I know every book lover has heard the term “don’t judge a book by its cover”.. right?
Can you honestly sit there and say you have never done it?
We all have, I am pretty sure of that. How can you not, some covers just pull you in with their beauty. Isn’t that what the cover is there for, to give some sort of preview of what’s on the inside.
Although I don’t always believe judging a book by its cover is a bad thing. A lot of books I picked up just for their beautiful covers became some of my all time favourite reads. I have also found new favourite authors this way as well.
I will say there are some types of covers that turn me away from the book, causing me not to pick it up. This I need to get over, who knows what amazing adventures I may be missing out on.
What are some cover buys you picked up? I would love to know, maybe I need to add them to my never-ending… slowly taking over the world list.
Why have I not thought about sharing this on here?!?!?!….
Mid January I reached out to my fellow Bookstagrammers to see if anyone was interested in taking part in a book club through Bookstagram (Instagram). I had such amazing feedback and now we are one large book club family!
Our name …Back Of The Bookshelf Book Club! — One heck of an awesome group, if I do say so myself.
The first book we chose was for February’s read. Giving everyone a chance to get their hands on the book if they didn’t already own it.
We are currently reading The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. This incredible read will be completed by the end of February.
Our group breaks the book up by chapters, reading so many chapters each week. Carrying the book throughout the full month. Each week we jump on Bookstagram together and discuss that weeks chapters.
The discussions sure can get heated, in the best way possible. Just shows how passionate we are about what we are reading.
We have already picked our read for March!!!… The Lost Girls of Paris by the amazing Pam Jenoff.
If you are interested in reading along… please do! And please let me know you are, so I can be sure to discuss the book with you as well. If you are interested in joining our group you can find me on Instagram. My handle is nichi.i_readpastmybedtime. You can also use the hashtag #backofthebookshelfbc on Instagram to find us.
Look forward to seeing you! And I will come on here each month and share our next read.
My most favourite place in the world is Chapters Indigo (It is the Canadian Barnes and Noble.. hehe).
As soon as I walk into Chapters it’s like walking into a warm hug! I know that sounds sappy but it’s true. All the gorgeous books, colors, cozy items. It truly is heaven on earth. Not to forget it is a great place for the whole family to enjoy AND the built-in Starbucks is A…MA…ZING.
Grab a delicious, nummy, HOT coffee and browse the world of books…. Mmmm. As I said HEAVEN.
Now Chapters is my favourite bookstore alive and I love the buzz of buying new books. But I am constantly on the hunt for amazing used bookstores as well. The nostalgia of walking around a store with all the used books that have been so well-loved and now will be passed on to another fellow book lover. I also personally love giving used books a new home. Don’t forget the smell, I love the smell of older books. Yes I will proudly admit I am a Book-sniffer. Don’t you hide, yes you out there! I know you do it too…. Yes I am looking at you!
So far one of my favourite used bookstores I have found in my area is called Wee Book Inn. So adorable, and each store has an adorable, cuddly, loving, fuzzy..CAT. Soooo sweet.
Online book shopping!…Eeeekkkkk.
Very exciting! The suspense while you wait for your order to come in. Sometimes even forgetting all that you purchased and being surprised all over again.
Doesn’t matter where you are buying from, being BookOutlet, Book Depository, Amazon, Chapters Online, etc…. as the list is never-ending. Online book shopping is a wonder.
I mean the books come right to your door. Which means you don’t even have the put the book you are currently reading down in order to get more BOOKS!
It is like Christmas with each package that comes in!
Now who are my library lovers out there?
I adore the library… unfortunately my local library has next to nothing on the shelves, they are just so bare. I rarely ever see a newer released book there either. BUT! that being said my boys and I still go, I still renew my card each year and I use their audiobook app as well. library’s are so important to have and it is critical in my eyes that we bring our children and show them the world of reading. Getting to pick up a book, reading the words on the page yet create a whole story in our minds. I would be lying if I didn’t say every now and then I don’t find a true hidden gem at my local library.
Where do you buy your books from?.. Maybe you don’t and you just use the library.
I recently uploaded a Bookish Thoughts video on my BookTube channel talking about stand-alone books.
Now please keep in mind these thoughts you are about to read are just my own. I may be completely off on my opinion. This is all in fun and I am just ranting my head off. Feel free to jump in with your opinion on the subject, perhaps you will make some strong points and will sway my opinion to the better. Maybe you agree?… Perhaps you will think I am crazy and just shake your head at me. It’s all good… as it’s all in fun!
Has anyone else noticed how so many books coming out are the 1st in a new series?… Is anyone else becoming over whelmed with their never-ending, slowly talking over the world TBR list?
I find myself searching more and more for stand-alone books. I don’t see them too often anymore especially when it comes to certain genres, such as Fantasy.
I understand that authors become passionate about the worlds they create and want to carry them on. Yet sometimes I just want to be able to consume a book, capturing the whole entire world and story line in just that one book, then hold it near and dear to my heart.
Now don’t get me wrong there are so many duology’s, trilogy’s and series that I love and can’t get enough of. Then there are some books I think one would have been enough… or why can’t more books that come out be just a stand-alone.
Now I honestly don’t know much of the author world or publishing world. Sometimes seeing so many new series being released makes me wonder if it’s the passion I talked about above with the world an author created or has it become more of a money hungry theme. Are authors pushing out books because they are excited to tell the whole story they have been building up in their head for years?, is it all about more money?, are they feeling pressure from publishing companies to carry on with it?…. Do you know? Because I don’t. Maybe it’s a mix of it all?….. Hmmm.
I also find a lot of books currently on my shelf that are the first in a new series are from book subscription boxes. Getting me hooked and wanting more, knowing I will need to pick up the second book. Where then the company will of course create a special edition box with the second book when it releases.
Just so many series to read!!!!!!…… Oh the anxiety … haha. Boy I sounds so dramatic.
Could it be the book community I am consumed in just doesn’t talk much about stand-alone’s and perhaps there are so many amazing ones out there I am missing out on?… Uh Oh .. I may be adding to that never-ending list again.
Thank you all for taking the time to read my crazy book nerd rant.
What bookworm doesn’t travel with a book at all times?…Well most of the time anyhow.
A book sleeve is one of the best inventions created.
Travelling with your book and knowing it wont get damaged is the best feeling. Especially when you have taken the dust jacket off your hardcover wanting to keep it in great shape but then you worry about the books naked body!
I recently came across this new, up and coming Etsy shop that knows where it’s at when it comes to handmade book sleeves.
“Belle’s Book Sleeves”
Kelly is killing it left and right and selling out fast.
With new gorgeous, vibrant fabric patterns, FUR book sleeves (sooo plush!), liner color option on particular sleeves AND even starting “blind date with a book sleeve”. This is one shop you don’t want to miss out on.
I also can’t get over the theme. I mean correct me if I am wrong but Belle’s Book Sleeves gives me all the Beauty And The Beast vibes.
Shop name Belle and then the fur sleeves … come on that completely makes you think of the Beast… right?
Don’t take my word for it, go and check out her site. All I can say is —STUNNING!
Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Jolene Wells is forever indebted to the mother who encouraged her to fly—all the way to sunny LA and a world away from Honeymoon Harbor. Although Jolene vowed never to look back, returning home isn’t even a question when her mom faces a cancer scare. Which means running into Aiden Mannion all over town, the first boy she ever loved—and lost—and whom she can barely look in the eye.
Aiden’s black-sheep reputation may have diminished when he joined the marines, but everything he’s endured since has left him haunted. Back in Honeymoon Harbor to heal, he’s talked into the interim role of police chief, and the irony isn’t lost on the locals, least of all Aiden. But seeing Jolene after all these years is the unexpected breath of fresh air he’s been missing. He’s never forgotten her through all his tours, but he’s not sure anymore that he’s the man she deserves.
Despite the secret they left between them all those years ago, snow is starting to fall on their picturesque little town, making anything seem possible…maybe even a second chance at first love.
***Synopsis copied from Amazon.ca***
3.5 Stars out of 5
At first I had such a hard time keeping up on what was happening and who was who in the story. So many characters introduced all at once and a couple large character backgrounds that threw me off.
I am so happy I stuck through the first chunk. The story started to grow on me and the characters became so sweet and heart warming.
It seems some aspects of the story are going in a negative route, until a twist on the story giving you all the happy feels.
Also, no one can say they won’t fall in love!… this was shown so well with Jolene. She never thought the relationship or family life was in her future. Until her past love Aiden crossed her path again.
Cute, fuzzy read!
Thank you to HQN for sending this cozy read my way!
“It’s a long way from New York to Idaho….but could they have found a home at last?”
Dani didn’t have the easiest childhood, she didn’t always make the best decisions in her adult life either.
Determined now to make a better life for not only herself but her two incredible daughter’s 13-year-old Silver and 6-year-old Mia. Dani takes the leap making what seems to be the best choice for the family and moves them to Haven Point, Idaho.
With some welcomed changes and not so welcomed. Silver is unhappy and starts to get into some trouble of her own. She may even get herself in trouble with her neighbour who happens to be Deputy Sheriff Ruben Morales.
Ruben makes a point in doing anything he can to help Silver, as he sees what type of person she truly is inside. But Dani and Ruben’s joint concern for her daughter only brings them closer and closer.
Showing a glimpse of the completed family they could be.
5 out of 5 stars.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Full of twists and turns and many obstacles when it comes to Dani’s oldest, Silver.
Some relationships are on the mend while others are just starting.
Dani truly adores her children and would do anything for them, even if it means she passes up what she truly wants. But her daughters don’t want that, they want their Mom to be every bit as happy as them. Which is just what Ruben is to Dani… the exact meaning of happy.
Such an adorable read, anytime of the year, even if it is set around the Holiday season
Thank you to HQN books for sending this heart warming read my way.
MG Martin is the complete dream image of all female nerds… right down to the rocking purple hair.
MG lives that perfect geeky life, with the perfect geeky friends. She even works as a writer for the comic book company she lived for growing up.
One day in the highly active city of Los Angeles someone recreates a crime scene from MG’s most adored comic book, leaving the well-known calling card of a golden arrow from her favourite comic hero.
MG soon becomes the LAPD’s secret weapon to helping them solve the case.
Suave detective Kildaire and MG make the perfect team.
Although MG doesn’t always follow the rules and may take matters into her own hands. Getting herself into a heap of trouble.
“By day she writes comic books. By night, she lives them.”
“You may proceed. To the station, Alfred.”
5 out of 5 stars
Heck YES!
The Frame Up was the most exciting, colorful, vibrant read.
Starting my 2019 with a wham!
MG is the coolest nerdy rebel EVER! She is extremely relatable in every way possible. Such a strong personality, knows exactly who she is, but also doesn’t know exactly where she wants to go in life. She truly is a character everyone needs in their lives… geek or not.
And detective Kildaire, is such a dream. He knows what he wants and he is going to make sure he gets exactly that. All while saving the world!….. But also…who doesn’t love a man in costume, or shall I say uniform.
These two make the most terrific team.
The Frame Up needs to be on everyone shelves. Let’s be honest, there is a little nerd in all of us, and Meghan’s fantastic writing will prove just that!
“To the police car!”
Thank you so incredibly much to Thomas Allen Ltd. for sending this unbelievable read my way.
“The clues to a century-old murder lie in one woman’s dreams.”
Kate Granger’s marriage has fallen apart.
In desperate need to get away and piece herself back together, she fleas to her parents home on Lake Superior.
Only things don’t get easier for Kate while she’s back home.
Shortly after she gets settled in, a body of a murdered women washes up into the shallows and she’s not alone. Wrapped up in her vintage gown is a baby, just as calm and at peace as her mother.
No one can identify this women and her child. Expect for Kate, to scared to tell anyone. But she has seen her before!… In her dreams…
“The ghosts of the past come calling in a spellbinding heart-stopper from the “Queen of Northern Gothic.”
5 out of 5 stars
Wow! What a way to end my 2018!
Honestly that’s all I feel I need to say! I think saying that speaks for itself. But the passion I now have for this book…. I won’t be able to stop talking about it for years to come.
Daughters Of The Lake was incredible and impossible to put down. Truly one of a kind.
I feel embarrassed to admit I have never read anything by Wendy Webb before, but she has now gained a new dedicated fan. Her writing is absolutely brilliant and needs to be on everyone’s shelves.
Throughout reading Daughters Of The Lake I felt as if it was based on a true story. It is just way to descriptive not to feel real. This all made sense while reading the acknowledgements. Wendy mentions how often people ask if her books are based on real life people. She goes on to say that the answer is no, not entirely. She uses snippets of conversations or a description here and there. But that at times she can identify one of her characters as being exactly like someone she knows.
I can sense Wendy’s warmth and passion for writing, truly stunning.
Highly recommend. If you are a book lover this is definitely one to add to your list to pick up this year.
Thank you so incredibly much to Thomas Allen Ltd. for sending this fascinating read my way.
“It’s Christmas in Gold Valley, and this wounded widower is about to get another shot at love…”
Grant Dodge has not yet found any women who lives up to his late wife. Always feeling as i
f any women he meets pities him and his past. He had excused the idea of love in his life anytime soon.
McKenna is lonely, growing up, not having a family of her own. But McKenna has found her birth father after all this time and has come to Gold Valley to confront him face to face.
Any chance these two were destined to meet? Will Grant see the sparks fly again? And will McKenna find a new, more perfect family to be apart of?
4 out of 5 stars
Such an adorable holiday story.
Grant seems so lost, so cold and completely shut off. But McKenna’s spicy, stubborn, direct personality really grabs hold of Grant and shows his true colors. It certainly helps that McKenna has no idea of Grant’s past. Helping them build a truly memorable connection.
One to add to the list! Grab hold of it!… read it now or hold on to it for next years holiday season!
Thank you to HQN books for sending this heart warming read my way.
nichi.i_readpastmybedtime 