library book show and tell

I had not been to the library in quite some time. Life got busy and there were already unread books on my bookshelf simply waiting to be opened. Then, on a grey and rainy morning, my husband suggested that we browse the stacks. It was a thrill to be back in the library, surrounded by so many exciting reads. My intention was to search for some non-fiction books, since my 20/20 reading goal for the year has been a little lopsided so far. (I have already read more than 20 fiction books but am falling further behind on my non-fiction reads.) In the end, I found myself distracted by all sorts of mystery novels, but there was one non-fiction book added to the pile. It is time for a library book show and tell, complete with mini reviews of each.

summer (and summerween) inspired reading list.

There is no denying the arrival of summer. Though the earliest days of the season had some cooler days sprinkled in, the warm weather has since settled in rather dramatically. The temperatures are unbearable and I find myself dreaming of the fall and winter months. Thank goodness for Summerween, the trendy summer twist on the Halloween season. The spooky season is a nice mental escape from all of this heat. To celebrate, my Summerween inspired tea towels are out, as are a few random decor items. (I decided to pair some cute Halloween decorations from my collection with some summer inspired pieces. Think pumpkins and sandcastles!) In addition to the decorations, some of my favourite spooky movies have been keeping me company, as have pumpkin scented candles and essential oils. When it comes to my reading list, some books have been carefully chosen to reflect both the summer season and the Summerween celebration. Here are some of the books on my list...

review: devout (david archuleta biography and new music)

A lot of musical artists have added meaning to my life, but David Archuleta is higher on the list than most. His voice has consistently wowed, but the release of his biography highlighted the power of his voice in a whole new way. Devout: Losing My Faith To Find Myself is extremely important. Keep reading for a full review of Devout, both the book and the new EP.

six books on my spring book list.

So many books, so little time. If only it was possible to spend all of my hours reading! Since there are other responsibilities that need to be handled, reading is something that I tend to treat myself to at the end of the day. It is a reward. Something to look forward to. My last seasonal reading list included all sorts of Christmas themed books, but this spring, there is more of an assortment. Mysteries, biographies, and so much more. Here are six of the books on my spring book list. 

my seasonal reading list (november and december)

It is fun to choose seasonal books from my bookshelf. I like browsing the stacks of books that I have and deciding which ones will be part of my holiday celebration. Some of the books in this seasonal reading list are thrifted, some are re-reads, and some are new. I wanted a mixture of familiarity and fresh stories to keep things interesting. Here is a closer look at my book list...

my seasonal reading list (fall 2025)

There is nothing better than a theme. Since my mind is already focused on fall, it only made sense to bring that theme into my reading list. I have taken the shop my stash idea to my bookshelves to create a spooky seasonal book list. Some of these books are ones that I have read before and some are ones that I have not had a chance to read yet....but each book was chosen specifically to make the most of the fall season. Keep reading to take a peek at my book list for the next couple of months. 

recent reads (thrillers, mystery, and more)

In a perfect world, it would be possible to read all the time. It is one of my favourite things to do, but sometimes, it can be difficult to make time for this passion. (Or as much time as I would like.) Reading is something that I have been prioritizing a lot more this year. Instead of winding down at the end of the day with a television show or movie, it is an evening curled up with a good book that feels right. I have been re-reading a beloved series from my younger years, but also have been reading an assortment of other books. Some of my recent reads include mysteries, thrillers, and so much more. Take a look...

this or that? books edition TAG

Reading is my reward at the end of the day. It is a way to unwind and learn more. I have always loved to read and often wish that I had more time to do so. That is why my reading goal each year is to finish at least 20 fiction and 20 non-fiction books. It is important that I make the time to read whenever possible. So far this year, some steady progress has been made towards that reading goal. At the moment, I am reading a couple of non-fiction books, including Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford and What If You Are The Answer? by Rachel Hollis. For a little bit of light reading, there are some cozy mystery novels on my bedside table as well. Last month, the amazing blog, Yasmina Rosa Wölkchen, shared the This or That? Books Edition TAG. I knew immediately that it was something I wanted to post here as well. Keep reading for all of the book related questions.

holiday themed reads (mystery, thriller, romance, and more)

Reading is an important part of my life. Especially around the holiday season! It is a wonderful escape from all of the to-do list items and expectations associated with the happiest season of all. Last month, I decided to set aside a small stack of books in my collection to read before Christmas Day. I tried to include a mixture of genres: romance, thrillers, mystery, and a classic tale. At the time of writing this post, most of the books have been read and some are waiting to be read or are underway. (There is still time before the big day arrives!) Here is a closer look at a few of the books on my holiday themed reads list.

beauty bookshelf: never give up by richard simmons

In my last Beauty Bookshelf post, I talked about how my view of beauty has shifted over the years. Though it still includes makeup, fashion, hair, photography, and art, it also includes justice, self confidence, and wisdom. It includes hope and perseverance. Knowledge and meaning. Beauty is so much more than what we see...it is who we are. Though I have been reading a lot of books recently that would qualify for a Beauty Bookshelf post (and may well be highlighted in the future) the one that stood out most was Richard Simmons' Never Give Up: Inspirations, Reflections, Stories of Hope. Since his passing last month, my heart has been aching, but I have been doing my best to turn that loss into something meaningful. I have been eating pretty well, exercising regularly, and taking time to read and reflect. This book has been part of that process. 

recent library book reviews

Books are always a good idea. Recently, an afternoon was spent browsing the shelves at the nearby library for something interesting to read. I wasn't looking for any genre in particular, but was open to whatever happened to catch my eye that day. Though I spent a long time looking at the young adult section for something fun or nostalgic...my choices ended up largely being non-fiction titles. I need to work on this, because my 20/20 reading goal for the year (20 non-fiction and 20 fiction) is rather lopsided at the moment. I've already hit my non-fiction reading goal, but I am falling behind on my fiction books. Those will definitely be the focus in the next little bit. For now, it is time for mini reviews of these recent library books.

beauty bookshelf: clementine ford

It has been many years since the last beauty bookshelf post here on the creation of beauty is art. At that time, this series was described as being focused on beauty-related reads. There were some posts on personal styling and hair style books. And then....I stopped writing beauty bookshelf posts. Truth be told, there was some uncertainty about what to write about as my view of beauty continued to broaden. Should I still focus on makeup, hair, and fashion related reads? Or was it okay to embrace some other aspects of beauty? After taking some time to think it over, a decision has been made, and all beauty related content will be included. Even if it doesn't quite fit into the traditional definition of beauty. To kick off the next generation of beauty bookshelf...this post is a spotlight on an incredible writer, Clementine Ford. She is an outspoken activist and feminist. 

what i've been reading (christmas edition)

There has been a lot of seasonal reading taking place lately. Truth be told, I always have a stack of books waiting to be read, but a few books were set aside specifically for this time of year. Some of the books in the pile were thrifted and some were brand new...but all were ready to make the holiday season feel a little more magical. Ready to find out more about the Christmas themed books that I have been reading lately? Here is everything you need to know about these seasonal stories. 

recent reads + update on my reading goal for the year

If only there was more time to read. Lately, I have been longing for evenings curled up with a good book. Though I do my best to make it happen a few times a week, it is difficult to fit into the schedule most days. There is always so much that needs to be done! Work, cleaning, exercise, seeing loved ones, and a million other to dos on a never-ending list. Sometimes, reading gets put on the backburner, whether I like it or not. That being said, there are a few books that I have been able to finish over the last little while...which means it is time for a recent reads post and an update on my reading goals for the year. 

recent holiday themed reads.

What is better than reading? Not much. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to make time for this beloved pastime. In an ideal world, it would be possible for me to finish all of the books on my shelf and still have time to reread lifelong favourites. The reality is drastically different. Most of the time, I find myself squeezing in a few minutes of reading before bed or at lunch. I miss days spent curled up with a good book. Who knows...maybe there will be more of that in the new year. For now, I will have to settle for stolen moments of escapism. Over the last little while, I have been focused on holiday themed books. Some are mysteries and others are more romantic in nature. Here are some recent reads and mini reviews. 

mini book haul + update on 20/20 reading goal

Too many books? There is no such thing. I believe that having a full bookshelf or two is good for the soul. Which certainly explains why my shelves are double stacked and overflowing with books, books, and more books. Reading has always been a passion of mine and it is something that I love more than anything else. Even if I am not always able to read as much as I would like! For the last couple of years, I have done the 20/20 reading challenge, which is essentially a goal that I set for myself at the start of each year. The challenge is to read at least 20 fiction books and 20 non-fiction books. This ensures that I am reading a lot of different types of books and also encourages me to make time to do what I love most. We are just over halfway through the year and I'm at 13 fiction books and 11 non-fiction books. Still a ways to go! Life has certainly been busy lately, but I do hope that soon enough there will be a little more downtime to focus on my reading list. As for today, I wanted to share some of the recent books that have been added to my shelf. That's right...this is a mini book haul. 

recent reads: mysteries, biographies, and self help

There is nothing better than curling up with a good book...though it is not always easy to make the time. Or have the energy! These days, my plate has felt a little more full than usual. There are always times like that, it seems. Slower times are immediately followed by busier times. But somehow, everything always gets done, and there is even room for fun every now and again. Even though life has been busy lately, reading has been on the forefront of my mind. I've been trying to unwind at the end of the night with a chapter of a book instead of scrolling through Instagram or mindlessly watching something on TV. Not only does this help me to sleep better, but it also makes me feel more connected, grounded, and peaceful. Which is why this post is all about some of my recent reads. I thought that I would share some of the books that have been making my life better lately. Some are mystery novels, there is a celebrity biography, and there are even a couple of self help books. 

nostalgic moments: reading magazines and atoosa rubenstein

Do you remember the feeling of flipping through a magazine? Of pouring over glossy page after glossy page? Reading magazines is such a nostalgic experience for me. When I was younger, there was no greater delight than my parents coming home from buying groceries....because I knew there would be at least one magazine tucked away for me. Sometimes, it was Seventeen. Other times, it was YM. It might have been Teen, Teen People, Bop, Tiger Beat, Popstar or Teen Vogue. A lot of times, it depended who was on the cover, but it was always a thrill to be presented with that magazine. It was something that was all my own. (Well, sometimes it was also my sister's. But usually, the magazine ended up in my possession.) I remember that I would eagerly help to put away groceries and then spend the next several hours reading every single word and looking at every single image in that oh-so-special magazine. It made me feel so special. 

20/20 reading challenge update + mini book reviews

Ahh...New Year's Resolutions. Sometimes they seem impossible to achieve. That is why I have adopted a monthly check-in with my resolutions. It makes it easier to hold myself accountable when I can actively track my progress. One of my resolutions is carried forward from last year: the 20/20 reading challenge. (You can read more about that here.) Essentially, the goal is to read 20 fiction books and 20 non-fiction books by the end of the year. Last year, I was able to surpass this goal, which felt wonderful. This year? I haven't had quite as much time to read....though I am definitely doing my best to squeeze it in wherever possible. Since we are about halfway through 2021, it only made sense to share a mid-way update on this personal reading challenge. There will also be some mini book reviews to consider as well. Here goes...

the bookshelf tag + recent reads video

Books. Books have long filled my heart with every conceivable emotion. Those pages have the power to take you to far off lands, to let you into someone else's world, to transform your perspective, and teach you things you never knew you needed to learn. Books are important. They are the very reason that I have always wanted to be a writer. They are the reason that I continue to write today. For as long as I can remember, books have been an essential part of my life. From being read to as a small child to pouring through Sweet Valley High books in my adolescence to my yearly reading goals...there is something to be said for the written word. During the quarantine, an exhausting day was spent attempting to organize my bookshelf. Before that organizational day, my shelves were overloaded and extra books were left in stacks on the floor. Somehow, I managed to squeeze all of my books onto the two full-sized shelves (it involved double stacking and a splash of creativity) but it was a process! That is what inspired me to do another book post. So without further ado, here is The Bookshelf Tag as well as a Recent Reads video on my YouTube channel.