Books to Pull You Out of the Downton Abbey "Show-Hole"!

Hello Bookworms,

          We’ve all seen the commercial, where the announcer talks about seeing the “final, final credits” and that you enter the “show hole” where “the struggle could not BE more real”. Many of you Downton Abbey fans out there (myself included) are anticipating this show hole when the series comes to an end in a few weeks. Well, I have some suggestions for a much needed round of book therapy to help you through the Downton’s Ended Slump!

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by Lady Fiona Carnarvon

          For those of you who really love the series and every thing about it, you know that Lady Fiona Carnarvon in the Countess of Carnarvon, the current Lady of Highclere Castle where Downton Abbey was shot! Well, she has written a book about the history of the real Earl of Carnarvon during the time period that Downton Abbey is set! You will be interested to know that some of the details of their lives seem very reminiscent of the lives of the characters in Downton Abbey J .

Check out Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey!

Lady Catherine, The Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey by Lady Fiona Carnarvon

          If one book isn’t enough, The Countess of Carnarvon has gifted us with two!! Go to the next generation of the family that owned and ran Highclere Castle and see what new adventures and surprises are in store!!

Check out Lady Catherine, The Earl, and the RealDownton Abbey!

Still need more from Highclere? Read my interview with Lady Fiona Carnarvon!

The Love and Inheritance Novels by Fay Wheldon

          For those of you who don’t know, Fay Wheldon wrote the pilot for the hugely popular Upstairs Downstairs. But that and many novels and popular advertising slogans aren’t all she wrote. Fay Wheldon wrote a trilogy of novels that are a lot like Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs (they even span a similar time period as Downton Abbey). Full of love, money, and good old "rich aristocrat" family drama, I’ve put this series on my TBR list because I think it’s sure to be a hit (although you can trust I'll tell you in my reviews if they're not! ;) )!

Check out Book One in The Love and Inheritance Novels!

So there you go! Dig yourself out of that show hole and invest in some much needed book therapy with these fun novels! Happy Reading!

Until Next Time,

             Lizzie <3

Guilt Free Shopping for the Book Obsessed!

Hello bookworms,

        We’ve all done it. It’s part of being a book lover. We fall in love with a particular series so we buy every piece of memorabilia ever made: the movies, the “I <3 MR DARCY” T-shirts, the scarves printed with text from the book, the jewelry, the tote bags, and everything else you find immediately goes on your “WANT!” list! We feel a little guilty for spending the money but the stuff is SO COOL!  Well, I’ve found out about a company where you can buy loads of bookish items guilt free because your proceeds are helping spread books and the love of reading!

        Out of Print Clothing is a charity company bringing you the fun bookish stuff you love and bringing books to impoverished people in Africa!

What do they do?

        Out of Print Clothing looks through stacks of books at libraries and bookstores to find classics and curiosities. The books are then converted into the products that they sell (don’t panic! It’s not the actual books, its copies of the cover art, etc.). Out of Print Clothing has all sorts of book memorabilia including clothing, accessories, stationary, and more! All for very reasonable prices! Cool right?!?!?!?!

Their Mission?

        How does this translate into guilt-free buying? Buying products from Out of Print Clothing helps spread the gift of reading! Out of Print Clothing is partnered with Books for Africa! Every Out of Print purchase made makes it possible to donate one book through Books for Africa! In other words, you’ll get a cool piece of bookish memorabilia and give a book to a person in Africa at the same time! 

It’s great for personal buying, or giving a gift to a loved one that gives back!

I bought a tote at my local bookstore from the company for just $17!  It’s printed with the cover art from a publishing of Pride and Prejudice (one of my all-time favorite stories!).

You can see a picture of it here!

You can find Out of Print Clothing products in bookstores or online at www.outofprintclothing.com!

Find out about great deals by following them at @OutofPrintTees on Twitter!

Happy Shopping!

Until Next Time,

                Lizzie <3