Christmas at See Lizzie Read!!

Hello Bookworms!!,
          I apologize that I have been away for SO LOOOONG!!! But I promise that I have not forgotten about you! I have new reviews, author interviews, and more planned for See Lizzie Read!
          One fun thing that I have planned is #BookishGifts! I am posting fun, funky, and cool Christmas gift ideas for the book lover on your Christmas list (or maybe to help build your own Christmas list! ;) ). Go over to See Lizzie Read's Facebook page, "like" it, and keep an eye out for the hashtag "#BookishGifts"!! Let me know what you think or make suggestions of your own!


To access the Facebook page, Click Here! :D


I'll type again soon!,
              Lizzie <3

What Did You Get for Christmas?

Hello Bookworms!,

          I hope all of you had a productive #NaNoWriMo! I look forward to seeing all the books that will come from the new manuscripts! A lot has happened since my last post! First, there was Thanksgiving. Then, I graduated University, Magna Cum Laude, with my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work!! Then Christmas and finally New Years!  But I didn’t stop reading! In fact, I met my Goodreads goal of reading 25 books in a year! Now its 2015 and I cannot wait to share new reviews, interviews, and more with you!

          But first, I want to discuss the bookish Christmas gifts we all got!

          I was blessed that my family knows how much I love books! First, I got…BOOKS! Lol!! I was given, C.S. Lewis, My Godfather by Laurence Harwood, The Power of Being Thankful Devotional by Joyce Meyer,

          Then, my amazing mother looked at some photos of bookish jewelry I had been fascinated by and found the companies that made them!! I received handmade stacked books earrings, a ring made from the pages of Pride and Prejudice, and a “Time to Read” pendant!! Thank you Momma!!

          In the bookish movies department, I received the Jane Austen Emma mini series and Endeavor (adapted from Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse novels!)

         I even got a Reading Wrap and warm fuzzy socks to cuddle up and read on these cold winter nights!

I think it’s safe to say that my family understands how passionate I am about my hobby! :D

          Did you get a book you’d been wanting? A movie adaptation? A new bookshelf from Ikea? I’m giving you a chance to brag and be excited about it!!

I hope you had a very bookish Christmas! And here’s to many good books to read in 2015!!

Until next time,

        Lizzie <3

Unusual Places to Find Good Books

Hello Bookworms,

    There are typically three places we know we have access to books: The library, bookstores, and the internet. But when you are looking for a specific book, or maybe a children’s version of a book for a pint-sized loved one, have you ever considered some of the following unusual places to find books:

 

Craft Stores:

    I know. A craft store is not the place you would think to find books. “Craft stores only carry craft materials”. Not all of them. Check out this photo I took at a local MICHAEL’S. In the back of the store they keep children’s books and these illustrated classics were on sale for just $1 each near cashier’s!

 

Chain stores:

    While we know that stores like Walmart and Target have book sections. Usually they only include books that are “bestsellers”, the latest pick for Oprah’s book club, or the last book that was made into a major blockbuster. Unless you follow those lists, typically the book section doesn’t hold much interest for you. However, don’t just walk past the section without stopping to take a look periodically. You might be amazed what you’ll find. For example, Here are some classics on sale for $3 each at the front of a Target store:

 

Also, here is a complete volume of Shakespeare’s plays that I found on the sale table at a local Walmart for just $8.:

 

Dollar/Discount Stores:

    Dollar stores are a GREAT place to find books! One would typically think that a dollar store would only carry the books that didn’t do well and no one really wants to read. That is sometimes the case but that is not always true. For example, This photo is of an M.C. Beaton book from her Agatha Raisin series that I found at a Dollar Tree for (you guessed it) $1! And that’s just one of the many little gems I’ve found in the book sections of dollar stores.

 

 

These are just three of the many places that you can find books that you’ll love. You can also try yard/garage/estate sales, large gas stations/travel stations, and plenty of other places. The idea is, keep your eyes open when you ‘re out and about. Never assume that because its not a place that you would normally buy books that they couldn’t have anything you’d enjoy reading. You never know when you might find a welcome addition to your personal library.

 

Until next time,

         Lizzie <3

International Book Giving Day!!

 

Hello Bookworms!!!

        As we all know, February the 14^th is Valentine’s Day and its coming up fast. People are out buying flowers, candies, cards, jewelry, etc. for their loved ones to commemorate the day. But there is another holiday that deserves some attention on February 14^th.

        It is not Valentine’s Day all over the world, however, it is INTERNATIONAL BOOK GIVING DAY!!!!

What is International Book Giving Day?

        International Book Giving Day is a day dedicated to putting books in the hands of children all over the world. We know that reading improves a child’s vocabulary, imagination, reading/writing/and speaking skills, as well as improving their memory allowing them to retain more information and helping them do better in school. The aim of IBGD is to get people to help children by giving them books to read. The best part is it’s super simple to do!! You don’t have to take a lot of time or even a lot of money!

How do I participate?

        All you have to do is find a way to put a book in the hands of a child. There are infinite ways that you can do that but here are a few examples that might help get your creative juices flowing:

Give a book to your children or grandchildren

Give a book to the neighbor-kids (with their parents permission of course)

Buy some books for the local school/daycare/after-school program

Leave a book in the children’s area of the doctor’s office (may need to ask the office staff for permission first but I don’t think they’ll mind as long as you’ve asked.)

Donate your child’s old books that they don’t like anymore (that are in good condition) to any charity that sends books to children whose families/communities cannot afford them.

        *Usually the charities can be found by looking online or asking your local community offices like the school social worker or office staff (usually the lower grades like primary and elementary will be more aware because more charities target young children), city hall, etc.

Want more information?

There are several ways to get information and updates in regards to International Book Giving Day.

First, I recommend their website for all you need to know about this movement and to sign your name to the list of people from all over the world who are going to give books (signing the list does not obligate you to do anything, or sign you up for any fees, you may choose to be shown as anonymous. The organizers would just like to know how many people and from what countries will books be given.)

Second, I recommend following the organizers on Twitter @bookgivingday. You will see all sorts of stories, facts, print outs and more from the book giving day organizers. You can find them by searching their name or find their tweets by searching the hashtag #giveabook.

I personally am planning to participate by giving books to the children in my class as a part of their take home gift bags during their Valentine’s Day party. I hope you will participate too. Books can bring joy and so many mental benefits to our kids. If kids can learn to enjoy reading they have a resource that they can use for life as well as a form of entertainment that will never run out. But all of the benefits start with the child having a book in their hands. You can help start the whole process, give a book on the 14^th. J

Until Next Time,

        Lizzie <3

What to Give a Bookworm for Christmas

Hello Bookworms,

            Many of you are trying to find gifts for your family and friends. I’m willing to bet that most of you have one person on your list that LOVES books!! That might even be the only thing you know about some of the people on your list. To keep you from pulling any more of your hair out, here are a few ideas on what to give your favorite bookworm (or what to tell your friends or family to get you ;) )

Bookmarks!

Every person that reads books needs a way to mark their place and a bookmark is a perfect way! Bookmarks come in a very wide variety of materials, sizes, shapes, and colors. Every bookstore sells them and most of the time they are cheap! Bookmarks make good small gifts or stocking stuffers for the bookworm in your circle of family and friends!

                                             A funky beaded bookmark that sits in the center of the book

Bookends!

Maybe you’re looking for something a little more substantial that a bookmark but you don’t want to spend a ton. How about bookends? Bookends come in so many different forms that you’re sure to find some that will fit your family member or friend’s personality or home décor perfectly!

 

Book Covers!

Another small and inexpensive item is book covers. These little spandex covers keep hardback books from getting all scratched up over the wear and tear of reading them or carrying them around with you and would make a great gift for the family member who is a little rough with their books J

                                                                                           Great as a gift or a stocking stuffer!

Book Memorabilia!

A great thing to give a friend who super loves a particular book or series is memorabilia straight from the story! Three great examples are Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games. These books have become very famous and have LOADS of merchandise from ornaments to figurines to games to t-shirts, jackets and much much more! Can’t find your family or friends favorite book memorabilia in store? Look around online! Many stores only carry the most popular ones so check their online stores or places like Amazon.com, etc. to see if there is any memorabilia out there for your loved one’s favorite story.

 

Bookshelves!

If you’re looking to spend a little more money, and your friend or families books are overtaking every space in their home, why not buy them a bookshelf? Whether in store or online, there is most likely a bookshelf to match your friends decorating taste. J

 

Books!

The best thing to give your book loving friend is, of course, a book! Listen to what they say around you and I’ll bet they will mention a book that they really want or an author that they really love! There are literally MILLIONS of books out there and they come in all price ranges so you are sure to be able to find one that you will be happy  to give your loved one this Christmas. J

 

Box Sets!

Do you have a friend or family member who is obsessed with a particular series of books? If they don’t already own a copy of all of the books in that series a good gift might be a box set of the entire series! If there is a series there is more than likely a box set of the whole thing so check out your local bookstores and online stores to see how to get one for your loved one!

 

Book lights!

            Book lights are an ingenious little item that won’t drain you Christmas shopping budget and will be of use to your book loving friend! A book light will allow your friend or family member to keep reading during a blackout, or when the person next to them at night needs to sleep with little to no lights on. They come in a variety of shapes and colors and usually only require a 2-4 small batteries. J

Audiobooks!

Do you have a family member or friend who loves books but is on the road a lot? What about a someone who is not able to see very well anymore but still loves stories? Well a great idea for these people is audiobooks! Just about every major book has been made into an audiobook and it allows people in compromising situations to hear the stories they love!

 

 

Decorative Book Boxes!

You have probably seen these in a lot of stores over the last few years. If your friend or family member needs something to hide valuables in, go for a more realistic looking book. If they just want them for storage and decoration, go for more decorative books!

 

     I hope these ideas have helped you figure out what you can give your book loving friend or family member this Christmas! J With just a little time and effort you can give your loved one a book related gift that they’ll really enjoy.

Until Next Time,

            Lizzie <3

Book Giveaway!!

Hello Bookworms!!,
        I have an exciting announcement!! In just 2 weeks from today I will be announcing a book giveaway!! Entry will be very simple!

Entry:

Simply go to my Twitter, @LovelyLizzie10, on Black Friday and RT my post about the giveaway

                             OR

Go to the See Lizzie Read  Facebook page on Black Friday and "Like" or "Comment"

One lucky winner will be chosen at random!

There will be a post up at 12:00 am EST on Black Friday to remind everyone and I will be tweeting and facebooking reminders throughout the day!!

The giveaway is open to all countries! :)

Stay tuned for the announcement of which book!! (I know you'll love it :) )