Christmas Recap

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  Hey, y'all! Things have been slow and quit around here lately, so I thought I'd fill everyone in! I took two weeks away from the blog and all social media just to spend time with Chris and our families. It was just what I needed. But so much has happened in those two weeks, so time to dish!

Obligatory cat picture.
Abi climbing wrapping paper mountain.

  Here are most of the books I got for Christmas! I'm still waiting on some books to arrive that I ordered with gift card I received!

Matched by Ally Condie, Jackaby by William Ritter, Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston, The Luxe by Anna Godbersen, The List by Siobhan Vivian, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse, The Giver Quartet Boxset by Lois Lowry, The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith, Hate List by Jennifer Brown, Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard, and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith.

  The books I'm waiting on are Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard, They All Fall Down by Roxanne St. Clair, and Get Even by Gretchen McNeil.

  Notice the adorable bookish cat bookends? Chris picks out the best gifts, y'all! He even got me a pair of Hobbit House Slippers from ThinkGeek. SQUEE! (I haven't taken them off since Christmas Morning. No judgement.)

I joined in SO many swaps for Christmas! But it was so much fun. I'm so glad I got to meet the bloggers and make new friends!

 I was paired up with Stephanie from Once Upon A Chapter, and she spoiled me! It was so exciting to know that each morning I had a new gift waiting on me! There were so many great things in my package; Harry Potter candles, books, and TEA! There was even a present for Abi. Thank you so much, Stephanie! You rocked my socks!

The Broke and  the Bookish Secret Santa

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

So. I squealed with glee when I got this box and immediately began reading the books included! Only one of them was on my wishlist, but I think Jennifer has some spidey sense because she sent book that are all AMAZING for me! I've read 3 of the 5 now, and I've loved them all! I didn't even snap a picture before I started reading. :/ Shame on me, I know! But I'm so thankful to have met Jennifer from Inner Workings of the Female Mind through these swaps! We were paired up for 3 or 4 different swaps, and I have enjoyed making a new friend!

Becoming Books Secret Santa Book Exchange

Hosted by Becoming Books

This book is so pretty in person. A picture simply does not do it justice! Thank you, Sarah!

The Belles Book Exchange

Hosted by The Book Belles and Beauty and the Bookshelf

Sarah from Simply Reading absolutely spoiled me! And her wrapping paper was SO pretty!

Thanks, Sarah!

Shew! I feel out of breath after recapping all of that! 

Did everyone have a wonderful holiday season?!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas!

And if you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope you're having a wonderful holiday season!

Soon...

25 Days of Book Boyfriends: Adrian Ivashkov

  Happy Holidays, y'all! I'm so excited to be part of the 25 Days of Book Boyfriends hosted by three amazing blogs! Keep reading for a giveaway and the list of all 25 book boyfriends for you to swoon over!

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Oh, Adrian... *Swoons* From the very first time I read about Adrian, I crushed so hard on him. Most are Team Dimitri and I get it. I do. But I'll pass up Dimitri any day for Adrian. (That's an invitation for you to show up in my dreams anytime, Ivashkov!) He just has this vibe about him. *Grabby hands* He's the perfect mix of bad boy and romantic.

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Instead of boring you with my blabbering and drooling admiring, I thought I'd share my top three options for an Adrian dream cast! 

Nico Tortorella

Um, yes?! That looks so close to how I picture Adrian. Can I have him?!

Max Irons

He definitely has the charm for it. No complaints here, y'all!

Rob Pattinson

Let's just forget about that other vampire he played. I know it's not a popular idea, but I could really dig some Rob Pattinson as Adrian. He can definitely pull off the mood of Adrian!

I'm giving away this awesome Vampire Academy inspired tank top! And to get you addicted to Adrian, I'm giving away one book from the Vampire Academy series and one book from the Bloodlines series, winner's choice. The tank top is US only; books are to anywhere that The Book Depository ships to for free.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to visit the other blogs participating! 

Most have giveaways and all have swoon-worthy book boyfriends!

December 1:

Mostly YA Book Obsessed

(Madoc, Rival by Penelope Douglas)

December 2:

Word Grenades

(Ridge, Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover)

December 3:

TSK TSK What To Read

(Bones, Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost)

December 4:

Love At First Page

(Perry, Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi)

December 5:

A Perfection Called Books

(Chaol, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas)

December 6:

Starbucks & Books Obession

(Will, Damaged Goods by Nicole Williams)

December 7:

Foxy Blogs and Feeding My Addiction

(Connor, Kiss the Sky by Krista and Becca Ritchie)

December 8:

Wholly Books!

(Warner, Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi)

December 9:

Lovin' Los Libros

(Cade, Caged in Winter by Brighton Walsh)

December 10:

Bookworm Brandee

(Kellan, Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens)

December 11:

Readers Live a 1000 Lives

(Preston, Pieces of Olivia by Melissa West)

December 12:

Please Feed the Bookworm

(Morpheus, Splintered by A.G. Howard)

December 13:

Paint it Re(a)d Books

(Josh, Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins)

December 14:

BFF Book Blog

(Finn, The Collectors' Society by Heather Lyons)

December 15:

My Heart Hearts Books

(Noel, My True Love Gave To Me Anthology)

December 16:

The Reader and the Chef

(Prince Tristan, Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen)

December 17:

Stuck in Books

(Roth, The Dark Elements series by Jennifer L. Armentrout)

December 18:

Corrie the Book Crazed Girl

(Jackson, The Arcana Chronicles by Kresley Cole)

December 19:

Reading with ABC

(Titus, The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas)

December 20:

The Fox's Hideaway

(Gansey, The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater)

December 21:

Obsessed With Myshelf

(Gideon Cross, Crossfire series by Sylvia Day)

December 22:

Book Scents

(Matt Finch, Open Road Summer by Emery Lord)

December 23:

Pretty Little Pages

(Adrian Ivashkov, Vampire Academy/Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

December 24:

Becoming Books

(Willem, Just One Day by Gayle Forman)

December 25:

Out of Time

(The Darkling, Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo)

My Favorite Christmas Book

  We're less than two weeks away from Christmas. The excitement in my house is palpable. This time of year is just my thing, you know? As soon as November rolls around, I'm already starting my holiday plans. One of my favorite holiday traditions? Reading Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien. It's my absolutely favorite Christmas book, and I cannot wait to share it with my future children one day.

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  Tolkien did something wonderful for his children. Each year, he would send them letters from Father Christmas. They weren't just your run of the mill letter from Santa, though. These were full of stories and drawings that you'd only expect from the creator of Middle Earth. To see his handwriting and drawings are such a sweet treat. I can't help but cry as I make my way through the book each year.

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  Everything about Letters from Father Christmas sums up Christmas for me. The childish wonder, the awe-inspiring love of a parent for their child, the reminder that family and memories shared are the greatest gift; all of it. I wouldn't trade this book and the joy it has given me for the world.

What is your favorite Christmas book? Do you have a holiday reading tradition of your own?

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Bookish Holiday Gift Guide: Splurge Edition

Happy Holidays, y'all!

Who doesn't want to splurge on their favorite bookish things? Today I'm pretending we've all won the lottery and can have all the things!

Visiting the Middle Earth movie set is my life's dream, y'all. The tour itself isn't too bad; $75. But flying all the way to New Zealand? Time to save up! Check out Hobbiton Tours here! There are tons of tours like this, though! There's a tour of the The Hunger Games set near my house. Last time I checked it was only a couple hundred. If you're ever in Tunisia, don't forget to stop by part of the Star Wars set!

There are only twelve known copies of Tamerlane, Edgar Allan Poe's first work. One recently sold for over $600,000. If I were to wake up and win the lottery one day, I'd gladly hunt down one of the twelve and splurge!

The ultimate way to spoil the bookworm in your life? Build them a library like the one that George Lucas has. I instantly crave coffee and a good book whenever I look at that library!

Got an extra $30,000 laying around? Then you can have your own life size replica of the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones! How insane is that?! Purchase here! (If any of you actually buy it, you have to invite me over.)

Who am I kidding... If you really want to know what to get your favorite bookish person, get them books. They'll love you for it. Pinky promise!

Happy holidays, loves! I hope all of you get a million, trillion, zillion books this season!

Bookish Holiday Gift Guide: Romance Edition

Happy Holidays, y'all!

Am I the only one who turns into a romance-a-holic during the holidays?! If you're just like me, this list will be perfect for you!

This past weekend I saw this pillow and Books A Million and melted in a puddle. It's so perfect. Purchase here!

For all of you fans of the half naked heroine being groped on the cover. You know who you are! Purchase here!

What's better than a bouquet of flowers? A bouquet of book page flowers! And they won't die on you. Purchase here!

This quote is one of my favorites. It's even going in my wedding vows. Purchase this gorgeous print here.

Yes, yes, and YES. I could never say no to this Lord of the Rings proposal!

Are you guys drowning in the love yet? I absolutely adore all of these gifts! Share your ideas in the comments!

Check back on Friday for the last gift guide featuring all the things you'll want to splurge on!

Bookish Holiday Gift Guide: SciFi & Fantasy Edition

Happy Holidays, y'all!

This one goes all out to all of my SciFi and Fantasy brethren! 

How else are you supposed to blend in, in The Shire? Purchase here!

Combine your love of words and Star Wars with this epic print! Purchase here!

Possibly the best literary mug I've seen! Purchase here!

I just cannot handle this Spock pillow. I need it more than air right now. Purchase here!

Holy crap, y'all! This etsy shop is full of amazingly painted shoes just like this Doctor Who pair! Purchase here!

At this point, I'm going to have to lock away my debit card before I buy everything! Share what you're wanting for Christmas in the comments!

Check back on Wednesday for the romance fan edition!

Bookish Holiday Gift Guide: Young Adult Edition

Happy Holidays, y'all!

I'm going to give you some of my favorite gifts for young adult fans today! Hope you enjoy!

I absolutely LOVE all of the totes that Becca from Pivot Book Reviews does for her etsy shop, Pivot Book Totes. Any self respecting YA fan would LOVE one of these for their favorite fandom! Purchase here!

So this one isn't exactly Young Adult themed, but I think the mineral makeup that Beth from Printcess & Living a Goddess Life makes will be appreciated by the bookish. Her eyeshadows have a literary theme, and the fairytale collection is my favorite! Purchase here!

I absolutely adore this book charm bracelet of The Mortal Instruments. This etsy shop, Charma Llama, has SO many different book charm accessories from tons of YA series and books. I could get lost looking through this shop! Purchase here!

If you've never heard of Appraising Pages, you're doing it all wrong! They have an amazing shop filled to the brim with AMAZING literature inspired clothing and accessories. This The Hunger Games shirt is just one of many amazing pieces that they offer. Purchase here!

These YA inspired magnets would make such a great stocking stuffer! Purchase here!

You guys, I want ALL the things! Do you have any bookish things on your wishlist that I missed? Share with me in the comments!

Check back on Monday for the Sci-Fi/Fantasy gift guide!