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Oktoberfest is the annual German harvest festival, a citywide fair in Munich full of beer and bratwurst that takes place over sixteen days leading up to the first weekend of October. It’s awesome, or so my German friend tells me, and given my affinity for all things beer and meat and revelry, I tend to believe him (although I am mostly indifferent towards lederhosen).

I realize, however, that not everyone shares my love for such delicious gluttony. But rather than rudely asking what the hell is wrong with you and how could you not love malty lagers, tasty bratwurst, and lots of drunken singalongs, I’ve come up with a list of three alternative Oktoberfests for you to enjoy in those first days of autumn, all of which have been inspired by my other favorite thing that’s not booze, meat, or music — which, of course, is books.

Kick off your shoes, chow down on some mushrooms, and whip out the sparklers: it’s time to celebrate Hobbit Day and Tolkien Week. Though there are some discrepancies between the Shire and Gregorian calendars, Hobbit Day – the birthday of both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins – has been celebrated on September 22nd since 1978 and is the kickoff to Tolkien Week.

Many schools, bookstores, and libraries observe the date as a way to focus on Tolkien’s work and pique the interest of new fans, but here at Quirk, we love a good party.

It’s possible your childhood wasn’t complete without treasured books such as Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and James and the Giant Peach. The master behind these slightly twisted tales, Roald Dahl, would have been a whopping 97 years old on September 13th, and who wouldn’t love a delectable cookie on their birthday?

In honor of Dahl and his dark side (Curious? Dahl didn’t just turn Violet Beauregarde into a giant blueberry … check out My Uncle Oswald) here are boozy bourbon peach cookies, perfect for nibbling along with your afternoon tea, just the way Dahl may have done on his birthday.

Make. Wear. Show. Share. POMS!

We’re thrilled to announce two super-wonderful events to celebrate the pomtastic release of Lexi Walters Wright and Sarah Goldschadt’s new craft book: POM-POMS!