As the season of gratitude rolls in, the Bookstr team is taking time to reflect on all the little bookish joys that brought us joy throughout the year. It’s not just the stories we read, but the little moments that make being a reader so special. Here’s a warm look at all the literary delights we’re thankful for this season!
I’m thankful for used bookstores!
I’m a physical book girlie through and through, but newly printed books can be so expensive sometimes. I love that used bookstores (both virtual and in-person) have grown in popularity in recent years. Now, I can get books at more reasonable prices with the added plus of that pre-loved look and smell. One of my favorite parts of finding a used book is seeing notes scrawled in the margins by the old owner. It’s great for the environment, plus there’s the added lore of all the personal human touches the books have collected over time.
— Kaija Strong, Editorial
I’m thankful for bookish communities and my book besties!
I love my husband, but that man does not read, and while he will listen to me unabashedly rave (good or bad) about a book, he’s not into it. There is just something to say about talking to other bookish people and having readers for friends who will lament a character’s death, celebrate a wonderful HEA, or recommend a book that will rip your heart out. To all my book besties, I’m thankful for the chats, the tears, and the never-ending TBR.
— Kristi Eskew, Executive Editor
I’m thankful for my Kindle!
Even though I love a physical copy, it’s just not realistic sometimes. Especially when I’m walking around my school’s campus and have a thousand things already in my backpack, adding another hefty book is too much. That’s why I love my Kindle; it’s lightweight and easy to read when I have downtime in between classes. Shout out to my husband for buying it last Christmas!
— Melissa Mittendorff, Outreach & Editorial
I am thankful for digital libraries!
I love my Kindle, but love even more that I am able to rent books from Libby that I can download straight to my Kindle. It is like renting a physical library book, but it gives me the convenience of using my Kindle. Libby lets you create a profile using your library card and browse books that are available from your library. You can then rent the book for two weeks with options to renew it. It is extremely user-friendly and has made me more addicted to my Kindle!
— Erin Garvey, Editorial
I’m thankful for paperback books!
I have never been one to get into Kindle reading, although it definitely saves so much money AND space. To me, there’s just no better feeling than holding a bunch of pages in my hand that were tethered together to create an epic story. These books take up every spare shelf space I have in my bedroom, but I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. Aside from how I prefer reading a paperback book, they also create such a cozy vibe when they’re all piled together on my shelf. It makes me so happy.
— Nicole Vecchia, Social
I’m thankful for BookTok!
I will admit that I spend a considerable amount of time online, often on TikTok. However, much of my time spent on the platform is dedicated to seeing what other readers think of books I have recently read. I love to take long breaks between books, really allowing myself time to reflect on them. Being able to connect with other readers of the same title, even sometimes being enlightened to fascinating symbolism I might have missed, has completely changed the way I approach new titles. Now, I am more motivated to finish books than ever!
— Alexa Wareck, Editorial
In a world that moves fast, we’re grateful for the cozy, comforting parts of our reading lives. Whether it’s a perfect book recommendation or the simple pleasure of feeling a physical page turn, these bookish blessings remind us why we love stories, and each other, so much.
The Bookstr team wishes you a joyful season full of fantastic reads, good company, and plenty to be thankful for!
Interested in the books that our team would recommend? Check out our Recommendations page!
Check out the Exploring the Depths of Literary Fiction shelf of our Bookshop.org page to help support indie bookstores.
