A Glass of Wine

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Holiday Gift Giving - Non Book Ideas - Day Three

Today is the last day of my little holiday gift giving guide event. Today I am going to focus on Society6 and Redbubble. Two shops that I've used before and have loved the merchandise I've received.

They offer mugs, totes bags, notebooks and so much more. It is a lot like Etsy in that you can find something for everyone on your list. I am going to highlight a shop that is a personal favourite of mine.

Evie's designs are well known in the book community and she has both a Society6 and Redbubble store. I recommend checking both as some designs only appear on the one site.

She is incredibly talented and I, in particular, love her Peter Pan design. I have a few items with it on it. The items are good quality and their customer service is excellent.

Here are just some of my favourite designs that she's done from both her Society6 and Redbubble shops.

A mug with some delicious tea, coffee or hot chocolate is a perfect Christmas gift and she certainly has plenty of amazing designs to choose from. She is also open to suggestions for her designs so be in touch with her if you're looking for something in particular.

Spend some time browsing both Society6 and Redbubble as I am sure you'll find a wonderful design for everyone on your list!

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Holiday Gift Giving - Non Book Ideas - Day Two

Today's post will not focus on a particular shop, or site, but rather will be a little bit of everything. These are just some things I have found that piqued my interest and may spark a gift idea of your own.

CANDLES AND MORE CANDLES

First up, two other candle shops that caught my eye because of a particular candle or two.

- The Leaky Candle

From their name it is pretty obvious that this candle shop is ran by a Harry Potter fan and as a result many of the candles are themed from that series. However, they offer a variety of other fandoms.

This festive candle caught my eye for it's appearance and the lovely scent description.

This next candle would be a perfect gift for any Captain America or Bucky Barnes fan in your life. The scent will be gone soon so you might want to act fast!

- Book And Nook

This shop offers a wide variety of book fandom inspired candles.

Two of the candles that piqued my interest from this shop is this Red Queen inspired one

The scent description sounds amazing and I am very curious about how they all blend together.

Next is a candle inspired by one of my fave bookish guys. I am and will forever be #TeamDorian.

If candles are not your thing, don't worry, there are plenty of other options out there.

FUNKO POPS GALORE

You may have heard of Funko, and more specifically Funko Pops. These highly collectible and addictive pieces of pop culture are at a all time high in popularity and it is easy to see why. They literally have something that will appeal to almost anyone.

They have everything from Golden Girls, Star Wars, Disney, Marvel, DC, and everything in between.

These amazing Beauty and the Beasts one will not be out until after Christmas, but a pre-order and a hand made card could be cute.

There are PLENTY of Harry Potter ones on the market, but these newest ones will be readily available for the Harry Potter fan in your life.

I have the iZombie ones and they are PERFECT! They even have classics like Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's (and she'll be hitting stores soon).

I know plenty of Gilmore Girls fans will be excited to get their hands on these and I believe they will be in stores in time for Christmas.

They can be found in your local Comic Book Shop, EB Games (or GameStop in the USA), and Hot Topic just to name a few.

SUBSCRIPTION BOXES

There are plenty of bookish subscription boxes out there, especially if you're purchasing for someone who loves YA novels.

The one I am most familiar with, and know people who have purchased is Owlcrate.

There are plenty of options, but I have seen how amazing these boxes are from a friend who has a subscription, and think they would be an amazing gift for the YA fan on your list. They usually have a highly anticipated book and a slew of goodies that fit the them of the month. Check out their website for details and more information.

Tomorrow is the last day of my holiday shopping guide so be sure to stop by to see the last items on my list!

Friday, November 18, 2016

Holiday Gift Giving - Non Book Ideas

Yesterday I talked about which books you should give as gifts this holiday season. However, we all have those bookish friends that are difficult to buy a book for, or perhaps you're looking for a little something to go with the book you've already selected. Today offers up some ideas for some non book presents to get those bookish people on your list (and even some ideas for those just into pop culture stuff).

Etsy is a pretty fantastic site. I love it, so this post will focus on things you can get on Etsy.

First up is a shop that I adore. I adore it so much in fact that I am making it the feature shop for this post!

Brittany makes the most amazing sounding (and smelling) candles and plenty of them are booked themed (but she also has some Disney inspired ones for any Disney lovers on your list).

Two of my favourites are the following

The second favourite of mine is her Stalking Jack The Ripper inspired candle. It looks amazing, almost too pretty to burn, and I predict it smell equally amazing.

She has candles inspired by Harry Potter (including a delightful Fred and George one that sounds amazing) but also has ones for the Leigh Bardugo, Sarah J Maas, and Stephanie Perkins fans on your list.

Novelly Yours is currently on a brief break but she has some amazing holiday themed candles coming up and they sound very festive. Brittany's descriptions are as follows (descriptions taken from the Instagram post announcing these candles) ...

SWIRLY TWIRLY GUMDROPS is inspired by the movie Elf! It's one of my favorites to watch every holiday season. It smells like gumdrops! Fruity, sugary, and a little spice.

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PEPPERMINT PARADISE is another fun layer candle in a glass jar! It alternates layers of peppermint (red) and wintery/icy notes (white) for an overall wintery mint feeling as it burns!

YOU'RE A MEAN ONE is a Grinch candle smelling like fir trees and fireplace for a cozy Christmas tree by the fire feeling (or the Grinch shoving a tree up the chimney... either way)! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

These will be available when the store reopens and you should visit the shops Instagram page for photos of what to expect from these candles.

Brittany was kind enough to answer a few questions relating to ordering from the shop for the holidays so that you'll know what dates to get those orders in by (and she does custom orders too if you're looking for something specific she doesn't make).

1- Will your shop have any special promotions or events going on for the holiday season?

Yes! My shop is having its first anniversary in late November so check out a coupon code the week of the 20th for an anniversary/Black Friday combo sale! I'll also have a quick Cyber Monday sale as well on the 28th. All coupon codes will be posted to my social media accounts!

2 - Will you do custom orders for the holidays?

I do accept custom orders but am requesting all custom orders to be in by the end of November to allow time to work on any other holiday orders.

3- When is the last date people should order to receive their items in time for Christmas?

I'm advising all holiday orders to be in by December 12th for US customers and December 5th for any international customers. Please be advised that these are guidelines and not guarantees! I cannot control how packages are handled by the postal service so earlier is always better if you're trying to get things in time for the holidays!

A huge thank you to Brittany for taking the time to answer my questions. Be sure to visit the Novelly Yours Twitter account and Instagram page for the Black Friday/Cyber Monday specials and get your orders in!

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Etsy is filled with so many amazing things that it impossible not to find something everyone on your list. A few of my personal faves are ..

1: A favourite things art print from the Magictrees and Bumblebees shop

This is special because it can be personalized with nine of someone's favourite things. It's perfect for giving a best friend, or even a child for their room.

2: A tote bag from Pivot Book Totes

Becca does AMAZING work. I know many people who have ordered totes from her and each of them raves. I have also used her for a giveaway on the blog previously. They are great and make excellent gifts. She has pre-made ones available to purchase, but also does custom orders. I especially love her totes inspired by Anna and the French Kiss.

3: Bookmarks from HappyHelloCo

Not only does this shop offer bookish related bookmarks BUT they are adorable! I own quite a few myself and love them!

This set of bookmarks inspired by the Anna/Lola/Isla series by Stephanie Perkins is a particular favourite of mine. The shop does custom orders if you don't see what you like and has the added bonus of being Canadian.

Those are just some of the fun things you'll find on Etsy. It's a treasure trove of unique and creative gift ideas. Browse around because I am positive you'll find something.

Stop by tomorrow and Sunday for more gift suggestions!

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Holiday Shopping - Book Edition

With the holidays quickly approaching I thought I would do a mini-event highlighting some of my favourite gift ideas for the holiday season, especially for those bookish people in your life. It may same early, but plenty of these suggestions need to be order online. It is always a good idea to purchase early as shipping time is usually increased during the holiday season.

Today I have the lovely people from Simon and Schuster Canada helping me with some suggestions on what books to pick up for the people in your life. Jacke from Simon and Schuster, very kindly, offered up her suggestions on what to get based on the kind of reader they are!

Jackie from Simon and Schuster Recommends

For The Contemporary Teen Reader

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson (Goodreads/Simon and Schuster)
The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian (Goodreads/Simon and Schuster)
Museum of Heartbreak by Meg Leder (Goodreads/Simon and Schuster)
Overdrive by Dawn Ius (Goodreads/Simon and Schuster)

For The Canadian Teen Reader

Swan Riders by Erin Bow (Goodreads/Simon and Schuster)
The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands (Goodreads/Simon and Schuster)
Fate of Flames by Sarah Raughley (Goodreads/Simon and Schuster)

For The Serial Teen Reader

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments 1-7) (Goodreads/Simon and Schuster)
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (Goodreads/Simon and Schuster)
PS: I Still Love You by Jenny Han (Goodreads/Simon and Schuster)

For the Curious Teen

Boy Robot by Simon Curtis (Goodreads/Simon and Schuster)
The Diabolic by SJ Kincaid (Goodreads/Simon and Schuster)
Scythe by Neal Shusterman (Goodreads/Simon and Schuster)

These are all amazing choices to give someone and all of them are currently available to purchase as the retailer of your choice!

Now, my own choices for which books you should give this holiday season ...

If your giving to someone who loves contemporary ...

- Simon Vs The Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (Goodreads)
- When We Collided by Emery Lord (any any Emery Lord novel) (Goodreads)
- The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (Goodreads)

If you're giving to someone who like their books with some spice (ie - sexytimes) ....

- Any Elliot Wake novel (Bad Boy, Cam Girl, etc) (Goodreads)
- Sweet Flithy Boy by Christen Lauren (Goodreads)
- Captive Prince by C.S. Pascat (Goodreads) *

If you're giving to someone who loves twists and chills ....

- Stalking Jack The Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco (Goodreads)
- Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas (Goodreads)
- Lock and Mori by Heather W Petty (Goodreads)

If you're giving to someone who miss Gossip Girl (or who loves books steeped in drama)

- Paper Princess by Erin Watt (Goodreads)
- The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee (Goodreads)
- Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton (Goodreads)

A few of my personal favourites that I gave gifted everyone

- Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson (Goodreads)
- A Criminal Magic by Lee Kelly (Goodreads)
- Stolen by Lucy Christopher (Goodreads)

Cannot miss series

- Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard (Goodreads)
- Six Of Crows series by Leigh Bardugo (Goodreads)
- A Darker Shade Of Magic series by VE Schwab (Goodreads)

And lastly, pre-orders that will delight any book nerd ....

- When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (Goodreads)
- The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich (Goodreads)
- The Gentleman's Guide To Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee (Goodreads)

Tomorrow and Saturday I will have some suggestions on what to get the bookish person in your life when you don't want to gift them books! Be sure to stop by to get some ideas, and hopefully a head start on your holiday shopping.

* I have not read Captive Prince (yet) but I have heard nothing by raves about it so feel confident of putting it on the list.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Waiting On Wednesday ... When Dimple Met Rishi

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

A laugh-out-loud, heartfelt YA romantic comedy, told in alternating perspectives, about two Indian-American teens whose parents have arranged for them to be married.

Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

This cover immediately makes me think of summer for some reason, and the entire premise of the book screams summer reading fun! This one sounds like a must read for YA contemporary fans and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

A bit of a wait as this doesn't come out until May of 2017. Hopefully the time will fly by until we can meet Dimple and Rishi!

Expected release date - May 30, 2017

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Bad Boy by Elliot Wake

Bad Boy by Elliot Wake
Release Date - December 6, 2016

Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 256 pages
My Rating - 4.5/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Vlog star Renard Grant has nothing to prove: he’s got a pretty face, chiseled body, and two million adoring video subscribers. Plus the scars on his chest and a prescription for testosterone. Because Ren is transgender: assigned female at birth, living now as male. He films his transition and shares it bravely with the world; his fans love his honesty and positivity.

But Ren has been living a double life.

Off-camera, he’s Cane, the muscle-bound enforcer for social justice vigilante group Black Iris. As Cane, he lets his dark side loose. Hurts those who prey on the disempowered. Indulges in the ugly side of masculinity. And his new partner, Tamsin Baylor, is a girl as rough and relentless as him. Together, they terrorize the trolls into silence.

But when a routine Black Iris job goes south, Ren is put in the crosshairs. Someone is out to ruin his life. He’s a bad boy, they say, guilty of what he punishes others for.

Just like every other guy: at heart, he’s a monster, too.

Now Ren’s got everything to prove. He has to clear his name, and show the world he’s a good man. But that requires facing demons he’s locked away for years. And it might mean discovering he’s not such a good guy after all.

Anyone who has read my reviews of Elliot Wake's previous novels will not be surprised to learn that I enjoyed his latest. This author once again delivers up a novel that flirts with darkness, offers up unforgettable characters, and boasts some of the best character development I've had the pleasure of reading.

The writing within these pages is the kind that seems tailor made for the story it is telling. Elliot Wake has found his voice and his niche. The writing only improves with each subsequent novel and Bad Boy is no exception. It is his best novel yet and one that showcases his talent, and unflinching commitment to tell the story exactly how it needs to be told.

Ren is a complex character. One whose darkness is chased by light. Ren feels deeply and there is a goodness within him, but he's also very scarred from his experiences. There are many layers to this character, and part of what makes this book so engrossing is getting to unravel those layers. Getting to know Ren is what made this story for me, and my only complaint is that we did not get more time with him. This novel could have easily been longer and I would have welcomed it.

This novel is felt deeply as you're reading it. You cannot help but feel the passion, and emotion behind the work. It is immediately evident that Mr Wake has left a piece of himself within this story. There is something so visceral about Ren's journey that it easily resonates with any reader. It is all heart, soul, and guts and that makes for a emotional read.

There is an insight within these pages into what it means to transition and what it means to be trans. I feel that I have a better understanding of what someone who transitions experiences, and how they might feel before, during, and after the process. It is something so vital to their well being and this novel demands that this truth be recognized and felt. It is a case of life and death for them and that is made evidently clear within these pages. It offers up a realistic look at all the ups and downs a trans person could experience. It lets you see every struggle, every triumph and everything in between. It rips out your heart and asks you to feel what Ren is feeling and it nearly impossible not to.

Like many of the previous novels written by Elliot Wake, this one has gender at its core. The reader is meant to question what gender really is. What determines gender, and how we view it is the crux of Ren's story. Also at its heart is feminism and misogyny. It also comments on toxic masculinity. This novel offers a viewpoint of a character who has been treated as both female and male by people and the commentary on this is fascinating and worth discussing.

The romance in this is almost secondary. It is there though, and it is done in the typical Elliot Wake fashion of having two broken people be exactly right for each other. Sometimes your darkness meshes with someone else's and creates a beautiful connection. There is always a light in these stories, and in this case it is the connections being built. It is allowing someone to see the messy parts of yourself, and seeing their flaws in return. It stresses the importance of not just seeing them but accepting them as well.

Novels that encourage empathy are even more vital in today's society. Bad Boy is just one of the many novels written by Mr Wake that accomplish opening minds. They are thought-provoking for those stepping outside their viewpoint, and a vital mirror for those who find themselves within these pages. Bad Boy offers a poignant look at what it is like be trans but it also gives trans people a chance to see themselves as a protagonist of a romance story , and mystery one as well, and that is perhaps the most important part of this story.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews)

I had lots of fun things arrive into my mailbox this week!

First up, my third Liv Moore Funko Pop arrived!