When I was 6 I was in Kindergarten. I remember all I wanted to do was learn to read because I knew there was power in reading. I wouldn’t have to wait for my mom to read me a story, I could just read it for myself. That fall I was at my grandmother’s house and my cousin, who is a little older, she was probably 8 at the time came into the living room slightly upset. I asked her what was wrong and she exasperated that her mom was forcing her to do her homework which was some reading. I jumped off the couch, “You can read?! I CAN’T wait to read!!” I really remember this haha, and she was taken off guard by my excitement and said, uh it’s not that cool. To this day she is probably one of the coolest people I’m honored to know, and hopefully she enjoys reading a little more, but I definitely think reading is cool! I love snuggling in with a good book in a comfy nook and getting lost for hours in a world outside my own. Imagine all the destinations and lives you can live just by reading.
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! — When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”
― Jane Austen,
My physical library might have gotten smaller as I like to get books on my Kindle app from Amazon but I do still enjoy going into a bookstore and fan book pages in my face to get that sweet musty familiar smell. It’s more comforting that chicken and dumplings if you ask me.
When I do have a physical book though I would hate to loose my place and I have a lot of fun bookmarks ready to go! Today I’ll share some creative ways to make your own and a printable so you can at least color some! But before we get into it, are you looking for your next book? I personally love to check out Amazon’s top selling books. The link below provides a live – updated hourly – list of the top books! I am an Amazon affiliate and any qualifying purchase made from a link I will receive a small commission. Best Sellers in Books
Also, because summer isn’t over yet, here are the top 12 summer reads of 2021!
- Summer on the Bluffs: A Novel Summer on the Bluffs: A Novel (Summer Beach Book 1) by Sunny Hostin “Hostin’s debut novel is aspirational escapism at its best, balancing an idyllic setting and lush, evocative language with emotional heft and adroit social commentary… Hostin’s story is a vast, intricate and ultimately rewarding one about love, family and self-fulfillment… In short, this book is summer incarnate.” — New York Times Book Review
- With Teeth: A Novel With Teeth: A Novel by Kristen Arnett “Arnett [is] adept at staging sensuous tragicomedies against the often-freakish backdrop of Florida. . . . Come for the wackiness and wonder of queer family dynamics, stay for the poignant portrait of motherhood on the brink.” —O: The Oprah Magazine
- That Summer: A Novel That Summer: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner “A page-turner. Reflective of the #MeToo movement and the importance of accountability, it’s a thought-provoking and timely book.” -Seattle Book Review
- A Special Place for Women A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin “If you’ve harbored curiosity or skepticism about secret societies or clubs, “A Special Place for Women” by Laura Hankin will be right up your alley.” – Associated Press
- What Comes After: A Novel What Comes After: A Novel by Joanne Tompkins “This debut vibrates with mystery. Why would a teen kill his friend, then himself? Why does the victim’s dad take in a pregnant stranger? As the dots slowly connect, the characters reveal their complex humanity and help us touch our own.” —People
- One Last Stop One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston “This delightful love story is everything you need for a feel-good day of beach reading.” – ELLE
- Malibu Rising: A Novel Malibu Rising: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid “High drama at the beach, starring four sexy, surfing siblings and their deadbeat, famous-crooner dad. It’s like the 1983 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue came to life, but with a plot. Irresistible.”—People
- Somebody’s Daughter: A Memoir Somebody’s Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C Ford “Layering in the complexities of her relationship with her mother, her changing body and a boyfriend who grows abusive, Ford offers a heart-wrenching coming-of-age story” ―Time
- It Had to be You: A Novel It Had to Be You: A Novel by Georgia Clark “Perfect for fans of Modern Love and Love, Actually, Georgia Clark’s smartly mixed cocktail of intertwined romances also underscores the importance of resilience, self-discovery, and the transformative power of friendship.” -Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, bestselling authors of THE HEIR AFFAIR
- The Siren The Siren by Katherine St John “A wry look at the bright lights of fame that can both illuminate and incinerate.” – Karen White, New York Times bestselling author
- The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot: A Novel The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot: A Novel by Marianne Cronin “With it’s uplifting message, the story is both poignant and also comical.” – Cosmopolitan
- People We Meet on Vacation People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry “Beach Read fans, assemble. Emily Henry is back with another smart, steamy romance….Warning: you will feel all the feels. And probably shed a few tears.” – The Skimm – I am actually reading this one right now and it’s SO GOOD.
The first creative bookmark, or bookmarks actually are knit and crochet ones!
Knitted Bookmark
With worsted weight yarn and size US 7 needle
CO 36
K 8 rows in garter stitch
BO
Crochet Bookmark
With worsted weight yarn and a G hook
Chain 26
Turn, skip first stitch, sc 25
Repeat for another 6 rows
For both of these I ended where I started so at the same end of the bookmark I had my starting tail and my ending tail. I used these to tie a knot and maybe add a few pieces of scrap yarn to make a lil ol tassel! You can also easily adjust the number of cast on or chain stitches and how many rows to complete to make it shorter or wider!
To make a tassel I took about 12 inches of yarn and laid it out like image number 1 (scissors for size reference!) Then I tied it into a knot like image number 2. Image number 3 is showing that I took another piece of yarn and tied it around the knot so all the dangly bits were on one side of the knot. The fourth image shows that I took a tapestry needle and threaded another piece of yarn through the knot so I could dangle my tassel! If you don’t have a tapestry needle you can use a crochet hook!
Another bookmark idea would be to use fabric scraps! I’m notoriously bad for keeping little bits of scraps thinking I’m *really* going to use them. But in this case, I did! I took two scraps that were the same size and shape – they were from cutting out a spot for pockets on skirts!!- and made them right sides facing. Then I sewed along the two longest edges and flipped it right side out. Then I folded the raw edge in about a quarter of an inch and pressed with my iron. Then I hand sewed the closure doing a ladder stitch. THEN I added a little tassel! 😀
The last bookmark idea is pretty fun and just about anyone can participate! It’s just coloring in and cutting out some bookmarks! It’s a free printable that you can download! I designed these centered around my favorite bookmarks I had as a kid! Dino-mite, turtle-riffic, out of this world – so much fun! I also had to throw in Reading Rainbow for all my 90’s fans.
I hope y’all enjoy making bookmarks and reading as much as I did! If you loved this post, help me keep my blog ad free by buying me a coffee! Use that link or click on the blue button on the side bar that says, Buy Me a Coffee!
XOXO
-Robin
