a lifestyle blog for book lovers

Funny story: I meant to do links last week and in my post-Thanksgiving haze I didn’t even realize that I’d forgotten to put them up. Until Monday. (That was a well-timed holiday weekend for my family.)

My favorite finds from around the web:

• The 24 best fiction books of 2016. I’ve read four. I enjoyed three. I haven’t heard of six. I checked seven out of the library and returned them unread, or mostly so. Two more, I own but have never opened. (The ones I enjoyed: The Mothers, Homegoing, The Underground Railroad.)

• Quit social media. Your career may depend on it. “Professional success is hard, but it’s not complicated. The foundation to achievement and fulfillment, almost without exception, requires that you hone a useful craft and then apply it to things that people care about.” From Cal Newport, who inspired yesterday’s blog post about my new habit.

• What it takes to open a bookstore. “I’m surely not the only bookworm who has fantasized about working in a bookstore: The quiet, convivial atmosphere; the rows of spines with titles you have always meant to read; the enthusiastic conversations about books. But as I learned, it’s not quite as relaxing as it looks.”

• Literary Iceland revels in its annual “Christmas Book Flood.” “The culture of giving books as presents is very deeply rooted in how families perceive Christmas as a holiday,” says Kristjan B. Jonasson, president of the Iceland Publishers Association. ‘Normally, we give the presents on the night of the 24th and people spend the night reading. In many ways, it’s the backbone of the publishing sector here in Iceland.'”

Of note: 

• Book of the Month December selections are out! View the whole list here. (Using the code MODERNMRSDARCY may get you a little something extra.) I enjoyed You Will Know Me and am currently reading The Sun Is Also a Star. I’m also happy to see Into Thin Air as an extra title that’s available this month. We’ve read our cheap paperback to pieces and would love a nice hardcover copy around here.

• I don’t share a lot of beauty stuff around here but this is too good to not tell you about. Ulta currently has their Smoky Naked Palette on sale for $27, half off the regular $54 price. I paid full fare for one of these last year and have happily used it every day. (I have the original Naked palette, but I’m thinking about getting one of these while they’re cheap! The colors are great and the brush it comes with is amazing.) In store and online; good through December 3.

Favorite instagram:

reading by the fire

A view I’m hoping to revisit many, many times this season. (Follow me on instagram @annebogel.)

On the blog:

One year ago: 11+ gifts that are perfect for book lovers.

Two years ago: 13+ perfect stocking stuffers for book lovers.

Three years ago: 39 stocking stuffers that will actually be appreciated, don’t feel like a waste of money, and won’t be broken/destroyed/forgotten by New Years.

Four years ago: Books: Buy or Borrow? (Here’s how I decide.)

Five years ago: Classic gifts for girls.

Have a great weekend!

9 comments

Leave A Comment
  1. Donna says:

    Great links as always, Anne! I love the 24 best fiction books of 2016 list! I’ve only read Homegoing from the list, but I’ll be reading The Mothers soon.:)
    Thanks for sharing the Christmas Book Flood link. I’ve never heard of that tradition before but maybe I should move to Iceland because they’ve got the right idea!
    A few favourite links this week:

    Reading Blind is Best
    http://www.readitforward.com/authors/reading-blind-best/

    The Guardian asked writers to choose their best reads this year
    Part one: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/nov/26/best-books-of-2016-part-one
    Part two: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/nov/27/best-books-of-2016-part-two

    Thanks for sharing!:)

  2. Jamie says:

    That bookstore article reminded me of reading The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap and how the owners had no idea what they were getting themselves into, but they did it anyways! There are some aspects of life that retain that romantic haze about them…until you actually have to live through them! I could imagine opening a bookstore would be on that list.

  3. Jeannie says:

    Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on The Sun is Also a Star. I loved her first book and thought this would be another winner. Only in the middle so far, so no major opinions yet.

  4. My fiance and I are slowly collecting books from library sales / church sales / gifts in the hopes of opening a store when we retire! We’re already close to 500 books at this point… Should bring the cost down if we already have the inventory : )

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We appreciate a good conversation in the comments section. Whether we’re talking about books or life, differing opinions can enrich a discussion when they’re offered for the purpose of greater connection and deeper understanding, which we whole-heartedly support. However, my team and I will delete comments that are hurtful or intended to shame members of this community, particularly if they are left by first-time commenters. We have zero tolerance for hate speech or bigotry of any kind. Remember that there are real people on the other side of the screen. We’re grateful our community of readers is characterized by kindness, curiosity, and thoughtfulness. Thank you for helping us keep it that way.

Find your next read with:

100 Book recommendations
for every mood

Plus weekly emails with book lists, reading life tips, and links to delight avid readers.