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The Ultimate List of Cozy, Screen-Free Hobbies for Bookish People

Now, let me begin by saying that as book lovers, obviously our favorite hobby is going to be reading. But as you may have noticed, I've been personally taking a bit of an unintended reading hiatus over the last month. Between a hectic schedule and a few short trips, life has been moving quick! During this busy season, I've found my brain isn't always on board to just sit around and read all day. I know, I know... I'm a book blogger! But even the most dedicated bookworms need a little bit of a break sometimes. Instead of forcing myself to read, I decided to use some of this time to reconnect with some hobbies I used to love, as well as pick up a few new ones I've been seeing everywhere lately. I'm still trying to focus on my reading goal for the year to scroll less and read more, which is something I am very much struggling with at the moment. It's just way too easy to accidentally swap a book for a mindless phone scroll when your brain is tired. To combat th...

How to Stop Scrolling & Finish One Book a Week

Do you ever look at your phone and realize that forty-five minutes of perfectly good reading time has vanished into the void of mindless scrolling? You aren't alone. Believe me, I've been there more times than I care to admit.  There was a time when I could easily breeze through over 100 books a year, but lately I've found myself landing at about half that. In today's world it is so incredibly easy to get distracted by the constant noise of notifications and the general chaos of daily life. We are all navigating the same digital noise, but I've found that finding your way back to your favorite stories doesn't have to require a total life makeover. Instead, it just takes a little bit of gentle focus and a cozy place to crack open your book. I've put together a list of some simple swaps that have helped me carve out more time for doing more of what I love, reading. These small shifts in your daily routine are sure to help tackle that TBR pile and turn your rea...

How to Start a Reading Journal in 2026

There is something so incredibly comforting about curling up with a warm drink and spending some time documenting your latest read. For me, book journaling has become one of my favorite cozy hobbies, allowing me to tune out all the noise and instead just focus on the stories I love. I'll be the first to admit that I completely neglected my 2025 reading journal for months, but getting back into the habit in 2026 has been a serious breath of fresh air. The best part? There is absolutely no "right" or "wrong" way to book journal. Whether you are into elaborate, artistic spreads, or just want a functional place to jot down all your thoughts, there are so many formats and styles to explore. Journaling is about reflecting and connecting to your books, however you choose to do so is entirely up to you. If you're ready to start documenting your own reading journey, here is everything you need to know to get started. Choose Your Medium: Finding Your Creative Flow The...

25 Must-Have Christmas Gifts For Book Lovers Under $50

When the holidays roll around, finding the perfect gift for the book lover in your life can feel like an impossible task. The biggest challenge? Knowing which books they already have read! You don't want to accidentally buy them a book they already own. The difficulty in shopping increases when you're shopping for the reader who truly already has everything - the one whose shelves are perfectly curated and whose Kindle is already fully stocked. But finding a present for them doesn't have to be a guessing game, and it certainly shouldn't have to break the bank. Forget spending hundreds on collector's editions that just collect dust. This year, the smartest gifts are the ones that upgrade your recipient's reading experience, celebrate their bookish aesthetic, and help to transform their reading time into the coziest oasis imaginable.  To help make shopping easier, I've curated the ultimate list of 25 must-have Christmas gifts for book lovers, covering everythi...

Cozy Bookish Mugs, Printables, & Gifts Are Here! Shop My New Etsy Store

Calling all bookworms! If you are like me and believe life is better with a warm cup of coffee in one hand, and a book in the other, I have some exciting news to share. The doors to my official Etsy shop are now open! I've been working hard to create the ultimate bookish merchandise collection, specializing in cozy sweatshirts, candles, coffee mugs, and even some themed printable book review pages. Keep reading for a special sneak peak at what's in store, who knows maybe you'll even find the perfect addition to your cozy reading nook. Visit My New Etsy Shop By Clicking Here All the items I've created for the launch of Good Girls Read Smut Co. were designed to capture that perfect chaotic bookish energy we all crave, with a touch of spooky, because we have to keep it festive of course! Below is a closer look at a few of my absolute favorite pieces that are guaranteed to add a little spice (and a whole lot of cozy) to your reading routine. Shop the "I Like My Books S...

Your Guide to Reading on a Budget

For every book lover, there's a universal truth: the to-be-read pile is always growing, but our wallets and shelf space can't keep up. New releases come out faster than we can read them, all while our bank accounts give us some serious side-eye. Being a book lover can be an expensive hobby, but a limited budget doesn't mean you have to limit your reading. Instead what if I told you there's a way to keep your bookshelves (or kindle) stocked and your wallet happy?  Over the years, I've learned how to feed my book addiction without having to break the bank. From library card hacks, to going on bookish adventures while looking for amazing deals, I'm here to share all my secrets for reading more for less. Ready to read your heart out, without going broke? Let's dive in. Prioritize Using Your Library A few years ago, I noticed that a lot of the books I buy end up being around a 3 star rating. While not a bad rating, I realized I was spending money on books that I ...

How to Get Out of a Reading Slump

Confession time: I've been stuck in a reading slump for the past several months. You know that dreaded period where, regardless of how exciting a book may seem at first, you quickly lose interest? A book that would normally take a day or two to devour, now drags on for weeks. If your reading habits have also gone from "page-turner" to "dust-gatherer", then pull up a comfy chair. Let's talk about how to kick that reading slump to the curb and get excited about reading again. Change it Up When I feel a reading slump creeping in, the first thing I like to do is switch genres. If I've been mostly reading romance books and they all are starting to blur together, I might then choose to switch to a fantasy romance, or even a thriller. I use this genre change as a "palette cleanser" before eventually going back to my main genre of choice. This not only allows me to change the type of story I'm consuming, but also helps to tackle those books on my p...

What's In My Bag: Reader Edition

 One of my favorite things to do as soon as the weather is nice, is pack up a bag, and head to the park for a few hours of reading time. Something about laying in the grass and reading a book just feels like summer, and is something I look forward to every year. I even have a favorite tree to read under, it's absolutely perfect. With the summer season approaching, these are some of the essentials I plan on having in my bag this summer. 1. First of course, I'll need a good sized bag to bring my book as well as other goodies in. I usually prefer a large canvas tote-bag, but occasionally will use a purse, such as this woven beach style one. Here's one similar to the one I have on Amazon, which can be found  here . I especially love a bag with a small zipper pocket inside to keep my wallet, keys, and phone safe.     2. A book! Now this doesn't have to be a traditional book, sometimes I bring a paperback, but there's other times I bring my kindle along instead. Another o...

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