Robin M. King's Blog, page 2
June 10, 2019
Make Your Own Harry Potter Hogwarts House Flags
If you didn’t know, I have an obsession with all things magical. In fact, LitJoy has a crate that they release twice a year that is based on that obsession. Their Magical Edition crates have been one of my favorite things to receive (sign-up for news on Year 6). But let’s say you *might* be even a little more obsessed. Like, let’s say your book club did a whole retreat based on the Harry Potter series and they pulled a near all-nighter discussing all the books. Everyone dressed like a different character from the Harry Potter series. All the food was Harry Potter inspired. The whole space was decorated in Harry Potter decor and the weekend ended in a search for Horcruxes as part of an extravagant scavenger hunt. That would never happen, right!?!Well, it did. All of my nerdy Harry Potter fanatics participated in this event (see costume ideas and more here). As part of it, I had the opportunity to make some Hogwarts house flags for the event. Griffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw had to be represented. But I couldn’t find large flags that were of the quality I wanted. So I made them. Now you can too!
Here’s what you need:1 yard of each house color fabric – red, blue, yellow, and green (I used fabric from the quilting section of Jo-Ann Fabric. It is cheap without being too thin).Thread to match your flagsFabric Iron-on Kit with at least 4 transfers (I bought this one)Ink Jet printer with color ink4 Wooden dowels (I got 1/2″ diameter ones that were about 36″ long at my local walmart)Black craft paintRope or string to tie on the dowel
INSTRUCTIONS:Paint the wooden dowels black and set aside to dry.Fold your fabric in half (it usually comes this way) and iron it flat so that is is about 24″ wide and 36″ long.Cut into the pendant shape (see picture). I used a ruler to measure halfway across the shorter length and then about 12″ up from the bottom and put a dot there. Then I used a ruler and a pencil (you could use a fabric marker) and drew from each bottom corner to the center.Turn with right sides together. Sew around the edges with a 1/4″ seam, leaving about a 6″ opening. Snip the tips of the pendant (see this tutorial on making corners). Turn right side out. You might need to use a pointed object (I use closed scissors) to push out the tips. Iron around the edges and the opening so that it matches the seam. Sew it shut right on the edge of the opening. Fold the top edge over about 2″ (see photo above). Sew it down to make a pocket to slide the dowel through.Print off your Hogwarts House images. I scoured the internet and I found these made by (I can’t find the artist’s name, but if you know who it is, PLEASE let me know to give them credit). Follow the instructions on the iron-on package.Slide in the black painted dowel, tie your rope/twine/ribbon and hang! 
Hogwarts House Flag – Gryffindor 8.5x11
Hogwarts House Flag – Hufflepuff 8.5x11
Hogwarts House Flag – Ravenclaw 8.5x11
Hogwarts House Flag – Sytherin 8.5x11
I’d love to see your finished projects! If you like Harry Potter-inspired food, check out this yummy butterbeer cupcakes tutorial by our very own Debra. And don’t forget to get on our Harry Potter VIP list for info about our Magical Edition Year 6 crates!Books=LoveXoXo,RobinAbout the Author: Robin M. King is the author of three young adult novels (Remembrandt Series), devourer of books, and lover of brownie batter and cheesy superhero shows.
June 7, 2019
Author Stalker: Erin Summerill
I love chatting with my authors. And by my, I mean the authors that I meet that sign my books. But let’s just keep calling them MY authors because after I work with them once, I kind of stalk them. Just a little bit. I love it when authors are willing to do silly things, like take over an Instagram account for the day or do a live interview. Surprisingly, they sometimes jump at the chance! Erin Summerill was one of those authors. Erin’s book, Once a King, was also included in LitJoy Crate's December 2018 box (which was to-die-for). We read her first books, Ever the Hunted and Ever the Brave so it was a no-brainer to read this one too.
Once a King by Erin Summerill (get the Bring Me My Crown socks, Rule the World tumbler,
Photo Credit: @xenatineWe hope you’ll check out Erin Summerill’s books (sadly, LitJoy sold out of her book and crate, but you can get the book still here). Let us know what you think!Books=LoveXoXo,RobinAbout the Author: Robin M. King is the author of three young adult novels (Remembrandt Series), devourer of books, and lover of brownie batter and cheesy superhero shows.
May 31, 2019
Book Boyfriends: Favorite Literary Romances
I love a good romance. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a book that is just a romance, but I love it when there is a romantic storyline in my books. It's time to talk in depth about some recent men in fiction that we love.Some of my favorite book boyfriends are:Laslo and Sarai (from Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor) – if you love them too, LitJoy has a notebook that is to-die-for and some amazing trading cards featuring this lovely couple.Kai and Cinder (from Cinder in the Lunar Chronicles series)Rowen and Calaena/Aelin (from Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas) – For fans, check out these fae warrior leggings!Rose and Dimitri (from the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead)Jamie and Claire (from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon)So sit back and swoon with me as Alix and Ali give us all the goods on our literary lovers in this LitJoy Live:If you love boys in fiction, particularly Mr. Darcy, Rysand (from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas), Edward (from the Twilight series by Stefanie Meyer), and Jace (from the Shadow Hunter series by Cassandra Clare) then you will love taking a bath with them. Now you can get dirty while getting clean with our Litjoy Exclusive Book Boyfriend Bath Bombs!
You might also be interested in our Magical Men Tote (hello Rysand and the Darkling!).
May 29, 2019
Catwoman Cosplay
“Cat-woman was a good way to describe her. The ears on the dark helmet, the oversized lenses, the claws that she’d just retracted after that spectacular jump… Even her steps toward him oozed feline grace.” ― Sarah J. Maas, Catwoman: Soul Stealer ― I loved this new young adult novel! Sarah J. Maas has to be one of my favorite authors. Her series, Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses are some of my favorite books. So it made sense that Litjoy Crate pounced on her newest book in the DC Icons books:
Catwoman: Soul Stealer
for their August Crate.Since Halloween is coming up and we all love a good costume idea, we thought we would ask our beautiful friend Jen (@classycozmetics) to help us out. Guys, she really did amazing on this one! Check it out.
Litjoy did an Instagram Live with Jen and she chatted with us while she transformed into the famous antihero. Jen’s personality is way too cute to actually be the rebellious Catwoman, but her cosplay and makeup is spot on!You can also check out this quick video with more info on her transformation. Make sure to watch to the very end where she shows off some of her other amazing cosplay, including Jack Sparrow and Lucille Ball!If you love Catwoman as much as I do, don’t forget to check out LitJoy's Catwoman Crate where you can get a signed copy of Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas as well as several awesome items to accompany the book. Or if you just want to enjoy reading the signed book, they now have a book-only option, which still includes the exclusive LitJoy trading cards and a letter from the author of Catwoman: Soulstealer.Maaorrao! Sorry, that was my attempt at a cat noise . . .Books=Love
XoXo,RobinAbout the Author: Robin M. King is the author of three young adult novels (Remembrandt Series), devourer of books, and lover of brownie batter.
Litjoy did an Instagram Live with Jen and she chatted with us while she transformed into the famous antihero. Jen’s personality is way too cute to actually be the rebellious Catwoman, but her cosplay and makeup is spot on!You can also check out this quick video with more info on her transformation. Make sure to watch to the very end where she shows off some of her other amazing cosplay, including Jack Sparrow and Lucille Ball!If you love Catwoman as much as I do, don’t forget to check out LitJoy's Catwoman Crate where you can get a signed copy of Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas as well as several awesome items to accompany the book. Or if you just want to enjoy reading the signed book, they now have a book-only option, which still includes the exclusive LitJoy trading cards and a letter from the author of Catwoman: Soulstealer.Maaorrao! Sorry, that was my attempt at a cat noise . . .Books=LoveXoXo,RobinAbout the Author: Robin M. King is the author of three young adult novels (Remembrandt Series), devourer of books, and lover of brownie batter.
May 24, 2019
Author Stalker: Django Wexler
This week, I lucked out and got to be a part of LitJoy Crate's interview Django Wexler, author of Ship of Smoke and Steel (which they included in their January 2019 crate). Django Wexler graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with degrees in creative writing and computer science, worked in artificial intelligence research and as a programmer/writer for Microsoft, and is now a full-time fantasy writer. Django is the author of The Shadow Campaigns, a flintlock fantasy series for adults, and The Forbidden Library, a classic fantasy series for middle-grade readers.
I LOVED Django’s new YA book! Ship of Smoke and Steel is about a young protagonist who is forced into the adventure of a lifetime aboard a ship so magical and mysterious, it may lead to her ending! But to protect her family and conquer her foes, she will risk everything! We fell in love with the incredible world-building, appreciated the LGBTQIA and diversity represented, and couldn’t put this book down!Now to the geniuses behind LitJoy Crate, Kelly and Alix (Django joins us at 11 minutes):If you missed it, Django Wexler was named after Django Reinhardt, the Jazz guitarist and composer. I think that is so cool! If you want to read the book, and don’t have it yet, you can still get a LitJoy exclusive copy of the book with a custom dust jacket with art by Diana Dworak and signed by the Django! It also comes with two LitJoy trading cards.
Get a copy here of Ship of Smoke and Steel by Django Wexler with this beautiful interior dust jacket.
May 19, 2019
Why Sarah J. Maas Makes the Perfect Catwoman
If you are a young adult reader or love DC Comics, chances are you’ve probably heard about the DC Icons young adults books that have been sweeping across the world like a speeding bullet. I got to work with the amazing Marie Lu and her book,
Batman: Nightwalker
, which was included in the LitJoy January 2018 crate (which is sold out, but you can still get the book here). This is one of those books that you will be willing to hang upside down for. Cough, cough. **crickets**
Anyway, all Batman humor aside, another book in the DC Icons series is Catwoman! Who better to write such a book, than our very own author-extraordinaire . . .SARAH J. MAAS!
Yes, I claim her. Ok, not really, but I’ve read all her books and can’t think of anyone better to represent sexy Catwoman. Sarah could probably be Catwoman herself! Did you know she wrote the first drafts of the Throne of Glass series when she was sixteen?!? It was a New York Times Bestseller and has now sold in thirty-five languages. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hamilton College in 2008 with a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Religious Studies. Sarah is a New York native, which I think is another reason she will show Gotham well, though she currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and dog. But no cat. We’ll forgive her for that. Also, if you didn’t know it yet, her Throne of Glass series is being made into a TV show by Hulu (check out details here). The film rights for her A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) have been optioned by Tempo Productions (see the announcement here). I’ve scoured the internet for more details, but all I could find was that both are still being developed and no one has been chosen as the main stars yet. But back to what you’re really here for: CATWOMAN!!
Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. MaasSo what has the illustrious Sarah J. Maas written for us? Here’s the book summary:When the Bat’s away, the Cat will play. It’s time to see how many lives this cat really has.Two years after escaping Gotham City’s slums, Selina Kyle returns as the mysterious and wealthy Holly Vanderhees. She quickly discovers that with Batman off on a vital mission, Gotham City looks ripe for the taking.Meanwhile, Luke Fox wants to prove that as Batwing he has what it takes to help people. He targets a new thief on the prowl who has teamed up with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. Together, they are wreaking havoc. This Catwoman is clever–she may be Batwing’s undoing.In this third DC Icons book–following Leigh Bardugo’s Wonder Woman: Warbringer and Marie Lu’s Batman: Nightwalker–Selina is playing a desperate game of cat and mouse, forming unexpected friendships and entangling herself with Batwing by night and her devilishly handsome neighbor Luke Fox by day. But with a dangerous threat from the past on her tail, will she be able to pull off the heist that’s closest to her heart?Wow! Doesn’t that sound amazing. I couldn’t wait to get my paws on it. And you now you can too here!Hold onto your tails . . . this book is going to be EPIC.XoXo,Robin
P.S. Since I posted this, the last book in the DC Icons series came out - Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Pena! I got my signed exclusive copy here in this LitJoy Crate and I LOVE IT SO MUCH:
If you get your Superman: Dawnbreaker book from LitJoy, it includes this poster!
Anyway, all Batman humor aside, another book in the DC Icons series is Catwoman! Who better to write such a book, than our very own author-extraordinaire . . .SARAH J. MAAS!
Yes, I claim her. Ok, not really, but I’ve read all her books and can’t think of anyone better to represent sexy Catwoman. Sarah could probably be Catwoman herself! Did you know she wrote the first drafts of the Throne of Glass series when she was sixteen?!? It was a New York Times Bestseller and has now sold in thirty-five languages. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hamilton College in 2008 with a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Religious Studies. Sarah is a New York native, which I think is another reason she will show Gotham well, though she currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and dog. But no cat. We’ll forgive her for that. Also, if you didn’t know it yet, her Throne of Glass series is being made into a TV show by Hulu (check out details here). The film rights for her A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) have been optioned by Tempo Productions (see the announcement here). I’ve scoured the internet for more details, but all I could find was that both are still being developed and no one has been chosen as the main stars yet. But back to what you’re really here for: CATWOMAN!!
Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. MaasSo what has the illustrious Sarah J. Maas written for us? Here’s the book summary:When the Bat’s away, the Cat will play. It’s time to see how many lives this cat really has.Two years after escaping Gotham City’s slums, Selina Kyle returns as the mysterious and wealthy Holly Vanderhees. She quickly discovers that with Batman off on a vital mission, Gotham City looks ripe for the taking.Meanwhile, Luke Fox wants to prove that as Batwing he has what it takes to help people. He targets a new thief on the prowl who has teamed up with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. Together, they are wreaking havoc. This Catwoman is clever–she may be Batwing’s undoing.In this third DC Icons book–following Leigh Bardugo’s Wonder Woman: Warbringer and Marie Lu’s Batman: Nightwalker–Selina is playing a desperate game of cat and mouse, forming unexpected friendships and entangling herself with Batwing by night and her devilishly handsome neighbor Luke Fox by day. But with a dangerous threat from the past on her tail, will she be able to pull off the heist that’s closest to her heart?Wow! Doesn’t that sound amazing. I couldn’t wait to get my paws on it. And you now you can too here!Hold onto your tails . . . this book is going to be EPIC.XoXo,RobinP.S. Since I posted this, the last book in the DC Icons series came out - Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Pena! I got my signed exclusive copy here in this LitJoy Crate and I LOVE IT SO MUCH:
If you get your Superman: Dawnbreaker book from LitJoy, it includes this poster!
May 10, 2019
Author Stalker: Heidi Heilig {Author of for a Muse of Fire}
Have you read
For a Muse of Fire
by Heidi Heilig yet? This first book in a new trilogy from the acclaimed Heidi Heilig blends traditional storytelling with ephemera for a lush, page-turning tale of escape and rebellion. For a Muse of Fire will captivate fans of Sabaa Tahir, Leigh Bardugo, and Renée Ahdieh.
LitJoy Exclusive Edition of For A Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig (Sold out, but you can still get the regular version here)We loved the book so much, we knew we had to talk with the author. Kelly and Alix got to interview her! Check it out:
Summary of For a Muse of Fire: Jetta’s family is famed as the most talented troupe of shadow players in the land. With Jetta behind the scrim, their puppets seem to move without string or stick—a trade secret, they say. In truth, Jetta can see the souls of the recently departed and bind them to the puppets with her blood.But ever since the colonizing army conquered their country, the old ways are forbidden, so Jetta must never show, never tell. Her skill and fame are her family’s way to earn a spot aboard the royal ship to Aquitan, where shadow plays are the latest rage, and where rumor has it the Mad Emperor has a spring that cures his ills—and could cure Jetta’s, too. Because seeing spirits is not the only thing that plagues her.But as rebellion seethes and as Jetta meets a young smuggler, she will face truths and decisions that she never imagined—and safety will never seem so far away.Heidi Heilig creates a vivid, rich world inspired by Asian cultures and French colonialism. Her characters are equally complex and nuanced, including the bipolar heroine. Told from Jetta’s first-person point-of-view, as well as with chapters written as play scripts and ephemera such as telegrams and letters, For a Muse of Fire is an engrossing journey that weaves magic, simmering romance, and the deep bonds of family with the high stakes of epic adventure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Heidi Heilig is the author of The Girl from Everywhere and The Ship Beyond Time. She grew up in Hawaii, where she rode horses and raised peacocks. She holds an MFA from New York University in musical theatre writing, and she’s written book and lyrics for several shows. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, her son, and their pet snake.
AUTHOR WEBSITE: You can find her online at www.heidiheilig.com
LitJoy Exclusive Edition of For A Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig (Sold out, but you can still get the regular version here)We loved the book so much, we knew we had to talk with the author. Kelly and Alix got to interview her! Check it out:
Summary of For a Muse of Fire: Jetta’s family is famed as the most talented troupe of shadow players in the land. With Jetta behind the scrim, their puppets seem to move without string or stick—a trade secret, they say. In truth, Jetta can see the souls of the recently departed and bind them to the puppets with her blood.But ever since the colonizing army conquered their country, the old ways are forbidden, so Jetta must never show, never tell. Her skill and fame are her family’s way to earn a spot aboard the royal ship to Aquitan, where shadow plays are the latest rage, and where rumor has it the Mad Emperor has a spring that cures his ills—and could cure Jetta’s, too. Because seeing spirits is not the only thing that plagues her.But as rebellion seethes and as Jetta meets a young smuggler, she will face truths and decisions that she never imagined—and safety will never seem so far away.Heidi Heilig creates a vivid, rich world inspired by Asian cultures and French colonialism. Her characters are equally complex and nuanced, including the bipolar heroine. Told from Jetta’s first-person point-of-view, as well as with chapters written as play scripts and ephemera such as telegrams and letters, For a Muse of Fire is an engrossing journey that weaves magic, simmering romance, and the deep bonds of family with the high stakes of epic adventure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Heidi Heilig is the author of The Girl from Everywhere and The Ship Beyond Time. She grew up in Hawaii, where she rode horses and raised peacocks. She holds an MFA from New York University in musical theatre writing, and she’s written book and lyrics for several shows. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, her son, and their pet snake.
AUTHOR WEBSITE: You can find her online at www.heidiheilig.com
May 3, 2019
The Best YA Fantasy Books
Oh, Laini Taylor, you just seem to have a way with words. You make fantasy look good. Real good. You are one of the main reasons I love fantasy. And Leigh Bardugo. And Sarah J. Maas. And . . .Fantasy has taken the world by storm. Honestly, it’s probably J.K. Rowling’s fault. Or maybe Brandon Sanderson. Whatever or whoever it was, fantasy books are some of my favorites, which is probably why LitJoy Crate includes many of them in their young adult and middle grade book box crates. I love the worlds that fantasy books have created that take us out of our lives of work, study, toddler tantrums (whether you are the culprit or you brought them into this world), and teen angst or drama (whether we are in our teens or have teens).SO who are your favorite fantasy authors?Listen to the Alix and Kelly Show (with Debra too) where LitJoy’s co-founders dish on their favorite fantasy books.If they didn’t mention one of your favorite fantasy books, please let me know! I often put together book lists and I love to include ones from my readers!XoXo,RobinAbout the Author: Robin M. King is the author of three young adult novels (RemembrandtSeries), devourer of books, and lover of brownie batter.
April 26, 2019
Gift Ideas for Teens that Love to Read
Admit it. It’s hard to please those teenagers. They usually want money, a new phone, or something so astronomically expensive that you can’t get it for them. Coming up with ideas of birthday, graduation, or Christmas gifts between $5-$40 is difficult. Readers are a little easier – you can always get them a book – but what if you want to branch out and do something related to reading for those book lovers, and even more?
Don’t worry. I’ve done all the work for you. Here’s a bunch of ideas of things I love (I'm a nerdy reader too). You can always check out LitJoy Crate's shop or just get a book crate, which is basically a box that includes a new release book (an exclusive edition that is signed by the author!) and 5-7 items that go with the book. LitJoy crate does one-time crates or you can subscribe for 3, 6, or 12 months for the gift that keep giving too. The LitJoy subscription crates are ALWAYS new release books so you can make sure that the person you are giving the gift to, is getting something unique and different than they already have too.Here’s my list of favorite gift ideas for teens and young adults that love to read:#1 – BOOK BOYFRIEND BATH FIZZES/BOMBS
Book Boyfriend Bath Fizzes (Set of 4) – Get dirty while getting clean! Enjoy these LitJoy-designed bath fizzes, perfect for relaxing in the tub with your favorite book. Each bath fizz was created with all-natural ingredients and inspired by some of the most iconic book boyfriends. In this set enjoy a bath fizz representing Jace from the Shadowhunters series, Rhysand from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, Edward from the Twilight series, and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.#2 – LITERARY-INSPIRED LEGGINGS
Dragon Scale Leggings – Scaly in appearance but not in texture, these Dragon Scale Leggings are silky and soft. We just can’t get enough of dragons. Pair the Dragon Scale Leggings with these awesome books: The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli, Onyx and Ivory by Mindee Arnett, or In Search of Lost Dragons by Élian Black’mor, Carine M., Patrick Jézéquel, Jason Ullmeyer.#3 – BOOK BOX SUBSCRIPTIONLitJoy Crate – book box subscriptions are all the rage right now. We love these, especially if you want to spoil a teen or adult every month for a certain amount of time. But sometimes you just want to get one crate. LitJoy has several crates that you can just order one right now for only $29.99, shipped either to you or to them!Here are the ones they have now:
Sci-Fi Galaxy Games Crate which includes the author-signed book Nyxia by Scott Reintgen, as well as 10 other book-related items.
Viva la Magic Young Adult Crate - Love. Magic. Revolution. Enchantée is Gita Trelease’s lush and imaginative debut fantasy about an impoverished magic-wielding girl, her devotion to her family, and her dangerous plot! Includes a signed edition book with exclusive dust jacket and author letter.
Born Rebel Young Adult Crate - This South Indian–inspired fantasy trilogy follows one rebel girl’s mission to assassinate a ruthless general—only to have her heart captured by a greater force. This LitJoy exclusive book comes with 3 LitJoy trading cards from the Shadowhunter series, a reverse dust jacket art by Tara Spruit (@taratjah), a tip-in page with author letter and signature, and 5 other book-inspired items.
Tea Lovers Young Adult Crate - Pour a cup of tea and dive into a book full of mystery and intrigue! Included in this crate: The Young Adult novel: The Leaf Reader by Emily Arsenault, a story that blends the line between realistic contemporary and paranormal fiction, plus 7 book-related items.#4 – FIREFLY PILLOWCASE
This pillowcase was inspired by Sanctuary by Caryn Lix. “I am a leaf on the wind; watch how I soar.” The prisoners on Sanctuary are from all walks of life but they have one thing in common: they want to get away from the system. Their determination and grit reminded us of another one of our favorite stories set in space . . . Firefly! Ominstellar and The Alliance are definitely from the same mold and we were so excited to represent the sci-fi classic Firefly! Now cuddle up with your pillow and start reading!
#5 – KINDRED SPIRITS CANDLE
Kindred Spirits Candle – This candle was Inspired by the books, Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, and Kat and Meg Conquer the World by Anna Priemaza. When Kat & Meg meet in science class, they realize they couldn’t be more different. But as project partners, they realize that they bring out the best in one another! This reminded us of one of our favorite literary friendships: Anne and Diana from Anne of Green Gables. It just goes to show that you can find your true bosom friend anywhere, even science class. Muggle Library Candles crafts hand-poured candles inspired by favorite books and fandoms! This particular candle smells like raspberry cordial, straight from the pages of Anne of Green Gables.#6 – HARRY POTTER PATRONUS INFINITY SCARF
Harry Potter Patronus Inifinity Scarf – Inspired by For a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig. “I thought they were hallucinations at first. But they persisted . . . and I began to recognize them for what they were. The tiny vana of moths, drawn to the candlelight; the arvana of songbirds, flitting through the trees.” Jetta’s power to direct animal souls into her fan touches immediately reminded us of the magical look of a Patronus. Jetta also wears a scarf throughout the book to hide the burns on her shoulders. We knew we wanted to combine the two, and to represent that same animal magic with a LitJoy-exclusive Patronus scarf! Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!#7 – GOING OUTSIDE IS HIGHLY OVERRATED TOTE
Going Outside is Highly Overrated Tote – Inspired by the novel Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. This quote illustration by the talented Evie Seo has so many fun details tying back to one of our favorite sci-fi novels. This tote is 100% cotton. Bag dimensions: 15.5 in. wide x 19.5 in. tall#8 – Bluetooth Shower Speaker
Bluetooth Shower Speaker – You're in the shower, hair shampooed into a mohawk, and you think to yourself: I wish I could be listening to an audiobook right now! Well good news, we have a solution! This Shower Speaker boasts some incredibly convenient features: it is waterproof, the easy-to-use suction cup keeps it in place on your shower wall, batteries last for up to 6+ hours of listening, and it is equipped with hands-free Bluetooth capabilities! Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!#9 – LAVENDER EYE MASK
Lavender Eye Mask – Inspired by the book, Kat and Meg Conquer the World, by Anna Priemaza. Slip on this luxurious lavender eye mask, made exclusively for LitJoy, as you relax & fall asleep. When you wake up, you will be ready to conquer your fears and anxieties, just like Kat from Kat and Meg Conquer the World.#10 – LAZLO AND SARAI (STRANGE THE DREAMER BY LAINI TAYLOR) NOTEBOOK
Strange the Dreamer Notebook – Inspired by Laini Taylor’s novel Muse of Nightmares. “These two birds, side by side, represented their new selves, god and ghost, and their new abilities too. Both had their limitations: Sarai’s sparrow could sing but not fly. Lazlo’s could fly but not sing.” This moment of Muse of Nightmares was so lovely, we knew we had to represent it in the book. Use this stunning hardback notebook to take notes of your dreams, nightmares, and sketch away the day.#11 – LORD OF THE RINGS WOODEN BOOKMARK
Lord of the Rings Wooden Bookmark – “Don’t adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story.” – J.R.R. Tolkien. This ultra-thin colorful wooden bookmark is perfect for marking a page in your latest read! This beautiful wooden bookmark, crafted by Ink and Wonder, is made from 100% sustainable and ethically sourced timber. This bookmark is also included in our Chosen One Young Adult Crate. Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!
#12 – Key gel Pen
Key Gel Pen - This clever and cute key-shaped gel pen glides easily onto paper and the ultra-fine tip makes it perfect for journaling! It comes in 4 varying designs, each one shaped like a key! Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!
#13 Weasley is our King ENAMEL PIN
“Weasley can save anything,
He never leaves a single ring,
That's why Gryffindors all sing
Weasley is our King.”Tale of the Three Brothers Tote Bag – Inspired by For a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig. One of Jetta’s favorite Shadow Plays to perform is “The King of Death and the Three Brothers.” The emotion and magic in her performance, as well as the storyline, was very reminiscent of the “Tale of the Three Brothers” from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! We decided to feature this iconic tale as an illustration on a useful tote bag, as Jetta likes to keep her fantouches (i.e. puppets) safe in her traveling bag.Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!#15 – Snake Makeup Brushes
Snake Makeup Brushes - Esha is a legend: the Viper, yet no one knows. ;) And the infamous Viper assassin uses her custom whips with snakes emblazoned on the handle to strike down foes! These snake handle makeup brushes, reminiscent of Nagini from Harry Potter, are the perfect cosmetic accessory for book-lovers and born rebels.Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!#16 – TEA LIGHTS SET (SET OF 6)
Tea Light Set – Perhaps one of the most visually captivating moments of For a Muse of Fire is the use of flickering candles to create a shadow effect for the shadow puppet performance. The way that light and shadows hide the secrets of Jetta’s magic just had to be represented! So we included your own set of little battery-powered lights for you to perform your own shadow puppet show (or to set the mood for reading For a Muse of Fire) :).#17 – NINA AND INEJ PRINT
Nina and Inej Print – Don’t miss this gorgeous take on two characters, Nina and Inej, from Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows series. Created by artist Katherine Butler of The Watercolorie (frame not included).#18 – Throne of Glass Quote Book Sleeve
Throne of Glass Book Felt Sleeve – When it comes to our favorite literary rebels, there is none so snarky and charming as Celeana from Throne of Glass. She’s also a deadly assassin, just like protagonist Esha! This quote is the perfect quote for book-lovers, and this book sleeve can keep your books protected against the evils of bent corners!#19 –Celaena Sardothian Dragon Socks
Celaena Sardothian Dragon Socks (knee high socks) - A dress can be a weapon in a rebel’s arsenal. Especially when that rebel is Celaena from Throne of Glass and the dress is a black number with a golden dragon on the back! We wanted to do our own take on Celaena’s famous dress with these High Dragon Socks! Wear them to keep cozy in the winter or with shorts in the spring!
#20 – LABYRINTH COIN PURSE
Labyrinth Coin Purse – “‘That means if we don’t find another witch to perform the spell again, then by Saturday at midnight . . . We’ll turn back to animals,’ Beau whispered.” While the threat of turning back into an animal is something that looms over the Beastie’s in Grim Lovelies, we couldn’t help but be reminded of another character that changes into an animal. Being Goblin King comes with all sorts of magical powers, but sometimes a character needs to enter the mortal world and mess around with humans, kidnap babies, spy on beautiful girls, and whatnot. For this, Jareth morphs into a Barn Owl. The Labyrinth clock has 13 hours on it, not 12. As the famous song lyrics from the movie go, “It’s only forever, not long at all.”#21 – six of crows magnetic bookmarks set
Six of Crows Magnetic Bookmark Set - Magic, mischief, and a game of cards? Look no further than Six of Crows! It’s true that the French royals in Enchantée dive head first into the dangers of magic, gambling, and a decadent lifestyle. Camille’s infiltration into the Palace of Versailles reminded us of our favorite band of infiltrators: Six of Crows! Mark your pages with Kaz, Inej, and the fantastic quote: “A good magician isn’t much different from a proper thief.”Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!#22 – GALAXY LEGGINGS
Galaxy Leggings – Soft, silky and out of this world. We designed these galaxy leggings for you to get cozy reading your favorite intergalactic sci-fi novel. Pair the Galaxy Leggings with these awesome books: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, The Illuminae Files by Amy Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, The Nyxia Triad Series by Scott Reintgen#23 – FORBIDDEN FOREST CANDLE
Forbidden Forest Candle – “They said the woods weren’t friendly after sundown. They said bad things lurked in the forest, hidden behind dank, fallen boughs. The good people of Kilshamble liked nothing more than blood and gore. We were fed gruesome stories with mother’s milk.”Lurking in the forest of The Wren Hunt one can encounter the Tree Man and his Tuanacul–the women with lips of petals, their touch as soft as a leaf, who will kiss you senseless, breathing poison into your veins. They lure you, they seduce you with their charm and beauty! This magical danger immediately reminded us of the mysteries that lurk in the Forbidden Forest outside Hogwarts. Now light a candle and make sure to keep your wits about you!#24 – REBEL SCUM ENAMEL PIN
Ceramic DIY Mug Planter – For tealovers, this DYI ceramic planter is extra fun because you can make it your own! Paint or color it to your preference, then plant! You can decorate it and gift it or give it and let your book lovers do it themselves. If you want to make it bookish, we did a tutorial on making a Harry Potter and other bookish inspired tea cup here.
We hope you enjoy giving (and getting) these gifts for the next Christmas, birthday, graduation, or just because.
Books=LoveXoXo,RobinAbout the Author: Robin M. King is an author of three young adult novels (Remembrandt Series), devourer of books, and lover of brownie batter and cheesy superhero shows.
Don’t worry. I’ve done all the work for you. Here’s a bunch of ideas of things I love (I'm a nerdy reader too). You can always check out LitJoy Crate's shop or just get a book crate, which is basically a box that includes a new release book (an exclusive edition that is signed by the author!) and 5-7 items that go with the book. LitJoy crate does one-time crates or you can subscribe for 3, 6, or 12 months for the gift that keep giving too. The LitJoy subscription crates are ALWAYS new release books so you can make sure that the person you are giving the gift to, is getting something unique and different than they already have too.Here’s my list of favorite gift ideas for teens and young adults that love to read:#1 – BOOK BOYFRIEND BATH FIZZES/BOMBS
Book Boyfriend Bath Fizzes (Set of 4) – Get dirty while getting clean! Enjoy these LitJoy-designed bath fizzes, perfect for relaxing in the tub with your favorite book. Each bath fizz was created with all-natural ingredients and inspired by some of the most iconic book boyfriends. In this set enjoy a bath fizz representing Jace from the Shadowhunters series, Rhysand from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, Edward from the Twilight series, and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.#2 – LITERARY-INSPIRED LEGGINGS
Dragon Scale Leggings – Scaly in appearance but not in texture, these Dragon Scale Leggings are silky and soft. We just can’t get enough of dragons. Pair the Dragon Scale Leggings with these awesome books: The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli, Onyx and Ivory by Mindee Arnett, or In Search of Lost Dragons by Élian Black’mor, Carine M., Patrick Jézéquel, Jason Ullmeyer.#3 – BOOK BOX SUBSCRIPTIONLitJoy Crate – book box subscriptions are all the rage right now. We love these, especially if you want to spoil a teen or adult every month for a certain amount of time. But sometimes you just want to get one crate. LitJoy has several crates that you can just order one right now for only $29.99, shipped either to you or to them!Here are the ones they have now:
Sci-Fi Galaxy Games Crate which includes the author-signed book Nyxia by Scott Reintgen, as well as 10 other book-related items.
Viva la Magic Young Adult Crate - Love. Magic. Revolution. Enchantée is Gita Trelease’s lush and imaginative debut fantasy about an impoverished magic-wielding girl, her devotion to her family, and her dangerous plot! Includes a signed edition book with exclusive dust jacket and author letter.
Born Rebel Young Adult Crate - This South Indian–inspired fantasy trilogy follows one rebel girl’s mission to assassinate a ruthless general—only to have her heart captured by a greater force. This LitJoy exclusive book comes with 3 LitJoy trading cards from the Shadowhunter series, a reverse dust jacket art by Tara Spruit (@taratjah), a tip-in page with author letter and signature, and 5 other book-inspired items.
Tea Lovers Young Adult Crate - Pour a cup of tea and dive into a book full of mystery and intrigue! Included in this crate: The Young Adult novel: The Leaf Reader by Emily Arsenault, a story that blends the line between realistic contemporary and paranormal fiction, plus 7 book-related items.#4 – FIREFLY PILLOWCASE
This pillowcase was inspired by Sanctuary by Caryn Lix. “I am a leaf on the wind; watch how I soar.” The prisoners on Sanctuary are from all walks of life but they have one thing in common: they want to get away from the system. Their determination and grit reminded us of another one of our favorite stories set in space . . . Firefly! Ominstellar and The Alliance are definitely from the same mold and we were so excited to represent the sci-fi classic Firefly! Now cuddle up with your pillow and start reading!#5 – KINDRED SPIRITS CANDLE
Kindred Spirits Candle – This candle was Inspired by the books, Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, and Kat and Meg Conquer the World by Anna Priemaza. When Kat & Meg meet in science class, they realize they couldn’t be more different. But as project partners, they realize that they bring out the best in one another! This reminded us of one of our favorite literary friendships: Anne and Diana from Anne of Green Gables. It just goes to show that you can find your true bosom friend anywhere, even science class. Muggle Library Candles crafts hand-poured candles inspired by favorite books and fandoms! This particular candle smells like raspberry cordial, straight from the pages of Anne of Green Gables.#6 – HARRY POTTER PATRONUS INFINITY SCARF
Harry Potter Patronus Inifinity Scarf – Inspired by For a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig. “I thought they were hallucinations at first. But they persisted . . . and I began to recognize them for what they were. The tiny vana of moths, drawn to the candlelight; the arvana of songbirds, flitting through the trees.” Jetta’s power to direct animal souls into her fan touches immediately reminded us of the magical look of a Patronus. Jetta also wears a scarf throughout the book to hide the burns on her shoulders. We knew we wanted to combine the two, and to represent that same animal magic with a LitJoy-exclusive Patronus scarf! Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!#7 – GOING OUTSIDE IS HIGHLY OVERRATED TOTE
Going Outside is Highly Overrated Tote – Inspired by the novel Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. This quote illustration by the talented Evie Seo has so many fun details tying back to one of our favorite sci-fi novels. This tote is 100% cotton. Bag dimensions: 15.5 in. wide x 19.5 in. tall#8 – Bluetooth Shower Speaker
Bluetooth Shower Speaker – You're in the shower, hair shampooed into a mohawk, and you think to yourself: I wish I could be listening to an audiobook right now! Well good news, we have a solution! This Shower Speaker boasts some incredibly convenient features: it is waterproof, the easy-to-use suction cup keeps it in place on your shower wall, batteries last for up to 6+ hours of listening, and it is equipped with hands-free Bluetooth capabilities! Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!#9 – LAVENDER EYE MASK
Lavender Eye Mask – Inspired by the book, Kat and Meg Conquer the World, by Anna Priemaza. Slip on this luxurious lavender eye mask, made exclusively for LitJoy, as you relax & fall asleep. When you wake up, you will be ready to conquer your fears and anxieties, just like Kat from Kat and Meg Conquer the World.#10 – LAZLO AND SARAI (STRANGE THE DREAMER BY LAINI TAYLOR) NOTEBOOK
Strange the Dreamer Notebook – Inspired by Laini Taylor’s novel Muse of Nightmares. “These two birds, side by side, represented their new selves, god and ghost, and their new abilities too. Both had their limitations: Sarai’s sparrow could sing but not fly. Lazlo’s could fly but not sing.” This moment of Muse of Nightmares was so lovely, we knew we had to represent it in the book. Use this stunning hardback notebook to take notes of your dreams, nightmares, and sketch away the day.#11 – LORD OF THE RINGS WOODEN BOOKMARK
Lord of the Rings Wooden Bookmark – “Don’t adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story.” – J.R.R. Tolkien. This ultra-thin colorful wooden bookmark is perfect for marking a page in your latest read! This beautiful wooden bookmark, crafted by Ink and Wonder, is made from 100% sustainable and ethically sourced timber. This bookmark is also included in our Chosen One Young Adult Crate. Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!#12 – Key gel Pen
Key Gel Pen - This clever and cute key-shaped gel pen glides easily onto paper and the ultra-fine tip makes it perfect for journaling! It comes in 4 varying designs, each one shaped like a key! Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!
#13 Weasley is our King ENAMEL PIN
“Weasley can save anything,He never leaves a single ring,
That's why Gryffindors all sing
Weasley is our King.”Tale of the Three Brothers Tote Bag – Inspired by For a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig. One of Jetta’s favorite Shadow Plays to perform is “The King of Death and the Three Brothers.” The emotion and magic in her performance, as well as the storyline, was very reminiscent of the “Tale of the Three Brothers” from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! We decided to feature this iconic tale as an illustration on a useful tote bag, as Jetta likes to keep her fantouches (i.e. puppets) safe in her traveling bag.Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!#15 – Snake Makeup Brushes
Snake Makeup Brushes - Esha is a legend: the Viper, yet no one knows. ;) And the infamous Viper assassin uses her custom whips with snakes emblazoned on the handle to strike down foes! These snake handle makeup brushes, reminiscent of Nagini from Harry Potter, are the perfect cosmetic accessory for book-lovers and born rebels.Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!#16 – TEA LIGHTS SET (SET OF 6)
Tea Light Set – Perhaps one of the most visually captivating moments of For a Muse of Fire is the use of flickering candles to create a shadow effect for the shadow puppet performance. The way that light and shadows hide the secrets of Jetta’s magic just had to be represented! So we included your own set of little battery-powered lights for you to perform your own shadow puppet show (or to set the mood for reading For a Muse of Fire) :).#17 – NINA AND INEJ PRINT
Nina and Inej Print – Don’t miss this gorgeous take on two characters, Nina and Inej, from Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows series. Created by artist Katherine Butler of The Watercolorie (frame not included).#18 – Throne of Glass Quote Book Sleeve
Throne of Glass Book Felt Sleeve – When it comes to our favorite literary rebels, there is none so snarky and charming as Celeana from Throne of Glass. She’s also a deadly assassin, just like protagonist Esha! This quote is the perfect quote for book-lovers, and this book sleeve can keep your books protected against the evils of bent corners!#19 –Celaena Sardothian Dragon SocksCelaena Sardothian Dragon Socks (knee high socks) - A dress can be a weapon in a rebel’s arsenal. Especially when that rebel is Celaena from Throne of Glass and the dress is a black number with a golden dragon on the back! We wanted to do our own take on Celaena’s famous dress with these High Dragon Socks! Wear them to keep cozy in the winter or with shorts in the spring!#20 – LABYRINTH COIN PURSE
Labyrinth Coin Purse – “‘That means if we don’t find another witch to perform the spell again, then by Saturday at midnight . . . We’ll turn back to animals,’ Beau whispered.” While the threat of turning back into an animal is something that looms over the Beastie’s in Grim Lovelies, we couldn’t help but be reminded of another character that changes into an animal. Being Goblin King comes with all sorts of magical powers, but sometimes a character needs to enter the mortal world and mess around with humans, kidnap babies, spy on beautiful girls, and whatnot. For this, Jareth morphs into a Barn Owl. The Labyrinth clock has 13 hours on it, not 12. As the famous song lyrics from the movie go, “It’s only forever, not long at all.”#21 – six of crows magnetic bookmarks set
Six of Crows Magnetic Bookmark Set - Magic, mischief, and a game of cards? Look no further than Six of Crows! It’s true that the French royals in Enchantée dive head first into the dangers of magic, gambling, and a decadent lifestyle. Camille’s infiltration into the Palace of Versailles reminded us of our favorite band of infiltrators: Six of Crows! Mark your pages with Kaz, Inej, and the fantastic quote: “A good magician isn’t much different from a proper thief.”Get free shipping on this product when purchased with any past crate!#22 – GALAXY LEGGINGS
Galaxy Leggings – Soft, silky and out of this world. We designed these galaxy leggings for you to get cozy reading your favorite intergalactic sci-fi novel. Pair the Galaxy Leggings with these awesome books: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, The Illuminae Files by Amy Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, The Nyxia Triad Series by Scott Reintgen#23 – FORBIDDEN FOREST CANDLE
Forbidden Forest Candle – “They said the woods weren’t friendly after sundown. They said bad things lurked in the forest, hidden behind dank, fallen boughs. The good people of Kilshamble liked nothing more than blood and gore. We were fed gruesome stories with mother’s milk.”Lurking in the forest of The Wren Hunt one can encounter the Tree Man and his Tuanacul–the women with lips of petals, their touch as soft as a leaf, who will kiss you senseless, breathing poison into your veins. They lure you, they seduce you with their charm and beauty! This magical danger immediately reminded us of the mysteries that lurk in the Forbidden Forest outside Hogwarts. Now light a candle and make sure to keep your wits about you!#24 – REBEL SCUM ENAMEL PIN
Ceramic DIY Mug Planter – For tealovers, this DYI ceramic planter is extra fun because you can make it your own! Paint or color it to your preference, then plant! You can decorate it and gift it or give it and let your book lovers do it themselves. If you want to make it bookish, we did a tutorial on making a Harry Potter and other bookish inspired tea cup here.We hope you enjoy giving (and getting) these gifts for the next Christmas, birthday, graduation, or just because.
Books=LoveXoXo,RobinAbout the Author: Robin M. King is an author of three young adult novels (Remembrandt Series), devourer of books, and lover of brownie batter and cheesy superhero shows.
April 12, 2019
Author Stalker: Interview with Amie Kaufman {Author of Ice Wolves & Illuminae}
Whether you love her middle grade books or young adult books, Amie Kaufman is for sure an author whose books you NEED on your shelf. We loved reading her Illuminae Files series so much that it was a no brainer to include her new release Ice Wolves in a recent middle grade box (which is sold out, but you can still get the book here).
LitJoy’s Fire & Ice Middle Grade Crate with Amie Kaufman’s new book, Ice WolvesAlix and Kelly got to interview Amie and chat about everything Ice Wolves as well as author life. She was such a joy to interview that I had to share it with you too. Also, her Aussie accent is so cool to listen to :)!Here’s some more info on our new favorite author that I took from her website:Amie Kaufman is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author of young adult fiction. Her multi-award winning work is slated for publication in over 30 countries, and has been described as “a game-changer” (Shelf Awareness), “stylistically mesmerising” (Publishers Weekly) and “out-of-this-world awesome” (Kirkus). Her series includes The Illuminae Files, The Starbound Trilogy, Unearthed and Elementals: Ice Wolves. Her work is in development for film and TV, and has taken home multiple Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, a Gold Inky, made multiple best-of lists and been shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.Amie had the good fortune to be raised just one block from her local library, and took full advantage of that fact growing up. She and her sister spent their childhood summers re-creating their favourite books by camping in the back yard, mapping their neighbourhood, climbing trees, stepping through magical doors and sailing the local seas. Raised in Australia and Ireland, she has kissed the Blarney stone six times, thoroughly cementing her gift of the gab.As she grew older (but not up), she continued her education, and graduated with honors degrees in history, literature and law, and a master’s degree in conflict resolution. She is currently undertaking a PhD in Creative Writing. After working as a mediator for seven years, these days she’s a full-time writer, working from her home in Melbourne when she’s not on the road in the US, Europe and Asia. A few of her top travel moments include camping in the Sahara overnight, climbing a mountain in Vietnam, standing on the Great Wall of China and cycling the Loire Valley, but she has a huge list left to cover.Amie lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and their rescue dog, Jack. She’s a huge fan of chocolate and naps, has an enormous music collection, and an entire room of her house is devoted to her library. She still sails, and though she climbs fewer trees, she remains partial to investigating the occasional magical door.
This LED Wolf Light is my favorite part from the LitJoy Crate with Amie Kaufman’s book, Ice Wolves.
