We truly thought we had followed up with everyone who was affected, but have since learned that some customers may still be waiting for a resolution. If that’s you, we’re so sorry.

Customer service is at the heart of what we do. Every order, every gift, every candle matters to us, and so does every customer. That’s why we’ve completely fixed the issues: we’ve switched to a new customer service platform and brought shipping back in-house for reliable, hands-on fulfillment.

If you were affected and never got a resolution, please reach out again at help@frostbeardstudio.com -  We want to make it right.

Finally, thank you for sticking with us. Your support means everything, and we’re grateful to have such a loyal, patient, and kind community of readers and candle lovers.

Using a shipping fulfillment service for the last two years helped keep things operational during the height of COVID. We were able to focus on production and reduce our exposure by keeping our crew small throughout the year. It also made the November-December holiday rush much more manageable and less stressful. 

But certain things we didn't have direct control over, like packaging, processing times, and shipping services. With shipping rates going up, we realized it would be simpler, more affordable and less wasteful to ship directly from our studio instead of sending pallets across the country. We're a DIY business at heart and now it's time to switch back.

By addressing our customers' biggest issues directly, we're hoping to make some improvements to packaging and delivery methods. We're sorry if you've received broken items or had orders get lost in the shipping queue. It's our responsibility to make things better.

If you're a long-time customer, you can look forward to our old packaging method of hand-stamped, super tough boxes and teal tissue paper. Our goal is for your candles to arrive safely so you can light them, curl up with a book, and get your cozy on as soon as possible.

We're planning on making these changes in the next few weeks. As always, thank you for your continued support of our handmade business!

What do you mean… clay? Well, Frostbeard Studio originally started as a pottery studio. Back in 2010, Roxie ran a successful Kickstarter campaign for not candles, but ceramics, making mugs with mustaches and monster designs.

After getting a kiln and wheel, Roxie set up a studio in her mom’s spare bedroom and started selling hand-thrown wares at local consignment shops and craft fairs. In 2012, Roxie created the Book Lovers’ Soy Candle line and the nerdy scents were a hit. Tom joined the team and the married couple switched the small business focus to candles. 

Now, seven years since having a pottery studio, Roxie is finally returning to her original creative passion to make pottery. (But don’t worry, her nose will still be involved in the creation of candle scents.)

To reduce potential exposure, we've brainstormed solutions to keep things running smoothly and have as few people working in the studio as possible. Working from home is only an option for a few of us. To help protect our studio employees, we're moving everybody to candle production — the most important part of our business — and have recently transitioned to using a fulfillment center to ship our orders.

The switch happened on June 1st. If you've placed an order this month, you probably noticed the package looked different than before. There are undoubtedly going to be some kinks we have to work out during this transition, and we apologize if you receive a damaged item or incorrect order. I keep thinking about that Etsy "uh oh" error page and feel like this is going to be a brief time of three-armed sweaters.

But! We're working with the fulfillment center to package up our items correctly and ensure that items arrive safely to you, so please let us know if that isn't the case and we will get you sorted out. Thank you for your patience and understanding — we truly are so lucky to have such supportive customers. 😊

Using the fulfillment center means we'll no longer have to spend half of our time and energy on shipping. It will allow us to restock more inventory — including our 2oz and 4oz tins — and help prevent items from selling out. Items currently sold out will be restocked next week. Look forward to our Wizardy House candles in July as well as more Bring it Back scents — stay tuned!  

Doing our own shipping in-house was always a bottle-neck in operations and caused a lot of headaches. It feels great to rearrange our work space and get back some of our time. Now we'll be able to do more one-off items and bookish merch. You've been requesting more swag items like tees and mugs and enamel pins forever and now we're finally going to be able to make them!

Another benefit is that our online shop will be able to stay open if there is another "Stay at Home" order in Minnesota. The fulfillment center is an essential business and can keep shipping out orders if we have to close our studio again. We'll also be able to keep our shop open throughout the year, even during the holidays.

We're very excited about this transition and how it's going to let us focus on what we do best: making awesome nerdy things that need to exist. For more information regarding changes due to COVID-19 check out our updates page. 

You may recognize that we have a wealth of institutions that unfairly disadvantage people of color (policing, corrections, education, health care, housing, drug rehabilitation, etc), but that doesn’t mean you'll be able to just jump in and fix all the problems. Education is important, and that begins with knowing your history and gathering the right information.

Where to Start

Unsurprisingly, many of the best educators on racism come from the very same marginalized communities that have suffered the most pain. Activists have been working on these issues for decades and have tons of experience in dealing with racial injustice.

The reading list below is pulled directly from a Google Doc called Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources. Check the link for more articles, podcasts, videos and to donate to the folks who put it together. It helpfully groups books based on the White Racial Identity Model, developed by psychologist Janet Helms, “to raise the awareness of white people about their role in creating and maintaining a racist society, and the need for them to act responsibly by dismantling systemic racism through a framework of power and privilege.”

The goal is to facilitate growth for white folks to become allies, and eventually accomplices for anti-racist work. These resources have been ordered in an attempt to make them more accessible.

1) CONTACT

Limited awareness of racial issues.

• “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” by Beverley Daniel Tatum
• I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
• Whistling Vivaldi by Claude Steel
• White Awake by Daniel Hill

2) DISINTEGRATION

Increased awareness of racism. Dealing with guilt and shame.

• White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

3) REINTEGRATION

Fear and anger leading to regression on racial issues. Some people get stuck here.

• Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad

4) PSEUDO-INDEPENDENCE

Starting to actually talk to people of color and collecting information about racism.

• So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
• Why I No Longer Talk to White People about Race by Reni Eddo-Loge
• The Fire This Time by Jesmyn Ward

5) IMMERSION

Increased willingness to look at one’s own biases and to combat racism directly.

• How to be An Antiracist by Ibram Kendi
• The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

6) INDEPENDENCE

Finding a positive racial identity and committing to anti-racist work.

• The End of Policing by Alex Vitale

Where to Find These Books

Many of these books are incredibly popular right now and hard to find in stores. If you can, place an order with a Black-owned bookstore and/or your local bookshop. Check online with your library to see if any of these titles are available as audiobooks or ebooks. Ask your friends and family to see if they have a copy and if they want to have a discussion group.

What Comes Next?

History teaches us that change is possible. But remember, systemic racism will not disappear overnight! These are big issues and educating yourself is just the first step towards future action. Connect with local organizations, especially the ones that have been doing this work for a long time. With the right commitment, you can help make a difference towards improving this world for everyone.

Where to Donate Money

• Black Lives Matter
• NAACP
• Campaign Zero
• Support the Twin Cities

Extra Resources

• 5 Ways To Channel Your Anger Into Action To Fight Racism — NPR
• 25 Black-Owned Business You Can Support Right Now — Oprah Magazine
• 67 Books by Black Authors We’re Reading in 2020 — Teen Vogue

What have you been reading?

Any obvious books we’ve left out? Let us know below in the comments along with any other lists of recommended reading you’ve found to be helpful.

Safety First

Our highest priority is to keep people safe — our employees, customers, friends, family, neighbors, everybody. We’ve been following the CDC health and safety guidelines from the beginning. Our retail shop is closed and we’ve rearranged our employees’ schedules to reduce the number of people at the studio together.

We’re sanitizing, wearing masks, and physically distancing at work. It’s weird and kind of awkward and times, but… these aren’t normal times. Luckily we have a great team and everyone is doing their best to keep each other safe. It’s a slightly smaller crew than usual, so we’re doing our best to keep up.

Temporary Closure

In late March, our home state of Minnesota instituted a stay-at-home order, which meant we had to furlough most of our employees and close our business for candle production and shipping. A few weeks later, the rules changed to allow some non-essential businesses to reopen, including ours.

Right after reopening, our sales bounced back and are actually higher than usual for this time of year, which was a huge surprise. This is normally the end of our busy season, when things slow down and we focus on other projects. Since we’re extra busy and have limited staff, we’re taking a little longer than usual to make and ship out candles. 

Limited Inventory

We’ve been able to (slowly, carefully) bring back our crew. To keep our studio safe, we aren’t hiring any more employees right now. Instead, we’re keeping production as simple as possible — only 8 oz jars and wax melts. More sizes will return when we are able to rearrange our workspace.

We only have a single candlemaker every day, sometimes with an assistant. Our plan is to switch everybody over to making candles, instead of shipping out orders.

Shipping Fulfillment

Up until recently, we’ve done everything out of our studio space — product design, manufacturing, shipping, returns, photography, etc. With the current health crisis, it’s especially important that we find ways to spread people out and limit the work done inside our building.

Right now, shipping is our biggest bottleneck — it’s fairly slow, labor-intensive and takes up a lot of space at our studio. We’re making the switch to using a fulfillment center, which will likely happen on June 1st. They’ll become responsible for mailing out all of our orders to our customers and we’ll finally be able to spend more time on what we’re passionate about: making awesome things that need to exist.

Expect Delays

Everyone is buying online right now. Postal workers are super busy. The USPS has increased the shipping time on all classes of mail, so orders will likely take an extra day or more to get delivered. Along with our crew being extra busy, this means that orders aren’t going to arrive as fast as usual. We really appreciate your patience and understanding. Many of you have written kind messages to us, which means a lot.

International shipments are having an especially difficult time right now. In some cases, countries aren’t able to get mail from the US at all. We’re doing our best to keep track of those changes and apologize if we can’t ship to your country right now. For the countries that remain open to mail, many orders are super delayed. We know this is frustrating. Thank you for your patience while the postal systems deal with their own difficulties. It may take a while before things return to “normal.”

Retail is Still Closed

Our state is taking a step-by-step approach to reopening. Minnesota is now allowing more businesses to do curbside pickup, but we aren’t quite ready for that yet. Once it’s set up, we’ll send out an update — sign up for our email newsletter below, if you haven’t. For now, we encourage local customers to order online or check with one of our stockists.

Shop Small, Shop Local

If you can, support your local bookstores and gift shops. We sell our candles around the country and it’s possible that you can order a pickup or delivery from one of our stockists. Normally we don’t allow brick-and-mortar stores to sell our candles online, but we’re making an exception for stores that are suffering during the pandemic, which is most retailers. Please do what you can to support small businesses that are struggling at this time.

Looking Forward

Despite the difficulties we are all facing, we’re hopeful that life will slowly improve. It may take some time, but many, many people are working towards that goal. We appreciate everyone who is working hard to help others — health care workers, especially.

We’re very fortunate and don’t want to take it for granted. Normally we sponsor the Community Showcase at our local summer art festival, the exceptional Powderhorn Art Fair in South Minneapolis. This large event is moving online this year, but we’re tentatively planning to host a smaller art market outside our studio in August. Our hope is to support artists in our community and do something fun this summer.

Thank you again for supporting our small handmade business. Until this is all over, stay safe, keep reading good books and burning candles!

We're transitioning over to using a third-party fulfillment service, which will ship out our orders. To help open our shop as soon as possible, we will be sending over and selling only 8oz candles at first. Normally we make and ship everything in-house — so while we're not anticipating any major shipping delays, we thank you in advance for your patience if there are any hiccups as we make this transition.

For now, our small Frostbeard crew needs to remain at home. At some point, non-essential workers will be able to return to work while following specific safety guidelines. When this happens, we will be able to operate normally and can begin to produce and sell all the product variants (tins and wax melts).

Our March Candle of the Month, Watson's Journal, will be available for an extra week or so. The April candle will also be extended. We are not taking pre-orders for the Lit Box, but any remaining previous boxes will be available for sale while supplies last. Our studio retail shop will remain closed until social distancing is no longer necessary.

Thank you so much for your support through all of this. As small business owners, we couldn't make it through these tough times without you. We hope you're able to light some candles at home and catch up on some reading. A thousand thank yous to all of the essential workers out there. Stay safe!

We are so, so grateful for the outpouring of support these past couple weeks. By placing orders and sending sweet messages of encouragement, you're helping us get through these tough times! It means the world to us as a small business. If you're able, consider supporting other small businesses as well — lots of shops are offering shipping or curbside pickup. Your local indie bookshop might also carry our candles and be happy to get them to you. 😊

We're doing our part to slow down the spread of illness and will continue to social distance and self-isolate. When we resume work on April 10th, Frostbeard will return to basic operations: minimize staff at the studio to ensure adequate distancing, stay informed about updates and follow all the recommended safety guidelines from health officials. 

The retail shop at our studio will remain closed until other local businesses start to reopen, and our beloved mascot Tonks will be working from home (but will still make appearances as our new "coworker" on Instagram). The U.S. postal workers will continue to ship (and deliver candles to you lovely folks) and for this they are our heroes. 

Hopefully our candles can bring you some comfort in the next few weeks — we've loved seeing all of your cozy home work set-ups. Stay home if you can, and stay safe! 

So while some book nerds rejoice at the idea of an excuse to stay inside, finishing their current read and avoid going to public functions, some folks might be panicking about all this free time. We're all for Netflix binges, but our favorite means of entertainment and escapism is diving into a good book. Here are some recommendations on where to start for folks who enjoy reading but maybe don't do it on a daily basis. 

Ask for recommendations

There's nothing worse than being in a book slump, or having a hard time finding a book you love, but believe me — there's something out there for everyone! Find a friend you trust — maybe someone who has the same taste in books as you — and ask for recommendations. You can also scope out friends' Goodreads ratings to see who lines up with your "want to read" shelf. Also if your friend is recommending you a book they love, they might own it and loan you a copy. No need to meet up in person, just have them drop it off by your door. Win win. 

Join a book club

If you don't have a book sensai and are paralyzed by choices, join a book club! There are so many online groups, that you can still do this without leaving your house. Thanks to video chats you can discuss the book online, or just follow along and read the book selections they make. I joined Minneapolis's Books & Bars when I first moved to the city and discovered so many great authors and met some lifelong friends. If you're not sure which genres you love, a book club is usually a good way to find out as they typically pick a variety of popular crowd pleasers. Right now I've been loving everything from Hello Sunshine, Reese Witherspoon's book club.

Start a series

Reading a book series and falling in love with the characters is like coming home every time a new book is published. The authors simply have so much more room to develop the world and characters than a standalone novel. With each new story, you can jump right in where you left off with familiar comfort. There are certain books that I always know I'll enjoy, or read at certain times of the year. (Never met an Outlander book I didn't enjoy and I read a Harry Dresden novel every Halloween). You can binge read book series like you might watch a favorite show. Make sure to check to see if the series is finished, if you don't want to be left waiting for authors to catch up. 

Set a time to read

Make it part of your routine. I love reading for a half hour each night and on weekend mornings for a couple hours while I drink way too much coffee. If you're stuck at home and struggling to find structure, doing a simple thing like setting aside time for a book will make a big difference. When I know I'm going to settle in with a book for a few hours I also make sure to get extra cozy in my favorite reading chair with all the things I need: blanket, tea, cat, and snack. The toughest decision should be which Book Lovers' candle to light up and what music to play in the background. 

Hopefully reading can be a source of comfort to you while staying at home. I plan on making a dent in my TBR (to be read) pile but also getting a couple "feel good" books from my local bookshop — which is currently offering curbside pickup of online orders. Stay safe and read on! 

Guess what? Frostbeard to the rescue! We’ve read widely inside and outside of our favorite genres, and we want to help you find your way to these fabulous writers. Here are, in our opinion, some of the authors that you’ve just gotta check out.

Neil Gaiman

Fantasy fans may already be well ahead of the game with this author. But if you haven’t already heard of Neil Gaiman through his short stories and novels, you might recognize him through the numerous film and television adaptations of his works: “Stardust,” “Coraline,” “American Gods,” and the recent Hulu hit “Good Omens.” Or maybe you’ve read his 90s comic book series, The Sandman. 

Clearly, Gaiman is a man of many talents, stretching himself across genre and medium. But we love him best for his imaginative novels. To get a taste of his writing, we recommend starting with Neverwhere, an urban fantasy about a young businessman who stumbles upon a seedy, mysterious city beneath London – and into an adventure.

Haruki Murakami

Haruki Murakami made our list of authors we’d love to have dinner with because he’s so dang interesting. But he makes our list of favorite authors because his writing is a sheer joy to read. This man does it all: memoir, fantasy, magical realism, thrillers, short stories – he’s written something for just about every type of reader you can think of. And everything he writes, he writes well, populating his worlds with remarkable characters, moving imagery, and almost unbearable amounts of heartfelt emotion. Love magical realism? Pick up Kafka on the Shore. More in the mood for a good dystopia? Crack open 1Q84. Need some bittersweet romance in your life? Norwegian Wood can provide.

Naomi Novik

We firmly expect to see Naomi Novik on future lists of famous female authors, both for her brilliant plots and her dazzling prose. While Uprooted recently brought her quite a bit of fame and several awards, her other works are not to be missed. She also penned the Temeraire series, beginning with His Majesty’s Dragon in 2007. Think the Napoleonic Wars reimagined with dragons as an aerial force, and a hapless sea captain pressed into service to become a dragon rider. We know, you’re already hooked. But if you’d prefer even less historical fiction with your fantasy, Uprooted is the way to go, filled to the brim as it is with magic, romance, and grumpy wizards.

Eowyn Ivey

Eowyn Ivey (named for JRR Tolkein’s Éowyn!) was raised and still lives in Alaska, and her gorgeous prose will have you seeing this strange world through her eyes. Ivey is also adept at cutting to the quiet heart of grief and showing how her characters come to terms with events outside of their control. The Snow Child, her debut novel, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and took home a number of awards. In this study of human resilience, we’re treated to a reimagining of an old Russian fairy tale in which a childless couple is visited by a mysterious child. And in her second novel, Ivey takes us right back to the Alaskan wilderness with To the Bright Edge of the World, in which a colonel must leave his pregnant wife to embark on a dangerous mission in the wilderness.

Brandon Sanderson

If you haven’t heard of Brandon Sanderson, now is as good a time as any to dive into his Mistborn series. It’s got everything a fantasy fan could want: heists, a complex magic system, plucky heroes, and a sprawling world we love to get lost in. Sanderson is also known for finishing Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series, which is being developed for television by Amazon. It’s no surprise that he was selected for this honor – Sanderson consistently delivers effortless action scenes, intricate world building, and plots that suck a reader in and keep them there for the entire novel. Just make sure you’ve got some time set aside to blaze through his novels, because you’ll probably find it hard to avoid diving into the next one, and the next one, and the next one.

David Mitchell

David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas came out in 2004, and we’re honestly still thinking about it. A unique blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and historical fiction, this novel takes you on a mind-bending journey through the ages and across humanity. Six interconnected novellas might sound like a needlessly confusing read, but Mitchell delivers his masterpiece smoothly and with a perfect amount of explanation. After you’ve devoured this award-winning tour de force, you’ll still have several other genre-bending novels to check out from this masterful author, like The Bone Clocks and Number9Dream.  

China Miéville

A self-described author of “weird fiction,” China Miéville both delights and confounds us in equal measure. His novels are at once absorbing and disconcerting, awe-inspiring and off-putting. And we love every single page for his endless creativity. Check out his New Crobuzon series for a strange adventure through a fantastical, filthy world. Is it steampunk? Cyberpunk? Urban fantasy? If you figure it out, let us know.

Kelly Barnhill

This middle-grade author just so happens to hail from right here in Minneapolis! But Barnhill’s novels – alternately dreamy and creepy in tone – will take you to other worlds. We recommend starting with The Girl Who Drank the Moon, which won a Newbery Medal. When a witch who rescues children accidentally feeds a baby moonlight, she decides to raise her to help her manage her accidental magic. But when Luna’s magic finally starts to show itself, the witch is nowhere to be found. Once you or your young reader finish this adventure, pick up the darker novella The Unlicensed Magician, which won the World Fantasy Award for Long Fiction! 

Who’s Your Fave?

Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered

Fans of the My Favorite Murder podcast, this one’s for you. Authors Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstack rose to fame with their weekly true crime/comedy podcast, which has garnered them a worldwide fan base. They tour the country recording live shows and continue to put out new episodes each week. The two are known for their humorous banter in-between recounting true crime stories. Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered (also the tagline of their podcast) is less true crime-focused and more centered on the unique life experiences that got them where they are today. We think you’ll enjoy these smart, funny ladies even if you haven’t heard their podcast.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

What do therapists do when they’re having a hard time? They find their own therapist, of course! Psychotherapist and national advice columnist Lori Gottlieb explores her personal experiences with therapy alongside those of her patients in this candid, often humorous look at the human experience. Between the funny and sincere Gottlieb, her unassuming therapist, and her own roster of patients, this cast of characters offers something relatable to just about everyone. Ultimately, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone reveals that, while no one has all the answers, we’re all asking the same questions.

Good Talk

Did you know that autobiographies come in graphic novel form, too? Mira Jacob’s Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations is told through a series of dialogues with her six-year-old, half-Jewish, half-Indian son. Together, Jacob and Z cover topics ranging from the innocuous to the tense, leaving readers with a cutting, yet tender look into what it means to guide a child’s formative experiences and memories. And not only is Jacob superb, truthful writer – she also illustrated the volume!

Acid for the Children

You might know Flea as the bass player in the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but that’s just his stage name. He started life as Michael Peter Balzary, born in Australia and raised in New York and Los Angeles. Acid for the Children is the story of his tumultuous childhood and eventual rise to stardom. This isn’t a fairytale, though – Flea ruminates on his upbringing, his dysfunctional family, and the enduring sense of loneliness that he eventually channeled into music. If you’re looking for a powerful coming of age story, this recently published memoir is for you.

Naturally Tan

Tan France is an icon (okay, all the Fab Five are), and we couldn’t get our hands on his memoir fast enough when it was published over the summer. “Queer Eye’s” fashion expert is witty, funny, and endlessly stylish, and it’s a treat to experience his journey through his own eyes. Not only did Tan grow up struggling with his sexuality in a traditional Muslim family, but he was also one of the few people of color in his English neighborhood. In Naturally Tan, he takes us through his upbringing, his self-realization, his happy marriage, and, finally, his coming out to his family at the age of 34. Fans of the show and fans of joyful, unapologetic expression are welcome!

Into the Planet

Heart-pounding action isn’t limited to thrillers and spy novels; it’s a very real part of some everyday jobs! Jill Heinerth’s Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver will have you on the edge of your seat to the very last page – and beyond. Heinerth is one of the most respected cave divers in the world, as well as one of the few women in her profession. She’s the first person to take a deep dive into an Antarctic iceberg and has gone deeper into the ocean than any other woman. Fighting against the might of the sea and the prejudices of her unique workplace, she embarks on a number of unsettling dives and daring missions. If you’re not a fan of claustrophobia or the massive, unexplored depths of the Earth’s oceans, this might not be the memoir for you. But if you’re less unnerved and more intrigued by the archaeological ruins and natural wonders that lie below, you’ll want to join Heinerth on this journey.  

What’s Your Favorite Memoir?

Figuring out how to start writing a book is a tricky task, but we believe in you! You don’t need a fancy, leather-bound journal or an expensive pen to get the ideas out; you just need a willingness to write. That being said, we’ve put together a few items that can jumpstart your creative process, make your writing environment more comfortable, and otherwise put you in the mood to tell a good story. And if you’re not an aspiring writer yourself, you might just find the perfect gift for the writer in your life here!

The Perfect Pen (or Pencil)

Never underestimate the power of a good writing utensil, even if you’re more of a typer. You never know when you’ll be struck by a lush description or an incredible line of dialogue and have to scribble it down on a stray napkin or receipt. Make sure you’re prepared for inspiration to strike with a pen or pencil that can go everywhere with you, whether in a purse, backpack, or pocket. And once you find that perfect tool, you might want to stock up to ensure you always have one on hand.  

Daily Prompts

Writer’s block is a deadly foe that can strike down your burgeoning novel out of the blue. To keep your writing agile and lessen the chances of getting stumped, dedicate a small amount of time each day to a writing prompt. There are plenty of online sources that offer prompts, like Writer’s Digest, or you can head to your local bookstore and pick up a book or journal filled with thought-provoking prompts. This is the perfect chance to experiment and warm up before diving back into your project.

Novel Writing Software

The days of stuffing a sheaf of handwritten pages in an envelope and mailing it off to an editor are long gone. At some point, all of those handwritten words are going to have to make their way onto your computer, whether to be printed off again or emailed out into the world. Or maybe you’ve already decided to type things out from the get-go. Either way, you’ll need reliable word processing software to properly format your manuscript. We’ve heard good things about Scrivener, but a plain old Word document will also do the trick. 

A Back-Up Method

We love a good horror story or mystery, but not when it involves lost work! If you’re writing on your computer, you’ve got plenty of options for backing up your lovely prose. Got a Gmail account? Dump everything into a Google doc periodically. Back your entire laptop up to the cloud or to an external hard drive while you’re at it. Maybe you even want to write your whole first draft in a cloud-based program like Evernote so that you can access your writing from your phone or tablet. Whatever you do, just make sure you have a reliable option or two for backing up your work – and always, always hit the “save” button! 

Literary Candles

Once you’ve got your actual writing materials together, it’s time to think about crafting the perfect atmosphere to get your thoughts churning and the words moving. If the couch or your home office is your writing haven, why not customize that space to your current project? Painting the walls or switching out the furniture might be a little much, but you can easily change the atmosphere in your home with a book themed candle. Channel your ideal mood with a scent based on your favorite book, play some music, and you’re off to the races.  

Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Maybe the background noise of a busy cafe is exactly what you need to sink into the mindset of a novelist. We’d be lying if we said coffee shops aren’t soothing. But say you get yourself all settled at the perfect little table, only for a baby to start crying right behind you, or someone to begin the loudest phone conversation you’ve ever heard. What now? It’s time for noise-cancelling headphones to save the day, of course. Most quality models are fairly pricey, so if they’re not in your budget at the moment, opt for a less expensive, comfortable pair of earbuds to at least mitigate distractions.

Fill in the Blanks With Frostbeard

If you’re looking for your next thrilling read, you’ve come to the right place. Set the scene with a book themed candle and dive into some of our favorites! 

Six of Crows

If you’re into YA fantasy, Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows is not to be missed. One of the best things about heist novels is the cast of characters needed to pull off a complex plan, and Bardugo delivers one of the best teams you can imagine. We’ve got a sharpshooter with a gambling problem, a rich merchant’s son, a calculating gang leader, an acrobat turned spy, an ex-soldier, and a magic-user who loves pancakes. Together, the reluctant team must break into the most impenetrable prison in the world – and make it out alive. And since so many fantasy novels are ongoing series, you’ll be pleased to know that the second published novel, Crooked Kingdom, has a satisfying ending.

The Heist

For a plotline served with some heaping helpings of witty banter and romance, pick up The Heist, the first book in the Fox and O’Hare series. Bestselling author Janet Evanovich, known for creating the character of bounty hunter Stephanie Plum, throws together a handsome con man and a straight-laced FBI agent for a thrilling adventure. FBI Special Agent Kate O’Hare has been on the trail of con man Nicolas Fox for years but suddenly finds herself working alongside him. To stop a corrupt investment banker, the unlikely duo must team up with a zany cast of characters – including Kate’s dad. 

The Hot Rock

Watching a complex plan go off without a hitch is endlessly satisfying, but now and then we like to see what happens when the con artist is just really bad at his job. The Hot Rock introduces us to John Archibald Dortmunder, a professional thief who can’t manage a successful heist to save his life. Fresh off his second stint in jail, Dortmunder is quickly drawn into yet another caper when his friend Kelp promises him a big payoff for stealing an emerald. This first novel in a series will have you laughing, cringing, and thanking the heavens for the hilarity of Murphy’s Law taken to the extreme.

The Lies of Locke Lamora

We already called Locke one of our favorite anti-heroes, but we couldn’t resist including his misadventures on this list. Scott Lynch’s incorrigible character is a mouthy, clever orphan who grows up to become a masterful thief. Pick up The Lies of Locke Lamora for a series of excellent heists, enraged nobles, and a merry gang of con artists and thieves. But be warned – the series has several more books to go, and you might find yourself anxiously awaiting the publication of more of Locke’s cons. 

Death Prefers Blondes

If you love Ocean’s 8 and RuPaul’s Drag Race, you know what else you’ll love? Caleb Roehrig’s Death Prefers Blondes. This contemporary YA mystery is filled with nonstop action, engaging characters, and plenty of snappy dialogue. Margo Manning is a teenage socialite who also happens to be a cat burglar. Along with four kickboxing drag queens, she pulls off glamorous and highly public heists – but one finally goes wrong, and the team finds themselves at the center of an unraveling mystery. 

Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History

For a real-life heist story, pick up Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History. This true-crime novel covers the 2003 theft of over $108 million of diamonds and other valuables from a vault in Belgium. While the thieves were quickly caught and ended up serving their sentence, the logistics of the crime remained a mystery. Scott Andrew Selby and Greg Campbell endeavored to find out exactly how the gang of professional thieves had pulled off the heist. Tracking down details across Europe and sifting fact from fiction, the two eventually put the pieces together.

Double-Crossing the Bridge

Grog-chugging, baby-eating trolls plotting to rob a corporation after learning that an honest living won’t pay the bills? Sign us up. Sarah J. Sover’s debut, Double-Crossing the Bridge, promises fun, fantasy, and absolute absurdity at every turn. Granu and her playboy bestie recruit the best and the brightest – or whoever they can get – to accompany them on a harebrained mission to divest The Covered Bridge of some funds. Will they manage to get away with the dough, or will some billy goats throw a wrench in their haphazard plans? 

What Are You Reading?

Do you have a heist novel you’re absolutely fanatical about? Drop the title in the comments below! We’re always looking for heart-pounding plots and intriguing characters to shore up our shelves. And who knows? You just might spark the inspiration we need for a new literary themed candle. Happy reading! 

For the Tea Drinker

Or, really, for anyone who might like a neat mug for their beverage of choice. Whether they drink tea, coffee, or orange juice, your literature-loving friend’s face will light up when they unwrap this “Do You Even Read?” mug. The playful design says it all so they don’t have to speak a word when they’re wrapped up in their latest read.

For the Witch or Wizard

Know someone who just can’t get enough magic in their life? Allow them to conjure up mystical scents and other worlds with Christmas in the Great Hall a festive blend of mistletoe, ginger, and hollyberry. If they’d prefer something a little more homey, gift them Christmas at the Burrow, a sweet concoction featuring notes of cookies, cinnamon, and vanilla. And for those who can’t stop dreaming of spending the holidays surrounded by witches and wizards, wrap up Wizardy Buttery Drink, a spellbinding mix of butterscotch, caramel, and rum.

For the Romantic

We all know someone who’s either swept up in a grand romance or wallowing in the depths of heartbreak. They can’t help it! They’re a hopeless romantic, and one day they’ll find someone who feels as deeply as they do. Until then, drop off something that will soothe their aching heart and have them looking forward to their next instance of love at first sight. Our Sassenach candle has an earthy-but-sweet mix of basil, lavender, and thyme scent that pays tribute to epic love stories and enduring passion.

For the Frequent Shopper

Looking for a gift for a book lover who also frequents the farmers’ market or the library? Give them the gift of convenience with a high-quality tote bag! This relatable design provides plenty of room for produce, books, or both – while proudly displaying the book lover’s mantra. If you’re bestowing more than one present on this friend, you could even use the tote itself as a gift bag for the rest of your treats. May we suggest a few beautiful books? 

For the Studious Thinker

Transform an office, dorm room, or study into a bastion of learning with the help of Oxford Library. This rich, woodsy scent combines sandalwood, oak, and leather to make the perfect candle for anyone who spends long nights with their nose in a textbook or historical novel. You might also want to consider Sherlock’s Study, a blend of cherrywood, tobacco, and rain that will make the erudite recipient feel like a certain world-famous sleuth.

For the Fantasy Fanatic

This person can never get too much of good, old-fashioned swords and sorcery – and we can’t blame them, because we’ve made plenty of book scented candles inspired by our favorite fantasy worlds. Winter Keep is a woodsy mix of evergreen forest and bonfire sure to make your reader feel like they’re perched high in the icy mountains, protecting a kingdom from certain ruin. But if they’d prefer a more pastoral start to their adventure, offer up Halfling Hills, an earthy blend of clover, moss, and pipe tobacco hinting at greatness to come.

For the Cat Lover

Where would we be without our feline friends to curl up next to us while we’re racing through a book? Help a fellow cat lover show some appreciation for their furry pals with an adorable art print of a kitty sleeping soundly on a book. You can also get the charming design on a mug or t-shirt. Take it from us – cat owners will definitely relate to this idyllic but agonizing occurrence.

For the Adventurer

Know someone who can never sit still, who’s always on the lookout for an epic quest, and who frequently changes up their whole life on a whim? Delight them with a subscription to the Frostbeard Lit Box, a carefully curated collection of bookish goodies that’s basically a mini Christmas every month! Each box contains a new book inspired candle and four to six unique delights that fit the scent’s theme.

For the Picky Person

Everyone has that one friend with extremely specific tastes. Every holiday and birthday is a struggle, and not for lack of trying. Some people are just inscrutable, and that’s okay – because we’ve got a way around it. If you’re having trouble finding the perfect scent or bookish merch for your pal, make your hunt simple with a gift card. This shows your literature-loving friend that you care about their interests but are also invested in making sure they get something they’ll love. Best of all, Frostbeard gift cards are digital, so you won’t be waiting for a package! 

The Perfect Gifts for Book Lovers

We hope you find something for everyone on your list, and that your holiday season is filled with good cheer – and plenty of new books! Feel free to reach out if you have a question about any of our book inspired products or need help with an order. 

We know a lot of our readers aren’t local, so we thought we’d reveal some of our favorite Minneapolis coffee shops in case you ever find yourself in town! And if you are a Minneapolis or St. Paul native, we hope you find your new favorite spot on our list. 

Spyhouse Coffee

If you’re looking for high-quality coffee and a winning aesthetic, Spyhouse Coffee delivers both. Think brick, wood, and plenty of plants, coupled with specialty drinks and baristas that know how to make a mean latte. With six different locations scattered throughout the Twin Cities, you’re never too far from a cozy reading spot and a hot drink. 

If you’re not sure what to order, their seasonal concoctions are always a good bet. Autumn’s is Sage Against the Machine, a caramel and pecan latte that’s perfect for sipping on while burying your nose in a spooky story.

Recommended reading: atmospheric horror or dreamy magical realism.

Five Watt

When you’re on the hunt for a good meal or even a cocktail to jazz up your reading time, drop by one of Five Watt Coffee’s four locations. With three of those spots open until 10 p.m. each day, Five Watt has become our Minneapolis coffee shop of choice for late-night binge reading sessions when we just can’t put a book down. Head over to the East Hennepin location for acoustic melodies from local musicians every other Friday evening.

Recommended reading: that fast-paced thriller you already know you’re going to read late into the night.

Dogwood Coffee

Dogwood Coffee brings the quality, quirkiness, and comfortable seating that we crave. They operate four locations across Minneapolis and St. Paul, all of which sport whimsical artwork, bright accent colors, and the friendliest baristas around. Dogwood is often our cheery antidote to a cold winter day when we simply have to get out of the house. When you feel yourself going stir crazy, head to this place for the perfect cozy atmosphere and lighting that won’t strain your eyes.

Your book might be absorbing, but chances are your attention will be torn away to appreciate the beautiful latte art adorning your drink when it comes your way. Try a classic coffee or opt for one of their more adventurous concoctions, like the Sweet Potato Maple Bourbon Latte. 

Recommended reading: contemporary fiction, a memoir with a memorable voice, or romcom.

Aster Cafe

It might not be a coffee shop per se, but the Aster Cafe is straight out of a romance novel, with a gorgeous interior and a lovely patio. They even host weddings at this venue! The European-style patio is our favorite feature of this place – it’s the perfect spot for peaceful summer days spent powering through an entire novel. This is also a great option if you’re planning to grab drinks with a friend after you get some reading in: the Aster Cafe boasts an extensive list of beer, cider, wine, and mixed drinks, as well as a delicious brunch menu.

Recommended reading: romance if you’re sitting outside under the trees, mystery or historical fiction if you’re enjoying the rich interior.

Moon Palace Books

Moon Palace Books is the best of both worlds: a bookstore with a cafe attached! The Geek Love Cafe offers coffee, beer, wine, pizza, salads, and even breakfast. There’s also an adorable kids’ breakfast menu, making this the perfect place to pop into with your kiddo for a fun morning spent reading. If the weather is warm, head outside for a peaceful period of reading on the patio beneath a colorful umbrella. But be careful – you might feel so at ease in this homey, book lovers’ paradise that you finish your current read and dash to the bookstore session for your next one. We’ve certainly been known to do that.

Recommended reading: “geek” is in the name, isn’t it? Crack open anything sci-fi/fantasy!

What’s Your Favorite Coffee Spot?

For those of you who aren’t native to the Twin Cities, tell us about your favorite coffee shop! We’re always looking for cozy spaces to pop into while we’re traveling, but picking a place at random is pretty hit or miss. Save us from googling “coffee shops near me” and just tell us where we can find the best drinks and readerly ambiance in your town. Drop the name and why you love it in the comments below. Happy reading!

Pumpkin Juice

Butterbeer is a great Harry Potter brew to enjoy during the summer, but this pumpkin juice recipe promises to be a go-to for fall. And while the beverage is usually served iced at Hogwarts and throughout the rest of the Wizarding World, the recipe we found claims that you can try it hot, too – perfect for those chilly autumn nights!

Robber Steak

What could be more suitable as a Halloween party food than a delicacy inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula? Before Jonathan Harker arrives at the castle of Count Dracula, he takes the time to detail some of the food he eats on his journey. Robber steak was one meal that caught our eye, as his journal entry all but details the recipe for us: “bits of bacon, onion, and beef, seasoned with red pepper, and strung on sticks, and roasted over the fire, in simple style of the London cat’s meat!” This would be the perfect option for a grill out on a slightly warmer fall day. Just be sure to take out your plastic fangs before digging in!

Dothraki Horse Heart

Hear us out—we don’t mean an actual stallion heart like the one Daenerys Targaryen has to eat in >A Game of Thrones. That might be a little too gruesome, even for Halloween. Luckily, we found a recipe that promises to make this grisly snack a real treat. All you need is a heart-shaped mold, jello, corn syrup, and red food coloring! And if you’re really going for spectacle, you can add some edible fake blood to the dessert. 

Witches’ Brew

Did you know that the beloved 1993 film “Hocus Pocus” was followed up by a YA sequel novel to celebrate its 25th anniversary? We did! And that’s what led to this excellently spooky recipe> making the list. The character of Winnie brews her deadly drink in the movie to steal the souls of children, but this version will settle for stealing your guests’ breath. To really up the ante, we suggest serving the concoction in a cauldron punch bowl. 

Lembas Bread

Dressing up as an elf for Halloween? What pointy-eared costume could be complete without a tasty side dish to offer up to hungry guests? Enter Lembas bread, a hearty elvish food from The Lord of the Rings. The biscuit-like food is supposed to be delicious and filling – perfect for trekking across Middle Earth on an epic quest. This particular recipe calls for vanilla extract, which adds that perfect hint of sweetness to make this snack otherworldly.

Roasted Porg

If we had to guess, we’d say there must be mention of a roasted porg somewhere in the expanded Star Wars universe novels and comics. For those hosting a more formal, sit-down gathering this fall, this juicy chicken lookalike could be the perfect centerpiece. And if you can’t, in fact, find one of those little feathered aliens, a regular whole chicken will do just fine. 

Sleepy Hollow Slapjacks

The headless horseman is a haunting figure that many probably know from the Disney adaptation. But we first met Ichabod Crane and his personal small-town boogie man in Washington Irving’s atmospheric short story. Bring The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to life with a pile of buckwheat pancakes, as light and fluffy as if they were made by “the delicate little dimpled hand of Katrina Van Tassel” herself. Because who says you can’t serve breakfast for dinner or a sweet stack of pancakes at a Halloween party?

Scooby Snacks

Didn’t you always wish you could savor those little brown squares that Scooby and Shaggy seemed to love so much? Now you can! Go back to the cheesy show and spin-off novels of your childhood with a cookie version of the illustrious Scooby Snacks. This version of the treat is the perfect combination of chewy and crunchy, with plenty of flavor packed in. Who knows? Maybe the power of these little snacks will prove to be exactly what your guests need to solve a mystery – or just win a tense game of Clue. 

What’s Your Halloween Party Food of Choice?

The house is decorated. The most fragrant fall candles are lit. Guests will be arriving soon. So tell us – what’s on the table? We want to hear about your favorite fall recipes and party foods, so let us know how you do Halloween in the comments below. Happy fall, y’all!

For the anti-hero, morality isn’t black and white, and the ends often justify the means. So while they might be up to something bad (or at least morally gray), these characters are also the hero in their own mind, and we’re here for it. Bring on the mayhem! Catch us lighting some book themed candles and diving into the misadventures of these guys and gals again and again. 

Victor Vale 

Superheroes are fun, but they’re a dime a dozen nowadays. We’re more interested in what gaining these kinds of powers actually does to a person. (Here’s a hint: it’s nothing good, but it’s definitely entertaining.) In Vicious, V.E. Schwab introduces us to Victor Vale and Eli Ever, two wickedly smart college seniors working on their theses. Their joint research suggests that near-death experiences can cause a person to develop powers. Three guesses as to what happens next. Ten years later, a hardened Victor breaks out of jail and sets out for revenge. He’s merciless and murderous, but his affection for his found family sets him apart from the true villain of the novel.

Jude Duarte

For the YA anti-heroine of your dreams, look no further than Jude Duarte, of Holly Black’s The Folk of the Air series. Orphaned, kidnapped, and raised by her parents’ fae murderer, Jude grows up ostracized and bullied in the world of Faerie. But she also grows up clever, sneaky, and primed for battle. Knowing she’ll never be accepted by her otherworldly peers, she takes matters into her own hands, deciding, “If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.” That gets her instant icon status, if you ask us. From then on, Jude doesn’t hesitate to spy, steal, and even hold a knife to a prince’s throat if it will help her grow more powerful.

Dexter Morgan

You’ve probably seen at least a few episodes of this hit television series, but did you know that it all started with a book? Jeff Lindsay’s Darkly Dreaming Dexter introduced us to Dexter Morgan, a blood splatter expert for Miami’s police department. He also happens to be a serial killer. But wait! He’s not just any old murderer – he only kills “bad people.” Using his intuition and his position in the police department, he tracks down his victims and takes them out, with no one the wiser. Dexter is fascinating because he actually does have a strong moral code; it just so happens to differ from that of most people.

Locke Lamora

In The Lies of Locke Lamora, Scott Lynch introduces us to the titular character – an expert thief, a con artist, and a gang leader. The first book in an ongoing series weaves in flashbacks that give us a good idea of how the mischievous orphan Locke grew up to become the infamous Thorn of Camorr, a master thief who tricks nobles out of vast sums of gold. As a child learning to steal on the streets, Locke stands out for his artistry and love of elaborate tricks and performances. Not the best look for an orphan hoping to fly under the radar, but these early lessons set Locke on the path to his destiny, and us on a fast descent into helpless admiration.

Cersei Lannister

We know, she’s done some pretty evil things. But murderous, traitorous, and vengeful though she may be, Cersei of House Lannister sure does know how to keep us reading. And while some might deem her a villain for her actions, we’d argue that she’s anti-heroine material. The A Song of Ice and Fire series presents her as unerringly human, if overly driven by jealousy, rage, and fear. She’s up against quite a lot, and somehow always manages to grasp some sliver of triumph or exact a small piece of revenge. And we can’t help but celebrate when some of her more convoluted schemes succeed? 

Do You Have a Favorite Anti-Hero?

Sometimes, it’s just too hard to resist a captivating cover. If you’re looking for a visual treat but don’t want to get burned by a poorly written read, we can help. Here are some of our favorite designs that just so happen to grace the covers of truly magnificent books.

The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe

We picked up The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe on the strength of its cover alone. In person, the hardcover is absolutely gorgeous, with shiny gold foil that stands out against a deep blue background. The bold title leapt out at us in the bookstore, and the rest is history. Luckily, Ally Condie’s story measures up by introducing us to the titular Poe, a young ship captain bent on revenge. So not only will this YA read look great on your shelf, but it’ll also sweep you up and into an absorbing adventure.

Circe

We must have read the tale of Odysseus at least three different times while in school – but never once did we get to hear things from Circe’s perspective. The promising title, along with the bold, melancholy graphic gracing the cover, had us snatching Madeline Miller’s Circe right off the shelf. Inside, we found an absorbing tale of myth and magic, gods and monsters, and one woman who stands apart from it all.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation

That hot pink type overlaid with the 1798 “Portrait of a Young Woman in White” told us we simply had to read Ottessa Moshfegh’s My Year of Rest and Relaxation. We couldn’t help but be fascinated by our nameless, determinedly apathetic heroine (who we actually picture as the character on the cover). As the narrator, this heroine takes us on a yearlong journey through her conscious attempt to uncouple from the distress and suffering of daily life. She’s determined to sleep an entire year away with the help of a cocktail of pills prescribed by a questionable psychiatrist. The book itself? Anything but sleep-inducing.

The Essex Serpent

The cover of Sarah Perry’s The Essex Serpent is absolutely decadent, as are its contents. The tale takes place in late 19th-century England, when the recently widowed Cora Seaborne finds herself taking a restorative trip to Essex. Upon her arrival, she begins to hear rumors of the titular serpent that twines so sinuously around the cover. Of course, she must investigate.

The Immortalists

We were ready to roll with this read even before we found out that it was an exceedingly rare blend of fantasy and historical fiction. Just look at that those colorful leaves, that interwoven title text – what does it all mean? What connection could there possibly be between immortality and a branching tree? In The Immortalists, Chloe Benjamin takes us to New York City at the end of the 60s. A traveling psychic tells the fortunes of the four Gold children, which includes predicting the day of their deaths. Her prophecy sets the siblings on vastly different life paths. 

Red, White & Royal Blue

The front of Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue got us pumped for a contemporary take on the classic enemies-to-lovers plot, and that’s exactly what we found inside. Alex and Henry don’t get along, and that would be fine – if they weren’t the son of the President of the United States and the Prince of England. To protect relations between the two countries, the two are forced into an Instagrammable friendship, which soon starts to get a little less fake and a lot more dangerous.  

The Queen of Hearts

New details surface every single time we glance at this cover – and that’s exactly how the narrative of Kimmery Martin’s The Queen of Hearts progresses. Best friends Zadie and Emma survived medical school together and are now navigating their marriages, motherhood, and burgeoning careers. When an old colleague resurfaces, the two women begin taking a closer look at their past history. It turns out that both Emma and Zadie have been harboring deep secrets about what happened during their third year of medical school. 

Speaking of Aesthetics, Have You Seen Our Book Inspired Candles?

If you pick up any of these fanciful titles, let us know what you think! Do the tales truly live up to their striking covers?

And if you’re in the mood for some handmade goods to go along with your beautiful books, check out our collection of literature inspired candles. Whether you’re a romance aficionado or a fantasy lover, we’ve got the perfect scent to complement your shelf!

If we had it our way, we’d wave a magic wand and pop into a cozy restaurant for a candlelit dinner with some of the most fascinating names in literature. Our real list of dinner partners is a bit longer than the average blog post can handle, but here’s the shortlist of authors we’d love to share a meal with – we’ll make the reservation and everything! Just say you’ll come! 

George R.R. Martin

We have so many questions we want to ask, sir. What’s it like to see your epic fantasy books gain an entirely new fan base and widespread cultural appeal after 20 years? What do you think of the show? And when, oh when are we getting The Winds of Winter? 

We’ll try to keep our cool, of course, but we want to hear everything – even the parts we already know. One of our favorite tidbits is that R.R. Martin’s first stories were tales of monsters he wrote as a boy, which he then sold to other children for pennies. Talk about growing up to be what you dreamed of as a child! But it wasn’t a straight shot: R.R. Martin studied journalism and worked as a professor before eventually quitting to become a full-time writer. Is there a time limit on this dinner? Because we want to hear every delightful detail of his journey.  

N.K. Jemisin

We’re pleased to present overwhelming and undeniable evidence that N.K. Jemisin is awesome: not only is she the only author (ever!) to win the Hugo Award for Best Novel three years in a row, but she’s also an inspiring public speaker, practiced psychology, and reviewed books for The New York Times. In terms of novels, her epics blend sci-fi and fantasy in a way that has absolutely no right to work – yet somehow sweeps us away every time. Okay, be still, our bookish hearts. We’d love to pick her brain about the role of science fiction and fantasy in today’s world, her favorite audiobooks, and the upcoming television adaptation of The Fifth Season. 

Junot Díaz

We’ve recommended Díaz as the author to check out for books about the messy realities of love, but the truth is that his novels touch on just about everything it means to be human, to find your place in the world, and to grapple with the realities and expectations of culture and family. One of our favorites of his, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, features the titular character struggling with expectations from his family, his culture, and himself.

Díaz immigrated to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic when he was just six years old, and he credits his roots with influencing his novels and short stories. We could talk for hours with him about the role that others play in shaping our own perceptions of the world and of ourselves. And, of course, we’d ask him when he’ll be making the sci-fi debut he keeps promising.

Judy Blume

Our inner middle schoolers would leap at a chance to meet the author of classic coming-of-age stories like Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, and our adult selves feel the same about this Library of Congress Living Legend (is that the coolest title you’ve ever heard, or what?). Blume was writing about topics that matter to preteens and teens at a time when the overwhelming societal opinion was that those things did not, in fact, matter. Her 90-plus literary awards beg to differ. We’re eager for insight into her writing process, her titling troubles (Summer Sisters had 20 different potential titles!), and her experiences with her own books being challenged and banned from schools for their subject matter. 

Haruki Murakami

We’ve shed many a tear over a plot point, but Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood made us weep like no other. His prose is gorgeous, his storylines are heartfelt, and his characters have a kind of dreamy courage that makes us want to follow them to the ends of their worlds and beyond. But the charming detail that really gets us? When asked about the significance of the cats that frequently appear in his works, Murakami didn’t have some kind of deep, revealing metaphor to share – he writes cats into his stories because he likes them! We’re glad to be in on the revelation, but we can’t help but think that some high school literature class will soon be debating what, exactly, the fuzzy felines mean in the context of the work. Either way, we want to hear all about his experiences writing in both English and Japanese, as well as that time that he was at a baseball game and thought, “Perhaps I too can write a novel.” 

A Feast for the Senses

Whether you’re cramming paperbacks into a carry-on or strategically arranging the contents of your checked bag, we’ve got some practical tips for keeping your books safe. (A few of these work for transporting our book inspired candles, too!)

Make Use of Compartments

Sometimes, just keeping your paperback separate from the rest of your belongings is enough to protect it. If you’ve chosen a slim graphic novel or are leaving your computer at home, put that skinny compartment in your backpack to work as a book haven. Some rolling carry-ons even have a separate zipped compartment for computers, so you can store your treasured volumes in the overhead when you hop on a plane. And if your bag is floppy, just add a clipboard or even a stiff magazine in to help that compartment keep its shape.

Remove Book Jackets

Don’t yell at us, but we have definitely unfolded the front flap of a book jacket to use as a bookmark before. That being said, we hate to see them ripped or otherwise ruined – and that’s all too likely when hardcovers are bumping around in a bag during travel. At the very least, remember to take those glossy covers off and leave them home where they can remain unscathed. If your hardcover gets scuffed, you can at least cover it back up when you replace the jacket!

Pick Up Some Fabric Book Covers

If you’d rather leave the book jacket on, or you have a hefty paperback with a firm front, another option is to cover things up with a fabric book sleeve. You might remember these handy dandy pieces of stretchy material from your schooling days – they were all the rage for disguising ugly textbooks. Now, they’re back to save the day. A fabric cover can be used to protect your book from stains, scratches, and damaged corners. Plus, they come in a million different designs, so you can pick your favorite or even buy some material and make your own.  

Buy Used Books

We love browsing the stacks in used bookstores (Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore is one of our Minneapolis favorites), so we really don’t need an excuse to stop by – but here it is. Used books aren’t just cheaper than new ones; they also make great travel companions because most of them are already a little dinged up. If you don’t normally buy from used bookstores, consider stopping by your local shop before a trip to see what they have for sale. You just might find an old favorite or a lightly used bestseller begging to accompany you on your getaway.

Break Out the Tupperware

This tip is weird, but it works! Tupperware is available in a wide variety of sizes, so pick up a vaguely book-shaped plastic one, pop in your paperback, snap on the lid, and enjoy the sweet, sweet safety. Don’t buy a huge tub for one book, though – your novel will bounce around in there and could get even more damaged than if it were just sitting in your bag! Instead, keep the size similar to the book or books you’re trying to transport. A close fit will keep things in place and unharmed. 

Pack an E-Reader

We adore the feel of flipping pages, so you won’t catch us with an e-reader. But we have to admit that those handy devices make reading on the go much easier, and we do have some ebooks on our iPad. If you travel a lot or tend to bring multiple books on trips, a Kindle or Nook could be the solution to all those bent covers and crinkled pages. Granted, you now have an electronic device that’s a little more delicate than a book to protect, but that’s a problem for another day. 

Play Luggage Tetris

If you’re really in a bind – maybe you’re like us and can’t resist buying new books on the road – it’s time to do some strategic packing. Books usually suffer the most damage when they flop open, so do everything you can to make sure that doesn’t happen. If you’ve got that Tupperware on hand, now is the time to break it out. Think about the orientation of your book where it sits in your unzipped bag, and also where it will be when your suitcase is all packed up and being carried around. With some careful arranging, you should be able to wiggle a book into a supportive position that keeps it firmly closed while in your bag.

Got Any Travel Tips for Bookworms?

Every bookworm has uttered it at one point or another. In fact, we guarantee that this query has come out of your own mouth sometime in the last decade.

Here it is. 

“Should I get an e-reader?”

Some people hopped right into the trend when the technology emerged around 2006. Amazon’s Kindle, released in 2007, sold out in just five and a half hours. Others have held off, eschewing this blasphemy and upholding physical books as the only true option. The debate rages on to this day, with fierce proponents on each side.

Is e-reading really the death of the paper book? Should we fear ebooks, or embrace them? Here at Frostbeard, we've yet to give into the e-reader craze (though we do read a little bit on our iPad while traveling). We thought we’d walk through the pros and cons of ebooks versus physical copies, so that those on the fence could get a better idea of exactly what they’re signing up for when they enter the debate or start browsing on Amazon. 

E-Readers

When we say “e-reader,” we don’t mean an iPad or phone or other mobile device that can be used for a thousand other things; we mean a portable device 100-percent dedicated to displaying digital books. Barnes & Noble’s Nook and Amazon’s Kindle are the most popular versions, but Sony and several other brands offer their own versions.

Cost Efficient

While e-readers like the Kindle and Nook call for an upfront investment, enterprising bookworms can make them pay for themselves. Amazon Prime members get access to hundreds of free downloads, as well as newly released books each month. Apps like Libby even allow you to rent ebooks from your local library. And then there are those endless email newsletters dedicated to sending you daily deals on titles from Ursula K. Le Guin to James Patterson.

The takeaway? If you’re a voracious reader who tends to buy multiple books each month (hello, us), you may find an e-reader worth the initial cost and ultimately a little kinder to your budget. 

Access Endless Titles

You know that feeling of desperation that seizes you right after finishing the first book in a really good series? Woe unto you if you didn’t already pick up the second one, because chances are good that your local bookstore will be fresh out when you burst in just before closing time. 

Assuming the next book has already been published and you have a stable internet connection, you’ll never run into that problem again with an e-reader. The Kindle library alone currently offers millions of titles! 

Portable

Perhaps the most useful aspect of an e-reader is that it can easily fit in a backpack, purse, or even a jacket pocket. This makes e-readers the ideal companion for travel, commuting to work, or waiting in anything from a long grocery line to the DMV. We’ve hauled our fair share of heavy tomes across the country because we couldn’t bear to be parted from an exciting read, but we have to admit that an e-reader would have made the journey a bit easier. 

Physical Books

We obviously can’t say enough positive things about physical books, so here are just a few! 

Feel Better to Handle

Hey – we didn’t say this pro and con thing would be completely objective, did we? Because to us, there’s nothing more reassuring than a hefty novel in hand or the soothing sound of turning pages. And while e-readers are particularly convenient for traveling, they can’t hold a candle to the physical feeling of flipping paper. There’s just something magical about cracking open a new read while cozied up in a cafe that a light-up screen will never be able to approximate.

Don’t Emit Blue Light

If you work in an office, you may have seen a colleague or two come in sporting blue-light-blocking glasses recently. This wavelength of light is emitted from computer, tablet, and even e-reader screens, and it has been linked to retinal damage and irregular circadian rhythms. So while reading is a great way to wind down before bedtime, doing it on an e-reader could have the opposite effect. That being said, you can still strain your eyes reading a regular book, so make sure you look up every now and then!

Let Readers Retain Info

If you want another science-y reason to reach for a paperback, here it is: we retain info more deeply and for a longer period when reading on paper versus reading on a screen. Think about scrolling through social media on your phone: are you actually reading every single post, or are you skimming to get the gist of things? That instinctive style of screen reading can cause you to gloss over key plot points – and that’s no way to enjoy a book. 

What’s It to Be?

At the end of the day, our goal has always been to promote the love of literature, through our book inspired candles and literary listicles alike. So we won’t presume to make the decision for you. But if you ask us, nothing beats a fresh paperback or a gorgeous hardcover. E-readers will keep upgrading their screens, and we’ll keep bringing our iPad on trips, but they’ll never be quite as good as a book in the flesh – er, paper. And that’s just fine with us! 

Are you an ebook reader? A staunch believer in the power of the physical page? Or somewhere in between? Weigh in on the debate and let us know where you stand. 

Tamriel

The video games may have come first, but we were equally captivated by The Infernal City, the first in a duology that picks up 40 years after the events of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Tamriel is one of several continents on the planet Nirn, but it functions as the effective center of culture in this world. That means the land is home to all sorts of fantastic cuisine, delicious beverages, and bewitching magic. On top of that, there’s an entire encyclopedia of interesting beasts to encounter, like moon-adders and were-bears! And while we’re there, we may as well help save the place from a floating city that’s drifting across the country, killing people, and raising the dead. 

Narnia

How could we not include Narnia? The classic children’s series had us racing to the back of every closet we could find in the hopes of discovering another world hidden in a wardrobe. Of course, we’d be ready to do our part to assist Aslan and defeat the White Witch, but we’d also spend plenty of time hanging out with the endless variety of mythical creatures that call this land home, from winged horses to fauns to merpeople. And at some point, we’d hop aboard a ship to get a glance at the very literal edge of the world, because Narnia just so happens to be flat!

Florin

Swashbuckling pirates, battles of wits, feats of strength, and Rodents of Unusual Size – where could you find all the makings of the ultimate adventure besides Florin, the setting of William Goldman’s The Princess Bride? Peaceful pastures, gloomy swamps, and elaborate castles characterize this Renaissance-inspired world. This is the perfect destination for those fantasy fanatics who like a little (or a lot of) romance alongside their daring escapades. Once we make the big move, you’ll find us dangling from the Cliffs of Insanity, navigating the treacherous but exciting Fire Swamp, and ensuring that true love really does conquer all.

Discworld

We’d love to find ourselves in Discworld embarking on a dizzying, comedic adventure. This flat planet sits on the backs of four elephants which balance on the back of a giant turtle. Need we say more about the joyful ridiculousness we’d find here every day? It’s as if Douglas Adams turned his mind to geography instead of interstellar tourism – and then penned dozens and dozens of intertwined novels.

The late Terry Pratchett published 41 Discworld novels in total, winning multiple awards and topping the bestseller list in the U.K. All those books gave us plenty of info on the topography of this place, from the ice-bound mountains that emit magical energy to the great waterfall that cascades off the edge of the world and into space. We’re itching to visit the island kingdom of Krull and study at its magical university, as well. 

Fillory

The world of Fillory is introduced in a book inside of another book – the fictional series Fillory and Further – inside of Lev Grossman’s The Magicians> series, to be exact. In Grossman’s grown-up melding of the worlds of Harry Potter and Narnia, aspiring students learn the ways of magic – and discover that everything comes with a price. Protagonist Quentin becomes consumed with dreams of the idyllic Fillory, eventually discovering that it really does exist. Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows like it is in the books of Quentin’s childhood. But it’s still a guaranteed adventure, filled with mythical creatures, striking landscapes, and the requisite kings and queens. Assuming the ability to wield enchantments comes with the territory, we’d dive headfirst into a fierce battle to protect the future of magic. 

Prythian

Sarah J. Maas spoils us with a host of glimmering territories ruled by powerful Fae in her A Court of Thorns and Roses series. (She also gives us the Mortal Lands, but those are decidedly more ordinary, so we’ll stay away from there.) If we’re lucky enough to be gifted with Fae abilities, we would spend an immortal eternity traveling through the magical land of Prythian and visiting its various nation-states, from the glistening Day Court with its sky palace to the mountainous Night Court with its thriving art scene.

Journey to Another World with Frostbeard

The Unhoneymooners

Looking for a destination read that will have you dreaming of Hawaii while reveling in some sweet, sweet, enemies-to-lovers goodness? Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners is it. Unlucky-in-life Olive and her nemesis Ethan are the only two members of her twin’s wedding party to escape food poisoning. In spectacular romcom style, they find themselves embarking on her sister’s all-expenses-paid honeymoon – and having to pretend to be newlyweds once they get there! We love romantic comedies for their sweet setups and neat plotlines, and this one promises to deliver on both fronts.

Cari Mora

At last, the author of the creepy and thrilling The Silence of the Lambs is back! We’ve waited 13 years for Thomas Harris’ new book, so you really can’t blame us for tearing into it almost before we made it to the beach. But the setting and plot of Cari Mora make it the perfect poolside companion when you’re looking for a fast-paced read. The novel takes you straight to the Miami Beach waterfront, where our titular character takes care of a house that just so happens to be hiding $25 million in cartel gold.

Orange World and Other Stories

You probably know Karen Russell from her magical debut Swamplandia! or her first book of short stories, St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves. Well, the Macarthur Genius Fellow is back with another winner: Orange World and Other Stories. If you’re a fan of magical realism and bizarre situations, this will hit the spot. Our favorite so far is “The Bad Graft,” which features a sentient Joshua tree! And you just can’t beat a good short story if you’ve got other summer-y activities to get to, like chasing after kiddos or playing sand volleyball – you can easily plow through one (or several) and rejoin the group.

Montauk

Go back in time with Nicola Harrison’s dreamy Montauk, which tells the tale of Bea, a country girl whose wealthy husband leaves her to fend for herself for a summer amidst a group of high society wives. Despite her husband’s wealth and glamorous parties galore, Bea is unhappy with her life. She finds herself befriending a laundress, eventually regaining her sense of self – and falling for an enigmatic man who seems to be everything her husband isn’t.

Sky Without Stars

For those looking to scratch that YA sci-fi/fantasy itch while sunbathing, may we suggest “Les Misérables” – in space! Sky Without Stars, by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell, promises the sweeping scope and depth of the source material coupled with intriguing new characters fighting for survival and justice on an epic scale. And while Hugo’s original weighed in at a hefty near-1,500 pages, this novel promises to be a quicker read, with the rest of the plot following in subsequent books.

Daisy Jones and the Six

If you’re in the mood for a creative narrative style, pick up Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and the Six for a tale told entirely in interview transcripts. You’ll be treated to the meteoric rise of “one of the biggest bands of the seventies,” with all the drugs and rock’n’roll you could ever wish for. And you get to start all the way at the beginning, when Daisy is just a girl coming into her own in L.A. during the late sixties. Eventually, a producer unites her powerful voice with an equally exciting band. The rest is “history.” But you won’t find Daisy Jones and the Sixes on Spotify or in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, because this book is some mighty fine historical fiction!

The Last

If you’re more of a rocky coast, grey sea, and rainy skies kind of beachgoer, take Hanna Jameson’s The Last along on your next excursion. This post-apocalyptic thriller is also a gruesome murder mystery. After nuclear war erupts, Jon, an American, finds himself taking refuge at a Swiss hotel. Supplies begin to run out, and some occupants choose suicide or wandering off into the wilderness in place of slow starvation and creeping paranoia. One day, the remaining inhabitants discover the body of a young girl in the hotel’s water tank. Jon fixates on this murder, and the tale ultimately becomes an exploration of one of our favorite questions in literature: what makes us human?

Create Your Own Beachy Paradise with Summer Candles from Frostbeard

You can never have too many books to read on the beach, so let us know what you’re reading this summer. You just might help us find our newest favorite novel or inspiration for our next Candle of the Month! In the meantime, we’ll be hand pouring some of our summer seasonal specialties. Happy reading!

Those who exiled themselves from the young adult shelves once they hit 18 may try to fight it, but the fact remains that this genre isn’t going anywhere. It just seems to be getting larger, with bigger displays in bookstores and flashy new novels getting optioned for movies almost immediately upon publication. In 2012, Publishers Weekly revealed that over half of all YA readers were adults! We think it’s safe to bet that number has at least stayed the same, if not grown. So here’s a little insight into why YA is so popular – and why you should read it. 

The Wonders of Escapism and Nostalgia

At its core, the YA genre relates to what its target demographic (readers between the ages of 12 and 18) wants. These readers are just beginning to know themselves, to figure out what they want, and to embark on their very own adventures in the real world. Harking back to the classic bildungsroman, the coming-of-age novel, YA books mirror the very journeys that young adults find themselves undertaking.

It stands to reason that older readers who pick up these books crack them open for slightly different reasons, such as looking back on their own early adult years with nostalgia. Bittersweet? Perhaps. But there’s a definite joy in looking back on your own life journey and watching fictional characters figure those same things out for themselves. 

Another positive of YA books is that they’re just plain fun. They take risks, make jokes, and dive unapologetically into the love triangle that we all know is coming. Sure, some scenarios are unbelievable, but that’s part of the experience. The vast majority of YA novels remind us of the simple joy of reading, whether for an exhilarating plot, a brief escape into a magical world, or a thrilling mystery that needs solving. 

Bringing the Real World Back In

While escapism is a huge part of what makes YA so appealing, the genre doesn’t limit itself to flights of fancy. YA literature is also doing the important work of drawing attention to today’s most pressing social issues, a task that even adult literature sometimes fails to tackle. Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give, focused on police violence against marginalized groups, is proof that YA books can tackle timely topics and speak to very real issues facing communities.

The YA Effect on Pop Culture

From the boom in YA paranormal romance (a.k.a. when Twilight kicked off a wave of fanfiction, published works, and movies) to the steady industry of film adaptations of YA novels, this genre has contributed countless characters and innumerable moments to pop culture. In today’s fast-moving, digital world, we’d argue that it’s worth reading the latest and greatest books purely to stay up-to-date with all of those references flying around! 

The movie industry, in particular, loves to draw on YA source material because these stories are written with wide appeal in mind, introducing exciting but easy-to-follow plots and relatable characters. Just look at all of the film franchises that sprang from YA books: The Hunger Games, Percy Jackson, Divergent, Twilight, Harry Potter (arguably a children’s book series at the beginning, but that’s a discussion for another post) – the list goes on and on, a veritable maelstrom of screen adaptations.

The Best Young Adult Books

If you’re just dipping your toes into the YA scene, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Here are some of the defining stories that we find ourselves plucking off our shelves whenever we need to satisfy that unique YA literature need. 

The Fault In Our Stars

You wouldn’t expect a guy in his 30s to so perfectly capture a teenage girl’s voice, but John Green has made a career of writing realistic YA fiction for a reason. The Fault In Our Stars is perhaps his most heart wrenching, as it follows the cancer-stricken Hazel as she falls in love with a terminally ill boy. Sure, it may seem a little cheesy to older readers, but that’s why you’re here, isn’t it? To remember the incomparable flutters of first love? 

Uglies

Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies and the following books take the very real anxieties teens feel around puberty, body image, and friendship and make them almost too literal. As in, 16-year-olds get an operation to take them from repulsive to beautiful. In a world increasingly focused on how we present ourselves, these books stand the test of time for younger readers and adults alike. 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower will give you whiplash with how well it does teen angst and coming-of-age. Told in the form of letters, the tale places you squarely back in high school in a way that opens up all the infinite possibilities of life once again. And there’s a movie, of course. 

The Hunger Games

Susan Collins’ seminal trilogy kicked off a wave of post-apocalyptic YA fiction that endures today (see the Red Queen series for the subgenre’s most recent hit). It’s gritty. Dark. And proof that younger readers don’t shy away or need to be kept from the more gruesome horrors of imagination and reality.

Twilight

Stephenie Meyer has gotten quite a lot of flak for her sparkly, angsty vampires, but we still have to credit her for kicking off the wave of paranormal romances and reinvigorating public appreciation for vampires and werewolves. At this point, Twilight is compulsory reading for anyone trying to understand the growth of YA literature. 

Read YA With Us!

Our bookshelves are filled with their fair share of YA masterpieces, and we always check out the new release section when we hit the bookstore – who cares if we get a snooty look every now and then? We’re nowhere near outgrowing this genre. What about you? Do you love YA novels, or do you think these books are better left to younger readers? And do any of our scents make you think of a particular YA read? Let us know in the comments!

But The Winds of Winter is nowhere to be seen. It could come six months from now or an eternity from now, because George R.R. Martin’s lips are sealed as to a release date. What’s a bookworm to do in the meantime? Seek out similar flights of fancy, opulent worlds, elegant prose, and complex characters, of course! We’ve lined up some truly epic fantasy titles to tide you over as you wait for book number six.

The Name of the Wind

Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind is the first novel in an epic series that chronicles the life of Kvothe, infamous wizard and orator extraordinaire. Raised and trained as a musician and entertainer, Kvothe eventually makes his way to a magic academy and swears to learn the titular name that will enable him to call upon the wind. Fans of R.R. Martin’s tendency to twist tropes and subvert expectations will find plenty of the same in this heroic tale. And with a sizeable 662 pages followed by two more novels – the final volume is also awaiting a release date – you’ll have quite a lot of plot to keep you busy as you wait to return to Westeros.

Alanna: The First Adventure

Give us all the female knights! Seriously, we can never get enough of ladies in armor and chainmail kicking butt, taking names, and wielding swords with a vengeance. Obviously, we’d pay big bucks to see a meetup between Brienne of Tarth and our childhood hero, Alanna of Trebond. Tamora Pierce’s Alanna: The First Adventure is a classic bildungsroman with just about everything fantasy fans could want – an intriguing magic system, strong female characters, and absorbing plotlines. Alanna, much like Brienne and Arya Stark, eschews the feminine and dreams of fighting. Disguising herself as a boy, she switches places with her twin brother and sets off on the path towards knighthood.  

The Three-Body Problem

Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Problem may be more hard sci-fi than fantasy, but its windy plot and complex characters make it a logical option for A Song of Ice and Fire fans. After witnessing her father’s murder, Ye Wenjie is blackmailed into working at a government defense research facility that’s searching for life in the dark depths of space. Forty years later, a number of physicists begin committing suicide. Not only does the story do a wonderful job of walking through complex physics topics, but it also breathes life into them, intertwining the science with quick action and a conundrum that spans decades.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf

Marlon James’ Black Leopard, Red Wolf has already been called “an African Game of Thrones.” How could you not pick it up based on that promise alone? Tracker, a skilled mercenary known for finding people who don’t want to be found, is hired to find a boy who has been missing for three years. Though he normally works alone, he finds himself traveling through the wilderness with an odd assortment of characters, including a shapeshifter all hoping to locate the boy. As Tracker presses onward, he discovers that this is about much more than finding one lost boy. Rich with mythology and captivating in its cast of characters, this novel grabs you from the instant you set your eyes on its stunning cover and refuses to let go even after you’ve reached the last page. As an added bonus, James lives in our home base of Minneapolis!

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

N.K. Jemisin has won three (three!) Hugo Awards for her Broken Earth trilogy, but fans of the political machinations and deadly intrigue in A Song of Ice and Fire should reach for her older Inheritance trilogy, beginning with The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. Jemisin’s debut novel tells the story of Yeine Darr, a girl from a northern tribe who finds herself transported to the heart of a sparkling city and declared heiress to the king upon her mother’s death. In this world, gods are slaves to the whims of even young children of the ruling family, and blood relations mean nothing when there’s a crown on the line. Now, Yeine must stay alive by fighting to win a throne she doesn’t even want.

Red Queen

Victoria Aveyard takes the now tried-and-true, post-apocalyptic, YA fantasy-romance and does it well. Red Queen immerses readers in a bleak world dominated by the elite Silvers who rule over the oppressed Reds. Silvers have incredible powers that allow them to do things ranging from invading minds to growing plants to setting explosions. Reds have nothing – until our main character discovers an incredible power running through her Red veins. Aveyard is also a screenwriter, and her cinematic writing shines in a number of epic fight scenes that will make readers all the more hungry for what R.R. Martin has in store.

Assassin’s Apprentice

Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice is the first book in the Farseer trilogy, which follows the gutsy Fitz, a young boy with a magical link to animals. Turned out onto the streets for his questionable lineage, he takes comfort in his ability. But the members of the nobility despise this power, and he learns to hide it when he’s adopted into the royal household and begins training to become a royal assassin. Arya fans, rejoice! If you’re dying for more intel on the youngest Stark daughter’s deadly training, Fitz is up to the task.

Set the Scene with Frostbeard

It can be absolutely agonizing to wait for a new release, especially when you don’t even have a date to anticipate. We’re right there with you. Our solution – or coping method, to be more accurate – is to brew a hot mug of our favorite tea, light a book scented candle, and curl up with a conciliatory read on a comfy couch. Good luck with the waiting game, and let us know if you give any of these epic fantasy novels a try!

Nimona

Noelle Stevenson’s Nimona hit us right in the feels for a couple reasons. First, the art. Simple and colorful, it immediately reminded us of a classic fairy tale. The fantasy setting (complete with dragons!) helped with that, too. Then, the story. What starts out as a good-natured tale of a shapeshifting girl annoying her way into becoming an evil villain’s sidekick takes a darker turn so subtly, you won’t realize what’s happening until you look back and realize just how far you’ve come from the seemingly simple beginning. To top it all off, Stevenson gifts us with a lovers-to-enemies-to-something situation between the villain and a golden-haired knight! And if you need even more convincing, just know that Nimona one pops up on just about every list of the best comics of 2015.

Hark! A Vagrant!

New Yorker cartoonist Kate Beaton hit it out of the park with her web series that pokes fun at a frankly impressive host of historical events and classic novels. (We particularly like her retelling of The Great Gatsby.) The online comic has since been discontinued, which is why we were so happy to find our favorites preserved in print! Hark! A Vagrant! takes on everything from Poe to ancient priests with tongue-in-cheek humor and a deceptively simple drawing style that manages to convey a ridiculous range of emotions from the characters.

Monstress

If you love dark fantasy, post-apocalyptic thrillers, eldritch monstrosities, or just gruesome, atmospheric artwork, Monstress is for you. The ongoing story follows Maika Halfwolf, a part human, part demon survivor of a mysterious event that killed hundreds but left her alive. As she travels the world looking for answers to an otherworldly issue, she finds herself hunted by humans and monsters alike. We’re truly on the edge of our seats waiting for the next installment of this Eisner winner! Also, cats can talk, and they’re considered some of the wisest, slipperiest, most dangerous creatures in existence. We like how Marjorie Liu thinks!

SuperMutant Magic Academy

Combine Harry Potter with X-Men, add simple colors and charming artwork, mix in a heaping portion of surrealism, and you’ll have something approaching Jillian Tamaki’s SuperMutant Magic Academy. Honestly, you’ll have to read this one for yourself, because nothing we write can adequately convey the odd mix of feelings these little panels inspire. (But we’ll still try!) Tamaki takes a familiar setting – school – and populates it with a host of wild characters, from an immortal boy to an aspiring model with a lizard head. The kicker? Their concerns center around relatable issues, like unrequited love, succeeding after school, and coming out. Equal parts hilarious, puzzling, and devastating, this is the perfect book to read in chunks when you want to feel a little existential.

Fun Home

You caught us, this one is from 2007, but we couldn’t not mention Alison Bechdel’s beautifully written, painstakingly illustrated, and utterly heartbreaking autobiography. Fun Home snagged our attention from the very beginning, when we learned that the “fun” actually stands for “funeral.” Over the course of seven chapters, Bechdel explores her relationship with her closeted father, discovers her own sexuality, and interrogates some of humanity’s biggest questions. What does it mean to love someone? Can we ever truly leave behind the person our parents raised us to be? Should we? And not only did this graphic novel win an Eisner and numerous other awards, but it also spawned a Tony Award-winning musical!

The Umbrella Academy

If you hadn’t already come across The Umbrella Academy, you probably heard of it this year with the debut of its Netflix adaptation. At the start of this quirky, action-packed ride, the rich, eccentric Reginald Hargreeves adopts seven children, all of whom have unique powers and abilities. We’re talking time travel, mind control, and super strength like you’ve never seen it done before. Hargreeves’ ultimate goal? To mold his children into heroes capable of saving the world. Unfortunately, they chafe under his strict rule and go their separate ways, only to reunite a decade later when their father dies under mysterious circumstances. Who knew that Gerard Way, lead singer of My Chemical Romance, would pen such a zany, Eisner Award-winning series!  

What’s Your Favorite Comic?

You have our list, but we’d love to see yours! Let us know your picks for the greatest graphic novels and comic books in the comments below. We can’t wait to check them out – in between hand pouring our book inspired candles and coming up with brand new scents, of course.

Frozen Butterbeer

Unless you’re in a gloriously temperate zone, the summer can get HOT. Cool off with a frozen confection based on a sweet drink from the wizarding world! Butterbeer is usually served warm, but we were inspired on a sweltering day while strolling through Universal’s Hogsmeade – we sprang for the cold version, and we couldn’t have felt more relieved and refreshed upon that first sip! After scouring the internet, we discovered that there are seemingly endless approaches to creating frozen butterbeer, but we especially like this recipe since it has a handy video to go with it.

Blueberry and Chocolate Pancakes

You’ll be eating these pancakes any time you feel like having a lazy Sunday morning. Inspired by Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch, these fluffy delights deserve to be drowned in maple syrup – or maybe even honey – for a sugar high that will keep you going well into the afternoon. Unfortunately, you won’t get to see these golden circles brought to life in the movie adaptation – because they don’t even exist in the world of the book! 13-year-old protagonist Theo makes up the cakes on command when he’s asked what he had for breakfast. We’re glad someone thought his answer sounded good enough to eat.

Lemon Cakes

We can’t believe that “Game of Thrones” is coming to a close – and that we’re still waiting on the newest novel! It’s a good thing that George R.R. Martin’s high fantasy world contains so many story threads to unravel in the meantime. While you’re rereading and rewatching, why not make a light, spongy dessert to complement the epic story? We’re talking about Sansa Stark’s beloved lemon cakes! The sweet treats appear at a number of meals throughout the novels, but they’re best recognized as a favorite dessert of the redhead’s.

Cat in the Hat Popsicle

If you’re searching for an easy treat to make with your child, look no further than this simple layered popsicle. While there is one step that requires an adult to break out the food processor, your little one can easily help with the rest of the preparations. The best part? The recipe only calls for two ingredients! Once you’ve got the pureeing out of the way, your kid can go wild layering vanilla yogurt and pureed strawberries to create a relatively healthy, refreshing popsicle reminiscent of that quirky cat. For extra bonding time, break out the book and enjoy a little storytime outside along with the treat.

Dundee Cake

What would a recipe roundup be if we didn’t include a pick from one of our most loved romances? Truly, the food is one of our favorite aspects of the series besides, you know, the passionate relationship between Jamie and Claire. Dundee cake is mentioned in Drums of Autumn, the fourth book in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. The candied orange peels, dried currants, and blanched almonds made this cake beautiful and sweet, the perfect centerpiece for a summer party or for an epic one-person feast – no judgment here!

Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster

This iconic drink from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy practically leaps off the page readymade! Okay, so we don’t actually have Santraginean seawater or Fallian marsh gas, or any of the galactic ingredients Douglas Adams calls for in his recipe, but we adore the nerdy camaraderie built around the nearly 20 different recipes attempting to recreate an earthly version of a drink that tastes like “having your brains smashed in by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick.” There’s even a liquor-free version! The best approach is probably to take your pick of the recipes and mix up whichever sounds most appetizing to you or your companions.

What Are You Reading this Summer?

Between all these delicious, book-based treats and our running list of novels to be read, we’ve got a lot of choices coming our way. Add in our new seasonal selection of scents, and the potential combinations get dizzying! It’s okay, though – we’re looking forward to reading and eating our way through some fabulous stories!

Although we tend to churn through chunks of our TBR list during the long winter months, we still have quite the pile to tackle this summer. So far, 2019 is delivering exactly the kind of content that we want – which is really just all sorts of fascinating reads, from high fantasy to quirky meet-cute. And maybe we’re a little overly ambitious, but we’re always looking for new books to add to our list. Let us know what novel has captured your interest this summer!

Wicked Saints

Emily A. Duncan’s Wicked Saints promises thrilling battles, dangerous secrets, and three main characters set to steal – and possibly eat – our hearts. Split that winning mix between two countries inspired by Russia and Poland, and you have all the key elements of creative worldbuilding that we love in a YA fantasy. Wicked Saints is the first book in the Something Dark and Holy trilogy, and we can’t wait to dig into it! One thing to note – Duncan has been vocal about the mentions of parental abuse and past self-harm in her book, so you may want to skip this one if those subjects aren’t for you.

The Last Stone

True crime literature has the power to both captivate and horrify, intrigue and repel. Despite the grisly details – or maybe because of them – we can’t look away. Mark Bowden’s The Last Stone, a painstaking account of a 1975 cold case, promises an especially upsetting narrative. Decades ago, two little girls disappeared from a shopping mall in Washington, D.C. Eighteen-year-old Lloyd Welch told police he’d seen a man bothering the girls at the mall, but his statement was dismissed as a play for attention. Over thirty years later, police interview Welch, who is now in prison for child molestation.

Miracle Creek

Author Angie Kim’s stories have appeared in publications from The New York Times to Vogue, so we’re itching to get our hands on her first novel. Miracle Creek is a courtroom drama set in small-town Virginia that slowly unveils the lies that people tell each other – and themselves. When an experimental medical device operated by a Korean immigrant couple explodes, killing and injuring multiple people, prosecutors and defense attorneys struggle to bring the truth to light. But what, exactly, is the truth? Who is responsible? The couple, who could be relying on an insurance payment to put their daughter through college? The single mother, now accused of murdering her eight-year-old autistic son? We’re ready to find out!

Children of Virtue and Vengeance

Tomi Adeyemi’s sequel to Children of Blood and Bone promises to be just as thrilling as her debut. If you haven’t read the first novel in the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, we won’t spoil it for you – but suffice it to say that this is the West African-inspired YA fantasy series we’ve always wanted. Familial tragedy, a unique magic system, a bloodthirsty king, a rogue princess, and a main character struggling to unlock and control her own power are just a few of the elements that make up this rich world, and we’re so ready to hop back on this thrilling ride in June.

The Toll

Spooky stories never get old, particularly when they’re imbued with a kind of Southern Gothic charm and penned by award-winning sci-fi author Cherie Priest. In July, we’re treating ourselves to The Toll, a creepy tale set in the swamps of Georgia. The premise is simple enough: a honeymooning couple leaves the hotel and drives over an old bridge on the way to go canoeing. Something horrifying happens – but we don’t know what. What we do know is that a tow-truck driver later finds the man lying in the middle of the road, with his wife nowhere to be found.

The Testaments

More than three decades after the publication of The Handmaid’s Tale, we’re getting a sequel! In the first installment, Margaret Atwood introduces us to Gilead, a nation that has fallen prey to puritanical extremism. Women have no rights, and the ones who are still fertile are passed around from house to house in the hopes that they’ll bear children for the men who control the country. We’re dying to know what happened to Offred at the end of Handmaid, but The Testaments may make us work for the knowledge when we crack it open in September. The novel picks up the tale 15 years later, revealing more about the workings of Gilead through the titular “testaments” of three female narrators.

Beard Necessities

Romance is such a varied genre that there’s something for – just about – everyone. Whether the novel is historical or contemporary, comedic or dramatic, tame or trashy, we’ll devour it. Beard Necessities is the sixth and final book in Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers series, itself a spinoff of her Knitting in the City series. Compulsively readable, Reid’s lengthy romances suck you in and make you not only empathize with, but care about the characters. And in the following book, you find out you also inexplicably care about the character’s brother or second cousin or next-door neighbor! Beard Necessities follows Billy Winston, one of six bearded brothers, as he looks for love. We’ll be snagging this one when it drops in October!

Ninth House

The month of October can’t come soon enough, because it’s also bringing us Ninth House, YA fantasy author Leigh Bardugo’s first adult novel. We’re sad to leave her Grisha universe but eager to find out what she has in store for Alex Stern, a high school dropout who finds herself attending Yale University – thanks to some mysterious benefactors. Tasked with keeping an eye on the school’s secret societies, Alex finds herself drawn into the occult activities of Yale’s elite. Ninth House promises more of Bardugo’s engaging prose, complex characters, and fast-paced plot, so we’re ready to leap in with no hesitation. Also, “Alex” is short for “Galaxy,” and that’s maybe the best character name we’ve ever heard.

Which Story Has You Running to the Bookstore?

Some of these promising page-turners have us wishing we could fast forward to their release dates. But until then, our to-be-read pile is beckoning. You can find us curled up on the couch on any given day with a great read, a warm drink, and a book themed candle suffusing the air with literature-inspired scents. Tell us about the last book you picked up so we can make our TBR list even longer! 

A Clear Acrylic Book Weight

Okay, this one might be a little silly-looking, but also...useful? The weather can’t warm up fast enough here in chilly Minnesota. When it finally does get nice outside, we love stretching out on a picnic blanket and sinking into a page-turner by one of our great state’s many lakes.

But sometimes, reading outdoors isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. A stiff breeze can quickly become an annoyance, flipping and folding pages, and even (gasp) causing us to lose our place! The solution? A quality book weight that can anchor those pages down. We love this clear acrylic one because it’s actually shaped like a book and doesn’t block our view! All you have to do is place it over the page, and you’re all set for some convenient, hands-free reading.

The Perfect Mug

A lengthy reading session isn’t complete without a drink of your choice, and that special dark roast or rare tea blend deserves to cool down next to you in your favorite mug. Whether you’re more into aesthetically beautiful cups like this glass one or incredibly functional designs like this insulated travel mug, take some time to peruse the internet and find an option that will bring you joy every time you reach for it. We even offer some Frostbeard mugs designed especially for book lovers!

Don’t feel excluded from the world of adorably soothing drinks if you’re not one for making tea at home. Maybe you adore reading in coffee shops and can’t get enough of those colorful frappes. Consider bringing a reusable glass tumbler with you for those coffee runs, to help out the environment just a little!

Reading Glasses

Eyestrain is real, especially if you spend most of your day staring at a computer screen at work. Be sure to check in with your optometrist regularly to keep your eyes happy and healthy. In the meantime, you can pick up a non-prescription solution and fight the blur with some reading glasses. And if you’re bringing that mystery or thriller to the beach or planning to get some reading done while lounging poolside, don’t forget a pair of sunglasses to cut down on any harsh light.

A Warm Blanket

Is there anything more soothing than wrapping up in a fluffy blanket and cracking open a brand new novel while it rains or snows outside? Honestly, we look forward to "bad" weather, because it means we can head straight to our reading nook with quilt in hand. We really like this microfiber design, but there are countless options available online and in bedding stores. If you’re particularly crafty, you can even make a tied fleece blanket or hand knit one of those chunky blankets that took the internet by storm a year ago. 

A Cozy Kitty

Picture this: you get home from a long day at work and can’t wait to crack open that new thriller that everybody’s been talking about. You’ve got your blanket, your tea, your squishy couch, your reading glasses – what’s missing? A furry friend to keep you company, of course! Books and cats go hand in hand for us, but we love all kinds of critters. Got a Golden Retriever that thinks he’s a lap dog? Invite him on up! A bearded dragon that wants some attention? Let her chill on your shoulder while you dive into that twisty plot!

Your Favorite Book Themed Candle

Nothing throws off our groove like an unexpected smell. Think wet dog – maybe Sirius needs a bath before joining you on the couch – or burned popcorn – okay, that one’s on us. Set the scene for your reading marathon with a scent reminiscent of magical worlds or romantic landscapes. Delicate or dramatic, nutty or floral, our handmade, book inspired candles can take you exactly where you want to go.

An Actual Bookmark

Receipts, book jackets, pencils, a (clean) sock – we’ve used them all to mark our place. But we’re not proud of it! Really! In an effort to change our ways, we’ve started investing in real bookmarks and leaving them scattered in our favorite reading spots. The idea is that one will be within reach when it’s time to put down the latest trashy romance. We’ll see how it goes. It’s all about getting in the habit of using one instead of leaving a paperback splayed out on the couch, right?

The great thing about bookmarks is that they’re endlessly customizable. If you’re artsy, you can make your own with papercraft, watercolor, or pen and ink. But if you’re not so inclined, you can find the most beautiful bookmarks in your local bookstore or on Etsy. We’re talking pressed flowers, dangling jewels, and even upcycled silverware.

Bookish Swag

We’re big readers here at Frostbeard, and we’re proud of it! We’d shout it from the heavens if we could, but we’ll settle for expressing our love of literature by showing off our favorite bookish merch. The most wonderful thing about the internet is that it’s filled with thousands of crafters coming up with incredible designs – there’s a piece of merch out there for just about every fandom you can name! And that merch comes in equally varied forms, from prints to bed sheets. It could be an enamel pin stuck on your backpack to show off your favorite literary quote. A t-shirt that boldly declares your propensity for sniffing new books. The possibilities are endless!

Settle in for Some Prime Reading Time with Frostbread

At Frostbeard, we’re passionate about sharing our art and encouraging the practice of reading, We do that primarily through creating our signature book themed candles, which can set the perfect mood for diving into space operas and romances alike. What’s the last book that kept you up well into the night?

Scotland

One literary location we’ve actually traveled to is the Isle of Skye , the primary setting of Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse. Though much of the introspective novel takes place inside the Ramsay family’s summer home, Woolf’s descriptions of the outdoors had us longing to take in the views. Just look at this line, for example: “So fine was the morning except for a streak of wind here and there that the sea and sky looked all one fabric, as if sails were stuck high up in the sky, or the clouds had dropped down into the sea.” Can’t you picture yourself perched on a cliff, musing about the ceaseless passage of time and the changes it brings? We certainly can.

The Isle of Skye isn’t the only draw of Scotland by any means. Venturing to the mainland, we took in the sights that inspired one of our favorite historical romances: Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander. There’s even an official tour that takes visitors on an 800-mile route through the country, hitting locations from the book and TV adaptation!

Northern Italy

André Aciman’s Call Me By Your Name is a heady tale of desire and blossoming love woven deeply into the landscape of the Italian Riviera. For a brief six weeks in the summer, seventeen-year-old Elio and 24-year-old Oliver dance around each other before finally recognizing a mutual passion. The sun-drenched scenery lends a dreamy atmosphere to this brief romance, made all the more bittersweet by the rest of the novel. For a perfect vacation, we dream of renting out a villa in northern Italy where we could enjoy the hot, dry summer weather while pondering the tenderness of first love.

The Yorkshire Moors

Say what you will about the gloomy nature of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights – we don’t care. We want! To go! To! The! MOORS! This changeable landscape is at times fearsome and haunted by ghosts, but it also acts as an escape for the spirited Cathy, offering her sunshine and warmth away from her abusive household as she grows. We want to walk the near-mystical region where she and Heathcliff would have played and planted the seeds of their wild, doomed love. The Brontë sisters grew up surrounded by this scenery, so who knows – maybe we’ll be inspired to pen our own twisting tales.

Dublin, Ireland

Ah, Dublin. We’ve never been, but a visit to this jubilant city just might be at the very top of our nerd bucket list. So many of our favorite characters – both modern and classic – have gone on adventures here. We’d really love to visit for Bloomsday in June so that we could celebrate famous author James Joyce while walking the path Ulysses lovingly traces through the heart of downtown.

Dublin (and Ireland in general) is characterized as a place of magic, rich with folklore and history, but sometimes we like a little science to go along with those dwarves and fairy hills. Eoin Colfer places Fowl Manor, home to criminal mastermind and boy genius Artemis Fowl, just outside the city. Though much of this first novel in the Fowl series takes place inside the manor or underground in the world of fairies, Colfer treats us to a particularly lovely passage in which a major character soars over the city and into the countryside on a journey to replenish her magic.

Another favorite Dublin-centric book of ours is Karen Marie Moning’s Darkfever, the first novel in her Fever series. Mackayla Lane and her supernatural exploits have us longing to experience the vibrant Temple Bar District, which, according to Mac, is “the most alive part of the city, full of craic – Irish slang for something along the lines of ‘rollicking good fun.’” Hopefully, we’ll be able to take a slower tour of the area, instead of being chased through the dark by monsters ready to suck up our life force!

Hanging Rock, Victoria, Australia

Joan Lindsay’s Picnic at Hanging Rock has stuck with us for its mystery, its intriguing characters, and because we can’t get this image out of our heads – three girls climbing higher and higher towards a volcanic landmark, eventually disappearing forever. This novel feels so atmospheric, ghostly in a way that only an examination of unexplained tragedy can be, and we eat that mood up. How can you not shiver at the ominous line, “even the lowest and most accessible levels of the Rock are exceedingly treacherous, especially for girls in long summer dresses?” Lindsay’s deft combination of mystery and horror makes us determined to see the “geological marvel” of Hanging Rock with our own eyes. After all, we can only watch the 1975 film so many times before we book some plane tickets to Australia and go off to explore the outcropping ourselves – with some friends, just in case!

Where Will You Go with Frostbeard?

Planning a trip takes time, effort, and careful budgeting. But don’t stay stagnant while you save up funds or vacation days for that journey of a lifetime – when you need a break from planning, crack open a novel of your choice, light a book-inspired candle, and let yourself be whisked away on an adventure in the comfort of your own home. And let us know your favorite book-inspired destination in the comments!