Holiday

Book Haul // Christmas 2022

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I am finally getting around to doing my Christmas book haul! After taking a small break after completing Bookmas 2022. Yes, I successfully did Bookmas. This year, unlike past ones, I didn’t receive that many books. However, as an avid book buyer I’m completely fine with that fact. But, I did end up getting a ton of amazing books to add to my shelf.

The Upside of Falling by Alex Light
“A fun, flirty teen debut from Wattpad phenom Alex Light about a fake relationship and real love.”
Related Post: The Upside Of Falling // Book Review

The Stand-In by Lily Chu
“Readers will delight in this glamourous, swoon worthy enemies-to-lovers romance that is as hilarious as it is heart-wrenching.”

She’s Gone by David Bell
“A new page-turning thriller from USA Today bestselling author David Bell. When a girl disappears, who do you suspect?”

Don’t Let In the Cold by Keely Parrack
“A claustrophobic, high-stakes thriller that will have you fearing what waits out in the cold.”

Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson
“Veronica Mars meets The Craft when a teen girl investigates the suspicious deaths of three classmates and accidentally ends up bringing them back to life to form a hilariously unlikely – and unwilling – vigilante girl gang.”
Related Post: Undead Girl Gang // Book Review

A Christmas Carol Murder by Heather Redmond
“In this clever reimagining of Charles Dickens’s life, he and fiancée Kate Hogarth must solve the murder of an old miser, just before Christmas.”

Seance Tea Party by Reimena Yee
“A middle-grade graphic novel about growing up that’s perfect for fans of Ghosts and Making Friends.”

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
“A supernatural thriller about a woman working as a nanny for a young boy with strange and disturbing secrets.”
Related Post:Hidden Pictures // Book Review

Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
“A rich, dark urban fantasy debut following a teen witch who is given a horrifying task: sacrificing her first love to save her family’s magic.”

The Christmas Stories of Charles Dickens by Charles Dickens
“This illustrated edition features the classic Christmas stories of Charles Dickens!”

Baloney and Friends (Baloney & Friends, Bk. 1) by Greg Pizzoli
“Meet Baloney! He’s the star of this book, along with his best buddies: empathetic Peanut the horse, sensible Bizz the bumblebee, and grumpy Krabbit — he’d rather not be here, but what can you do?”

How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith
“This illustrated advent story tells of the adventures of an adorable mouse and how a good deed can lead to a very happy ending.”

There you have my Christmas 2022 book haul! I am so grateful for all the gifts I was given and the love that I have in my life. This holiday season went by so fast and I just cannot wait until next year. In the comments, let me know what books, if any, you were gifted. And, please give my little book blog a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Christmas Clash // Book Review

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About The Book
Sworn enemies from rival families, Chloe Kwon and Peter Li have always hated each other. But when their local mall is put up for auction right before Christmas, they band together to help save it, along with their families’ food court restaurants. This fun read will leave you nostalgic for that magical feeling of the mall at Christmastime.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3hekMNY

My Rating

If you like a YA enemies-to-lovers, with a slight Romeo and Juliet aspect, then you should give this book a read. In the book, we follow two teens, Chloe and Peter, who’s parents run restaurants at the local mall. However, their parents are sworn enemies.

Chloe and and Peter are meant to be seen as enemies throughout the book, but I got more of a frenemies vibe from them. We hear a lot about how they dislike each other, yet their interactions during the story are fairly civil. And I could definitely see something developing pretty early on between them.

I found Peter and Chloe yo be likable characters. It was nice that they could be honest with each other. There were times that they would be snarky, or snap at one another, but they were mature enough to apologize for their attitudes.

The dialog between the two was funny and real. I could tell from the beginning that I was going to enjoy the story. Although the writing was good, it did feel very YA. But, not necessarily in a bad way, if that makes any sense.

“I was just thinking about us. And how I didn’t really know you just two months ago, and now I can’t picture life without you. It’s truly a Christmas miracle.”

There were a few heavy topic touched on in the book, one being that parenting is hard. Children don’t always see the struggles that parents have to go through. Things aren’t always easy when it comes to being a parent.

The other major subject that the book focused on was racism. First and foremost this is a YA romance, but it did showcase that racism is still a big part of the world we live in today. I think that the race issue was handled well, but not sure it fit with the story. I wanted a more light and fluffy Christmas read, yet it is still a serious issue, so it is good when books shed light on real world topics.

Overall, the story was cute, enjoyable, and a quick read. However, I did find the ending a little far-fetched. It was one of those cheesy, happy, everyone wins kind of endings that can be a little too much for me at times. Nevertheless, it was a good reading experience, and there was a subtle nod to food delivery apps that was a nice bonus.

In the comments, let me know if you are a fan of enemies-to-lovers. I myself cannot get enough of them. Don’t forget to follow my blog if you like bookish content.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Bookish Giveaway // Holiday 2022

- Bunny Leave a comment


Hi Friends,
Today is Bookmas Day 5! And, it is giveaway day. I am going to be doing a bookish giveaway because I want to give back to all my lovely readers. This giveaway will run from today December 5th up until December 18th at 11:59 pm Central Standard Time.

The Rules
Follow My Blog
Must Be 18+ Or Have Parental Permission
Must Love Books

Prize
A Book Off Your Amazon Wishlist (Not Exceeding $15)

How To Enter
Comment Below Your Favorite Book Of 2022

I know that this giveaway might seem small, but I hope that you appreciate it nonetheless. But, in honor of the holiday season I want to give another small gift to all my readers. Using the code: BOOKSWITHBUNNY you can get 10% off everything in my bookish Etsy Shop (But First Bunny).

If you would like to support my social media you can follow me on Instagram (@Books.With.Bunny), Twitter (@BooksWithBunny) and TikTok (@BooksWithBunny). And, don’t forget to follow the blog and comment to enter the giveaway.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

2022 Bookish Holiday Gift Guide

- Bunny 4 Comments


Hi Friends,
It’s Bookmas Day 2! In this post, I’m going to be sharing with you bookish gift ideas. Some of these gift ideas can work as stocking stuffers, while others can be more of a traditional present. I, for one, would love to receive any of these gifts during the holidays.

Book Stamp
Custom book stamps have become so popular lately, and they’re a great way to tag your books. You can find multiple different personal book stamps for sale on Etsy. I recommend DelightfulStamps, who has the pretty book stamp designs. These stamps can range anywhere from $20 – $26, which might seem a little steep for a small gift, but the book lover in your life will surely love it.

Bookmarks
This is an obvious gift idea, since a reader can never have too many bookmarks. However, these days, bookmarks have become way more sophisticated. On Etsy, you can find traditional bookmarks, resin bookmarks and leather bookmarks. The prices for these types of bookmarks fall anywhere between $5 to $15.

Blind Date With A Book
Honestly, receiving a ‘Blind Date With A Book’ is so much fun. There are a ton of Etsy shops that sell them, and these days you can even find some at Barnes and Noble. The great thing is that they can cost anywhere from $8 to $30, which means they work for any budget. And, a lot of Etsy shops include little extras with the book.

Reading Journal
This gift is more on the expensive side, since normal these types of journals typically start at $25 and can cost up to $50. However, I myself would love one of these journals. Its a more fun and creative way of keeping track of your yearly reading. Also, Etsy has a ton of digital reading journals, as well as physical ones, if the person you’re buying it for is more into digital journaling.

Kindle
If you are looking to splurge on the book lover in your life, then a Kindle is the way to go. As I mentioned, they are a little expensive with the Kindle Paperwhite costing around $140, but would make a great bookish gift. Not only will it possibly introduce your reader to the world of ebooks, but pairing it with a Kindle Unlimited subscription ($9.99 a month) will set them up nicely for the upcoming year.

My Etsy Shop (But First Bunny)
I have to add a shameless self promo here and mention that I have my very own bookish Etsy shop. Currently, I am only selling bookish mugs, but I hope to expand to tumblers soon. My mugs are very affordable, and are perfect for book lovers like myself.

In the comments, feel free to leave any bookish gift ideas that you might have to share. And, don’t forget to hit that follow button because it really does help out my book blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Related Post: December 2022 // To Be Read (Bookmas Day 1)

Christmas Book Haul 2021

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
Today, I am going to be doing my Christmas book haul. I was lucky enough to get some great books for Christmas for my loved ones. I am a fan of Christmas hauls, and I know others do as well. So, here are the books that I got for Christmas.

Yep, I got many books plus a gift card to buy more books. I am so incredibly thankful and grateful for everything I was gifted. I hope that you got some amazing gifts as well. Also, two of my lovely Twitter friends Emma (BookTube Channel) and Jazz (BookTube Channel) gifted me books from my wishlist. I haven’t received them yet, but it was very kind of them to send me a gift. I hope that you had a great holiday season, and remember the holidays are about family and sharing love not presents.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Holiday Traditions Tag

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I just knew that I had to do a holiday tag before Christmas came. This is a pretty old holiday tag that I discovered this year. But honestly, most tags are timeless.

Favorite holiday destination?
I always stay home and spend the holidays with my family. However, hypothetically, I think celebrating the holidays in England would be a dream come true. I wouldn’t want to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas away from my family, but I would love to spend New Years in England.

Any family traditions?
We have a few family traditions. About 7 years ago we started having lasagna on Christmas Eve. This is a tradition that my husband brought to us because it is a tradition that his family did. Also, we always open one gift on Christmas Eve, which is new PJs. Lastly, since I was an itty bitty kid, we have watched ‘A Muppets Christmas Carol’ right before bed on Christmas Eve.

Favorite ornament or decoration?
I don’t know if this counts, but I love Christmas trees and lights. Not sure if that is basic or random. There is just something about Christmas lights that make me smile. And, seeing a Christmas tree that is decked out in fun ornaments, classy ornaments, or just a few ornaments is heartwarming.

What are you doing for the holidays?
Spending Christmas Day at home in my PJs, watching holiday movies, and playing board games.

Are you a late or early Christmas shopper?
I am a way too early of a shopper. I am talking like January through November. However, next year I am going to try and find a good middle between early and late shopping.

Who usually cooks holiday dinners?
My mom does the cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, me and my sister always try to make a dish or two.

Have you ever gone Christmas caroling?
Nope. I would be way to nervous. Also, I don’t sing in public.

Do you live where it snows?
Not really. It has only ever snowed, probably, about 6 times here. I love the snow and think it would be amazing to have a white Christmas! But sadly, that isn’t usually the case.

One thing that makes you happiest at Christmas?
Buying gifts for others! Picking out something special for my people makes me happy. Yet I hate having to wait to see their reactions. Also, being surrounded with love at the holidays fills my cup ten times over.

What do you want most for Christmas?
Going to be honest here and say a baby. I would love it, and be super scared, anxious, and generally overly worried. But it would be very exciting to be pregnant. However, I don’t think that Santa has got that in his present bag for me. Other than that, I just want surprise gifts. I like seeing what others have picked out for me, rather than me telling them what to get me.

Happy Holidays! I tag everyone to do this tag, even if you are reading it after Christmas.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

My Christmas Wishlist // 2021

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I thought that I would share my Christmas wishlist for you today. Now, I have mentioned that I don’t really make a gift list, but I do have a personal wishlist for myself. So, these are some of the things that I would eventually like to get, but wouldn’t mind if they were gifted to me as well.

Rose Gold Slip-On Sneakers
I pretty much only where flats and booties these days, so I wanted a dressier pair of slip-ons. There were some that I found some on Amazon that are super cute, and in rose gold! I wouldn’t mind getting them in black either.

Bobs Slip-On
Yep, more shoes what can I say I am living out my Carrie Bradshaw obsession. I love my Bobs! They have to be the most comfy shoes that I have ever worn. However, my black ones are on their last leg, which means I’m going to need a replacement. Soon. Bobs are more on the pricey side, so it is always nice to get them as a gift.

No Heat Curlers
I watched a video featuring ‘The Sleep Styler’ and it made me want hair rollers so bad. I never leave myself enough time to do my hair in the mornings, but I hate my wavy messy looking hair. The curlers could be a good way to do my hair without adding a ton of heat to it. Also, I am not looking to get expensive rollers since I am just starting out with them.

Anything by Karen M. McManus
This past year, I have become a fan of her YA thrillers, so I wouldn’t mind receiving any of her books. I enjoyed the ‘One Of Us Is Lying’ duology, and would like to read more of her releases. The books aren’t too scary, and they’re easy reads.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
I love getting different versions to add to my collection. I have seen some additions with stunning covers. In my opinion, one can never have too many copies of their favorite book.

The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand
I am surprised that I haven’t asked for this book sooner since it is a YA ‘Christmas Carol’ retelling. And by now you all know my obsession with that book (see above). Having a copy of this one would be amazing, since reread it every holiday season.

Those are all some small things that I have on my wishlist, but I prefer to be surprised when it comes to gifts. There is just something about getting a present that someone picked out for you, just because it made them think of you. That just fills my heart with joy. Let me know what is on your wishlist, book related or otherwise. Like, share and follow the blog for more Bookmas content.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Merry and Bright 2021 Readathon // To Be Read

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I decided, last minute, to take part in the ‘Merry and Bright’ readathon, hosted by booktubers Zoe, Chandler, and Spencer. There are only six reading prompts, and it is all together a chill readathon. I have picked a different book for each prompt, so hopefully I can get to them all.

Readathon Dates: December 9th – 15th

Winter Wonderland: White On The Cover?

‘If I Stay’ meets ‘Your Name’ in Dustin Thao’s ‘You’ve Reached Sam’, a heartfelt novel about love and loss and what it means to say goodbye.

I have been dying to pick up this book. What can I say, I am a sucker for a good heartbreaking YA contemporary. This one has a sci-fi element twist that reminds me of the movie ‘The Lake House’.

Hot Cocoa: Cozy Vibes?

In this clever reimagining of Charles Dickens’s life, he and fiancée Kate Hogarth must solve the murder of an old miser, just before Christmas.

When I heard about this book, I knew that it was right up my alley. You should know by now that I am a huge ‘A Christmas Carol’ fan, so a mystery retelling sounds amazing. For some reason, this book gives me those cozy London feels.

Elf on the Shelf: Already Owned?

A heartwarming, page-turning adventure about one child’s love for his most treasured thing, and how far he will go to find it. A tale for the whole family to fall in love with, from one of the world’s greatest storytellers.

I got this book for my wedding anniversary and couldn’t be more excited for it. Being a lover of Christmas and pigs, a Christmas pig related story is sure to be a 5 star read. I hope the book doesn’t let me down.

Last Christmas: Purchased Last Year & Never Read?

The tale of Nutcracker, written by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816, has fascinated and inspired artists, composers, and audiences for almost two hundred years. It has retained its freshness because it appeals to the sense of wonder we all share.

I was gifted two different copies of ‘The Nutcracker’, so it seemed like it was about time to read it. I have actually never read the book, or even seen the stage production.

The Grinch: Enemies-to-Lovers or Unreliable Narrator?

Perfect for fans of ‘The Last Magician’ and ‘Serpent & Dove’, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.

I have been wanting to read this book for a while, since it has become a favorite among the book community. So, I knew I had to find away to add it to my TBR. I can’t wait to jump into this ‘Romeo and Juliette’ fantasy retelling, and hopefully I will enjoy it as much as some of the others.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Dual Perspective?

Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich’s ‘If This Gets Out’ is an absolute showstopper! Equal parts edgy and adorable, this bright, joyful book has everything I look for in a queer YA romance.” —Phil Stamper, bestselling author of ‘The Gravity of Us’

This was on my TBR for the month, and is a much anticipated release (for me, at least).

Those are the books that I will be reading for the ‘Merry and Bright’ readathon. In total, it is only 6 days long, so hopefully I can complete this TBR. Let me know if you will be participating as well, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more content.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

For The Ones You Love // Book Recommendations

- Bunny 1 Comment

Hi Friends,
I posted a bookish holiday gift guide to help those that who were struggling to find a gift for a reader. However, in that post, you probably noticed that I didn’t mention many books. I thought it would be fun to do a different kind of gift guide this time around, so I’m going to recommend some books for certain people in your life, such as your parents, kids, etc.


Biography: My mom is a huge audiobook biography reader. Especially if the author reads it themselves. She has read a ton of them, such as ‘Talking as Fast as I Can’ by Lauren Graham and ‘Home’ by Julie Andrews. So, if your mom or grandmother is anything like mine, than a memoir is the perfect gift option. The current bio on my mom’s radar is ‘Will’ by Will Smith, which is a 2021 memoir release. Another great choice would be ‘Open Book’ by Jessica Simpson, which mom says is an interesting read.

‘The Honey-Don’t List’ by Christina Lauren: Now, I don’t know if my mom would like this book, but after seeing the the synopsis, I instantly thought it was a great read for a mom. This book is about master home renovators, couple Melissa and Rusty Tripp, who secretly despise each other. It is up to their assistant Carey and engineer James to keep their career ruining secret under lock and key for just a few more weeks. Don’t all moms and grandmothers watch HGTV? I have heard nothing but great things about Christina Lauren books, and this sounds like a cute romance read. Also, I get ‘America’s Sweethearts’ vibes from it, which is kind of weird.


‘Ready Player One’ by Ernest Cline: Guys love video games, at least the ones in my life do. This book follows Wade Watts, who plays a worldwide virtual reality game in hopes of discovering an Easter egg. Once found, he will inherit the game creator’s fortune. There is a movie adaption as well, which I believe was well received.

‘Daisy Jones and The Six’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid: This might seem like an odd suggestion, but it is perfect for the music loving guy in your life. The book documents the history of one of the biggest bands in the seventies, ‘Daisy Jones and the Six’. I know that my husband would 100% enjoy this book, since he is a music addict. Also, I have heard that the audiobook version is the way to go with this book.


‘The Hating Game’ by Sally Thorne: This is another book being adapted to film, and it’s very popular among the adult romance crowd. I am not big into adult romances, but I know that one of my sisters loves to read them. I went for this one, because I have heard a lot of positive things about it. And, who doesn’t love a good enemies-to-lovers romance. However, I have heard that it is a little problematic, so keep that in mind.

‘Fool Me Twice’ by Carrie Aarons: I think any young adult contemporary reader would thoroughly enjoy this book. The plot follows a college freshman who is out to finish off her late best friend’s bucket list. The final and most important task on the list is to get revenge on Lincoln Kolb. He is the jerk that dumped her best friend supposedly due to her cancer diagnosis. So, to honor the wish of her best friend, she is out to make this seemingly cold-hearted boy fall head-over-heels for her, than break his heart. Anyone else thinking of ‘John Tucker Must Die’ after hearing this plot, or is it just me?


‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians’ by Rick Riordan: This is a Greek mythology book series about a boy whose life is turned upside down when he learns that he is the son of a god. Any kid, boy or girl, is probably going to want to follow this adventure series. There are even a lot of adults that call this their favorite book series of all time.

‘The Isle of the Lost’ by Melissa de la Cruz: This fairy-tale reimagining book series might seem more for girls, but I think boys would enjoy it as well. In the first book, we learn the backstory of villains, meet villain kids, and search for the Dragon’s Eye. The book follows Mal, daughter of Maleficent, Jay, son of Jafar, Evie, daughter of the Evil Queen, and Carlos, son of Cruella de Vil. Fun fact, the Disney Channel ‘Descendants’ films where based on these books.

There you go, some fun holiday gift book recommendations for specific people in your life. Let me know in the comments what books you’ll be gifting this holiday season. Also, you can give me a gift by following my bookish blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Bookish Gift Guide // Holiday 2021

- Bunny 1 Comment

Hi Friends,
Sometimes it’s hard to decide on the perfect gift for someone. So to help you out, I put together a bookish holiday gift guide for the reader in your life. These are just some gift ideas that I think any book lover would be delighted to receive.

Audiobook Credit
I am a big advocate for audiobooks, so I think a credit to an audiobook service would be a great gift idea. I know that some readers aren’t a fan of audiobooks, but your gift might give them the chance to try them without any commitment. You can gift an Audible (Amazon’s audiobook subscription services) membership to someone, or use one of your credits to gift a certain audiobook. If you are looking for another option, Rakuten Kobo is an audiobook/eBook subscription service that offers eGift cards.

Bookish DVDs
Maybe you have a reader in your life who has more than enough books. Wait, is that even possible? Anyhow, try switching things up by gifting them a book related movie. A few of my favorites are ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’, which tells the story of how Charles Dickens came up with his most famous novel, ‘A Christmas Carol.’ Another classic that has been adapted many times is ‘Little Women’. There are many film versions that would make great presents, but I particularly enjoyed the 2019 film. There are a ton more book-to-movies adaptations that you can give that I am sure any book addict would love to receive.

Blind Date With A Book
These have become all the rage lately, and I’m all for it. Honestly, I think that this is a fun gift, even for an occasional reader in your life. It is an awesome surprise gift since you don’t know what you’re going to get. There are many shops that sell these bundles, and you can pick your preferred genre. The prices range is quite varied. However, I’ve noticed that the more expensive ones include additional items along with the book.

 

Bookmarks & Book Sleeves
I think these two are often forgotten, but useful to many of us readers. For years, every Christmas I’d get a fancy bookmark from a department store. Nowadays, you can get some amazing bookmarks and book sleeves from places like Etsy and Amazon. I know that Amazon is the every shopper friendly and typically my go to shopping place. But it is always good to shop at small businesses especially during the Holidays.

Cheesy Books
I didn’t know exactly how to phrase this idea, but I think it might be silly to gift. I have read some really interesting books in my life, and some of them were surprisingly entertaining. First, I would recommend the ‘L.A. Candy’ series by Lauren Conrad, which is loosely based on her life on reality TV. These books are very cheesy and full of drama. However, I am unsure if you can still find them online, yet there’s a pretty good chance that you can get them secondhand.

Another good choice would be the ‘Beneath the Glitter’ duology by YouTuber’s Elle and Blair Fowler. These books, are ironically enough based on their lives, which seems to be the theme of non-typical writers books. Like they say, write what you know. The books follow sisters, Sophia and Ava London, who become internet sensations thanks to their popular YouTube beauty channels. The books are filled with parties, drama and scandal, which makes for an insane time.

And that’s a few bookish gift ideas! Hopefully, this post helps you out with your gift giving this year. Feel free to like and share this post. And, before you click away follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny