booknerd Archives - Books and Beverages

Fun Finds for the Booknerd #44

January 15, 2019 by Jamie 2 Comments

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Let’s all have a moment for November. November, I’m sorry, we all do truly love you. But, here’s the thing….CHRISTMAS. I have my decorations out and ready to go. Next Friday friends, next Friday…my house shall explode Christmas.

1. I am A Book Dragon Mug. I can respect this. Based on the amount of books I have in my home, this is a very accurate statement. I can get a bit Smaug-ish if someone tries to get up in my book business and take on of my preciousssses. Two points for two LOTR references? Yes! $13.49

2. Jane Austen Sweatshirt. Y’all, it’s almost winter. We all deserve a new sweatshirt. Am I right? $39.95

Need Christmas gift ideas? Check out these Fun Finds! #books #gifts

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3. The Inklings Tee. My friend Wesley pointed this out to me. It’s what the French call Perfect. EXCEPT I WAITED TOO LONG AND IT’S SOLD OUT. But I’m keeping it up, so they know we mean business. $9.99

4. The Harry Potter Journal We All Need. How perfect is this? And just in time for Fantastic Beasts!! $15.00

5. Classics Shaped Rug. Y’all, you need to get this right now. Why? It’s on sale! All the reason we need right? That and it’s really cute. $19.98

Fun Finds for the Booknerd #43

January 13, 2019 by Jamie 6 Comments

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This has nothing to do with Fun Finds, but living somewhere with legit seasons is amazing!! I love driving around and seeing bright yellow, red and orange trees!! I might be singing a whole new song in a month when frozen water falls from the sky, but for now, I need y’all to know I love it!

And other things I love? Y’all know!

1. Harry Potter, 9 ¾ Book Sign. What are the odds that if I get this, the next day I’ll get my letter for Hogwarts? Like for grad school or something….#TotallyPossible. $20.00

2. Qwerkywriter Wireless Typewriter Keyboard. This is an INSANELY overpriced item, but I still love it. It might not be scientific, but having a cool keyboard would probably make me a better writer right?

You need a gift? Here’s some options for the readers in your life!

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3. Literary Candles. How fun are these? I’m not sure how they might smell (I need to research this), but I think these are the best! $16.00

4. I Am Silently Correcting Your Grammar. A mug with honesty. My kind of mug. $14.95

5. Narnia Vintage Book Cover Bookmarks Set. At first this made me sad to see books cut up. Poor books. But then….these are really awesome bookmarks, so let’s pretend the rest of the books were destroyed, so they had to salvage the covers kay? $10.00

What’s on your wish list?

Fun Finds for the Booknerd #42

January 22, 2019 by Jamie 4 Comments

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So as I was putting this together, I took one look and realized September Fun Finds had a theme. And that was the Inklings. Y’all, I promise I don’t do this on purpose. Here’s the truth – I was on a recent search for office décor and naturally I need to be surrounded by Narnia and Middle Earth, so this collection is some of the décor I looked at. I’ve already purchased one – any guesses?!!

1. Hemingway Pencil Cup. Clue number one – this wasn’t the one I bought, but I do plan on getting something like this. I have to have all my cute markers and pens displayed creatively right? $19.95

2. Aslan Print. Even if you don’t read or know Aslan, isn’t this such a beautiful lion print? I love it and think it would look great on an office wall, office, bedroom, you pick a spot! $15.00

It’s time for another collection of bookish fun finds! Any you need?

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3. LOTR and The Hobbit Poster Set. Ummm…hi Etsy, you are just perfect with your fandom options aren’t you? Well since I’m terrible at trying to drop hints, I’ll just come out and say that this is what I got for my office. Aren’t they the best?? I need to put them up, but they are framed and ready to go. I’m also pretty much declaring my office the best decorated. $28.00

4. Jane Eyre Print. I’ve featured this society6 shop before, but I simply love her stuff. I can’t decide if I want this as a print or a laptop cover. Decisions, decisions. $13.00

5. Courage, Dear Heart Necklace. Hi. I need you in my life. Like yesterday. $25.00

That’s all for now! Any ones you love?

9 Reasons Readers Are the Easiest People to Buy Gifts For

December 3, 2018 by Jamie 8 Comments

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I love finding the perfect gift for someone. It makes me happy when a gift comes as a surprise and brings joy. But then there’s some people who I have to work to find that perfect gift. I’m sure we all know someone like that. You’re worried they won’t like it or they already have it (to which I say Amazon.com Gift Card Internet). But you know who isn’t hard to buy for at all?

Readers.

I have decided we are the easiest group of folks to buy for in the entire universe. If you don’t believe me, here’s 9 reasons why I’m right 😉 Also, my birthday is in July. I kid internet! Kid!

1. You give us a book and we’re happy. Worried we already have 379 unread ones? That means nothing to us. Aren’t sure which one to get? I’ll let you in on a secret: Goodreads. The “To Read” shelf will have at least 50 to choose from. Mine currently has 394, so trust me when I say books are always a good option. If they’re not on Goodreads, I’m sure there’s an Amazon wishlist.

2. They have at least one fandom. What’s a fandom you ask? It’s a very natural and totally healthy obsession with a series, book, author etc. Why is this a good thing? Once you find out what it is, the gift options are endless. Worried you won’t ever find out what their fandom is? Don’t worry, we let the world know whether they want to know or not. I’m pretty sure my third cousin’s best friend’s mom has heard about my love of Lewis and Tolkien.

3. Buy them a fancy edition of a favorite book. Have they mentioned a favorite book? You’re in luck. For the classics that means there’s been several versions published and we love collecting all the awesome covers. Whether it’s Jane or Tollers, trust me on this – I myself own several copies of The Hobbit (even one in Latin), The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia.

4. If a gift shares about how awesome reading is, get it. We love pretty much anything fun about how awesome readers are and how fun reading is. We’re talking Laptop covers, iPad cases, book bags, phones cases. Really endless possibilities.

5. If they love classics, congrats, there’s an awesome online bookshop to buy things from. It’s Out of Print and for every item purchased they donate a book. I have spent a bit of cash in this store both as gifts and for myself.

6. Another shoutout goes out to Litographs because they make your life much easier as well. Anything from their shop will make a reader happy. Plus they also make a donation with every purchase. You just can’t lose.

9 Reasons Readers Are the Easiest People to Buy Gifts For

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7. You can always buy a Gift Card to B&N or Amazon or any book retailer. If you think a gift card to B&N is impersonal, let me set you at ease: it isn’t. Instead, it is seen as manna from bookish heaven. This gives us readers the chance to try something new, get an awesome edition of a favorite or buy bookish accessories.

8. Book related clothing makes us happy too. We are a proud group and we aren’t afraid to show it. I think half of my non-work shirts are related to books. Cute v-necks that express my love of epic literature? Yes please!

9. Give us a gift to help spread our love and we’re in! Find cute note cards or postcards (I happen to know of some ;)) that express the love of reading and favorite authors? PERFECT. Then we can convince our friends and families to join the reading radness club.

What do you think? Is there a group easier to buy for? What’s another reason you would add to this list (you know for an even 10)?

Also, I think I might know of a Shoppe that can help you out finding the perfect gift ;). Check it out here!

An Open Letter to Goodreads

January 11, 2019 by Jamie 14 Comments

Dearest Goodreads,
I have to say we’ve had a really good relationship this past year. I feel like we’ve grown together and shared some good times. When we first met, I kind of ignored you. I’m sorry. I didn’t fully see all who you were and all the friends you would introduce me to. That is 100% on me. Mea culpa Goodreads. Mea culpa.

And while we’ve grown stronger, I feel there are some things I need to bring up. As we all know the key to any good relationship is communication. How many books have we read where if there was some quality communication things would have turned out much better? So here we are.

Know I say these things in love, because I wouldn’t be a true friend if I wasn’t willing to bring up the problems.

1. Can you cut us some slack when it comes to your search option? With Amazon (who well…owns you) I can type in Houbittee and it will know I’m looking for The Hobbit. But with y’all, I’m one letter off and no mercy! I’m glad you think I’m intelligent and should know how to spell every single word and author’s name, but I confess, I can’t spell every word in every language ever written. So maybe just a wee bit of slack?

2. I’ve already discussed the whole star rating shenanigans, so I’ll just say this one more time: PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF THE WRITTEN WORD HALF STAR RATINGS. Thanks.

3. You know what else I love to do? Re-read my favorites, so can we maybe toss around the idea of a re-read shelf option. Yes, yes, we can create a new list called something like “2015 Reads,” but I’ve been know to read the same book twice (or more don’t judge me, you don’t know my life!) in one year. So what’s a book nerd to do? My friend Wesley brought this to my attention and all I can say is truth! I’m not going to lie, I take pride in the books I read and Goodreads is the perfect place to rep that. So maybe a shelf option kay?

Phew! I don’t think that was too bad right? I’m sure there’s a few other thoughts people have, so they might mention them in the comments below, but please don’t take it too hard Goodreads. It’s only because we love you!

Sincerely Yours,

Jamie

(If you’re on Goodreads, let’s connect! Since I don’t blog about every book I read, it’s a great place to still chat books – Connect here!)

I think it’s time. An open letter to @goodreads

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UPDATE!!! 8/12/15 – I got a response from Goodreads! You can find a a response to all three points here and I’m sad to report they hate half stars (see here). I don’t care if Netflix feels the same way! I’m not giving up though internet! 🙂