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Location Index

Want to see all blog posts for a particular location? They’re all indexed here.

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And an A-Z guide of all cities I’ve covered is here:

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About Booked & Ready

Booked and Ready features destinations both real and literary.

This blog focuses on adventure wherever it can be found, whether across the globe or in the pages of a book. Browse destinations or check out what's popular.

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Recent Blogs

  • Eating My Way Through New Orleans
  • Books Going Places: The Starbound Trilogy
  • Visiting The Poe Museum
  • Another End of the Year Post: Goodbye, 2015!
  • A Light in the Darkness (#12DaysOfTravel, Day 12)

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How do you feel about cliffhangers? Thunderhead, and its predecessor, Scythe, were amazing, but both left me in suspense. Luckily, this came in at the library sooner than expected so I didn’t have to wait too long between Scythe and this. But to my knowledge, no release date has been listed for the sequel yet...and so I wait. Part of me loves cliffhangers because they keep me on edge for the next book, and it definitely sparks my interest to keep reading. The other part of me hates them because of the anticipation, and sometimes uncertainty of when you’ll get closure. Still, don’t let that stop you from reading this! If you like speculative YA with killer world building (literally) and compelling characters, and you like pondering deep moral questions, like — “Should we live forever?” “Can AI run government better than humans?” “Should anyone ever be above the law?” “In what contexts do we allow for killing, and what place does it have in an immortal world?” — then the Arc of a Scythe series is for you. Any inklings on a release date for The Toll, @nealshusterman?? If only the Thunderhead were real, I would know these things. #thunderhead #arcofascythe #scythe #nealshusterman #ya #readya #yalit #read #reader #reading #books #booksbooksbooks #unitedbookstagram #bookstagram #booksoutofdoors #booksbythebeach
I’m back from library school land, and it’s spring break! (But for some reason, I feel like posting a picture of school, because UW’s Suzzallo Library is stunning.) This morning began at @friendsofseattlepubliclibrary’s annual book sale—a perfect way to kick off my break. As usual, I bought about a year’s worth of reading material, because the deals are just so good. As if I need more books on my overflowing unread shelves, but one can never have enough books, right? I’ll share some of my favorite finds soon. So happy to have joined up with @spunkyreads @booksandthebigcities @cheerssteph @befuddledpanda at the book sale, too! A Saturday morning with books and bookish buds—a great day! What have you lovely #bookstagrammers been reading? My reading progress has been slow due to school but I did read Michelle Obama’s Becoming and started Neal Shusterman’s Scythe — both of which were fantastic. Tell me about you! How’s your weekend? What’re you reading? #bookstagram #unitedbookstagram #librarylife #library #suzzallolibrary #uw #booksbooksbooks #myweekendisbooked #gradschoollife #loveyourlibrary #read #reading #michelleobama #nealshusterman #booksale
“Every place you go becomes a part of you.” “But none more so than home.” — The Map of Salt and Stars I started this one while traveling, and the writing is absolutely gorgeous and rich. And I’m already sucked in by the story of Rawiya, the mapmaker. I’m eager to see where this one ends up, as it covers the plight of Syrian refugees. And I’m back from a quick little trip down to my parents’ new place in southern Utah. What gorgeous, unusual country it is! I loved all the red dirt and desert scape mixed with mountains and snow. Can’t wait to spend more time there in the coming years. But for now, back to #gradschoollife. • • Q: What are you currently reading? • • #currentlyreading #read #reading #bookstagram #unitedbookstagram #themapofsaltandstars #booksoutofdoors #booksoutside #desert #coralpinksanddunes #book #jenniferzeynabjoukhadar #usedbooks
Purrhaps when I can hide behind it, the bookstack is a little too large, Mom? No such thing, Tahki. • • Throwing it back to a glorious bookish time two weekends ago. This here #bookstack is brought to you by #gradschoolperks and #librarylife—and also by the loads of fabulous publishers that still believe in the power of libraries. ❤️ Thanks to all the publishers who came out to ALA Midwinter 2019, and generously shared free ARCs (and totes and swag galore!) of all kinds with librarians (and future librarians like me)! I also super enjoyed meeting some of these authors, including Deb Spera, Michelle Ruiz Keil, and Lauren Myracle. Looking forward to diving into these when I’m not reading for school. 😊 • • Q: What’s your most anticipated release of 2019? #bookstagram #unitedbookstagram #alamidwinter2019 #ilovelibraries #librariestransform #booksbooksbooks #booksandcats #arc #advancedreaderscopy #partner #shout #catwoman #throwbackthursday #throwback #tahkithrog
This lovely book, Between Before And After by Maureen Doyle McQuerry, releases today from @blinkyabooks! I’ve only just started it, but the premise revolves around family secrets, resiliency, and redemption, and the story goes between 1918 New York and 1955 San Jose. The early 1900s are one of my favorite eras, so I’m excited for this one. Plus, I briefly met the author, @maureenmcquerry, and she was so nice! Also, it snowed in Seattle over the weekend into yesterday! We’re now on our second snow day, but the sun’s out and everything’s starting to melt so I’m guessing things will be back to normal soon. It’s beautiful while it lasts, though. Thanks again to Blink Books for this free ARC! Had so much fun browsing your booth at ALA Midwinter! #betweenbeforeandafter #maureendoylemcquerry #blinkyabooks #yalit #arc #bookandsnow #booksoutofdoors #snow #snowday #unitedbookstagram #bookstagram
Fresh off a long weekend in Vancouver, B.C., full of books, coffee, parks, biking, loads of good food and drink, and just lovely views of mountains and water. Now it’s back to grad school and back to work. I’d rather be reading, but library school is pretty cool, too. Also, cheers to all the wonderful #bookstagrammers I met up with in Vancouver— @the.snow.child @ink.on.us @paperbackpatronus! So delightful to see you all, and thank you to @paperbackpatronus for showing me this cozy little bookshop, @massybooks! Also, if you’re not following any of these ladies, I highly recommend you do. They are all lovely humans, and thoughtful readers. • • Q: What does your dream home library look like? A: Mine includes much of what’s pictured here: real wood, ladders, and some repurposed piping—and of course, books upon books upon books. 😊 • • #bookstagram #bookstore #bookshop #shoplocal #indiebookstore #massybooks #vancouver #visitvancouver #britishcolumbia #canada #books #book #read #reading #unitedbookstagram #shelfie #bookshelf #libraryladder
While some decry the dark, grey winters of the Pacific Northwest, skies drained of color force me to notice all the vibrant greenery coming alive thanks to the rain—and to absolutely live for the rare moments when the mountains pierce the cloud cover, showing off their glistening peaks, all the brighter and more magnificent thanks to the snow. Looking for breaks in the monotony is one way I fight discontent. I definitely don’t do it perfectly, but I strive to keep those feelings at bay, to be more thankful for all the bright spots in my life. I’m only a couple dozen pages into Steinbeck’s Winter of our Discontent, but I’m curious to hear his thoughts on this topic, and to discuss Steinbeck’s genius with the #steinbecksisters once again. #thewinterofourdiscontent #steinbeck #johnsteinbeck #winterofourdiscontent #winter #friday #bythewindow #booksandcoffee #bookstagram #unitedbookstagram #read #reading #reader #books
Anyone who’s seen me in person in recent months has likely seen me with this bag. I am *obsessed.* Already a tote hoarder, this one is especially great in that it is oversized, zippered, and equipped with extra strong handles and an inside zippered pocket. And of course, the design — library with cats galore — pushed me over the edge from, “I like this,” to “I love this.” I promise @strandbookstore didn’t pay me (or even ask me) to say any of this, but I love this bag. And it was the perfect memento of my first visit there back in October! Strand Bookstore in NYC, if you haven’t been, is one of the best bookstores I’ve been to — maybe just excepting Powell’s. Great selection, lots of used books, great prices, and all kinds of cool bookish swag. I also ended up with a couple of books, seen here. 😊 • • Q: What’s your favorite bookstore? • • #bookstore #strandbookstore #wherebooksareloved #tote #booktote #totebag #totesadorbs #books #bookhaul #dune #wutheringheights #wordsworth #bookstagram #unitedbookstagram
Happy Monday! Well, I wouldn’t hate it if my Monday was beginning here instead of in a classroom, but all things considered, I’m as ready as I can be for school to start back up again today. I acquired the book in this photo, Tangleweed & Brine, while in Ireland a few weeks ago. Written by an Irish author, it retells classic fairytales with feminist spin. The little I’ve read so far has been delightful. I’m sure I’ll be sharing more bits of it. • • Q: What are you reading this week? • • #unitedbookstagram #bookstagram #kerrycliffs #ireland #visitireland #booksandviews #booksoutofdoors #tangleweedandbrine #travelgram #getoutside #explore #discover #reading
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