By Eugenia Vela

As the days grow colder, my desire to shimmy under a warm blanket and read by a fire grows, too. During the holiday season, I like to step away from new book releases and advanced copies, and nestle in the comfort of a great reread. This year, it’s Little Women in preparation of the Greta Gerwig remake. I can’t wait to watch Jo and Laurie again! Just like rereading an old favorite, there is much beauty and wisdom to gain from the pages of a picture book. I’m a firm believer in family gathering around a book and reading together, and what’s better than a cozy, wintertime read? The ideal “cozy” book is kind of hard to describe; it’s one of those “you know it when you see it” type of things. For me personally, “cozy” usually involves darkness, nature, a blanket of snow, and friendly creatures. “Cozy” means mothers and children, fluffy pillows, and soup. Here are some picture books that bring these elements to life for a great family storytime!

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SHOP THE BOOKS BELOW

On a Magical Do-Nothing Day | A Big Mooncake for Little Star & A Big Bed for Little Snow | Bear and Wolf | Pokko and the Drum

By Eugenia Vela

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Except when you are in a mad panic because you have NO idea what to get your friends and family. Well, as a bookseller, it’s my duty to recommend some crucial, irresistible reads to gift this holiday season. Below are some suggestions for those special people in your life who deserve a book that just GETS them. A little bit of history, inspiring memoir, a cookbook, some music, an old classic– there’s something here for everyone. Check ‘em out!
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By Eugenia Vela

I absolutely love food. It’s one of my favorite things, for the obvious reasons (it’s delicious) and for the bigger picture stuff. I find food to be a celebration of culture, travel, and storytelling through generations. It’s a beautiful way to spend time with family, to explore the unfamiliar, and to simply feel…good. Warm. Comforted.

I also happen to love books, funnily enough for so many of the same reasons. Books and food bring people together, across space and time. So books ABOUT food? Forget about it. There’s plenty more, including great works of fiction about food (Robin Sloan’s Sourdough and Elizabeth Acevedo’s With the Fire on High instantly come to mind), but I figured I’d give y’all some nonfiction for a change! Here are a few books that will inspire your inner chef! read more

By Eugenia Vela

Have you ever noticed all these goofy holidays that keep popping up? Any given day, it could be National Bubble Wrap Appreciation or National Punctuation Day. Listen, both of those things are important, but is it necessary to have a day dedicated to them around the nation?! One major holiday that I’ve come to love, though, is Grandparent’s Day! Now, I know it’s behind us, but grandparents are always worth celebrating – plus, with fall and winter holidays around the corner, it’s the perfect time to spread the grandparent love with your littles. And let me tell ya, there’s quite a few beautiful books that honor these special people in your life, and I’m going to be sharing some of my personal favorites.

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THE TRUTH ABOUT GRANDPARENTS / GRANDMA’S PURSE / DRAWN TOGETHER

By Jessica Lee

I’ve been traveling a lot these past few months, and it feels so good to be back in Austin with no big travel plans in sight. Sometimes it’s just so nice to be home. I’m looking forward to getting back into the routine of things: cooking at home, going for morning runs, and enjoying these long summer days.

Lately, I’ve been trying to save some money (weddings are expensive!), so when I do eat out, I’ve been sticking to spots that don’t break the bank. Luckily, Austin has a ton of really amazing, inexpensive options. From a hearty bowl of pho to the best breakfast tacos in town, here are my favorite cheap eats in the Texas capitol…

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