Category: Experiences

3 tips for reading on a savvy $15 monthly budget 💸

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Something I don’t find readers talking about online or in person often enough, is the cost of book buying and keeping up with the latest bookish trends.

Reading can be an expensive hobby and honestly, when working in the bookstore that was a real deterrent for many people coming in. Paying $30+ for a book that you may or may not enjoy is an absolute gamble and for some, that’s a big chunk of your play money for the week. I know for me, it certainly was and is, as I budget according to my needs and saving goals.

Therefore, I thought it was time I shared my personal tips and tricks to reading on a monthly budget of just $15 AUD. Let’s jump in:

👜 VISIT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY w/ A TOTE BAG

Do I need to say more than the words FREE, FREE and FREE!

Most libraries that you walk into cost you $0 to sign up and start borrowing books that day. Plus, it’s usually free to use their internet and their internal searching platforms to narrow down if they have the books you’re looking for.

Additionally, I’m lucky that my local library (which I’m certain many others function this way as well) allows you to make ‘orders’. For example, if there is a book you’re after and it’s not on the shelf or in their title listings’ – you can order it – FOR FREE! The library will then purchase it out of their next lot of available funding and notify you when it comes in. I mean, you literally have just signed up for FREE, ordered a book for FREE and will read the books you’re desperate to get your hands on for FREE.

+ the reason I suggest taking a tote bag, is that it makes your library experience feel like a book buying experience. So if you’re that kinda girly like me, find your biggest and fav tote bag for the trip!

📲 BORROWBOX, LIBBY, HOOPLA & MORE

In Australia, we’re lucky enough that our libraries have connected online borrowing platforms such as BorrowBox, Libby and Hoopla, that allow you to borrow up to 6x e-books and 6x audiobooks (+ movies and magazines) at one time for FREE. These apps are downloadable and/or accessible on your phone, laptop, iPad or tablet AND Kobo’s.

Each app has a variety of different titles, therefore if you’re a veracious reader and tech savvy, in one month you could have two books borrowed from each library app and potentially have a total of 5-6 books to read. That’s more than a book a week for FREE.

These apps do require you to be a member of your local or regional library but as we discovered above, it costs $0 to sign up and takes less than 10 minutes in person or online.

✅ KINDLE DAILY DEALS & KINDLE BOOK DEALS

Did you know that Amazon Kindle have a variety of new release, popular books or books in series on sale for $4.99 or less – daily?

If you’re a Kindle reader like me and tend to pick up your e-reader once/twice per month for a new read, something I always do before jumping into a new book is check the Kindle shop (which if you’re on your Kindle is this shopping trolley icon 🛒) to see what the Kindle Daily Deals are. I’ve picked up trending romance books, crime fiction and mystery books, as well as book club reads for $4.99, $2.99 or even $0.99.

Kindle Book Deals is another section that has over 50 e-book titles on sale from $9.99 or less. This section holds even MORE trending books and is the place to be if you’re wanting a brand new release instantly at your fingertips. The titles in this section update every month as far as I can see and hold such a great diverse range of reading material.

So there you have it, my top 3 tips for reading on a savvy $15 monthly budget 💸

If you mixed all of these tips together, you could even budget for $10 per month, having bought just 1x Kindle e-book for $9.99 + borrowed 2x e-books and 1x audiobook on BorrowBox, + borrow 3x physical books from your local library. That’s 7 books in total 😮 The savvy budget reading options are endless!

I hope some of these tips come in handy for you and that you have a go at trying them for yourself!

If you enjoyed this and would like more reading on a budget tips, comment below ⬇️ 💬

Sundays in Bed with ‘Nectar of the Wicked’

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I feel like this Sunday has been the first in a long time where I have completely absorbed myself in books and reading for majority of the day, and it’s been an incredible feelings!

It’s an overcast, windy and cold day here so Peach and I have decided that a weather induced morning and afternoon in bed and under the covers was called for.

I’ve had quite a big work week and reading week before landing here with ‘Nectar of the Wicked’ by Ella Fields.

I started ‘The Mystery Writer’ by lovely friend Sulari Gentill last weekend and took every spare moment I could this week to keep reading as it was so captivating, twisty and turny that I just knew the ending would not disappoint.

‘The Mystery Writer’ is a story about Theo and her journey to becoming a bestselling novelist but it’s not as straightforward as one might assume. I’m working on a full review of this novel which you’ll be able to read on here very soon 👀

I’ve also devoured an indie romance for a friend as their Beta reader. Beta reading is when an author sends you a close to finished copy of their book/chapters/synopsis and you’re generally reading to provide feedback on questions they provide or for me, I usually provide feedback on flow as a reader, moments I really enjoyed or moments I found confusing. It’s not an editing gig persay, it’s more seen as a vibe check. I really enjoy doing this for books in genres I know I enjoy, with plots I know are my jam and authors I have read from previously. So more info on this one coming soon 😉

And now we’re here with ‘Nectar of the Wicked’ by Ella Fields! The first few chapters of this book had me hesitant but after the first 45-50 pages, I’ve been hooked and I know I’ll be spending the remainder of my day cozied up with this novel. As a reader, be aware that this book was placed in the Erotica section of the bookstore as our main character (at this point in time) is involved in adult/escort work. But don’t let that deter you! I do think this plot is going to become even more interesting as it’s fantasy elements are a nice mix. Ella is also Australia, which I LOVE to see and read 🌶✅

What are you reading this Sunday and what’s a new book recommendation you have for me?

How things change over time 🕰

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Hi book friends!

It’s been little while since I dedicated some personal time to writing on my blog … and I’ve missed it SO MUCH!

I think a big part of me not making the time to write, debrief and escape is because this is a place where a big portion of my life hasn’t been shared before. And in turn, I haven’t really made space for it before on here either.

So that’s about to change!

I wanted to give you an update of where things are up to at the moment in the life of Mel Reviews Her Books and what you can expect to see going forward. Here goes:

🤓 I have been reading so many books – I think I’m at a total of 20 already this year – but I’ve been debriefing them in a Reading Journal. I’ve really enjoyed this process and would like to maybe share bits and pieces of that more on here. I think I’d also like to run a local and/or regional workshops for this as well sometime soon! I find the downtime, away from a screen and listening to F.R.I.E.N.D.S on the tv in the background, incredibly relaxing.

🎥 I still ADORE planning and filming Author Talks on here as a long-form written interview and also via Instagram Live. This is something I’ve dedicated to hosting once a month, with predominately debut Aussie Authors to help bring light to their wonderful work and celebrate this new exciting path they’re on. You’ll still find me doing this on the ‘Author Talks’ tab and on my Instagram –> here

💙 I have been creating, forming, planning and am now 2 months away from delivering a book festival, called the Riverina Readers Festival. This has been over a year in the making. Our Festival is set to take place in the Riverina, NSW on Saturday 13 July.

To say my life has been consumed by this epic endeavour is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s been an absolute dream come true to work on morphing this younger Mel idea into fruition. It’s real and it’s happening – I don’t think that has really sunk in yet.

I cannot believe the excitement already building and anticipation in the air. So in saying this, I want to share a little more about what the journey and experience has been like in creating a Book Festival. The hows, whens, oh no’s’, and ‘oh my god this is happening’ moments. Right now, you can find us at www.riverinareadersfestival.org.au

📧 I did have all good intentions of producing and delivering an email into your inbox once a month – it was a new years goal. But you know, sometimes new years goals don’t work out the way you expect and instead, I now create newsletters for the Riverina Readers Festival! So if you’d like to hear from me in newsletter form, click here –> sign up

📖 I also had good intentions of running an online bookclub, however that has now transitioned into planning and coordinating a book club for the Riverina Readers Festival following our one-day book festival! So if you’re interested in a book club that highlights Aussie talent and meets only a few times a year, click here –> sign up to book club news

So in essence, I’m well and run off my feet + filling with nervous excitement as time inches closer to the Riverina Readers Festival 💙 I can’t wait to start sharing some bits and pieces with you and changing up this webpage a little.

👀 Keep your eyes peeled!

Mel xx

One Book One Temora w/ Fleur McDonald

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Last night I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing bestselling Australian rural fiction author, Fleur McDonald, at One Book One Temora.

This annual book event is held at the Temora Shire Library and the beautiful community of Temora comes out to spend an evening listening to an Aussie author, of whom they’ve all read one of the authors’ books for their book clubs.

Fleur is incredibly warm, kind, open and willing to share her knowledge about the book industry and writing fiction for over 15 years. She publishes two novels a year while still running a farm over in Western Australia. She is very involved in her small town community and gives back when she has time off everything books. This truly shows in her passionate discussions about the importance of community and connection.

And in talking about community and connection, one rural town that does it so well is Temora. The Temora Shire Library is a hub of chatter, regular borrowers and weekly program goers. The team there are not only approachable, full of life and generous, but they also represent a pivotal consistent hub in the small country town.

The wonderful Wendy handmade this super special Peachy 🐱 bookmark for me in thanks and I’m OBSESSED! How special and what a talent! Thank you Wendy, in more ways than one!

Writing this bookish experience and enjoying a delicious Eggs Benedict, I can’t help but smile and feel gratitude for meeting such wonderful people again this year. Being invited back to 2024’s One Book One Temora is an absolute privilege 💖

Fun times and Neon signs 💡

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February has been a month of fun times, event busy-ness and new experiences.

This past month, Riverina Readers Festival had a whopping success of an event and I was so proud to see the love, care and time that all those involved put towards the event being a smash hit. I think for me, when we deliver a successful event it’s important to celebrate. So this past week, I’ve not gone so hard on the emails, festival strategy work and planning. I took a breath and relished in our teamwork and passion towards a common goal.

I’ve also had some fun times in my new working gal role. This month I started a new job where I get to combine my passions for local community, service/program opportunity and event planning + delivery. I recognise that I am so privileged to say that I attend a workplace where work does not feel like work. I’m currently getting paid to train, work on and deliver something I’m super passionate about and I just smile every time I think about that! I truly hope each and every one of you get to experience this feeling one day because if I could bottle it up, I’d give it to every single person I meet.

When I’m feeling good and in a healthy headspace, I’m also more open to creative projects, experimenting with ideas and dreaming towards my own long term goals. I’ve let myself lean into that this week and sometimes the result is fantastic, sometimes it’s just a “I’ll tuck this away for later” (and proceed to create another folder on my laptop with images, dot points and unfinished documents) 🤣

But all in all, I think breathing in new experiences, celebrating the wins and letting your mind dream is so important. Especially when we can lead busy lives majority of the time. I’d recommend you try it and see what creative ideas or plans spring to mind 💖🧠

Comment below a win you’ve had this month 💭

Reading Journals & why they’re a bookish hobby you should try 🎨

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I’ve recently discovered the joy and creative expression of a Reading Journal and I have to say … I think I’m a changed reader. I’m already onto my 5th book for 2024! Who even am I?!

A reading journal is either a blank, lined or dot grid journal that you use to log a variety of bookish things. For example, you could log:

– your reading goals for the year

– track the genre of books you read each month

– log your favourite anticipated releases

– collected stats on your star ratings

Basically, reading journals are a great way to motivate you into reading more, reflect back on your month & year of reading and patting yourself on the back as you move through the months by ticking different pages or reading challenges off.

Now, I’m all new to this and it’s something that I felt motivated to do as I wanted a creative ‘down-time’ hobby that I could also turn into a workshop next year.

I promise you, I’m no artist and I guarantee you don’t have to be either.

I’ve started with some very basic felt tip pens from Ekersley’s, a dot journal and alphabet stencil from Big W.

I think the main take away from reading journals is that you feel fulfilled by your own creative abilities and take the time to look back on small (or big) successes throughout the year.

I will be using my reading journal to also write personal journal entries. I’ll dedicate pages to write about experiences I’ve had throughout the year or if a book I’ve read reminds me of a memory or experience I’ve had. I think the double whammy of reading reflection and personal reflection will be a nice token for future Mel 💝

+ a beautiful friend of mine encouraged me to be dynamic with my reading journal and really make it my own!

Here are a few YouTube videos that helped kick off my reading journal journey (say that 3 times fast 😉)

Rachel Catherine is an Aussie BookTuber that a dear friend of mine introduced me too 💖
Destiny is a BookTuber that Rachel Catherine refers too often

What did Mel Reviews Her Books get up to in 2023?

~ melreviewsherbooks ~ 3 Comments

What a year 2023 was! It feels somewhat surreal to be looking back on a year that held so much for me, not only in terms of book related content and book joy, but also in personal growth, being open to change and starting new projects.

Looking back through my yearly calendar diary is a bit of a nostalgic routine for me each new year. I stop and ponder over what’s been written, what I may have been stressing myself over that week and what little notes, stickers and ‘artefacts’ if you will, I’ve left in there, eg. photos, cinema tickets, receipts.

Here’s what my 2023 involved:

  • I brought in the 2023 New Year surrounded by some of my closest friends. It was a 10+ hr drive to get there and 100% worth the trip 💫
  • Collins Booksellers Wagga was my place of work and my position there was as the Store Manager. I had the privilege of meeting, networking and talking books with so many new book friends, authors and illustrators.
  • I dedicated a lot of time to playing tennis (my favourite sport) and become better and more consistent over time 🎾
  • One of my best friends organised a wonderful birthday party for me! In which I was spoilt, full of food and joy 🎂
  • I adopted a little cat and called her ‘Peach’ 🍑
  • Hollie Startup who is based in London, designed and created my wonderful new logo for Mel Reviews Her Books 🖼
  • I started and finished a relationship, and grew in leaps and bounds 💖
  • Sulari Gentill and I had a wonderful chat at One Book One Temora 🎤
  • The Riverina Readers Festival came to fruition 💙
  • I begin studying Library and Information Studies at TAFE and then decided, it wasn’t for me 🤓 Book blogging suits me far better!
  • I worked really hard on my mental health and committed to dedicating time to me. This lead to my personal growth and acknowledging my self worth 🧠
  • Jugiong Writers Festival invited me to be their bookseller at their bi-annual Book Festival! What a wonderful experience this was – one I will truely cherish 🙏🏼
  • I organised, communicated and brought together the most beautiful authors who were all about LOVE! I organised my last Collins Booksellers Wagga in store event and our first Riverina Readers Festival micro event – all in the same weekend 😅 (I like to push my limits but BY GOSH was it worth it!)
  • I started a new job in the Disability sector and have learnt so much 🤩
  • Social Worker Mel has made a full appearance and I really like her – she’s going to stick around 😊
  • Our local ABC Radio had me on to talk about our Riverina Readers Festival event and it was so much fun 📻
  • The Riverina Readers Festival committee had meeting, after meeting, after meeting. I may be bias in saying, but our team is really the best in the biz 👌🏼 … we’re only at July book friends
  • Wagga Civic Theatre put on a number of amazing shows in which I attended! I love that place! 🎟🎭
  • The Riverina Readers Festival officially became incorporated with me as President 💙
  • I began planning, organising and starting Instagram Lives on Mel Reviews Her Books 🎤
  • Weekly blog posts became an ongoing goal 💻
  • I made new friends 💖
  • I hugged my friends tight as they went overseas and explored the world while I stayed in Wagga and explored what I can build in the world of books 🌍
  • My Literary Lovers Book Club has an inconsistent attendee in me, but luckily, they still accepted me coming along here and there 😉
  • With our Festival Committee, we wrote plans, proposals and grant applications – of which we have had some success ⭐️
  • I experienced many migraines and the process of handling them is now something I’m exploring 🏥
  • I attended Write Around the Murray (WAM) Book Festival and had a stunning time 📖
  • NaNoWriMo got me good and Instagram Live really become my intimate friend 🎥 20,000 words are now sitting in my word doc waiting for a time when the creativity sparks again.
  • My family moved away and I felt incredibly lonely. I’ve learnt to appreciate those around me and what the community of Wagga can bring me 👥
  • Cooking continued to be my downtime and I explored many new recipes, of which I shared a few with you all on here! 👩🏽‍🍳
  • I renovated a bookcase and absolutely LOVE it 💚
  • THE ROMANTICS Book Club became an online book club created by a friend and myself 📖
  • I set myself the 2024 goal of conducting 12 Author Interviews on Instagram Live & developing a paid newsletter full of juicy content 💻
  • Christmas and New Year was celebrated with my nearest and dearest 🎄🎆 and I’m rounding out 2023 feeling as if I’m bringing the right people into my orbit who are going to continue to support me and want the best for me ❤️

WOW! Now looking back after writing this all down, I cannot fathom how much I’ve actually done in 2023 🙈 What a year – here’s to another beautiful bookish year with all you book friends 🥂📖🎤💫

I hope 2023 has been tremendous for you xx

Author Interviews of 2023 🎤

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On my drive back to my family home for Christmas, I had the time to reflect on the year that was 2023 🎄

2023 has been HUGE in terms of Author interviews and they have taken place in many forms. I have conducted over 10 in person, online, written and panel interviews.

I am so incredibly grateful, feel incredibly privileged and in all honesty, speechless when I look at this collection of talented Australian Authors who have given their time, knowledge and enthusiasm on Mel Reviews Her Books (excuse me while I start getting teary writing this).

Thank you; Sulari Gentill; Zoë Coyle; Anita Heiss; Brooke Hill; Karina May; Emma Grey; Clare Fletcher; Michael Thompson; Kate Mildenhall; & Jack Heath.

Additionally, a big thank you to Sandie Docker; for your time spent in Wagga visiting me, sharing your festival knowledge and attending Collins Booksellers after years of connecting online but Covid stepping in our way!

Thank you to the stunning Maya Linnell, for featuring me on her latest novel Kookaburra Cottage! 💫 *honestly a dream come true*

Extra thankfulness to Sulari Gentill – your encouragement, support, strength and belief in me pulling together a book festival for our region. I cannot express my gratitude enough x

And lastly, thank you to all of YOU! Thank you for reading, viewing, liking, commenting, sharing and watching the book content I create and work on each and every week 💖

Now, it’s time to celebrate yourself!! ⭐️ COMMENT BELOW something you’re proud of this year 💬

A WAM of a Weekend 💥 DAY 2

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WAM Day 2 I was up bright and early ready to hear the first panel, chaired by the wonderful author and podcaster Kate Mildenhall, called The First Time: Publishing.

This panel held authors T.R. Napper, Irma Gold & Kathryn Heyman. It was very insightful and interesting to hear how each of these authors came to have a life full of books, writing and publishing. Each had such different experiences, especially when it came to book editing, selling rights, having a book agent and film contracts. Needless to say, many notes were taken on my phone from this panel!

Next up we heard from crime fiction writers, Shelley Burr & Margaret Hickey, both of whom were interviewd by the wonderful Jason Steger from The Age.

Shelley and Marg spoke about their tactics in plotting, what inspires them to write about murderous and conflicting characters in small town settings and what they’ve felt most rewarding about continuing to write in the fictional worlds they’ve created. I haven’t read either of their works but I sure will be now!

Then drumrolllll … meeting Kate Mildenhall was the absolute cherry on top of an already sunny weekend! 😊☀️

As I mentioned previously, I was bundled with excitement in meeting Kate as her book The Hummingbird Effect is surely going down as one of my favourite reads this year. Her interview with Paul Dalgarno was fascinating. Kate explained how a conversation over family dinner sparked her interest in a local well-known meat works that had burnt down in years past. This fire triggered a series of events, political movements and strikes for years to come. It affected not only the workers engaged in the meatworks, but their families, their suburb, their socials groups and more. Listening to Kate talk about her process of weaving her 5 connected stories together was inspiring and intricate. It was also unique and a once in a book lovers life time listening to this interview as Kate’s talent is like no other author I’ve listened to before.

And I might add – when I popped my hand up in the Q&A section of the interview to ask about the jaw dropping image in her book, without even having met me in person yet – but having seen my social media posts, Kate said before answering, “Is that Mel from Mel Reviews Her Books?”. I laughed and said “Yes!”. “I’m so excited to meet you!” she said – on stage, in front of a crowd of people! I couldn’t help but smile and giggle to myself 🤣

Finishing off this spectacular weekend, we listened to bestselling historical fiction author, Pip Williams. Wow! What a WAM way to go out with a bang.

Pip’s insight into the world of bookbinding, the rippling effects of WWI and how she created such emotive and heartfelt characters representative of this time is truely amazing. Pip explored with interviewer Jason Steger, how her previous career background in analysing human behaviour and patterns of human characteristics really enforced her passion for writing fiction characters, that we as the readers, ultimately believe to be real.

This was my second time hearing Pip’s experiences, as previous I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting her at a bookseller’s conference hosted by her publisher, Affirm Press. However, I can say with certainty, her story never ceases to captivate an audience (including me).

And that my book friends, was a wrap of my WAM of a weekend 💫 Again, I honestly cannot thank the WAM committee enough for curating, hosting and encouraging such a wonderful event filled with bookish passion, connection and the essence of community!

Sign me up already for 2024! Are you booking your ticket?