Book Club | January - March Roundup

Friday, 19 March 2021

Book Club | January - March Roundup

 

 

How We're Using Our 2021 Book Club List

When we introduced this year's BB book club we encouraged anyone taking part to use the list of prompts in whatever way best suited their reading habits. Whether it be simply trying to tick off all 24 prompts by 31st December 2021, selecting your favourite 12 and tackling one each month across the year, or even using them to create bingo sheets, there are lots of ways to get involved. So how have some of Team BB's members chosen to use the list?

Anjali: While I'm not sure I'll be able to cross off all the prompts, I'm definitely trying! Though I'm definitely slotting the books I'm reading into the prompts, rather than choosing a book to read that's based on a prompt. It's working so far, and out of the 7 books I've read so far this year, I've only not been able to slot one book in.

I have a few more books on the go at the time of this post, so I'll be ticking a few more off the list in the next week or so!

Erin: I'm hoping to cross off all of this year's prompts! With the books I've read so far I could have completed a few more already but I've chosen to only purposefully tackle around two per month, and similarly to Anjali I’m not currently specifically picking out books only because they fit the prompts.

After reading a few books in the autobiography/memoir category through the first couple of months of 2021, and having a bunch more on my TBR, as an additional challenge I've also chosen to try and complete this particular prompt every month throughout 2021.

What Have We Read So Far?

Anjali

With Foiling On The Cover: The Betrayals by Bridget Collins

On Your TBR For Over A Year: This monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee

With A Face On The Cover: Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

A 2021 Release: Game Changer by Neal Shusterman 

500+ Pages: Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare

A 2020 Goodreads Choice Award Winner Or Nominee: The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

 

Erin

A 2021 Release: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

With A Face On The Cover: Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

A 2020 Goodreads Choice Award Winner Or Nominee: The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Set At Or Featuring A Wedding: Majesty by Katharine McGee

A Murder Mystery: This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston

Bonus Challenge - books that fall into the Autobiography/Memoirs genre read so far include:

1. We're Going To Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union
2. Straight Outta Crawley by Romesh Ranganathan
3. To Be A Gay Man by Will Young
4. As Good As It Gets by Romesh Ranganathan

 

If you're joining in with our 2021 book club we would love to hear from you! Leave a comment or contact us on Instagram (@bloggersbookshelf) to let us know which prompts you've crossed of and the books you've chosen to read.

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Inspired Artist: Block Print For Beginners | Elise Young | Review

Wednesday, 17 March 2021

Inspired Artist: Block Print For Beginners | Elise Young | Review

Review copy c/o NetGalley

Written by Elise Young, a Toronto-based artist and creator of Bloomingprint Studio, Block Print For Beginners is a brilliant new guide to printmaking techniques. Starting with the basics of tools/materials and sharing tips on how to find inspiration before moving onto different techniques and project ideas to try, the book is informative and flows really well. There are lots of pictures of finished prints/designs throughout, as well as step by step images and links to download templates which makes it really easy to follow along with the projects.

One of my favourite techniques showcased in the book is the Multicolor Interlocking Block Print. The design idea shown features a cute stack of four tea cups printed in shades of blue, perfectly demonstrating this technique where cutting the block into sections allows you to use a range of different colours and reassemble before printing. Another project I loved was the Mosaic-effect Block Print that shows how you can create an outline stamp design which can be filled with origami papers to add beautiful patterns and colours. Whilst I have created stamps similar to this before I’ve never tried adding in papers so this is definitely an idea I’ve added to my own ‘to try’ list! The final project that really stood out to me was Printing Abstract Forms, where simple geometric shapes are carved as individual stamps and can be used to create a variety of designs. I really love these types of patterns and as the shapes are simple this is a great project idea for beginners.

In addition to those focusing on a variety of techniques, there are also further suggested projects including customised tea towels, wallpaper, wrapping paper and cards, showing readers how the possibilities for using their newly created blocks/stamps are endless! The wrapping paper in particular I thought looked really pretty and would be perfect for unique birthday and Christmas gift wrap.

Near the end of the book there is a handy glossary page as well as resource links to help readers expand their knowledge beyond the ‘beginner’ projects included.

The author’s love of printmaking and creating art using these techniques shines through in Block Printing For Beginners and I would recommend it as a great starter guide for those new to the world of block printing. I would also recommend the book to those who, like myself, have some printmaking experience but might just find a few new ideas to try too.

You can find more about the book and see some of Elise’s beautiful prints over on her Instagram page @bloomingprint

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Bookish Links #63

Saturday, 27 February 2021

Bookish Links #63

1. One of our book club prompts for the year is to read a 2021 release and this list of debuts is full of inspiration!

2. This list also has some more amazing ideas for your 2021 TBR!

3. We love these dark academia inspired illustrated bookmarks from Plum Tree Illustration.

4. Take a look at the bookshelves of authors, musicians and actors in this video series from Marie Claire.

5. This makeover post shows how you can turn a small landing space into a cosy reading nook.

6. These TV/book pairings could be a great way to find your next favourite book or show.

7. If you’re a bookworm who also loves to sew, this quilt pattern from Angela Pingel is for you!

8. Kristin Hannah’s latest novel The Four Winds has been all over Bookstagram recently. You can find out more about the book in this Goodreads interview.

9. We’re big fans of combining audiobooks with our favourite hobbies. This post shares how you can cross more titles off your TBR this year whilst also learning a new craft!

10. And if you're looking for an audiobook to start with, over on BBC Sounds you can now listen to bestselling novel The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (also reviewed here on BB last year!).

This month's beautiful bookstagrams to follow:
@apaperbacklife
@starlahreasds
@carly.simone
@honeybuttergal
@booklanguage

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Bookish Links #62

Saturday, 16 January 2021

Bookish Links #62

1. Our very first bookish link of the year is to Alexa's post sharing details of her gorgeous 2021 reading journal setup.

2. In this video, Jack discusses all of the literary references found on Taylor Swift’s 2020 releases folklore and evermore.

3. If you’re looking for reading recommendations based on the TV shows you binged in 2020 this post is for you. You might even find some new shows to watch too.

4. How beautiful are these little libraries? We wish we could add one to our own gardens!

5. If making more time for crafts and DIY is on your 2021 to-do list Francesca's book, due for release next month, is one to add to your list.

6. Over on Goodreads, a selection of popular authors shared a little more about some of their most loved books.

7. Get inspired by following some of the amazing artists listed in this Book Riot post.

8. It may be very cold in the UK right now but Michelle has some fantastic tips for creating your very own cosy reading nook where you can curl up with a great book.

9. We can’t wait to read Angie Thomas’ latest release The Hate U Give prequel Concrete Rose.

10. Which books do you vow to read in 2021?

This month's beautiful bookstagrams to follow:
@readingwithana
@readbytiffany
@scarlettreadsbooks
@mirandabythebook
@bookishandblack

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Features | Books We Vow To Read In 2021

Saturday, 2 January 2021

Features | Books We Vow To Read In 2021

Happy new year everyone!

As longtime readers will know it's become tradition around here for team members to create a list every January with five titles they 'vow to read' over the next twelve months. In today's post, our very first of 2021, Anjali, Anastasia, Ria and Erin are sharing the books that they have chosen for this year. See any of your favourites? Leave us a comment and let us know. 

We'd also like to invite you to create a 2021 vow to read list of your own and share it on your blog or social media account too; don't forget to tag us @bloggersbookshelf on Instagram!

 

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Book Club | Some Changes For 2021 + Printable Reading List

Saturday, 26 December 2020

Book Club | Some Changes For 2021 + Printable Reading List

After two years of a monthly book club prompt here at BB, we've decided to switch things up a bit for the new year and follow a different format in 2021... 

We've put together a list of 24 prompts covering a variety of challenges and how you choose to use our book club list is totally up to you! Try and tick off all 24, mix and match your favourite 12 for a monthly prompt, use them to create your own bingo sheets, or just dip in and out whenever you wish; there are no rules here! 

We've tried to include a nice mix of prompts, including a few which are great for seasonal readers, so there should be something for everyone. As always you're free to interpret the prompts however you wish but we encourage you to take the opportunity to diversify your TBR, discovering new authors, genres and generally stepping outside of your reading comfort zones.

Just like in previous years, we would love for you to share your mini reviews, photos etc with us over on Instagram using #bloggersbookshelf 

This year we would also like to invite you to share full reviews here on BB as guest reviewers so there's even more opportunities to get involved! Further information on how to share a guest review will be provided in an upcoming blog post as well as over on our Instagram page soon, but you can also send any enquiries regarding guest posting to bloggersbookshelf@gmail.com

Here on the blog, this change means our usual monthly book club intro and roundup posts won't be making an appearance in 2021, but we do have some other exciting things planned. Keep an eye out through the year for lists of suggested reads for some of the prompts, as well as updates on the books Team BB have read as part of thier personal BB book club challenges.

We really hope that you'll join us for another year of the BB book club however you choose to do so. Below you'll find the 2021 prompts list which can be printed or saved to your computer/phone/tablet. Happy reading and we'll see you in 2021! 

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