27 Jun 2025

Level Up Your Bookstagram: Canva Tips & Tricks for Book Bloggers (Discussion)

27 June 0 Comments

Level Up Your Bookstagram: Canva Tips & Tricks for Book Bloggers

If you’re a book blogger trying to grow your Instagram, you already know that visuals matter. Whether it’s a glowing review, a book haul, or your monthly wrap-up, the right design can stop a scroll and invite someone to stay.

But don’t worry, you don’t need Photoshop, a marketing budget, or design training to make it work. You just need Canva, a few good tricks, and a little bit of consistency.

Here’s how I use Canva to create clean, on-brand, and scroll-worthy graphics that help my book content stand out on Instagram.

Start with a Branded Template

Why it matters:
Consistency builds recognition. If someone sees your post in their feed and instantly knows it’s yours, you’re winning.

What to do:
  • Create 2–3 reusable templates in your brand style (colors, fonts, logo/handle).
  • Use them for book reviews, new releases, wrap-ups, or top 5 lists.
  • Set up folders in Canva to organize by type (e.g., “Reels Covers,” “Carousels,” “Mini Reviews”).

📌 Tip: Canva’s “Styles” panel lets you apply your brand palette to any layout in one click which is a huge time saver.

Use Smart Mockups for Book Covers

Why it matters:
Seeing a book in context (on a shelf, in a hand, or beside a coffee cup) makes it more visually engaging.

What to do:
  • Upload a high-res cover image
  • Click Edit Image > Smartmockups
  • Choose a lifestyle setting (eReader screen, shelf flatlay, etc.)
  • Resize and crop as needed

📌 Tip: This works especially well for ARCs and indie books that don’t have a lot of staged photos online.

Create Carousel Posts with Intention

Why it matters:
Instagram favors carousel posts for engagement, and they’re a great way to share more info without overwhelming one image.

What to do:
  • Design in multiples of 1080x1350px (tall format for feed)
  • Think in sections:
    • Slide 1: Hook or cover image
    • Slide 2–4: Key points (book tropes, quotes, spice level)
    • Final Slide: CTA (“Save this for later!” / “Drop your fave monster romance below!”)
📌 Tip: Keep transitions consistent between slides using repeating graphic elements or colors to tie the set together.

Add Text Hierarchy (Without Clutter)

Why it matters:
A post with too much text is hard to read, but a post with no structure loses attention.

What to do:
  • Use 2–3 font sizes per post:
    • Large (Headline) for things like book title, rating, theme
    • Medium (Subheading) for things like quotes or short reactions
    • Small (Details) for things like author, genre, date
  • Limit font styles (one serif, one sans-serif max per post)
  • Always center key info or align it consistently

📌 Tip: Canva’s “Position” tool helps you align text perfectly every time.

Use Free Frames and Grids for Aesthetic Layouts

Why it matters:
Frames let you upload book covers, profile pics, or aesthetic images with consistent cropping and it just looks cleaner.

What to do:
  • In the Elements tab, search “frame” or “grid”
  • Choose shapes that match your vibe (rounded corners for softness, sharp edges for bold posts)
  • Drag and drop your image in, and Canva will auto-crop it to fit
📌 Tip: Use circle frames for author headshots and rectangle frames for book spines or stacked TBRs.

Bonus Tools I Love

  • Magic Resize (Pro only): Reformat one post into Story, Reel cover, or Pinterest sizes in seconds
  • Text Effects: Use curve, shadow, or glow sparingly to make titles pop
  • Brand Kit (Pro only): Save your brand fonts and colors so you’re not scrambling every time. Bonus that you can have more than one brand kit to help you create seamless posts if you change up your grid!

Final Thoughts

Canva has seriously changed the way I show up online. With a few go-to templates and a little intentionality, you can create bookish graphics that feel just as you as the reviews you write.

It doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be yours.


Let’s Talk About It

Do you use Canva for your book blog or Bookstagram? I’d love to see your favorite tricks, templates, or design tools!

Drop your Canva wins (or frustrations!) in the comments and let’s make our content beautiful and easy.

25 Jun 2025

Rose City Romance 2025: A Weekend of Love Stories and Literary Magic in Windsor (Event Recap)

25 June 0 Comments

I’ve always loved how romance stories bring people together—and it turns out, romance events do the exact same thing.

This past weekend, I had the absolute joy of attending Rose City Romance 2025, a new bookish conference held at Caesars Windsor. While I wasn’t able to make it for Friday’s events or the Romantasy Ball, I spent my Saturday and Sunday fully immersed in the heart of the event: connecting with authors, browsing tables, chatting with other romance readers, and falling in love with the genre all over again.

From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and full of excitement. Whether you were there to meet your favourite indie romance authors or discover your next five-star read, it was clear that this event was built with readers and community in mind.

Here's a look at what made Rose City Romance such a standout weekend.

About the Event

Known as “The Rose City,” Windsor, ON will be home to the Rose City Romance Conference, with the first year being held on June 20, 21 & 22, 2025.

Come and meet a wonderful panel of authors from Canada and the US.


Spend some time with your favourite indie authors & meet some new ones!

There will be some amazingly talented people and would love to talk about the craft of writing, publishing, and their books!

There will be an assortment of sub-genres at the event for purchase:
  • contemporary romance
  • billionaire romance
  • sports romance
  • dark romance
  • paranormal romance
  • shifter romance
  • and more...
There will be a door prize on Saturday, raffle baskets on Sunday, and lots of opportunities to mingle. We even have a tattoo artist on site!

Event Highlights

Even attending just the Saturday and Sunday sessions, it was clear that Rose City Romance is something special. The energy in the room—from readers, authors, vendors, and organizers alike—was warm, inviting, and buzzing with shared bookish joy.

The weekend offered a mix of panel discussions, author signings, and casual conversations that made the conference feel intimate but impactful. On Saturday, the author signing was definitely the highlight of the day. Rows of indie romance authors greeted readers with stacks of books, custom swag, and genuine excitement. Whether you were there to meet an old favourite or discover someone new, there was something for everyone.

📚 Insert specific author interaction or panel takeaway here, such as:
“One of the most engaging panels I attended was [Panel Name], where authors like [Author A] and [Author B] discussed the evolution of tropes in contemporary and fantasy romance. Hearing them talk about how their characters come to life—and the balance between spice and story—was a reminder of how much intentionality goes into writing great romance.”

I loved that the event made space for all subgenres and storytelling styles, from small-town sweetness to steamy fantasy. The tables were also incredibly accessible, which made it easy to browse, chat, and really take your time connecting with the authors.

Sunday was a bit more relaxed but no less valuable. The lower-key vibe gave more space to chat with vendors, revisit tables, and swap recs with other readers. It was the kind of weekend where people asked what you were reading in line, complimented your tote bag, and left you with three new books to look up on your phone.

Even without attending the Romantasy Ball, I felt completely immersed in the spirit of the weekend. Everyone I spoke to said they were already excited to return next year—and I can see why.

Those Vibes Though


I didn’t realize how much I needed a relaxed bookish evening until I was in the middle of one. There was something about the combination of clinking glasses, the smell of paper and juniper, and that low hum of people gushing about books that reminded me why I love this community so much.

Insta1 (Carousel?)

As someone who reads a lot and shares a lot online, it’s easy to get a little detached from the joy of in-person book spaces—but this was cozy, casual, and left me feeling recharged.

Insta2

“One of the panels I really enjoyed was [Panel Title] with [Author A, Author B], where they talked about [topic]. It was a great mix of insight and laughter.”
“There was such a buzz in the room during the signings—every table had a line, and people were recommending books to each other while waiting. I picked up [Book Title] based on a reader rec, and I’m so glad I did.”
“Even though I didn’t attend Friday or the Romantasy Ball, I still felt like I experienced the heart of the weekend.”

What I Bought

Break it down into:

Books you brought to be signed

Books you bought at the event

Any cool swag (stickers, bookmarks, candles, etc.)

Final Thoughts

Wrap up with:

Whether you’d return again next year

What you’d recommend to first-time attendees

Any feedback or appreciation for the organizers

Even attending just two days, I walked away feeling re-energized by the romance community. If you’re local, or not!, Rose City Romance is absolutely worth the trip.
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Did you go to Rose City Romance?

Share your favorite moments or book finds in the comments below!

If you missed it, are you going to go next year?

23 Jun 2025

How I Organize My Reading Life: Trackers, Tools & TBR Chaos (Discussion)

23 June 0 Comments

How I Organize My Reading Life: Trackers, Tools & TBR Chaos

Let’s be honest: I read a lot. Between advanced reader copies (ARCs), books I’ve bought, and the ones that somehow sneak into my life without warning (looking at you, library holds), it can be a lot to manage.


Over the years, I’ve figured out a system that helps me stay on top of everything without taking the joy out of reading. It’s part structure, part chaos—and 100% mine. Here’s how I keep my reading life organized.


My Primary Reading Tracker

At the center of my system is a massive spreadsheet that tracks everything I read, plan to read, and acquire throughout the year. I’ve refined it over time to match my habits.


And yes, it’s colour-coded, formula-filled, and beautifully overwhelming.


Some of the key tabs in my tracker include:

📖 Read: Every book I finish is logged with dates, ratings, author identity tags, format, genre, where I got it from, and more.

📥 ARCs: I keep a running list of every ARC I’ve received, whether I’ve read/reviewed it, and what platform it came through.

🗂 TBR: This helps me track what’s still waiting on my shelves and what I’ve recently acquired. (No, I don’t want to talk about how long that list is.)

📊 Yearly Stats: Automatically pulls data from the rest of the sheet so I can track metrics like total pages, reading time, average ratings, author demographics, and more.

In 2025 so far, I’ve read 53 books, totaling 6,460 pages and over 432 hours of reading—across multiple genres, age categories, and formats.


This spreadsheet is how I make sense of it all. It helps me set goals, spot patterns, and keep myself accountable—especially when I want to spotlight underrepresented voices or focus on Canadian SFF.


Digital Tools I Use Every Day

In addition to the spreadsheet, I use:


The StoryGraph: I track my reading progress here and love that it shows content warnings, mood, pace, and rep tags. I mostly use it to monitor what I feel like reading next and to build recommendations.


Be my friend on StoryGraph!


Google Calendar (lightly): If there’s a book with a firm review date, blog tour, or ARC deadline, it’s in here. I like to visually see my “review due” weeks so I can spread them out.


My Book Journal

While my spreadsheet holds the hard data, my book journal is for the feelings. I use it to:

  • Jot down quotes I love
  • Record my emotional reactions in real time
  • Keep lists of tropes, vibes, and aesthetic details I want to remember
  • Brainstorm review points (especially if I’m reading more than one book at once)

It’s messier than my spreadsheet—but way more personal.


How I Manage My Reading Time

People often ask how I read so much, and the answer is: I make time for it, but I also track it.


I log my reading time daily (to the minute) in my tracker.


I often read in “transition moments” like before bed, during lunch, or while waiting for a meeting to start.


Audiobooks help me read while doing things like dishes, driving, or walking, so a lot of that 430+ hours is multitasked.


But I’m also really intentional. If I’m tired, I don’t force it. If I’m not into a book, I DNF. If I’m overwhelmed, I pause all reading commitments. My spreadsheet tracks the goals, but it doesn’t rule me.


The Chaos: My TBR

Yes, I have a TBR list. No, I’m not following it exactly.


I use it more like a “books I could reach for” pile than a strict schedule. Some I’ve bought. Some are from publishers. Some have been on the list since 2021 and just keep vibing there. But having it all listed in one place helps me rotate between genres, formats, and priority reads—without forgetting about the ones I was excited for months ago.



Tips for Organizing Your Own Reading Life

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, here’s what I recommend:

  • Start simple. Track only what matters to you: pages, ratings, authors, or whatever you want to know at the end of the year.
  • Keep a low-pressure TBR list. Think of it as “books I’m interested in,” not “books I must read now.”
  • Use categories (genre, format, rep) to diversify what you’re picking up.
  • Make time, but don’t make it a chore. Reading is supposed to add to your life not feel like another productivity metric.


Let’s Talk About It

Do you track your reading? Are you spreadsheet-obsessed like me or more of a “vibes and vibes alone” kind of reader?

Tell me how you stay organized (or don’t!) in the comments.

20 Jun 2025

Sharp Teeth, Soft Heart: Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell (Review)

20 June 0 Comments


Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

SOMEONE YOU CAN BUILD A NEST IN

Author: John Wiswell
Series: N/A
Source: Purchased from Libro.fm
Publisher: DAW Books
Publication Date: April 2, 2024
Representation: asexual main character, queerplatonic dynamic, trans, nonbinary, and queer side characters, disabled characters

Summary:
Discover this creepy, charming monster-slaying fantasy romance—from the perspective of the monster—by Nebula Award-winning debut author John Wiswell

Shesheshen has made a mistake fatal to all monsters: she’s fallen in love.
 
Shesheshen is a shapeshifter, who happily resides as an amorphous lump at the bottom of a ruined manor. When her rest is interrupted by hunters intent on murdering her, she constructs a body from the remains of past meals: a metal chain for a backbone, borrowed bones for limbs, and a bear trap as an extra mouth.  
 
However, the hunters chase Shesheshen out of her home and off a cliff. Badly hurt, she’s found and nursed back to health by Homily, a warm-hearted human, who has mistaken Shesheshen as a fellow human. Homily is kind and nurturing and would make an excellent co-parent: an ideal place to lay Shesheshen’s eggs so their young could devour Homily from the inside out. But as they grow close, she realizes humans don’t think about love that way.
 
Shesheshen hates keeping her identity secret from Homily, but just as she’s about to confess, Homily reveals why she’s in the area: she’s hunting a shapeshifting monster that supposedly cursed her family. Has Shesheshen seen it anywhere?
 
Eating her girlfriend isn’t an option. Shesheshen didn’t curse anyone, but to give herself and Homily a chance at happiness, she has to figure out why Homily’s twisted family thinks she did. As the hunt for the monster becomes increasingly deadly, Shesheshen must unearth the truth quickly, or soon both of their lives will be at risk.

And the bigger challenge remains: surviving her toxic in-laws long enough to learn to build a life with, rather than in, the love of her life.

Purchase*:
(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)
Content WarningBody horror, Graphic violence, Death and dismemberment, Mentions of past torture, Invasion of bodily autonomy, Some mind control/magical coercion

Someone You Can Build a Nest In is a unique blend of horror and romance, narrated from the perspective of Shesheshen, a shapeshifting monster who constructs her body from bones and chains. After a violent encounter with monster hunters, she is rescued by Homily, a compassionate human woman. As their relationship develops, Shesheshen grapples with her instinctual desires and the complexities of human emotions. The novel delves into themes of identity, consent, and the nature of monstrosity.

Wiswell's prose is both darkly humorous and emotionally resonant. Shesheshen's narration offers a fresh perspective, balancing her monstrous instincts with a growing understanding of human nuances. The writing captures the tension between horror elements and tender moments, creating a compelling narrative that challenges traditional genre boundaries.

The relationship between Shesheshen and Homily unfolds with depth and sensitivity. Their bond challenges conventional notions of love, emphasizing emotional connection over physicality. The portrayal of their relationship offers representation for asexual and queerplatonic dynamics, adding richness to the narrative.

The novel doesn't shy away from visceral descriptions, immersing readers in Shesheshen's world. However, these elements are balanced with explorations of trauma, healing, and personal growth. Wiswell presents characters who confront their pasts and seek understanding, making the story both unsettling and heartfelt.

While the novel excels in character development and thematic depth, some readers might find the world-building sparse. Certain plot points rely on convenience, and the pacing occasionally falters. However, these minor issues don't detract significantly from the overall impact of the story.

Someone You Can Build a Nest In is a thought-provoking novel that reimagines the monster narrative through a lens of empathy and introspection. It's a tale that challenges readers to reconsider definitions of love, identity, and humanity.

For those seeking a story that blends horror with heart, this novel is a commendable choice.

Have you read this one yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts on monster romances that break the mold.

Drop your favourites in the comments—or let me know if this one just landed on your TBR!

16 Jun 2025

Books and Burnout: How I Fell Back in Love With Reading (Discussion)

16 June 0 Comments

Books and Burnout: How I Fell Back in Love With Reading

There’s a certain irony to feeling overwhelmed by books when you love them so much.


Reading is my safe space. My escape. My favourite form of connection, discovery, and challenge. But over time, that joy started to feel like a checklist. A deadline. A pressure. And I know I’m not alone in that.


This post is about what it’s like to hit reading burnout, especially as a book reviewer, and how I slowly, gently found my way back to loving reading again.

When Reading Stops Feeling Fun

As a book blogger, I’ve been lucky to receive advance copies, work with publishers, and have a platform to share what I love. But with that comes a constant pull to keep up. There’s always a new release to highlight. A review to write. A post to draft.


There was a point (and maybe you're in it now) where I realized:

  • I hadn’t picked a book just because I wanted to in weeks
  • I was reading books I wasn’t excited about, just to check a box
  • I felt guilty when I wasn’t reading
  • I was dreading writing reviews, even for books I enjoyed
  • I was overwhelmed with choice and deadlines, feeling like I had no agency over my reading life.

Reading had become a chore, and even though I was surrounded by incredible stories, I felt… disconnected. That was my reading burnout.


How I Started Rebuilding My Reading Life

Coming out of burnout wasn’t about reading more. It was about reading differently. Here are some of the small but powerful changes I made.


1. I Gave Myself Permission to Read Whatever

I stopped reaching for ARCs or buzzy titles and picked up books I’d owned for years or comfort rereads. No pressure, no deadline—just something that felt easy.

This year, that book was Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega.


I picked it up on a whim after weeks of feeling stuck—half-reading books I wasn’t connecting with, abandoning ARCs that felt like work, and staring at my shelves feeling nothing. But the moment I started Witchlings, I remembered what it felt like to be swept away.


The world was whimsical but grounded, full of warmth and danger in equal measure. Seven Salazar’s journey as a Spare trying to prove her worth in a system that underestimated her echoed something I didn’t know I needed. There’s something profoundly comforting about reading a story where friendship, bravery, and magic are enough to fight back against unfair systems.


It wasn’t just a book I enjoyed. It was a reminder: that reading can still feel like wonder. That stories still have the power to reach through the fog of burnout and say, “Hey. You’re still a reader. And you still love this.”

 

2. I Let Myself Read Slowly (or Not at All)

Some weeks, I read one chapter. Some, none. I removed the expectation that I had to read daily. When I did pick up a book, it felt like a choice again, not a job.

3. I Switched Up Formats

Audiobooks, novellas, graphic novels. Really anything that changed the pace helped. It reminded me that “reading” doesn’t have to mean a 500-page epic fantasy every time.

Palette cleansers were also really good for this! I found books that were comforting to me that I knew would make me happy every time I read that genre.

4. I Stopped Forcing Reviews

Not every book needs a full blog post. Sometimes I’d just share a quick sentence or rating. Sometimes… I didn’t say anything at all. And that was okay. Of course, I still reviewed my ARCs, but some of the other books? I just said nothing about them at all.

Book Reviewing and Burnout

Reviewing books adds a whole other layer. If you’re like me, it’s not just about reading for fun—it’s also about content. That can start to shape how you experience books.


You might start asking:

  • “Is this quote review-worthy?”
  • “How can I talk about this on Instagram?”
  • “Will this appeal to my audience?”


And while all of that is part of the gig, it can also take you out of the story. That’s when I knew I had to recalibrate. Not every book needed to be “content.” Some just needed to be mine.


I used to think I had to review everything I read, especially if it was an ARC or a “big” title getting a lot of buzz. I felt pressure to stay ahead, to be useful, to be relevant. But trying to keep that pace meant I was always behind, and instead of feeling inspired, I felt drained.



What helped me shift was narrowing my focus. I started prioritizing reviews for books that aligned with what I actually care about: inclusive, diverse stories, especially from Canadian and  marginalized authors in the science fiction and fantasy space. That focus became an anchor. I wasn’t trying to review everything, just the stories that added something meaningful to the conversation.


I still take on ARCs, but now I ask myself: Does this book reflect the kind of reading life I want to have? Will this review help someone find a book they feel seen by? And sometimes the answer is no and that’s okay. I don’t owe anyone a reading pace that burns me out.


Letting go of that expectation helped me reconnect with why I review in the first place. And now, when I do sit down to write, it’s with purpose, not pressure.

 

How I Prioritize Reading Now

Reading still matters to me. Deeply. But I approach it differently.
Here’s what I do now to keep the joy intact:
  • I build reading time into my routine. Not as a to-do list, but as a transition moment from work to personal life.
  • I plan less in advance. My TBR is more vibes-based than a strict schedule.
  • I read based on mood, not pressure. If a book doesn’t grab me, I set it aside with no guilt.
  • I remind myself that it’s okay to take breaks. From books. From posting. From “keeping up.”

This slower, more intuitive rhythm has brought back the spark I was missing. And it’s made reviewing feel enriching again instead of exhausting.

Let’s Talk About It

Have you experienced reading or reviewing burnout?

What helped you come back to reading? What are you still struggling with?

Whether you're a casual reader or a content creator, your reading experience matters. And it’s okay to need a break from something you love.

💌 I’d love to hear your story in the comments or link me to a book that helped you fall back in love with reading.