Julia Seales

Is there any place more beautiful than a library? Let's consider: it's stocked with books that you can borrow — for free! — and it’s a quiet respite from the real world. Plus, it allows you to dive into countless fictional worlds. My favorite…

The Sorting Hat describes Gryffindor in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone as the house “where dwell the brave at heart, their daring, nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindors apart.” These qualities are the ones that show how Gryffindors will truly…

Ever since I saw the beast’s library in Beauty and the Beast as a child, I have been obsessed with the idea of one day having a gorgeous home library. Of course, that's not really possible for me right now, so instead, I live out my fantasy by…

I was easily scared as a kid, so book covers with even a hint of horror had me sleeping with the lights on. Though most children’s book covers were pretty scaredy-cat friendly, the Goosebumps section of the library was another story altogether. I…

If you grew up as a reader, you probably read quite a few strange books in the ‘90s. Thanks to the Scholastic book fair, children of the '90s had plenty of reading options, and bookish kids (like me!) could often be seen burning through paperback…

I'm a self-proclaimed bookworm, which means, naturally that I hoard books. I fill up shelves with stacks of novels, pile them up along the walls when I run out of shelf space, and basically fill any available nook and cranny with my library. It’s…

Whether a library has ten books or ten million, it’s already a wonderful place because there are books there. Of course, for avid readers, libraries with sprawling collections are alluring — after all, if you read constantly, you need enough books…

Harry Potter’s birthday is July 31st, which makes summer the perfect time to re-read the entire series. And if you still haven’t caught up, now is the time — it's the perfect series to enjoy on the beach, in the park, or by the pool. Each Harry…

I have always loved reading on the beach. Something about the sound of the waves, the warm air, and the soft sand combines to make the perfect conditions for relaxing with a book. And if book is a perfect beach read, that’s even better. Book-lovers…

Summer is the most wonderful time for book-lovers: the weather is perfect for reading outside; all that vacation time means more reading time; tons of new movies based on books are released; and readers can finally swap their cappuccinos and hot…

There are certain literary characters who are inextricably intertwined with their physical descriptions, clothing, and accessories. Lightning bolts and round glasses are immediate signifiers of Harry Potter; puff sleeves always call to mind Anne…

You may think of spring cleaning as something that only applies to your wardrobe and the hard-to-reach dusty corners of your apartment. But even if you’re working on creating a library as majestic as the one in Beauty and the Beast, your bookshelf…

If you’re an avid reader, you probably have a book quote for every occasion. Personally, I memorize tons of book quotes, and I love reciting them when the moment is just right. I don’t even mean to memorize them; I just read beautiful words and…

There are so many fictional worlds I wish I could visit: Hogwarts, Narnia, the Shire. These places would be at the top of my vacation destination list — if only they existed in real life. Authors have an amazing gift for imagining entire worlds, and…

One of my favorite parts of the Harry Potter series is the scene when Harry ventures into Flourish and Blotts in Chamber of Secrets. I loved imagining what a bookshop would look like within a magical world. Books are already a “uniquely portable…

Being a fast reader is both a blessing and a curse. Everyone acts as if they want to become a fast reader. After all, this can make reading tasks go by faster, and it can help make your routine more efficient. There are apps to increase your reading…

It's been proven that reading can improve your health in different ways. Studies show that it reduces stress, improves memory, and increases empathy. Basically, reading makes you a better person — and it also helps you sleep. The only downside to…

After a long winter bundled up in coats and scarves, there’s nothing like warm weather in the spring to inspire your wardrobe. Put away those boots and thick fabrics: it’s time for t-shirts, summer scarves, and skirts (without tights!) Of course,…

Some book-to-movie adaptations are on your radar the minute the rights are sold. You keep track of the casting, read every article about the movie’s progress, and attend the premiere (in costume, of course). Then you complain about any tiny detail…