Pages and Pekoe

14 Ways to Use Your Local Library

I think it’s obvious by now that I love books. I love reading physical books, e-books, and I am even finding myself getting into audiobooks. While I love to shop for books, sometimes I think something that is really underused is the ultimate bookish resource, the library! 

Here are 14 fantastic ways to make use of your local library … and I didn’t even mention the usual borrowing books! Just so that you’re aware some of the links below are affiliate links which don’t cost you any extra but help to fund my book addiction!

Make sure to hit up the comments to let me know how you use your library.

14 Ways to Use Your Local Library | Pages and Pekoe

Try another format

Physical books aren’t the only things you can get from the library! E-books, audiobooks, magazines, movies, and more are available or course BUT did you know that some libraries will let you try out e-readers? This would be a great way to kick your reading slump that I wrote about before! Check with your local library to see if they have some on hand as a sort of “try before you buy” experiment if you’re thinking or buying a Kindle or Kobo. 

Shop for less

We all love a good sale! Especially when books are involved. My local library always has a cart of books for sale and some libraries do a yearly sale. The first reason this is great because it brings in a little bit more money for the library but also, the prices are deeply discounted so you get to keep a little bit more money in YOUR pocket! While I love shopping Book Outlet , sometimes I like that physical shopping feeling too.

Activities for Kids

Did you know that many libraries have scheduled activities and events for children? It’s amazing. Someone else will entertain your kids FOR free! FREE!! Now if only I could convince them to provide wine for the parents at the same time. Also for free. 

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Take a Class

We can all stand to learn a new skill. I sure can at least! Many libraries offer single classes or even whole courses and most of the time they’re free. Are you seeing a trend here? I like things that are free. It’s my second favorite F word!

Go Down a Rabbit Hole

The beautiful thing about being in a library is that, just like in a bookstore, there are sections for anything and everything. You want to learn to knit? See above point … or just check out the Crafting section. My library has a whole section of local history books and references. This is great for when you want to read about something in particular and also great for when you want to keep reading things about that because now you’re down that rabbit hole.

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Place Holds from Home

You don’t even have to put on a bra and leave the house for this one so that’s a real bonus! If you already know what you’re looking for, you can go onto your library’s website and have it set aside for you so it’s ready to pick up and you don’t even have to search.

Hold a Meeting

Sometimes being a blogger (or anyone who is self employed) can be lonely. Want to meet with your peeps? Lots of libraries actually have multipurpose rooms that you can book. A few years ago some mom friends and I got together and had a Halloween party with all of our kids at our local library. We had fun and nobody had to make their house presentable!

See a Movie

If you’re in the mood for some cheap entertainment, check the library’s schedule! My local library screens movies twice a week and yours might too! There’s usually an evening movie through the week and a children’s movie on weekends. Sometimes they’re seasonal and sometimes they’re just random. Every so often my library does Disney movie marathon days of classic Disney movies!

Get Your Game On

Lots of libraries have board games to play and some even have video games consoles! When I took the kids to the library the other day, there were a few kids there on the computers playing Minecraft which is great because now all my 5 year old wants to do is play Minecraft. Thanks library …

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Explore Your History

Don’t want to pay for your own Ancestry account? No problem! Make use of the computers at the library and use theirs! Not only that, but there are a whole host of resources to choose from when doing genealogy and family historical research. Your library should also be able to point you in the right direction for whatever information you’re looking for.

Let the Kids Play

Want to know what my favorite thing to do when I just need to get out of the house with the kids is? We go to the library and they just play! On the way, I’ll grab a fancy drink at the drive-thru so I can sit and enjoy a hot beverage while the kids enjoy playing with fun toys at the library! Our library often has crafts and things set up for the little ones if that’s something they like too!

Learn a Language

This is in line with taking a class but I know that my local library offers conversational french once a week and yours would probably have something similar. I am in New Brunswick which is Canada’s only officially bilingual province so lots of anglophones want to take the opportunity to brush up on their francais from time to time. I should probably do that myself!

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Create Something

My library has something fantastic called Makerspace. They’ve got sewing machines, tools, Photoshop, video editing software, and even 3D printers! If you can dream it up, you can probably create it there. How cool is that?

Play in the Past

We’ve already talked about genealogy but what if you want to learn some local history from the source? Scour through old newspapers and microfilm. I always find it so cool to look at old public records like passenger manifests from ships on microfilm because there’s something so personal about seeing someone’s handwriting from the past. 

And there you go! There are 14 great ways that you can make good use out of your local library! 

14 Ways to Use Your Local Library | Pages and Pekoe

Tea Talk 2

Happy Sunday, friends! I hope you’ve had a great week and you’re getting into the holiday spirit!

It usually takes me well into December before I start to get those Christmasy feelings. My sister’s birthday is on the 12th and growing up, we would always wait until we celebrated her birthday before any holiday hoopla invaded our house. Now that I have a home and family of my own, we do start a bit earlier than that … sorry, Kate!

You might have seen some photos in my Instagram feed from a fun event called Uptown Sparkles that happens in Saint John every year. It’s such a great evening of shopping, snacks and a few boozy beverages too! It gets better and better each year!

Just Released

So as I was looking at the new releases this week, nothing super exciting stood out to me. But what it did make me want to do is revisit an old favorite author, Nora Roberts. I went through a serious Nora & J.D. Robb kick for years and devoured everything she wrote. Her romance novels were pretty much the only ones I could tolerate for a very long time, haha! She’s got a new books out called Of Blood and Bone which is actually the second book in the Chronicles of The One … so you might want to read that one first if you’re interested!

Cover Story

When I chose this cover as my favorite of the week’s new releases, it tells me that I’m basic AF and I’m drawn to sparkly things. I’m not mad about, merely an observation. Like in last week’s Tea Talk, I know nothing about this book. It could very well be terrible. I just like the cover because SHINY!

In My Cup

If you’ve been following along on my Instagram stories, you’ll probably already know which tea I’m drinking today! Day 9 of the 24 Days of Tea calendar is White Cranberry Bark which is a limited edition holiday flavor an it is delish! Love me some cranberry anything!

As I have for the past few years, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my 24 Days of Tea calendar. For someone like me who loves to try and enjoy different teas, this is the ideal advent calendar.

Posts of Note

Fictionophile – Discussion Post: Blog Comments

Pages Unbound Reviews – 7 YA Books with Clean Romances

Birdie Bookworm – Birdie’s Pre-list for Beat the Backlist 2019

The Biblio Blonde – Holiday Gift Guide: Pop Culture Gifts

Novelties – Beyond the Blurb | What Should Readers/Bloggers Do When Authors Are on the Attack?

What were you up to this week? Are you in the holiday spirit?

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Review: Girl Wash Your Face

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

Review: Girl Wash Your FaceGirl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis
Published by Thomas Nelson on February 6, 2018
Genres: Self Help, Non-Fiction, Christian
Pages: 241
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

three-stars




With wry wit and hard-earned wisdom, popular online personality and founder of TheChicSite.com founder Rachel Hollis helps readers break free from the lies keeping them from the joy-filled and exuberant life they are meant to have.

Founder of the lifestyle website TheChicSite.com and CEO of her own media company, Chic Media, Rachel Hollis has created an online fan base of hundreds of thousands of fans by sharing tips for living a better life while fearlessly revealing the messiness of her own. Now comes her highly anticipated first book featuring her signature combination of honesty, humor, and direct, no-nonsense advice.

Each chapter of Girl, Wash Your Face begins with a specific lie Hollis once believed that left her feeling overwhelmed, unworthy, or ready to give up. As a working mother, a former foster parent, and a woman who has dealt with insecurities about her body and relationships, she speaks with the insight and kindness of a BFF, helping women unpack the limiting mind-sets that destroy their self-confidence and keep them from moving forward.

From her temporary obsession with marrying Matt Damon to a daydream involving hypnotic iguanas to her son’s request that she buy a necklace to “be like the other moms,” Hollis holds nothing back. With unflinching faith and tenacity, Hollis spurs other women to live with passion and hustle and to awaken their slumbering goals.

I want to start this one off by saying that I wanted to love this book because of the buzz around it. That, and because I always want to support other bloggers and the author of Girl, Wash Your Face is a blogger. We’ve gotta stick together and support each other!

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Don’t get me wrong I did like it, I just didn’t love it.

I get what she was trying to do here and I am with her on the overall message. She talks about the lies we tell ourselves and how to overcome the issues with them. I think a lot of these things are very important. Believing in yourself and your worth, doing things that make you happy, giving yourself a break sometimes, taking care of your mental health. All great messages, especially for a young woman who is struggling to find herself.




At times I loved the tone. It often felt like I was sitting with a friend because of the informal language. Other times it felt patronizing and almost condescending. Sometimes I couldn’t decide which. I also wasn’t aware that it was an overly Christian book but it definitely is. That’s fine, it just would have been good to know ahead of time. I wouldn’t have read it had I known how preachy it would be.

I appreciate the spirit in which this book was written. I know that Girl, Wash Your Face was truly intended to help women find their voice, passion or purpose and learn to love themselves. I just feel like it missed the mark a little. It was written from the perspective of an affluent white woman so it can really alienate women from other walks of life. At times she seems arrogant and self absorbed, however I can imagine that this is in part due to the self-love that she preaches.

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While the intent was totally there, the execution was off. I do think that this book would be helpful and uplifting for the right person, I just wasn’t that person.

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Review: Girl, Wash Your Face | Pages and Pekoe

three-stars

Tea Talk – New Weekly Feature!

I love a good, predictable, blog series! I enjoy reading them because they don’t feel rushed or forced. They are a way to share thoughts and observations from the week without needing to have an end game in mind or something to sell. They feel like home.

I was inspired by Jen from Simple Local Life who writes her Sunday Morning Coffee posts each week without fail. She spoke about it in her session at BlogJam Atlantic this year and it’s one of those posts on her blog that I always enjoy reading. While I don’t live near to her (although I’m not too far away), I love checking out the weekly real estate feature that she gives. I’m a sucker for a good listing!

Anyway, she’s inspired me to create my own series each week to share some of the things that I’ve come across and I think are fun. They will be structured largely the same every week and I hope they will become a regular staple for you to read and enjoy with me! I also hope that you will be able to get to know me better through the series and that you’ll share some of your favorite things with me too.

Now for our inaugural Tea Talk!

Tea Talk 1 // Pages and Pekoe

Just released

There were some interesting books released this week, but my inner 90’s kid is screaming about Mel B’s memoir, Brutally Honest. Any other Spice Girls lovers here? Please tell me I’m not the only one!

I saw her interview on Ellen during her press tour for the book and was in awe of her personal strength to talk so openly about some of the things she does in the book. She describes her abusive marriage, addiction, along with stories from behind the scenes and what it was like to be a global girl group phenomenon.  Can’t wait to read the book! GIRL POWER!

Cover Story

I love a good book cover and I am definitely guilty of buying a book just because I find the cover art appealing. I don’t know what it is about this one that speaks to me so much but I love the look of the navy and orange on the cover of Amber & Dusk. Maybe it’s the stone in the middle or the little diamonds falling from the sky! I enjoy the mix of textures with the mesh, smooth silver lettering, and glittering gems. So elegant!




In My Cup

What am I drinking? I’m glad you asked! Yesterday marked the beginning of the 24 Days of Tea calendar from David’s Tea which gives me LIFE every year. Never before have I enjoyed an advent calendar this much. Today’s tea is Organic Cinnamon Rooibos Chai which is just as delicious as it sounds. I actually have a tin of it because I can’t get enough of the spicy sweet yumminess! It’s a personal favorite for any time of the year. I’m doing daily Instastories doing a quick review of the teas in the calendar so come follow along if you haven’t already!

Tea Talk 1 // Pages and Pekoe

Posts of Note

Do you know how many awesome bloggers there are out there? A lot! Here are just a few of the posts I loved this week in no particular order.

Reader Voracious – 2019 Book Blogger Spreadsheet Template

The Uncorked Librarian – Increase Blog Traffic With These 5 Easy Tips

Weaving Fiction – 19 Before 2019…

Novelties – Top Ten Tuesday | My Favourite Platonic Relationships

Bionic Book Worm – Top 5 Winter Reads

What have you been loving this week?

Kick Your Reading Slump Challenge!

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

I know you’ve been there, because I sure have! There’s nothing more frustrating for someone who loves to read than a nasty reading slump. There are always seasons of life that get busy and books are on the back burner for a while but that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about the desire to pick up a book but none of them that you see spark any interest in you.

I’ve got some solutions for you to try and just to spice things up a little, I made it into a challenge! Because who doesn’t enjoy a good challenge!? Make sure to pin the image below because sharing is caring ♥

Kick Your Reading Slump Challenge || Pages and Pekoe

Let’s get you out of this reading slump!

Try a New Genre

We humans are creatures of habit. We stick with what we know and love. Step outside of your wheelhouse for a minute and explore books in a whole new genre you’ve never read before! Normally a romance reader? Pick up a YA classic like my personal favorite, The Outsiders.

Set a Daily Goal

Read for 10 minutes, read 10 pages … whatever you think is easily achievable. Add it to your daily To Do list if you’re like me and like to add easy things that you know you’ll be able to cross off to fool yourself into believing you’ve been productive that day.

Re-Read an Old Favorite

Did you have a favorite book from high school or university? Maybe even childhood! Believe it or not, I enjoyed Wuthering Heights when I read it for a high school English class. I think it might be interesting to read it again to see if it still speaks to me now that my life and experiences have changed so much. I could love it even more, or I could hate it but at least it’ll get me reading and reminissing!

Visit the Library

Oh man, there’s nothing quite like the smell and atmosphere of a good library. Take a slow walk through the stacks and just take it all in. If you’re lucky you might get lost and find some obscure section you’ve never even heard of before!

 

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Re-organize Your Books

There’s something about holding and handling books that sparks a desire in me. Are your books all over the place? Find somewhere for all of them to live happily together. Do you have them organized by author last name? Try organizing them by genre. Do you keep all of your TBR books separate or are they mixed with ones you’ve already read? See how you can switch things up!

Listen to an Audiobook

Maybe you just don’t have a lot of time to sit and read right now. That’s a real problem! If you still want to stay connected to the literary world, listen to an audiobook while driving, cooking, cleaning, or whatever it is you do that is taking you away from reading. I told you about how I love to listen to podcasts during times like these but audiobooks are a great option too! If you’re not sure that you’ll like consuming a book that way, Audible offers a 30 day free trial so you’ve got nothing to lose!

Read a Trashy Magazine

Maybe this is just a guilty pleasure of mine but sometimes a filthy gossip rag with no basis on reality is just the trick to jump start my desire for something a little more substantial. Which celebs are getting divorced, who wore what where, even the cheesy crossword puzzle … I love it all!




Change Locations

Often times a change of scenery is a great way to refresh the situation! If you always read in bed, head to the couch. Leave the house completely and go hang out at Starbucks or the library. I recently rejuvinated my reading by reading at the airport and on the plane while travelling. It certainly helps motivate you to open a book when you have nothing else to do!

Allow Yourself to DNF

This has always been a really hard one for me because I hate quitting something that I’ve started. But if you hate it or it bores you to tears, put the book down and move on! There’s no shame in the DNF game! If you’re not sure what that means, I covered it in my bookish lingo post.

Have a Treat

I am not above bribery. Not with my kids and certainly not with myself. There’s nothing wrong with a little chocolate motivation to get the job done! It doesn’t have to be anything major. Make yourself hot chocolate with whipped cream, pick up a bag of Sour Patch Kids, fry up some bacon … whatever floats your boat! Give yourself a little treat but you can only enjoy it while you’re reading, that’s the catch!

Don’t forget to pin the image above to share with all of our fellow bookworms!

What do you do to kick a reading slump to the curb? Share your tips!

Review: The Raven Boys

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

Review: The Raven BoysThe Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Series: The Raven Cycle #1
Published by Scholastic Press on September 18, 2012
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal
Pages: 409
Buy on Amazon, Buy on Book Depository
Goodreads

four-half-stars




“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

I was so late to the party on this one and now I’m mad about it because The Raven Boys was awesome! I don’t know why I don’t read more YA because that’s obviously where all the fun is happening these days. Kids get all the good stuff!

Believe it or not, this was actually the first of Maggie Stiefvater’s books that I’ve ever read. Clearly I’ve been missing out.

Book Review: The Raven Boys || Pages and Pekoe

Characters

I found it very easy to connect with and understand each one of the 5 main characters. Their differing personalities are well fleshed out and very pronounced so that you are easily able to keep track of who is who. The main protagonist, Blue is a girl after my own heart! This chick is a strong, take no shit kind of lady which I truly appreciate. She’s intelligent and unique and honestly, I just really want to know where her name came from.

I love each one of the boys for different reasons. While Gansey is the clear leader of the pack, I found it refreshing that he wasn’t the main love interest. Now based on some spoilers that I won’t mention, I’m not sure that he’ll never be Blue’s beloved but I’m sure I’ll find that out soon enough once I get to the other books in the series. What I enjoy about his character is that, while handsome and suave, he’s a super sleuthy nerd. My kind of guy!

Adam is the one I’ve got a soft spot for. The sweet guy with a kind heart and the willingness to work hard in life. Maybe he’s not ruggedly handsome, but I feel like I would be more attracted to him.

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Ronan ….. mmmmm Ronan. Not going to lie, I’m a sucker for the bad boy. If you asked me which of Rory Gilmore’s boyfriends I prefer, you’re damn straight I’m Team Jess! Tattoos, mouth like a sailor, fights at the drop of a hat … oooooooo baby!

I thought Noah was a special guy from the beginning, I just didn’t realize how special he was. I love his sweet, shy personality and the way that he’s drawn to Blue.

 

Setting

First of all, I’m such a fan of books that are able to seamlessly able to blur the lines between the living world with the supernatural or undead world. I’m intrigued by mediums and have been to a few myself so it was fun to read those parts of the book.

I love how each location throughout the story has a very distinct mood and feel. The house that Blue, her mother Maura, and the gaggle of intuitive women live in is a cozy, cluttered place that has a warm and welcoming feel. It is comfortable and has a very homey vibe.

In stark contrast, Monmouth Manufacturing where the boys live is large, industrial, and cluttered in a different way. It’s intriguing but doesn’t exactly give you the warm fuzzies. It definitely suits the boys who live there though. Cool like Gansey, edgy like Ronan, mysterious like Noah.

If you’ve read the post all about me, you’ll know that I am a sucker for a good graveyard. So it’ll come as now surprise that the church and graveyard is my favorite location in the book. Brooding and dark, I love it! I felt chills when I first read about Blue sitting there and encountering spirit for the first time. Such a cool place!

So now I guess I’m going to have to read the other books in The Raven Cycle series! I’m hoping I enjoy them all this much!

Are you a Raven Cycle fan? Who is your favorite Raven boy?

four-half-stars

Behind the Blog – All About Me!

Have you ever noticed that the most charming and inviting blogs are the ones where you get to know the person behind the screen? Someone who shares themself with you no matter the subject they’re talking about. It’s that personality that keeps you coming back again and again regardless of how small or broad the niche.

BlogJam Atlantic Moncton 2018

This past weekend I had such a great time networking and learning at a bloggers conference called BlogJam Atlantic and one of the main threads that was present throughout the day was that it’s so important to share your own personal voice and story with your readers, no matter what your blog is about. It’s something I haven’t done much of with this blog because my focus so far has just been on the books. That’s about to change!

 

On the drive home, I thought a lot about how I would be able to incorporate more of myself in my writing here without taking away from the literary conversations I’m trying to have. In something like a review, I can do that by expressing my opinions and get into why I feel the way I do about things. In more general posts like my list of bookish podcasts, I can show myself more openly to you and talk about the things that I’m interested in. No matter the post, the language and words I use will definitely show you a part of who I am.

When I got home I saw a notification on twitter that the lovely Cat from The Bibliovert had nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award. This was so timely because I truly do want to be a versatile blogger. I want to contribute to bookish culture and literacy and I want to do it in a way that allows you to get to know me so we can be friends! I want to have conversations with you and I want to meet other people who like the same things that we do. I want to find my people!

Along with this award, comes a fun tag to help share things about myself which is why the timing was so perfect. So here we go!

The Versatile Blogger Award

Rules:

♥ Thank the person who nominated you and include a link to their blog

♥ Share 7 things about yourself

♥ Nominate bloggers that you follow for this award

Thank you so much Cat for thinking enough of me to include me in your list! You can learn more about her in her post. Check out the other people that she selected too! They are fantastic!

Now here are some things that you may not know about me!

Behind the Blog || Pages and Pekoe

#Momlife

I have two wild and crazy boys who are 5 and 3 years old as of today. I’m not sure how that happened though, because I literally just gave birth. Sometimes I feel like it’s a strain on my sanity, but we have recently embarked on the journey of homeschooling which has been challenging but incredibly fun and rewarding.  I can’t wait to see where it will take us!

True Crime Junkie

I know I mentioned in my spooky spoofs post that I don’t like reading horror novels or anything too scary and I really don’t. But there’s something about true crime shows, books and podcasts that really draws me in and satisfies some sort of morbid fascination in me. Some of my favorites are Making a Murderer, I’ll be Gone in the Dark, and My Favorite Murder.

Taphophile

I am what some call a “tombstone tourist” or a “cemetery enthusiast”. For whatever reason, I find graveyards incredibly peaceful, beautiful and interesting. You can find the most intricate artwork and amazing monuments. One of my favorite things to do is to find very very old graves and think about what the person might have been like or what life would have been like for them at the time they were alive. I feel that by acknowledging their life, their footprint on this earth is carried on and they are not forgotten. Even if it’s just in a small way.

Behind the Blog - All About Me! || Pages and Pekoe

Gamer

I love playing video games. I don’t have as much time for it these days with homeschooling and all of the other activities our family is involved in but it’s still one of my favorite ways to check out for a little while and relax. I wish I had more time for it and I’ll still try to when I have a change, but I have a channel on Mixer where I stream video games for fun. It has allowed me to meet some great friends and connect with people from all over.

Abandoned

I find abandoned buildings so cool! I love to explore a place that is all but forgotten and has been left behind. I don’t want to take anything or do any damage, I just want to explore and walk around a big time capsule. Writing all of these things is really making me see how weird I am!

Foodie

I love to cook! This wasn’t always the case, but in recent years I’ve really gotten into my groove in the kitchen. As much as I like cooking, I think I like eating even more. I enjoy trying new foods from all over the world and I’ll trying anything at least once if someone, somewhere likes to eat it! I don’t think I’ve ever been a picky eater a day in my life but when I married my husband, he sure was! It’s been a process, but I have slowly been able to encourage him to try and like to eat all kinds of different foods too. It’s so fun to help my kids find food that they love too!

Professional Student

If I could, I’d be a professional student! In a lot of ways I think that I already am. I am constantly learning. I enjoy taking courses, attending conferences or seminars, watching documentaries, reading non-fiction books about things I want to know more about. My brain has a thirst to know more and more and I have never felt that thirst satisfied at this point in my life. I feel like we’ve always got a chance to learn more and grow from it.

I Nominate …

YOU! If you’re a new blogger, an old blogger, a blogger who is starting over. Tell me about yourself! Share yourself with the world so we can see how unique your voice is and how no one else is quite like you are. Please feel free to accept this nomination and make sure to come back and share your link with me so that I can make sure to see it.

 

 

7 Spooky Spoof Books for the Halloween Season

Serious literature is great, but sometimes a little spoof never hurt anyone either! I’ll be really honest, I don’t do scary. I love true crime, mystery, or suspense but a big HELL NO to thrillers. As much as I’d like to read some Stephen King, I just don’t think it would be a good idea. I already don’t sleep enough as it it.

7 Spooky Spoof Books for the Halloween Season || Pages and Pekoe

That being said, I could read Goosebumps books when I was younger … during daylight hours. Maybe some Nora Roberts as JD Robb  … again during the day. I don’t like being scared just for the sake of it. This may stem from my early childhood when I saw Chucky while my babysitter’s teenage son and his friends were watching it and I was ruined from there on out. Or I’m a wuss. We may never know.

 

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While the the thriller genre isn’t my bag, I do enjoy the festivity and fun of the Halloween season. I like the silly spookiness of Hocus Pocus, the creepy cobweb decorations, and pumpkins carved as jack’o’lanterns. I love dressing up, seeing kids in their costumes, and eating passing out candy. Just don’t take me to a haunted house. Ever.

So that I can have the best of both worlds and get into the Halloween spirit, here are 7 spooky spoofs to make you laugh!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Spooky Spoofy Books for the Halloween Season || Pages and Pekoe

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Book Depository

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls

Spooky Spoofy Books for the Halloween Season || Pages and Pekoe

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Book Depository

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

Spooky Spoofy Books for the Halloween Season || Pages and Pekoe

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Book Depository

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Spooky Spoofy Books for the Halloween Season || Pages and Pekoe

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Book Depository

Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter

Spooky Spoofy Books for the Halloween Season || Pages and Pekoe

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Book Depository

A Fate Totally Worse than Death

Spooky Spoofy Books for the Halloween Season || Pages and Pekoe

 

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Naked Came the Manatee

Spooky Spoofy Books for the Halloween Season || Pages and Pekoe

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Do you have a favorite spoof? Lay on your recommendations!

10 Bookish Podcasts You Should Listen To

Unfortunately, as much as I’d like to, I can’t read all day long. Sometimes I need to cook, clean, or take care of my kids … you know, #adulting and all that. Fortunately, I can listen to bookish content in order to keep myself topped up those fuzzy literary feelings. I know, I know, I could just listen to audiobooks but this is a post about podcasts, ok?

While I’m busy doing all of those boring adult things, podcasts make that time way more enjoyable. I’m sure you’ll think I’m a complete wingnut when I say this, but one of my favorite chores to do is folding laundry because I make myself a fresh cup of tea, turn on my podcast playlist, and go to town! I zone out on the towels I’m folding and let my mind wander to whatever I’m listening to. It’s not usually perfect. I do have to break up sibling fights of course, but you get the idea! Cooking is another perfect time to listen to podcasts.




I have to make a confession though. I listen to other types of podcasts too, not just ones about books. Other subject matters I enjoy are true crime, blogging, homeschooling, organization, and the list goes on. If you’re looking for some more podcast recommendations, let me know!

10 Great Bookish Podcasts You Should Listen To

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Review: Vic Boyo, Doofus Detective

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I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Vic Boyo, Doofus DetectiveVic Boyo, Doofus Detective in: Double Murders are Twice as Bad by Milo James Fowler
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Genres: Mystery, Suspense
Pages: 234
Source: the author
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Goodreads

five-stars




Two murders. One detective. Half a brain.
1931, New York City: Detective Vic Boyo may not be the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but that doesn't stop him from solving cases as only he can. With a little luck and a whole lot of gumption, Boyo sets out to find the murderer of a local cop. Problem is, Boyo's more interested in a gorgeous femme fatale accused of killing her husband. She's destined for the electric chair, but Boyo's got a hunch she might be innocent. And nobody gets in the way of Boyo's hunches, not even Vic Boyo himself.

I have not audibly laughed while reading a book in a very long time until I read Vic Boyo, Doofus Detective! I also caught myself rolling my eyes at one point which is great because I generally don’t have such physical reactions to books! It’s a fun spoofy detective tale in a 1930’s New York noir setting. The author has crafted a light and silly read from a dark and sinister plot which is quite a feat.

 

Characters

As the protagonist, Vic Boyo is a lovable buffoon with an ego larger than the thugs he faces. He sees himself as a cunning detective rivaling Sherlock Holmes himself, but in reality he stumbles through a case that he wasn’t assigned to in the first place. In addition to Vic, I enjoyed the character of his ever loyal secretary Miss Oglethorpe. It’s a mystery to me why he requires a secretary at all making her apparent busyness all the more comical. As the object of Vic Boyo’s affection, Maria Merryface fits into the beautiful femme fatal role. She doesn’t seem thrilled about once she sees Vic’s incompetence. The plot swirls around her and the fact that she’s been accused of her husband’s murder but Boyo knows in his … gut … that she didn’t do it.

 

via GIPHY

Then we have a gaggle of gangsters and cops to round things out. None of whom blatantly stood out to me as amazing characters but certainly added to the hilarity and movement of the plot. Add in a smart-alec kid who ends up helping things along and you’ve got yourself a good time!

Setting

I could close my eyes and picture the grey, dreary streets of 1930’s New York City which is either a testament to Fowler’s writing or it means that I’m too into the gritty film noir scene. Could be either, really. From the atmosphere of the city, to the accents and speech, I was fully immersed. The streets, speakeasys, and warehouses were almost a character in themselves.

 

via GIPHY

My biggest complaint is that it wasn’t long enough! Vic Boyo is such a fun character and I would love to read more of his exploits as I think it would make for a great series. When I read this, I had been on a self-improvement book kick so this was a welcome change of pace.

What was your last laugh-out-loud read?

five-stars