Hygge House Books

08/19/2026

Hey...I'll be honest with you — I've been quiet here because I've been figuring some stuff out and making some changes (Again!?! Yes.).

🗝️ For instance, you may have seen that I'm becoming more of a part of the family. Walking up to Erin at a women's conference back in 2022 and introducing myself was probably one of the most uncharacteristic yet pivotal moments in my Hygge House journey. More about this later — but rest assured that only good things happen when we work together. 💕

📝 What you might not know, though, is that I've been writing. Not so much here, where punchy, flashy, trendy wins the likes. But over on Substack, where my brooding, retrospective, if-you-can-say-it-in-three-words-then-why-not-use-twelve vibe has had room to breathe. Because trying to force myself into a grid and an algorithm that doesn't fit, frankly, has drained my soul.

So I'm here to officially invite you to join me over on Substack, where I'm leaning into what actually works for me: writing. Messier, more honest, sometimes random and rambling writing (just like me 😉).

The URL is bmo50.substack.com but it's titled, ☮️❤️📚, and if you've been following me for a while, you know why.

I'll be writing about it all--books and book joy, building community spaces, being 50 and still figuring it out, and about what it looks like to run a business when you can't find your way out of a plastic bag.

I'll still be here sometimes. But if you're craving more of the real stuff — come on over.

☮️❤️📚,
Beth

08/08/2026

You are invited!

We're so excited to announce the Community Book Nook Initiative's first-ever overnight readers retreat — and we'd love for you to join us.

Here are the details:

📅 September 25–27, 2026
📍 Zen Waterfront Retreat · Orange, MA (~1 hour away)
🌊 Pond waterfront, kayaks, fire pit, cozy reading nooks

Whether you join us for the day or stay the whole weekend, you'll find cozy reading nooks, beautiful waterfront views, delicious meals, and the kind of slow, unhurried time that we readers dream about.

We're keeping this intentionally small — just 20 guests total — so it stays the kind of gathering where you actually get to talk to everyone.

Overnight guests are welcome to arrive Friday evening or Saturday morning and depart Sunday morning. Day-only guests join us for the full Saturday program. Every ticket includes all meals, snacks, coffee and tea, curated reading time, activities, and waterfront access. Guests can feel free to BYOB (books, blankets, beverages!) and anything else you need to make this cozy weekend special.

Ticket options range from $175 (day only) to $375 (premium suite, solo — king bed, private balcony, water views, en suite bath). Every ticket directly supports CBNI's work placing culturally relevant books into neighborhood spaces across Worcester and Middlesex counties.

Spots are limited — we'd love to see you there.

We can't wait to share this weekend with you.

☮️❤️📚,
Beth

Check out our event on Saturday, Sep 26, 2026.

Click here for event details from Hygge House Books/Community Book Nooks!

07/10/2026

AUDIOBOOK OF THE MONTH:
PRETTY DEAD THINGS by Kelsey Cox, released this week!

This is a fun little whodunnit featuring mothers, daughters, and beauty pageants.

It features a DUAL TIMELINE as we see the current mothers as teens when one of them went missing. We also see present day with their daughters at a similar developmental point, taking part in the same pageant scene the moms were once part of.

👌 🎧🏖️ I love a good audio accent and this book delivers ~ and it feels just right for a summer listen.

--review by our audiobook ambassador

Get your copy today with our AUDIOBOOK OF THE MONTH subscription powered by Libro.fm
-- visit hyggehousebooks.com/subscriptions or drop a note in the comments section and we'll send you a link.

06/23/2026

🎺🎶 dunnn da dat daaaahhhhhhh 🎺🎶

It's ANTI prime day, people!

RESIST the pull of the billionaire tugging at your pockets.
SUPPORT small biz instead.

2 EASY WAYS:

1️⃣ is flexing FREE SHIPPING JUNE 23-26 (that's starting NOW) -- get basically ANY book (+e-books) delivered right to your door.
😉 bonus: support our shop at bookshop.org/shop/hyggehousebooks

2️⃣ has all kinds of good deals for you audiobook fans -- including deep discounts for non-members and free credits when you join!
🎧 bonus: find us at www.libro.fm/hyggehousebooks (and may I suggest ordering DAGGERMOUTH by .wolfe as a special treat to yourself!)

If you're gonna shop deals, why not support the little people while you do it, eh?

Enjoy! ✊

06/07/2026

🎧 ☀️ JUNE AUDIOBOOK OF THE MONTH
review by

THE CALAMITY CLUB by Kathryn Stockett

This book is the definition of BETTER IN AUDIO! The accents and different voices bring these characters fully to life in an already well developed story from the author of THE HELP. It alternates between Meg, a sassy young orphan, and Birdie, a take charge unmarried young woman during the Depression. While it takes on some heavy subject matter, it’s infused with humor and hope.

📝 Note from Beth: And clocking in at about 25 hours of audio (😱 that's over 600 pages in print!) -- it's the perfect listen to ease you into summer.

Join our audiobook-of-the-month subscription service and receive a book handpicked by our audiobook ambassador, Maureen! Link in bio and at www.hyggehousebooks.com/subscriptions

06/03/2026

The so-called "Stop the Sexualization of Children Act", is a federal bill currently awaiting consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives.
➡️ It seeks to restrict the use of federal education funding for materials or programs deemed "sexually oriented" for children under 18.
➡️ It targets LGBTQ+ youth and aims to erase transgender representation from schools.
➡️ It could result in federally mandated book bans across the nation.

❤️ We, at Hygge House Books, believe that every child deserves to see their culture, their experience, their self, in a book.
🧡 We're teaming up with the Pride Alliance & Working Caregivers ERG at for our 2nd annual Diversity Book Fair on SUNDAY, JUNE 7 at from 4-6 pm
💛 There is strength in numbers. Join us. Books are for everyone.
💚 Self-affirming activities, books for all ages, and a postcard-writing station to let your voice be heard. 📣
💙 Story time with author
💜Great beer + delicious food available from Cold Harbor!

05/27/2026

Guys! We're SO excited to announce that author will be joining us at Cold Harbor Brewing for our DIVERSITY BOOK FAIR on June 7!

👑 🤼‍♀️ Phaea will be reading from her latest book ~ PRINCESS BATTLE ROYALE ~ a lively and punny account of the exciting championship of the WPW: World Princess Wrestling.

🏳️‍🌈 Join us for an afternoon of celebrating all of us with our diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and personalities.

📖 This is a story time for all ages that you don't want to miss!

20% of all sales directly benefits the 501(c)3 literacy initiative




.morton Penguin Random House Sienna Ablorh

05/11/2026

LET'S RAISE $1,000 in ONE DAY for the COMMUNITY BOOK NOOK INITIATIVE

🌮🍻📚 💪 We need to twist your arm a little and ask you to sacrifice a bit of your Sunday afternoon on May 17 to help us with the important task of shopping books, eating brunchy tacos, and drinking great beer.

But, how will that raise 💰, you ask?

Simple: 100% of ticket sales and 20% of book fair purchases benefit the cause.

*Research shows that providing books to kids in low-income homes helps break the link between poverty + poor academic outcomes.
*Pockets of "book deserts" (where less than 100 books are likely to be found in homes) affect Worcester.
*Community Book Nooks flood book deserts with easy access to books that kids can read, enjoy, and take home.

Your literacy support can look like book culture and feel like book joy. All you have to do is show up at Courthouse Brewing next Sunday between 2-4 pm, pay the $10 entry donation, and shop books and fun novelty items!

Your $10 IN ONE DAY can bring that joy, opportunity, and fundamental piece of human development to the neighborhoods that need it most, giving hundreds of Worcester city kids access to new books of their very own.



Courthouse Brew Co. Booksellers Association
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05/09/2026

New Release of the Week!

Ahhhh! I just finished FIVE by .bannister in about 5 MINUTES bc it was soooo compelling.

It introduces five people at a London train stop, one of which will be dead very soon.

This is a lean, fast-paced psychological thriller that delivers a commentary on human beings and LIFE but doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a smart novel that breaks the fourth wall and brings us along, in on the joke—at the same time as leaving us feeling fuller, more connected, more alive.

Just released on Tuesday, May 5 — this is one you don’t want to miss!

Shoot me a DM or comment below for 15% off and local pickup. Or visit us at bookshop.org/shop/hyggehousebooks to have it shipped to your door.

05/08/2026

May Audiobook Pick by

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, released April 21, 2026.

🫆Part murder mystery, part character study, ALL FUN.

When 81 year old Mabel’s neighbor dies, she is interviewed and it ultimately comes to light that she was accused of killing others in her past.

Let’s just say not everyone is who you think they are in this story. The unveiling of truths is done with such literary finesse, that this is not your average whodunnit and you will really care about the characters.

🎧Awesome on audio with the personification of a grumpy old lady and her motley crew.

**Join our audiobook subscription club and get this and Maureen’s monthly picks for $20/month!**