Friday I'm In Love: Books, Books and More Books

So all (two) of my gift guides have focused on kids' stuff. Being an ex-elementary teacher in the middle of raising kids will do that to a person. But I realize that some people actually buy gifts for other adults, so I wanted to give some adult suggestions.

My go-to gifts (were I to have an income that allowed me to buy gifts for all the people I love and not just my children and parents) would be vibrators, booze and/or books. And since I don't recommend buying booze or vibrators online. . . .

Books for people who love Game of Thrones:



This fantasy series has fewer characters, story lines and bloodshed than George R.R. Martin's, but has the same dark humor, shocks and long waits between books. Reading these three probably won't keep you entertained all the way through until Martin's next book, but they will definitely help.



Okay, I discovered Robin Hobb while I was stalking  casually looking at Martin's blog waiting for A Dance With Dragons to come out. There's a lot more magic in these and maybe a little less violence, but the characters are what grabbed me. And all the series are complete - no waiting around! Woohoo!

But I'm actually not a huge fantasy fan. I'm more of a mystery person, especially well-written series. I'm just going to share the first book (or, at least an early book) from some of my favorites, otherwise this post will go on forever.



Not everything I read is dark and violent. Really. Those just happen to be my favorites. But I like funny people too.





Books for writers:




I just realized that this post is extremely long. I could keep going, but it's possible books I love is just going to have to be an ongoing series. What do you guys think? And what books have I left out of the genres I've already covered?

Friday I'm in Love: Books For the Kids in Your Life

There are few things I love more than books. So when I did my Holiday Gift Guide a few weeks ago, I didn't include them. I knew I couldn't limit my recommendations enough to just include a few in a gift guide - once I start talking about books, I can go on and on. Ahem.

So, click on the links below to order books for the loved ones in your life. Or buy them from an independent book store. I mean, you could get them some other way, but. . .don't you want to support me? Or an independent book store? I'm just sayin'. Without further ado. . .

For Preschoolers:





For kids just learning to read independently:





Picture books for older kids:





Early chapter books:






More advanced chapter books:





Originally, this guide was going to include books for young adults and adults, but um. . .I kind of went overboard with the children's books. So look for the adult book guide next Friday. . .

Affordable Holiday Gift Ideas

I've never done a holiday gift guide. I never thought I was one of "those" bloggers. You know, those bloggers who know about cool toys and handmade sweaters and host giveaways of all their holiday favorites. So I still don't know about those things, and hosting more than one giveaway in a month is more than I can handle, but I do like shopping.

I obsessively curate my kids' Amazon wishlists, even though they never wind up with even close to all the stuff I have on there. Hell, I have a wishlist. And a separate book wishlist. Because books are special. I find the whole wishlist thing to be like retail therapy, except it doesn't require actual money.

It really suits our budget.

Thinking about our budget made me realize that I can't be the only parent out there who looks for AFFORDABLE (under $30) stuff their kids will ACTUALLY play with, so. . . .

Culled completely from my kids' Amazon wishlists. And if you click on the links from here, I might earn enough money to actually buy one of these things for my own kids. Not that they actually need any more toys. 

I know you're looking at that picture and thinking, "What the hell IS that?" That's exactly what I thought when my mom Santa got Bilibos for the older two kids a while back. Basically, the kids sit in them and spin, or tilt, or whatever. I have seen 3 year olds have fun in them and I have seen 10 year olds have fun in them. Hugmonkey, of course, wants his own this year.

Another one from Hugmonkey's list, these Dado squares are a fun open-ended toy that are great for traveling. We're big fans of building toys around here and though I'm pretty sure we could have an all Lego Christmas, I think it's important to change it up a little. Plus, these look easier to avoid stepping on than Legos.

Ironflower is still obsessed with American Girl dolls - and she'd better stay that way until she's 15 or so, with the money we've spent on them - though now she really covets their accessories. Which are just as ridiculously priced as the dolls. But these bunk beds fit American Girls just fine and cost less than half of what they'd cost if they actually came from American Girl. The brand is Badger Basket and they have a ton of stuff that works with American Girl.

Usually I hate board games. Rather, I hate board games that are appropriate for my children. Except for Apples to Apples. I looooooove this game and it's not just because I always win. We have this version, but there's also a Disney  version that kids will probably love.


This game is deceptively simple, portable and entertaining for preschoolers through adults. I like this one for letter recognition, but they've also got animal and holiday versions.

I put one of these on each kid's wishlist. Not because they asked for them, but because they go through art supplies like they're edible.


Hugmonkey actually got this for his birthday, but all of the kids have been playing with it. Even Ironflower, though she probably wouldn't want to broadcast that to some of her friends at school. I like Imaginext products a lot, they let my boys act out stories with figures without feeling like they're playing with dolls (Hot Guy and I would love for them to play with regular dolls, but school has already socialized them into thinking that boys don't do that). Some other fun and affordable Imaginext sets include the Castle Wizard Tower, Super Friends Gotham City Jail and the Monsters University Row.


Nancy B's Science Club Binoculars and Wildlife Activity Journal look like the perfect thing to supplement our hiking and geocaching activities. I got binoculars when I was a bit older the Ironflower and they entertained me for hours. (Note to self; do not let children spy on neighbors with binoculars, which I may have done way back when. Sorry, former neighbors.). Coming in at just over $30, Nancy B'S Science Club Microscope & Activity Journal also looks pretty awesome.


So. . . .there you have it, my first holiday gift guide. What awesome, affordable gifts did I leave out? And should I do a book gift guide?