What’s one series installment you’re excited f What’s one series installment you’re excited for this year? 📚
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After the dramatic ending of The Ballad of Never After, I’m counting down til the release of A Curse for True Love! 🦊 I need to know what happens next because I’m going absolutely nuts right now 😅
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I’m also so excited for Foxglove, The Brothers Hawthorne, This Cursed Light, and Threads of Power - a few series continuations that I just know are gonna be phenomenal! 🙌🏼
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Are any of these on your radar? 👀
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Do you plan to read romance books during Love Mont Do you plan to read romance books during Love Month? 🤎
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Pretty much my entire TBR this month is just cute romances and I can’t wait to dive in 📖 
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Some of the titles I’m most excited about:
🎓 Begin Again by Emma Lord
📚 Exes and O’s by Amy Lea
🌻 In the Weeds by B.K. Borison
💕 Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
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Have you read any of these or are any of them on your TBR? 📝
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What are your favorite high seas adventure books? What are your favorite high seas adventure books? 🏴‍☠️

If I’m being totally truthful, I haven’t read that many of them BUT I just finished my reread of All the Stars and Teeth and was reminded how much I love it 😍 I need more books like this! 🌊

Give me recommendations for books with pirates, mermaids and sirens, island curses, and other high seas goodness ⚓️

Have you read All the Stars and Teeth? 🧜🏼‍♀️

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How would your favorite book character take their How would your favorite book character take their coffee? ☕️
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My favorite fictional character of all time is Genya Safin from the Grishaverse 🤍 This badass Tailor has a taste for the finer things and would absolutely drink a deliciously dark roast with notes of cherry, walnut, and rich chocolate 🤤 I think she would enjoy a café au lait -- drip coffee with steamed milk -- that David prepared for her in a drip coffee contraption of his own making 🫶🏼
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Did I go way too in-depth on this just because I love these characters and coffee a little too much? 🙈 Maybe I did, but it was fun 🤷🏻‍♀️
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How do YOU take your coffee? 🤎
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What was your last 5-star romance read? ⭐️ It What was your last 5-star romance read? ⭐️

It was absolutely wonderful to end 2022 with Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez 😍 I don’t like to pick favorites when it comes to my top authors, but this adorable fake dating romance may very well be my favorite book by her! 🙌🏼

I’m a seriously picky romance reader, but Abby’s blend of sweetness and substance never ceases to amaze me and Yours Truly was no exception 🤎 Just like her previous novels, this one made me cry my eyes out as I saw bits and pieces of myself in each of the characters 🥹 It was just SO GOOD, y’all, and you can find the full review on my blog! 🫶🏼

Are you planning to pick up Yours Truly when it comes out in April? 📖 Have you read any of Abby’s other phenomenal romance novels? 🥰

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What was the last book you read in one sitting? 🐒

Honestly, it’s not very often that I finish a book in one day - either because I find myself too busy or I just can’t concentrate for such a long period of time 😅

BUT every once in a while, I have a weekend day where I can just fully sink into a story and enjoy it from start to finish without distractions 📖 That’s what I did with BEACH READ last Sunday and it was wonderful 🥰 I read it when it first came out, but this time, I really got to enjoy it in a new way - and I couldn’t put it down! 🙈 

If only I could have more days like that 😂 Have you read Beach Read or anything else by Emily Henry? ☀️

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Why did you join bookstagram? 📖 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Why did you join bookstagram? 📖
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Today is my third bookstaversary, friends! 🤎 I can't begin to express how thankful I am for this wonderful community and how it has impacted my life over the last three years 🥹
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As many of you know, I was a full-time fashion blogger for over five years and somewhere along the line, I found that I just didn't love it anymore 🤷🏻‍♀️ I wanted to find somewhere I could truly be myself and spend more time talking about fantasy novels, crisp autumn mornings, a great cup of coffee, and how to achieve the ultimate cozy lifestyle ☕️
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I joined bookstagram in 2020, thinking it would just be a fun little hobby to have on the side while I continued my fashionista hustle... and a year later, I rebranded EVERYTHING to The Espresso Edition 🙌🏼 I've made talking about books and coziness my full-time gig and I couldn't be happier about it 😍
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Thank you all for welcoming me to this wild and wonderful corner of the internet 🙈 Cheers to tons more bookish goodness! 📚
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How long have you been on bookstagram? 📱
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Would you take the protagonist of your current rea Would you take the protagonist of your current read for a cup of coffee? ☕️
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There have been quite a few characters I've read about this month who I'd love to sit down and chat with over a hot bev 🥰
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However, from my current reads, I would NOT take anyone from Jade Legacy (because you never know who might end up unaliving), I'd definitely take both Kell and Lila from A Darker Shade of Magic, I'm not entirely sure I'd enjoy coffee with Katniss from The Hunger Games (since she's not the most exciting conversationalist), but I'd absolutely love chatting it up with Alina from Shadow and Bone! 🙌🏼
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Have you read any of the books I'm currently reading? 📚
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What is a spin-off series that you prefer over the What is a spin-off series that you prefer over the originals? 📚

This past year, I either began or finished a few spin-off series that I found myself enjoying even more than their predecessors 🙈 The Dreamer Trilogy (the first of which is featured here) BLEW ME AWAY even though I just *sorta-kinda* liked The Raven Cycle 😱 But there I was, sobbing my eyes out at the end of Greywaren 😭 So freaking good! 🙌🏼

Typically I’m all about the OG series (like Shadow and Bone), but every once in a while, there’s a really great spin-off or continuation that I wind up just loving! 🤩 I’m excited to discover even more this year 🗓️

Have you read The Dreamer Trilogy yet? 💭

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Books · November 16, 2020

How to Narrate an Audiobook from a Voice Actor’s Perspective

Ever wondered what it’s like to narrate an audiobook?

Anyone who knows my audiobook-listening habits knows that I’m incredibly picky when it comes to narration styles. Maybe this comes from being a bookworm and hoping that the characters I picture in my head are voiced a particular way. Maybe it’s because I took theatre for six years and hope for a decent acting job no matter the outlet. I’m not entirely sure the reason, but I have always wondered what it actually takes to be a voice actor and audiobook narrator. It seems like such a unique and fun career!

A few months back, I tweeted about how I was listening to A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, and you can imagine my surprise when one of the narrators, A.J. Beckles, replied to my tweet (it turns out he narrated Early Departures as well). I was really excited because I loved how he narrated the book’s character. We got to chatting and I asked if he’d be willing to answer some of me and my fellow audiobook-listeners’ biggest questions about his profession. Now I get to share the inside scoop with all of you!

Here’s what I chatted about with voice actor, A.J. Beckles. It was so fun learning more about this career from his perspective.

Q: How did you get into voice acting?

A: The funny thing about voiceovers is everyone you ask this question will give you a different answer. So my brother one day (my junior year of high school) asked me if it was something I’d be interested in trying and I was going to say no because I had no clue what voiceover was but I was at a point in my life where college was coming up and I had nooo idea what I wanted to do with my life after I figured out I wasn’t going to be 6ft and in the NBA. I agreed to try after he explained that I could earn easy money and all I have to do is talk (I wish it was that easy lol). I then proceeded to fall in love. It was the first thing I ever tried where I started off feeling like I was really good, and to be honest it felt natural. I started researching like crazy and since I had no acting experience, YouTube was how I learned. From there I started auditioning on “behindthevoiceactors.com” and got cast a couple of times early on. I haven’t stopped and don’t plan on it any time soon

Q: How does audiobook narration differ from other styles of voice acting?

A: Cold reading is super important in general. Since voice actors usually get scripts only a bit ahead of time, it’s hard to make strong acting decisions like our live-action/theatre counterparts (not impossible of course but it’s harder for sure and you can only use your voice to convey emotion). More so with audiobooks actually. Luckily with audiobooks, you tend to get the scripts a month or so in advance of the actual recording so you can still prep it so you know what’s happening in the most important parts but audiobooks tend to be a big challenge in their own right. It is the same as most voice-overs in that you can prep slightly, BUT there’s a lot more text to go through. For a video game or anime, you have 60 lines MAYBE in a 4-hour session. In order to finish an audiobook in time, you have to read 25k words in the same time frame while making minimal mistakes. SO your cold reading skills have to be great, while also making sure your acting doesn’t dip in quality towards the last hour or so when you’re exhausted, your eyes are tired, and your focus begins to falter. It’s really tough work but great training for all other kinds of voice acting.

Q: Do you typically read the book before you dive into narration?

A: I don’t always have time to read the book completely but I do skim through important parts and write notes so I’m not completely lost while I’m reading because if I don’t that just makes a breeding ground for mistakes during recording sessions and people don’t really have the time to deal with that.

Q: What has been your favorite voice acting experience so far?

A: I did my first anime audition ever recently and it was for my favorite anime of all time so I was elated. Anime is my dream so I hope next year I get to audition more for that sort of thing.

Q: How long does it take for your voice to get tired? And along with that question, is there anything you do to prevent vocal exhaustion?

A: If I’m not screaming, it really does take a lot. For audiobooks usually around the 3-hour mark but it’s more-so me losing focus than losing my voice. I did, however, scream a couple of weeks ago because I got really excited about what I was doing and I still haven’t gotten it back fully -lesson absolutely learned. I’d say a tip for preventing vocal exhaustion is just to listen to your body. I knew my voice was spent but I just kept pushing it. DON’T DO THAT. Give yourself a break, drink plenty of fluids, sleep, and always tell someone if you can’t continue. You don’t want to risk your career to impress someone.

Q: Is there any advice you’d offer to someone wanting to pursue voice acting as a career?

A: This is my first time being asked this question. Surreal thinking that when I started I was asking the same question to the people I admired:
1) BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF. Is this something you want to do as a hobby or for fun? That’s completely fine, we all need outlets. But if you decide you want it to be your career then you have to have a professional mindset. The rejection ratios are very high for this kind of work/for acting in general. Steve Blum has said once that a good year for him is him booking 30% of his auditions and that’s auditioning only for things that are good for his voice. If you have the tenacity and the drive to succeed in this career then you WILL succeed, and the community will help you do it. Just don’t give up. 
2) If you’re not booking ANYTHING, not just big stuff but fan projects or indie stuff, there’s probably something you could do better. Whether that be acting-wise or auditioning-wise, take classes if you have reached your limit learning by yourself. Think of it as an investment. That being said, do everything in your power to learn by yourself, because you won’t always have the money or the friends, in the beginning, to be able to help you. Record your voice and try to find out why your acting is more off than Tom Kenny’s, go and learn everything you can about voiceover from sources like VO Buzz Weekly, Voice Acting Mastery Podcast, and iwanttobeavoiceactor.com. Look up how to breathe from your diaphragm, the difference between emphasis and intonation. Literally, do everything in your power to improve, and THEN find a teacher/coach that you can trust. Also, join the Voice Acting Club Discord, it is THE BEST source on voiceover on the internet. Pros and new people alike are a part of the community.

Q: If you could narrate any character from any book, who would it be?

A: Brian Robeson from “Hatchet”! It was my first audiobook that I can remember from 5th grade and it’s my favorite book of all time! I love Hatchet.

Q: Anything you’re working on right now that you wanna hype up? (That you’re allowed to talk about)

A: Nothing that I can talk about right now! But I have 2 more audiobooks that will be coming out in the coming months that I’ll be announcing at some point on my Twitter: @ajbecklesvo

Q: And just for fun: favorite snack to get at the movies?

A: I LOVE CHEESE FRIES and the blue slushies are always wicked good.


related posts
October Reading Wrap-Up // Book Review: Early Departures // 15 Audiobooks I Love

Massive thanks to A.J. Beckles for providing this insight on how to narrate an audiobook and what it takes to be a voice actor!


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In: Books · Tagged: A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, A.J Beckles, audiobook, audiobook narration, audiobook narrator, how to be a voice actor, narrate an audiobook, voice acting, voice actor

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Comments

  1. Jennifer Prince says

    November 16, 2020 at 9:23 AM

    That is SO awesome! I’ve done live theater and dramatic readings and such. I’ve always wanted to do voice acting, but I think an audiobook would be so hard. And take forever, lol. I love this glimpse into it. So fun that he responded to your tweet!! <3

    Reply
  2. Stephani says

    November 16, 2020 at 9:44 AM

    That’s so cool that he responded to your tweet and that you could do this Q & A with him! Voice overs sound harder than it seems and I bet can be tiring but so fun!

    Xo, Steph

    Reply
  3. Della says

    November 16, 2020 at 9:52 AM

    I loved reading this! It’s so interesting to hear the perspective of a narrator and how they got into that role xx

    http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/

    Reply
  4. Lucy says

    November 16, 2020 at 9:59 AM

    Wow what an amazing read and interview! I loved reading about what it takes to be a voice over and what happens when you narrate an audiobook! x

    Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk

    Reply
  5. Emely Turish says

    November 16, 2020 at 10:42 AM

    Wow, how amazing. I’ve never know anyone that does voice narration. I bet the anime was so fun. Thanks for sharing this.

    Reply
  6. Rach says

    November 16, 2020 at 11:29 AM

    Wow, how incredible that he answered your tweet and so kind of him to donate his time to talk to you!! That definitely says something about his character. Also, I learned so much about voice acting that I never would have thought!

    http://www.rdsobsessions.com

    Reply
  7. Lee says

    November 16, 2020 at 1:25 PM

    This is so interesting! I’ve always wondered about voice acting – Im going to send this post to someone who i think would make a great voice actor and see if i can convince them to start learning!

    Reply
  8. Raji says

    November 16, 2020 at 5:01 PM

    This is such a cool post! I’ve always been curious about how audiobooks are made. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  9. rebecca says

    November 16, 2020 at 5:11 PM

    this was such a fun read! John’s godfather is an actor and does a ton of audiobooks and when I found out I had so many of the same questions you asked here! Thanks for sharing, as always.

    xx rebecca // thecrystalpress.com

    Reply
  10. Charity says

    November 16, 2020 at 7:02 PM

    This was such an interesting article to read! I would love to be a voice actor! How much fun would that be?!

    Reply
  11. Neely Moldovan says

    November 16, 2020 at 7:57 PM

    This is so interesting! I love audiobooks and I find it so fascinating the people who narrate them.

    Reply
  12. Lizzie says

    November 17, 2020 at 12:40 AM

    Wow this is so cool!! So nice of him to do an interview. Very interesting to hear about the experience. Sounds so neat !

    Lizzie
    http://Www.lizzieinlace.com

    Reply
  13. Kelly Diane says

    November 17, 2020 at 3:17 AM

    What a great Q&A. I found it reallt interesting to find out a bit more about behind the scenes and how you get started in that kind of career. I agree the voice on an audio book can really decide if you love a book or not.

    Reply
  14. Lisa says

    November 17, 2020 at 3:44 AM

    I’ve never stopped to think about audio book readings as opposed to, say, radio acting. This was such an interesting read – and so brilliant that he reached out to you. Great post, thank you!

    Reply
  15. Anika says

    November 17, 2020 at 3:58 AM

    What an interesting interview! I must admit, it’s not something I’ve thought about before but as soon as I saw the title I was curious. And I had no idea cold reading was a thing but it makes so much sense! Great post.

    Anika | chaptersofmay.com

    Reply
  16. Sarah Lindner says

    November 17, 2020 at 7:27 AM

    How interesting! Especially since I am more likely to listen to an audiobook than picking up a read these days, lol.

    Reply
  17. Carrington | Chaos and Coffee says

    November 17, 2020 at 10:37 AM

    This is such an interesting post! I’ve never thought about this honestly, but my boyfriend used to do acting and I always thought it was so cool. Loved reading this! Xx.

    Reply
  18. Melissa says

    November 17, 2020 at 12:49 PM

    Omg. This was SO interesting! I never though about the people behind an audiobook. It sounds like a super competitive industry but so fun at the same time!

    Reply
  19. Ayshia says

    November 18, 2020 at 9:02 AM

    This was such an insightful and interesting interview! I love being able to see it from the voice actor’s perspective. Some of this never even occurred to me while listening to my favorite audiobooks. It seems like such a cool profession to have and if I were a voice actor, anime would be my dream job too! Lol!

    Reply
  20. Kileen says

    November 18, 2020 at 3:27 PM

    This was really interesting, because I would love to be a voice actress. I have a friend that records for auidobooks and he loves it! I think it would be a great career for sure.

    Reply
  21. Deborah says

    November 18, 2020 at 4:21 PM

    This was such an interesting interview to read! I’ve always wondered about the voice actors behind my favorite books! I am definitely one of those people who have favorite voice actors too (like Bahni Turpin is one of my favorites!) I’ll have to check out AJ’s work – I am on the waitlist for the audiobook version of Early Departure so I am sure I’ll be hearing him soon!

    Reply
  22. I'm All Booked Up says

    November 18, 2020 at 7:16 PM

    This is so cool! Thanks for sharing. We never considered what it’s like to be an audiobook narrator.

    Reply
  23. Greta says

    November 18, 2020 at 10:42 PM

    Wow this is all so interesting! So cool hearing things from the narrator’s perspective.

    Reply
  24. Kim says

    November 19, 2020 at 11:43 AM

    I always wondered who the people behind some of these audio books were. Such a fun blog post!

    xoxo,
    Kim

    Reply
  25. Annie says

    November 20, 2020 at 4:41 PM

    Oh my gosh, this is the coolest interview I’ve ever read! I just think audiobook or anime voice acting would be a dream job! What an incredible experience! Thank you so much for sharing this interview with us!

    Reply
  26. Candace Hampton says

    November 20, 2020 at 5:42 PM

    I like how you got to this blog with him on a random response. It was a great read. Thank you for sharing his perspective on things that we may not think about in terms of work. Voice narrating definitely sounds harder than it sounds. (funny pun here) thank you for sharing this with all of us!

    Reply
  27. Nicole Flint says

    November 23, 2020 at 9:50 AM

    What a cool interview!! I have always been curious about voice acting and it’s definitely a lot harder than we think it is! I also love his movie theater snack LOL!

    Reply
  28. Hillary Conheady says

    November 24, 2020 at 9:44 PM

    This is such a cool blog post! I’ve always wanted to try out audio books!

    Reply
  29. Anna English says

    November 27, 2020 at 10:59 AM

    Such a fun read. I need to listen to more audiobooks!

    Reply

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What’s one series installment you’re excited f What’s one series installment you’re excited for this year? 📚
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After the dramatic ending of The Ballad of Never After, I’m counting down til the release of A Curse for True Love! 🦊 I need to know what happens next because I’m going absolutely nuts right now 😅
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I’m also so excited for Foxglove, The Brothers Hawthorne, This Cursed Light, and Threads of Power - a few series continuations that I just know are gonna be phenomenal! 🙌🏼
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Are any of these on your radar? 👀
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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #onceuponabrokenheart #theballadofneverafter #thecursefortruelove #bookseries #fantasyseries #2023books #fantasybooks #yafantasy #fantasyreader
Do you plan to read romance books during Love Mont Do you plan to read romance books during Love Month? 🤎
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Pretty much my entire TBR this month is just cute romances and I can’t wait to dive in 📖 
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Some of the titles I’m most excited about:
🎓 Begin Again by Emma Lord
📚 Exes and O’s by Amy Lea
🌻 In the Weeds by B.K. Borison
💕 Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
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Have you read any of these or are any of them on your TBR? 📝
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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #wintervibes #winter #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #romancebooks #valentinesday #lovemonth #romancereader #cartooncoverromance #februarytbr #romcombooks
What are your favorite high seas adventure books? What are your favorite high seas adventure books? 🏴‍☠️

If I’m being totally truthful, I haven’t read that many of them BUT I just finished my reread of All the Stars and Teeth and was reminded how much I love it 😍 I need more books like this! 🌊

Give me recommendations for books with pirates, mermaids and sirens, island curses, and other high seas goodness ⚓️

Have you read All the Stars and Teeth? 🧜🏼‍♀️

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#lightacademiaaesthetic #lightacademia #cozyaesthetic #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #cozybookstagram #bookaesthetic #booktography #bookphotography #vintagemood #bookseverywhere #hyggebookstyle #quietshadesofbrown #bookmoments #ofcosymoments #booksandcoffee #coffeeandbooks #fortheloveofreading #bookrecommendations #booksuggestions #booksonbooks #booknookstagram #allthestarsandteeth #piratebooks #mermaidbooks #highseasadventure #fantasybooks #duology
How would your favorite book character take their How would your favorite book character take their coffee? ☕️
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My favorite fictional character of all time is Genya Safin from the Grishaverse 🤍 This badass Tailor has a taste for the finer things and would absolutely drink a deliciously dark roast with notes of cherry, walnut, and rich chocolate 🤤 I think she would enjoy a café au lait -- drip coffee with steamed milk -- that David prepared for her in a drip coffee contraption of his own making 🫶🏼
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Did I go way too in-depth on this just because I love these characters and coffee a little too much? 🙈 Maybe I did, but it was fun 🤷🏻‍♀️
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How do YOU take your coffee? 🤎
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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #grishaverse #shadowandbone #thedarkling #genyasafin #leighbardugo #perfectespressopour #coffeepour #favoritefictionalcharacter #favoritecharacter #favoritebookcharacter
What was your last 5-star romance read? ⭐️ It What was your last 5-star romance read? ⭐️

It was absolutely wonderful to end 2022 with Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez 😍 I don’t like to pick favorites when it comes to my top authors, but this adorable fake dating romance may very well be my favorite book by her! 🙌🏼

I’m a seriously picky romance reader, but Abby’s blend of sweetness and substance never ceases to amaze me and Yours Truly was no exception 🤎 Just like her previous novels, this one made me cry my eyes out as I saw bits and pieces of myself in each of the characters 🥹 It was just SO GOOD, y’all, and you can find the full review on my blog! 🫶🏼

Are you planning to pick up Yours Truly when it comes out in April? 📖 Have you read any of Abby’s other phenomenal romance novels? 🥰

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#cozyaesthetic #bookreel #bookcommunity #cozyreel #cozytime #bookishreel #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #aestheticreel #coffeecoffeecoffee #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #romancebooks #yourstrulybook #abbyjimenez #romancereader #cartooncoverrromance #2023bookrelease #bookreview
What was the last book you read in one sitting? 🐒

Honestly, it’s not very often that I finish a book in one day - either because I find myself too busy or I just can’t concentrate for such a long period of time 😅

BUT every once in a while, I have a weekend day where I can just fully sink into a story and enjoy it from start to finish without distractions 📖 That’s what I did with BEACH READ last Sunday and it was wonderful 🥰 I read it when it first came out, but this time, I really got to enjoy it in a new way - and I couldn’t put it down! 🙈 

If only I could have more days like that 😂 Have you read Beach Read or anything else by Emily Henry? ☀️

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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #wintervibes #winter #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #beachread #emilyhenry #romancebooks #romancereader #contemporaryromance #cartooncoverromance #perfectespressopour #rereading
Why did you join bookstagram? 📖 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Why did you join bookstagram? 📖
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Today is my third bookstaversary, friends! 🤎 I can't begin to express how thankful I am for this wonderful community and how it has impacted my life over the last three years 🥹
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As many of you know, I was a full-time fashion blogger for over five years and somewhere along the line, I found that I just didn't love it anymore 🤷🏻‍♀️ I wanted to find somewhere I could truly be myself and spend more time talking about fantasy novels, crisp autumn mornings, a great cup of coffee, and how to achieve the ultimate cozy lifestyle ☕️
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I joined bookstagram in 2020, thinking it would just be a fun little hobby to have on the side while I continued my fashionista hustle... and a year later, I rebranded EVERYTHING to The Espresso Edition 🙌🏼 I've made talking about books and coziness my full-time gig and I couldn't be happier about it 😍
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Thank you all for welcoming me to this wild and wonderful corner of the internet 🙈 Cheers to tons more bookish goodness! 📚
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How long have you been on bookstagram? 📱
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#cozyaesthetic #bookstagram #bookcommunity #bookstagrammer #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #bookstaversary #readersofig #booksta #bookblogger #bookishblogger #cozylifestyle #bookshelves #shelfie #readergirl #girlwhoreads #meetthebookstagrammer #facebehindtheaccount #newprofilepic
Would you take the protagonist of your current rea Would you take the protagonist of your current read for a cup of coffee? ☕️
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There have been quite a few characters I've read about this month who I'd love to sit down and chat with over a hot bev 🥰
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However, from my current reads, I would NOT take anyone from Jade Legacy (because you never know who might end up unaliving), I'd definitely take both Kell and Lila from A Darker Shade of Magic, I'm not entirely sure I'd enjoy coffee with Katniss from The Hunger Games (since she's not the most exciting conversationalist), but I'd absolutely love chatting it up with Alina from Shadow and Bone! 🙌🏼
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Have you read any of the books I'm currently reading? 📚
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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #wintervibes #winter #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #bookcharacters #bookboyfriend #bookgirlfriend #bookcharacters #fantasybooks #yafantasybooks #adultfantasybooks
What is a spin-off series that you prefer over the What is a spin-off series that you prefer over the originals? 📚

This past year, I either began or finished a few spin-off series that I found myself enjoying even more than their predecessors 🙈 The Dreamer Trilogy (the first of which is featured here) BLEW ME AWAY even though I just *sorta-kinda* liked The Raven Cycle 😱 But there I was, sobbing my eyes out at the end of Greywaren 😭 So freaking good! 🙌🏼

Typically I’m all about the OG series (like Shadow and Bone), but every once in a while, there’s a really great spin-off or continuation that I wind up just loving! 🤩 I’m excited to discover even more this year 🗓️

Have you read The Dreamer Trilogy yet? 💭

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#lightacademiaaesthetic #lightacademia #cozyaesthetic #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #cozybookstagram #bookaesthetic #booktography #bookphotography #vintagemood #bookseverywhere #hyggebookstyle #quietshadesofbrown #bookmoments #ofcosymoments #booksandcoffee #coffeeandbooks #fortheloveofreading #bookrecommendations #booksuggestions #booksonbooks #booknookstagram #thedreamertrilogy #calldownthehawk #theravencycle #theravenboys #fantasybooks #spinoffseries
What are some of your favorite stand-alone fantasy What are some of your favorite stand-alone fantasy books? ⚔️
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Crazy enough, my very favorite book of all time is a stand-alone fantasy 😱 If you don't listen to a single other book recommendation I have this year, that's fine, but *please* read Into the Heartless Wood by Joanna Ruth Meyer 🌲 It is absolute perfection! 🤌🏼
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Some of my other favorite stand-alone fantasy books:
🌿 THE NATURE OF WITCHES
✨ THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE
🗝 THE STARLESS SEA (on audiobook)
💀 THE BONE HOUSES
🌙 WINTERWOOD
💔 HEARTLESS
🦉 WILD IS THE WITCH
🕯️ GALLANT
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Have you read any of these books? 📖 
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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #wintervibes #winter #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #fantasybooks #standalonebooks #standalonefantasy #sffbooks #yafantasybooks #adultfantasybooks

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