Book Girl Thoughts: Are Books a Good Gift for Nonreaders?

I love the idea of giving books as gifts but I was wondering would it be worth it to give nonreaders books? I like to think that if they receive a book it just might encourage them to read more but I also know that there are people who have absolutely no interest in reading. Which is why I was wondering if it was even beneficial to give them books?

My answer is yes, it is worth it to give them books as gifts because you never know what might spark their interest in wanting to read. So, what would be the best way to give them books? Do you give them a book you think they may enjoy or would it be better to give them a bookstore gift card/certificate in the hopes they will find a book for themselves? I think it depends on the person if you know they are probably not the type to walk into a bookstore then giving them a book would be better.

These were just a few thoughts I had and I would love to know what you think as well?

Do You Think Books Are A Great Holiday Gift?

I recently read an article describing an Iceland Christmas tradition where books are given as gifts. They open the books on Christmas Eve and spend the evening reading. As a bookaholic, I love the idea of giving books as gifts and of course getting them as well. I know that books are not usually the go-to item for gifts except for us bookworms but for everyone else not so much. According to the article, the people of Iceland are big readers and it makes me wonder how a love of reading was cultivated by a whole nation, which is so cool.

That article reminded me of when I was a kid, I would put books on my Christmas list along with bunch of other items. I was completely thrilled to get books for Christmas just as much as I was with all the toys. I remember one year as I was reaching the tween years that books were all that I had put on my list. Of course I got other stuff but it was the books I was most looking forward to getting.

I don't know why at a certain point once you cross the threshold from being a kid to being a tween, teenager and adult you no longer write Christmas list. It would make it so much easier for family (and friends) to figure out what to get you instead of stressing out trying to find the perfect gift.

But I digress back to the point of this post and that is books as gifts. I know that I'm more likely to buy myself a book but I think it would be great to incorporate this into my gift buying and not only for the holidays. I think books make wonderful gifts be it from fiction to non-fiction I'm sure there is something I can find that will interest someone.

Giving books as a gift is a great tradition and is something that I really would like to do. But since I already finished my Christmas shopping it will have to be something I will do next year.

Would you give books as a holiday gift?

Gift Guide: Cruelty Free Beauty Gifts

For anyone who may be new to my blog, last year I decided to go cruelty free and it was definitely an adjustment trying to find new products but eventually I found a lot of good ones. And also my family and friends supported my decision and whenever they gave me a beauty gift I was pleasantly surprised to see that the products were indeed cruelty free. Doing that showed that they really cared about me and understood that this was important to me.

Which is why I created this gift guide because I wanted to make it easier to find beauty gifts for someone you know who has gone cruelty free. However, please check to see if the person you're shopping for is cruelty free or green cruelty free. A cruelty free person is someone okay with using products that are natural based or containing chemicals while a green cruelty free person uses products that are natural based only.

This is only a small selection of products that are out there, for more research and product options check out cruelty free beauty blogs, the Leaping Bunny website and more.

Josie Maran Nourishing Argan Oil Skincare Collection             $49.00               Sephora (sephora.com)

Includes: Argan Cleansing Oil, 100% Pure Argan Oil, Whipped Argan Oil Face Butter and Pure Argan Milk Intensive Hydrating Treatment

Gift Guide: Accessories: Jewelry, Cold Weather and Tote Bag/Purses

Happy Holidays, it is now 25 days until Christmas and if I'm not mistaken Hanukkah as well. I have another gift guide for you and this time it includes some chic, cozy and cute accessories. As with the other guides everything here is affordable because shopping's way more fun when you're not worried about going over budget.  



Jewelry

Modern Pave Chandelier Earrings                        $29.50                           LOFT (loft.com)

Gift Guide: Kids Gifts

Why does it seem like every year buying Christmas gifts for kids some how amounts to a lot of stress and trying to get the latest gifts? To make it easier for you I put together this affordable guide, I picked several items that range in categories from Home to Toys that should make for a delightful gift for kids.

This is just the first of several Gift Guide for Kids, be on the lookout for more. 

Mini Pear Nightlight                           $15.00                 MoMA Store (store.moma.org)

Gift Guide: 16 Gifts for Bookaholics

It's officially 30 days before Christmas and I wanted to make it easier on shoppers to find gifts by posting a Gift Guide. Today, I'm starting with gifts that might appeal to book lovers or bookaholics, they are priced from $1.00 to $59.00. I figure one shouldn't have to go over budget to be thoughtful.

As I was putting together this post, I found so many interesting gifts that I may have to do another one in this category.

A to Z Bookends                           $49.00                        Pottery Barn Kids (potterybarnkids.com)

A Gift: Study Hall of Justice

I guess it's a good thing, I was at home today. Just look at what arrived in the mail, Study Hall of Justice. I can't believe my mom bought this for me. How sweet is that? Don't you just love it when someone absolutely understands you and your obsession.

Thanks mom, I truly adore you.

Beauty: Josie Maran Pure & Free Argan Nourishing Essentials Set

Even though I'm an adult, it's still nice to receive a random/just thinking of you gift from your parents. My family knows that I'm trying the humane/cruelty free beauty route and I was surprised by my mom with this lovely bag. Inside was a Josie Maran Pure & Free Argan Nourishing Essentials set.

The set includes:

- 100 percent Pure Argan Oil Light
- Argan Infinity Intensive Creamy Oil
- Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Be Spirited Sweet Citrus
- Argan Black Oil Mascara
- Bear Naked Wipes

Since this is a sample set it will give me a chance to try out some of these products and if I like them maybe I can get the larger sizes.

Mom, thank you for the gift. 

Scholastic Unveils 2013 "Give the Gift of Reading" Guide With Top Children's Books For Holiday Gifts

NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2013 -- The editors at Scholastic have been publishing, curating and distributing quality and award-winning books for children for decades, and have become experts at choosing the perfect books for every child on your holiday list. Today, David Allender, Editorial Director of Scholastic Reading Club, unveils the Give the Gift of Reading Guide, showcasing the top book trends for the 2013 holiday season from Scholastic Reading Club and Book Fairs.

"The holidays are the best time to learn what your child wants in a good book," said David Allender, Editorial Director for Scholastic Reading Club. "The gift of reading is one gift your child will treasure all of his or her life."

The Scholastic Give the Gift of Reading Guide 2013
(list is not ranked in any order)


1.   Read Aloud Traditional Stories With a Twist – (Toddler – 2^nd Graders) Reading aloud is an ideal way to have some quality family time during the season and all year long – and it comes with great benefits for children. According to research, young children who hear more words through reading aloud have larger vocabularies than their classmates by the time they enter kindergarten. Fairy tales are the perfect read-aloud genre. Pick these attention-grabbing books that turn your favorite classics upside-down - guaranteed to be a family favorite.

Holiday Picks: Cinders: A Chicken Cinderella by Jan Brett (Putnam), The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf by Mark Teague (Orchard Books/Scholastic), and for holiday specific reads, Santa Claus and the Three Bears by Maria Modugno, illustrated by Jane Dyer and Brooke Dyer (HarperCollins) and Pete the Cat Saves Christmas created and illustrated by James Dean, story by Eric Litwin (HarperCollins).


2.  Get Funny to Foster Independent Reading – (Kindergarteners – 2^nd Graders) Pick books that will make kids erupt with laughter. Books that showcase humor help first-time readers equate reading with fun and enjoyment. Try these soon-to-be classics.

Holiday Picks: Elephant and Piggy: I'm a Frog by Mo Willems (Hyperion), Fly Guy Presents: Sharks by Tedd Arnold (Scholastic) and Splat the Cat: Blow, Snow, Blow by Rob Scotton (HarperCollins).


3.  Introduce Fantasy – (3^rd - 6^th Graders) Fantasy ignites the imagination in all of us. Select books that transport a child into another world. This genre will boost reading confidence and stamina through fast-paced and compelling tales.

Holiday Picks: Notebook of Doom: Day of the Night Crawlers by Troy Cummings (Scholastic), Geronimo Stilton: Kingdom of Fantasy: The Volcano Fire by  Geronimo Stilton (Scholastic) and the Special Edition Harry Potter Box Set by J.K. Rowling with artwork by Kazu Kibuishi (Scholastic).


4.  Choose Inspiring Underdog Stories for Tweens and Teens – (Middle School and up) Wherever you turn, these characters are everywhere! From a fun story of a middle-school aged boy facing hard-knocks, to a group of teenage gods on earth fighting evil, to a young woman living in a dystopian world, these books will be hard for your tween and teen to put down this holiday.

Holiday Picks: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney (Abrams), The Heroes of Olympus: House of Hades by Rick Riordan (Hyperion) and, for mature teen readers (ages 12 and up), The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic).


All the books listed above are available through Scholastic Book Fairs, Scholastic Reading Club or book stores nationwide. Purchases through Scholastic Book Fairs and Scholastic Reading Club support your child's school and classroom. For more information about books or to find other great holiday books, visit www.scholastic.com/holidaygifts.  To learn more about Scholastic, visit mediaroom.scholastic.com.


About Scholastic: Scholastic Corporation is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children's media. Scholastic creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multi-media and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The Company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.