Romance — whether in books or on screen — is my not-so-secret indulgence. I love the thrill of a well-written “will-they-won’t-they,” the comfort of a happy ending, and the joy of swooning from the safety of my couch. As always, before diving into my usual Bookish Friday memes, here are five delightful finds — from creative tools for arts and crafts to cool websites — that caught my eye this week.

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5 Hidden Delights this Week: Creative Tools and More

PURPLE LADYBUG Rainbow Holographic Scratch Art Mini Notes

These holographic scratch notes from PURPLE LADYBUG are top quality and full of delightful surprises—just ask me and my teen daughter, who had a blast trying them out! If you’re looking for a mess-free, screen-free summer activity for kids, this compact kit is a perfect pick. With 150 vibrant sheets and stylus tools, it sparks creativity, builds fine motor skills, and keeps kids (and grown-ups!) happily entertained. 🎨✨ Grab a set now—fun for all ages, I’m proof!

Thanks to Purple Ladybug for this sample I used. I know it will be a great addition to any classroom as well for quick fun easy art activities for young ones.

Color Swell Art Supplies

I received a sample set of Color Swell art supplies—one each of their crayons, watercolors, markers, and colored pencils. The crayons and pencils are sturdy and easy to use, perfect for kids. I especially loved the vibrant colors of the markers and watercolors—check out the short video demo to see them in action!

Totally Lit! Typelit!!

Typelit.io – if you did not know about it before this (like me), then you will find it delightful like I did (I hope!). I know I have seen online typing games that help us type and improve our speeds. But this one seems like a different take and appeals to a bibliophile like me, totally!! You have a choice of books that you can use to practice typing.

(1 & 2) Book Beginnings and First Line Friday

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY is hosted by Rose City Reader. What book are you happy about reading this week? Please share the opening sentence (or so) on BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY! Add the link to your blog or social media post and visit other blogs to see what others are reading.

Happy Friday and welcome to the FIRST LINE FRIDAY, hosted by Reading is My Superpower! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line.

3 Friday 56

THE FRIDAY 56 is hosted by Anne at HeadFullofBooks. To play, open a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% on your e-reader). Find a sentence or two and post them, along with the book title and author. Then link up and visit others in the linky. 

4 Book Blogger Hop

The purpose of THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, and befriend other bloggers. THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.  

What is your opinion on modern artists’ interpretations of deceased authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Louisa May Alcott, Charles Dickens, and Jane Austen? Do you think these interpretations represent the authors correctly, or do they disrespect the authors?

I don’t believe most modern interpretations of classic authors like Poe, Alcott, Dickens, or Austen are meant to disrespect them — quite the opposite. Many artists are genuinely inspired by these literary giants and use reinterpretation as a way to engage with their themes in new, creative ways. While these modern takes might not always reflect the original intent or historical context, they often highlight aspects that are still relevant today, such as identity, gender roles, or psychological depth. Even the bold or unusual ones — like genre mashups — are often playful tributes that bring new audiences to the original works.

I also think that art naturally evolves through influence, often unconsciously. Many people who create “original” works are drawing from others without even realizing it. So when artists intentionally adapt or respond to classic literature, it’s really just a continuation of that creative conversation. These reinterpretations — even if imperfect — keep the legacy of these authors alive and meaningful, and that, to me, is a form of deep respect.

5 (Not So) Hidden Delights in Books

Books within books. Libraries that lead to other worlds. Characters who love stories as much as we do. One of my favorite bookish delights is discovering stories that celebrate storytelling itself—those little meta-moments where books, readers, and libraries are part of the plot. I have a whole A-Z series about that as well – or rather, about discoveries within books. But for today, here are five books bursting with that kind of joy – each of these references various other books or characters in some way or the other.

📖 The Bookwanderers by Anna James (Children’s Fiction | 8 – 11 years, and up)
When young Tilly discovers she can wander into books, her life—and her understanding of stories—changes forever.

📕 Don’t Check Out This Book! by Kate Klise (Children’s Fiction | 8 – 12 years, and up)
A secretive librarian, suspicious book bans, and a series of mysterious notes make this a clever and timely(ess) story-within-a-story.

📘 Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (Children’s Fiction | 9 years and up)
In a world where reading aloud can bring fictional characters to life, words hold power—and danger—in equal measure.

📗 Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I Don’t) by Barbara Bottner (Picture Books | 3 – 7 years, and up)
Miss Brooks is a determined librarian on a mission to help one very particular student fall in love with reading.

📙 Read All About It! by Laura and Jenna Bush (Picture Books | 4 – 8 years, and up)
A boy who thinks books are boring discovers their magic when storybook characters start stepping off the page.

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, what hidden delights have caught your eye lately? Drop a comment or share your current favorite reads or creative tools — I’d love to hear!