My library love affair

As a book reader I have to admit that my favorite accessories aren't shoes, purses or jewelry. I go for bookmarks. I love every size, shape, and color and just can't resist those little scraps of whimsy holding my page. I have noticed something recently that has made me sad... with the rise of e-readers the bookmark has been harder to find (at least in my small town.)

As I was browsing through my local Target store I had a brainstorm. Now this might be something most of you have thought of already and for those of you that have I apologize for wasting your time and redirect your attention to this adorable cat. I do love library cats <3

Ok so back to the story. I was browsing through Target and came across the scrapbook section. I've never been one interested in scrapbooking. I'd rather spend my spare time reading or browsing the library but the designs, embellishments and papers always draw my attention.

Among the colorful goodies were some beautiful tags, they were longer then normal and more like bookmarks then gift tags and of course that's when it hit me. Scrapbook tags, with all the lovely papers and embellishments could make some amazing bookmarks! Add some ribbon and tada! So simple to put together and I'd never have to worry that my local stores just don't carry bookmarks any more.

So I got home and browsed the internet for some ideas. You could use papers and die cuts with a ribbon and get something like this:

Purchase pre-printed tags in any style you like

or pick out a simple colored tag and choose stamps to add the details.

There are so many possibilities and with the rise of scrapbooking my local stores always have supplies. I think I might have discovered a new hobby.

I came across this one while browsing through the local library. I went into this book not knowing anything about it, I have a habit of looking up reviews online before buying a new book but the library is a free for all lol I go into it and grab the first thing to catch my eye.

The vintage black and white photo on the cover definitely caught my attention and the synopsis sounded too interesting to pass up.

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A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience.

As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here - one of whom was his own grandfather - were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason.

And somehow - impossible though it seems - they may still be alive

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I sat down this afternoon just intending to read a chapter or two to see if it would catch my interest. The next thing I know it's a couple of hours later and I'm finishing this first book and already looking it up online to see if there's a sequel. I'll be waiting for Hollow City to be released in January.

The story was interesting, it grabbed my attention from the beginning and carried me along. I wanted to discover the secrets of this mysterious home right along side Jacob. The writing reminded me a bit of Lemony Snickets in the fact that life can be messy sometimes. It's not all roses and happy endings. 

The one thing that I enjoyed the most were the images interspersed throughout the book. It brought me into the world and gave the whole book a creepy feel to it. This one was a break from the ordinary and left me feeling like a sad bunny because I have to wait for book two.

My glasses arrived today! Once I have a chance to adjust to them I can get back to reading again. I can't adequately describe how happy this makes me but it looks a bit like this:

“I wanted change and excitement and to shoot off in all directions myself, like the colored arrows from a Fourth of July rocket.”
― Sylvia Plath

I felt a bit like a drug addict going through withdrawal for awhile there (ok, I am exaggerating a bit here of course but it's evil having a nice pile of books staring at you and not being able to read a page!) Every time I tried to read with my old pair I ended up with horrible headaches so I had to set my lovely books aside for awhile.

My glasses took longer to arrive due to a mix up on my part. I used my contact prescription instead of the one for my glasses but I have to say that the company was absolutely wonderful about it. I'm now the proud owner of some uber geeky specs that I love and my book pile has grown while I've been waiting so now if you'll excuse me...

Discovered in this adorable Etsy store - Quotes & Notes

Things have been quiet on the book front this week. I had my eye exam and am in desperate need of new glasses. So new lenses ordered and here I sit, twiddling my thumbs impatiently waiting for them to arrive. I will be so glad when they get here and I can avoid the afternoon eyestrain headaches I've been getting (and I have a pile of books just begging to be read!)

As a side note, frames can be ridiculously expensive!! I mean if I'm going to spend a fortune I'd rather it be on books or new bookshelves. My eye doctor did recommend a place for me to check out in the future - eyebuydirect - frames from the manufacturers so no middle man markup. Going to have to give them a try and do a review.

Girl in Glasses 2 by StefanRess

“Tell me what it's like. The race."

"What it's like is a battle. A mess of horses and men and blood. The fastest and strongest of what is left from two weeks of preparation on the sand. It's the surf in your face, the deadly magic of November on your skin, the Scorpio drums in the place of your heartbeat. It's speed, if you're lucky. It's life and it's death or it's both, and there's nothing like it.”

― Maggie Stiefvater, The Scorpio Races

I really tried to get into this book. I did! Honest! I've fallen in love with Miranda's quirky style over the years of watching Not Going Out, Call the Midwife and her self titled show, Miranda. She makes me feel like it's normal to have those awkward moments in life. Makes me feel that it's ok to have fun everyday. Life's too short to be serious all the time.

I highly recommend watching her show Miranda before attempting to read this. She writes it like she is in the show, so you can imagine her saying it all in her own unique way. But I have to say that I had a hard time getting through the first few chapters.

Because I love her I'm going to have to create a new shelf here in my virtual library. I think I'll call it "Second Chances" and it will be home to books that just didn't grab my full attention. Books that I want to try and read again later on down the road. I think I'll try to get this one in audiobook format and see if that does the trick.

I feel a bit bad about not making it through this book. I think I have a bit of book OCD. When I start one no matter how bad it is I just HAVE to finish it. But I have learned something from Miranda, life is too short to trudge through unhappily. Sometimes you just have to put the book down and gallop on to another.

I'll leave you dear reader with some clips from the show.

and I always find myself saying "I'll just read one or two more chapters" and end up at four in the morning with a finished book.

I have to admit that I've fallen totally and completely in love with booklikes. I'm such a visual person and along with reading books I love book art, crafts and colorful book quotes. Here I can combine them all with a well organized bookshelf. Bravo booklikes! You've found a winning combination and I'm so excited to see what the future holds.

A few things I'd love to see added in the future.

1. An app. I read on my ipad a lot and usually have it glued to my side where ever I go. (Ok not really glued, more like stuck in my purse but you know what I mean.) I'd love an app to quickly update my reading and blog.

2. I would love to be able to comment, like and reblog from a person's main blog page instead of having to go into each individual post. Is there a way to do this currently that I'm just missing, if so someone please fill me in. I'm still trying to find my way around and may have just missed something. If not maybe add comment, like and reblog links down at the bottom of each post where the fb likes, tweet and pin area is.

3. And finally when you click on a book that you want to add to your bookshelf there is the "edit shelves" button at the bottom that brings up your other book shelves so we can better organize our books. I'd love to be able to add a shelf from this area. It would help for those book types that we don't currently have a shelf for. As it is now I have to go back to my bookshelf page and add in a shelf and then go back to the book and add it so I can keep them organized. Or I can add the book, create the new shelf and then move it. It would just help to streamline the process. 

Hopefully those three ideas made sense lol if not let me grab a cup of coffee and I'll try to explain them a bit better.

All in all I have to say a big thank you for giving this lost book lover a home.

I enjoyed the start of this series more then I was expecting. Usually I'm skeptical about retellings of classic fairy tales but I really loved this twist on the classic. Set in a future with hover cars and cyborgs we meet Cinder.

I found the first book to move at a steady pace. It kept my interest from the first few chapters all the way through to the end, and when I finished I wanted to go out and find the second book to continue the series.

I moved straight on to book two - Scarlet and we meet new characters and continue on with the story that Cinder started. I recommend reading them in order as the story continues throughout the series. I did find the plot to be a bit predictable in places but still enjoyed the ride.

I would recommend this YA book to any looking for a quick, enjoyable read. The language is clean and the content clean as well. The book carries you through young crushes, the trial of life with an evil stepmother & sister, plague, the heartache of death and other similar themes.

I'm looking forward to reading book three in the series, Cress, set to be released February 4th, 2014

Fanart - Scarlet & Cinder by Rat Girl Studios

 Scarlet Benoit by *rivertem

Where would you go if you could escape for the day? I've been pondering this question today, well if I'm honest for the last week. You see it's summer and school's out so we have a houseful of wild children enjoying the freedom. As much as I love the smiles and laughter I sometimes wish I could escape to a quiet place and enjoy the afternoon. Here are some of the daydreams stuck in my head today.

I would love to escape to a quiet corner full of books. A warm cup of tea beside me and all my favorites surrounding me.

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If I had a bit more time I'd love to swing the day away in a hammock with my ipad full of my favorite books. I'd enjoy the shade and the birds singing to me as I read. Add in a pitcher of cold iced tea and I'm so there.

A girl reading in a hammock, Robert-Archibald Graafland. Dutch (1875 - 1940)

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And finally I'd go back to the ocean. It's my home away from home. I love to sit and listen to the waves, hear the seagulls cries and feel the sea breeze.

Summer Reading by Jennifer Young

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Oh and of course all furry friends would be invited :)

"Cat Naps #1" by Linda Apple

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Even though I can't escape to a hammock or the beach today I think I'll head to the patio and finish up Scarlet while the kids play. Have a wonderful weekend!

Heart.book.love wallpaper

As we all know we have a passion for books (or we wouldn't be here right?) but what do we do when our favorite old books fall apart? I hate to part with these old titles that have become more like old friends then just belongings. I've been looking over the web for ways to recycle these loves into art that can stay with me and spread a little cheer to others that visit my humble home. Here are a few of my favorite ideas.

For the love of books shared a wonderful idea to turn old book spines into bookmarks. It's such a clever idea!

Google image search turned up this interesting birdhouse made from old books. Wish I could find a tutorial for it but it does look pretty straight forward to make. Another idea would be to buy a wooden birdhouse and use something like mod podge to cover it in your favorite pages.

To go with this cute house I'd love to make a little paper mache bird to sit on the perch. Something like this little guy made out of my favorite pages. That Artist Woman has a wonderful tutorial on her site.

I also have to admit that I love the idea of turning old books into works of art. That's what they are to me. Beautiful words that have gifted me with wonderful highs and lows and to see them turned into art that can transfer that emotion in a few seconds is a beautiful thing <3 I can imagine a father that always read to his daughter and these are their favorite books. Head over here to view more of this artist's creations.

For the chic literary fashionista here's a tutorial to guide you through making your own book purse. I'll be the first to admit I'd love a whole collection of these.

And finally I found an etsy store selling book bins. They've taken simple wooden bins and added old book spines to the front. It would be such a simple project to DIY. I think we'll have to make some for our school bookshelves to hold our markers and math blocks. They would look great from the front and would give our shelves a clean, organized look. The kids can help pick out their favorite spines from their old books to recycle.

don't let the Vashta Nerada bite.

If I could give them one more gift it would be...

plenty of bookshelves to hold their future adventures :)

I recently read this to my three kids, ages 7, 9 and 11 and it was enjoyed by all! It can be so hard to find a book that can span those multiple age ranges. For us it has to be light enough that the younger ones enjoy it and can understand it but with enough spunk and funny characters that the older kids can relate.

Pros:

There were some moments where the kids laughed out loud and they were giggling off and on throughout. Two of them are reluctant readers so this silly book got them interested in the series. Along with that they loved the illustrations.

Possible cons:

It's not a serious book and you won't find kids learning as they read. Go into it expecting a light read from a child's point of view.

There are words that some parents or teachers might not be comfortable with, for example dumb, stupid and idiot are used in the book. This didn't bother me or my children because they know when that language is appropriate to use and as it was written from a child's point of view it felt natural for them to say it. What child hasn't gotten upset and called something stupid at one time or another.

All in all I can definitely say we will be reading more from the series. Our two reluctant readers have already asked if they can check them out from the library on our next trip so I'd say it's a winner.

Teachers and parents interested in getting more involved in the series head over to the author's website for activities and a downloadable teachers guide.

My Weird School Series by Dan Gutman - Study Guide.

Also check out My Weird Classroom Club for more fun with the series.