A Very Harry Potter Gift Guide

The holidays are around the corner and it's that time of year again to bring out the gift guides. Of course for those who know me, I am a huge Potterhead so of course I have to showcase some Harry Potter related gifts to get for your loved ones. If you know a Potterhead and don't know what to gift them, check out some of these magical wizarding gifts.

1. Out of Print | Harry Potter Socks - $12.00

So I decided to include Out of Print's four latest Harry Potter socks. I have to say that the Dobby mismatched ones are my favorites but they also have Hogwarts house icons, Hogwarts crest and the Gryffindor lighting bolts and stripes. Wear your favorite fandom with style everyday. They are great for casual wear, for cosplays and for even work under your trousers.

2. Out of Print | When in Doubt, Go to the Library Tote Bag - $20.00

Have a lot of books that you need to take out from the library? Need a tote bag to haul all those books home? Hermione would definitely suggest this When in doubt, go to the library tote bag. Show your love for books and the library in one go.

3. Williams Sonoma | Harry Potter Cookie Cutter Set - $24.95

Do you know a baker who happens to be a Potterhead as well? Why not get them this cute set of cookie cutters that include the iconic lighting bolt symbol to Hedwig to the golden snitch? This cookie cutter set can be used year round and the set includes 8 cookie cutters, 12 icing bags, 4 decorating tips, 1 plastic coupler and 1 storage box.

4. Alex and Ani | Deathly Hallows Charm Bangle - $28.00

For those who love jewelry, an Alex and Ani Deathly Hallows bangle is the perfect gift. The bangle comes in silver finish and a gold finish. You can even purchase a matching Deathly Hallows necklace if your choose to splurge. Alex and Ani has a bunch of other Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts jewelry available as well.

5. Society 6 | Evie Seo HP Pattern Mug - $15.99

Evie Seo designs some of the most wonderful bookish items that can be turned into almost anything on Society 6. Here is one of my favorite Harry Potter patterns that Evie Seo designed. This is perfect for coffee, tea and all beverages. Your giftee will be using this mug everyday!

6. The Melting Library | The Restricted Section 8 oz. Candle - $15.00

Candles are often a popular gift to give during the season, especially bookish ones for the book worms. The Melting Library offers wonder fragranced candles with cute library borrower card labels that adds to the aesthetic. This particular scent sounds magical! Explore the restricted library with the fragrance of leather, parchment, dust and a bit of dark magic. There are other Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts related candles on sale as well.

7. Wildandfreeprints on Etsy | Harry Potter I Solemnly Swear I Am Up To No Good Flask Set - $16.57+

For those are old enough to partake in drinking alcohol, this is the perfect gift. Not only does the set come with a cute flask with one of the memorable sayings in the HP universe, but it also comes with four shot glasses to share some delicious fire whiskey or your preferred booze with your family and friends.

8. ColorfulGeekiness (The Colorful Geek) on Etsy | Books Ampersand T-shirt - $25.00

This shirt is perfection! The grey and purple look wonderful together and it's so subtle describing all seven books in seven words. Show your fandom love without being over the top. Check out this T-shirt in unisex fit as well.

What Harry Potter related items are you gifting this year to your Potterhead friends and family? I hope this list provides some inspiration. 

Bookish Gift Guide 2017: Historical Fiction Reads

This is the week where everyone is hustling and bustling trying to finish their holiday shopping. If you need a few quick gifts for family or a friend, check out my Bookish Gift Guide series. Although I love historical fiction, I selected only a few of my top favorite historical fiction novels that I've read in the last few years.

1. Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal is a coming-of-age novel set in 1960's in New Orleans. Ibby moves in with grandmother, Fannie, at a young age. Over the course of four year intervals, readers learn more about Ibby, Fannie, Queenie and Doll. The four women bond over good and tough times regarding family and segregation.

2. Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee is a wonderful western historical fiction. Join two girls traveling out West on the Oregon Trail while they meet new friends and battle the rough terrain. What I love about this book is the diversity between the group of five friends. Their knowledge and acceptance of each other leads to their survival.

3. Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley is set in 1959 in Virginia. Sarah Dunbar is one of the first black students to attend all-white Jefferson High School. There she meets Linda Hairston, daughter of town's most vocal opponents of school integration. In this novel, star-crossed lovers must hide their feelings for one another in order to protect each other.

4. Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee is set in 1906 in San Francisco. Mercy Wong is determined to break from the poverty of Chinatown and creates a new persona as a wealthy heiress who gains entry into a boarding school for wealthy white girls. But then a historic Earthquake strikes! Pick up this book to find what happens to Mercy.

5. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See focuses on mother and daughter relationships. Li-Yan lives in a village of the Akha people of Yunnan China until she is forced to abandon her daughter. Throughout the novel, Li-Yan separates from her mother and daughter but finally reconnects with them by the end of the book. Her mother stays in the village while Li-Yan seeks for a better education. Li-Yan's daughter is adopted by an American couple who live in California. This novel is a story about tradition, culture, family, love, loss, sacrifice, perseverance, new beginnings and origins.

Bookish Gift Guide 2017: Cookbook Edition

The holidays are swinging in full gear now. You can hear the ringing of the Salvation Army bell outside, holiday decorations are adorning stores and houses and the music has become more cheery lately. With the colder weather and the many holiday functions with friends and family, more time is spent eating. Why not spend time cooking up a feast from some wonderful cookbooks? Check out some of my recommendations for this holiday season. Whether you purchase them for yourselves or for your loved ones, someone will enjoy creating masterpieces and savoring over morsels of delicious home cooked food.

Myers+Chang at Home: Recipes from the Beloved Boston Eatery by Joanne Chang and Karen Akunowicz - $32.00
I love Joanne Chang's Flour bakeries and her baking books so I am pretty sure her latest book based on recipes from Myers+Chang restaurant will be excellent! If you want a taste of some delicious Asian fusion food, check out this book.

BraveTart: Iconic American Desserts by Stella Parks - $35.00
Stella wrote this book to remind people about their childhood. These amazing baked goods will remind you of some wonderful memories as a kid. Dive into these scrumptious desserts this holiday season.

Half Baked Harvest Cookbook: Recipes from My Barn in the Mountains by Tieghan Gerard - $29.99

I have been a huge fan of Tieghan's blog called Half Baked Harvest and I was excited that she has a cookbook out! Not only are her recipes easy to follow and the food is delicious but the photography is superb and picture perfect! I love following the journey of a food blogger from a blog post to a finished cookbook.

The Malaysian Kitchen: 150 Recipes for Simple Home Cooking by Christina Arokiasamy - $35.00

I've love Malaysian food but never made any Malaysian dishes at home. Christina makes cooking Malaysian food easy at home with this wonderful cookbook. It's like bringing a part of Malaysia home with you from dishes like Hainanese Chicken to Pineapple Sambal Prawns. 

Molly on the Range: Recipes and Stories from An Unlikely Life on a Farm by Molly Yeh - $32.50

Molly is a food blogger and musician who moved from Brooklyn to a farm on the North Dakota-Minnesota border. Her food blog, My Name is Yeh, is simple and she has very creative recipes infusing her Jewish heritage. Molly's blog incorporates her life story with her wonderful recipes. Her photography gives off a muted vintage book and so does her cookbook. 

Do you have a favorite cookbook that you use frequently? What cookbooks do you recommend giving as gifts this holiday season?

Harry Potter Gift Guide

Of course I had to post a gift guide with everything Potterish! You can't have the holidays without Harry Potter and the gang. If you are stumped about what to get for your Potterhead friend or family member, check out some of these magical gift ideas. I won't say anything if you decide to purchase a couple of these items for yourself. Be sure to check out Elizabeth from Book YAbber's post about her Harry Potter picks for the holidays!

1. Letter Things | Harry Potter Clock - $21.00
This clock definitely reminds me of the Weasley clock at the Burrow and it will make a great gift!

2. Hot Topic | Harry Potter Hogwarts PJ Pants - $19.50
Stay comfy in your Hogwarts PJ pants. Express your love for the HP fandom when you are awake and when you are asleep! Harry Potter themed slumber party anyone? Hot Topic also carries PJ pants in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Death Mark designs.

3. The House of Wormwood | Harry Potter Fandom Soaps - $7.00
The House of Wormwood sells my favorite Harry Potter fandom soaps. The cold processed soap bars smell amazing and they definitely transport the user to Hogwarts and the wizarding world! My favorite scent is the 3 Blondes which has notes of tobacco flower, black tea and honey.

4. Primark | Harry Potter PJ Set Gift Box - £11.00
How cute is this PJ set? I know everyone is waiting for their Hogwarts letter and I am sure someone on your list will appreciate this gift set.

5. Primark | Harry Potter Marauders Map PJ Legging - £11.00
Do you know a HP Marauders fanatic? Well these PJ leggings will keep them warm while showing their Marauders map pride!

6. Literary Gifting | Mischief Managed Necklace - $10.93+
Fred and George as well as the Marauder's will approve of this necklace. Don't forget to say Mischief Managed when you're done using the Marauder's map.

7. Tights Shop | Harry Potter Printed Tights -$21.50
These cute tights are perfect under skirts and dresses during the winter months. Keep warm and show off your favorite fandom! The tights come in a plethora of colors and sizes. Tights Shop also carries other literary tights as well.

8. Frostbeard | Headmaster Office Soy Candle - $18.00
Frostbeard's is one of my favorite fandom soy candle suppliers. This particular candle is an ode to Dumbledore. Withe the scents of cedarwood vanilla, fireplace and lemon, it will remind you of Dumdledore's office. Lemon drop anyone?

9. Little Literature | Harry Potter Advanced Potion Making Book Necklace - $17.00
Remember that potion making book Harry had with the Half-Blood Prince's notes? Well now you can own your own miniature version!

10. Nerd Alert Creations | I solemnly swear that I am up to no good - infinity KNIT scarf - $40.00
Love the Marauder's map? Wish you can carry it with you wherever you go? Why not wrap it around your neck as a scarf. Stay warm while supporting the HP fandom!

11. Anthology Candles | The Yule Ball Candle - $16.00
It's that time of year again for the Yule Ball. Dress up in your fancy dress robes and be ready for some dancing, good company, delicious food and some magical holiday cheer! This soy candle has notes of sweet mistletoe, snow, eucalyptus, icy spearmint, Christmas trees and subtle sugar.

12. Believe in you Gifts | Hogwarts Express Keychain - $6.95
Traveling doesn't have to be a bore. Show your HP fandom on your key ring! Have a chocolate frog or a pumpkin pasty on the go.

13. Society6 - Alice X. Zhang | House Brawl Mug - $15.00
Show your Hogwarts pride with this awesome mug. I have the T-shirt from Threadless and I can say that the print is stunning! The mug will definitely make an amazing gift for a Potterhead. Society6 also prints T-Shirts, pillow cases, tote bags and etc. Alice X. Zhang's art is stunning. Check out her other designs.

14. LillyTales Shop | I Solemnly Swear Bookmark - $8.91
Love bookmarks? What about a wooden bookmark? LillyTales makes some of the cutest fandom bookmarks around. Check out this Marauder's map related one.

15. Rock Your Walls | The Quibbler Notebook  -$19.99
Write with a magical flair in Luna's Quibber notebook!

16. Harry Potter Alliance | Books Turn Muggles Into Wizards Mug - $13.00
This is one of my favorite mugs to date and you cannot go wrong with a mug that combines both books and Harry Potter. Whether you prefer coffee, tea or hot cocoa, promote literacy with your favorite fandom. Support the Harry Potter Alliance! All proceeds will go to help promote literacy around the world, help promote human rights and more!

17. USAopoly | Trivial Pursuit: World of Harry Potter Edition - $19.99
Do you know everything about HP? Do you want to test your knowledge against others? Then pick up this trivia game! May the best Potterhead win!

18. Ruskerville | The Hogwarts Edition Divination Planner - $34.00
Need a planner for the new year? Check out this divination one with all four houses! If you want to show your house pride, Ruskerville carries both large and half-size house planners.

19. Harry Potter The Character Vault Book - $45.00
According to the synopsis, this book is a comprehensive, full-color collection of the key characters in all eight of the Harry Potter films, filled with never-before-seen photographs and illustrations, covering the costumes, makeup, weaponry, and behind-the-scenes story that brought each personality memorably to life on the big screen. Who wouldn't want to dive in and read more about our beloved Harry Potter characters?

20. Harry Potter Alliance | We Are Book Eight T-shirt - $22.00
Just because the Harry Potter series is over, it doesn't mean the fandom is dying. Harry Potter lives on forever in the fans. We are Book Eight. We carry the love for Harry Potter in our veins. Don't forget that we are the next chapter in the Harry Potter series.

21. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Illustrated Edition - $39.99
You cannot go wrong with more than one edition of the first book in the Harry Potter series. This edition is absolutely gorgeous! Jim Kay's illustrations bring Harry Potter to life. Any Harry Potter fan will love this edition in their collection.

Check the blog back on Saturday, December 5th for discussion about Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. If you are new to Pottermas 2015, make sure to check out this post. Also, you can follow Pottermas 2015 on social media with the hashtag #Pottermas15. 

Bookish Gift Guide: All the Little Things

I know it's only November but face it, the holiday season is so busy. Whether you are cooking, baking, decorating the house, going caroling or attending holiday parties, the more you have time to plan out gifts ahead of time the better. I already mentioned some wonderful literary clothing and accessories to gift to loved ones but what about items like candles and bookmarks? I included a couple of accessories in this guide as well because you can never have too many bookish accessories.

1. The Melting Library | By the Wyrd Collection - Throne of Glass Inspired Candles - $18.00
The Melting Library has a good variety of literary inspired candles for all of your bookish friends and family members. I am not a big fan of Sarah J. Maas books but I know a lot of my blog readers are. This candle duo features Fae Warrior (Rowan) and Fireheart (Aelin). The Fae Warrior smells like pine and snow while Fireheart gives a throw of lemon verbena, jasmine and crackling fire. These scents are definitely up my alley and are perfect for the winter! Also, who doesn't like the cute library date card labels?

2. Form and Flux | Enchanted Library Candle - $14.86
Who doesn't like the smell of pages of books? This soy candle has aromas of vanilla, parchment, honey and coffee beans. It's as if you were surrounded by shelves of books.

3. Anthology Candles | Wardrobe Into Narnia Candle - $16.00
Do you remember the Chronicles of Narnia? Well this 8 oz. soy candle smells just like Narnia with the scent of cedar wood, juniper trees, winter berries and crisp winter air. This makes a perfect candle for the colder months.

4. Paddywax | Edgar Allan Poe Library Candle - $21.00
Paddywax makes some amazing candles and I am in love with their library candle collection. Of course I had to showcase Poe because he's one of my literary classic favorites. The soy candle's fragrance includes notes of cardamom, absinthe and sandalwood. Check out Paddywax for additional scents and collections.

5. The Raspberry Finch | Tea and Books Wooden Pin - $12.41+
How cute is this wooden pin? Proudly share you love for tea and books!

6. Outop | Wooden Scholar's Antique Book Tissue Box Dispenser - $15.75
The temperatures are dropping and more people are getting the sniffles. Although many people are getting sick this time of year, at least you can be sick with bookish style. How cute is this tissue box cover?

7. The Literary Gift Company | So Many Books! Bookends - £15.95
You can never have too many books and why not showcase your favorite books between some awesome bookends? You have to agree there is not enough time to read all the books.

8. BookedYouUp | Once Upon A Time Magnetic Bookmark Set! - $2.50/each and $11.00/set
How cute are these bookmarks? BookYouUp also carries a variety of other fandoms including Percy Jackson, The Mortal Instruments and The Young Elites.

9. Happy Hello Co. | Protectors Magnetic Bookmarks - $13.85
Happy Hello Co. makes some of the cutest fandom bookmarks I have ever seen. The Protectors aka The Mortal Instruments set is definitely one of my favorite sets on the website. I currently own the
Between Angels and Demons set and they are perfect!

10. The Geeky Cauldron | Birds Tattoo Necklace - $10.00
Have a friend or family member that loves Divergent? Gift them a necklace similar to Tris Prior's tattoo.

11. Evie Seo | Books are Uniquely Portable Magic Mug - $15.00
Evie Seo has some amazing quotes designs on Society6. Not only are the quotes amazing but she has stunning artwork that goes well with each quote. Make a bookish friend or family member's day with a bookish mug, tote bag or T-Shirt.

12. Decal On Top | The Giving Tree Decal Sticker Vinyl - $9.99
This cute decal will transform any Macbook into a literary piece of art. Decal On Top features a bunch of different decals and not just for the MacBook. There are quote and other fandom decals for your wall, computer and car.

13. Topatoco | Card Catalog Flash Drive - $20.00
This adorable flash drive is in the shape of a card catalog drawer and holds 8 GB. This will be perfect to save your manuscripts or blog posts to bring on the go.

14. Danika58 | Book Washi Tape - $3.90
Do you have someone on your list who loves planners, journaling and/or crafting? I bet they will love this cute bookish washi tape to decorate their pages and cards.

15. Lithographs | Romeo and Juliet Book Tote - $29.00
Lithographs creates art from entire text from a book. You can choose from tote bags, T-shirts and posters. They have a variety of classics to more modern titles. According to the Lithographs website, the tote bags are highly water-resistant and include a five-inch inner pocket. They measure 17"w x 14.75"h, with a 9" hanging strap and flat bottom. The average Litographs tote bag contains approximately 20,000 words. This is definitely a fun, unique yet useful gift.

16. Literary Lacquer | Felix Felicis Nail Polish - $10.00
As some of you might know, I am an indie nail polish addict. I am always on the look out for unique polishes from some of the best indie nail polish creators. Literary Lacquer creates polishes inspired by books. How cool is that? This particular nail polish is inspired by the lucky potion in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

If you every need recommendations for indie nail polish companies, please let me know. I can provide a fairly lengthy list of companies to check out. Also, check out my Harry Potter Gift Guide on Friday, December 4th. This will be part of the Pottermas 2015 month long feature where Elizabeth from Book YAbber and I will be talking about Harry Potter all December long!