Bookish Holiday Tag

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

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

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

Underrated Holiday Books // On My TBR

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

Coffee Meets Books // Holiday Edition

Hi Friends,
Do you love coffee? And the holidays? Then you’re in luck! Starbucks holiday drinks were released on November 4th! I’m not sure if they launched worldwide, but let me know in the comments if they did. Seeing as I am a holiday, coffee, and book lover, I thought I would recommend books based on some Starbucks holiday drinks.

Peppermint Mocha
For this drink, I wanted to recommend a classic story, since peppermint is a timeless holiday flavor. The Nutcracker is a classic children’s holiday story that tells the tale of a little girl who journeys to the Land of Sweets on Christmas Eve. This story, like this drink, can be enjoyed by everyone. Peppermint is a flavor that never gets old, and neither does The Nutcracker.

Caramel Brulée Latte
This drink is sweet, without being to sugary. It made me think of a collection of holiday short stories; ‘My True Love Gave To Me’, edited by Stephanie Perkins. When we think of holiday movies and books, we instantly think of cheesy, lovey-dovey stories. However, this book contains a mix of both love and other unique stories. Just like this drink, these stories aren’t all sugar.

Toasted White Mocha
This drink reminds me of Christmas! It has a subtle sweetness, with all the flavors of the holidays. For this reason, I paired (in my opinion) the best holiday book with it. I chose ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens. I believe I’ve mentioned before that this is my favorite book ever. You probably already know the plot, so I won’t even bother explaining it. But it is also the quintessential holiday story. If you haven’t read it yet, I recommend it to everyone, even non-classic readers.

This post was so much fun to put together, and a bit challenging. If you have any book recommendations based on holiday drinks, or cocktails leave them in the comments. Please like, share and follow the blog for all things bookish.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

To Be Read // November 2021

Hi Friends,
It is tbr time again! I am very excited for this month of reading, since it is holiday themed. I wanted to keep my tbr short of sweet. I only have 4 books picked out for the month, which is plenty.


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.”
I have been wanting to read this holiday YA contemporary since 2013, so I am excited to finally get to it.


Two rival coworkers with two very big secrets.”
I don’t know much about the plot to this book, but it seems like a young adult holiday enemies-to-lovers. I am always down to read a good friends-to-lovers story.


“Let It Snow meets Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares in this new small-town Christmas romance.”
This holiday story takes place in Christmas, Oklahoma, which may or may not hit close to home for me.


“A feel-good, holiday rom-com about identical twins who swap lives twelve days before Christmas.”
I am obsessed with twin/look-a-likes swapping places stories, so a Christmas one is music to my ears.


There you have my November tbr! I know it is short, but this month I wanted to focus more on spending time with family. It is the holiday season after all. Let me know what you will be reading in the comments below?

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Most Anticipated Book Releases // End Of The Year

Hi Friends,
The end of the year is creeping up fast, which is insane. Lately, I have been looking at the fall and winter book releases. In this post, I am going to be sharing my most anticipated releases for the last half of 2021.

September

What Once Was Mine by Liz Braswell (September 7th)

Disney retellings always peak my interest. This one is about Rapunzel, which is awesome since Tangled is one of my favorite Disney princess movies.

As If on Cue by Marisa Kanter (September 21st)

YA enemies-to-lovers are some of the best books, so I hope this one doesn’t disappoint. Sadly, I haven’t had the best lucky with hate-to-love romances this year. However, I am not going to let that effect my opinion of this book.

Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber (September 28th)

This is the first book in a new fairy tale series by Garber. The book is described as a whimsical romance that shows the length people will go to for happily ever after. This book has been getting a lot of buzz in the book world, and for good reason. It sounds amazing!

October


Squad by Lisa Sterle, Maggie Tokuda-Hall (October 5th)

This book is marketed as a combination of Buffy, Mean Girls, Teen Wolf, and every other teen drama. In the book, Becca learns that her new friends are a group of werewolves. Now, if I were her I’d be freaking out.

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox (October 5th)

I am obsessed with life swap stories. Whether the look-a-likes know each other or not. I cannot resist a good switch story. This one is about two sisters that trade places a few weeks before Christmas. It is going to be a messy romance, and I am here for it.

So, This Is Christmas by Tracy Andreen (October 5th)

This is a YA holiday book about a sixteen-year-old girl that returns home to her small town in Oklahoma. But, this Christmas everything seems to be different. Being a Christmas lover from Oklahoma, I cannot wait for this book.

November

Gilded by Marissa Meyer (November 2nd)
Another fairytale retelling that sounds incredible. This one is a reimaging of the Rumpelstiltskin story we have all come to know. I don’t know it is my love for the series ‘Once Upon A Time’, but Rumpelstiltskin is a character that has always intrigued me.

You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao (November 2nd)

Should I just start crying now? I know this book is going to pull at my heartstrings. When a teenage girl’s boyfriend unexpectedly dies she’s heartbroken. But, she’s shocked when she calls his voicemail and he picks up. I’m not sure where the plots going to go, but I know it will be sad read.

You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus (November 30th)

All I know is that this is a thriller inspired by ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.’ But I really don’t need to know anything else. One because I have been loving YA thrillers lately. Secondly, Karen M. McManus is one of my new favorite authors.

December

If This Gets Out by Cale Dietrich, Sophie Gonzales (December 7th)

I think this book is going to be swoon-worthy. It is a queer YA romance about to band member, Ruben and Zach, that start a romance. It sounds like there might be a lot of drama, but a cute relationship as well.

The Big Reveal by Jen Larsen (December 7th)

A young adult novel about a girl that gets accepted into her dream dance academy. In order to raise money to attend the school, she puts on an invite-only burlesque show. The book touches on topics such slut-and body-shaming.This is for sure going to be a lighthearted, but powerful contemporary.

How Not to Fall in Love by Jacqueline Firkins (December 21st)

I am counting down the days to the release of this YA contemporary. The story follows a pessimistic girl with a hard time believing in true love. Her hopeless romantic best friend enlist her help, so he doesn’t need up getting heartbroken for millionth time. But, of course a romance is bound to develop, and it will be delightful.

Those are the books releases at the top of my list for the last half of the year. Are any of these books on your tbr? What books are you looking forward to being released? Before you go, like and share this post. And, follow the blog to get notified about more bookish posts.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny