Bookish Gift Guide // Holiday 2021

- Bunny 1 Comment

Hi Friends,
Sometimes it’s hard to decide on the perfect gift for someone. So to help you out, I put together a bookish holiday gift guide for the reader in your life. These are just some gift ideas that I think any book lover would be delighted to receive.

Audiobook Credit
I am a big advocate for audiobooks, so I think a credit to an audiobook service would be a great gift idea. I know that some readers aren’t a fan of audiobooks, but your gift might give them the chance to try them without any commitment. You can gift an Audible (Amazon’s audiobook subscription services) membership to someone, or use one of your credits to gift a certain audiobook. If you are looking for another option, Rakuten Kobo is an audiobook/eBook subscription service that offers eGift cards.

Bookish DVDs
Maybe you have a reader in your life who has more than enough books. Wait, is that even possible? Anyhow, try switching things up by gifting them a book related movie. A few of my favorites are ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’, which tells the story of how Charles Dickens came up with his most famous novel, ‘A Christmas Carol.’ Another classic that has been adapted many times is ‘Little Women’. There are many film versions that would make great presents, but I particularly enjoyed the 2019 film. There are a ton more book-to-movies adaptations that you can give that I am sure any book addict would love to receive.

Blind Date With A Book
These have become all the rage lately, and I’m all for it. Honestly, I think that this is a fun gift, even for an occasional reader in your life. It is an awesome surprise gift since you don’t know what you’re going to get. There are many shops that sell these bundles, and you can pick your preferred genre. The prices range is quite varied. However, I’ve noticed that the more expensive ones include additional items along with the book.

 

Bookmarks & Book Sleeves
I think these two are often forgotten, but useful to many of us readers. For years, every Christmas I’d get a fancy bookmark from a department store. Nowadays, you can get some amazing bookmarks and book sleeves from places like Etsy and Amazon. I know that Amazon is the every shopper friendly and typically my go to shopping place. But it is always good to shop at small businesses especially during the Holidays.

Cheesy Books
I didn’t know exactly how to phrase this idea, but I think it might be silly to gift. I have read some really interesting books in my life, and some of them were surprisingly entertaining. First, I would recommend the ‘L.A. Candy’ series by Lauren Conrad, which is loosely based on her life on reality TV. These books are very cheesy and full of drama. However, I am unsure if you can still find them online, yet there’s a pretty good chance that you can get them secondhand.

Another good choice would be the ‘Beneath the Glitter’ duology by YouTuber’s Elle and Blair Fowler. These books, are ironically enough based on their lives, which seems to be the theme of non-typical writers books. Like they say, write what you know. The books follow sisters, Sophia and Ava London, who become internet sensations thanks to their popular YouTube beauty channels. The books are filled with parties, drama and scandal, which makes for an insane time.

And that’s a few bookish gift ideas! Hopefully, this post helps you out with your gift giving this year. Feel free to like and share this post. And, before you click away follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Music Meets Books // Holiday Edition

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Hi Friends,
I am a big fan of recommendations posts and videos. In the past, I have done a few but I thought that this one was pretty creative. I have seen people do similar recommendations, but on this list I have some songs and books that people never seem to recommend.


This book comes to mind everytime I hear this original winter song. Honestly, I don’t think that this holiday contemporary gets enough love. But I must admit that it has been a few years since I picked this book up and cannot remember many details about it. I do know that this is a YA romance set on a Christmas tree farm. The book is less about the holidays but redemption, love and past mistakes.


This song is about asking Santa to bring you Christmas love. This book happens to be about a girl wanting one thing for Christmas, her crush. Holiday romances can be a hit or miss, but I swooned over this enemies-to-lovers story. It is about seeing past your negative opinions of someone, because they might just be the someone for you. This book has romance, the holidays and Secret Santa. So you know it is going to be a messy and cute story.


This song can be a bit hard to understand, but the lyrics remind me a lot of Dash and Lily. In the song, it is about how everything changed after meeting your person. And, without them Christmas just isn’t the same. In the book, two teenagers meet at the perfect time during the holidays. Both their Christmases aren’t going so well, but what they come to realize is that all they needed for Christmas was each other. This book was a whirled wind romance that I finished in one day. I think all contemporary readers should go on this holiday journey with Dash and Lily.

Do you agree with my book-to-holiday song recommendations? Do you have any recommendations of your own? Leave them in the comments below, so I and others can get more book recommendations.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Bookish Holiday Tag

- Bunny 8 Comments

Hi Friends,
Christmas will be here in just a few weeks, and I thought a holiday tag would be a great way to celebrate the holiday season! This one has some fun, bookish questions, so I knew it would be the perfect tag to do.

• What is your favorite book to gift during the holidays?
Is there any other answer than ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens? I know you are probably sick of hearing me talk about how much I love this book. So all I’ll say is that it is a classic holiday story, that you cannot go wrong with giving.

• What is the best book you have ever received as a gift?
Last year, I received a steam punk edition of ‘A Christmas Carol’, and the year before I got ‘A Christmas Carol: Book-to-Table Edition.’ However, I think the most meaningful book I have been gifted is ‘A Muppet’s Christmas Carol‘. The book is based off the movie by the same name. The film is very special to my family, so I was happy, shocked and blessed to receive the book adaptation.

• What book do you hope to get this year?
Honestly, I don’t really have a Christmas list. I am grateful to have people that love me enough to give me a gift, but I never really ask for anything. Still, if I am asked what I want I always say books. Also, I would like a brush hairdryer, which might seems a little random.

• What is your favorite holiday movie?
Don’t yell at me, but I have to mention it again. My all time favorite Christmas movie is ‘A Muppet’s Christmas Carol’. However, I will tell you the other two holiday movies that I adore. The first is the Grinch – mainly the 1966 ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ cartoon. Yet, I also really enjoyed the 2018, The Grinch, animated version as well. Secondly, I am a huge fan of the ‘Princess Switch’ movies on Netflix. I like them all, but my favorite will probably always be the first one.

• What holiday song is always on repeat?
Can anyone just pick one holiday song? If I have to choose, then I’m going with my girl Taylor Swift. She released a small holiday album years ago. It was a Target exclusive album that I don’t think many people remember. On the album, she has a track called ‘Christmas Must Be Something More,’ which has such a powerful message. The song reminds us that Christmas isn’t about presents, decorations, or snow. It’s about so much more. As the Grinch said, “Maybe Christmas (he thought) doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.”

• What is your favorite holiday food to either make or eat?
It would be a tie between corn pudding and potatoes of any kind. We only have corn pudding on Thanksgiving and Christmas, so it is a rare treat. As for potatoes, I simply love them! I am fan of all potato dishes, from mashed to scalloped. Also, I do usually make the potatoes every year, so I maybe biased.

If you want to do this tag too, then go right ahead! Let me know in the comments if you do, so I can go check out your posts. If you don’t want to miss out on any posts, then give me a follow!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

To Be Read // December 2021

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
This is going to be my last tbr of 2021! I cannot believe that the year is finally coming to a close, and I am excited to see what 2022 has in store. However, we still have to get through December. I don’t have massive reading plans since December is a pretty crazy month. I love reading, but when December hits I am all about Bookmas, Vlogmas, Holiday movies and Christmas hauls. So reading might be a low priority this month. Still, I do have a few books that I would like to read before the end of the year.

“Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Serpent & Dove, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.”
I have heard nothing but good things about this duology. I need to read, at least, the first book before 2022.

“What’s better than one deliciously cozy, swoon-worthy holiday story? Four of them, from some of today’s bestselling authors.”
I have been reading this all year, so it is about time I finish it. Truthfully, I am kind of embarrassed it has taken me this long to read.

“Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich’s “If This Gets Out is an absolute showstopper! Equal parts edgy and adorable, this bright, joyful book has everything I look for in a queer YA romance.” —Phil Stamper, bestselling author of The Gravity of Us
I want to read a fluffy contemporary! This book sounds so cute, and I hope it will give me all the YA romance feels that I live for.

“Over the course of one chaotic night stranded at the Denver airport, Ryn confronts her shattered past thanks to the charm of romance, the uniqueness of strangers, and the magic of ordinary places in this stunning novel from the author of Boys of Summer.”
This is going to be a reread for me, but I cannot remember a lot of the story. I have been wanting to give myself a refresher read of it for a while now, so I hope that I can get to it.

There you have it, all the books that are on my December tbr. Tell me what you will be reading in the comments. Don’t forget to follow the blog to get notified when a new post goes up.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Thanksgiving Day 2021 // A Day In Pictures

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Day. I thought it might be nice to share with you my Thanksgiving in pictures.

Corn Bread Stuffing
Shells and Cheese
Turkey Ham
Deviled Eggs
Turkey
Bunny & Moose (Me and My Husband)

What was your Thanksgiving dinner? Did you have a Friendsgiving? Were you excited to have a semi post-Covid Thanksgiving? Let me know in the comments below.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Remember To Be Thankful // Thankful Thursday

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Hi Friends,
It took me a while to figure out what my last ‘Thankful Thursday’ post should be. But, I saw this photo on Twitter, and it sparked an idea. I want to talk about things that make me thankful and bring me joy. So many times in our lives, we take for granted the small things. We forget to tell the ones we love how much they mean to us. We forget to thank ‘God’ or who/whatever it is you believe, for all we have been given. And, we probably don’t say please and thank you as much as we should. It is natural to neglect these simple things, especially when all is going well in our lives. But we should remember how blessed we are, all year long. I wanted to share below some things that remind me to be thankful.


This song reminds me that even when things are rough, it will all be okay. Sometimes we might feel like we are carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders, but in the end everything will turn out alright.


There’s no question as to how much I love books. I am so incredibly grateful and lucky for reading. I know that some people struggle with reading, or don’t even have the time to read, which makes me sad. Books have filled my life with so much joy. For that reason, I will always be thankful for them.


Is anyone not thankful for love? I find it amazing how much a person can love. I love my family, my husband, my pets, and one day my child. Giving love, as well as being loved, is a blessing. Being around people that you can share love with is a feeling that can’t be beaten.

What makes you thankful? Who makes you thankful? Let me know in the comments below. Feel free to share this, and all my ‘Thankful Thursday’ posts. As always, give the blog a follow to get notified about all my posts.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Bookish Black Friday Deals

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Hi Friends,
Today I thought it would be nice to share some bookish Black Friday deals. Black Friday is usually the day when most people do the bulk of their Christmas shopping. This year, there are great sales on bookish items. If you are looking for a gift for a friend, family member, or if you just want to treat yourself, then these deals might be what you’re looking for.

Half-Priced Books
Since the store typically has discounted prices, they don’t do huge sales. But this year, they are offering a 20% discount code and $5 off coupon starting in January. However, you only receive the coupon if you purchase a $25 gift card between now and December 24th.

Book Outlet
There has been a lot of controversy surrounding this discounted book retailer. I completely understand the negativity surrounding  the store, and why some have chosen to boycott it. Still, I know there are people out there that continue to use it as their primary source of book buying. So I thought I would give a quick mention of their Black Friday sale. Right now you can get 25% extra off your purchase, and orders over $35 qualify for free shipping.

Barnes and Noble
Now this is where the books deals are at this Black Friday. On November 26th, they are bringing back their exclusive special edition signed books. If you are in need of an e-reader, you can get the Nook 10″ HD Lenovo Tablet for $30 off. Some e-books will be on sale for under $10. In the ad, they ‘A Court of Silver Flames’ and ‘A Darker Shade Of Magic’. In my opinion, one of the best discounts is buy one, get one half off sale for their collectable editions. Lastly, you can get a $10 eGift card for every $100 you buy in gift cards.

These are the bookish Black Friday sales that I have come across. But, if you know of anymore, please leave them in the comments below. Don’t forget to follow the blog, like, and share this post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Gilmore Girls Tag

- Bunny 1 Comment


Hi Friends,
Everytime the fall and winter seasons come I always start a rewatch of Gilmore Girls. Honestly, I watch Gilmore Girls multiple times throughout the year but it definitely gives me winter feels. For this reason, I thought it would be fun to do the ‘Gilmore Girls’ tag. There are many versions of this tag, but this is the one I chose to do.

• How did you discover the show?
I must admit that I don’t remember how I discovered the show. I believe that repeats use to come on Sunday nights. My brother watched the show ‘Smallville’ that night, and Gilmore Girls came on right before it. I would always see the end of the episodes. So, I started watching it. I believe the series was on the second season when I started watching it.

• Do you own the collection?
I own the completely series box set, the ‘Year In A Life’ revival on DVD and both of them on digital download.

• Favorite Season?
I loved the first three seasons equally, but if I had to choose I would have to go with season one. The debut season was standout in my opinion. Still, every season has some great episodes.

• Least favorite season?
That would hands down be season 7. I don’t hate it, yet I am disappointed in it. Especially, since it was the last season.

• Favorite Episode?
I have a lot of favorite episodes, but the one that I can’t get enough of is season 1, episode 6, Rory’s Birthday Parties. It was such a defining episode in the show. Rory and Dean started their relationship. Emily learned that there was a lot about Lorelai’s life she didn’t know. And, it has one of my all time scenes between Emily and Lorelai. In which, Emily says ‘Oh, if I had a dollar for every time you gave up.’ And, Lorelia replies ‘You could pay for this party, couldn’t you?’

• Dave or Zack?
I really loved Dave because cared so much for Lane. He did everything to get her mom to like him, and stayed up all night to read the bible to understand her mom’s cryptic message. However, I didn’t hate Zack. He was clueless but did love Lane. Also, he was a player before dating Lane but didn’t mind waiting to have sex until after marriage for her.

• Luke or Christopher?
Is this even a question? Luke! Obviously. Christopher was her past they weren’t the same people as adult that they were as teenagers. They didn’t work as adults. Luke and Lorelai completed each other. They brought out the best in one another. However, the whole April and Anna situation made me mad. In my opinion, he never would have hide it from Lorelai or put their wedding on hold. He loved her to much, and waited for her for too long.

• Lorelai or Rory?
I used to be more of a Rory girl, but after the 180 they did to her character in the revival. I am going with Lorelai. Also, during my rewatches I have grown more attached to Lorelai’s personality. But Rory is still great.

• Do you think Lorelai overreacts with her parents?
Yep. There is no denying that they aren’t the best parents. Still, Lorelai was always against their advice and took everything as a personal attack.

• Do you think Emily and Richard overreacts with Lorelai?
For sure. A lot of the time they looked down on Lorelai’s life. They wanted to force their ideas on her. They don’t understand her.

• In the big fight that Rory and Lorelai had whose side were you on?
This is a hard one because I agree with Lorelai that Rory was letting Logan’s dad crush her dreams. Rory was being impulsive and immature. However, Lorelai was being a bit controlling, which she always accuses her mom of being. Rory needed to figure things out for herself. Lorelai alienating her wasn’t the best move.

• In a fight between Taylor and Mrs. Kim who would win?
Mrs. Kim! She is one scary mama bear.

• Who would spread the fastest rumor Babette or Miss Patty?
Both. They are one in the same. They always know the town gossip.

• How much do you dislike April?
110% since they were trying to make her a mini version of Rory. Come on not every single mom can have a smart, book loving kid. Also, I didn’t see the need for the whole April storyline. The show already had a good balance of comedy and drama.

• If you could have dinner with any cast member, who would it be, and what kind of questions would you ask them?
Lauren Graham because she seems like a down to earth person. I would talk to her about her time on Gilmore Girls, Parenthood and forever being seen as Lorelai.

• How did you want it to end?
I didn’t mind the way the series ended since Luke and Lorelai got back together, and Rory was going off to live her dream as a reporter. As for the revival, I didn’t care for the Lorelai and Rory parallel thing. However, I wished they had jumped 10 years into the future showing Rory with a 9 year old. It would be cute if she named it Lorelai but she goes by ‘Lo’ or ‘Lori.’ But a time jump would make a second revival impossible. Still I would have liked one.

As a Gilmore Girl addict, I enjoyed answering these questions. Also, it put me in the mood to watch the show. Please give this post a like and share. Don’t forget to follow the blog before you go.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Ones I Couldn’t Live Without // Thankful Thursday

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
In this ‘Thankful Thursday’ post, I am going to talk about all the people in my life that make it complete. I know that some people don’t have any family or close friends, which makes me incredibly sad. As much as I wish that everyone had some, I cannot change this fact. There is a quote that goes, “The best feeling in the world is knowing that you actually mean something to someone.” I think that everyone can relate to these words. I don’t know where I would be today without these amazing people in my life.


My Mom: I am lucky enough to have two amazing parents that have always loved and supported me. But my mom is truly my biggest fan. She is the Lorelei to my Rory, highly animated and the one I most want to make proud. She has never told me that I should be anyone but myself. That my differences aren’t flaws, because they make me who I am. Yes, we have had our shares of fights and disagreements, but I don’t know where I’d be today without her. I am grateful for both my parents, yet my mama will always be the type of person I hope to become one day.


My Siblings: I have 4 siblings (three older sisters and one brother) and love each of them in their own way. However, I am closest to my sister born right before me and brother. Us three have the most in common and deal with mental health issues. We support each other, and tend to get under each other’s skin like nobody else could. There have been many times we have stayed up late joking, watching shows, and having random conversations. When I was little, I wondered what it would be like to be an only child. Now I think it would just be very lonely. I couldn’t imagine a life without my siblings, and I hope that I never have to.


My Husband: I have talked about my husband in other posts, so you probably figured he’d be on this list. Our relationship was rocky from the start, and at times I didn’t think we’d end up together. But we overcame a lot, and I mean a lot of obstacles to get to where we are now. Not everyday is perfect, but I am grateful for the love we share. I know it’s cliché but I would rather spend a million tough days with him than a few perfect days with somebody else.

True, these are typically things to be thankful for, still it is good to remember the people that bless your life. Each and every one of them make my world immeasurably better, and I am a better person for knowing them. Tell me in the comments who or what you are thankful for! And please share this post, and follow the blog so that you never miss one.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Underrated Holiday Books // On My TBR

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
If couldn’t tell, I am a seasonal reader. This means that the books I read fit well with the current season we’re in. Thus, in the winter time I an all about holiday books. I am in luck, since most holiday themed books are also contemporaries (which you probably know is my favorite genre). However, there are some holiday books that I’ve discovered that aren’t talked about much. In this post, I wanted to share some of these underrated (in my opinion, anyway) holiday books.

‘I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas’ by Tiffany Schmidt
‘Ballet and babysitting bring two teens together in this very merry holiday rom-com from the author of the acclaimed Bookish Boyfriends series. This is a YA contemporary that was released in October 2021. I don’t know about you, but this book sounds like a very cute holiday hate-to-love story. There hasn’t been many books featuring male dancers, so this is a nice change from the typical bad-boy or jock characters. I am excited to see how this story plays out.

 

‘Blame It on the Mistletoe’ by Beth Garrod
‘Tweet Cute’ meets the movie ‘The Holiday’ in this funny holiday rom-com where two very different girls swap lives for a Christmas adventure.’ I mentioned ‘The Holiday Swap’ in my November TBR, which is a book I have been greatly anticipating. This book has a similar plot, except that it is a young adult story, and the two character aren’t look-a-likes. I have mentioned that swap plots are some of my favorites, so I cannot wait to read this different spin on it. Also, I have seen and loved The Holiday, and I have been dying to read ‘Tweet Cute’.

‘All I Want for Christmas’ by Wendy Loggia‘This sweet and magical romance about a girl who has just one wish – someone to kiss under the mistletoe – is the perfect holiday escape!’
This is a 2020 book release that nobody has read. Well, at least it seems that way. Let me reiterate one more time how much of a sucker I am for YA contemporaries. When I think about this book, ‘My Only Wish’ by Brittney Spears pops into my head. I predict that I am going to enjoy this story, and I am not upset about it.

There are a ton more underrated and unheard of winter/holiday books that I didn’t mention here. So if you would like me to do a part two to this post, let me know in the comments! And before you leave, give this post a like, and follow the blog for all things bookish.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny