Happy Turkey Day!

For all of you in the states, I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving and stuff yourselves silly!

Bookish Gifts from Santa

I'm so excited about all the lovely books and bookish sundries that I received this Christmas that I just had to share!  First up, here's my gifted books:

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi...I've wanted to read this for such a long time!

SoulPancake: Chew on Life's Big Questions by Rainn Wilson, Devon Gundry, Golriz Lucina, and Shabnam Mogharabi...looks and sounds hilarious!

The October Country by Ray Bradbury...one of my most favorite authors!

I also received some fantastic bookish bits and baubles:

My lovely husband got me this lovely Poe t-shirt!

I also received an adorable mug and bookmark from my friend Charlotte!

 

Yay!  What a wonderfully bookish Christmas! 

Latest Review: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

Goodreads Summary:
“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

My Thoughts:
This was the Btown Booksters December choice and I loved it - adorable contemporary Christmastime romance!  Perfect book to read for the hols.

This story really reflects current young folk culture...jeebus that makes me sound like an oldie :)  This book has hipsters, nerds, over-eager friends and everything in-between. 

I connected more with Dash over Lily (odd because I'm probably more similar to Lily).  I loved Dash's snarky attitude.  I suppose I identify with his critical demeanor more than Lily's overly innocent mindset - although I totally agree with her Christmas-loving nature (still, Halloween is better)!  Overall, it's a fun romantical holiday read that's akin to watching one of those well worn feel-good Christmas movies ("Love Actually," "It's a Wonderful Life," etc.).  I highly recommend this to those looking for a holiday read...completely endearing!

4/5 stars

A Smattering of Christmas Books (and giveaway winner)!

Wow, thanks for the overwhelming response from blog readers (both by comments and email) and from my tumblr followers!  Now, the contest stated that you must leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway.  Sooo, that means all of you that emailed or tumbled your responses are ineligible (I think many of you were just trying to be helpful without regard for the prize - thanks for your kindness)!  Due to the huge response from people, the Bloomington Booksters had all sorts of great books to choose from and surprisingly, only one suggestion from the comments made the final cut!  While we didn't end up choosing this suggestion - it still made it to the final round so I'm deeming this the winner.  And the winner is:

Chris for being the first to suggest Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris!!

Thanks again to everyone for all of your great recommendations!  I thought it only fair to share with y’all a list of our favorite suggestions (the books that made the final round):

The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan** This was the winner!

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

 Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

The Box of Delights by John Masefield

The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

I'd love to read all of these - and more of the recommended books!

Help! Christmas books? (and giveaway)

Hello loyal readers!  Today's post is a bit out of the ordinary...the Btown Booksters gals need some help.  We were bummed we didn't think to read a Halloweenie book in October so we decided that for December's meeting we would read a Christmas-y novel.  The only problem?  Welp, we're having a bit of trouble thinking of any Christmas-y books.  The only one that comes to my mind is an Agatha Raisin mystery like:

Help!  Does anyone have any Christmas book suggestions for the Btown Booksters?!  I'll sweeten the deal by holding a bit of a contest.  If your book suggestion (feel free to make more than one) gets chosen by the Booksters then you get a $10 Amazon or Book Depository gift card!  I can't wait to see what you folks come up with - just leave your suggestions in the comments (w/your email addy)!  Ends at midnight this Tuesday 11/15.

Bookish Christmas Gift Ideas

I know, I know...Thanksgiving isn't even here yet!  Buuut, I'm one of those people that mulls over gift choices for awhile before making my purchases...I love figuring out what gifts to give friends and family!  Here's a little bookish list that I thought might be helpful for those having gift-anxiety :)

First, I'll start off with some of my favorite books in recent years...I think any of these would make fantastic gifts!

For the wannabe foodie or homemaker:

I absolutely love this book...definitely the most frequently used cookbook in my arsenal.  The recipes are quick, easy, and soooo yummy!

Another option is Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook

For the men on your list:

My husband finished this book in record time!  His quick synopsis: a dystopian techie page-turner that's very 80s reminiscent.

More of a non-fiction reader or science/history buff?  How about this:

Or this

For the teen/tween or YA lover:

If they love The Hunger Games trilogy - Peeta quote coffee mug

For the bookish friend:

Quotable Beverage Coasters - $12.95 for a dozen

Five Vintage John Steinbeck novels

Shakespeare Classic Scenes Calendar

Book iphone/ipod charging dock

'Little Prince' quote print

Translation: "One cannot see well but with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eyes."

Notable Novelists card game over at FredFlare