Happy Friday Links

2-2-24

Hi friends,

Yay! The weekend is almost here. Hopefully, you have some fun plans ahead of you. I had a great bookish week. I had several online events and one in-person book club meeting that all had such great conversations on books I’ve recently read. I have several more events on my calendar for next week, and so far, I’ve been able to keep up with the reading to get the most out of these events.

Several writers have applied to write a guest post on SoNovelicious during 2024, and I can’t wait to see what the “peek” into their reading life looks like. I still have a few spots available, so it’s not too late to apply; you can read all about it here. Guest posting is also open to authors of books who write a bookish newsletter on Substack. Writing about something fun in your reading life is a great way to meet new readers and turn them into fans of your books.

I’ve got lots of links for you for the weekend, so let’s get started:

• This Guardian article just makes my bookish heart happy. I know when I go to my library, there are tons of teens and young adults studying, reading, and participating in other activities the library provides.

• Here’s your opportunity to own a piece of Southern California history. The owner of Vroman’s is 80 years old and is retiring, and says that “Vroman’s deserves new ownership with the vision, energy, and commitment necessary to take it successfully into the future.”

• An ode to TV Bars & Restaurants.

• Another author is opening her own bookstore in Florida, and it “will feature banned books, an act of resistance in a state where more than half of school districts have seen book-banning activity over the past two years.” The author has had one of her books banned by the state.

• I don’t do a lot of cooking from scratch, and the main reason for that is I live alone, and most recipes are written for more than 1-2 people. I recently discovered One Dish Kitchen, which has opened up a world of new meals for me without wasting food or having more leftovers than I have room to freeze. If everyday cookbook recipes are too much for your family, this might be the solution you’ve been looking for.

• I have made no secret of my love for young adult books; there are so many great authors in all types of YA books (historical fiction, mystery, fantasy, thriller, etc.) written for teens, and many of those books are fun to read as adults. This Millions article says that YA isn’t just for the young and that “we’re always coming of age—at every age.”

• Readers always want to know “how to read more,” and this Libby article provides six tips to do just that.

• SHuSH, by Kenneth Whyte
  was one of the first newsletters I subscribed to on Substack. I enjoy his newsletter for all the “behind the scenes” in a small publishing house. In this issue of his newsletter,
  ken whyte
  gives his observations on the audiobook industry. I found it fascinating, and if you listen to audiobooks, you will, too.

• People who write blog posts and newsletters about books always say, “XX month is going to be a great month for new books.” In this Lithub article, the author makes her case on why March will be the best time for new books this year. I’ve been looking ahead and seeing so many great books coming over the next few months, and I can’t wait.

• Audiofile Magazine is a website about all things audiobooks. There are reviews of audiobooks; there is a database of audiobook narrators; you can subscribe to a weekly newsletter and a monthly magazine, and it also has a short (5-10 minutes) daily podcast called Audiofile—Behind the Mic. You can listen to it on the website and find it in most podcast apps. I enjoy a quick look at an audiobook that gives just enough information to help the listener know if they want to listen to the book.

• If you are a “planner” person looking for supplies for your bookish planner, this BookRiot post has many to choose from for both paper and digital planners. If you want more, Etsy has hundreds to pick from. Search for “book journals,” and you’ll be shown both paper and digital journals. You can get lost in the abyss for all the supplies for both.

• Writer, historian, and activist Rebecca Solnit writes a somewhat funny, flippant, but true article for LitHub about “how to comment on social media.” It speaks volumes about social media.

• In this LitHub article, you can find out about the Literary Film & TV you need to stream in February 2024.

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Bookish Fun Fact

Tomorrow, the first Saturday in February, is Take Your Child to the Library Day. Created in 2011 by retired librarian Nadine Lipman for the Waterford Public Library in Connecticut and promoted by libraries across the country, it’s a great day to kick off National Library Lovers Month. This website has information about the literary day, a map to find a library close to you, and other information about the services many libraries provide. If you don’t have children, take your grandchild, your neighbor’s child (with permission), or a child of someone you know who doesn’t go to the library very often or maybe not at all. Check with your library to see if they have any activities planned and celebrate this day at your library.

I’m working through the logistics of attending the Savannah Book Festival on Saturday, February 17th. Festival Saturday is free, so the only costs are travel, food, and lodging to/from and while I’m there. Call me crazy, but if I go, I’ll drive and take an extra day or two to sightsee to and from. I love road trips, especially when the trips are through areas I’ve never been to before. While I’ve been to Savannah once, we went a different route, so traveling this trip would be all new to me. I love to listen to podcasts, and this trip would give me plenty of time to do that, and maybe I’ll try a few audiobooks too.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend that brings you plenty of fun, rest, reading, and everything that fills your soul. Happy reading!