Bookish Finds in Thailand

Hello, my lovelies! So yeah. I did get to visit a few bookshops while I was in Thailand. Of course I did. And it was DELIGHTFUL. Naturally. ;)

One full day back in December, I took my rented motorbike and headed out with about three or four different bookshops pinned on my google maps. It such a glorious day, traversing the city going from bookshop to bookshop. I did do a few coffeeshop breaks in between, of which I will gladly share about another time (because Chiang Mai, Thailand is THE coffeeshop city in the world. I think there are literally close to a hundred or perhaps more and no, that is not an exaggeration. Coffeeshops are everywhere. And that's delightful too. :).

The above sign was in a bookshop where they had other signs that said NO PICTURES. Humph. So I surreptitiously snapped that one and didn't stay long. Any bookshop that doesn't want to share it's goodness with the world...well...that's not a bookshop I want to patronize very badly. Anyhoo. They did have quite a large collection of used and new books. A good mix of Thai and English language books too. But I didn't find anything I had to have, so off I went to find other places.

Not the same day, but on a different day...I found these GLORIOUS Jane Austen's...and it was all I could do not to take them home with me. But alas, by this time it was getting closer to time for me to go home and I knew my luggage space was going to be fairly limited. I just about cried to leave them there. Only I couldn't cry. Because I was with friends. And they'd have thought it bizarre if I'd've cried about leaving books in a bookshop. So I snapped a photo so I wouldn't ever forget the pretty! *all the heart eyes*

(Also, those were the only ones they had. No Pride & Prejudice or Northanger Abbey to be found. Trust me. I looked.)

SO much fun to see two of my favorites in Thai! And those covers... Aren't they gorgeous?!?! *sigh* I was sad to leave those there as well...

And this, my friends....is a coffee shop. Yep. A coffee shop. It was open 24 hrs and was awesome. Filled with all sorts of books everywhere! For school, we had solitude days where we went out by ourselves and worked on assignments. This become one of my favorite spots for such a day... I happily spent hours surrounded by books and drinking my mochas! Happiness indeed. :D

It was located at the very top most floor of a mall, so the views out the windows were amazing. But it was the inside I was most concerned with. All those books...!! ;)

*happy sigh* Doesn't it look amazing?! I agree. :D It was certainly a happy spot for me.

I happened to go on a trip down to Bangkok and one day while we were walking the streets, I happened to spot this little shop. There were at least two other aisles that looked just like this. TONS of books. Alas they were all in Thai so I couldn't read a single one. But it was still fun to "get to know them" a bit! :)

ALL the pretties!! The above two photos are actually from my very first adventure out to try and find a bookshop. Thankfully a new Thai friend had pity on me and showed me this spot...since I was still a bit terrified of trying to find my way out and about all by myself. Clearly, I got braver as time went on...but this first trip was wonderful even if I did have to have a travel buddy with me. :)

Amen and amen.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things :: 2017 Edition

It's only the second week of January, so it's okay that I'm still looking back at last year, right? We're totally going to go with that! :) I meant to get this post written a couple weeks ago, but alas....

Still, here we are. 2017 was all kinds of interesting for me. It has lots of emotional upheaval, I have to admit. Yet there were way more happy moments than hard ones, for which I am very grateful! So. Grab your mug of your favorite tea, snuggle with a blanket in your favorite reading spot, and let's have some fun reliving the happy that happened last year, how about it? :)

:: Christian Fiction Readers Retreat  {SO, SO much fun! Such an awesome day with blogging friends and authors.}
:: Meeting Serena Chase in person AND having her be so excited to meet me.  {She is seriously the BEST, friends.}
:: Hiking to Cascade Falls.
:: My first year on the Advisory Board for the INSPYs  {All those lovely bookish convos...!!}
:: Visiting Biltmore Estate
:: Seeing Lizzy and Darcy's outfits from P&P '05 on display...!!!!!!!  {This is still one of the biggest highlights of the year that continues to make me grin when I remember it.}
:: The LIBRARY at Biltmore  {Seriously amazing, y'all.}
:: A dear friend from CA visiting and the chance to catch up in person
:: The book cake a friend made for me, for my bookish birthday party, which was amazing.
:: Discovering my new favorite coffee shop.  {They have the best chai tea latte that I've ever had.}
:: Visiting a tea shop with friends and falling in love with their motto {see picture above} AND their tea and relaxing atmosphere!
:: Meeting online friends in person, who turn out to be even more awesome and lovely.
:: Seeing Sense & Sensibility on stage and loving Elinor and Edward even more.
:: Precious convos with friends, both online and off.
:: Falling in love with so many wonderful new stories!
:: Rereading old favorites that fill my heart with comfort and happy.
:: Libraries and bookstores and book sales and all the bookish fun.
:: Hugs and hot tea and Lindor truffles and all the happy my heart can hold.
:: Planning for grand, new adventures on my horizon!

Here's to 2018, my lovelies! I hope yours is full of happiness and delight.

Happy Release Day, The Austen Escape! {Also, you're invited...}

Happy release day to The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay! 

Did y'all know that I LOVE Katherine's stories? I have been known to gush in my reviews, I believe, so you probably do, right? ;) Anyhoo! Today is publishing day for her latest release The Austen Escape, and you can imagine that combining two of my favorite authors, Jane Austen and Ms. Reay herself, means that I am definitely reading this one! :D

I've actually had my copy for a couple weeks, but life prevented me from starting. Which is not all bad! Because I'm going to be reading it simultaneously with my #bookbesties starting today. Yay! (Which also means I'm planning to go straight home after writing this post and immediately beginning chapter one. Double yay!)

Which leads me to the main reason for this post. If you care to join, we're doing a little read-along. Mainly we'll be discussing on Twitter, using the hashtag #TAERAL. Even if you don't join in, but want to check out our convos, I guarantee there'll be LOTS of gushing and pure awesome going on. (Just sayin')

Also! Courtney says she's collecting questions to ask Ms. Reay, which she'll then post about once we're finished reading. So head over to her post for the details!

Meanwhile, please promise me that you'll check out her books? Believe me when I say that she's a fabulous writer!! :)

Christian Fiction Readers Retreat :: 2017

Hello, my lovelies! Guess what I did a couple weeks ago? (As if the picture doesn't give it away, huh? ;) Yes! I did indeed drive up to Cincinnati to CFRR. Oh, friends, it was an AMAZING day. It truly was! I'm still pinching myself to try and convince me that I was actually there! :D

(It's been a somewhat difficult year for me so far. It seems that for as hard as 2016 was in dealing with my initial grief, this year has been harder. I've just struggled to keep on top of my emotions on a daily basis. So to have this weekend in August to look forward to and then experience? Ah, I cannot describe what happy it gave my heart! :)

There were so many awesome authors and readers there this year! I admit to dealing with some anxiety all the way up until the moment I was standing in line (as all of us introvert types do, am I right?), but then I saw a couple ladies I'd met last year and I *happy sighed* when they were just as thrilled to see me. :)

{The only downside to the whole day was the fact that I knew I wouldn't get to see Rel and Jamie again. But someday we'll meet again, I just know it!}

The whole day was so amazing and awesome and I've been wanting to share it with y'all...life just kind of got a bit crazy once I got home again. But here I am now, better late than never, right? :) So how about a little recap?

I began the day with my bag of books for signing and a stop at Starbucks for a chai tea. A perfect beginning! :)

Then I saw Carrie (from Reading is my Superpower) and got my hug. She is a wonderful reader/blogger/FRIEND that helped head this whole deal up. I was thrilled to see her! :D

Follow that initial sign in and greeting with entering a huge room full of readers, bloggers, and authors and I didn't know where to start! Once the party officially got started, I can't describe to you what it feels like to look up front and see this whole row of authors in person. (I was at the very back of the room, I apologize for all the heads in the pictures. Just what it had to be.)

There were games, author panels, and my favorite: hearing a few specific authors share their hearts.

• Cynthia Ruchti - She talked about how important readers are. We have to have authors writing books, yes, but without a reader to read it, it doesn't complete it's purpose. Plus she shared a wonderful poem she had written herself!
• Becky Wade and Dani Pettrey - Dani was unable to actually be there in person, but we got to see her via technology for a little. She and Becky had put together a way for those of us readers to get the chance to see the actual process of writing a book. (Click here for Becky's blog post about the workshop.) It involved M&Ms, which means it was a delicious experience! ;)
• Shelley Shepherd Gray - She spoke about how much she loves reading herself and how that flowed over into her attempting to write her own story. She's so incredibly disciplined that she writes at least 10 pages a day and she says she won't let herself get up from her computer until all 10 pages are written. (!!!!)

We had lunch, in which I ate at a table full of readers, bloggers, one gal from...Bethany House I believe?, and Rachel Hauck! Rachel is very sweet, I enjoyed getting the chance to chat with her. I think that's probably my very favorite part of CFRR as a whole. That we can socialize and interact with authors and get the chance to see beyond their "writer persona" into who they truly are. They become friends instead of this "high and lofty celebrity type" (if you know what I mean?). 

Before the afternoon author panel, I had the chance to chat with Ann Gabhart. I haven't actually read any of her books yet and had to admit that to her (*gasp* I know!), but I definitely knew who she was! She helped me figure out which of her books I'd been highly recommended but couldn't remember the title. (It's Angel Sister, for those interested.) She's just this lovely, southern woman who has this comfortable feeling about her. I would love to spend a whole day just listening to her, she has a lot of wisdom to share. :)

L to R: Karen Barnett, Rachel McMillan, Laura Frantz, Serena Chase
Ronie Kendig, Rachel Hauck, Melissa Tagg, Meghan Gorecki
Ann Gabhart, Courtney Walsh, Susan May Warren, Gabrielle Meyer
Katie Ganshert, Ruth Logan Herne, Dawn Crandall, Pepper Basham

Then came the author signing at the end of the day! It was a delight to meet several and get their signatures. But two particular meetings stand out to me the most!

My reviews of The Ryn, The Remedy,
The Seahorse Legacy,
& The Sunken Realm 

First, I went up to Serena Chase (who, by the by, is the author of that incredible series in the picture and if you haven't read them, you must!) and started talking about how much I loved her books and how happy I was that she was there so I could meet her and all of a sudden.... She said something like, "Are you Kara from Flowers of Quiet Happiness?". Talk about getting my attention! I hadn't even mentioned my blog name at all yet! She then proceeded to get so excited to meet me. To meet ME. How crazy is that? I've been a fan of her stories since...2013 when The Remedy (from her Eyes of E'veria series) first came out, but to have ever imagined she'd remember me and my little blog? I couldn't seem to wrap my brain around that idea! I don't think either of us stopped grinning during the subsequent conversation. :D So yeah, that bit was awesome, friends! 

The second one was getting the chance to meet Rachel McMillan. I did mention my blog name to her first, but she knew who I was once I did! Which is still crazy to me. This little spot feels so small and cozy to me. I love it, but I don't think of myself as being all that well known on the blogosphere. Which is fine! But makes for funny moments when an author tells me they remember my blog name! :D Rachel is just awesome, for the record. I was so excited for the chance to meet her that I had to sneak a picture earlier during the day when she was on an author panel. ;)

But talking with all of them was just pure awesome! When I went up to Ronie Kendig and mentioned that I knew she and Rel were good friends, she said she'd been texting with her just a few minutes before. So it kind of felt like Rel was there for a second! :) I admit that it took me a while to recognize Dawn Crandall because her hair color was different than in her Official Author Pic. But she was so sweet once I did finally go up to her. I was thrilled to bits to get to share why I loved Life After so much to Katie Ganshert! And as I totally expected because of last year, Laura Frantz and Pepper Basham were both as lovely as ever.

Seriously, friends, this was an incredible day! If you get the chance to go next year, I highly recommend it! And it's a day I definitely won't soon be forgetting. :D

it's the little things...

drinking hot tea

reading books

wearing sandals

trees rustling in the wind

convos with friends

long and tight hugs

dreaming of trips to come

having wanderlust

rainy days

movie marathons

libraries

warm smiles from strangers

long roads with mountains

bright and cheerful flowers

memories

unexpected compliments

text messages from friends

fresh blueberries

bookshops

crisp mornings

warm blankets

handwritten words

ocean waves

sunshine

relatable characters

the sound of turning pages

hearing "I love you"

favorite songs

lyrics that understand

the quiet of nature

hearing someone laugh

holding a newborn

knowing that someone misses you

discovering words for feelings

receiving a letter/card in the mail

sleeping in

eating watermelon outside

long drives

reminiscing with friends

black and white photographs

anticipation

endless possibilities

finding brave

knowing it's Friday! :)

The BEST Part of my Trip to Biltmore

Some friends and I visited Biltmore Estate the other weekend and I hadn't realized they had period drama costumes on special display right now. BEST surprise ever! Because those lovely costumes you see up there? Tell me y'all know who had the privilege of wearing them!

Yes! Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice '95. (!!!!!!) As soon as I stepped into the library and caught a glimpse of them, I knew immediately what they were. To say that I was dancing on the inside would be an understatement! (It was a busy day and there were far too many people around me to make dancing for realsies actually possible. ;) Needless to say, this Jane Austen fangirl was very, very happy. :D

I don't know if any of y'all have ever visited Biltmore yourselves or happen to know any of the history. Delightful author Pepper Basham is always posting pictures of her numerous visits to the estate on social media, so I knew a tiny bit from what she's shared. But I had no idea that George Vanderbilt (the original owner of the house) was such a huge reader.

BECAUSE THAT LIBRARY IS AMAZING.

I mean, look at all those books...

(Yes, that is a balcony up there. It went around the entire room.) I think we were told that there were upwards of at least 10,000 books in there, in several different languages. Can you imagine owning such a library?! I wanted SO badly to have hours to wander that room and look at all the beautiful stories encased within. If only... *daydreams*

I also enjoyed seeing one of Mia Wasikowska (and yes, I did just go and google how to spell her last name) and Michael Fassbender's costumes from Jane Eyre '11.

Also, I learned that Alicia Vikander (I had to go look up her last name too) is much shorter than I. And definitely much shorter than Matthew MacFadyen! (Although I'm thinking that lots of people are probably much shorter than he. ;) Seeing their costumes from Anna Karenina side by side, the difference in height is quite obvious. I haven't watched that movie, but I did like the costumes they chose to display.

And lastly, this is Carey Mulligan and Matthias Schoenaerts' costumes from Far From the Madding Crowd. I haven't seen that movie either (I've heard really good things about it, so I'm hoping to watch it one day soon), but I've seen lots of pictures and that particular pose is familiar. I knew who it was even before I read the sign! :)

There were many more costumes throughout the house, but I didn't recognize any of the movies or period dramas they were from, so I took no other pictures. Still, my period drama and especially Jane Austen fangirl heart was absolutely delighted! :) The estate itself is incredible and the costumes were the icing on the cake of the entire day. Not to mention it was wonderful to hang out with dear friends the whole time.

Best weekend of the year! (So far. :)

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things :: 2016 Edition

So! It's time for my list of favorite things from this year. I tried this for the first time back in 2014 and liked it enough I think this might be a yearly thing. I mean, it already is, I suppose, since this is the third year I've written it. :) Anyhoo! 2016 was definitely a year of ups and downs. I read lots of good stories, had some amazing adventures, yet so much of it was tinged with grief for mom. So I look back with a lot of bittersweetness. Still, there is a whole lot more sweet than bitter! And I am here to focus on the happy today, let's get to it, shall we? :)

:: Christian Fiction Readers Retreat ~ meeting all those lovely authors and fellow readers (!!!!!)
:: Meeting Rel and Jamie in person. (Still a bit in shock that happened.)
:: Also meeting Laura Frantz, Kara Isaac, Becky Wade, Pepper Basham, Dani Pettrey...AAAHHHH
:: Friends with new babies for me to snuggle
:: Sweet final memories with mom
:: Quick weekend trip to the ocean with friends
:: Discovering a new favorite restaurant ~ pita sandwiches make me happy
:: 24 hour write-a-thon
:: Seeing my California friends when they came to visit over the summer
:: Visiting my aunt and her family over Thanksgiving
:: Seeing the Ark Encounter in person
:: Happy packages in the mail from awesome author friends
:: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies movie!!!
:: Little Women Read-along ~ It was past time that I read this classic and I enjoyed it. Course, it helps that it was a read-along. I love those! :)
:: Northanger Abbey Read-along ~ even if I didn't finish
:: Libraries with free wifi and comfy seating
:: Twitter, instagram, and blog convos with my people
:: Friends, both online and off, showering me with love and happy
:: Twitter-watch-alongs with Amber
:: Getting that first email about the invite to be part of the INSPYs Advisory Board and then all the happiness sent my way from the other members when I accepted
:: Starbucks Chai Tea
:: BOOKS
:: Re-learning appreciation for the little moments in life
:: Did I mention books?

It's been a good year overall! What about you? What are some of your favorite things from 2016?

Christian Fiction Readers Retreat :: 2016

Hello my lovelies! So you may or may not have noticed that things have been a little quiet around here for a couple weeks. Roadtrips to Nashville will do that! :) Surprisingly (probably) I didn't mention much about this trip (or anything about it actually) prior to going. I was a bit worried that things may not work out like I wanted, so I kept quiet. But! I did go and it was AMAZING. I have some stories to share (naturally), but I have no one in real life who wants to listen to my gushing over and over and over about how I still can't believe I actually got to meet all those wonderful ladies. So that means y'all get to listen to me here! (Or not. No pressure to read to the very end of this wordy post. I completely understand the commitment it requires! ;)

As you see above, I went to the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat. It was basically a chance for readers and bloggers to meet with the authors we love so much. A few authors spoke about their stories and what inspired them to begin writing, we had chances to ask them questions and just chat about how much we loved their books, and we got to have books signed and take pictures galore. The entire experience was a delight! I loved the whole feeling of the day. These were my people! They understood me, they knew my passion for reading, and they felt the same. It was glorious!!

Laura Frantz, Gabrielle Meyer, Kristi Ann Hunter

The Bloggers

First and foremost? The most unexpected and happiest of surprises? I got to meet Rel of Relz Reviewz!!!!!

I found out just a couple days prior to leaving that she was going to be visiting the US (she lives in Australia) and was going to be in the same city as I. I couldn't believe I would be that close and totally miss her! I tried to brainstorm some scheme to try and meet up, but I am not savvy and awesome like that so I came up with nothing. *cue sadness* However! She somehow decided to make a late afternoon appearance just as our retreat was ending and I was SO EXCITED. There are no words for how thrilled I was to see her! Seriously. I never imagined that I would ever get the chance. Australia is far, far away from my little spot in the world.

(Incidentally, I told her that meeting her was an honor because I was meeting REL. She is deserving of all caps and glitter! If you're part of the Christian Fiction blogging community, I know you've heard of her because she is just that amazing. She tried to tell me that she's perfectly normal and nothing extraordinary, but I, respectfully, beg to differ. :)

I pretty much gushed all over her and she was gracious enough to let me. She even seemed to like me too! Still pretty giddy about that. :)

And yet!

There is still more awesome to talk about because I met Jamie from Books and Beverages too! So I spent my day with one of the nicest and sweetest ladies around. She was another I was extra nervous about because, while I love chatting online with her, I was a bit worried she might not like me so well in person. I know! That's crazy talk, but I have to be honest. Good thing I was wrong! Because she was wonderful. Even if we didn't get to chat about Tolkien and Lewis nearly as much as I wanted. Next time, right Jamie? ;)

Krista Phillips, Pepper Basham

I remember looking in the doorway and seeing her in there already setting up. It's just the weirdest, craziest, most awesome thing to see a person for real! When you've seen their picture and had many a convo, when you feel like you've known them for years yet never met them, and then suddenly see them right in front of you, it's just....I don't really have the words to describe the feeling. It's just cool, is what it is!

There were several other bloggers there that I'd heard of but had never interacted with them. Namely Annie and Carrie, who helped host, along with Bonnie. (Those ladies worked tirelessly to get this day set up. They deserve all the kudos and cookies in the world!) I'm blanking on who else I met right now, but suffice it to say, there were many. And still more were there that I never even said hello to, I found out later. Next year I'm totally planning ahead better! :)

The Authors

• Mary Connealy and Ruth Logan Herne are absolutely hilarious! I could have listened to them all day long. Someone called them "the Laurel and Hardy of Christian Fiction", which is a perfect description. 
• Mary's last name is pronounced "kuh-NEAL-ly" NOT "KAHN-nelly". I've been saying it wrong for years! (At least I'm not the only one? Others were remarking on this too.)
• Ruthy is wonderful. She is so full of life and enthusiasm! I loved getting to know her a bit better.
• Laura Frantz is the nicest! Chatting with her felt like talking with an old friend.
• Julie Lessman has a beautiful heart. It radiates out when you meet her.
• Tamera Alexander, Carrie Turansky, Kristi Ann Hunter, Kate Breslin, Gabrielle Meyer, Jennifer Slattery, they all were so gracious and kind (even when I had to admit that I hadn't read Kate's or Jennifer's books yet, they both sweetly signed a book plate thing for me anyway).

  

  Rel, Kara Isaac, Tamera Leigh,
  Jamie, Dani Pettrey, Becky Wade,
  Pepper Basham, Julie Lessman, Laura Frantz

• I sat beside Melanie Dickerson. The entire day! That moment I looked up and she wanted to slide by me to sit down, I think my eyes sort of bugged out of my head for a second! ;D
• Becky Wade remembered my blog!!! That was a very giddy moment! :)
• Dani Pettrey (pronounced "PET-tree") has never been to Alaska! How is this possible anyway? Because her books clearly indicate that she has! ;) 
• Krista Phillips has an amazing daughter. She shared her journey with a few of us and oh my! That little girl is a walking miracle.
• I haven't read any of Mesu Andrews' (pronounced "MEE-su") books, but after having a chance to hear her tell about them (and because I've heard nothing but good things from fellow bloggers), I bought one and am excited to read it!
• Meghan Gorecki's beautiful smile just makes you feel happy! I love her dimples. :)
• Kara Isaac!!! Aaahhhh, I was SO excited to meet her!! She lives in New Zealand (I know) and aside from having an awesome name ;), she is another I never dreamed I'd get the chance to meet in person! We've chatted via twitter and she remembered me. *happy dance*
• Pepper Basham was absolutely a delight! We bonded over our mutual love of Catherine (and David! ;). 
• It was a total shock to look up and see Tamara Leigh! She wasn't even supposed to be there, so my fangirling probably got a bit out of control. ;) I have loved her books for years. 

L to R: Melanie Dickerson, Gabrielle Meyer, Laura Frantz,
Pepper Basham, Kristi Ann Hunter, Carrie Turansky
(These authors dressed up in the time period in which their books are set.)

Every single moment was so wonderful and I kept sitting there wondering if it was all real. It's incredibly surreal to look around you and see all these people who are so much more than just people to you! Their words bring happiness and have become part of my heart, their books feel like old friends, and there's simply this unexplainable quality about book people, isn't there? To quote myself, "Book people are awesome! Regardless if we read the same genres or no, regardless if we read lots or a little, no matter the differences, book people just get each other. It's true! There is absolutely nothing like talking with someone else who's passionate about stories. Who, when asked to name their favorite authors, whips out a giant list. Who grins secretly at me when I notice we're both standing in line at the library with our arms full. Who sees the book I'm holding and instantly says "Ooo, that's a good one! Have you read....?". There was a lot of secret smiling and general fangirling going on that day. These are my people and I loved every minute. :)

"...one big swoosh of a feeling."

:: devouring so many good stories :: 

:: the falling rain which brings fresh air and comfort :: 

:: hugs coming just at the perfect time :: 

:: unexpected text messages from far away friends :: 

:: convos with friends who understand your unknowns :: 

:: beautiful sunrises on the drive into work :: 

:: being told I'd helped someone feel better ::

:: anticipating time with friends I haven't seen in years ::

:: planning mini roadtrips for the near future ::

:: the quiet of the library ::

:: finding words ::

:: actual convos with authors ::

:: how the quiet of a friend can feel like a hug ::

:: seeing so many reminders of mom that just make me smile ::

:: coworkers who unexpectedly bring doughnuts ::

:: understanding that life is more, much more than just this one single moment ::

:: learning to exhale the yuck and focus on the good ::

:: discovering new favorite songs ::

:: the joy of hearing good news for a friend ::

:: knowing someone else makes you a priority in their life ::

:: fresh, ice cold water to drink on a hot summer day ::

:: finding brave again ::

:: realizing you're not the only one struggling with something big ::

:: finally reading a certain book and falling in love instantly with its characters ::

:: feeling wanderlust when chatting about a friend's big new adventure ::

:: eating a meal with people you realize are incredibly important to your life ::

:: getting the chance to live life every day, even in the hard ::

:: The Happy Tag ::

Hamlette had a post about this a couple months ago and it looked fun. So! While searching for something to write about this week (since I am still reading Northanger Abbey, but not caught up yet *sadface*), I decided this was perfect. So here we are! Things that make me happy. What better thing to write about anyway! :)

Books:

Persuasion and Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen 

My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay

The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner

Court Duel by Sherwood Smith

Savannah From Savannah series by Denise Hildreth Jones

How Sweet It Is by Alice J Wisler

Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster

any book by Erynn Mangum

The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

Anne of Green Gables series by LM Montgomery

Words: 

spindiddly :: happy :: splendiferously :: persnickety :: journey

adventure :: I love you 

Movies/TV:

North and South (BBC)

You've Got Mail

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

Austenland

Lark Rise to Candleford

Cranford :: Return to Cranford

Anne of Green Gables

all Jane Austen adaptations

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

Hallmark Christmas movies

Parks and Recreation

Psych
Korean dramas (Suey made me add this one. :)

Scents:

coffee (I may not love to drink it, but I love to smell it)

lavender :: food (just out of the oven especially)

rainy days

Random:

gerber daisies :: yellow things :: tea :: libraries

poetry :: bookstores :: deep conversations

hugs :: laughter :: words

Everytime I Go Out, I tend to Bring a Book With Me...

via Where's My Bubble?

So. Much. Truth.

The Little Happinesses...

I just love the title of that book, don't you? It conjures up happy surprises and big smiles in my mind! :)

I've had a few things I wanted to mention to my lovely readers, but it's a quirky mix of articles, apps, movies, and all sorts of happy. With no other way to tell you about them (that I could think of at the moment), I just listed them all for you! Besides, so often it's just the little things, right? Little things worth gushing over in a big way. :) Onwards to the fun!

:: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies ::

:: (the movie) ::

Y'all it is SO GOOD. I laughed and laughed through much of it. Yes, there's some gory parts (it is about zombies after all), but the ridiculousness of the whole scenario is just too fun and the gore is easily overlooked. I LOVED Lily James as Lizzy! She was feisty and witty and strong. And that famous first proposal that Darcy makes to Lizzy? Oh how I loved the way it went down in this movie! Lizzy reacted just the way I'd imagine she would, if she weren't so tied down to the perfect manners of the time. A zombie apocalypse has a way of stripping down the properness and letting characters be real. Well....as real as fictional characters can be, of course. ;)

 

 

:: Litsy ::

:: (the app) ::

Have y'all heard of this new app that's out? Lianne (from Eclectic Tales) introduced me to it. It's described at Instagram for booklovers. It's relatively easy to figure out, although I haven't done a whole lot with it yet. But if you care to join, look me up! I'm flowersquiet over there. I could use some more friends to join in! :)

 

 

:: The List App ::

:: (the app) ::

Yep, another app! It's lists. That's it, just lists. People list all kinds of things. From the crazy, to the funny, to the serious, to the heartwarming. It's a pretty fun (and nice!) group of listers over there. I've joined, but haven't interacted much. Therefore, I could use more friends over there as well! If you think you'd enjoy listing anyway. If you care to look me up, I'm flowersquiet. (Sadly it's only available for the iPhone, not Android.)

 

 

:: Learning to Mellow Like Marilla Cuthbert ::

:: (the article) ::

The lovely Hamlette pointed this post out to me and it made me picture Colleen Dewhurst as Marilla herself. Modern Mrs. Darcy wrote the article and it's just a sweet look at Marilla's character arc over the course of Anne of Green Gables.

 

 

:: The Key to Extraordinary ::

:: (the book) ::

One of my favorite authors, Natalie Lloyd (remember how I gushed over A Snicker of Magic? :), just had a new book come out last week. It looks quite delightful! No, I have not read it yet, I've been too busy hugging it! (I mean, look at that cover, doesn't it just look huggable? ;) Plus I've had several books to finish for review. But! I do plan to read it soon! And so should you, if you enjoy middle grade books.

 

 

:: Northanger Abbey Read-Along ::

:: (the read-along) ::

And lastly, the always lovely Amber is hosting a read-along of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen during the month of March. Click over here for all the details! And won't you plan to join us? I've not ever read the book and have wanted to for years. (No excuse for why I haven't. None at all.) I told y'all that I wanted to conquer it this year and Amber was so kind to help me do that! I hear Mr. Tilney is a pretty great hero. Can't wait to find out! :)