Spring is beginning to arrive here in Michigan, and hopefully it is where you live too! With a change of seasons comes a change in book genres for me. Lately I've been devouring medieval, Narnia-esque reads, some new and some old favorites. Expect to see a lot from the historical and fantasy sections of the website in the coming weeks!

Speaking of the website, lots of fun things are coming this spring, especially for this blog. A lot of the time when I post on here, I attach stock photos to fit the theme. Instead, I'm going to make cute book quote posters like the one here. It gives the blog a more cozy vibe in my opinion.

Last, but not least, allow me to share an encouraging Bible verse with y'all.

"Jesus answered, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" John 14:6 (NIV).

-Lily Monteith

We're back! No, we haven't vanished, we've just been very busy reading some AMAZING books (the subject of this post being just a few).

Lately, I've been reading the Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maude Montgomery. They're a charming vintage set of books written from the 1910s to the 1930s, about a redheaded orphan and her adventures, from her arrival on Prince Edward Island to her marriage, and even two books about her children. They've inspired dozens of movies, TV shows, and animated films. Anne's future beau, Gilbert Blythe, has been a crush of dozens of girls, and Anne has secured herself as one of the most beloved characters in literature, alongside Elizabeth Bennett (Pride and Prejudice) and Jo March (Little Women).

These books are a charming edition to your bookshelf, and many of my blog posts for the next few weeks will be Anne-based! I cannot wait for you to read these books (if you haven't already). And if you're looking for the perfect TV or movie adaptation, I'll be talking about that soon! 

P.S. Scroll and little further, there are a few Anne-themed wallpapers below, enjoy!

-Lily

Love a book, but not the language? It's a common issue among readers like us. Profanity can pop up in books all the time, unfortunately. Well, recently I figured out a way to fix that in just a few steps! It can be time-consuming depending on how much swearing is in the book, but the results are well worth it!

*WARNING* I recommend that you test the steps below on a thrifted book or one you are getting rid of. That way you can practice without worrying about causing damage to a nice book.

• STEP ONE: Visit your local craft/office supply store and buy Wite-Out Correction Tape. It varies in price, but usually ranges from $5 to $10 for a multi-pack.

• STEP TWO: Apply a small amount of Wite-Out over the swear words in your book of choice.

• STEP THREE: Next, write a different word over the Wite-Out. Make sure to keep the writing neat and small.

• STEP FOUR: Enjoy your book, with clean language! Share this hack with your friends, they'll appreciate it!

-Lily Monteith

I don't know about you, but where I live, snow is coming down by the bucketfuls. It's gorgeous, cozy, and just in time for Christmas! And one of the best things to do on a day like today is read a book or watch a Hallmark or Great American Family movie. After I go for a run, of course! Cross-country practice still happens in the winter :-)

Anyway, I've just finished all my Christmas shopping, and I'm very excited to see what everyone thinks of their gifts. Have you? If not, now is the perfect time to get started. But where do you go if you have a bookworm on your gift list? Well, luckily, there are many great small business options in West Michigan for books that you won't be able to resist.

1. First up (and my personal favorite), Nacho Mama's Bookshop in Hamilton, MI. It's a used bookstore with a wide range of book options, from picture books to novels. But it isn't just any used bookstore, all of the books are in great condition and reasonably priced. If you have a question about books, the owner has a wealth of knowledge to help you find the perfect one.

2. The Next Chapter in Holland, MI. The books here also have great variety, and are more gently used than Nacho Mama's, so sometimes you need to do some digging. The owners frequently put together adorable book giveaway bundles, so definitely enter for a great gift for yourself or a loved one.

3. Family Central in Holland, MI. A great Christian book/gift store. They have dozens of options for your reading pleasure, including devotionals and Bibles. Everything is new, so it can be a little pricier depending on how recently a book was published, but they are still affordable.

4. Reader's World in Holland, MI. This store has a huge YA/middle grade section, and I've found some great books here. Everything in this store is also new, but still affordable.

5. BONUS! Nothing delights a dedicated reader like a good old-fashioned library card. If your giftee doesn't have one and you're not sure what kind of books they like, treat them to this! A million options for books will be at their fingertips!

-Lily Monteith

"Look! The Virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and and they will call Him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" -Matthew 1:23.

How can you share Jesus with someone this Christmas? Here are a few ideas!

• Mail/give Christian holiday cards to your friends and family.

• Make Christmas gift bundles for a local charity (i.e. nursing home, homeless shelter, food pantry) and include a Bible verse in each one.

• Invite people at your school or job to a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service at your church.

Those are just a few ways! There are so many more you can find by doing your research! Go share Jesus with as many people as you can this Christmas.

-Lily Monteith