Crochet Book Accessories
Besides her books, every book girl needs book accessories!
It’s one thing to read and it’s another to read with extra pazazz ✨
Bookish accessories or “merch” is a fun way to add to the reading experience. That’s why I’ve created my own!
Below are 5 book accessories I’ve crocheted for myself or friends:
Flower pattern bookmark with a tassle
27 Granny Square tote bag with thick straps
Decorative bookmarks
Checkered book covers with heart button
Rose bookmark with leaf bottom
It’s always fun to elevate your books and give them a treat!
If you would love any of these accessories custom-made for you, send me a message in the Contact Form!
Creative Ways to Pick Your TBR - Part 2
You know what a new month means, right??
A new TBR!
The answer to picking your TBR from your mountain of unread books is simple! Creativity, my friend.
If you haven’t read Creative Ways to Pick Your TBR - Part 1, head there now and I’ll meet you back here for Part 2!
Run a Poll
Take your pile of books and separate them into multiple groups of 2. I would advise between 3-5 groups. Now that you have these groups of 2, you have some options:
Turn to your Instagram stories and poll your followers to decide between the two books. You can show the covers or draw over them and use left + right or assigned emojis as the poll options
Text a couple of your friends or family and ask them to pick between the two books
Close your eyes and randomly pick one of the two books in your groups
Now you have 2 creative ways to pick your monthly TBR in your back pocket! Have any other ideas for deciding what to read each month? Share it with me in the comments section!
*Disclaimer: just because you pick out your set of books for the month does not mean you have to stick with them. You’re reading for fun, not to prove anything to anyone! All of my mood readers out there understand what I mean…
2024 Reading Ins + Outs
Maybe I’m late to the game (or maybe I’m a procrastinator 🤪) but I don’t always jump on trends when they appear…
At the beginning of 2024, you couldn’t open Instagram or TikTok without seeing hundreds of “2024 Ins + Outs” for every kind of topic.
Enter: Boise Books Girl’s 2024 Reading Ins + Outs (3 months into the year…)
IN
OUT
Reading books all the way through if you don’t like it just because you “have to finish”
Reading the books you picked for your TBR even if you’re not in the mood for them anymore
Forcing yourself to read when you’re in a book slump
Reading a book just because it’s hyped up on Bookstagram or BookTok
Comparing your reading speed to “fast readers”
Reading in public (click here for where to read in public in Boise!)
Trying different genres
Re-reading your favorite books
Finding playlists made for the book you’re reading
Buying books from indie + local authors
Do you have any ins + outs that I missed? Share them in the comments box below!
Creative Ways to Pick Your Monthly TBR - Part 1
If you’re anything like me, you can self-diagnose yourself as a book hoarder. What does that mean? To put it simply, you have a book-shopping addiction crossed with an “each of my books must be displayed for everyone to see in my home” mentality. Am I right or am I right?? You just can’t part ways with any of them because they are little trophy reminders of what you have experienced. And if you haven’t read them yet - they are glimpses into what’s to come.
So what do ya do when you have an overflowing pile or books and you just can’t decide what you want to read that month? One answer: you get creative. Here is Part 1 on how to get creative with picking out your monthly TBR!
Number Your Books
Take a pile of books you may enjoy reading for the month and use sticky notes to number each book. Now, write out each number on separate pieces of paper. Example numbers for this method: 15 books numbered in a pile and I’m looking to read 5. Here are a couple ideas with this method:
Use an online number generator to choose which books end up on your TBR. Set the number generator to 1-15 and get a new number 5 times. Each number matches one of your 15 books and now you have a TBR!
Place the 15 pieces of paper in a container and randomly pick out 5 to match the number of books you want to read that month.
Text 5 of your friends or family and ask them to give you a number between 1 and 15. Now they picked out what you’ll be reading this month!
Picking out your reading goals and deciding which books to read can become a fun activity in itself! If you try one of these ideas or have another method of picking out your TBR, I want to hear about it! Contact me here :)
*Disclaimer: just because you pick out your set of books for the month does not mean you have to stick with them. You’re reading for fun, not to prove anything to anyone! All of my mood readers out there understand what I mean…
Unleashing Your Bookish Spirit in Boise's Cozy Corners
Hey Boise Book Gals!
Ready to dive into the heart of Boise with a book in hand? Whether you're a seasoned bookworm or just starting your reading journey, our beloved city has some cozy corners waiting to be explored. Let's sprinkle a bit of literary magic into your Boise experience!
1. Hyde Park Haven: A Bookworm's Oasis
Nestled in the charming Hyde Park, there's a local gem that screams "Bookish Paradise." Imagine sipping a warm cup of coffee, wrapped in your favorite blanket, as you explore the shelves of this quaint bookstore. I recently stumbled upon a hidden nook with the most enchanting poetry collection – a perfect spot to lose yourself in verses.
2. Riverside Reads: A Riverfront Retreat
For a touch of nature with your novel, head to the Boise River Greenbelt. Find a quiet spot by the river, let the gentle sounds of flowing water serenade you, and immerse yourself in a captivating story. Pro tip: Bring a waterproof book cover, just in case nature decides to join your reading adventure.
3. Book Haul Extravaganza: Treasure Hunts in Boise
Ever experienced the thrill of a spontaneous book haul? Just like my Barnes & Noble Book Challenge, Boise has its own surprises in store. Explore local bookshops and keep an eye out for hidden series, captivating covers, and unexpected treasures. Who knows, your next literary obsession might be waiting on a local bookstore shelf!
Remember, Boise Book Gals, the joy of reading is not just about the books but the unforgettable places they take you. Share your favorite Boise book nooks in the comments below and let's build a haven for book lovers in our city!
Happy reading!
Leslie, Boise Book Girl
*AI generated content
Boise’s Best Reading Spots
Need a way to get out of the house and into your city while combining your favorite hobby? This post is definitely for you! I’ve gathered my recommendations for the best places to read in Boise. It’s the perfect time to grab a couple of bookish friends or fly solo to explore new places to read as spring starts to make its way to Boise. Here are my 4 recommendations for you!
Coffee Shops
Nothing says “cozy” more than a vibey coffee shop and your favorite current read!
Push & Pour on Latah (all-time favorite!)
Bookstores
Like calls to like. Escape into your book while you’re surrounded by books!
Barnes & Noble (enjoy a fun drink + treat while you read)
Parks
Habit stacking life hack: soak up Vitamin D or try grounding while you dive into your book!
Libraries
If you need complete silence to concentrate on your reading, libraries are for you! Read in a quiet and peaceful book lover’s atmosphere.
Did I miss a spot? Feel more than welcome to leave a comment below for your favorite out-of-the-house reading spot in Boise!
Barnes & Noble 27 Book Haul
The Barnes & Noble Book Challenge calls for one thing and one thing only: a Barnes & Noble Book Haul!
If you didn’t read my blog post about my experience with the Barnes & Noble Book Challenge, head there first and I’ll meet you back here in a sec.
So what does this all mean for you?
27 books to add to your TBR - you’re welcome!
*Click on each title to read more on Goodreads
In case you were wondering, these are still in their Barnes & Noble bags on my floor. Will a Book Haul video be in the near future?
We will see…
Barnes & Noble Book Challenge
The best Christmas presents always come in February, right?! Over the weekend, I received the best present a book lover could imagine: The Barnes & Noble Book Challenge. It goes a little something like this:
You have 5 minutes to scan the store and make mental notes of the books you want to get (no researching!)
You have 2.5 minutes to grab a basket and fill it up with as many books as you can snag
Here’s what I looked like in action *cue the speed walking.
Now what was my strategy, you ask? Go for the series! I knew I didn’t have complete series’ stocked at home at home so I immediately went for those first. This included the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Mass, the Dreamland Billionaire series by Lauren Asher, and the Twisted series by Ana Huang. Next, I snagged any covers I’ve had on my radar.
After all the running around, scrambling for another basket, and stares from B&N shoppers…
I ended up with 27 books!!
I am beyond thankful for this generosity and the most fun experience! I have the best boss + friend in one, thank you, Kelci!!
Now I need to try and figure out where to fit all of my new books…
BBG February TBR Inspo
If you feel yourself asking “What should I read this month” often, you’ve found the perfect place to find book inspo for your future never-ending TBR (to be read) pile! In my opinion, one of the best parts about being a reader is getting excited about what you’re going to read next.
My process looks a little something like this: watch my favorite BookTubers: Sara Carrolli, Haley Pham, and Destiny Sidwell > hear about a book that interests me or see its pretty cover > grab my bookish friends and head to Barnes and Noble or Rediscovered Books > take my shiny new book home and place it on my book cart!
Scroll below for my current reads and future hopefuls for your February TBR - don’t forget to click on each cover to read more about it on Goodreads!
Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Mass:
4.43 average series rating on Goodreads - Fantasy/Romance
Dreamland Billionaires by Lauren Asher
4.09 average series rating on Goodreads - Contemporary Romance
If He Had Been With Me + If Only I Had Told Her by Laura Nowlin
4.09 average duet rating on Goodreads - Romance/Young Adult
After you pick out your TBR for the month, when will it get read? No one knows for certain, which is the beauty of being a mood-reader!
I hope you found a book you’d like to pick up the next time you’re book shopping! As always, if you have a book recommendation for me, feel free to Contact Me.
Happy reading!
Guide: Books to (re) get you into reading!
5 books to (re) get you into reading!
Let’s start with a little bookish education, shall we? Excluding the assigned reading in school, no book girlie starts to read for fun by picking up a classic novel, and magically finds her passion for books. From my own experience and book chats with readers, we all start with a popular book.
Now if you think “popular” and hear “overrated”, I am here to change your mind! I have curated a list of 5 books that are both popular among the book community yet have an easy-to-follow way of writing with a thoughtful plot and characters to suck you right into their world.
These books hold a special place in readers’ hearts and make up the foundation for my love for reading. Click each photo to dive deeper into the book on Goodreads!
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
4.15 rating on Goodreads - Historical Fiction/Coming of Age - 320 pages - Standalone
2. Daisy Jones & The Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid
4.21 rating on Goodreads - Fiction/Historical Fiction/Romance - 355 pages - Standalone (part of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book universe)
3. Love & Other Words - Christina Lauren
4.28 rating on Goodreads - Contemporary Romance/Fiction - 432 pages - Standalone
4. The Housemaid - Freida McFadden
4.33 rating on Goodreads - Thriller/Mystery - 338 pages - Duet
5. A Court of Thorns and Roses
4.30 rating on Goodreads - Fantasy/Romance - 419 pages - Book 1 out of 5
The best advice I can give to start your reading journey is to experiment! There are many genres and sub-genres out there, it may take you a couple of books to find out what you like or don’t like.
If you have any questions, need a recommendation, or want to chat all things bookish - comment in the space below!