Reads * Daughter of Smoke and Bone

I'm loving this unique and thankfully non-sappy story about angels and chimera. Reading as fast as I can!

Reads * Graceling

I cannot get enough of this series. The last time I read this fast and sacrificed this much sleep to read was when I was reading Harry Potter for the first time. Strong but real women, imaginative fantasy worlds, sweet but not too sweet love stories. Kristin Cashore is my new hero. I read these when I was feeling blue and stressed and these books provided the most perfect and complete escape from reality. As soon as I finished Graceling, I wanted to flip to page one and start all over again.

inspired by... children's books

i've always loved children's and YA books. for the longest time i was kind of embarrassed to admit it because i thought people would think that it was silly for an adult to read children's books. but with the introduction of books like harry potter and the hunger games, so many more people have come to realize how amazing children's literature can be so it's made me a bit braver :) 

lucky me, i work in a library at a college that focuses on children and families so i get to order tons of children's books! lately i've been paying closer attention to the amazing work of illustrators. there are some truly talented artist out there and i thought i'd share two of my current favorites. even if you're not into children's literature, i hope you'll find the artwork of these illustrators as inspiring as i do.

wildwood + mysterious benedict society

illustrated by carson ellis

i just finished wildwood and i loved the illustrations. she really brought the wild, beautiful forest to life through her artwork. for the entire first half, i kept thinking that i had seen a similar style of illustration somewhere... then it hit me! the mysterious benedict society! another excellent story about wonderfully extraordinary and quirky children.

i want my hat back + extra yarn + the incorrigible children of ashton place

illustrated by: jon klassen

i think that i want my hat back is absolutely hilarious and i chuckle whenever i get to the page where the bear and the rabbit eye each other. their facial expressions get me every time. these three stories are very different but jon klassen's charming illustrations work perfectly in all of them. 

can i just say that i'm loving this trend of children's book trailers! beats my bad lighting photos any day. and please click on all of the above links. clicking on the illustrator links will take you to their website filled with more of their great artwork and most of the title links will take you to lovely websites filled with author news and fun extras that take you further in to each story.

also, if you're interested in getting more recommendations for children's books (let's face it, my writing skills stink so my book reviews never get much farther than "it's so great!!"), a friend of mine recently started up a blog, auntie karen's book pile: raising books instead of kids to share her favorite children's books. she reads like a maniac and has great taste in books :)

the fantastic flying books of mr. morris lessmore

all book lovers should watch the fantastic flying books of mr. morris lessmore. beautiful, charming and inspiring (and it made me cry like a baby). i love books and this film reminded me that books love their readers too. 

it's also available for purchase on itunes (trust me, you'll want to purchase it after watching it) and the picture book will be released in july (you'll probably want that too).

grab a book and have a happy weekend ^_^

pretty books

i wanted to share a few recent additions to my book collection. they're super beautiful and full of inspiration.

illustration school: let's draw happy people by sachiko umoto

i'm terrible at drawing. really terrible. but sachiko's book breaks down her simple, sweet drawings into easy to learn steps. i love the little details that she includes. she covers every day, fairy tale and international people. there are also two other books in this series, let's draw cute animals and let's draw plants and small creatures.

 they draw and cook edited by nate padavick + salli swindell

this book started with a blog. artists and cooks from all over the world sent in their recipes accompanied by gorgeous illustrations. there's such a huge range of fantastic artwork in this book and tons of recipes that i can't wait to try.

 doodle stitching by aimee ray

i enjoyed my little dabble into embroidery and definitely want to get more into it. but i can't create my own original designs. this goes back to the "i can't draw" thing. doodle stitching covers the basics and includes so many pretty designs for you to follow.

so there you have it! i love books :)

chronicle books haul-idays!

yay! chronicle books is doing it again! pick your favorite chronicle books valued up to $500 and enter to win it all for you and a lucky blog commenter. and to make this year even better, the winner will choose their favorite non-profit to receive $500 worth of books too. i would choose the boston public library. i was unemployed for what seemed like an eternity and i stopped buying books in order to save money. it was during this time that i discovered what a wonderful resource my local public library was. i know they, like all other libraries across the country, are struggling with decreasing budgets and increasing demands from their communities. i would love the opportunity to give back to them in thanks for all that they have shared with me.

leave a comment on this post for a chance to win these pretty books for you, me and the boston public library! happy haul-idays!

chronicle books haul-idays 2011! by littletoki on polyvore.com

in a creepy mood

halloween always gets me in the mood to read some poe. i'll be curling up this weekend with some masque of the red death. happy halloween!

the end

"hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home." - jk rowling

i'm so thankful that jk rowling created the world of harry potter and shared it with everyone. it's amazing what a good book can do. i know it's not goodbye forever but i'm still sad that it's all coming to an end. no more books, no more movies.. sigh. i can't wait to see the deathly hallows part 2 but a part of me also wants to hold off on watching it so that i can make the excitement last as long as possible. a very teeny, tiny part mind you. the bigger part of me wishes i were catching the midnight showing surrounded by people dressed up in house scarves and ties :)

pottermore!

j.k. rowling finally announced the launch of pottermore! while i'm a little disappointed because i was hoping for more information (this was such a tease!) i can't wait to see what j.k. rowling has in store for harry potter fans. everything she does is made with such care and detail that i know it's going to amazing. and i LOVED the paper cutting + book art featured in the video.

i was here

i stepped into blick to buy some posterboard and rubber cement and left with an awesome travel journal.

love the charming illustrations

and the ideas! i'm definitely going to start an international pad collection.

in the reference section, a guide to international dumplings. a definite must-know when traveling.

places to write what you ate

and people you meet. "what do you spread on toast?" never thought to ask anyone that.

i was here: a travel journal for the curious minded by kate pocrass

i'm a terrible traveler. i don't take enough time to sit back and really experience a place. we're usually on a tight schedule so i'm too busy trying to get from major tourist site A to major tourist site B. i wish i could buy a case of these journals so i could have one for each trip that i take. it really encourages you to observe your surroundings and see all the interesting things that your eyes would normally pass over. in addition to all the fun stuff, there are pages to help organize your plans and itineraries. there's also lots of space to doodle, scribble, and jot down random thoughts and notes. if you take the time to work through its pages while you travel, you'll end up with a really wonderful souvenir.

comic book love: EmiTown

emitown: a sketch diary by emi lenox

my sister is my favorite source for new reads. going to her house is like visiting my own private library where i don't have to worry about due dates. and she reads everything so i can go to her and get books in any genre including comics/graphic novels. sweet!! she recently let me borrow EmiTown and i inhaled it. thankfully, i can get more on her blog. emi's easy to relate to and the facial expressions are priceless. and it really makes me crave a breakfast burrito.

chronicle's haul-idays

i heart chronicle books. i always keep an eye out for those little glasses because it's a guarantee that the pages will transport me to a happy place. they're having this amazing contest called haul-idays. bloggers share their chronicle book wish lists (up to $500) and earn a chance to win the whole stack for themselves and a second stack for a lucky commenter! it's too amazing. i almost can't handle it.

Chronicle Book Haul-idays by littletoki on Polyvore.com

Print & Pattern: Laurence King Publishing $35.00 : Chronicle Books, $35
Decorate: 1,000 Professional Design Ideas for Every Room in Your Home..., $35
Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston's Flour Bakery + Cafe $35.00 :..., $35
Lotta Jansdotter's Handmade Living: A Fresh Take on Scandinavian Style..., $30
Handmade Weddings: More than 50 Crafts to Style and Personalize Your..., $25
Whip Up Mini Quilts: Patterns and How-to for More Than 20 Contemporary..., $25
Farmers' Market Desserts: Gorgeous Fruit Recipes from First Prize..., $25
Blackbird Bakery Gluten-Free: 75 Recipes for Irresistible Gluten-Free..., $25
All Cakes Considered: A Year’s Worth of Weekly Recipes Tested, Tasted,..., $25
Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing: Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and..., $25
Quick & Easy Mexican Cooking: More than 80 Everyday Recipes $22.95 :..., $23
Tapas: Sensational Small Plates from Spain $22.95 : Chronicle Books, $23
Wallpaper Projects: More than 50 Craft and Design Ideas for Your Home,..., $23
Cake Pops by Bakerella: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes for Irresistible..., $20
Knitting Pretty: Simple Instructions for 30 Fabulous Projects $19.95 :..., $20
Quick and Easy Thai: 70 Everyday Recipes $18.95 : Chronicle Books, $19
Whoopie Pies: Dozens of Mix 'em, Match 'em, Eat 'em Up Recipes! $16.95..., $17
My Milk Toof: The Adventures of ickle and Lardee $15.95 : Chronicle..., $16
Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts! Lacy Crochet!: $14.95 : Chronicle Books, $15
Oh Joy! Mix & Match Stationery: $8.95 : Gifts : Chronicle Books, $8.95

grand total: $499.10


thanks to oh, hello friend for sharing this contest! be sure to visit danni's site for a chance to win her wish list! it's a good one.

reading list

currently in my book pile

harry potter film wizardry by brian sibley

paper + craft: 25 charming gifts, accents, and accessories to make from paper by paper+cup designs

playing with books: the art of upcycling, deconstructing, and reimagining the book by jason thompson

 the woman in white by wilkie collins

 yarn bombing: the art of crochet and knit graffiti by mandy moore and leanne prain

reading list

currently in my book pile

 graphic design for non-designers by tony seddon + jane waterhouse

the girl who kicked the hornet's nest by stieg larsson

i love patchwork: 21 irresistible zakka projects to sew by rashida coleman-hale

 

the monsters of templeton by lauren groff

 the spendid table's how to eat supper by lynne rossetto kasper + sally swift

oh to splurge on beautiful books

it is very, VERY hard to exert self control when confronted with the new hardcover classics series from penguin.  even though i already own a quarter of the books, i've just about convinced myself that i most definitely need another copy with a cover designed by coralie bickford-smith.

 images from penguin's flickr

reading list

just a few books that are currently in my reading pile

squeaky green: the method guide to detoxing your home

adam lowry & eric ryan

i'm so in love with this book.  fun to read and very eye opening.  it's full of useful information and practical advice.  a great resource that should be a part of your library!

stones into schools

greg mortenson

remember three cups of tea?  stones into schools is a sequel of sorts told through the voice of none other than greg mortenson himself. 

the nest home design

carley roney

a beautiful introduction for those of us that love pretty spaces but don't know how to start building one.  i love their style!

papercuts

not the painful kind. but the otherworldly, mind boggling kind. my first encounter with papercuts was when i stumbled upon papercutdiecut on etsy. i just kind of sputtered in disbelief for a few minutes, no joke. how how HOW can these possible be cut out of rice paper by human hands? i'm convinced that papercutdiecut is a fairy of some sort.

images from papercutdiecut. click on each photo to view their etsy listing.

and because i live in boston and because it simply rocks, i had to include this paper cut of the old boston city hall by papercutsbyjoe. i would never guess that this was a papercut! i can't imagine the thought process that must go into creating this out of a single sheet of paper and a craft blade. and one unexpected sneeze while cutting and it's game over.

image from papercutsbyjoe. click on the photo to view its etsy listing.

image from amazon

going along with all these beautiful works of paper art, i'm dying to read this book! i judge books by their covers and this one is so promising. i'm wishing and hoping that my library will order it soon. isn't it amazing how versatile paper is? and what's even more amazing is what the wonderfully creative people in this world can do with it.

reading list

one good thing about being knocked out with the flu for weeks (WEEKS!) is that you get in some quality reading time. i thought i'd share my current reading list in case you were in search of a good read :)

the shadow of the wind by carlos ruiz zafron this had been on my "to read" list for a long time. once i got about half way through, i couldn't put it down. is it weird that i like books about books? it's a bit on the dark side but that made it perfect for a sick day wrapped up on the couch with a cup of tea. the mysterious benedict society and the prisoners dilemma by trenton lee stewart if you haven't read the first two mysterious benedict society books yet, get those then read this one. i think this is the best series out there for young people right now. no vampires, no gothic tortured romance, no crazy fantasy... just a group of kids who are thrown into crazy adventures and they learn meaningful life lessons along the way. oh and it's hilarious. moocho brazos! i've passed this series along to several people now and they've all loved them. the absolutely true diary of a part-time indian by sherman alexie i borrowed this one from the library then bought it the next day. i loved it that much. i couldn't stop laughing (the sketches and doodles are too perfect) then i'd turn the page and start sobbing. and it provided insight into life on a reservation (something i know squat about). the forgotten garden by kate morton this had a LONG wait at the library. i just got it and haven't cracked it open yet but dang am i excited! little house series by laura ingalls wilder this series (along with harry potter) are my all time favorite books. i have yet to get bored of them which is incredible considering how many times i've read them. the first set that my sister and i had crumbled to pieces after many reads lying on the floor with popcorn and apples. the best parts of the books are the food descriptions, especially the holiday meals!