Oh my, everyone’s talking about how this one finally started to turn the corner at 30% and all I’m thinking is: is this a middle grade book? Perhaps the narration is not doing a lot of favours, but someone nailed it previously with the word “simple”. I’m not convinced you can get cozy without depth and so far we are lacking. Perhaps it’s Kiela’s deep anxiety keeping us at the surface. There’s some beginnings of great ideas here, Caz is a stand out character but I need this to start picking up the pace 🥱

Does anyone else plan ahead and buy their bookish friends books for either upcoming holidays, like Christmas or Hanukkah? Or their birthdays?

Crickets Crickets Crickets

Just me? 🥺

I don't know. I just think it's always fun to kind of plan ahead and find books you think or know they might be interested in. For instance, one of my friends who is also on this app and I will not be mentioning, Love's anime manga but I'm also trying to get her into culinary cozies so anything to do with baking or cats or cheese I'm thinking she would like. Another friend, she's kind of into horror, but she also likes muddy monster romance so trying to balance that is a bit of a juggling act. So how does everyone else plan or not plan their bookish gifting for their friends and family? Do you go all out or do you just make it up as you go along? And then there's the actual wrapping and getting the present ready, which is always so much fun. Anyway, would love to hear all your thoughts and feelings and such on the subject.

I love to find local bookstores and libraries (and a brewery and a coffee shop), especially when I'm traveling. I'd love to hear of small book stores that are doing the Lord's work out there, providing a community of readers a space to explore and find their next story!

I'd like to shout out two: The Purple Couch in North Andover, Massachusetts - literally can spend hours here and love their community projects. Treat Yo' Shelf Books in Mountain Home, Arkansas - drove by while I was visiting my mom out there and went in on a whim. The owners were a lovely couple and it's just the type of place that community needs.

Edit: I also thought of another one that really deserves some love. Felixology in Maynard, Massachusetts. It was opened by a woman, Libby, in honor of her son, Felix, who passed away at 29 years old from mesothelioma. The first time I visited, I spoke with her for a half hour about Felix and it was truly moving. He was an artist, and the store is gorgeously painted and decorated by his family and friends. Going in that store is like getting to meet him personally.

How do you all manage to do it? I used to be super active on my own readers advisory/materials evaluation blog for books but I can't seem to find the time or energy right now to do it. I work full-time, and trying to break into librarianship, and usually come home only to want to rot. Rotting is great. But not sustainable really. I had originally planned on condensing everything into the seasons, including January through February for my reads but despite this I haven't actually managed to evaluate or post anything. It used to be so much fun, despite not really gaining any subscribers or interest. How do you manage it? And what do you do when the joy of book blogging has lost its spark? How do you regain it? Any words or encouragement or advice would be much appreciated. Thank you!