When I think of literary home office gifts, I think about a few things. There are big ticket items like fancy bookshelves or original art prints. I also think of smaller gifts, including pencils, pens, paper products, and bookends. There are literary home office gifts here for every price point, from big spenders to perfect little stocking stuffers. I’ve kept to broadly literary and bookish themes, so you won’t necessarily see fandom related gift ideas here....
Bookstores and Libraries For a book-lover visiting Nashville, Parnassus Books should be the first stop. Parnassus, owned by renowned author Ann Patchett, is Nashville’s most popular independent bookstore. The store itself is small but inviting, with a couple of shop dogs to welcome you. Don’t let its size fool you: Parnassus offers many programs for the community, including children’s storytime, book clubs, and author events. To learn more, check out Musing, Ann Patchett’s blog about reading, writing, and Parnassus Books....
In response, many events have shifted online. These are taking place on YouTube, Instagram, Zoom, and other platforms. Rachel Brittain came up with a great list of book events you can attend from home. Also, Christina M. Rau rounded up reading series gone virtual. Here, we focus on world literature and translation. Why Bother? Sometimes, after a long day of screens, it’s hard to imagine joining one more Zoom call....
Soon enough, my group chats were blowing up, my Twitter feed was full of lyrics and hot takes, and I had to ask Alexa to please play the new Beyoncé. Now, I cannot claim to be a member of the notorious Beyhive, but I always enjoy her music and definitely still listen to Lemonade from start to finish on occasion. She is a living legend and her talent is unquestionable....
The Bars At the end of my first full day in Barcelona, I sat down at Bar Marsella in a small wooden chair and ordered an absinthe from the bar. I placed the two sugar cubes on the small fork and gently dropped water onto them until they had melted, hazily, into my glass. Then I sipped, opening my book. I was in heaven. Bar Marsella was one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite haunts....
With shocking storylines and surprise endings, these engrossing mysteries will keep you on your toes every step of the way. Whether you’re looking for a classic private eye story or a recently released buzzy thriller, there are plenty of unique mysteries to choose from on this list that are unlike anything you’ve read before. So put on your best detective hat and get ready to flex your clue-deciphering skills. Your TBR list is about to be stacked with a bunch of compelling mystery novels that will delight you, shock you, and stay on your mind long after you finish the final page....
I love audiobooks, but I also have a short attention span and limited listening skills (sorry, I’m a Gemini). I often find my attention straying while listening to audiobooks and then have to rewind to figure out what I missed. Celebrity memoirs were my gateway into audiobooks because it’s easier for me to focus on a familiar voice, and they’re still the most likely to keep me listening. But I’ve also gained more interest in audiobooks from listening to celebrity narrators, and I’ve gotten into plenty of other audiobooks as well....
The Freckle Report is a survey and review of consumer reading habits that gets updated regularly, and for its April 2022 survey, it asked 667 adults in the United States the question “Where did you get that book?” The answers provide insight into the constantly shifting landscape of print, ebooks, and audiobooks usage in the U.S. The survey also makes it clear how instrumental libraries are in providing access to books....
Welcome to Finale, the final book in Stephanie Garber’s #1 New York Times bestselling Caraval series! It’s been two months since the Fates were freed from a deck of cards, two months since Legend claimed the throne for his own, and two months since Tella discovered the boy she fell in love with doesn’t really exist. Tella must decide if she’s going to trust Legend. After uncovering a secret, Scarlett will need to do the impossible....
Who is Octavia Butler? A native of Pasadena, California, Butler was an only child who was raised mostly by her mother and grandmother. Her father died when she was 7 years old. She spent much of her time as a child on jobs with her mother, who worked as a housekeeper, and reading books at the Pasadena Central Library. She attended Pasadena City College and the Clarion Workshop. After graduating from college, she would continue to work temp jobs while getting up at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning to write....
Look, I know I’m not the only one who had these expectations, and I know I’m not the only one who went through the bitter disappointment of reality. Instead of breastfeeding, I exclusively pumped. Instead of reading, I sobbed with anxiety, stared in awe of the miracle in my arms, or sat bleary-eyed and frantic, wondering when I might sleep again. Once I was able to get a little more sleep, I wondered, when would I read again?...
It may seem silly that I am thinking about joining another one (this time Powell’s IndieSpensable program) after quitting the last two, but there is something thrilling about getting a book in the mail and feeling like someone is making the decision for you about what to read next. Paring down the enormous burden/rush of choosing my next read feels like a bit of a treat. I did read that last sentence, and I know I sound crazy....
One of my friends recently became a Color Street consultant to supplement their income. Wanting to support her, I checked out her site and bought a few sets. I am now officially hooked on these. Color Street are strips of nail polish that you just apply directly to your nails. While that description makes them sound flimsy, these hold up well with day to day activities. My first full set I put on lasted me about a week and a half before it started to chip....
These excerpts from the six poems below will delight your summer senses before the sun goes down in a few months. There are romance scenarios set by the Hudson River and lots of beer on the fire escapes and city fireflies. Summer Night, Riverside by Sara Teasdale In the wild soft summer darkness The frail white stars moved slowly over the sky. And now, far off Soon the City by Liam Rector Soon the summer Now the pleasant purgatory Of spring is over, Soon the choking Humidity In the city On the fire escapes In a sleeveless T-shirt Smoking a cigar In tune with the tremor Of the mindless yellow Commercial traffic Moving in the city, Where no one really Buys a car, American Or otherwise, Where we will, As Rilke said we would Where we will Wake, read, write Long letters And in the avenues Wander restlessly To and fro On foot in The humidity, Where soon I’ll shower, dress, Take the dog out for a piss, And mail this....
Classic books and myths are full of princess stories. And these iconic tales are brought into modern times by being retold over and over and over again. (In Cinderella’s case, I might throw in another “over” just for good measure). What it meant to be a literary princess in 1905 might seem different from examples of contemporary princesses in books. But regardless of the time period, there are so many different qualities literary princesses can contain....
I read about her last year and, since September, I’ve been working on my library Masters. Our prof gave us a list of historical library figures to create presentations about, and I immediately thought of Belpré. She wasn’t listed, and I was disappointed. She was an iconic, innovative librarian who altered children’s librarianship for the better and was inspirational enough to have an American Library Association award named after her (honoring children’s books by Latino writers and illustrators)....
In this book, we see the origins story of a character who has become a ubiquitous symbol of grumpiness and resentment. And admit it, who hasn’t felt like the Grinch during the holiday season, with its endless emphasis of money and family, two areas that are stressful for many? The Grinch embodies everyone who has ever felt less than cheery about Christmas. And you know what? That’s totally fine. We need the Grinch to be a proxy for our own hangups, frustrations, and pain....
Everyone’s relationship to snow is different. Some people have an abundance of snow, and waking to a new layer of snow may be nothing new. Some people live for the few days a year when they wake up to a world made crisp and clean by a coating of snow. And some people in warmer places may never see snow cover their homes. But I think there are a few elements that make for the perfect snow day read, regardless of whether it’s your first or your 50th of the year....
Lady Betsy Wilde’s first season was triumphant by any measure, and a duke has proposed—but before marriage, she longs for one last adventure. No gentleman would agree to her scandalous plan—but Lord Jeremy Roden is no gentleman. He offers a wager. If she wins a billiards game, he’ll provide the breeches. If he wins…she is his, for one wild night. But what happens when Jeremy realizes that one night will never be enough?...
Created by Book Riot, this smartly designed reading log consists of entry pages to record stats, impressions, and reviews of each book you read. Evenly interspersed among these entry pages are 12 challenges inspired by Book Riot’s annual Read Harder initiative, which began in 2015 to encourage readers to pick up passed-over books, try out new genres, and choose titles from a wider range of voices and perspectives. Indulge your inner book nerd and read a book about books, get a new perspective on current events by reading a book written by an immigrant, find a hidden gem by reading a book published by an independent press, and so much more....
