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@this.guy.books

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🤷‍♂️ Here for those book reviews
🏆2026 73/50 (146%)
📚 The Riddle Maker (ARC)
🎧 Olive Kitteridge

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

12 challenge completed! 🎉

I did it, I actually finished a reading challenge! (rare, unheard of.)

Thanks to everyone who recommended these books! I honestly enjoyed them all. Many of these weren’t even on my radar, so it was really cool experiencing new authors and discovering new favorite books.

🏆 I wanted to highlight some of the stand-outs:

🦴 ✨ Road of Bones: I’m obsessed with this series now and just read the ARC for book 3. The Ashen series is seriously underhyped.
Thank you for the rec @airee_reads

⚒️Scythe: A total binge and book 1 is pretty much perfect. I bought the rest of the series immediately and couldn’t put it down.
Thank you for the rec @ohiobookgal

💙 Our Missing Hearts: So beautiful and poetic- quite different from the other two books I’ve read by this author and really highlights how masterful a storyteller Ng is.
Thank you for the rec @kplovesbooks

🪞 Lola in the Mirror: Another that deserves way more hype! One of my favorites of the year. Unique, quirky, artistic- stunning.
Thank you for the rec @book_wine_and_thinker

🏨 The Glass Hotel: Mandel’s intricate character work and breathtaking prose pulled me in immediately. This story is complex and difficult to describe but so memorable.
Thank you for the rec @this.guy.books

✈️ Five Decembers: Not at all what I expected. Historical fiction with a crime noir spin- character driven, suspenseful, and surprisingly emotional.
Thank you for the rec @sonoflargemarge

——
Did you participate in any fun reading challenges this year?

I’m debating doing this challenge again next year, so if you have a must-read rec for me please share! I’m open to any genre. 🤗

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Imaginairium ‘25 Wrap-Up

**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!**

happy thursday, reader pals! I hope you’re not tired of me talking about @wordfest’s Imaginairium yet because I’m still not over it 🥲

I had SO much fun running around and meeting as many authors as I could— but more than that, my heart is packed full from meeting so many of you 🥲 from out-of-towners @boberbookclub and @magsisreadingagain to local friends @sometimesshesreading, @abibliothecaire @lostinthemysterypages I’ve been meaning to meet for a while, to my @calgareadsbookclub pals and my fellow Bookstagrammers-in-Residence— I can’t even begin to express how lovely it’s been seeing your beautiful faces and chatting books, the festival and life 🥲

To team @wordfest & team @shareworthypr (and also @persuasionphoto and @owlsnestbooks), thank you for being the familiar faces I needed, for cheering us all on, and spoiling us with all the things. I feel honoured to be in your orbit 🥹

And to all of you who followed me virtually, I hope I made you feel like you were with me getting all my books signed, hearing authors/publishers/media persons speak, networking, socializing, etc.! And I hope I see you at a future Imaginairium! 🤞

*alright giveaway time!! Win a signed paperback copy of The Break by katherena vermette, PLUS a signed book plate by Miriam Toews and one by Clare Leslie Hall! Included will be the last exclusive (made by me) WF bag charm and a Wordfest sticker from my BIR bag! And a portrait tote! (See last slide for a photo of them all)

All you have to do is:
1. Be following me @readingwiththechoob and @wordfest
2. Like and save this post!
3. Comment your guess of how many signatures I got on my portrait tote bag (hint: I didn’t just ask the authors 👀)— One guess per person! [Answer: 42!]

That’s it! Closest guess will win (and if multiple people get the number, I’ll do a randomized draw from the correct guesses!)! Open Canada wide!

>> giveaway closed! Winner is @maysreadingnook! 🥳

*not affiliated with Instagram

#imaginairium #wordfest #bookcommunity #canlit

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WORDFEST IMAGINAIRIUM

I was talking to my husband this weekend and he said a few people were asking where I was at my kids sporting events and he admitted; “I didn’t know how to describe it so I told them you were at some big book thing?”

I laughed but I mean… he was right.

I was at a “big book thing” and it really was INDESCRIBABLE!

Wordfest is so many things: it is like an in person verbal book report by the author themselves; it is tips and tricks from people in the publishing industry for aspiring writers; it is intimidate conversations between authors about their work and their process; it is out of the box literary experiences; it’s the restaurant visits before and after the events, chatting about books and dissecting the author experiences over amazing food and drinks; it is COMMUNITY!

When I started @calgareadsbookclub I was looking for a community; a group of people who all enjoyed doing the same thing, and then talking about it (lord knows your girl likes to talk). While I found it there, I also found it on an even bigger scale at @wordfest.

I want to BE Shelley and Rita when I grow up.

I want to BE the amazing women in fabulous glasses with chic grey hair drinking cold Pinot Grigio with their girlfriends in the lobby before a show, passionately dissecting the characters and the plot. (editors note: there were MANY men there, but I personally, never want to be a man lol so I left them out of this musing.)

I found my people and I never want to leave!

Thank you @wordfest and @shareworthypr for this experience. It was such an honour to be a #bookstagrammerinresidence . I appreciate you all seeing and acknowledging the “work” we do here and valuing our contribution to this amazing community 🤍 I cannot next year!

How do you stay active in your bookish community?

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WORDEFEST IMAGINAIRIUM 2025 MEMORIES

I have so many more posts, stories, photos, and thoughts from this years Imaginairium Book Festival. Don’t you worry, it is forthcoming, but before anything else, I have to feature this …. FIRST ….what makes every book event memorable to me ….. THE PEOPLE!

To @wordfest @shareworthypr:
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for giving me a chance to attend as a BIR. Words cannot express my gratitude for including me and letting me be a part of this event. I will never forget this incredible experience.

To the Bookstagrammer in Residence Team:
Each and everyone of you is a STAR in your own right.
I was beyond blessed to get to know you here on bookstagram, spend this marvelous weekend getting to know each of you better, and now I am thankful to call each of you A FRIEND. Kindred Spirits for life💙

To the Authors who attended this event:
From my bookish hero’s @e_donoghue @kate.beaton @davidrobertsonwriter @susinnielsen ; To making new ones, @emilyraustinauthor @gabrielle.drolet @hamilton_gabrielle ; To those who made me laugh @cory_doctorow @dawsontracy @paulmeyers @andrewphung @realpamrocker To all those I was privileged to hear speak; as well as all in attendence of this event. Everyone there contributed to its success.

To indie bookstores especially @owlsnestbooks :
For being sure the book selection was at an all time high, unboxing books, then boxing them back up , then taking them to the other venus, then unboxing them again , then hitting repeat, all week long!!!!
EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU IS AMAZING & I Thank you.

To my friends & bookish acquaintances: Thank you for spending time in line with me, inviting me to eat with you, taking my bag and waiting in long lines to get it signed , having me over for coffee, using tickets when I couldn’t and so much more. You are why we say
BOOK PEOPLE ARE THE BEST PEOPLE

To all my friends & followers :
Thank you for engaging & following along with this & all my bookish journeys. I wouldn’t be here without your love, support, engagement and most importantly KINDNESS.
THANKFUL FOR YOU ALL !

Let’s chat whatever you want to chat about today ….
see you in the comments

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📚📱🥰To our brilliant, book-loving Bookstagrammers In Residence — THANK YOU. You didn’t just post about the festival… You brought it to life online.

You captured the laughter, the goosebumps, the unexpected moments, and the energy of 6 unforgettable days with 50+ incredible authors.

This year was about more than just our 30th anniversary — it was about connection. Joy. Story. And you helped us share all of that with the world.

We’re so grateful. 💛
#wordfest #imaginairium

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The last week (and a very full last 24 hours) has been a delight! Amazing conversations, inspirational stories and fantastic books. I am so thankful to be a bookstagrammer in residence and to have been able to see so many amazing shows.

Honestly it’s impossible to pick a favourite event, but here are some highlight moments.

Cherie Dimaline speaking about how we hold home inside of stories and how a book is a home for a story to live.

Paul Myers (Mike Myers brother!) talking about how John Candy truly brought empathy and joy to the world.

Emma Donoghue tearing up talking about her children leaving home and how asymmetrical the love is between parents and children.

Meeting David A Robertson - a family favourite author.

Clare Leslie Hall discussing the emotional pull of nostalgia and exploring the paths not taken.

Thank you to @wordfest and @shareworthypr for including me.

#imaginairium #wordfest #yyc

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First time attending #wordfest thanks to a contest I won from @this.guy.books
Amazing panel, it was so funny!

#Bookstagram #wordfest2025

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WORDFEST DAY 3:

I loved Julie Chan is Dead and was so excited to hear @theliannz talk about the inspiration behind the novel. I saw @boberbookclub call it “slasher weird girl lit” and wish I thought of the term itself, because it was so accurate!

I loved hearing about Liann’s personal past as a chronically online teen who dabbled as a skincare influencer and how those experiences negatively affected her. She was brilliant and taught me new terms, like “techno feudalism”.

Our next even was the Literary Death Match; this was my first non interview style event and I absolutely loved it! It was high unbelievably energy and SO damn fun! A perfect example of always taking a change and trying new things - forever thankful to @wordfest for continuing to provide us with these events you truly cannot experience anywhere else!

Have you heard of the literary death match? I haven’t, but apparently it’s a traveling show?!

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Having the best time at Wordfest: Imaginairium this week! Every event has been filled with creativity, inspiration, and laughter. Meeting incredible authors, hearing their stories, and connecting with other book lovers has been pure joy. I can’t believe how much magic this festival brings every year! ✨📚

#Wordfest #Imaginairium2025 #YYCEvents #BookLovers #BookFestival #ReadersOfInstagram #BookishCommunity #Bookstagram #LiteraryFestival #CalgaryEvents

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Day 4 @wordfest

Every day seems to get better and better.

Started the day with sustenance, when you are doing back to back shows do not forget to eat and Calgary has an amazing food scene and every venue @wordfest is close to many great bites.

Filled mg tummy then filled my brain with the @theliannz talking about her debut Julie Chan is Dead, she was my favourite kind of authentic, zany, smart and humble. I learned new words and new perspectives on influencer culture, the audience was full of excellent questions which sparked great discussion. Looking forward to her next book.

From there we headed to @literarydeathmatch a really interactive, engaging and stacked line up of literary talent pitted against one another all in good fun.

And if I wasn’t already buzzing the night was capped off with a pool party at @hotelartsyyc

My cup is runneth over

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meet WF’s 2025 bookstagrammers in residence! 🎉

hi reader pals! just poppin’ in as a group to introduce ourselves! 🤭

If you don’t already know, @wordfest runs their literary festival, The Imaginairium, every October in Calgary— 50+ authors over 30+ experiences in just 6 days!! AND this year’s their 30th anniversary, so you know it’ll be extra special!! 🎉

This is the 2nd year they’re bringing in social media creators to help document the entire event— that’s us! 🤭 Think of us as your Imaginairium Tour Guides!! Need book or show recommendations? We’ve got them (swipe and see for yourself)! Maybe you need tips and tricks? We have you covered! Can’t make it? We’ll be all over socials, so hopefully we make it feel like you’re with us 🫶

SO be sure you’re following because you don’t want to miss all the things! T minus 2.5 weeks ‘til we kick things off!! SO EXCITED! See you there!! 💥

bookstagrammers in residence:
∗ Ashley @readingwiththechoob
∗ Brenna @reallyintoreading
∗ Delaney @mybook_notes
∗ Gurleen @bookswithgurl
∗ Kendall @kendallbistwrites
∗ Kim @kim.is.reading
∗ Maral @ralla_reads
∗ Raven @thebookybird
∗ Serena @bonkraereads
∗ Taylor @abookblog.bytay
∗ Travis @this.guy.books

Ticket info can be found at wordfest.com! (also linked in stories and bio)

#bookcommunity #calgarylocal #readercommunity #literaryfestival

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WORDFEST

it’s no secret I love a @wordfest event and the double header of Imaginarium Sneak Peak X Ian Williams on Tuesday was such a treat.

I started the night off by meeting up with my good friend Raven - @thebookybird - who is also an instagrammer in residence this Festival; we met outside the Memorial Park Library which is so cute and quaint and truly one of my favourite literary venues in the city; while Central is grand and overwhelming beautiful, there is something special about the intimacy of the Memorial Park’s space.

We immediately grabbed some wine (which was amazing, BTW) and a program (I included a digital version of the program as the final 2 slides for you to check out) and took our seats to listen to @youngbluntshelley give us all sorts of insider information on this years line up; only Shelley can convince me to add EVEN MORE shows to my already packed schedule…

We had a brief intermission where we shopped the @owlsnestbooks pop up; there were tons of books from the authors featured at the upcoming festival, but I opted for a copy of You’ve Changed by the author of the evening @notianwilliams . I highly recommend purchasing your books at the pop ups and supporting local.

I’ll be honest, Ian was a new to me author (I missed him as the Author in Residence at U of C by a few years) and he immediately captivated me with his warm effervescence about poetry and writing. Not only did Ian make me incredibly excited to pick up his book, but the conversation touched on heavier, hot button issues in such a gracious and respectful way.

Another night to remember - thank you @wordfest team for the amazing event! (they even had a cake for @this.guy.books birthday - talk about the dream team?!)

Are you lucky enough to have literary events in your city?! If so, do you attend??

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