How to Develop a Culture of Reading among Students? Expert Strategy explained!

How do we develop a school culture of reading? While we emphasize a lot on the ‘why’ we should be reading, let us look at the ‘how’ of reading. Along with the ‘how’, I shall share some of my personal habits I have inculcated in myself and my students when it comes to reading.

Reading is all about Emotion. A letter joins to form a word, which then forms sentences, that turns into a paragraph, a page, an essay and a novel. Thus we condition our minds to be emotionally charged with reading. Now, a mind trained to pick up the mobile at the drop of a ‘notification sound’ is too ill-programmed to be reading-conditioned. That is why it takes more than mere literacy to begin ‘reading’. It takes courage and patience. Perseverance and Persistence. It takes passion to be a Reader.

(RELATED: Know the basic skills of literacy)

Remember, readers are leaders. To understand the concept of reading, we can use a simple yet effective strategy that can help us focus on our reading genes. After all, much before the world was introduced to technology, humans made rapid progress after the invention of printing press. Humans became global citizens when they began to READ.

The whole concept of reading can be categorized into a memorable acronym READ, which can be our key to open the doors of literacy and a lifelong love for words.

R = Ritual

E = Environment

A = Access

D = Dialogue

1. R = Ritual

Reading is a ritual. Yes, as much as getting up and brushing your teeth or tying your shoelace. This can be programmed into an involuntary action. You would slip in the reading mode as if by habit than by consciousness.

A key tip here is making books part of your lifestyle. As we discussed the ritual of reading, the more your students notice you with a book in your hand, the more they would be conscious to pick one next time.

Thus incorporating reading as a meaningful ritual is the first task of a good reading program. For example, you must set aside a daily time for reading. It could be early morning with your tea or just when about to go to bed at night. Research confirms that when you go to bed, after having viewed moving animations or pictures, the mind takes twice the time to go to an ‘off’ mode. So next time, you wonder why you could not sleep after all those YouTube videos and WhatsApp messages, you now know why!

Even if you need to begin with horror do not hesitate. Read. For my X-Files workshop on World of the Unknown [Ghosts & Spirits], I read cover to cover a dozen books on jinns, occult and exorcist plus a dozen interviews and articles on paranormal incidents. Now, your library could start with sports, event management, recipe or anything that could induce an environment of reading culture.

2. E = Environment

With all books around, you may still never reach them. You may ask, how is that possible? That’s because we have created a “book zoo” in our homes and schools! In simple English, it refers to books kept in glass shelves with locks. How much more inaccessible you could get with your treasure?

Books are meant to be read and not stored like trophies. If you like to store your books, get digital ones. We must live by the age and the time for displaying your books is over. Research says, people never think of reading most books twice, unless when someone requests it from their bookshelf!

Why not make them accessible for you and your family? A great environment for your books means to place books at an arms-length in your home and school. Make books an extension of your furniture. I ask parents to name any five favourite books of their child and normally find grunts and nods as answers. Imagine, if our association with the books is too weak, how do we expect a reading culture in our schools?

Also, the school libraries are almost either too sacred a place where you go in with proper time and too much of etiquette to benefit from the books or too distant where you visit once a week or even a fortnight. The selection of books is done based on the budget (understandable) and librarian’s choice (not acceptable) and not on what children want to read.

How do you make books accessible? Read this article.

3. A = Access

Reading is a multi-level task. It is a mix of skills, ability and attitude. Simply reading is not enough. To develop a school reading culture, we need to relook at our reading concepts properly. Thus read-a-thon might help. Think of it as running a marathon, however not on the roads but pages of a book!

The ability to read is at the beginner level and could be renamed as decoding. It is like the ability to walk in a child. Of course, that is exciting but you are miles from being an Usain Bolt!

Next up, is the comprehension. To be able to understand what you are reading.

Stamina is akin to participating in a marathon. The mere ability to walk would be an entry level criterion. It is the ability to walk for long distances enduring the hardships is what marathoners are looking for. Thus as in the word read-a-thon, it is your stamina that counts. This is the advanced level.

Earlier you decoded and comprehended. But now you need to read pages after pages to develop a reading culture. That’s developing a voracious appetite for reading. You consume everything that comes your way from newspapers to dictionaries.

And finally is the fluency. It is not only about walking the long distance but also walking within an acceptable time frame. Thus a good reader would not only satisfy herself by relishing one book of the Harry Potter series but rather devour all the seven, and at an even pace.

Once you have mastered these four steps to reading, you emerge as an insatiable reader whose appetite is only fulfilled with libraries and more pages.

4. D = Dialogue

Dialogue is the essence of reading with your child or student. Reading opens up new fronts and channels of communication. You explore new stories and find new friends in the characters of the book. A dialogue is basically a meaningful conversation that you have with someone.

Imagine having a conversation with the characters of your book. No, we are not asking you to have schizophrenia and imagine people all around you. Rather if you speak about the characters to others, speak about the plots, discuss the lessons you have learnt, feel elated at their success and be sorrowful of their losses.

So next time, let your students know what you think of Willy Wonka from the Chocolate Factory or spend time explaining to your spouse the life transformation of Jonathan Livingston, the seagull. Or you may take your own childhood lessons from Amir Aga and his fast-footed Kite Runner from Khalid Hosseini’s tales set in Afghanistan.

A dialogue is essential to keep your motivation from the book on. A dialogue lets you express your learning from the book. A dialogue also opens up an altogether new and interesting conversation. And yes, a dialogue gets other to take notice and maybe, just maybe, get your student excited to pick up another book of their own!

How to Read a Lot More Books

Whenever I tell people I read an average of one to two books a week, I get the same question: “How are you able to read so much? I just don’t have the time.”

Actually, you do have the time, but the simple answer — saying you just have to decide that reading is more important than other discretionary activities like social media, TV, etc. — is also too simple.

After all, if reading more were as simple as just deciding to read more, we’d all be avid readers. (Just as we’d all be trimmer, fitter, and healthier.)

So let’s dig a little deeper. If you want to read more:

1. Stop reading books you think you’re supposed to read.

When I was in my early 20s I went on a classic-author binge: Melville. Hawthorne. Tolstoy. Proust. (Those were some really hard miles.) Dostoevsky. Steinbeck. Faulkner.

I thought their books were books I was supposed to read. I thought having read the classics would make me … I don’t know, would make me something.

In most cases, all reading those books did was make me bored. (Seriously: Tell me The House of the Seven Gables isn’t really heavy going.)

Then I asked a history professor for a few recommendations. “I like history,” I said, “but I can’t get through history books. Can you recommend some that are more reader-friendly?” (Yep. I was quite the intellectual.)

Fortunately he didn’t take offense, recommending books like Michael Shaara’s The Killer Angels (one of the most re-readable books ever) and Paul Fussell’s The Great War and Modern Memory. And I remembered why I liked to read.

Don’t try to read what you think you’re supposed to read. Read what you enjoy.

And don’t worry that reading what you enjoy is a waste of time. Say you’re trying to improve yourself; you’ll enjoy reading books that make you smarter, or more skilled, or more connected, or more motivated. You’ll love reading books that make a difference in your life.

RELATED: See these books which would make you smarter.

And that’s all that matters.

2. Don’t be afraid to stop reading a book you don’t enjoy.

The professor gave me other great advice. “Remember,” he said, “you’re reading for pleasure. If you pick up a book and don’t like it, put it down. Never feel inadequate if you don’t like what you’re supposed to like. Reading is personal. Yours is the only opinion that matters.”

I needed to hear that. I needed that “permission.” I often feel compelled to finish something I start; if I don’t, I feel like a quitter.

Even though quitting is sometimes the best thing to do.

If a book doesn’t grab you, let it go. If you’re two-thirds of the way through and the author has lost you, let it go. See it as a sunk cost. Don’t waste time finishing a book you don’t enjoy when you could spend that time reading a book you do enjoy.

Plus, reading one good book almost always leads you to another good book. Reading a bad book makes you never want to read again.

3. Put reading time on your schedule.

Sound strange? It’s not. I know a number of people who get up early and read for 30 minutes before they start their day. I know a bunch more who read for 30 minutes before they go to bed.

If something is important enough to want to do, it’s important enough to schedule.

Try it. See reading as a priority. Block out time. Not only will you read more, you’ll feel good about it the fact you’re doing something good for yourself.

4. Take advantage of “edge time.”

If you’re like most people, your biggest downtimes during the workday occur during your commute, when you’re in airports, or when you’re waiting for appointments.

Think of that time as “edge time.” Some people, like Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst, schedules calls for his drive to work. He doesn’t schedule calls for his drive home; instead he return calls to people on the West Coast.

You can do the same with reading, especially when unexpected edge time pops up. I used to commute two hours one way and always had a book with me. If I got stuck in traffic, I could read. If I decided to stop to eat, I could read. If I had an appointment and got stuck in the black hole of a reception area, I could read.

Always have a book with you — because you never know when you’ll find some edge time.

5. Read books you can then talk about.

Reading is great, but it can also be a lonely activity. Everything happens in your head, in your imagination, in your emotions. Reading isn’t a shared activity.

Unless you make it one.

Ask a friend for recommendations. Ask a colleague for recommendations. (If you’re struggling to find good books to read, those are great places to start.)

And then circle back. Ask your friend what he or she liked most about the book. Ask your colleague what he or she took away from the book. Make the book the springboard for a broader conversation.

And feel free to engage the author. Trust me: Authors love to hear from readers. Writing is a lonely activity, too. You’ll be surprised by the connections and even relationships you can develop by starting a conversation with the author of a book you enjoy.

The bottom line: Read what you enjoy. Non-fiction, fiction, teen lit, graphic novels–who cares? If you like it, that’s all that matters. Much of the time we need to at least consider what other people think–but not if it stands in the way of living the life we really want to live.

10 Rules of Giving Book Gifts

The holiday gift-giving season approacheth (or is already here, for those of you who Black Friday). Time to make your list and check it twice, and I’m assuming you’ll be matching everyone on it with an appropriately bookish gift. Giving literary gifts can be tough, especially when you’re dealing with people who aren’t necessarily as into reading as you are. Here are a few ground rules to keep in mind:

1. Don’t be an evangelist. Your friends and family know you love reading, they know you loved [insert title you’ve been raving about all year]. Don’t use the holidays as an excuse to evangelize for the title and give it to everyone you know, regardless of whether they’re interested in it or not. That’s the literary equivalent of leaving a Bible tract instead of a tip. Don’t be that guy.

2. Spy on them (digital edition). Dive into their Goodreads or LibraryThing account. Most users have a TBR set up on their bookish social media profiles–it’s a built-in shopping list for you! Bookish Instagram users tend to post pics of their current reads, which will give you an idea of the person’s taste.

3. Spy on them (physical edition). Creep your friends’ bookshelves. Do they have every book by one author, minus one? Get them that one. Do they have multiple editions of a certain title? They’re probably collecting them–get them a nice new edition.

4. Explain yourself. When you’re gifting books (especially to non-readers), explain why you picked that title. I like to write a quick note on a bookmark or Christmas card and insert it into the book before I wrap it. Some people write an inscription. For example, if you’re giving your nerdy science-loving brother The Martian (good pick), write something short about how the book will scratch his NASA itch and penchant for bad puns and saying the f-word. It just lets people know you really considered their interests before picking the book.

5. Ask the perfect question. An old tip from my bookseller days: ask the person you’re shopping for what the last book they read that they loved was. Work it into a conversation that doesn’t have to do with gift-giving, obviously. The answer will show you what genre or tone or style of book the person likes, and you can take it from there.

6. Ask the next most perfect question. If the person isn’t a reader, ask them what the last movie they loved was. Was it a Marvel superhero flick? Get them a trade of one of the comics or the Marvel Avengers Encyclopedia. A Wes Anderson project? Stick with literary fiction. You get the idea.

7. Don’t limit yourself to books. There are so many options for bookISH gifts that aren’t actually books. Bookish t-shirts, coffee mugs, posters, totes. Check Etsy (or our own Book Riot Store) for ideas.

8. Stay away from gifting a whole series. It might be tempting to give your best friend all the extant volumes of Game of Thrones so you two can finally talk about what happens to Sansa, but what you’re really gifting is a lot of pressure. Several thousand pages of pressure. Don’t put your friends and family in a position where you’ve spent a lot of money and they have to then spend several weeks doing something they might not be interested in so they don’t hurt your feelings.

9. Ask an indie bookseller. If you’re lucky enough to have a local indie, head over and grill the staff. They LIVE for this. Have a great-uncle obsessed with the Civil War and CSI:Miami and you want to gift him a book but don’t know where to even start? That’s a puzzle for a bookseller, my friend, and they always come through.

10. Get tangential. This is especially handy for non-readers. Find out what they’re into (bird watching, basket weaving, World War II history, pop culture, whatever) and get a book tangentially related to that topic. A novel of WWII for the history buff (Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky is a great choice–the author died in Auschwitz so there’s a lot to parse). H is for Hawk, a memoir of hawking as a method of grief recovery, for the animal lover.

21 Best Books of 2018 to Buy for the Bookworm in Your Life

Wrap, read, rejoice.

If you need holiday gift ideas for the big readers in your life, you’re in luck—because some absolutely incredible books came out in 2018. So many, in fact, that curating a list of the definitive best is an impossible task.
We scoured a year’s worth of reviews and best-of lists, polled our staff, and reached out to voracious readers and writers for their top picks to compile this selection of 2018 titles that are groundbreaking, or paradigm shifting, or so exceptionally written that everyone is talking about them. Through fiction and nonfiction prose, these books look at life through a kaleidoscope of experience, tackling often difficult issues that helped define 2018—for better or for worse (or maybe a little of both).

Books are one of those gifts that keeps on giving, since they offer you the chance to talk about the work and pass it on to others. Plus, purchasing a writer’s book is an amazing way to support authors whose work you love and whose voices deserve to be heard. And if you read something you love, finding a minute to review it online or recommend it to a friend can truly help amplify an author’s reach.

To help you get started, here are 21 books published this year that would make great holiday gifts.

Rage Becomes Her by Soraya Chemaly

In this excellent collection of essays, Chemaly explores women’s anger—which is so often dismissed, but holds incredible transformative power. Don’t take it from us, take it from Gloria Steinem, who graced the book with this convincing jacket blurb: “How many women cry when angry because we’ve held it in for so long? How many discover that anger turned inward is depression? Soraya Chemaly’s Rage Becomes Her will be good for women, and for the future of this country. After all, women have a lot to be angry about.”

Milkman by Anna Burns

Milkman, which won the 2018 Man Booker Prize, is set during the Troubles in Northern Ireland in the 1970s. It follows a teenage girl attempting to avoid sexual advances from a middle-aged paramilitary she calls “milkman.” Kwame Anthony Appiah, the 2018 Man Booker Prize chair of judges, described the book as “a story of brutality, sexual encroachment and resistance threaded with mordant humor.”

The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner

The Mars Room, a finalist for the Man Booker Prize and longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal, is a novel about characters in the fictional Stanville Women’s Correctional Facility in central California. “Originally, I was drawn not so much to tell one particular story, but instead to try to understand the prison system in California,” Kushner explained in an interview. “To look at who ends up serving long sentences in these facilities that are placed deep in the Central Valley, which is otherwise all industrial farming. I tried to learn everything I could about the criminal so-called justice system, and from there, began to think about people’s lives; about class, race, destiny, chance; and the way our society is structured.”

When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele

Khan-Cullors, who co-founded Black Lives Matter in 2013 alongside Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi, wrote a memoir that explores her own experience growing up as a black woman in America, the early stages of her movement, and what happened when #BlackLivesMatter took off.

There There by Tommy Orange

The New York Times describes Orange’s book, which follows a variety of characters who intersect at a powwow in California, as “a new kind of Native American epic,” which explores the history of violence against Native Americans and how that has come to bear in the present day. Orange says: “There’s been a lot of reservation literature written. I wanted to have my characters struggle in the way that I struggled, and the way that I see other native people struggle, with identity and with authenticity.”

Am I There Yet?: The Loop-de-loop, Zigzagging Journey to Adulthood by Mari Andrew

“You’ve probably seen Andrew’s beautiful yet hauntingly relatable and simplistic Instagram illustrations that entirely nail the human experience,” says Katie Tamola, a freelance writer who writes about reading. “This is a book about youth, grief, relationships, and reality. The illustrations perfectly highlight Andrew’s ability to invite the reader into a world of thoughtfulness, healing, and gratitude. All my friends who are navigating their twenties and often find themselves lost (which is the current place I operate out of) have also loved it.”

A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

In this novel, which is the first book published by Sarah Jessica Parker’s imprint, SJP for Hogarth, Mirza writes about a Muslim family living in California who gather for a young woman’s wedding. Mirza told The Guardian that the book is “like a long love letter to the life that was mine right until I started writing it.” She doesn’t want readers to focus on the characters’ religion. “To me it was always a story about brothers and sisters, mothers and daughters, fathers and sons—they just happened to be Muslim,” she said.

Educated by Tara Westover

Former president Barack Obama listed this book as one of his summer reads, commenting, “Tara Westover’s Educated is a remarkable memoir of a young woman raised in a survivalist family in Idaho who strives for education while still showing great understanding and love for the world she leaves behind.” Westover, who never set foot in a classroom until her first day of college, writes about growing up working at her family’s junkyard, studying solo for the ACT, and struggling through her first semester of college. She flourished, and now holds a Ph.D. from Cambridge.

Untrue: Why Nearly Everything We Believe About Women, Lust, and Infidelity Is Wrong and How the New Science Can Set Us Free by Wednesday Martin

Martin, a cultural critic, does a deep dive into women’s infidelity for her latest book. “As someone who is usually pretty salty about the sexual double standard that lets men fool around but penalizes women for not being faithful, I read Untrue with great interest,” says Jessica Wakeman, SELF’s interim beauty editor. “I’ve always wondered why everyone believed men are inherently one way when it comes to sexual appetite and women are the exact opposite. Martin interviews anthropologists who study sexual behavior for the latest research and found that females in many species are a lot randier than we’ve been told.”

What If This Were Enough? by Heather Havrilesky

“Heather Havrilesky is one of the nation’s most beloved advice columnists and essayists, and her latest book of essays, What If This Were Enough?, is proof of why,” says Wakeman. “These read like well-written, culturally acute missives from your smartest girlfriend. Whether she’s ruminating about BuzzFeed, Disneyland, her late father’s driver’s license or her mother’s house, she’s a thoughtful and interesting writer.”

The Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar

In this novel, Syrian American writer Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar follows two Syrian women leading parallel lives almost 800 years apart. As Nour and her family are forced to flee conflict in present-day Syria, she comforts herself with the story of Rawiya, who disguised herself as a boy in order to become a mapmaker’s apprentice in the twelfth century.

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

In An American Marriage, Jones writes about newlyweds Celestial and Roy—and what happens when Roy is sentenced to 12 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. The New Yorker described the novel as “both sweeping and intimate—at once an unsparing exploration of what it means to be black in America and a remarkably lifelike portrait of a marriage.”

She Would Be King by Wayétu Moore

Moore’s novel, which combines history with magical realism, reimagines the early years of Liberia through three main characters: an exiled woman from the Liberian region, a former slave from Virginia, and the Jamaican son of a British colonizer and a slave. Moore, who was born in Liberia and raised in the United States, said in an interview: “I knew that if I wanted to tell the story of Liberia, or attempt telling the story of Africa, then it had to be through the eyes or from the perspective of womanhood, black womanhood, and African womanhood.”

Little Fish by Casey Plett

Casey Plett used to write a column for McSweeny’s about being transgendered. In her debut novel, a transgender woman named Wendy Reimer discovers that her grandfather—a devout Mennonite farmer—may also have been transgender. Trans readers laud Plett’s ability to get at the heart of their experience, while non-trans readers say they closed the cover feeling enlightened.

Insurrecto by Gina Apostol

Apostol’s novel is about more than the Philippine-American War. Her story—of a Filipino translator and an American filmmaker who take a road trip through the Philippines to work on a film script about a massacre—is also about truth, memory, and who gets to write history.

Circe by Madeline Miller

In her latest novel, Miller adapts and retells the Greek myth of Circe, a goddess who transformed her enemies into wild animals, featured in Homer’s Odyssey. Publisher’s Weekly called the book “a classic story of female empowerment,” and Miller has spoken about why she chose to write about Circe and the process of reimagining the character. “This is the story of a woman finding her power and, as part of that, finding her voice,” Miller told BookRiot. “She starts out really unable to say what she thinks and by the end of the book, she’s able to live life on her terms and say what she thinks and what she feels.”

If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim

Kim’s debut novel, longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, is an intergenerational saga that starts in wartime Korea. It’s at once a love story, an exploration of female autonomy, and a tale of war and refugee life that offers a unique, human view from within a splintered nation.

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

This novel, a finalist for the 2018 National Book Awards, follows two characters, one grappling with the AIDS crisis in 1980s Chicago, the other experiencing the decades-long repercussions of it in modern-day Paris. When the book came out this summer, Makkai promoted it while raising money for Vital Bridges, a food pantry serving those living with HIV/AIDS. She lists other worthy organizations on her website.

Putney by Sofka Zinovieff

Zinovieff’s novel, about the relationship between a young girl and a much older man in the 1970s, and the woman’s present-day reckoning with what actually happened, raises important questions about consent and agency.

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston

This book is based on Zora Neale Hurston’s interviews with Oluale Kossula (also known as Cudjo Lewis), the last known survivor of the slave trade, in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Publishers wouldn’t print the book at the time—it’s written largely in Kossula’s specific vernacular, and the Smithsonian magazine reports that interested parties wanted Hurston to “translate” the dialogue. The manuscript stayed unpublished for over 80 years until its release this year.

The Recovering: Intoxication and Its Aftermath by Leslie Jamison

Jamison’s latest book is a memoir about addiction and recovery—and so much more. She also includes the addiction stories of famous—and non-famous—people, cultural analysis of how we think about addiction and sobriety, and some truly excellent scholarship and reporting.

15 Signs to Prove You’re a Book Addict

I’ve always been a total book addict. I’m addicted to the emotions, excitement, touch, feel and smell of books. If I could live on books and nothing else, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

So yes: I’m a bit of an addict. Hi, my name is Megan and I’m a bookaholic. If you have any of these fifteen warning signs, you’re a bookaholic too. But don’t worry about kicking the habit. Books are awesome. So if you’re a girl, Cosmo made a list of feminist book to read.

1. Over 90% of any wishlist (birthday, Christmas, shopping list) are books.Who needs food and clothes anyway? And if you ever go into a bookshop or library, you leave with at least five books more than you planned on buying. Oops…

2. Your friends or family chat about TV or film adaptions of books and all you can say is: “Please. The book was a million times better. I mean, the film didn’t even mention this, they changed that, they didn’t have this quote, they…” Double points if aforementioned friends and family roll their eyes and say “Typical insert-your-name-here”.

3. Everyone else you know has pictures of the latest band, movie or animal on their wall, but your walls are covered in bookshelves, book posters and book postcards.

4. Speaking of your room, you have so many books in your bedroom that they’ve spread of off the bookshelves onto floors, desks, chest of drawers and beds. But really, who needs to see their silly old floors anyway?

5. Most kids went as pop stars, footballers, doctors, nurses and superheroes to dress-up-as-what-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up day, but you went in wearing normal clothes with a notebook tucked under your arm. You also gave scathing looks to anyone who asked “What are you meant to be?” Because, obviously, you were an author.

6. Some of your best friends aren’t ‘real’ – as non-book-addicts put it.They’re characters from your favourite books. Your heroes also aren’t pop stars, movie stars or humanitarians. They’re authors. You look up to authors as godlike creatures who hold your favourite characters’ fates in their hands.

7. You have been mentally scarred by books (Harry Potter, The Fault In Our Stars, War Horse…). But despite this they make you happier than anything else. Until you finish them. Then it feels like your heart has broken and the hole in your soul will never be healed. Until you find your new favourite book…

8. You are the go-to-person for book recommendations. Everyone knows you read more than a normal mortal and that, generally, you always have a suggestion. Book addicts are awesome like that!

9. You can bring any topic back around to your fave book. For example: “Ah, the dangers of cyber-crimes. We’d really be so much safer if we all bank at Gringotts, where of money would be looked after by goblins and dragons. It’s really only logical. In Harry Potter…” “Oh, your boyfriend’s name is Eddie? He’s brilliant in Vampire Academy: I really love him. Have you read that yet? It’s so…” And so on and so on.

You also have a bookish quote for all situations. Wishing someone good luck: “May the odds be ever in your favour.” When someone says something about reality: “Of course it’s happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” A dramatic, heart-breaking, beautiful love story: Snape’s “Always” and TFIOS’s “Okay? Okay.” I could go on – trust me… All your advice comes from books too – you just direct people to your favourite book on the topic!

10. You don’t have normal dreams: you dream about worlds you’ve visited in books, characters you met in books and adventures you’ve had in books. Basically, you’re all books, all the time. You even daydream about books.

11. You’d do anything (eat a poisoned apple, spin gold from hay) if you could live in your favourite bookish world – even just for a day.

12. When you grow up and have children (or pets), you plan to name all of them after your favourite characters from books. Poor Hermione, Augustus, Luna, Magnus and Sherlock…

13. You’d happily give up the real world (and food) if you could just live in books all the time. Actually, if you’re reading an awesome book, you do ignore the real world – you forget about water, sleep, homework and other people. People have to say your name five times to even get your attention and you end up sleep deprived because you stayed up super late to finish the book. But you don’t care because that book… it was so worth it!

14. When you’re trying to do revision for exams, you settle on this little reward system: for every two chapters of the revision book you read, you can read a chapter of the fiction book you’re currently reading. I mean, what better reward is there than a chapter of an awesome book? (Your friends say the answer is biscuits, YouTube or sleep. You agree to disagree.)

15. If you were freezing to death and had to put something on the fire to keep it burning, you’d burn your own clothes, pencils, shoes, food and even your own hair before you’d throw your books on. Who cares if you survive, so long as your pretties are ok?

I Give A Book To Every Single Person Who Visits My Home, And It’s Changed How I Feel About Reading

When you’re a book-lover like me, you can’t help but express your passion for all things literary, all the time. Ask anyone who knows me, and they’ll tell you I’m constantly recommending new novels, debating book-to-screen adaptations, sharing author news, or giving books away to anyone who will take them. When people come to my house, whether it’s for dinner, a game night, a cookout, or just a quick visit, no one leaves without a book — or a stack of them — in their arms. It’s a habit I picked up a few years ago, and it’s one that has changed the way I think about reading.

For a lot of book-lovers and bibliophiles out there, the idea of lending, let alone giving, books away is like stepping straight into a newly discovered circle of hell. As readers, we get attached to our handsome hardcovers and priceless paperbacks, and there is nothing we enjoy more than watching our bookshelves get filled with read and unread titles alike. Because to us, books are so much more than ink, paper, and cloth. They are adventure and inspiration, mystery and romance, empowerment and empathy. They are our tickets out of this world, and into another one entirely.

But as much as we bibliophiles hate lending, giving, losing, or damaging books from our own personal libraries, we equally love spreading our passion for reading. The best way to do that? Giving great books to good people.

I have always been fond of collecting books, and when I left home for college, I brought more boxes of books with me than I did clothes, refusing to leave a single one behind for my family to take, or worse, get rid of. Over the years, and through the course of eight semesters as an English major, those boxes multiplied even more and eventually became the bulk of possessions that followed me when I moved to New York and began a career in publishing. I moved into my tiny city apartment with a bed, a suitcase full of what professional clothes I had, and more than three bookshelves worth of worn paperbacks, unread hardcovers, and even some picture books from childhood. It was, in my mind, the foundation to the epic library I would someday build in whatever kick ass apartment I landed after publishing my first of many successful novels. (Hey, a naive millennial can dream, right?)

But after working in publishing for just a few weeks, I realized my new career was to my bookshelf what food and water was to Gremlins after midnight. Suddenly, and without warning, my collection multiplied to dangerous levels. Between the books I got from my employer to the ones I got as industry perks, I quickly and without warning not only had too many books for my shelves, I had too many books for my coffee and bedside table, for my closet shelves and my living room floor.

Since watching the iconic scene in Beauty and the Beast, I had always dreamed about having an epic library, but the reality of my space turned that dream into an overwhelming, disorganized, stress-inducing nightmare. My books, at least some of them, had to go. But where?

Like most people who have too much of one thing, I decided to go through my personal library and weed out the books I didn’t think I needed anymore, or books I didn’t like. I lived in New York, after all, and I knew there were dozens of non profit literary organizations who could use two of my three copies of Little Women or my still unopened collection of Dr. Seuss classics. But even after packing up boxes of books to donate, I still had way more than I could ever read (let alone fit in my tiny home) in a lifetime.

That’s when I started giving books to anyone who came over my house.

It started when I had a friend come by for a drink after work. We were chatting on the couch about one thing or another, when something in the conversation made me think of a book I had sitting on my nightstand. I immediately leapt up and grabbed it to show her, and after seeing her interest, insisted that she take it home, read it, and not give it back. She was delighted. A week later, after she finished the book, she said it was the best thing she had read all year, and she wondered if I had any other recommendations for her.

She had no idea what she was getting herself into, asking a book hoarder for more books, but I immediately recognized the new opportunity at hand. Soon enough, gifting books was a tradition I stuck to — and guests began expecting — whenever someone stopped by my house.

Flash forward to a few years later and a new career as a books writer and reviewer, and I still have more books than I know what to do with. Every day, the mail brings review copies of upcoming titles, paperbacks of last year’s best books, and just about everything in between. But now, I have a way of keeping the stock under control, at least a little bit, because I don’t let anyone — not my visiting family members, friends, colleagues, or acquaintances — leave my house without at least one new title in their hands.

Sometimes when I’m reading a new book, I know who I want to give it to by the end of the first chapter. Something about the character reminds me of a friend who can relate, or the plot is relevant to a discussion I had with one of my sisters, and I just know they’ll appreciate it. Other times, it works in reverse, and a conversation at game night sends me running down the hall to my office to grab a book that would be just perfect for my visitor. No matter how it happens, sharing books has become something I not only do for work online, but something I do for fun in person. For fun, and, I’m learning, for inspiration.

There are the books I love so much, I keep multiple copies on hand to give out like candy on Halloween. I can’t tell you how many people have left my house with We Should All Be Feminists and Hope In the Dark in their hands. There are the novels that I love and want to give away, but can’t part with myself, so I buy a second copy to stow away until the right person comes over for dinner. And then there are the books on my shelves that deserve a better home, one that will give them more attention. Usually titles I have already read, or have had for a year and still haven’t gotten around to, these books live on a browseable bookcase I tell people to please, please take something from. Because no matter how much I love my books, I think I have come to love sharing them even more.

Giving someone a book is like giving someone a piece of your soul. You may not have written it, but in reading it and experiencing it, a book has become a part of you. Passing it onto someone else is, in a way, like passing on that piece of yourself, too. Whether it be your interests, your dreams, your fears, your opinions, or your inspirations, you are giving someone so much more than paper and ink when you give them a book.

Books have the power to do so much. They can entertain and educate. They can empower and empathize. They can expand the mind, nurture the heart, and grow the imagination. They can take people out of their own experiences, and give them an opportunity to walk in someone else’s shoes.

When you give someone a book, it is the closest you can get to giving someone the world — or at least, a world. And luckily for me, I still have so many worlds left to give.

5 Books you can try reading if you are a beginner

“A great book should leave you with many experiences and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading,” said William Styron, the American novelist. This one sentence explains the main reasons why many enjoy reading and why everybody should do so. 

 

Every book, in its uniqueness, opens the doors into a whole new universe and a different mind. If you don’t want to miss your chance to explore them, you should head to the nearest store and get yourself several books to start with. Read on and check out our list of recommended books to read for beginners. 

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho is one of the most celebrated living authors today. He was born in Rio De Janeiro and had a rather exciting (and at times challenging) life. Aside from being a novelist, he was an actor, theatre director, and journalist. Simultaneously, he composed lyrics for some of the famous Brazilian singers and bands of that time.

 

Today, he is most famous for his books, among which is “The Alchemist.” Since it has sold more than 150 million copies, this book is Coelho’s most popular one. It was first published in 1988 and, almost a decade later, reached the audience worldwide.

 

“The Alchemist” is an allegorical story about a young Andalusian shepherd named Santiago. After experiencing the same dream over and over again, he decides to visit a fortune teller. She tells him to go to Egypt and seek hidden treasure at the pyramids, and his journey begins.

 

Santiago will encounter many obstacles during his long journey, run into robbers, meet the love of his life, and so on. Also, he will learn many lessons taught by the alchemist he encounters at one point. 

 

But no matter how it sounds, the Alchemist isn’t just an adventure story. It’s an allegorical description of the person’s journey to discovering oneself. The book’s central message can be explained in a single quote: When you really want something to happen, the whole universe will conspire so that your wish comes true.

 

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

If you’re more into controversial books, Lolita by Nabokov seems like a suitable choice. This novel attracted much attention when it was first published in 1955. That comes as no surprise considering the central topic — a sexual, pathological relationship between a young girl, Lolita, and a middle-aged man. 

 

Vladimir Nabokov was a Russian-American novelist and poet. He used to be a professor at several American universities and colleges, including Cornell University. For a long time, he was known only by his pen name Vladimir Sirin. Needless to say, he was a bit paranoid and scared about losing his job when he decided to publish his (in)famous novel. 

 

The book follows the story of Dolores Haze, a young girl born in America, and Humbert, a middle-aged professor of French literature. Their relationship starts when Humbert rants a room at Lolita’s house. Later, he will marry her mother only to get closer to the object of his desire. After her mother dies, Humbert will become Lolita’s guardian and initiate a sexual relationship. 

 

As you can see, the novel has a pretty controversial topic — pedophilia and the sexual exploitation of a young girl. As a result, it was often described as disgusting and repellent. However, “Lolita” has the status of an all-time classic, and for many reasons. Hence, if you think you can manage it, you should give it a try. 

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Everyone knows the exciting story of a young girl Alice who accidentally enters Wonderland and experiences many adventures in this imaginary world. Most of us have at least watched Tim Burton’s movie of the same title. However, many people never read the original books.

 

“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is an all-time classic written by Lewis Carroll. He was an English teacher, novelist, mathematician, and philosopher. Despite taking an interest in maths, Carroll was known for children’s fiction novels. He used to play with logic in many of his books and create fantasy worlds, like the one we’ll see in his most popular novel.

 

The story begins with Alice sitting next to her sister on the riverbank. When she sees the strange rabbit wearing clothes and carrying a pocket watch, she runs after him. Soon later, she’ll fall down the rabbit hole and find herself in an unfamiliar place. 

 

As the story continues, Alice enters Wonderland and encounters many strange creators, mainly anthropomorphic ones. She will experience many adventures, make some friendships, and hear many interesting stories. 

 

So, if you’re a fan of fantasy, you can start by reading the original “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” book. It’s an interesting and exciting story perfect for creating a reading habit. 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

If you’ve seen “The Great Gatsby” movie starring Leonardo di Caprio and liked it, you can also give the book a try. This novel is also an ideal choice for fans of the Jazz Age in America. After all, it’s a classic written by the most famous American writer of the 20th century. So, you won’t make a mistake with choosing it.

 

The story takes place in a village located in Long Island and follows several different characters. The main ones are Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby, an American multi-millionaire. What’s unusual about Gatsby is that he regularly hosts parties on his luxury estate but doesn’t participate in them. Nick, who has just rented the bungalow next to Gatsby’s estate, notices it and becomes curious.

 

Since the story starts several years after World War I, it tells us how the war transformed American society. Simultaneously, the author deals with several intriguing and omnipresent issues and topics — social classes, the matter of race, human sexuality, and so on.

 

Reading this book will make you think about various problems this world’s been dealing with. At the same time, it will reveal the aspects of an entirely different period when the idea of the American Dream was much more alive.

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

J.D. Salinger is an American novelist known mostly for his masterpiece — “The Catcher in the Rye.” In many of his books and stories, Salinger tells us stories about young people struggling during their path to becoming functional adults. 

 

So, like many other Salinger’s books, “Catcher in the Rye” describes the thoughts, doubts, and depressive state of mind of a young boy called Holden Caulfield. The story begins in an institution of some sort in California, where Holden’s waiting to get discharged. At that point, he has a plan about what to do next and where to go. 

 

Later, his journey will get a bit complicated as he continually makes impulsive decisions, followed by random outcomes and situations. He’ll have many strange conversations with various people and try to deal with his general disappointment in life in any way he can. 

 

“The Catcher in the Rye” is an excellent story many people can relate to. It’s an ideal choice for those who are familiar with the feelings of hopelessness and disappointment. And even if you’re not, you may enter Holden’s mind and learn that you should never judge the book by its cover!

The Nesting Dolls That Will Make Your Friends Jealous

Whether traditional or designer nesting dolls like green nesting dolls, begins with pre-processing the surface. In case of unsatisfactory quality of the purchased Russian doll, there is a need for additional grinding of the surface. In special cases, primer nesting doll is also used. For priming the nesting doll purchased, putty for wood will be suitable, which effectively smoothes out any irregularities. After the primer, the nesting doll is polished once again, thanks to which the surface becomes perfectly smooth and allows you to apply a uniform painting.

The Smooth Tone

Smoothness and evenness one of the criteria that should be remembered before you buy a nested doll under the painting. After leveling the surface of the nesting doll, you can proceed to the first stage of doll painting transferring the sketch of the painting on the surface of the doll with a pencil. The pencil can be easily erased from a wooden, even grounded surface with an eraser, otherwise sanding can be used again.

Before you buy a nested doll, you need to inquire about the material from which it was made, as even a pencil often behaves differently with different materials. The next step is the general drawing of the background of the doll. In traditional nesting dolls, an example of a background could be the scarves or fur coats of a girl depicted on a nesting doll, but this is not important. Drawing the background does not require much detail and accuracy at least at the initial stage.

  • Before you buy a nested doll, you need to pay attention to the drawing of the background if the details are low, and then there is a chance of buying an unfinished nesting doll. After drawing the general background on the nested doll, its study begins. The design of the background includes the drawing of small elements and background detailing.
  • The correct background is one of the selection criteria, which should be considered before buying a nested doll. For a better visual effect, it is recommended to trace the mural elements, as this will give the nesting doll brightness and saturation, but this stage of the painting is not mandatory it seems possible to buy a nested doll with both the circled elements and the unclaimed.

The last, final stage of the painting of the doll is its varnishing. It is possible to varnish a nested doll practically with any varnish. Varnish is selected depending on the paint used for painting. For example, aniline paints are often coated with oil varnishes. Before you buy a nesting doll, you need to pay special attention to its varnishing with an insufficient layer of varnish painting can simply be erased.

Try to buy quality nesting dolls.

The traditional type of nesting dolls, holding in the hands of any object, is now supplemented by numerous options for nesting doll girls, women, sometimes even older, dolls with baskets, dolls full of fruit, dolls with samovars, dolls with ponds, dolls with various buckets and jugs. The artistic solution of modern nesting doll artists is more decorative than illustrative, as compared with the early examples of suburban dolls. Objects that nesting doll hold in their hands, turn into a kind of still lives. The classic sample of the nested doll with a large family was revived. In this case, the main Russian doll is often the image of a man, the head of a family, represented with his offspring. Having lost the seriousness and representativeness of the early town family nesting dolls, the modern type of family nesting dolls, presented by the artist, the nesting doll dolls with a certain degree of humor acquired, at the same time, the warm and cozy atmosphere of a large friendly family. Sometimes in the painting of this or that doll, the artist of the dolls gives us a whole range of different moods, attitudes, experiences of the people who surround it in life. In this regard, interesting nesting doll, depicting a nesting doll groom and nested doll bride.

  • If in the classic model of a similar nesting doll, made in Sergievsky Posad at the beginning of the 20th century, the images of the nesting doll of the groom and the nesting doll of the bride are equivalent, i.e. have almost the same scale, a moderately decorative interpretation of both characters, then the modern artist of nesting doll, reducing the size of the nesting doll-groom relative to his fluffy nesting doll bride, gives us a slightly humorous look at life, the role of a man in modern society. Because of this, we can say that nesting dolls are dolls which a man enjoys.

The finest Nesting Dolls You Can Choose

Naughty nesting dolls and sometimes the frankly satirical character of the nesting dolls inherent in the early Posad samples received a convincing continuation in the author’s nesting doll. Still the most popular are the colorful characters Gypsy dolls, nesting doll from different nationalities, clergy dolls.

The historical type of the nested doll enjoys great love among connoisseurs of Russian folk art: the matrioshka boyars and matrioshka dolls, the nesting doll representatives of the nobility and merchants of pre-revolutionary Russia. Lush nesting dolls, decorative items rich in historical characters, allow nesting dolls artists to diversify and decorative solutions of the nesting dolls. These can be nesting dolls in an Old Russian sarafan, carefully written out by the artist of the nesting doll with strict observance of the ethnographic details of folk nesting clothes. All these decorative and different types of nesting dolls are available at nestingdolls.co.

Painting the Dolls

In other cases, the painting of the nesting doll hawks reminds us of the Russian winter, the fluffy snow, the trees covered with hoarfrost, gives a feeling of Russia as a northern country. In such solutions, nesting doll colors are more restrained, sometimes the nesting doll artist uses the traditional matrioshka burning technique, complementing the decorative scorched nesting doll pattern with gold or silver paint. To give an additional effect, the nesting doll dolls are sometimes used in the decoration of modern nesting dolls inlays made from nacre pieces.

There were traditional nesting doll dolls for painting of the beginning of the 20th century, warriors in chain mail and helmets. In the image of the nesting doll dolls, Russia seems to appear before us in its pagan and Christian face, the nesting doll dolls, which are the basis of its cultural past and present. New to the art of Russian nesting dolls was an appeal to the traditions of icon painting. Usually, in solving images of the nesting dolls of the Mother of God, the nesting dolls of Jesus Christ, the nesting doll dolls of the apostles and the saints, the nesting doll artists use icon painting technique.

Considering the nested doll as a kind of pictorial surface, they tend to write an icon on it nesting dolls, and not to clothe the nested doll in the clothes of this or that saint depicted. A characteristic feature of the art of the modern author’s doll is its picturesqueness. Often the constructive beginning of the nested doll is ignored in favor of the overall pictorial solution of the nested doll. They tried to use the nested doll as a surface on which the nesting doll artist placed this or that image, whether it be a nesting doll or a landscape nesting doll, even at the turn of the century during the formation of the Russian nesting doll art. These last timid attempts in the modern world gave a powerful impetus to a new type of doll, the wooden form of the doll is used to reproduce one or another plot.

Thus, there is a merging of two traditions in the painting of the dolls: the relevance of the Sergiev-Posad painting of the dolls is connected with the decorative solution of the Nizhny Novgorod doll. The nesting doll apron is a traditional place for the depiction of the main semantic element of the painting of the Nizhny Novgorod nesting doll. It is this detail that nesting doll dolls borrow from her modern master dolls. According to the type of painting the apron of the dolls, there are several types of dolls. The first among them can be called nesting doll, on the apron of which are depicted monuments of architecture. This nesting doll is a doll that makes a souvenir, which may be associated with a visit to a historical place.

For a more customize design of nesting dolls you can follow this article

The Ultimate Buying Guide to Survival Bracelets

All bracelets in this category are of the same composition as the parachute strings. The structure of the Survival Bracelets is very simple and is made of nylon. This type of ropes was used for the first time during the Second World War. Nowadays, their use is widespread, and they are used in the manufacture of tents as clothing, bags or even equipment for the aerospace industry.

At present, it is also possible to obtain this model of polyester strings and bracelets, quite similar to the nylon model. The real Paracord remains and remains however in nylon.

Survival Bracelets

Soldiers and outdoor enthusiasts then came up with a whole bunch of ways to use the Paracord, because of its excellent strength-to-weight ratio. This is a very thin rope, extremely robust, always at hand and ready to be used in a large number of situations. Many people used their Paracord creatively during the Second World War. This is how the classic Paracord bracelets appeared. Stores offer you a vast selection of Paracord bracelets, ranging from the classic model to more creative models with compass, whistle, etc. It is suitable for all your outdoor needs. For more versatile accessories like survival bracelets visit braceletworld.co

Bracelet Size

All our bracelets have a unique size, but this size varies from model to model. You can obtain more information by referring to the product sheet of each model. This type of bracelet is, as a rule, slightly larger than the others from a length of 20 to 23cm.  You can estimate the size that suits you best by measuring your wrist, just above the bone, as shown below.  Add 2-3 cm to this measurement to know the size of bracelet that will suit you best.

The Clasp of the Paracord Bracelet

Classic bracelets are usually equipped with either a plastic snap or a more creative metal locking system that is unique to bracelets. This metal locking system is more complicated to open and close but it is the promise of a solid hold. In addition it has other functions that can be useful in survival situations. These locking systems can nowadays be equipped with whistle, lighter stone, etc.

Its survival, trekking or traveling around the world, the survival bracelet or the paracord bracelet is popular. This ensures that you always have several meters of strong rope that can be used to repair an object, build a shelter or raft, fish and hunt in difficult situations. Discover selection among different brands. Also find the survival bracelets with whistle and firearm.

Survivor bracelet with original US cobra weaves a modern look. Closed by a stainless steel shackle, this bracelet is as pretty as it is useful for survival or during outdoor activities.

It is ideal for campers, hikers, sportsmen, military, scouts, hunters, fishermen, miners, etc. It is made in paracord 550 of American origin this rope formed of 7 strands is used in the suspension of the parachutes able to withstand 250 kg of load. Enjoyable wearing, this survival bracelet will be your ideal partner in all emergencies of simple lace, the manufacture of a splint, reinforcement attachment of a camping canvas or packaging, etc. Once undone you will always have the rope available on you and can use about 3.5 meters of useful rope ultra strong and flexible. Trendy and timeless, the paracord bracelet is an ideal accessory. In summer as in winter, you can braid the parachute rope very easily.

Cheap Paracord

Discover a trend very popular like the paracord. Cheap, the braiding of the paracord is very simple and accessible to all. Paracord for bracelet will allow you to make many weaves. You now know where to buy cheap paracord. All the supplies for your parachute rope creations are available, clasps, carabineers, jewelry accessories. The origin of the paracord bracelet goes back to the Second World War; the Para string was used for parachutes.

Paracord bracelet

What creations to do in paracord? All kinds of braiding are possible. Paracord bracelet making is very easy and fun, you can mix several colors for a very nice rendering. The paracord braiding will allow you to make basic bracelets, other more original and sophisticated but also key chains, shoe laces, animal collars, knife handles or even wrist straps. You will be able to guide you with tutorial and DIY in Para string for your first paracord braiding. Rather plastic clip or metal clasp, you can customize your braiding paracord at will.  More information about what paracord bracelet is can be found here

Definition of Paracord 550:

Paracord 550 rothco, shop specialist online sale paracord 550 us called Para cord for braiding bracelet and material survival. The Paracord is a parachute cord, also paracord cord or paracord 550 is a lightweight nylon climbing rope originally used in the suspension lines of US parachutes during World War II. The Paracord is now utilized as a cord or rope all-purpose reason utility by the civilians and military. The paracord 550 braided sheaths have maximum number of threads intertwined for its size, providing it a relatively soft texture. The all-nylon structure makes the paracord quite elastic, without losing its robustness. The paracord proposes breaking threshold of 250 Kg.

The Paracord Bracelet:

The advantage of a paracord bracelet is that its braided shape, it will bring a report space, length undone very interesting. Most bracelets marketed allow obtaining lengths of Para strings between 1.80 and 5 meters on average. But the regulars of the braiding will be able to perfect the bracelets according to their needs, length expected, and especially the use of adequate buckles of closure clip, clip with whistle of survival, shackle. It can be said that these are the toys to fight nature’s harshness.

The paracord wire Glorex

Paracord Glorex threads come in many colors which will allow you to make paracord weaves in several colors. You will find all the necessary material and accessories to make your parachute cord bracelets: plastic clasp or metal clasp. The paracord tutorials will teach you how to do any sort of paracord knot. Nylon, paracord wire will bring flexibility, strength and aesthetics to your bracelets. You can wear your survival bracelets in any situation, even in the water at the beach, since the parachute rope dries very quickly and does not rot.

The Materials That Makes The Perfect Onesie You Are Dying To Know

The onesie anime should not be confused with the trendy design street disguise pajamas in Japan. Onesies are carriers of street pajamas, which already look like onesie in the ordinary sense. Onesies are sewn from lightweight fabric to the size of a person. The hood may not cover your face. You should not confuse anime Onesie with life-size puppets as in Disney land or sports team talismans. Such onesies are called fur-suit or mascot. Onesies are fashionable costumes in a sense because it has various designs

BJD Onesie

Recently, from the anime Onesie stood out the BC version. The peculiarity of this costume is that the image for the mask is a doll on the hinges. They are the popular onesies in Harajuku Japan and are often collectible and very expensive. For the first time, BJD onesie appeared in 2011 at the festival, and in 2014, manufacturers began producing masks in the style of articulated dolls. One of the famous models, Lulu Hashimoto, was created in 2016.

The materials from which they sew these clothes

Onesie costume should be as comfortable and soft as possible. Therefore, when choosing it, it is important to pay attention to the fabric from which it is made. Consider the main options for the material:

Onesie unicorn fleece: From it originally and sewed all the onesie in Japan. Fleece fabric is made from synthetic fiber to replace wool and other natural fibers, so its undoubted advantage is hypo-allergenic. Fleece is always very soft, fluffy and pleasant to the body, easy to wash. In addition, the material perfectly retains heat, but let’s air through it will be quite difficult to freeze in such onesies. Due to the excellent quality of the fabric, fleece models are more expensive than their fellows, but you definitely will not regret the money spent. Value for money will pleasantly surprise you;

Velsoft is an inexpensive analogue of fleece. It is also called a soft, fluffy fleece. The fabric is made of synthetic fiber and has good properties: practically does not wrinkle, does not roll. It consists of soft, thick villi, perfectly retaining heat and absorbing moisture. The onesie of the velsoft has a number of drawbacks: over time, they no longer hold their shape and can sag. However, it was this material that made costumes more accessible to the average consumer around the world.

Cotton: This is a rather rare material for this model of clothing, and light summer pajamas or costumes are usually sewn from it. Cotton Onesie is great for a hot day, but you need to understand that due to not too dense material, they do not keep their shape.

To add a customize design to your onesie this article shows you how to do it.

What is it for?

Despite the unusual cut and style, the onesie is a fairly universal thing and can be used for different purposes. Only one thing is important: it should bring you and your loved ones a great mood and pleasant emotions. You can use it.

Despite its versatility, you should not go to Onesie everywhere. You should not wear it to school, university or work unless of course, you work as an animator. Do not be fond of soft costumes and in the necessary situations observe the dress code. Better in your free time change into a onesie for comfortable relaxation and relaxation.

Onesie manufacturers

On the market there are a large number of manufacturers of soft onesies. You can buy it in a regular store, and you can order on the Internet. We draw your attention to several sellers offering the largest range of onesie. A wide varieties of comfortable onesies can be found at kigurumi.co

Cosbus

Cosbus Onesie is striking in their diversity. Here you can find a yellow horn unicorn with a yellow horn on the hood. The onesies are very bright and does not hinder movement due to its free fit. Cosbus offers:

  • Onesie Rainbow Unicorn model “Rainbow Unicorn”
  • The model “Kummamon Bear” will appeal to lovers of Japanese culture. Black Bear became a hero of many Internet memes and comics.

Funky ride

Shop Funky Ride offers a large number of the onesie with the characters of children’s animated series, animals, or just common fruit onesies. Any child will love the pajamas and Minion Dave costumes or the Angry Birds. Onesies made of warm fleece are the most suitable for babies, the appropriate onesie gift for baby showers. Size range XS-XXL will allow you to choose comfortable clothes for anyone.

Futujama

In the Futuzhama online store, you can find options for onesie – pajamas for any family member, young and old. The same models are presented in both children’s and adult sizes. Pay attention to the cute sloth. Wearing it, you will reincarnate in the hero of the cartoon Zeropolis. In this onesies, you will be able to be lazy and sleep like a real sloth. You should also know the onesie sizing guide. Models:

  • Onesie sloth, Dimensional mesh – XS-XXL, material – beige fleece, zipped, without lining
  • Panda Dimensional mesh: 104-152 cm, XS-XXL, fleece white and black, unlined

Some futuzhama single model is available for children and their parents, so you can buy the same costumes for the whole family, and in the evenings your family tradition will gather for a cup of tea in cute pajamas. Panda pajamas, for example, come with zippers or buttons, so you choose what is more convenient for you.

Handy wear

This company has long been producing stylish Japanese pajamas. For the girl, an excellent choice would be the pink “Panther Baksi,” she is made in the girl’s combination of colors from soft-touch soft fleece, which allows the skin to breathe.

One of the funniest models of this brand is Lemur pajamas. Unisex model is suitable for men, women, and children. Behind a very long striped tail like a real animal, a low waistline and a free silhouette make the image very comical. Despite the fact that prices for Handy-Wear pajamas are quite high, their quality and brightness of colors and prints will not leave anyone indifferent.

For Stylish Guys: Top Beaded Bracelets

Beaded bracelets are an excellent accessory for anyone who wants to show off their sense of style. But, most people don’t know that they have been around for tens of thousands of years. And, while most other ancient pieces of wardrobe were practical, these bracelets were there for aesthetic reasons. With that in mind, we have to say that not much is changing with the years. Men are still opting to use practical accessories mostly. But, a bracelet is one of the few accessories every man can pull off properly.

However, choosing the right bracelet can be an arduous task. After all, there are thousands of models to choose from. So, to help you out, we have come up with a list of the most popular designs for a stylish man.

Christine Christi – Men’s Bracelet

This trendy but simple bracelet is perfect for those that don’t want to seem like they are trying too hard. The cross and the turquoise elements of the bracelet work perfectly together. This bracelet manages to look masculine, elegant, and beautiful all at the same time.

Red and Gold Beads

Usually, wearing colored beads is not the safest of choice a man could make. However, the deep red of this bracelet is very striking, and it keeps the minimalist touch. These beads alternate with golden bars to make the look pop.

Buddha Stack

Sometimes, stacking is the answer for those who are having difficulties choosing a single bracelet. And, this bracelet is magnificent. Everything works perfectly together. The shine of hematite really brings out the masculine power of the tiger’s eye and the volcanic stone. This bracelet is an ideal choice for those who want to show both inner power and their restraint.

Simon Carter – Onyx and Skulls

When you think of a skull bracelet, you probably imagine it to be over-the-top. Well, when it comes to this piece of art, it definitely couldn’t be further from the truth. It only features two small, stylized skulls that go perfectly well with the onyx beads. In fact, this bracelet is as stylish as it gets.

African Bracelet

This beautiful blend of colors is the perfect gift for Valentine’s date. It is a bold fashion statement that brings out the charisma of the man wearing it. In fact, this bracelet is one of the best attention magnets out there.

Tiger’s eye Protection Bracelet

The tiger’s eye was always a visually powerful stone. However, not every bracelet with it holds anywhere near as much appeal as this one. Apart from the perfectly measured beads, it also features two subtle wings that work perfectly with any outfit style.

Lava Rock Krobo Bracelet

If you are looking for a perfect bracelet for a masculine man, you should look no further. Lava rocks are a subtle way to bring out the power of someone’s outfit. They are stylish, appealing, and go with everything. This bracelet also features a smart use of jasper gemstones to add a bit of elegance to the bracelet.

Steve London – Black and Gold Spartan Bracelet

The combination of black and gold Spartan bracelet was always an excellent choice for all men who are fond of showing impeccable personality through bracelet. The added feature of the golden Spartan helmet really makes it a perfect choice for a man who wants people to notice his warrior’s spirit.