A Field Guide: What to Do When It's Book Release Day

Before The Big Day - Be Prepared

If you took the day off work so you could have a whole day of uninterrupted reading or if you have the day off already, congrats! If you can't do either please don't worry, you have three options. 1. Read the book in shifts. 2. Go to work sleepy the next day. OR 3. Wait to read it until you have a whole day off.

DO

This one is pretty self explanatory.

DO

Sleep a LOT before the big day, because once you have that book in your hands you probably won't.

DON'T

Stay out partying all night.

DO

Tell people that you will be unavailable for the next 24 hours. Warn people to just stay away.

DO

Find your reading space and pimp it out (make sure a bathroom isn't too far away since you will be drinking a lot of fluids).

DO

Gather snacks.

DON'T

Eat too much in advance to help ease your craving for food while you are reading. Hence why you should have snacks handy. Preferably snacks that are easy to eat while reading because we all know you won't stop just to eat.

DO

Make sure you have caffeine and a lot of it nearby.

Have you done all of the above? Yes? Good. You are ready. It's time. The release day for that book you have been dying to read (you know, the one where the previous book in the series had a big cliff hanger) is finally here!

The Big Day

DO

Get excited!!!!!!!!!

At this point you either grabbed your copy at midnight and are already reading, (there are still some midnight release parties for books right? There should be.) or

if you pre-ordered a copy you are waiting for the mail to arrive. If that is the case then you should...

DO

Try to be as patient as possible.

DON'T

Get aggressive with the mail person.

Or maybe you just straight up bought the e-book copy at midnight and will get a physical copy later. I've done it before. I don't regret it. Anyway, at this point you now have the book.

The Book is In Your Hand

DO

Take a second to realize that the wait is finally over.

DO

Pet, hold, caress, sniff, etc. the book to your heart's content. I'm sure the book likes it too.

DO

Read. Read. Read. 

Additional Advice/Encouragement if Needed

If you have in fact been doing nothing but reading since you got your hands on a copy of that book you have been dying to read and start to get tired... don't let sleep win. Just remember...

DO

Shake it off, BUT don't feel bad if you need to take a short nap.

DO

Remember that this is the Best. Day. Ever.

There you have it. A field guide on what to do for book release day. I hope you enjoyed this post! I had a lot of fun putting it together. It helped pass some of the time as I continue to wait for Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas to be released. I guess I still have a ways to go, but at least I will be prepared for when the wonderful time finally comes!

How Far Would You Go For Your Favorite Books?

Created by: Christina @ Christina Reads YA

Found at: Shae Has Left The Room

1. I would give up the internet for a month for a signed first edition of this book:

The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder made me love reading when I was a child and I could re-read them a million times more. I would be more than happy to give up the internet for a month for a signed first edition of any of the books in this beloved series.

2. I would give up pizza for a year if it meant I could sit next to this author on a long plane ride:

Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass) - I know I could think of at least a million and one things I would love to talk about with Sarah if I had the chance. I would do it even if it meant giving up pizza, and I love pizza.

3. I would sit through a thousand hours of commercials if it would ensure that Hollywood made this book into a (really good) movie:

Cress by Marissa Meyer - I would love to see Cress and Thorne on the big screen, if done perfectly of course. (Obviously having the whole series on the big screen (or tv) would be even better, but I didn't know if that was cheating for this question.

4. I would never read a new book again if it meant I could live inside this book: 

Harry Potter - This is a given.

5. I would let my Google search history be made public if it meant I could be best friends with this author:

My history isn't really bad at all, but I would share it with you all if it meant I could be best friends with Rainbow Rowell.

6. I would donate everything I own to Goodwill if it meant I could date this book character in real life:

This was the hardest question of all, not because I care about giving away all my possessions, but because I couldn't pick which book character I wanted to be my real life book boyfriend. Drum roll please... Chaol Westfall from Throne of Glass is the winner! This man.... Sigh. He will be mine one day.

I Tag:

Nicole & Ashley @ The Quiet Concert

Cristina @ Girl in the Pages

Lola @ Reading by Lamplight

Adriana @ She's Got Books on Her Mind

Whoever else wants to join! Come on, it's fun! :D

I Feel Like Gabbing Today

** I have no idea how often I will post this feature. It is a work in progress. I do however know that I want to share with you the very random thoughts that pop into my head and chat with you about them. Many are bookish thoughts and many are not. I feel like I don't have enough discussion type posts on the blog so I am giving this a whirl. Some days I will talk about a specific topic and sometimes I will just throw some random thoughts at you. So please sit back, relax, and take a second to chat with me today.

Random Thoughts

1. I didn't read nearly as much (or participate in as many challenges and such) as I thought I would this week for Bout of Books. This saddens me. BUT I do have few really good reasons as to why... (See #2-3)

2. I got a new part-time job and I start Wednesday! I am so very excited! Guess what it is? The best ever... I will be the young adult assistant at a public library near where I live. I will still be keeping my other part-time job as a desk clerk at my home library because I love it so, and because the extra money doesn't hurt. I am very lucky to have two awesome library jobs. :D

3. It is official! My husband and I are house hunting. It is fun and nerve wracking. So far I love it.

4. This may seem like nothing compared to my other news, but I was able to sync my new phone to my car all on my own! I may have struggled at first, but the owner's manual helped a lot. I felt really good about the fact that I did this with no help from my husband.

5. I am trying and so far succeeding at drinking more water and less soda every day. Go me!

6. My husband and I saw The Avengers 2. It was really good! If I were to describe it in one word it would be, entertaining.

7. I have been trying so many new recipes I find off the internet lately. I am working on a blog post to share those all with you! What do you think of that?

8. Do you watch Grey's Anatomy? If you don't already then I suggest you never do. It would be easier that way.

9. Due to all the new crazy awesome kind of stressful things happening in my presonal life right now I feel like I am getting super behind on all things blogging. I have a stack of reviews I need to write (9 total). I have a million of my friends' blog posts to read and comment on, not to mention that I need to respond to the comments on my own blog. I think I may actually need to make more of a blogging schedule at least for a little bit while things are hectic, or until I find my new groove in my new schedule.

What's new with you?

I Feel Like Gabbing Today - Library Edition

 ** I have no idea how often I will post this feature. It is a work in progress. I do however know that I want to share with you the very random thoughts that pop into my head and chat with you about them. Many are bookish thoughts and many are not. I feel like I don't have enough discussion type posts on the blog so I am giving this a whirl. Some days I will talk about a specific topic and sometimes I will just throw some random thoughts at you. So please sit back, relax, and take a second to chat with me today.

LIBRARIES ARE AWESOME - HERE IS WHY

It's National Library Week!! I know you know I love my local library and use it all the time. I got really lucky a year and a half ago when I moved to a town with a large and amazingly awesome library that even has a drive-up window to pick up books. I also work at that said library... and I LOVE it. I love seeing how many people use our library, but I also don't understand a whole bunch of people I know that don't use their local library. Therefore, I decided to put together a list of why you should use your local library. 

A reason you may claim as to why you don't use the library... It's inconvenient.  Here is why it isn't.
- Holds can be your best friend and are very convenient. Normally you can place holds over the phone or online for an item you want and then when you are notified when it is ready you just have to run in for one second to pick up your book/movie/cd etc. Some even have drive up windows (like mine. I'm bragging a bit. I apologize.) and some libraries can do a hold over the phone and have it ready for you to pick up in an hour! An hour!
- Most libraries have easy drop off boxes for when you need to return items. Sometimes they even have them around town and not just at the library.
- E-books are readily available at most libraries and you can get them while sitting on your butt at home.
**See what your local library has to offer. Check out their website, stop by, or give them a call.

It's free! - Who passes up on free things?
- Movies & TV Shows - Free! (I do think some small libraries charge you a small fee to check out a movie. Usually it is only like a dollar, less than redbox.)
- CDs are free too!
- Books of all kinds (large print, fiction, non-fiction, kids, teen, cookbooks, test prep books, etc.) = Free!
- Magazines - Free!
- Audiobooks - Free!
- Don't forget the free videogames!
- Some libraries even have projectors, vhs to dvd converters, tools, assistive devices, and even more helpful things that you can check out... for free!
- I know a good amount of people that claim they don't have a lot of money but spend a good amount of money on books, movies, and other items that they can borrow for FREE from the library. Don't get me wrong, I still like to support my favorite authors and bookstores, but I don't have the money to buy all the books. I buy about a book a month on average, but I use the library more than I purchase books (and especially more than I purchase expensive tv shows) since money doesn't grow on trees. Also, you live in your town and pay taxes... those help pay for the library... So why not use it?

Need a reading suggestion?
- I know my blog is a great source for that as well as other blogs, but its those librarians' jobs to help find what you want/need. They like it when you ask them questions. Just like us book bloggers they like giving out reading suggestions.

Need help doing research for a school project or any project at all?
- The librarians have you covered on this too! They are experts at finding the best resources that you can use for your project. Not only will they help you gather information for the project, but if you need to fax something, copy something, print something, or anything of that nature... you can do that at the library as well!

Do you want to be a library book hoarder? You don't want to pass this opportunity up.
- Come on, who doesn't want to be like me and hoard all the library books? Come join the club. Sure, I feel bad sometimes when I'm keeping the books from other readers, but I can only renew an item twice (three weeks per most books though) and if someone else puts a hold on it and wants to read it bad enough I can't renew it. So in all reality I shouldn't feel all that guilty. Overall, I like having so many reading options at my disposal all the time thanks to my local library.

Need a place to study, a meeting room, a quiet place to write or blog, or maybe a nice place to read? 
- The library has got you covered. Most libraries have study rooms, quiet areas, tables, etc. for your needs. They have computers if you don't want to bring your own laptop. Heck, my library even has laptops you can check out to use while you are in the library. Did I mention that most even have nice comfy chairs to read in? One more thing... some libraries even have coffee shops! Now what more could you want?

Do you want to participate in a book discussion? Or maybe you have a child that would like story time? Or perhaps you want to learn a new craft or watch a movie? 
- Libraries have free programs for their patrons. Look up your local library and see what they have to offer. Some free library programs offered at my library include Lego building time, card making classes, knitting classes, technology help, and a whole bunch more!

This is all that pops into my head right now. I'm sure more will come up later after I have already posted this, but you get my drift. Libraries are awesome. Use yours. Support your local library. At the very least, let your kids get a chance to discover the amazingness that a library has to offer.

I Feel Like Gabbing Today

THIS POST WAS INSPIRED BY BOOKISH (AND NOT SO BOOKISH THOUGHTS) @BOOKISHLY BOISTEROUS

AND THOUGHTS FOR THURSDAY @THE QUIET CONCERT.

**I have no idea how often I will have this post or when exactly I'm going to post it. This is a work in progress. I do however know that I want to share my very random thoughts that pop into my head with you. Many are bookish thoughts and many are not. Sometimes these posts will be one topic and sometimes just a list of random ideas, who knows. This week it is a list. I feel like I don't have enough discussion type posts on the blog so I am giving this a whirl.

1. I had this really nasty cold two weeks ago that just wouldn't let up. It was very frustrating. I can finally say that after three whole weeks I am finally 100% better!

2. I yet again have a million reviews to write... and I'm just not.

3. I will be gone on vacation (to Colorado) for a few days this week to visit family for the holidays so I won't really be around blogging until next week. I'm sure I won't be the only person that is just a little busy this week.

4. Packing for a trip is fun and yet also frustrating.

5. I have so many half written blog posts for end of the year stuff... I really hope I can get it together and get them all up by the time I want them to be posted.

6. One of my very close book blogger friends, Nicole, sent me a surprise present in the mail for Christmas! Best. Surprise. Ever.

7. I hate when it takes me forever to read one book not because it is bad, but because for whatever reason I'm just not making time to read. I don't think it is a sign of a slump so much as just not being in the mood. Wait... is that the same thing? lol

8. I've been in a Christmas movie watching funk lately. I enjoyed the ones I watch every year, Love Actually and The Holiday, along with many others. Then I decided to give this Hallmark Christmas movie (A Very Merry Mix-Up) a chance... it was too corny, too blah, too unbelievable, and I couldn't stand the characters. I hate to say this but I actually regret watching this Christmas movie. I usually don't mind corny. I'm a big fan of the ABC Family Christmas movies, but this one just wasn't doing it for me. I was very disappointed.

9. I hope everyone has a wonderful (and hopefully bookish) holiday! :D

I Feel Like Gabbing Today

THIS POST WAS INSPIRED BY BOOKISH (AND NOT SO BOOKISH THOUGHTS) @BOOKISHLY BOISTEROUS

AND THOUGHTS FOR THURSDAY @THE QUIET CONCERT.

**I have no idea how often I will have this post or when exactly I'm going to post it. This is a work in progress. I do however know that I want to share my very random thoughts that pop into my head with you. Many are bookish thoughts and many are not. Sometimes these posts will be one topic and sometimes just a list of random ideas, who knows. This week it is a list. I feel like I don't have enough discussion type posts on the blog so I am giving this a whirl.

1. Every time I try to relax and just do nothing I last about 20 minutes. I just feel like I always need to be productive. I do this to myself, I know, but I would love a day just to relax and do nothing and not feel guilty about it.

2. I'm loving this season of The Walking Dead. It may make me cringe sometimes, but I still love it. Talk about a show that really makes you stop and think.

3. I feel like I can never be on top of things when it comes to Twitter, or blogging for that matter.

4. I convinced my husband to take me to see Big Hero Six today. It was super cute, heartwarming, sad, and I loved every second of it.

5. I am always worried I have messed something up at work. I don't know why. I just am paranoid about it I guess. I don't want to fail.

6. Modern Family makes me laugh every single time I watch it.

7. I am addicted to iced coffees and iced lattes, and now that it is colder out even though I generally drink hot coffee, I can't seem to let up on the iced drinks.

8. I just downsized my to-read shelf on goodreads by 100. Now I only have 266 books on my to-read shelf. Sadly I still have 233 on my maybe-to-read shelf.

9. No matter how many to-do lists I make I never seem to be that organized. Nothing ever seems to get done.

10. I have a love/hate relationship with NaNoWriMo.

11. I'm re-reading the first two Mara Dyer books before I read the last one that was just released. I am not sure why but I feel like it is cheating to count the re-reads for the goodreads challenge, and then I saw that someone said goodreads doesn't count re-reads anyway. It is kind of weird... I feel like it should be your choice.

This Book Nerd's Problems

I'm sure you have all read/seen the problems of a book nerd tumblr. If not then you should check it out here. It's my inspiration for this post. With that in mind, I decided to do my own little personal list. Here are my book nerd problems. *This is not a complete list.

1. Never having an actual bookmark on hand when needed. I have used receipts, mail, kleenex, and everything in between to keep my spot in the book I'm reading.

2. There are thousands of books at my local library but the one I really truly wanted to read happens to be checked out when I finally get to the library, but it wasn't earlier in the day when I looked it up on the catalog.

3. When I just started a really good book and I then have to go to work, or a social event, or family gathering that requires my presence and therefore I must stop reading.When I do finally go out my friends like to point out that they are proud of me for stopping to read long enough to hang out with them, and they should be.

4. When all I want to do is stay up late and read but my eyes are fighting me in every single way possible. You know what I'm talking about. The slow pain of trying to keep them open longer than they should be.

5. When co-workers who are also friends and also big readers ask for book recommendations and you freak out that they won't like the books you tell them they MUST read. The pressure!

6. When I NEED to talk to someone about a book I'm reading right that second and no one I know has read it yet!

7. Having too many books to choose from so I can't possibly choose.

8. When one of my book boyfriends is coming to the big screen and they don't live up to how I pictured them in my head.

9. Before goodreads I didn't really track what I was reading.... The worst is when I get excited to read a book and then start reading and realize I had already read it before.

10. Goodreads is almost always open up in a window on my computer, but having to refresh it every time I come back to it to log back in is frustrating.

11. When I get caught stroking the cover of the new book I just bought or received as a gift in front of strangers, or worse in front of family. They never let me live that down.

12. Realizing that my letter from Hogwarts is never coming.... or is it?

13. When I read a cliff-hanger and immediately go online to find out when the next book comes out only to find out the one I just finished has only been out for a month so I have a year long wait ahead of me.

14. Crying in public while reading. Or laughing in public while reading. I've done both and have received funny looks.

15. When I know characters are soul mates and are 100% meant to be together deep down in my heart, in my very soul, but for some reason the author doesn't.

16. The day I looked up how to say all the names in Throne of Glass... I had been pronouncing some of them wrong.

17. When my arm gets tired while reading. Holding up a book for a long period of time with one hand is a good workout at least.

18. Sometimes realizing (and then denying) that I can't possible read all the books.

Share your book nerd problems below!