Bookstore Dates

It's obvious that as a bookworm, I love going to bookstores. While I enjoy the solitary experience of going by myself, it can also be pretty great when you have someone to go with. Hence, the bookstore date idea. 

I love bookstore dates. In my opinion, bookstore dates encourage conversations and open opportunities to get to know the other person. If it's a first date, you get to hear about their likes and dislikes, favorites and not-so-favorites, figure out their tastes. It doesn't put pressure either, because you're both focused on the lovely shelves. 

For me, my boyfriend and I still go and love it after a few years together. We usually enjoy each other's company in silence, as we peruse through, but let me tell you, books have also sparked some amazing, meaningful conversations between us two. I highly recommend trying it out! 

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(P.S. -My boyfriend is not a huge reader, but he loves non-fiction - mostly environmental, science, and photography books. He just understands my addiction with books, which makes him suggesting going to bookstores even more appreciated.)

Are bookstore dates a typical thing for you? What other date ideas do you have that you think others should start doing too? As always, I'm looking forward to hearing from you. 

Happy 5th Year To My Blog!

Truthfully, there's been many times in the last five years, specifically in 2013, when I wasn't blogging at all, and I contemplated deleting this blog. However, I just couldn't do it. This blog created and gave me many memories, experiences, and lessons that I knew if I deleted it, I'd lose the chance to have moments like that in the future. It's also just been such a huge part of my life; it's always there, a click away. It's gotten me through unexpected changes, tough days, sleepless nights, as well as exciting, happy times in my life. My blog friends and the readers here have continued to inspire me all the time, and I just knew that it wasn't the right time yet to say goodbye to my little space here.

So happy birthday to Random Ramblings. Here's to more years reading, dreaming, and talking about books. And as always, thanks for reading.

Follow Friday - Magnet Collection?

Since it's a brand new year, I thought I'd join follow friday today. Hopefully, I meet new bloggers and visit some new blogs I haven't seen before. If you would like me to check out your blog, link below! As for the question for this week, "Do you have any fun collections (other than books)? 

The only thing I can think of that I collect are magnets. My boyfriend and I collect them from every place we visit, whether it's a local museum or a national park from another state. We've not gone totally out of the West Coast yet, except for Florida, but I know over the years, the collection will definitely grow!

There's some places we go to where we forget to buy magnets, but we'll go again someday and buy it then! What else do you collect other than books?

First Book in 2015

It's always a tough decision, finding the perfect first book to read for the brand new year. This year, I figured I'd pick a book that would not only be a great read, but also something that will hopefully inspire, motivate, and jumpstart the writer and the dreamer in me. So enter the memoir, On Writing by Stephen King. This is a memoir, solely dedicated to his life as a writer, and I definitely respect him as a creator, so this should be perfect for me. 

How about you? Do you ever read about books that are in your area of interest, hobby, passion, or field? I find that doing so causes a huge spark of inspiration for me, and every little bit of spark definitely helps. Anyway, let me know what your very first book is for this year. Happy reading!

Buy On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft
Add to your TBR

Goodbye 2014. Hello 2015.

I only read 35 books in 2014, but I think it was a pretty good year. I've read a variety of books in different genres. Some of them I disliked, some I was disappointed with, some I absolutely loved. I think the top 3 books I've read this year has got to be: 

• Burial Rites by Hannah Kent - atmospheric and haunting, beautiful and gorgeous. 
• The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - old-fashioned mystery with a great female main character.
• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - a nerd's dream! 
• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - though this wasn't a favorite, I thought it was very unique and unexpected! I have to mention it so that others can experience reading it (and watching its awesome film adaptation). 

For 2015, I aim to read at least 50 books, blog more like I used to, and continue writing more. I've put a stop on my writing for a while, but I definitely want to fix that.

What are some of the best books you've read this year, and what books would you recommend me? Also, what are your new year's resolutions and goals for this year? Let me know. 

Book Recommendation: Ready Player One

If I could describe this book to anybody, it is that it is every nerd's dream. It's a scifi dystopian novel set in 2044 where our world basically sucks. It is so horrible that people prefer to live in a virtual world called the Oasis. The Oasis is essentially a multiplayer game where you get to create your own avatar, similar to games like World of Warcraft. This book is told from a relatable main character's point of view, which makes the reader feel like they're not just reading what is going on, but are actually living it. 

Having played multiplayer games like World of Warcraft, the world was familiar to me and the story just felt possible and realistic. I also loved that the book references so many things in nerd and pop culture from video games, comic books, movies, music, to Dungeons and Dragons. Basically, if you can think of anything nerdy, it's probably mentioned, which makes this book one of the most fun stories I've read in a long time. 

Another thing to note is that the author is just excellent with world building and plot development. He writes so effortlessly that makes it such a page turner, making it difficult for me to put it down. I didn't want it to end. It felt just like any other addicting video game. I found myself staying awake late at night reading, and I was simply stuck in this world that the author created because nothing else mattered while I was reading the story. Another awesome part about this is that not only is it exciting, but this book also has a lot of heart. The characters did that for me, as they were so easy to believe  in, to root for, and to love. 

I highly recommend this book to anybody. If you like a good story and like immersing yourself in different worlds, read it. It's so much fun that I believe it will be appreciated by anyone. But yes, if you are a nerd and you like pop culture, you have to get this book now. For me, it's definitely on my top 3 books I've read this year and I can't recommend it enough. 

So I got a Kindle...

If you've been a follower of this blog for a while, you'd know by now that I have always been anti-ereader for a few reasons. However, I feel like as I got older and life and schedules got busier, I haven't had time to go to bookstores anymore. In addition to that, there's sadly a lack of bookstores around my area. Because of those circumstances, I caved, and I got a Kindle. I got it for a good deal off of Amazon during a Black Friday sale, and two weeks later, I have fallen in love with it. 

Admittedly, I felt like I betrayed physical copies as I finally bought an e-reader, but over the past two weeks of consistently (almost daily) using it, I couldn't help but enjoy my time reading with it. I've been obsessed with it that I've already finished three and a half books with it. Here's just a few reasons why I love my new Kindle Paperwhite.

• I love the fact that there are thousands of books right on your fingertips. If I ever get the antsy feeling of wanting a book badly (which I do often) I can simply purchase it right then and there. I'll have it immediately, and don't have to wait until my next day off until I could drive to the nearest bookstore. 
• Prices. They're usually always cheaper than retail price, and there's always amazing e-book deals. I got a lot of the books I have on there right now for $3.99, $8 at the most. 
• It feels like a book. Sure, maybe not out of the box, but once I put on the case I got for it (that basically flips like a vintage book), it feels like an actual book. 
• The screen legitimately looks like a page. I didn't know this before, but the screen is very different from a typical tablet screen or a smart phone screen. It's not glossy, it feels and looks more like an etch-a-sketch to me. The texture is a bit different too, which I think is what prevents the glare. This also makes it easier on the eyes. I've tried reading on an iPad and I just got headaches, but I never get that from the Kindle. 
• Portability. I can bring it anywhere. Literally. It fits in my medium-sized purse easily. I bring it to work so I can read during my break. I can't wait when I have to travel so I can test it out then.

So while I will always love going to bookstores, purchase books I really love from time to time, and prefer physical copies for my growing home library, there's definitely room for an e-reader. If you are thinking about it because you like the idea of its convenience, I highly recommend it.

Purchase here.

Gift Guide for the Literary People In Your Life

I have done gift guides for readers before, but because the holidays are here again, I figured it's about time to make a new one. These are just some gifts for the reader and literary lover in your life.

Book Art and Book Jewelry 
I love book art. Etsy shops like BlackBaroque that feature antique book prints are great, and so is this store that has typography prints.
As for book jewelry, all you have to do is go to this link and get lost. I particularly am in love with this store and absolutely love this Harry Potter bracelet. 

Technology

It's all about those cases, skins, and accessories for your smart phones, laptops, and more. I do recommend the BookBook case. While it sells for $79.99, it is quite unique and does its job. 

I also adore this store for their literary phone cases.  I love the options and the highlighted text!

Clothes and Accessories

Bookish jewelry is always a good way to go, but let's not forget other clothing items and accessories. Scarves, leggings, dresses, skirts, socks? Yes please. I would start with Out of Print, because they're a great company in my opinion. I also highly recommend the etsy store, Storiarts, more than anything else, because I am in love with the designs and the quality of their stuff. I have the Jane Eyre scarf, and it washes and wears so well. For leggings, I highly recommend these Hamlet leggings. They're $75 each, but your bookish person would no doubt adore it. For general nerdiness and a lot of bookish related items, check out this amazing store, NerdAlertCreations. I have their classic covers infinity scarf, and I loved it as a gift. For more custom style shirts, I recommend Redbubble as it features different artists and there's tons of options!

For Your Bookish Home 

Want your home to smell like old books? A library? Try candles. I like this fun line of bookish themed candles. For book inspired candles, check out this etsy store. 

Mugs are always a good idea. I love the banned books mug of course, and I love this one as well. 

Want bookish coasters? Look no further because Out of Print has some cool ones.

And of course... pillows. This is a favorite of mine. I love the font, the quality, and the price. 

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What are some of your favorite bookish gifts that you've either given or received?