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[Image by David Mark from Pixabay]

If the phrase “it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood” conjures up images of cardigans and trollies to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, then you’re going to love our two newest board books: It’s You I Like and Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Both of these gorgeous books feature the lyrics (and the warm neighborly welcome) of Fred Rogers, with beautiful illustrations by Luke Flowers. We recommend them for the littlest readers in your life – or for your millennial friends and family who could use a visit from Mister Rogers right about now.

One thing we love about Mister Rogers is the way he welcomed us into both his home in Pittsburgh and the Neighborhood of Make-Believe in equal measure. He treated us like guests in his world, and we’ll never stop thanking him for that. And what better way to welcome these Mister Rogers books into the world than by exploring some of our favorite neighborhoods in pop culture!

Prices subject to change.

August is finally here, but there's at least one more month of summer for you to sit back and dive into your next horror pick. Whether you're looking for some 80s nostalgia (with a side order of demonic possession) or a story woven around true-crime (and recurring paranormal encounters), you'll want to give these discounted e-books a look before the summer comes to a close.

It's been an unusual summer, we know, but the best way to trudge through bizarre times is with a book in hand—or a free e-book sampler. Whether you're looking to practice some self-care but don't know where to start or you want to detach from reality with your potential next pick, these Quirk Books excerpts will give you that much needed time to yourself. 

Photo by Suhyeon Choi on Unsplash

Lockdown has turned us all inward, seeking new things to pass the time and getting to know our family better. Sometimes this awakens new talents and unforeseen depths of caring in loved ones. Or it leads to yet another reason to tear out your own hair and Google “how to divorce siblings.” But how might some of literatures’ most beloved sisters handle staying at home for months during a pandemic?

[Photo by Helena Lopes from Pexels]

National Picnic Month is coming to a close, but we’ve still got over a month of summer left, which hopefully means we’ve got at least another month of warm weather and perfect picnicking conditions. That got us thinking, like it always does, about some of our favorite literary characters and their optimal picnic spreads and locations. Would they opt for a day in the park or a blanket on the beach? Snackable hors d'oeuvres or full-course meals? Keep reading to find out.

(Photo by Sharon McCutcheon from Pexels)

A favorite doughnut is like a good book: exciting, dependable, and absolutely delicious. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory, as cakey or as doughy as you desire – and okay, now we’re just talking about doughnuts. But can you blame us? Doughnuts are the best! Which is why,we’re bringing you a host of book recommendations, inspired by your favorite doughnut. Let’s dig in!

Jelly Filled

If you have a hankering for a jelly filled doughnut, chances are you’re not afraid to get a little messy. Which is why we’re recommending The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix to pair with that oozing strawberry jelly. Once you sink your teeth into that jelly, it’ll be hard to tell if you’re on team vampire or team vampire slayer. Make sure you’re on the right side of the fight because once you dive into Hendrix’s world – the subsequent doughnut sugar coma – it’ll be difficult to know fact from fiction.

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop

Old Fashioned

If your doughnut of choice is an old fashioned, we know diving into the world of Jane Austen will be a real treat, especially if her heroines are familiar. We recommend keeping it super classic with Pride & Prejudice, pairing the world of balls and long walks across the moors and botched proposals with this steady and reliable doughnut. You might even find yourself wondering: how would the Lizzie/Darcy story be different if they knew about the wonder of doughnuts?

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop

Frosted with Sprinkles

We’re here to tell you that doughnuts that are frosted with sprinkles are more complex than they seem. But of course, we’re not ignoring the sprinkles of it all. These doughnuts are incredibly sweet and fun. They remind us of childhood, but we’re not afraid to eat them as fully-grown adults. Which is why we’re recommending pairing this book with a comforting and addicting young adult novel like Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston. It’s as familiar as a fairy tale, with some modern surprises – just like this delicious doughnut!

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop

Cream Filled

If you’re a fan of cream filled doughnuts, chances are you’re a lover all things sweet. Fingers crossed that extends right down to your reading material because we think that a sweet and chewy romance novel, like Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, is just the ticket. And just like reading a romance novel, with its wealth of frustrating obstacles to keep the leads apart, eating a cream filled doughnut can be a messy experience. But we’ll be right here with a stack of napkins – and maybe a tissue or two, for the happy tears.

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop

Doughnut Holes

If you’re always reaching for doughnut holes for the variety and bite sized satisfaction, we know you’re going to love the short stories in Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties. These stories range from retellings of campfire tales to meditations on the state of Law and Order: SVU – and everything in between. It’s a wild ride and you never know what you’re going to get, much like in a delicious mixed dozen of doughnut holes.

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop