Top Ten Tuesday: Non-bookish Hobbies

 This week's topic is non-bookish hobbies.

We did this topic 5 years ago, I confess my answers haven't changed much since then...

Besides reading and blogging which to be honest takes up most of my free time, my hobbies include:

Painting:

I haven't done much lately.

Puzzles:

I haven't done much lately

Writing:

I wrote an article in SLJ about Teen Summer Romance books that came out this year.

Hiking

Another hiking year: Grand Canyon (rim to rim) and Acadia 

Traveling:

Nantucket

Bar Harbor, Maine

Grand Canyon

Snoqualmie, WA

Vermont

Florida

Hanging with Friends:

Lots of friendship moments this year. 

Hanging out with my dogs - on the porch or walking

Taking Pictures 

Baking:

Recent bakes: apple crisp, pumpkin chocolate chip bread, and applesauce.

I love fall baking! 

Watching Movies/TV to relax 

I do a fair amount of knitting to keep my hands busy while watching TV.

What do you like to do outside of reading/talking about books?

Tween Tuesday Review: Queen of Likes

Karma's wildly addicted to Snappypic - she loves posting pictures and interacting with her thousands of fans. But her family isn't thrilled with all the time she's spending on her phone. After her mom catches her on it during an event, she decides it's been one too many times. Her parents take Karma's phone away and delete her account.

Now Karma feels like a part of her is missing. She no longer has the ability to take pictures. Plus she was almost asked to be chair of publicity for their grade's spirit week by the popular girls. What's a girl to do?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this read. I love Karma's interactions with her brother and her family. I like how she branched out from taking photos with her phone to using a digital camera. I loved reading about her taking photos; it made me want to take more photos. I really enjoyed her volunteering at the historical society. She had a lot of friendship drama and it was hard to read them treating each other so badly, but I'm glad it all came together in the end.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Gifted by my #otspsecretsister

Final Thoughts: A really fun book that's perfect for anyone addicted to their phone! Recommended for public and school libraries.

Kids Book Review: Puppy Pool Party

 What do puppies do at a pool party?

This super cute book is my new favorite. I love it. And it's perfect for sharing with kids. Already looking forward to sharing it during story times.

Pick this one up for your library! But don't forget to read it before it hits the shelves.

Display Ideas: May

Spring is here! Flowers are blooming. Rain is upon us. Soon the grass will green up and leaves will pop out. I just returned back to the librarian world and I'm excited about making more displays. I'll still talk about ideas, but also chat about some displays that I created.

May is: 

Date your Mate Month

Display Ideas:

Pick Up Lines 
There really wasn't any friends to lovers display ideas on pinterest - if you do one, Add it!
You could take photos of TV characters who went from friends to dating.

Book Lists: Romance books or friends turned into more

Foster Care Month

Display Ideas:

Usually the YA books aren't happy on the foster care system - but that doesn't mean they aren't great characters

Books: characters in the foster care system 

Photograph Month:

Display Ideas:

I Love the banner! Could also add in pictures of cameras

Book Lists: Teen photographers

Days in May:

May 4th: Star Wars Day

Display Ideas:

May the 4th...

R2D2 Book Return

Books: Star Wars books or other books set in space

May 7th: Free Comic Book Day

Display Idea:

Get Graphic

Books: highlight your comics/graphic novel collections

May 13th: Friday the 13th

Display Idea:

Slime and/or book monster

More Slime

Books: Horror books or paranormal 

May 30th: Memorial Day

Display Idea:

WWI Memorial

Books: War books

Mini Review: Guide to Photography

A beginning book of photography for kids for taking photos with both cameras and smart phones.

The Good:
Colorful photos
Tips and Tricks
Assignments
Tons of information- set up in an easy to read manner
Interviews with famous photographers
Information on photography careers

The Bad:
Nothing - I enjoyed everything about this book

Overall Thoughts: Grab this one for the budding photographers in your life! It's a fantastic book to help get them started and excited.

I enjoyed this book so much that I took a few pictures after reading this book. Check them out:

* Book sent for review