Book Lending 101

We’ve all been there…a friend gets a glimpse of a book on your shelf that ends up going home with them, but never ends up back on your shelf…

There is a certain book lending etiquette that some people surpass, but here are some tips on how to get your books home safely!

  1. Treat it like a library. 

Give them a return date. And while you’re at it create a slip for them. You can even get really professional and get a library kit!

  1. Keep a list. 

If you don’t want to go as far as writing a slip or purchasing a library kit, keep your own list. Sometimes the lenders are the ones who forget, so write it down on a place where you will see it!

  1. Do a lend for lend. 

Trade books! You are more likely to get your book back when you borrow one as well. 

  1. Bookmarks.

If you are someone who cares about the condition in which your book is returned it might be a safe bet to put a bookmark inside to protect your pages! No dog-eared folds around here!

  1. Sticky notes.

If you really want to secure your books home return, put a sticky note on the last page as a reminder for the lender. 

So remember readers! Be courteous to book lenders and vice versa! 

Happy Reading!

Hidden Treasures

Considering this is a literary focused blog we write a lot about how to help and inspire writers/authors. However, sometimes we neglect to focus on the inspiration that is right in front of us. Our families and friends can be instrumental to finding ourselves and sparking creativity. Talk with them, learn with them, and good things may come. 

This is not to say that you might also get a headache, but in all seriousness there is no better way to learn than with and by those around you. 

Happy Monday!

A Reading List Tells A Lot About You

Make a reading list! Share it amongst friends and get some new material. It’s fun to see other peoples top reads to start your own list. Spark a conversation and open up about yourself a little bit! Every know and then you have to get yourself out of your book and see why you think it’s so special!

Check out some of our monthly publications for inspiration!

Happy Monday!

Be Open to Feedback and Criticism 

As a writer, it is important to be open to feedback and criticism. While it can be difficult to hear negative feedback about your work, it is an essential part of the writing process and can help you to improve your skills and grow as a writer. Improving your Writing Skills: One of the biggest…

Write about What you Know

Writing about what you know can be a powerful and rewarding experience for any writer. Improved authenticity: One of the biggest benefits of writing about what you know is that it can help to create a sense of authenticity in your work. By drawing on your own experiences and knowledge, you can create work that…

Set aside time for Self-Care as a Writer 

Writing can be a demanding and emotionally draining process, and it is important to take breaks and recharge in order to avoid becoming overwhelmed and burnt out.  Avoid burnout! One of the biggest benefits of self-care for writers is that it can help to prevent burnout. Writing can be an intense and demanding process, and…

How To Start A Book Club

Do you like reading, but don’t always have someone to share your thoughts with? Start a book club with friends, family, or members of your community and connect with literature. It is a great escape and can be a fun way to chat about books. But first, you need a book club! You can try finding some in your community or you can start your own. Here are a few steps on how to start your own book club, if you feel up for the challenge:

Spread the word. 

Having participating members of a book club can be one of the biggest factors. Without a group there’s no one to chat with! Spread the word through social media or email some friends you think would be interested. 

Figure out the best time to meet. 

Everyone’s schedules are different, and while meeting in person is primarily the best option it is not the only one. You can designate time to chat on Facebook and create your own group, or even chat over the phone. But knowing everyone’s schedules and planning the best time would be very helpful. 

Go over the ground rules. 

Rules should always be established. For instance: how often will you meet, how will you choose the book, how long will the meetings go and so forth. 

Decide on the tone and theme of the book club. 

Will you focus on favorite genres, amazon bestsellers, or movie adaptations? Having a focus in the beginning will create a smooth transition for all the members. 

Keep a journal. 

The content is totally up to you! But keep track of the books you read and what you liked or disliked. It would be a great way to jot down your notes for when it comes time for the meeting, and helpful when you try to recollect something from a previous book. 

Book clubs are a great way to go out of your reading comfort zone and enter a reading community. You will find it so inspirational to chat with others about a book and just have fun.

Happy Reading!