Here they are! My favorite books of 2019. In 2018, there was one piece of nonfiction on my list. In 2017, there were none. This year, there are six. My reading tastes have changed as the world around me has changed. I’m grateful for the books that have helped me continue to figure out my voice. Here’s to celebrating even more of those in 2020.
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This post was made possible by Extra Space Storage. Thanks Extra Space!
WE MOVED! My two wonderful roommates and I moved to Harlem and we are living in our dream apartment. I mean, it’s a fifth floor walkup, but once you get up here, it IS the dream!
Faced with this new space, we decided to make our home the bookish paradise it was destined to be. And now that it finally feels like home, I want to drop a few tips on you!
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Scrunchies and braids and middle grade – oh, my! Over the next 20 months, I’ll be indulging my inner princess and reliving one of my favorite series: The Royal Diaries, from Scholastic Press.
I’ve never hated this holiday. When I was little, it was a day of candy and overly decorated shoe boxes, ready for valentines. My mom always made it about her love for all of us, surprising my brother and I with cards and fuzzy socks and magazines when we came downstairs for breakfast.
As I got older, its magic changed. Senior year of high school, I happened to discover my boyfriend’s promposal on that day (it was in a book he lent me. I know, very me). I was at rehearsal for the winter play and was using some downtime to sit backstage and read when the book jacket slipped off and I discovered three post-it notes: “will you go,” “to prom with,” & “me?” Safe to say, I said yes (we didn’t end up going, but that’s a long story for another time).
Senior year of college, my roommate of all four years of school and I treated ourselves to a movie and brunch at our favorite spot in Durham. Through some fluke, we ended up having our meal completely comped by the restaurant. And the movie was silly but we loved it. Whether it’s been a meaningful night with a guy, a box of valentines from CVS and a day of crafting with mom, or an evening of wine and friends, I’m here for you, Valentine’s Day.
So, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite love stories – some picture perfect, others not. Organized by mood, of course!
Happy Galentine’s Day, bookworms! I never pass up an opportunity to celebrate my magical group of friends – it’s safe to say I’d be nothing without these incredible people. Here are 6 books I love that celebrate the power of female friendship.
Calling all Music Lovers! Obviously music is a huge part of my life – it’s how I store my memories, how I get through the work day, how I get (and stay) excited about, well, life. And I’m a sucker for a music story – movies (Begin Again, A Star is Born, School of Rock, Almost Famous, Across the Universe), musicals (Dreamgirls, Hairspray, Jersey Boys), and obviously books! Here are some of my favorite stories that celebrate creating music.
Ok, I’ll admit it. I am not the biggest football nut. Shocker, I know. I have been known to bring a book to the couch as everyone gathers to watch the game – I like being surrounded by my friends and family and I like the excitement, but I like to have a little literary comfort as well. If you’re in the same boat, here are seven books best read in one sitting. Pick one up of these at 6.30 PM tonight and you’ll be done by the final touchdown. Now, that’s my kind of Sunday!
A realization: people are intimidated to give me books. I totally understand why – the odds of handing me something I already own are not in their favor. Don’t get me wrong, I love getting books as presents, like the one that struck my heart this year or the beautiful vintage Dickens volumes my brother gave my last year (pictured below). And I give books as gifts like there’s no tomorrow.
But this year, I received more bookish gift cards than books themselves. And I was thrilled. So I got to work! Both at Barnes and Noble and our local independent bookstore, I added to my shelves a collection of books I can’t wait to dive into. Here’s what made the cut and why!
