support this Holiday season, check out Litha’s list over at Victorian Soul Critiques.
  • Free snowflake patterns inspired by Game of Thrones – Here’s some DIY snowflake decorations.
  • 10 Classic Christmas Carols and the Stories Behind Them
  • Holiday Tradition and a Book – I was a guest blogger over at Michelle’s blog Because Reading is Better than Real Life, and I wrote about A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  Check it out along with the other guest posts throughout December.

The 2015 Book Lovers Holiday Gift Guide

Published on by Rachelle3 Comments

Image: Stephanie Kilgast
Image: Stephanie Kilgast

Several people who love me are having difficulty figuring out what to get me for Christmas.  So, I decided to do another Holiday gift guide for book lovers.  Like last year, it’s my wishlist.  Unlike last year, I have included more comic book stuff and broken up the list by price point as best I can.

I am not in any way affiliated with any of the companies linked to or mentioned here, and I’m not receiving any form of compensation for clicks, sales, or this post.

Gifts $20 and Under

Gifts Under $50

Gifts Under $100

 

Tuesday’s Tunes and Things #4: Christmas

Published on by Rachelle

I’ve been watching all my favorite holiday movies, and reading a couple of my favorite holiday books, while eating popcorn, drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows, and wearing my Hobbit Cardigan, favorite pajamas, and fuzzy socks.  The playlist below is the much shorter version of the Christmas music I love to have on in the background until I get sick of it and take it off my mp3 player until next year.

Christmas Playlist

Thursday’s Quotables #11: Harry Potter

Published on by Rachelle

Harry Potter Christmas

This is the last Quotables of the year!  If you love Fantasy, you probably love Harry Potter.  It’s not a guarantee (I’m looking at you, Boyfriend.), but chances are you do.  I feel like the books are Winter books, so I decided to dedicate this Quotables to the Boy Who Lived and his friends.

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.” – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

These two quotes, when put together (if you know the context, of course), show that following the rules isn’t always the right thing to do.  That’s one of the many things I love about the Harry Potter books; the events and what Harry and friends do in response shows that it’s more important to think for yourself and do what your heart knows is right, rather than following along with what everyone else is doing.

“When in doubt, go to the library.” – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

In an age when it’s so easy to find all the wrong information on the internet, this is becoming more and more true.

“One can never have enough socks,” said Dumbledore. “Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn’t get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.” – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

This quote is the truth, especially when it comes to fuzzy socks.  I don’t mind getting books, though.

There are way too many quotes to put them all here, so I’m sure I’ll return to them in a later post.  What are some of your favorite Harry Potter quotes?  Whether from the book or the movie, tell me in a comment 🙂

The_Wand

Tuesday’s Tunes and Things #3: Winter

Published on by Rachelle

It’s getting closer to Christmas, but I’m not quite in the mood for Christmas music yet.  So, I’ve included my “Winter” playlist in this Tuesday’s Tunes and Things instead.  Also, since many of you might still be looking for that perfect gift or stocking stuffer (or you want to treat yourself to a little something), I’ve included a second bookish holiday gift guide (otherwise known as my wishlist part 2).

Winter Playlist

The 2014 Book Lover’s Holiday Gift Guide*

Published on by Rachelle

Image: Stephanie Kilgast
Image: Stephanie Kilgast

*Otherwise known as my Christmas Wish List

I am not in any way affiliated with any of the companies linked to or mentioned in this post, and I’m not receiving any form of compensation for clicks, sales of these products, or this post.

The Holiday’s are rapidly approaching, and most people have at least one person they want to get a gift for, even if it’s themselves.  I usually make my gift purchases online and well in advance, but I know a lot of people don’t, or they’re not sure what to get.  Here’s a list of unique items for the avid reader in your life because getting him or her another book store gift card says “I waited until the last minute” or “I didn’t care enough to put any thought into it.”  Either of which is BAD BAD BAD and should earn you a stocking full of coal in return.